The Mindful Business

Laila Datoo

A podcast for businesses and individuals who truly value their people and understand the power of wellbeing. I'm your host, Laila Datoo—workplace wellbeing expert, mindfulness facilitator, international speaker, and busy mum living life on a tropical island with my family. Join me as I bring you inspiring conversations with bold leaders, real-life wellbeing stories, and practical advice on how to build a happy, healthy work culture. Because when people thrive, businesses do too. Join me for The Mindful Business.

  1. 6H AGO

    Episode 66: Stop Hustling, Start Thriving: How to Stress Less and Achieve More

    In this episode of The Mindful Business, I share my personal journey through burnout and the powerful lesson it taught me: you don't achieve more by doing more - you achieve more by stressing less. We explore why hustle culture keeps us stuck in survival mode, what chronic stress really does to your brain, and how small, intentional changes can help you feel calmer, clearer, and more effective at work and in life. If you're an ambitious woman juggling business, career, or family (or all three), this episode is your reminder that sustainable success starts with your wellbeing. In this episode, you'll learn: Why stress becomes our "normal" - and how to retrain your brain The hidden cost of being constantly busy and always on My personal burnout story and what finally helped me reset Why being busy isn't the same as being effective Three practical tools to reduce overwhelm: the 4 Ds, micro-pauses, and intentional endings to your workday   Final thought You don't need to hustle harder to succeed. When you feel calmer and clearer, you lead better, think better, and get more of the right things done.     Ways to work with me If this episode resonated and you'd like support creating calmer, more productive ways of working, here are a few ways we can work together: 🌿 1:1 coaching for ambitious women who want to reduce stress, build boundaries, and thrive without burnout 🧠 Corporate wellbeing & productivity workshops focused on mindfulness, stress management, and sustainable performance ✨ Talks and programmes designed to help teams feel better, work smarter, and show up with clarity and confidence Get in touch or explore current offerings via https://www.alifemoremindful.com/services  and let's help you (and your team) stress less and achieve more.     If this resonated… Please share with someone who needs it, or leave a review - it helps others find the support they need, too. Connect with me on LinkedIn - I'd love to hear your thoughts! https://www.linkedin.com/in/lailadatoo/

    15 min
  2. JAN 27

    Episode 65: From Burnout to Balance. How Mindfulness Changed Sarah's Life and Career

    What happens when your mind never switches off, stress feels constant, and life becomes a cycle of overwhelm and survival mode? In this powerful and honest conversation, I'm joined by Sarah Cardwell, a long-standing mindfulness client, as she shares how mindfulness became a turning point in her mental health, her career and her confidence as a working mum. Diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and Generalised Anxiety Disorder while working in high-pressure sales, Sarah reached a point where traditional therapies were no longer enough. Mindfulness was the one tool she never believed would work and the one that ultimately helped her quiet her racing mind, rebuild self-trust and create healthier boundaries in work and life. In this episode we explore: What it really feels like when your mind never switches off Why CBT and other therapies did not fully work for Sarah, and why mindfulness did How learning to pause helped her to react differently to stress The moment she realised that peace, not busyness, was what she truly craved How mindfulness supported her return to work, career confidence and leadership Why workplace wellbeing is about culture, not just perks What healthy boundaries and balance actually look like in real life Sarah also shares how she now works in a company with a genuine wellbeing culture, and why feeling valued, seen and supported at work matters more than any surface-level wellness initiative. This episode is for you if you feel constantly "on", if your mind struggles to rest, or if you're navigating anxiety, burnout or a demanding career while trying to hold everything together. A deeply human conversation about awareness, self-compassion, boundaries and learning to live with more presence and less pressure.   About Sarah: Sarah is a 42-year-old sales manager at a leading hotel chain and a mother of two teenage daughters.  Being diagnosed with BPD and GAD in 2018 led her on a journey to explore mental health and wellbeing.  She also enjoys sharing her experiences with wellness, along with the products and experiences offered by TEMPLESPA. In addition, Sarah manages a team of 40 men and women who are building a business and generating extra income through wellbeing and skincare experiences.   Links + Resources: Listen to more episodes on leadership + wellbeing → www.alifemoremindful.com/podcast Explore coaching or workshops → https://www.alifemoremindful.com/services Connect on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/lailadatoo/   If this resonated… Please share with someone who needs it, or leave a review - it helps others find the support they need, too.

    39 min
  3. 11/04/2025

    Episode 62: The Magic Is in the Pause: Why Slowing Down is the Fastest Way to Thrive

    In this episode, I open up about what really happens when we press pause and why slowing down isn't a weakness, but a vital part of sustainable success. After years of constant movement - building a business, raising a family, moving countries - I realised that burnout doesn't come from a badly organised to-do list. It comes from never stopping long enough to breathe. Join me as I share my personal experience of learning to stop, rest, and yield to life - and the surprising clarity and energy that came from doing so.     In this episode we explore: What it really means to press pause (and why it's so hard to do) How I recognised my own resistance to slowing down The idea of "yielding to life" and what it teaches us about balance Why permission to rest must come from you - not anyone else How taking a mindful pause can reconnect you to calm, clarity, and confidence     Key Takeaway Burnout isn't fixed by rearranging your to-do list. It's eased by stopping long enough to remember who you are outside of what you do. The pause isn't a setback; it's a reset.   Links + Resources: Listen to more episodes on wellbeing and sustainable success → www.alifemoremindful.com/podcast Explore my 1:1 coaching or workshops → https://www.alifemoremindful.com/services Connect on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/lailadatoo/   If this resonated… Please share with someone who needs it, or leave a review - it helps others find the support they need, too.

    16 min
  4. 10/28/2025

    Episode 61: How to Relocate and Thrive: Business & Wellbeing Tips from an Expat Expert in Mauritius

    In this episode I'm joined by Candice Thompson, an immigration specialist and founder of CoralBridge Mauritius. With nearly 20 years of expat experience on the island, Candice has helped countless individuals and businesses relocate to Mauritius with confidence and ease.   We dive into: ✅ How Candice turned her own relocation journey into a successful business ✅ What it's really like to navigate the Mauritian business landscape as an expat ✅ The unique challenges (and perks) of running a people-focused service on a small island ✅ Candice's honest take on balancing business growth with personal wellbeing and family life ✅ Her top advice for anyone dreaming of living and working in Mauritius   Whether you're curious about moving to Mauritius, running a location-based business, or you're an entrepreneur trying to stay healthy while you scale, this conversation is packed with real talk and practical insights.   About Candice: Candice Thompson is an immigration specialist and founder of CoralBridge Mauritius, offering tailored relocation and permit services for Mauritius. With nearly two decades of expat experience on the island, she provides expert guidance to individuals and businesses navigating the immigration process with clarity, efficiency, and personal insight.   Tune in and get inspired by Candice's story of resilience, clarity and creating a business with heart.   Connect with Candice: Website: https://coralbridge.mu Facebook: https://facebook.com/coralbridgemauritius/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coralbridgemauritius/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coralbridgemauritius/ LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candice-thompson-mu/   Links + Resources: Listen to more episodes on leadership + wellbeing → www.alifemoremindful.com/podcast Explore coaching or workshops → https://www.alifemoremindful.com/services Connect on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/lailadatoo/     If this resonated… Please share with someone who needs it, or leave a review - it helps others find the support they need, too.

    25 min

About

A podcast for businesses and individuals who truly value their people and understand the power of wellbeing. I'm your host, Laila Datoo—workplace wellbeing expert, mindfulness facilitator, international speaker, and busy mum living life on a tropical island with my family. Join me as I bring you inspiring conversations with bold leaders, real-life wellbeing stories, and practical advice on how to build a happy, healthy work culture. Because when people thrive, businesses do too. Join me for The Mindful Business.