Opportunity Made Opportunity Made

Sabine Kvenberg is a communication and confidence coach - a Distinguished Toastmaster, actress and operator of Performing Arts School for 27 years. In this episode, Sabine shares some powerful tools to conquer our nerves before going out on stage. 
From breath-work exercises to the magic of positive self-talk, she'll guide us through techniques for hitting the stage with confidence. Sabine dives deep into the secrets of crafting a presentation that truly captivates the audience. She believes that we all have an important mission and message to share and the better we can communicate that the more impact we can have on people’s lives. 

00:00 - Intro
02:12 - The Story of Sabine's Stage Performance and The Beginning of Her Career Journey 
06:00 - Techniques to Conquer Your Pre-Speech Jitters 
11:02 - Strategies for Taking Your Speech to The Next Level
14:29 - The Importance of Communication in All Areas of Life
18:44 - Top Tips for Confident Virtual Communication 
22:17 - How to Start A Career As A Public Speaker
23:36 - The Motivation Behind Writing Her Book 
28:39 - Sabine’s New Book
31:58 - Inspiring Other People and Sharing Our Message
34:56 - Sabine’s Final Call To Action 


Show Links:
Sabine's WebsiteSabine’s Book

Shawn Dreben is a personal trainer, a health coach and works with PEMF therapy. His love for fitness began at 14 with a gym membership. He learned techniques by observing bodybuilders, but this unfortunately led to a rotator cuff injury. Physical therapy for his injury sparked Shawn’s interest in anatomy. After recovering and learning proper lifting techniques, he faced a new challenge: mitral valve prolapse causing heart racing and panic attacks.
Shawn underwent a successful but difficult 10-hour surgery to address his heart condition. Just three weeks later, he demonstrated his determination by passing the NASM Certified Personal Trainer exam. The recovery period was physically and emotionally challenging, with pain and depression. A turning point came when his mom's cousin introduced him to PEMF therapy through a magnetic mattress pad, pillow, insoles, and necklace. Shawn experienced significant improvement within four weeks, inspiring him to integrate PEMF therapy into his personal training practice.

Shawn’s personal experiences with injury, heart surgery, and the benefits of PEMF therapy shaped his approach to fitness and health. His story is one of overcoming obstacles and using his experiences to serve others. Shawn’s journey in the world of health and wellness is one of passion, resilience, and a desire to help others.

00:00 - Intro
01:58 - Shawn's Health Journey: Discovering Heart Disease
07:54 - The Story of Shawn's Life Saving Surgery
10:32 - Post-Surgery Struggles & How Magnets Transformed Shawn's Recovery
15:27 - The Remarkable Results of Bringing PEMF Therapy into His Training Practice
17:21 - How Shawn’s Love of Going to The Gym Evolved Into a Career of Helping Others
21:44 - Essential Tips for Creating a Safe and Healthy Living Environment 
26:46 - Understanding Redox Potential and How It Affects Our Wellbeing
29:13 - Tuning Into Our Bodies and Eating Based on Our Specific Needs
31:25 - Doing Regular Self-Checks & Building Healthy Habits One Step At A Time
40:34 - How Our Mood and Well-being Impacts Every Part of Our Life
44:00 - The Importance of Communicating Your Feelings Effectively
45:35 - Maintaining Emotional Hygiene: Strategies for a Calmer Mind Before Bed
49:58 - Shawn’s Self Healing Journey & How His Heart Surgery Inspired a Life of Service
55:37 - The Power of Vulnerability and Embracing Our Emotions  
57:13 - The Micro Traumas We All Have & Why Our Needs Matter
1:02:00 - Final Words 

Show Links:
Shawn’s emailShawn’s Website

Jack Barsky is a former KGB spy and author of “Deep Undercover”. Raised in post-WWII East Germany, he confronted the oppressive realities of communism – poverty, limited healthcare, and a suppressed spiritual life.Despite these hardships, Jack achieved success, solidifying his initial belief in the system. However, his life took a dramatic turn when the KGB recruited him as a spy in the U.S. Facing a challenging dilemma, he ultimately defected, choosing his new life.
Beyond sharing his captivating story, Jack emphasizes the valuable lessons gleaned from his struggles. He recounts how these hardships, shared by many others, shaped his resilience and perspective. Discussing the role of faith in his life, he emphasizes that serving others is the highest form of love. Jack's remarkable journey shows that God truly works in mysterious ways and underscores that there are universal moral laws for all of us, regardless of our beliefs. 

00:00 - Intro
01:45 - Jack’s Parents, His Childhood & The Struggles After the End of World War 2
16:05 - How His Parents Met and The Relationship He Had With Them
24:04 - The Absence of God in Jack’s Early Life and The System’s Societal Conditioning
29:18 - The Suppression of Christianity under Communist Rule
35:02 - Censorship and Repression in East Germany & The Inevitable Decay of The System
46:01 - Life after KGB and The Power of Brainwashing
51:42 - Escapism Through Distraction in Today’s Society and The Consequences of That 
54:23 - Losing His Job After Expressing Religious Views  
56:06 - Starting A Professional Career in The US and Discovering His Passion for Creativity
1:00:11 - Jack's Transition to Management and How It Changed His Views on Christians
1:03:48 - Losing Control Over His Life and The Depression That Followed
1:07:18 - The Tense Trip to The US and Going Through Customs With A Canadian Passport
1:11:14 - The Universal Moral Laws That Guide Humanity
1:17:14 - Living with the Holy Spirit Within Your Heart   
1:17:51 - Service: The Greatest Expression of Love
1:25:14 - Why Self Denial Leads to the Inability to Love and Serve Others
1:26:30 - Escaping KGB and Choosing to Stay With His Daughter in The US  
1:39:08 - The Unconscious Presence of God in Jack’s Life
1:43:00 - How Has The Past Influenced Jack’s Relationship With His Children
1:49:30 - Jack’s Life’s Purpose


Show Links:

- Jack’s interview- Jack's website- Jack's book: Deep Undercover

Aaron was a professional motocross athlete when he sustained a spinal cord injury. He became a quadriplegic being paralyzed from the chin down. His mindset and his rebellious nature inspired him to master fundamental tools for the mind and body that he teaches everyday. 

He is 24 years into his recovery, and now he is a father, author, entrepreneur and ambassador for spinal cord injuries. His to road of recovery and all the difficult moments he is been through inspired him to put all the experience into his book “The Rebellious Recovery: Transform Your Adversity Into Adventure”. Aaron’s motivational and rebellious view of recovery and going through tough moments in life is a true inspiration.

00:00 - Intro
02:21 - Aaron's Inspiration For Rebellion and Recovery
05:09 - Aaron's Childhood and Biggest Lessons06:53 - Aaron's Injury and Road to Recovery
11:02 - The Fragility of Life and The Power Within
15:12 - The Hope and Patience To Go One Step At a Time In Difficult Moments In Life
18:53 - Moving Forward in Life and The B.A.S.I.C.S. Method
24:52 - Feeling Like a Burden and Getting Over the Ego
30:03 - Working With Anger As Fuel For Constructive Action
33:37 - Aaron's Book And The Process of Recovery
37:29 - Life is Hard And We Don't Have All the Answers But We Move Forward
43:24 - How to Focus Only on Today
47:19 - Connect With Aaron


Show Links:
Get Aaron’s book Aaron on InstagramAaron on YouTubeAaron's Website

In this inspiring episode, we meet Aditi Shah, a woman who has defied limitations. Losing her sight at 15 didn't stop her from pursuing her passion for cybersecurity. Aditi journeyed from India to the US, overcoming challenges and earning a spot as a Senior Applied Scientist at Microsoft. 
Through her personal story and insights, this episode is a powerful message for anyone looking to achieve their dreams. It underscores the importance of self-belief, dedication, and taking life one step at a time. Whether you're facing personal obstacles or simply need a reminder of your potential, Aditi's story will leave you empowered and motivated.

00:00 - Intro
01:50 - Aditi’s Background and Coming to the US
05:10 - Adjusting to Sight Loss
08:25 - Adapting to the Gradual Loss of Sight & The Role of Technology
10:11 - Accessibility Issues and How We Should Develop Accessible Products
12:41 - Microsoft’s Focus and Advances Toward Accessibility For Everyone
15:19 - What Is Accessibility Champion
16:25 - The Future of AI In Supporting the Daily Life of People With Disabilities
20:15 - The Successful Practices Of Women In Tech and Defining What's Possible
22:06 - Relating and Looking Up To Different Role Models For Different Skills
23:34 - The Courage to Get Into and Excel in the Field of Data Science and Cyber Security
25:31 - Taking Life One Step At a Time
26:45 - Where To Connect With Aditi


Show Links:
- Connect with Aditi on Linkedin- Be My AI

Taniya Faulk was born with a rare genetic disorder, called Osteogenesis Imperfecta or Brittle Bone Disease. She has 104 broken bones to this day, but that didn't stop her from moving forward in life and living fully. Empowered by her mother's spirit, Taniya tackles challenges head-on, sharing her journey in her book, "Perfectly Broken." She delves into the emotional shift from being a patient to her mother's caregiver, discovering newfound strength along the way.

In this episode, Taniya talks about grief, acceptance, determination and the power of self-reliance. Through it all, Taniya's faith and resilience shines brightly, reminding us that perfection is an illusion and now is the perfect time to start living our dreams. This empowering episode urges listeners to embrace their unique qualities and seize life with courage and optimism.

00:00 - Intro
02:35 - Taniya’s Trip to the Athens and Breaking Her Toe on The Way to The Acropolis
04:21 - Living With Brittle Bones Disease and Moving Forward in Life Despite Disability.
08:30 - Her Mother’s Empowering Spirit That Paved Taniya's Journey to Independence
13:05 - The Vision Taniya’s Mom Held for Her That Made Her Believe She Can Do Anything
14:39 - Seeing The Bigger Picture and Pushing Through Life Despite Barriers. 
15:32 - Inspiring Others by Overcoming And Sharing Our Struggles
16:23 - Taniya’s Book
17:54 - Losing Support & The Power of Self-Reliance
21:36 - Traveling Solo With A Disability
23:51 - Not Losing Faith in The Face of Constant Challenges
25:02 - Looking For a Lesson in Every Hardship, Learning From It and Moving Forward.
32:18 - Don’t Wait for The Perfect Moment to Start Chasing Your Dreams
36:30 - How to Get In Touch With Taniya
37:15 - Final Words From Taniya

Next steps:
Connect with Taniya on Facebook or LinkedInVisit Taniya's websiteRead Taniya's book “Perfectly Broken: My life with Brittle Bone Disease and finding peace in the pieces” on Amazon