Small Changes Big Shifts Dr. Michelle Robin

"Life is really simple but we insist on making it complicated." - Confucius
In this episode of the Small Changes Big Shifts podcast, we are joined by board-certified psychiatrist, acupuncturist and yoga teacher, Dr. Ellen Vora who has also authored the chapter on Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Psychiatry in the textbook Mount Sinai Expert Guides: Psychiatry.
Dr. Vora takes a functional medicine approach to mental health, considering the whole person and addressing the problem at the root, rather than reflexively prescribing medication to suppress symptoms.
She also takes the whole person into consideration, focusing on everything from physical health, sleep, nutrition, digestion, thought patterns, relationships and community to our connection with nature and creativity, and the ways we find meaning in life.
Ash she sits down with Dr. Michelle, we learn what drew Dr. Vora to learn more about holistic approach and other trainings to heal the human body such as Chinese medicine, movement, nutrition, and acupuncture.
Listen and discover:
The fact that most commonly medications and antidepressants such as for anxiety, depression, and OCD don’t have great solid evidence that they actually work. Her advice on trying out a couple of holistic approaches before taking prescribed medicine. Our current mental health epidemic throughout the world with the number of cases increasing The difference between an episodic depression and chronic depression Why feeling out alignment with your work and daily life is actually a good call to action for you to change something. The vital importance of building a community in a comfortable environment with lower standards and avoiding isolation. Specifically for expecting and young mothers, Dr. Vora explains:
How to get your body ready for and after a baby with a good diet or nutritious, whole foods. Combating postpartum depression by focusing first on nutrition. Her top parenting tip: None of us is perfect, just show up the best you can for them as an authentic human. "In fact, it's not an exaggeration to say that the history of science has been the history of most people being wrong about most things most of the time. The willingness to challenge even our most deeply-held assumptions and the humility to admit when we've been wrong are essential to good science." - Chris Kresser
Tune in and find out what small changes you can make today for big shifts tomorrow with your wellbeing, community, and family.

A real giver is a generous receiver, those are two sides of the same coin. - Edith Varley
Join us as we gather to reset our new daily rhythm and build resilience during this time of change.
Today, I’m excited to have Edith Varley. Edith is a speaker, advisor, educator and the founder of The Varley Group where she drives an outcome-based mission to transform human potential into constructive contribution. In her practice, she uses systems thinking initiatives to identify needs and establish outcome-based objectives.
Prior to founding The Varley Group in 2000, she served for 25 years in the business of chemical manufacturing where she started in sales and ultimately led the company as CEO and owner. During her tenure, Edie helped people find the meaning in their work and the value in their contribution and as CEO led the company to double-digit net operating profit.
I’m happy to have Edith share how they’re finding Rhythm and Resilience right now, and how we can do the same. I invite you to tune in using the login information below, as we unite as a community.
Looking forward to spending time together for some R & R.
I believe the most valuable, renewable resource in the world is the Human Spirit. - Edith Varley
Join Dr. Michelle and Edith as they talk about:
How to take advantage of this time to pause, refresh, and also remember that change is constant. The moment she realized she was running on fear and how she developed emotional intelligence to regain her power. Why short term stress will make you ‘awake and alarmed’ but constant stress will ‘eat you alive.’ How the practice of being present will help you keep your stress levels at bay. Learn how you can continue growing during this time as Edith shares:
What exactly emotional intelligence is and how to apply it to your life. How to stay loyal to the honor code that we have with ourselves and others. Why taking time for yourself for self-care is making you ‘self-full,’ not selfish. Fun activities you can do with your family at home. Why emotional intelligence is a never ending journey we can continue to enjoy and learn from each day.   Mentioned In This Episode
Living Up to the Fullness of Your Promise | Edith Varley | TEDxGatewayArchSalon Emotional Intelligence Is Essential Eckhart Tolle Live Inspired Podcast: S4 | Ep. 35 John’s Coach – Edie Varley Boundaries: When to say yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life by Henry Cloud & John Townsend The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth am I here for? by Rick Warren The Economics of Higher Purpose by Robert E Quinn & Anjan V Thakor Connect
LinkedIn  

After 10 successful seasons on air, Dr. Michelle Robin is ready to share how the Small Changes Big Shifts podcast will be shifting gears this coming September. Before she dives into the full announcement, she pauses to reflect on her wellness wins over the years, which includes a shoutout to her community for helping her reach those wins. She believes that every small step matters, and hopes that after 10 seasons of powerful conversations, listeners have gained more light and can see their wellness path more clearly. By the end of the episode, she will also explain why brain health is gaining her attention lately, and why some upcoming episodes will help illuminate its significance to our overall well-being.
Mentioned in this episode:
Wellness Consortium - https://smallchangesbigshifts.com/wellness-network/  Small Changes Big Shifts - https://smallchangesbigshifts.com/  Nourishing Quote Deck - https://smallchangesbigshifts.com/product/quote-cards/  31 Days of Kindness series - https://smallchangesbigshifts.com/kindness/  Semi-Annual Better Together Gathering - https://wellnessnetwork.smallchangesbigshifts.com/consortium-calendar/Details/semi-annual-better-together-gathering-1089654?sourceTypeId=Website0

“While I was packing, the only thing I was thinking about was how grateful I felt and how I could thank that cab driver who changed my life forever with a small act of kindness.” - Tareq Hadhad 
Tareq Hadhad’s life was changed forever during a cab ride home one day. His driver, who was singing and smiling as he drove, noticed that Tareq looked heavy-hearted. After explaining what was on his mind, the driver shared an idea with him that would positively impact Tareq’s entire future – and his family’s safety. It was the answer he had been searching for. In today’s episode, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Tareq to share his awe-inspiring story about his family’s refugee journey from Syria to their new home in Canada. He provides a glimpse into what was going through in his mind during this incredibly challenging time of war in their country, but also what he noticed about his father who was losing everything he had built for his family – including his chocolate factory. Enjoy this special holiday episode, which reminds us that there will be moments in life that are truly hard, sometimes devastating – and it may even feel like we are losing everything in the blink of an eye – but what matters is how true we stay to our values and how we can learn some of life’s greatest lessons through crisis. 
About Today’s Guests: 
Tareq Hadhad was a Syrian refugee and is now living his new life with his entrepreneurial family in Canada’s east coast. He is the founder and CEO of Peace by Chocolate, the recipient of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2021 for Atlantic, named one of the Top 25 Immigrants in the Maritimes, selected by Google as the National Hero Case, was awarded RBC’s top Immigrant Award and Entrepreneur of the Year in 2020 – in addition to Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal. All of this happened since Tareq’s arrival on Canada’s East Coast in December 2015 as a Syrian-Canadian newcomer. In 2012, the Hadhad’s home and factory that housed the family chocolate-making business were destroyed, which forced them to seek safety in other countries. Passionate about peace and entrepreneurship, his family relaunched the family business to recreate the chocolates they once exported across the Middle East and their story has turned into an international inspiring phenomenon. 
Mentioned in the Episode: 
Peace by Chocolate movie Tareq Hadhad’s website Peace by Chocolate company website Tareq Hadhad’s LinkedIn

When you’re aware, you’re halfway there. - Wendy Basch
Sentenced to sixty-five years in a Texas prison, Damon West once had it all. He came from a great family, in a home full of God, love, support, and opportunities to reach any goal. A natural born leader, an athlete with good looks and charm, he appeared to be the all-American kid pursuing his dreams.
Underneath this facade, however, was an addict in the early stages of disease. After suffering childhood sexual abuse by a babysitter at the age of nine, Damon began putting chemicals into his body to alter the way he felt.
Once he was introduced to methamphetamines, however, he became instantly hooked—and the lives of so many innocent people would forever be changed by the choices he made in order to feed his insatiable meth habit.
After a fateful discussion during his incarceration with a seasoned convict, Damon had a spiritual awakening. He learned that, like a coffee bean changing with the application of heat and pressure, he was capable of changing the environment around him. Armed with a program of recovery, a renewed faith, and a miraculous second chance at life, Damon emerged from over seven years of prison a changed man. His story of redemption continues to inspire audiences today.
In this episode, Damon joins us to talk about his two books, The Change Agent and The Coffee Bean which he wrote with Jon Gordon, as well as the life lessons he learned during prison, the three areas of wellness we should exercise every day, and what you can do now if you’re recovering or feel lost in your wellness journey.
Tune in with Dr. Michelle Robin and Damon West as they discuss:
Both of their thoughts on spirituality and how they are able to let go of what they cannot control in order to surrender to a higher power. How fellow Small Changes Big Shifts guest, Jon Gordon, connected with him and persuaded him to write The Coffee Bean. An inside glimpse at the profound story of The Coffee Bean and what you will learn from the book. What healthy mindset strategy he learned to help him during his time in prison and how everyone can apply it to their own lives. The opportunity he took in prison to use that time to work on himself every single day. Why we should withhold from beginning new relationships until we take the time to truly know ourselves. What lessons and new insights he has gained about what it means to be in a committed relationship. Damon’s suggestions for what you should today if you’re in recovery or feeling lost:
Get outside of yourself by thinking about other people before yourself. Adapt a humble mindset. Commit yourself to finding ways to help people every single day. Dive into the three areas of wellness that Damon advises we should work on growing every day that are in sync with our Four Quadrants of Wellbeing:
Spiritual Wellness Mental Wellness Physical Wellness Learn and try out Damon’s prayer that he starts his day with each morning: “God, put in front of me what you need me to do today for you and let me recognize it when I see it.”
All the lessons of history in four sentences: Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad with power. The mills of God grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly small. The bee fertilizes the flower it robs. When it is dark enough, you can see the stars. - Charles A. Beard

Today is a really special day on Small Changes Big Shifts. We have Dr. Terry Wahls on the show. In 2000, Dr. Wahls was diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. By 2003 she had transitioned to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. In December 2007, she began the Wahls Protocol™. Within a year, she was able to walk through the hospital without a cane and even complete an 18-mile bicycle tour.
We also have Julie Robinson on the show. Julie was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis last year. She started using the Wahls Protocol™ and within months saw huge changes in her symptoms.