Harsh title, but this is Tim's advice for people who are dealing with stress and anxiety...shut your mouth and then breathe through your nose. Tim’s journey to this realization is relatable on so many levels.  Pursuit of a great career, money, and success.  But like so many of us, Tim paid the price. He was stressed and burnt out.  And it all came to crash in 2018. But this crash is exactly what he needed.  As you’ll hear, Tim had been preparing for a new life for many years. But it wasn’t until he escaped the rat race that he began to live the life he was meant to live.  The first few years were not a fairy tale. He launched different businesses and had a mix of success.  It wasn't until he bumped against the unexpected that his new life became clear.  He now helps people break free of stress by using breath to create transformation in their well-being and mindset.  Take a listen and go on Tim's journey and learn what he did to make his impossible future, possible.  Want to see more of what Tim has to offer or even connect with him? Here's how.   Complimentary stress and release: https://professionalpointer.com/breathwork   Follow Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/professionalpointer/    Have a chat with Tim over virtual coffee: https://professionalpointer.com/schedule    If you are enjoying these stories of people living the life they were meant to live please give a rating and share your thoughts. It really bring awareness to these awesome stories. And if you are really inspired, share the podcast with your family and friends and colleagues.  I am always on the prowl for new stories of people who are singing their song. If you have one or know someone who does, reach out to me. Easiest way is to send me an email at  mike@timetosingyoursong.com or you can send a direct message on social media – Mike Kearney on LinkedIn and mkearney33 on Twitter.

When I started this podcast it was to showcase ordinary people who dreamed of a better life.  For John Duffin that was escaping corporate to capitalize on a passion and talent that had been latent for many years.  We will cover John’s story, as well as the specific things he did after leaving corporate. Like finding small parts of his job that he loved and could do full time. Or having conversations with dozens of people to share his plans, get advice, and find new connections. And maybe most importantly, taking massive action and learning to pivot when necessary.  If you’re someone who dreams of charting a new career path, take a listen. John’s story may be exactly what you need.  If you are enjoying these stories of people living the life they were meant to live please give a rating and share your thoughts. It really bring awareness to these awesome stories. And if you are really inspired, share the podcast with your family and friends and colleagues.  I am always on the prowl for new stories of people who are singing their song. If you have one or know someone who does, reach out to me. Easiest way is to send me an email at  mike@timetosingyoursong.com or you can send a direct message on social media – Mike Kearney on LinkedIn and mkearney33 on Twitter.

For many years, Dan George thrived in corporate IT, but like many of us, he felt a growing disconnect between his work and what gave him deep fulfillment. He realized that what ignited his soul was helping others, and this realization sparked a desire for a career change in his 50s. Burnout had taken its toll, but it also became the catalyst for Dan's transformation. He decided to take the plunge, leaving behind the stability of his corporate job to pursue his passion for coaching differentiated leaders. If you are part of the majority who are not connected to their jobs and long for something new, Dan’s story should be helpful to you. It may even give you the confidence to do something about it.  During our conversation we cover a number of topics, including What Dan did to prepare for his new career Navigating the financial challenges of jumping from a steady paycheck to doing something on his ownA fear that Dan had that was unfounded, as well as something that upon reflection had positive impact on his transition Advice for those who want to make a change but can’t seem to pull the trigger I am always on the prowl for new stories of people who are singing their song. If you have one or know someone who does, reach out to me. Easiest way is to send me an email at  mike@timetosingyoursong.com or you can send a direct message on social media – Mike Kearney on LinkedIn and mkearney33 on Twitter.

Mike was diagnosed with Leukemia when he was 10. After several surgeries, chemo, radiation, and two bone marrow transplants, he beat it.  But radiation from the first bone marrow transplant left him with cancer in his jaw, which required a 12 hour surgery to reconstruct his jaw. After a follow-up procedure went wrong, he told his mom that he just wanted to die. Inspired by family and letters from his classmates, Mike once again beat cancer. But cancer was just the first obstacle.  The pain in his jaw and a medical system all too willing to medicate him left Mike addicted to a litany of prescription meds, headlined by opioids. After seven years Mike was able to beat his opioid addiction through rehab and, once again, the support of his family and friends Mike is now singing his song. Shortly after getting out of rehab Mike rediscovered his love for sport. He started with a three mile jog around a lake in Austin. That compelled him to get back on his bike and the rest is history. He has since competed in the Ironman in Kauai and summited Mount Kilimanjaro, all while raising money for cancer. He even got his master’s degree in Communication Studies from Texas State University., has a job that celebrates his purpose, and is married to the love of his life.  And now Mike is coming out with a new book, Finding Good where he shares his recipe for living your best life.   As you listen to our conversation, pause and think about these three questions:  Are you being selfish and putting yourself first? Are you scratching that itch, doing that thing that brings you joy? Do you find yourself taking everything way too seriously?  If you are enjoying these conversations, give the podcast a 5-star rating. Please also share your thoughts as well. It really helps in bringing awareness of these awesome stories. As I go deeper on this journey, it is becoming clearer by the day that Time to Sing Your Song is a platform for ordinary people to share their stories of how they overcame gnarly obstacles to live a life that they only dreamed about. If you have a story or know someone who does, reach out to me. Easiest way is to send me an email at mike@timetosingyoursong.com or a direct message on social media – Mike Kearney on LinkedIn and mkearney33 on Twitter.

Matt gave 25 years of his life serving our country. He also spent 25 years in the corporate world. These experiences gave him a unique perspective into the obstacles that veterans experience landing a meaningful job after their military time comes to an end. When Matt entered the private sector there weren't any good transition models or approaches he could follow. So he created his own. Matt soon found himself sharing the ideas with his military brothers who were going through their own transition. This led him to writing his first book Mission Transition.    He is back now with a second book, Hiring Veterans, a guide to helping organizations hire and retain members of the military community. Get your copy on Labor Day 2023 at your favorite bookstore.    While Matt had a fulfilling and successful career in the corporate world, he was pulled to his mission in life – helping veterans transition into the private sector as the President of Purepost, an organization that matches job opportunities to the full competencies and skills of veterans. During our conversation we cover… Some startling statistics on the Civil Military divide The myths that plague veterans entering the private sectorThe immense value that veterans can contribute to companies, big and smallWhy organizations are not fully taking advantage of the veteran talent pool Lessons from Matt’s transitions – from the military to the private sector to leading PurepostAdvice for others who are feeling a tug to do more purposeful work  If you are enjoying these conversations, Go to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and give TTSYS a 5-star rating. Please also share your thoughts as well. It really helps in bringing awareness of these awesome stories. As I go deeper on this journey, it is becoming clearer by the day that Time to Sing Your Song is a platform for ordinary people to share their stories of how they overcame gnarly obstacles to live a life that they only dreamed about. If you have a story or know someone who does, reach out to me. Easiest way is to send me an email at mike@timetosingyoursong.com or a direct message on social media – Mike Kearney on LinkedIn and mkearney33 on Twitter.

Michelle is like so many of us. From the outsider's perspective, she was living an incredible life. Michelle was an actress on some of the most well-known TV shows of our time, balancing it with a typical corporate job. But she wasn’t happy. The work had lost its meaning and the dream was no longer hers.  Not knowing exactly what she wanted to do, she did what so many of us are scared to do. She took the leap. She needed to explore who she was and what she wanted to do.  In this wide ranging conversation, Michelle shares her journey of reinvention and advice on what others can do if they are looking to pivot in their life. We dive into: The importance of getting at the root cause of what’s holding you back The need to disconnect from your old identify The importance of going inside to measure your success Letting go of the notion that life has to look a certain way Why action is so important in getting feedback into who you are Her take on failure and why reinvention is an iterative process How she is now singing her song, helping people show up more authentically, with confidence and purpose  If you are enjoying Time to Sing Your Song, I have two simple asks: Give TTSYS a review. It really helps in bringing awareness of these awesome stories. Share the podcast with your family and friends and colleagues.  Finally, if you have an incredible story where you are singing your song or you know someone who does, hit me up. On social media – Mike Kearney on LinkedIn and mkearney33 on Twitter. You can even email me at mike@timetosingyoursong.com.

Kiran Anchan lost his ability to see the beauty around him when was a young boy. At the age of 9, he began having challenges seeing what his teacher was writing on the board.  Living in the middle east 15 years ago made it difficult for Kiran to understand what was happening. He didn't have access to the information or the doctors to tell him what was going on..  Ultimately he was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease that over time breaks down cells in the retina, slowly causing vision loss.   By 15 Kiran was essentially blind operating in a harsh world where there were far more bullies than guardian angels.    It wasn’t until nearly committing suicide that he was able to find a reason to live.  Kiran has become an inspirational young man in a very short period of time. He’s only in his mid-20s but as you’ll hear he’s grounded, mature, and living a fulfilling life. And he has achieved this while thriving in the corporate world working as a financial analyst. I still can’t wrap my arms around how he makes it all work, but he does with some pretty damn innovative approaches that he shares.  If you’re struggling with getting beyond a personal or physical setback, Kiran’s story is for you. He shows that anything is possible, especially when you build a small network of close friends, adopt a mindset of what’s possible vs. what’s holding you back, and live life like the precious gift that it is. As you listen to our conversation, pause and really think about: What’s holding you back in your life that would benefit from a mindset shift?How do you treat people with limitations or disabilities? Do you hold them back or treat them differently? How can you reframe your setbacks with a focus on learning from the journey vs. obsessing about the results? If you are enjoying Time to Sing Your Song, I have two simple asks: Give TTSYS a review. It really helps in bringing awareness of these awesome stories. Share the podcast with your family and friends and colleagues.  Finally, if you have an incredible story where you are singing your song or you know someone who does, hit me up. On social media – Mike Kearney on LinkedIn and mkearney33 on Twitter. You can even email me at mike@timetosingyoursong.com.

If you have children, your number one priority is their health and safety. There’s not even a close second. That was certainly the case for Sue Ann Grann. After several years of trying to have kids, she gave birth to triplets, three boys.  Although they were healthy out of the gate, one of her boys suffered intense stomach pains.  The doctors placated Sue Ann. They told her there’s nothing really wrong, don’t overreact, just have him take his medications.  But Sue Ann’s intuition told her something very different. She knew something was off. It finally came to a head when her son was rushed into surgery where he lost 2/3 of his blood. Sue Ann’s son is doing great now but it was a pivotal moment in her life. Not only did it teach her to never go against her gut, but it was also the catalyst for an unlikely career change. Sue Ann knew that she couldn’t go back to her career in communications. Her calling was to serve and help people. She took a risk and went on a journey of self reflection and learning, serendipitously finding her dream job at a natural wellness company, focused on essential oils and supplementation.   Check out my conversation with Sue Ann to hear the full story where she talks about: Finding space to hear what your intuition is telling youDiscovering your life’s calling through adversity The impact of following your dreams on others, most notably your kids The deep relationships you create when you share your story Recognizing that life will always be hard, so you might as well pick a hard that you love  As you listen to our conversation I’d encourage you to think about three questions: What is your intuition telling you right now? Are you listening to it or ignoring it?If you had the confidence that it would all work out, what would you do with your life?What behaviors are you modeling to friends and family? And if you are a parent, are you giving your kids the confidence to chase their dreams? Go to https://www.oilsforgrief.com/ to learn more about Sue Ann and order her book “Facing the Waves: Working Through Grief with Essential Oils & Stories of Hope.”  If you are enjoying Time to Sing Your Song, I have two simple asks: Go to Apple Podcasts and give TTSYS a review. It really helps in bringing awareness of these awesome stories, like Sue Ann’s. Please share the podcast with your family and friends and colleagues.  Finally if you have an incredible story where you are singing your song or you know someone who does, hit me up. On social media – Mike Kearney on LinkedIn and mkearney33 on Twitter. You can even email me at mike@timetosingyoursong.com.

A strong identity is everything. It connects to your appearance, the work you do, what you stand for, and who you associate with. But shit gets real when it's taken from you.  It can send you into dark places.  It can challenge who you were all along.  It can also push you out of your comfort zone to a beautiful place you didn’t think was possible.   That was the case for Ryan Hopkins.  Ryan was a man’s man.  A rugby player who loved the competitiveness and camaraderie of the game.  An aspiring electrician, or sparky, as they like to say in the UK.   A guy who liked to throw a few back with his mates at the local pub.  But in an instant, Ryan’s identity was taken from him after a brutal rugby injury.  Unable to walk for a year, Ryan's mental health began to spiral. In his words, he had nothing. No money, no job, no identity. He was depressed and suicidal.   But this is where Ryan’s story begins.   With the love and support of his mother, Ryan charted a new path that took from being a selling machine at a bank, to helping an indigenous family set up a hostel in Ecuador, to going to university in England.   Life was trending in the right direction, but it was far from perfect. Ryan had a number of challenges that he had to overcome on his journey. But the setbacks gave him the life experience to understand the importance of being well. It also gave him the platform to connect deeply with people by sharing his story. All of it, including his darkest moments.  Today Ryan is giving back. He is a well-being leader who helps companies create workplaces where employees can be happy, healthy, and more productive.  He’s also on a self-proclaimed journey to help 1 billion people improve their wellbeing.  This is a fun conversation. Ryan delivers a very serious message but with a lot of levity and laughter.  As you listen to our conversation, pause and ask yourself: What is your identity and how would you respond if it were taken away in an instant?How can you inspire others by vulnerably sharing a time when you were knocked down?What one thing can you do to improve your wellbeing at work, in life? I’m hopeful that these stories of rock bottom and redemption are helping you through challenges in your life. Personally, they are making me more aware of the challenges in people's lives and are helping me on my journey to being a better person.  If you’re enjoying these conversations, please give Time to Sing Your Song a 5-star rating. It helps in bringing awareness of these awesome stories. Please also share the podcast with your family, friends, and colleagues.  As I go deeper on this journey, it is becoming clearer by the day that Time to Sing Your Song is a platform for ordinary people to share their stories of how they overcame gnarly obstacles to live a life that they only dreamed about. What’s crazy is the variety of stories that are coming to me. If you have a story or know someone who does, reach out to me. Easiest way is to send me an email at mike@timetosingyoursong.com or you can send a direct message on social media – Mike Kearney on LinkedIn and mkearney33 on Twitter.

This is a messy conversation but in the most beautiful way.  Over a 5 year period of time Katie was dealing with postpartum psychosis, bookended by two separate pregnancies, including twins in 2017.  In Katie’s own words, she was bouncing along the bottom fighting through depression, hallucinations, and a victim mindset.   Katie was given a rash of medications to help her get well. However, they seemed to exacerbate her situation. It wasn't until she met a psychiatrist who–along with her family–helped her get to the other side. What makes this story even more incredible is that Katie was dealing with all of this while acquiring a food service company with her brother. But that’s also what makes it so relatable. Life doesn't stop just because we are going through something heavy.   The story takes a bit of time to unpack but after listening to our conversation, I concluded that it was important to keep it as is. Sometimes trauma and challenges in life don’t unravel in a linear way, Rather it bobs and weaves with a series of highs and lows–mostly lows. I appreciate Katie being so open and vulnerable. You can literally hear the raw emotion and angst in her voice. It took a lot of courage for her to share her story and advice she has for others going through hell.   As you listen, I’d encourage you to think deeply about 3 questions  If you are going through something heavy, are you clearly communicating what you need from your family and friends? And if you have a loved one who is struggling, are you listening to what they need without putting your own filter on it?What medications are you blindly taking that require you to ask more questions?What obstacles have you overcome that can help you reach new heights in your life? I’m hopeful that these stories of rock bottom and redemption are helping you through challenges in your life. Personally, they are making me more aware of the challenges in people's lives and are helping me on my journey to being a better person.  If you are enjoying these conversations, please give Time to Sing Your Song a 5-star rating. It really helps in bringing awareness of these awesome stories. Please also share the podcast with your family and friends and colleagues.  As I get deeper on this journey, it is becoming clearer by the day that Time to Sing Your Song is a platform for ordinary people to share their stories of how they overcame gnarly obstacles to live a life that they only dreamed about. What’s crazy is the variety of stories that are coming to me. If you have a story or know someone who does, reach out to me. Easiest way is to send me an email at  mike@timetosingyoursong.com or you can send a direct message on social media – Mike Kearney on LinkedIn and mkearney33 on Twitter.  Music credit: The Last Ones by Jahzzar

It’s a beautiful day. The sun is out, you had an incredible weekend with your family, and you are feeling grand.  You’re meeting your husband for dinner when you see him across the street.  You walk into the crosswalk when a car turning into your direction doesn’t stop.  The car runs over you not once, not twice, but three times.   At that moment, your life flashes before you and you're pretty sure you’re going to die.   This was the nightmare that Naseem experienced in 2018. Pre-accident, Naseem was living an incredible life. She was happily married, had 3 incredible kids, and had a very successful career in tech.  What’s amazing about Naseem’s story is how she picked up the pieces and built her life back. Check out our conversation where she talks about: Letting go of “no help needed Naseem” Using the Japanese philosophy of Kintsugi to embrace her cracks without being a victim How the accident helped her be more vulnerableThe importance of celebrating micro wins How the energy we give off profoundly impacts people around us As you go on Naseem’s journey, I’d encourage you to think deeply about 3 questions: What would be your regrets if you were involved in a tragic accident tomorrow? What can you do today to turn those regrets into peace of mind?How can you open yourself up and create deeper connections by sharing your story?How are you celebrating the moments where you were able to put yourself back together after being broken? There are so many nuggets of wisdom in our conversation. After you listen, please go pick up Naseem’s book, “The Unexpected Benefits of Being Run Over” available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/hIHQ4XB  I’m hopeful that these stories of rock bottom and redemption are helping you through challenges in your life. Personally, they are helping me on my journey to being a better person.  If you are enjoying these conversations, please give Time to Sing Your Song a 5-star rating. It really helps in bringing awareness to these awesome stories. Please also share the podcast with your family, friends, and colleagues.  As I go deeper on this journey, it is becoming clearer by the day that Time to Sing Your Song is a platform for ordinary people to share their stories of how they overcame gnarly obstacles to live a life that they only dreamed about. What’s crazy is the variety of stories that are coming to me. If you have a story or know someone who does, reach out to me. Easiest way is to send me an email at  mike@timetosingyoursong.com or you can send a direct message on social media – Mike Kearney on LinkedIn and mkearney33 on Twitter.  Music credit: The Last Ones by Jahzzar

David is a leader at the largest professional services firm in the world. He also happens to be black.  While his skin color doesn’t define him, he had to overcome a number of obstacles to get to where he is now.  Here are a few mind-blowing statistics… Today, 1% of Fortune 500 CEOs are black 7% of managers are black; better than CEOs, but still a long way to go And when David became a CPA in the 90s, the percentage of black CPAs was less than 1%...crazy It's pretty clear that there was a lot in the way for David to reach the mountaintop.  And now that he's there, he is singing his song and giving back. Co-charing Deloitte’s Black Action Council, mentoring young black professionals, and educating all of us on how we can help talented black professionals who are trying to carve out a meaningful career.   As you listen to our conversation, think deeply about three questions.   What are you doing to really get to know black professionals you work with?What blind spots do you have in understanding the journey of your black colleagues?How are you defining what success looks like for the people you manage?If you have a kick ass story, or you know someone who does, hit me up. On social media, Mike Kearney on LinkedIn and mkearney33 on Twitter. You can also send an email to mike@timetosingyoursong.com.  If you like the conversations, please provide a rating, share with family and friends, and subscribe to the weekly Time to Sing Your Song newsletter at https://timetosingyoursong.beehiiv.com/subscribe Shout out to the music selected for my conversation with David: Honey by Serge Quadrado, found at https://freemusicarchive.org/music/serge-quadrado/urban/honey/

You have brain cancer, we need to get you to the hospital right away. No sympathy or cause for concern. Just the facts. Probably the scariest words one could ever imagine hearing.   Unfortunately, that’s exactly the news Jennifer Dickenson received after an MRI in 2011.   Pre-cancer, Jennifer lived a life that many of us do. Career first, long hours, not enough time with family and friends, very little sleep, some exercise, but not enough. She was the personification of the American dream. Successful by most of the things we use to measure.   If this fact pattern sounds familiar, this is a conversation worth your time.  Jennifer soon was told that her cancer was stage 4. Pretty much as bad as it gets. Statistically a death sentence.   But this is a story of healing on one's own terms. Very soon after getting the horrific news, Jennifer started taking control of her life and her health, which brings us to The Case for Hope. As you listen to my conversation with Jennifer, I’d encourage you to think about 3 questions: What's underneath the constant need for more? More money, bigger house, fancier car, a career worthy bragging about.  What would it take to convince you that work is consuming your life, that you are stressed out and that all of it is negatively impacting your health?How can you use the tools that Jennifer discusses to live a better life?   You can pick up Jennifer’s book, The Case for Hope, on Amazon or your favorite bookstore. You can also learn more about Jennifer at https://jenniferdickenson.com/. If you have a kick ass story, or you know someone who does, hit me up. On social media, Mike Kearney on LinkedIn and mkearney33 on Twitter. You can even send an email to mike@timetosingyoursong.com.  If you like the conversations, please provide a rating, share with family and friends, and subscribe to the weekly Time to Sing Your Song newsletter at https://timetosingyoursong.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Can you imagine losing your job and your girlfriend over a weekend and then having your dad pass a year later?  Sounds tragic. But sometimes life gives us what we need, when we need it. And in Seth’s case, that was space to spend the last year of his father’s life collaborating on a project that was meaningful to both of them, on many levels, and in different ways. This one hits home for me. I lost my mom when I was 20. Without explanation and logic I packed up and moved to my parents home in Las Vegas, of all places, and spent the last four months of my mom’s life with her. It was under very different circumstances. She was struggling with alcoholism, but the time was a gift that I cherish to this day.    As you listen to my conversation with Seth, I’d encourage you to think about 3 questions: What should you let go of that no longer serves you?How can you expand your gratitude practice to include people and experiences that were not positive in the moment?How can you co-create a meaningful experience with someone who is in their final years of life? If you have a kick-ass story or you know someone who does, hit me up. On social media, Mike Kearney on LinkedIn and mkearney33 on Twitter. You can even send an email to mike@timetosingyoursong.com.  If you like the conversations, please provide a rating, share with family and friends, and subscribe to the weekly Time to Sing Your Song newsletter at https://timetosingyoursong.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Walking, running, swimming, just standing up. Things most of us take for granted. But what if those luxuries were taken away from you? How would you respond, what would be your mindset, how would you live your life? Would you find purpose or would stew in misery as a victim of fate.  For Joe Guintu these were the questions he had to answer as a young man after a beautiful day learning to surf. There was no spectacular accident, but Joe suffered a rare spinal cord injury and within 7 hours of the surf lesson he was paralyzed, something that has stayed with him to this day. What makes Joe’s story so inspiring is the way in which he has tackled life over the last 16 years. He is chasing his dreams and making an impact on this world. He has also crafted a mindset that doesn’t allow the disability to put limitations on what he can and can’t do.  As you listen to the conversation, consider three questions: What are you grateful for that you take for granted?How are you allowing the hard things in your life impact the way you treat others?How are you really showing up for that person who needs help? If you have a kick-ass story or you know someone who does, hit me up. On social media Mike Kearney on LinkedIn and mkearney33 on Twitter. You can even send an email to mike@timetosingyoursong.com.  If you like the conversations, please provide a rating, share with family and friends, and subscribe to the weekly Time to Sing Your Song newsletter at https://timetosingyoursong.beehiiv.com/subscribe

In your gut, you know the marriage is over. But the two options before you equally suck. Stay miserable in a broken marriage or leave and tear every fiber of your family apart. What if there was a third option where you could create a better divorce experience? Something that got at the unique problems in your marriage. Kind of sounds like a fairy tale, but that’s exactly what Suzanne Vickberg did when her marriage came to an end. Rather than following the traditional train-wreck-script, Suzanne and her ex were able to put their kids first and come up with a creative solution that has worked for more than a decade.  Suzanne is now singing her song with the release of her new book, Divorce by Design. In it she shares her story and a guidebook for changing your mindset about how divorce has to be, envisioning something better, and designing a creative solution to address the unique problems of marriage.  Even if you aren't in a sucky marriage or going through a divorce, there’s lots to learn in what Suzanne is sharing. From finding inspiration in unfamiliar places to using design thinking to solve one of the most contentious and stressful personal crises one could go through. Want to read Divorce by Design and connect with Suzanne? You're in luck… Buy the book: ​​www.amazon.com/Divorce-Design-Staying-Leaving-Options/dp/B0BN4SYNJT/ref=sr_1_1?crid=Y64N9QRUMNO4&keywords=divorce+by+design+vickberg&qid=1670610884&sprefix=divorce+by+design+vickberg%2Caps%2C77&sr=8-1Visit the website: www.divorcexdesign.comEngage on Instagram: www.instagram.com/divorcexdesign/Connect with Suzanne on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/suzannevickberg/

So many people have a voice inside of their head that tells them that they can’t do it, they're not good enough, they don’t have the proper education, or didn't go to the right school. Or maybe the time’s just not right.  These are the beliefs that dash so many dreams. But not for Destiny. During the height of COVID she went to cooking school and started two home chef businesses. And in less than 15 months she is kicking butt. Her businesses are thriving and she is singing her song. Initially Destiny didn't think it was possible to pursue her dream of becoming a chef. She had adult responsibilities and the idea of being away from her kids with the crazy hours chefs work just didn't work for her. Unsure where cheffing could go, she dipped her toes in the water. She signed up at an accelerated cooking school. And that’s where she discovered the art of personal cheffing.  What makes Destiny’s story so inspirational is that she has succeeded despite challenges in her life. Yes, she has a learning disorder. Yes, she didn't do well in school. And yes, she doesn't have a college degree. But Destiny has something much more important. She has a mindset that doesn’t see limitations. If someone tells her no, she just keeps pushing. If she fails, she dusts herself off and she keeps going.   If you are someone with a boatload of excuses weighing down your dream, take a listen to my conversation with Chef Destiny. It may just be what you need to take the first step.

In the spirit of Christmas and a little introspection on my 51st birthday, I am sharing my 12 days of Christmas, but with a twist I believe that in order to sing your song, you need to stop doing things that are holding you back. So today I'm sharing the 12 things to STOP doing now.  This is just my list and there are numerous ones out there. But this is what I have learned from guests that I've had on Time to Sing Your Song + what I've learned along the way.

Imagine yourself rolling down the streets of Tehran as a 10 year-old. Rioting, rocks being thrown in every direction, and your Dad telling you to put your head down and don’t come up. That was the reality for Niloo Bedrood who had a front-row seat to the Iranian Revolution in 1979. She soon began to experience a very different - and restrictive - life on every level. She was moved into a segregated girl’s-only school, had to cover up at all times, and lived a life of quiet desperation. Niloo and her family ultimately came to the US where she has lived for the last four decades. Niloo’s experiences created a hunger to excel in school and in business. However, the memories of the pain and loss of basic rights that she had enjoyed as a young girl came into sharp focus over the last few months with the women’s uprising spurred by the tragic death of Mahsa Amini. Someone’s calling often comes in many shapes and sizes. For Niloo, it became very clear as she was brought back to the streets as a 10-year-old girl fearful for her life. Take a listen to Niloo’s story and hear how she is now singing her song as an activist against the oppression of women’s rights in her home country.

“Many people die with their music still in them. Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live. Before they know it, time runs out.” I love this quote by Oliver Wendell Homes Sr. Unfortunately it rang true to me for much of my life. So I've turned the tables where my good friend Jeff Raz grills me. Jeff has performed around the world, from Cirque du Soleil to Broadway, and is a communications consultant. Jeff has also written 20 plays, directed dozens of shows and is the author of the three novels that make up The Circus Trilogy, available at www.jeffraz.com. I did not dig the idea when Jeff approached me a few months back. But after giving it some thought I realized that I am finally singing my song and I do have a story to tell. My hope is that some of the things that I picked up along the way can help those who are lost and are looking to live a more fulfilling life. Things like the need to pay attention to signs that are telling you that you aren't living the life you were supposed to, why the how is 10x more challenging than the why and the what, creating a fulfilling life requires a lot of intentionality, the importance of being ready to take shots when you are doing something different or disruptive, and finally, why becoming the best version of yourself requires that you treat the hard times as a gift. If you are stuck or lost and are trying to figure out your path forward, I am hopeful that my story can help you sing your song. At the very least, it will give you insight into what one person did when he finally got clear on what was important in life