An Interview with Lindsay Lewis
Posted by Jackie Gaston



My official reason for leaving my former dream job as a magazine editor was “I just want to help people live healthier, happier lives.” It sounded completely idealistic and unrealistic to my colleagues at the time, but to me it was the truest thing I’d ever said. I spent the next six years doing that in any way I could, creating a successful copy writing and then communications consulting business working mostly with health and wellness companies. I kept hearing the call to do more, and finally did. I became a life coach. Now I get to help people create and live the life they want to live, just like I did—because happiness isn’t self-centred. It’s our purpose, our dharma, and the greatest gift we can give to the world.

How long have you been a solopreneur?

Since 2007.

Who do you serve through your business? Who is your perfect client?

A woman with a dream. She wants more than the life she feels stuck in, and feels called to be of service in the world and make a bigger impact. Chocolate-loving is a bonus.

What was your intention when you created your business and do you feel that your intention has changed since you started?

My intention when I created my business was to help people live with less stress and more happiness. It’s changed because the results my first clients experienced changed. They began to live the life that was most right for them. Their dharma. Their destiny. And way less stress and way more happiness was a non-coincidental side effect.

What do you feel has been the biggest challenge you've faced in getting started and maintaining a business that supports you?

Overcoming my own insecurities and self-doubts. This is a classic one for most of us. Thankfully, we’re infinitely capable and immeasurably powerful.

How do you feel that the Law of Attraction comes into play in your business?

I interpret the law of attraction this way: get what you give. I don’t put out fear-based actions, thoughts, or messaging. I don’t make any decisions to do anything if they’re not from a place of being drawn-towards, rather than moving away from. I live from love, and do without doing...in alignment with what’s most right for me.

Do you differentiate your business personality from your private self or do you feel the two are well integrated? Please give some examples or tell me how it comes together for you.

I don’t share everything. I’m clear on what’s private in my life—my family, my relationship with my husband—and clear on what I’ll share. That being said, I don’t have a business personality. My work is my love and my love stems from the deepest part of me. I am who I am and people who work with me get the real me. Every time. I live what I teach.

Have you ever had a big flop when launching a product or program? If so what did you learn from the experience?

I’ve had things I wanted to work out not work out, but I don’t consider them a big flop. The experiences gave me insight into what it is I’m really, truly passionate about, and what I’m here to do.

Tell me about a big success you've experienced in your business. I'm interested in how the idea came to you, what intention(s) you set before you created it, and why you consider it a success.

My biggest success so far has been my 30-Day Happiness Challenge. I set the intention to reach the world, and it went global, with participants from North America, South America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Toronto, Vancouver, New York and more. That’s why I consider it a success.

Any words of wisdom for others who are interested in starting a one person business?

Don’t listen to everyone. Listen to you. You’re your own best source of wisdom.


You can find out more about Lindsay and her work here: www.libreliving.com

Parallel Lives
Posted by Jackie Gaston

I sometimes think that I have literally lead parallel lives. At least I have lived on two different parallels. Austin, TX is just north of the 30th Parallel and I've lived in far, far South Austin. I lived in Boulder, Colorado and one of the main streets there is called Baseline Road. It gets that name because it runs along the 40th Parallel. Of the two, I have to say the 30th is a much better fit for me. It gets so hot here that we stay inside all day about 4 months of the year and I much prefer that to having to put on three layers of clothes and snow boots just to go to the mailbox or take out the trash. It short, I'm a warm weather woman and I know it.


A warm climate is one of my core values when it comes down to things I want in my life. The other things I really have to have to be happy are a like minded community of friends to spend time with, live music, and easy access to the things I want and need.


I haven't always known this about myself. In fact, it wasn't until I unwittingly deprived myself of all of them that I realized how much value I place on them. That's a hard way to find out how much something means to you. I've decided that there has to be an easier way. I believe that there is and that it's pretty simple. When you feel joy while doing something, it's of high value to you. When you feel relief while having an experience that you haven't had in quite a while, it's a high value to you. When you really miss doing something because it's been weeks since the last time you did it, it's a high value experience for you.


High value experiences change for us over time. We don't place the same value on an experience we loved in our twenties as we place on that same experience in our forties. However, there are some things that we continue to value for long periods of our lives, if not all of our lives. These are our core value experiences. They are the things that make our lives worth living. Among these experiences for most of us are finding and maintaining romantic relationships, relationships with our children, financial security, etc. Then there are the core values that make us unique. I have loved live music all of my life even though I experienced very little of it until I was a adult. Some people are drawn to art, sports or other 'non-essential' experiences. I now feel that it is extremely important to know what your core values are when it comes to making a fulfilling life for yourself. Otherwise, you just go through life taking things for granted and often wondering why you aren't as happy and fulfilled as you want to be.


It is also possible to think something is a high value experience for us when it is really just a quick fix for something else. These are a little tough to figure out on our own because they are usually the result of a decision we made long ago that has now become such a pattern in our lives that we don't realize that we are choosing it. A big part of my work is identifying the underlying thought beneath such patterns so that your true core value experiences can be identified leading to a happier life for you.

A Meditation for your 4th chakra
posted by Jackie Gaston

Your fourth chakra contains your heart energy.  Its is the conncetion between your lower chakras and your higher ones.  Your earthly energies and your spiritual energies converge in your 4th chakra.  It contains your perception of who you are.



I recommend doing this meditation in a seated lotus position or as close as you can get to seated lotus with your hands palms up on your knees. If this is impossible for you, sit in a chair with your feet firmly planted on the ground.




Close your eyes and take three long deep breaths. Hold each breath for a few seconds before completely exhaling.

Relax into the pose and your breath.

Concentrate on your breath and drop your mantra into the space at the bottom of each exhale before you inhale the next breath.

Your mantra for this meditation is simply : I am.

An interview with Darla Bruno

posted by Jackie Gaston


I am a life coach and I work with folks who are dealing with adrenal fatigue and chronic fatigue as well as general burnout to reclaim their lives and energy.  Find me at
DarlaBrunoLifeCoaching.com



How long have you been a solopreneur?

12 Years.

Who do you serve through your business? Who is your perfect client?

Anyone from a parent of a child who is fatigued, to men and women of all ages dealing with chronic fatigue, adrenal fatigue, and burnout.


What was your intention when you created your business and do you feel that your intention has changed since you started?

I started out as a life coach teaching tools to manage stress and align with your right life. I expanded on this and went deeper by specifically serving people in burnout.


What do you feel has been the biggest challenge you've faced in getting started and maintaining a business that supports you?

So far so good! I'm loving watching my business grow!

How do you feel that the Law of Attraction comes into play in your business?

We know that thoughts become things and your feelings are everything. Most of the tools I teach revolve around this concept.

Do you differentiate your business personality from your private self or do you feel the two are well integrated? Please give some examples or tell me how it comes together for you.

Very well-integrated. I live it to give it and practice what I preach. My life and health have undergone a major turnaround because of coaching and self-coaching.

- I've healed from adrenal burnout

- I've transformed my life to be energy-giving rather than draining

- Every day I practice feeling my emotions and letting go of resistance.

Have you ever had a big flop when launching a product or program? If so what did you learn from the experience?

No.


Any words of wisdom for others who are interested in starting a one person business?

Lead with your heart. When I'm in service others and feeling genuinely good about what I do, all else falls into place.