Stay Grounded With Raj Jana

“I became OK with failing - with the possibility that it might not work out. That was where the freedom came.” This episode’s guest and I have a lot in common. We both have corporate backgrounds in engineering (in fact, Darla calls herself a recovering engineer!) and we both experienced similar trigger moments that ‘forced’ us to take the leap out on our own. Now, Darla’s life couldn’t be more different! As a coach, she hosts intimate retreats that help people fast-track their learning and get out of their own way. So if there’s a part of you that’s not fully satisfied with the life you live right now, this episode is for you. Like me, Darla lived her life as convention tells us to do. She did all the right things, but life still slapped her in the face. But sometimes we need to be forced backwards before we can move forward again. So if you want to get unstuck, listen in as Darla dives deep into her own journey. Along the way, she reveals the hidden beliefs and experiences that

“We have a philosophy that all emotions are good. It’s about being able to move through those emotions that’s the key - so you can move from the negative to the positive.”This episode is a little bit special because I don’t have one guest, I have two!It’s power couple Desiree and Alonto Mangandog and they’re both passionate about using essential oils, aromatherapy, and acupuncture to help people process and move through their emotions.This episode blew my mind! When we live in our heads and we’re challenged by what Alonto referred to as ‘infobesity’, we can lose sense of the power our senses have to shake up our emotions.Desiree explains how 95% of everything that goes on happens in our subconscious - it’s no wonder it can be so hard to know ourselves - so we can grow and evolve into our potential.But as you’ll see in this episode, essential oils are a powerful tool that can unlock the door to heightened emotional awareness and maturity. That’s because the right oils used in the right situation can soften us,

“Hardship is really what makes us who we are. It’s easy to be an optimist when things are going great, but who are you when things get really difficult?”Today’s guest is one of the most exciting people I’ve ever met. Ultrarunner, Charlie Engle was the first man to run across the Sahara Desert. He’s a real life action hero too - all documented in a documentary film produced and narrated by Matt Damon (yes, you read that right!)What I love about Charlie is his ability to take on and succeed at things which seem humanly impossible.Charlie is right at home when he’s neck deep in struggle. In fact, struggle has defined a whole chunk of his life. From crack cocaine and alcohol addiction, to a stay in federal prison, to the extreme feats of physical endurance, Charlie is proof you can survive anything.And that’s what we talk about in this episode. Why push yourself to the absolute limits? Why put yourself under so much pain? How do you move beyond exhaustion to achieve things most people can even imagine (wait until

“I like to see that what you do in the gym as lab for the rest of your life.” Today’s guest was not naturally athletic. As a teenager, he was thin - scrawny even. Not the pillar of strength looking back at me through Zoom. But such is the power of goals. After reading the biography of a strongman, Logan wanted to perform at a super high level too. He wanted to accomplish feats of strength that most people could only dream about! And that’s been his focus since the age of 18 - with incredible results. That’s because just like the strongman who inspired him to step up, Logan can also pull an antique fire truck with his hair! So check out this episode and discover how he did it. But fair warning! Discussing what it takes to build strength on this scale only scratches the surface of what we spoke about... “Look at what is good for you but in a multi-level type of way… What’s good for you today, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now, a decade from now, or over the course

“My job is to help people find resources to improve their quality of life so then they can do things like... be happy and have some routines that make them feel fulfilled.” In this episode, you’ll meet a women who says the prison system feels like home. She’s not a felon and she’s never been convicted, instead the brilliant Dr Ashley Hampton spent time helping inmates create a new life for themselves. It’s a fascinating story... As a psychologist, Ashley loves to connect through people through their stories - and as she shares some of her own, she reveals that we’re not all that different. In fact, very often it’s our choices that separate us and not our backgrounds or life experiences. Challenge that us v them mindset, and it’s possible to feel a connection with virtually anyone - even if your lives seem like worlds apart. “That’s how you get a goal. You start small, and you move forward, and you make those steps along the way... You have to start somewhere.” In this episod

“Self care is mandatory… If you think you’re going to be at your highest performance without self care, you’re fooling yourself.” I first met today’s guest in New York at an entrepreneurial event we both attended. There was something about Julian! He had a vibe that made me feel good and made me want to be around him. And I wasn’t alone. I noticed how others had the same experience. When I asked Julian what was going on, he said it was because we had connected to his ‘inner god’ and that he was actively looking for the god in each person he encountered. We didn’t have time to go into the detail of what this meant, but I was hooked and super curious. I had to know more! So I invited Julian onto the Stay Grounded podcast so we could dig deeper into this concept. And the depth of insight this discussion unleashed blew me away - and I’m pretty sure it will be the same for you too. “By me witnessing the god in others I’m calling them up to the vibrational level of their god-selves.” I

“Writing thank you cards for me is my canvas. It’s the manner in which I express myself to the world about how I feel.” As the owner of a gifting company, today’s guest felt his was living out of alignment. Gifting involves expressing your love and appreciation to the people you care about, yet John didn’t feel this value featured highly enough in his life. Something had to change - so John committed to send FIVE handwritten thank you cards every day for one year. The Mr Thank You Project was born. But what started as a challenge quickly morphed into an incredible journey of self-expression, personal growth, and deepening relationships. When you think about thank you cards, you traditionally imagine obligatory notes sent after receiving a gift. But John knew those letters would get dry and boring pretty soon! So he decided to write cards that truly appreciated someone for who they are and what they’d done for him. It was a decision that forced John to be vulnerable and put his heart on the

“Microscopic living... It’s about going into the smallest places and finding treasure that explodes and expands to everybody else.” When today’s guest lost the love of her life in a tragic accident, her whole life plan was stripped from the table. But part of the human condition is the ability to transform tragedy and heartache into something beautiful. It’s how her husband’s death became one of the pivotal points that enabled Sheevan to become - in my words - “the Queen of Flow”. I was so pumped to talk with Sheevaun, this conversation made me so happy! I learned some incredibly profound things too. But that’s what happens when you sit down to talk about life with a business advisor, master coach, and energetic thought leader. In fact, Sheevaun has helped over 25,000 entrepreneurs, CEO's and leaders tap into their soul’s unique formula - so they can show up in the way that’s right for them. And in this episode, she shares some incredible wisdom and insight that will inspire you to challen

“Maybe in life the real risk is not taking risks.” If you’re up for a deep, intellectual conversation that gets you thinking, then you’re in for a real treat with this episode. That’s because I’m speaking with the incredible Jon Berghoff. Raised in the birthplace of Apple, Jon is a father of three and the co-founder and president of the Flourishing Leadership Institute. Jon is one of the most curious people I’ve ever met. His super smart, analytical brain is dialled into the benefit of human systems. His mind is always on because he’s constantly looking to be better. I learned so much from this episode and I’m sure you will too. Passionate about unified mindfulness (which Jon talks about in detail during this episode), Jon is fascinated with unlocking human systems to empower others to be the best they can possibly be. It’s why topics such as concentration, presence, and curiosity feature strongly - because they are keys that can unlock life. “We end up choosing work that unknowi

“If we don’t keep that attitude of gratitude then we block the oncoming prosperity.” Today’s guest has worked with powerhouses such as Chet Holmes and Tony Robbins before setting up his own venture that empowers people through accountability. But life wasn’t always so successful. As a troubled teen, Mitch danced with death - at one point being just 15 seconds away from an early exit. Fortunately, a wake up call kicked him out of the downward spiral and put him on a path where success was the only option. Since that point, Mitch has committed his life to helping others while creating a beautiful, productive life for himself. And he spills all the beans in this incredible episode. “The wisdom only comes from the arrows in your back and the times you’ve tried and didn’t make it, not from the one time that you happened to get it right and hit a home run.” Fair warning! This episode is a rollercoaster. Mitch’s backstory reduced me to tears and tingles. I’m grateful for the powerful re

“Our whole lives are made up of moments… How we approach the here and now ultimately writes the stories of our lives.” Ever felt as though you’re missing out on life as it happens? It’s a common concern. When you’re juggling a ton of responsibilities (and a to-do list that never ends) your head and body aren’t in the same place! And when you’re chasing the future and rushing over the here and now, you end up missing out on a lot. It’s why I was so excited to chat with Jon in this episode. Jon is on a mission to show people how to live life in the front row - and his tool of choice is moment making. It’s a mindset I totally buy into. I used to focus on the grind. I used to constantly chase the next promotion or the next big goal because I believed that’s what would make me feel successful. But I soon discovered this mindset puts you in a game you’ll never win. That’s because life isn’t a journey. Instead, it’s a series of here and now moments. And my guest today reveals how t

“When something feels like it’s holding you back, my default is to say YES to everything.” In this episode, I get to have a deep dive conversation with someone who knows a thing or two about podcasting! It’s Michael O’Neal, host of the Soulpreneur podcast which has racked up a staggering 681 shows. Mike is an outstanding podcaster and he shared a few insider secrets with me in this show - so if you’re a podcaster too, you’re going to love this one. But I didn’t ask Mike on to talk about his skills! While we do discuss the power of storytelling and interviewing, I wanted to dig into the inspirational story that’s taken him to where he is today. It started back in 2006 when Mike lost both his parents in less than 12 months. Despite achieving a level of success, medical bills soon hemorrhaged his life meaning he was effectively starting from scratch. And that’s when he went to Europe. “Success recognizes hustle.” Mike’s story is about creating your own luck - despite trage

“Music saved my life… All kids could use a really beautiful, simple form of expression to get that part of them developed and let the soul express through a medium that’s creative.” SB Moses was found in a shoebox in a dumpster in the Philippines. Thrown away as a baby, SB Moses didn’t get a birth family, but he did learn to create a future for himself. He thanks music for saving his life and as a professional party instigator, SB Moses amplified the vibe for the likes of Virgin Galactic, Google, and Cirque Du Soleil. I was lucky to meet Sammy at an entrepreneur event back in 2017 and we kicked it off instantly. (He’s one of my favorite people in the whole world!) Sammy is such a beautiful, humble soul who’s turned a background that’s unimaginable for most of us into a force for good that’s transforming the lives of orphans in the Philippines. And in this episode, we dive deep into Sammy’s story and discover how his showbox history became a symbol of hope that’s profoundly empowe

“I had this epiphany… The only thing stopping me from doing it was me.” Can you really achieve success in just 5 minutes? This episode’s guest believes so. If success is the result of habits practiced consistently, commit to the right actions for 5 minutes a day and you can see massive results. Karen Briscoe honed these skills in her hugely successful real estate business, but it was an epiphany moment that inspired her to consolidate her practices into a formula that other people could follow. After having the idea to write a book, Karen realized she needed to adopt new rituals to help her push through the doubt, fear, and questioning that can hold us back from doing the things we love. So she grabbed the opportunity one October day when the clocks went back to get up an hour earlier - and she did this every day to give herself the time to write. “I think people sometimes think it’s the big things that are what makes life meaningful, but many times it’s the daily rituals and rel

“Fear is at the crux of everything. If you do not know how to master fear, then fear is always going to trick you. That’s because fear is smarter than you and more educated than you.” This episode’s guest is an absolute rockstar who’s dedicated her life to teaching people how to master fear. It’s the incredible Rhonda Britten - master life coach, creator of the Fearless Living Institute, and an Emmy-Award winner. She’s also appeared on Oprah not once, but twice! After a horrific experience at the age of 14, Rhonda spent the next 20 years of her life battling with fear in all its guises. From self-doubt, blame, and addiction, Rhonda struggled to work out life - until she decided to challenge her beliefs about who she thought she was. This decision opened the door to hope and freedom. It led Rhonda down a path where she’s helped people from across the world break free of indecision - so they can take the risks that lead to an authentic life. And in this episode, she’s going to give you

“My routine is my awareness tool. My tracking tool to tell me when I’m on track, when I’m off track, when do I need to course correct, and when I need to double-down.” My guest today has flipped over 150 houses in the last six years. He’s Matt Aitchison, creator of 6FigureFlipper.com and an individual who has a unique and inspiring approach to happiness. Matt’s goal is to be a millionaire in ALL areas of his life. Passionate about showing up as his ‘organic self’ consistently in all 8 of his ‘life gardens’, Matt’s attention to detail and ‘small bet’ testing mentality is an inspiration. Thanks to his daily routines and methodical tracking, Matt has developed an intense level of self awareness, which helps him know when to course correct, double down, or change tact. It’s an approach that’s brought him wealth in business, health, relationships, and financially - and a methodology that he shares in this powerful episode. What you’re doing right now - in this exact moment - was once a str

“Doing your thing is massively important to raising good kids. We should be able to show our kids that doing what we love is financially viable. I don’t want work to be a negative word. I don’t want kids to grow up and think they have to get a job to make money to have enough money to do the thing they love.” This podcast episode is one of my favorite yet. I can’t tell you how much I LOVED interviewing ‘Dana Banana’ - a Boss Mom herself and founder of the incredible Boss Mom community that’s helped over 50,000 women in the last 2.5 years. Like me, Dana comes from a corporate background. But everything changed when she realized that it wasn’t her job she was in love with - but her thirst for accomplishment. This insight inspired her to quit her six-figure (plus) salary to become an entrepreneur - at the same time as having her first child! “Our lives are basically just a series of decisions that we make every day - some conscious and some unconscious.” Dana is proof that pare

“If you want to live a full life, you’ve got to throw your routine out the window sometimes and just be willing to take a ride on what the universe has to offer you.” This episode’s guest uses Facebook for a very different reason than most. Instead of getting lost in the timeline, Frost Fassett scrolled through the 100 plus events in his local area to pinpoint ONE to attend. Then he did this EVERY SINGLE DAY for an entire year. That’s 365 events in 365 different communities so he could have ONE profound conversation and learn something new every single day in 2017. His DICE (Daily Inspiring Community Events) Project took him across America and overseas and gave him a unique insight into people and communities from all walks of life. It’s totally fascinating and something we discuss at length in this episode. “Community events are the social fabric of America. If we can have more community events we can have more real-world, face-to-face conversation with people shaking hands

“A lot of the times you need to do what you need to do before you can choose to do what you want to do.” Today’s podcast guest is Carey Smolensky, author of Living Life with PASSION and Helping Others. Carey is a dynamic businessman, event producer, and multi-faceted entertainer who’s been in the business since high school and I’m super pumped to interview him to learn more about his drives, his passions, and his perspective on life. Carey is an incredible human with a huge appetite for life. Never settling with a commitment to constantly evolve everything in his life, Carey’s hunger and passion rubs off on you.  “A big part of my growth was learning how to say no.” In this episode Carey shares how event production became his thing. We also talk at length about his upcoming Passion Summit and the impact Carey is hoping to make with this powerful 2-day event (there’s even a $350 discount for Stay Grounded listeners). So if you’re looking for a lift and some insights and ideas

“You can have it all. You simply have to know what ALL is for you.” The surname Miles may be familiar, and because Shannon’s husband, Bryan was my guest in episode 11. Shannon and Bryan co-founded Belay Solutions seven years ago. It’s a virtual company that offers self-motivated people the chance to create work (and life) on their terms. Shannon is an amazing role model and an inspiring leader. Working alongside Bryan, she’s built an incredible company, raised two beautiful kids, and has mastered her schedule so she can live life on her terms. And in this podcast episode we dig into the thinking, mindset shifts, and decisions that enabled her to do that. “The Third Option is about doing your work, but also allowing you to prioritize your family and your personal life in a way that you can’t in a traditional office environment.” In this episode Shannon shares how her own life and upbringing became the triggers that inspired her to ‘never settle’. She also reveals the backstory behind B