DianaHale

BLOG

Farewell To Holocaust Survivor and Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel

| |

Elie Wiesel I read Elie Wiesel’s masterpiece, Night, when it was selected by Oprah’s Book Club in 2006. The book is a detailed memoir of his experiences as a teenager in Auschwitz. It is one of the most widely read and discussed books of our time.

Elie Wiesel spent decades advocating for human rights, and authored 57 books about the subject. When he wrote about his guilt for having survived the Holocaust, it raised awareness about the horror of the Nazi movement at a time when people did not want to talk about it.

Elie Wiesel was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 1986 for his work in speaking out against violence. He was also awarded over 100 honorary doctorate degrees.

President Obama led the tributes by saying, “Elie Wiesel was one of the great moral voices of our time, and in many ways, the conscience of the world. He raised his voice, not just against antisemitism but against hatred, bigotry and intolerance in all its forms.”

You can learn more about Elie Wiesel in this 1993 interview with Oprah. He was an amazing human being with an important message to share with the world.

Do you have message to share with the world?

The Power of Keystone Habits

| |

Power of HabitOne of my favorite books of all time is The Power of Habit, written by the award winning New York Times reporter, Charles Duhigg.

In my opinion, the best part of the book is the detailed description of the way habits work. The habit loop is a three-step process: (1) There is a cue, which is a trigger for an automatic behavior to occur. (2) There is a routine, which is the behavior itself. (3) There is a reward, which tells our brain whether we should store this habit for future use or not.

I loved the description of the way habits work, because once you understand the process, you can create good habits intentionally by changing the cue, the routine, or the reward.

For example, when I started getting up at 5:00 a.m. to go to the gym, the cue was crucial. I laid out all of my work-out gear the night before, down to my socks, heart rate monitor, and the elastic band for my hair. When the alarm went off the following morning, and I saw everything neatly stacked by the bed, it seemed ridiculous not to go.

One of the most important concepts in the book is that of keystone habits. Keystone habits are like good habits on steroids, because they create other good habits.

Keystone habits have three characteristics:

1. They give us a sense of accomplishment or a “small win.”
2. They cause other good habits to develop.
3. They create a whole new mindset.

Examples of Keystone Habits

1. Exercising regularly – It is correlated with better diet, better mood, less stress, more confidence, and better sleep.
2. Daily meditation – It is correlated with increased memory and awareness, reduced stress and anxiety, and increased goal-setting.
3. Making your bed every morning – It is correlated with increased productivity, greater sense of well-being, and better budgeting skills. Bed makers are also more likely to enjoy their jobs, own a home, and exercise regularly.

This book is great! If you haven’t read it yet, check it out!

Youtube Sensation Shay Carl

| |

Shay Carl Shay Carl is one super-interesting guy! I love his story!

Tim Ferriss posted a three-hour interview with Shay Carl on his podcast this week, and I didn’t think it was long enough! I listened to it twice.

A manual laborer for years, Shay Carl posted his first video on youtube while on break at his job installing granite counter tops.

Today, Shay Carl’s full time job is posting daily videos of his family life. Sound boring? Not even. Check out his Shaytards Youtube Channel, which now has over 2.3 billion views! He also co-founded Maker Studios, which was sold to Disney in 2015 for almost $1 billion dollars! His latest project is the Trixin Clothing Line, which is also a family business.

One of his favorite books is As a Man Thinketh by James Allen. He talked about his belief that you can do anything you want to if you create it in your mind first. By the same token, if you are always thinking negative thoughts and dwelling on bad things, that is what is going to appear in your life. You have to control and focus your mind.

I liked Shay’s story about how he lost 100 pounds. He did it by deciding to run the Los Angeles Marathon and visualizing it. He lost the weight by eating fruits and vegetables, biking, and running. He hesitated to tell his audience how he did it, because it seemed too simplistic and cliche. But that is what worked! There are no magic tips or tricks. He has since run several other marathons.

He talked about how it is human nature to take the path of least resistance and do the easy thing. For example, it is easy to stay in bed instead of getting up at 5:00 to work out. It is easy to go through the drive through, and pick up a Big Mac. It is easy to slip into bad habits, and then before you know it, they own you. That is why you need to decide what you want to do ahead of time, and to keep your mind focused on what you want to achieve.

I highly recommend listening to the whole interview on the Tim Ferriss Blog.

How To Live To Be 100+

| |

Blue ZonesOne of my favorite TED Talks was given by Dan Buettner, best-selling author of The Blue Zones. The Blue Zones are geographic regions with high percentages of active, healthy centenarians.

The Blue Zones outlines nine factors that lead to a long, healthy, happy life:

  1. Move Naturally – The world’s longest-lived people don’t lift weights or run marathons. Instead, their environments require long vigorous walks, or activities like farming and gardening.
  2. Purpose – Why do you wake up in the morning? Knowing your sense of purpose is worth up to seven years of extra life expectancy.
  3. Down Shift – Stress leads to chronic inflammation, which is associated with every major age-related disease. The world’s longest-lived people have routines that relieve stress.
  4. 80% Rule – The Okinawans say a mantra before meals as a reminder to stop eating when their stomachs are 80 percent full. They don’t overeat, which is a problem in America.
  5. Plant Slant – Centenarian diets are mostly plant-based. They typically eat meat only five times per month.
  6. Wine @ 5 – Surprisingly, moderate drinkers outlive non-drinkers, especially if they share those drinks with friends.
  7. Belong – Attending faith-based services four times per month – no matter the denomination – adds up to 14 years of life expectancy.
  8. Loved Ones First – Centenarians put their families first. They commit to a life partner, invest in their children, and keep aging parents and grandparents nearby.
  9. Right Tribe – The world’s longest lived people chose or were born into social circles that support healthy behaviors.

For more information, visit The Blue Zones website

The End of Jobs

| |

Taylor PearsonI was fascinated by Taylor Pearson’s self-published book, The End of Jobs, so I was pretty excited when Taylor was interviewed by one of my favorite podcasters, John Lee Dumas.

The premise of the book is basically that the century-long growth in wages earned from jobs came to an end in the year 2000. Technology and globalization have changed everything. Jobs are more competitive, less safe, and less profitable than ever. However, technology has also made entrepreneurship safer, more accessible, and more profitable than ever.

The End of Jobs has sold so well that Taylor is basically living on the income generated from this single self-published book.

John Lee Dumas and Taylor Pearson are living examples of the premise of the book!

Smart Passive Income With Pat Flynn

| |

SPIPat Flynn’s story is truly amazing. In 2005, he graduated from college and landed his dream job as an architect in a prestigious California firm. He ascended the career ladder quickly, and was promoted to a management position within three years. He worked hard to learn everything possible about his field.
 
In 2008, the economy was in a downward spiral and Pat was called into his supervisor’s office. He was told that although he was one of the brightest and best architects in the firm, they would have to let him go. Pat returned to his desk in a daze, and called everyone he knew in the field, pleading for another job. No one was hiring.
 
In desperation, Pat moved to his parent’s home in another city. He was commuting by train to his job, and dreading the rapidly approaching termination date. During the commute, he listened to a business podcast. One episode was about a business owner who was earning a six figure income by selling a study guide he had designed for contractors.
 
Pat remembered that he had set up a website to study for the LEED exam, a particularly difficult certification exam for architects. Although he had already passed the LEED exam, the website was still up, and was being used by other architects to prepare for the exam. Pat wrote a study guide to organize and summarize the content on his website, and offered it for sale at $19.95. In the first month, he earned more money from the sale of his study guide than he had ever earned as an architect. In the months that followed, his income continued to increase.
 
Pat eventually created the Smart Passive Income blog to show others what is possible with online business. He produces a high-quality blog, a weekly podcast that features online entrepreneurs, and numerous “how-to” videos.
 
Today, Pat earns more than $100,000 per month through blogging, podcasting, affiliate marketing, and product sales. He has always posted monthly income statements on his site, explaining how he earns income from his online business ventures. He is the best-selling author of two business books, and a highly sought after keynote speaker for conferences.
 
You can learn more about Pat Flynn’s business model at SmartPassiveIncome.com.
 
Have you ever wanted to start an online business?

Seven Anti-Aging Lifestyle Strategies

| |

HealthyHere are seven lifestyle changes that may help to slow down the aging process:
 
1. Eat healthy fats
Coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, avocados, wild salmon, nuts and seeds are among the highest quality fats we can consume. Good fats actually optimize metabolism, support positive mood and cognition, and benefit the skin and eyes.
 
2. Eat lean and clean protein
Protein helps build the hormones and neurotransmitters that we need to feel great. It also supports the building of lean muscle (and prevents muscle loss), promotes balanced blood sugar, helps support concentration and a positive mood, and supports healthy weight.
 
3. Stop Eating Sugar
Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) form in the body when sugar reacts with proteins and fats in the body. The more sugar (glucose or fructose) in the body, the more AGEs. An increase of AGEs in the body can damage cells, cause inflammation, and cause advanced aging and chronic degenerative disease. AGEs have been linked to diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and heart disease.
 
4. Eat More Dark Green Leafy Vegetables
Dark green vegetables include broccoli, collard greens, spinach, Swiss chard, kale, and various lettuces. The antioxidants in these vegetables help protect the skin, brain, and cells from damage by unstable molecules. They also contain vitamin C, which helps to prevent wrinkles.
 
5. Eat brightly colored fruits and veggies
The brightly colored organic fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C and carotenoids that support eye health and skin health. The fiber in fresh fruits and veggies help us to maintain a healthy weight.
 
6. Avoid Eating Starchy and Processed Carbohydrates
Baked goods (cookies, muffins, cakes), pasta, potatoes, crackers, pretzels, chips can literally fast-forward the aging process. The body quickly turns these foods into sugar. The consumption of starchy carbs is associated with type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and depression.
 
7. Exercise
Embrace high intensity intervals, resistance training, walking, yoga, hiking, gardening, dancing, and swimming. These forms of exercise, increase lean muscle, improve mood, help us maintain a healthy body weight and keeps our brain sharp. Did you know that endurance training, over the long run, can actually fast-forward the aging process?
 
Reference: 7 Anti-Aging Lifestyle Strategies, 9 News, May 24, 2016, by Dr. James Rouse.
 

Still Teaching Yoga at Age 97

| |

I have been following Tao Porchon-Lynch for years. Recently, I came across yet another article about her in the New York Times. 11TaoPinkScarfSidePlank_edit
 
Tao grew up in India, and discovered yoga when she was only eight years old. She has studied yoga with several of the notable masters. In May 2012, the Guinness Book of World Records recognized Tao Porchon-Lynch as the world’s oldest yoga instructor at age 93.
 
In 2013, Tao worked with Tara Stiles to produce a yoga DVD, titled Yoga with Tao Porchon-Lynch, which is available on Amazon.com.
 
Tao has written two books about the practice of yoga: Reflections: The Yogic Journey of Life, and Dancing Light: The Spiritual Side of Being Through the Eyes of a Modern Yoga Master, which won three 2016 International Book Awards.
 
Tao’s energy and enthusiasm are an inspiration to me. At 97 years old, she still teaches six to eight classes a week in New York, and leads programs all over the world.
 
Learn more about Tao in her 2014 TEDx talk: There is Nothing You Cannot Do
 

From Rock-Bottom To Rock Star Fitness Entrepreneur At Age 40

| |

Natalie Jill 1Have you ever wanted to start your own business? I love Natalie Jill’s story! Her seven-figure business was born during the lowest point of her life!

At age 40, Natalie Jill had very little interest in health or fitness. She had a lucrative job as the national sales manager for a medical device company. She lived in her dream home in San Diego with her husband – the man who was the love of her life. Everything had seemed perfect when she got pregnant. Until everything changed, that is.

Natalie’s marriage crumbled, and she went through a divorce. As a single mother of an infant, she could no longer travel as much as her job required, and had to accept a lower paying position. She struggled to pay her bills and care for her daughter. To make matters worse, Natalie was now over fifty pounds overweight. She was depressed, confused, and felt out of control.

One day Natalie caught a glimpse of herself in the mirrored walls of a shopping center, as she was pushing a stroller and walking her dogs. She didn’t even recognize herself!  That was the day she described as the point at which she hit rock bottom.  Was this what her life was going to be? That of a depressed, overweight single mother who couldn’t pay her bills? That was the day she decided to turn everything around.

Fast forward to today. Natalie is the highly energetic, super-fit owner of a seven-figure fitness empire. She is happily re-married, and spends her time helping others reach their health and fitness goals. You can read about her personal transformation in her new book, Natalie Jill’s 7-Day Jump Start

One of my favorite bloggers, Lewis Howes, has recently interviewed Natalie Jill, and you can access it at: http://lewishowes.com/podcast/natalie-jill

Have you ever dreamed of starting a business like Natalie?

TwitterGoogle +LinkedinInstagram