Cassie Drake: Realizing Your Potential, Masterminds & Mental Health

"I'm such an advocate for mental health because people that are in the deepest despair don't realize what a gift they have just by being themselves. They have something that no one else does."

Who is Cassie Drake:
Cassie Drake is an architect turned designer of her own dream life, on a mission to empower others to do the same. But it wasn’t always that way. After feeling unfulfilled for years and struggling with both her physical and mental health, she left her admirable career in architecture to live life on her own terms. Cassie is the founder of the Influentielle Mastermind program, coaching women-led businesses in a collective support group, to grow together and lead the fulfilling life they’ve always dreamed of. She believes every single person has a gift no one else does and has helped countless humans realize their potential, and manifest it into reality to share with the rest of the world. 

What We Talk About On This Episode of The Andrew Bilak Show:
- How Cassie went from an Architect turned entrepreneur
- Establishing a new law while living in Malta
- Dealing with mental health struggles
- Creating a Mastermind group and Biz Mentorship
- How she reprogrammed her own mind
- About NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) and how it shapes who we are
- How travel changes the way we think
- What to consider when moving abroad
- Meditation & the importance of mindfulness
- How to recalibrate daily and live a more purposeful life...and much more

Resources:
Connect with Cassie:
Instagram: @cassdrake
Personal website: www.cassdrake.com
Business website: www.influentielle.com
andrewbilak.com
Don't forget to subscribe, rate and review The Andrew Bilak Show on apple podcasts :)

Transcript

spk_0:   0:01
Welcome to the Andrew Bill Act Show I'm your host, Andrew Bill AC. This podcast was created to shed light on incredible people who continue to impact the world, reach new pinnacles of success and shared their stories of what they continue to overcome in order to serve others and live life on their terms. So I want to thank you for stopping by and walk into the podcast way. Welcome to the Andrew Dillon Show. Today I have Cassie Drake. She's an architect turned designer of her own dream life on a mission to empower others to do the same. But it wasn't always that way. After feeling unfulfilled for years and struggling with both their physical and mental health, she left her admirable career and architecture to live life on her own terms. Cassie is the founder of the influential Mastermind program. Coaching women lead business in a collective support group to grow together and lead the fulfilling life they've always dreamed of. She believes every single person has a gift no one else does, and has helped countless humans realize their potential and manifested into reality to share with the rest of the world. Cassie, welcome to the podcast for

spk_1:   1:06
having me in dreaming. Said to be here.

spk_0:   1:08
You have such a unique story. Um, you were an architect before you kind of transitioned into digital marketing. And you have your mastermind tell me a little bit about how you started in architecture and what that took Thio and how long you were in a four before you decided to transition out.

spk_1:   1:26
Yeah, I think it really starts back to when you're in high school and you're like, What should I do with my life? And I was like, I like math. I like art Architecture Sounds like the amalgamation of the two. And so I just went into that and I got my degree and everything and then worked the largest architecture firm in Canada for about five years, and I was actually youngest want ever have been there, too. So that's how it got into architecture. Er and I enjoy the premise of architecture, but I think the reality with industry is it's very romanticized a lot. People don't realize that it's just like a very soul sucking profession. So I realize that early on, and I'm thankful to have been out of it now. and being able to actually direct my own life instead of having someone kind of directive for me

spk_0:   2:08
like the Ted Mosby. How I met your mother. Kind of glorified architect. Very much. I feel like that's the only one that anyone

spk_1:   2:14
has a reference to. Unless you know someone who is an architectural like ones like Ted

spk_0:   2:17
Mosby like that not you not be at the

spk_1:   2:21
bar at night like

spk_0:   2:22
there's no way. No. So, like you said, there was that amalgamation that brought you into architecture. Um, how much schooling do you need to be? And so here's the thing that

spk_1:   2:32
people don't know a conspiracy of random facts. But architecture is the highest trained profession more so than surgeons for the lowest payout lower than teachers. Yeah.

spk_0:   2:42
Wow. I mean, because you was here, straight out whenever here, architecture, I think of, like, amazing bridges, amazing buildings. And sometimes, you know, when you when you're looking to magazines, you're like Drakes New house were designed by this architect. I'm like, I have no idea what that is. But like you think people get paid a lot of money, I

spk_1:   3:00
think by with the effort that you put into architecture like the payload is actually below minimum wage. But time you put it like I was overnight in the architecture firm. Every week everyone was. It's like very much cult like like that. And I don't describe the profession because it is a very like recognized profession and I uphold it like the highest standard anyone who does continue on in it. But there is just a lot of work behind the scenes people don't see. And those people that are designing the buildings are like probably in their sixties of not Edie's.

spk_0:   3:28
So these people put in a lot of time. We've done the groundwork. They've done everything. Anyway. That's great work. Yeah, so that's interesting, because you kind of Would you call it an epiphany? Or was it kind of like gradual where you started to kind of not really enjoy it anymore?

spk_1:   3:43
You get so because it's all you know, like even throughout schooling. You don't have those extra courses that people like collectors, that you can choose your all like in this together, and you're very like narrow minded within. That's all. You're looking tunnel vision with it. So you don't really realize if there's anything out there and because you put so much literally blood, sweat and tears into it. And I probably shaved years off my life, going through school and working the firm, which is not like, funny, necessarily say now. But that's the reality of it, Um, that you feel like you put this much into it. So you should just keep going like you're If you quit, then what is everything you did for and you don't know anything else to do. So I did have a bit of an epiphany moment in the sense that I was at the architecture firm and I was working with on Architect there. He actually designed the SkyDome, which is a very innovative from architecture, because that was the first retractable roof over any sporting, um than you in the

spk_0:   4:34
world. For anyone who doesn't know the SkyDome now rebranded Roger Center is the is where the Toronto Blue Jays professional sports team play

spk_1:   4:42
right? So I was fortunate to work with him on a building and he was, I think, 86 87 years old, still working at the firm every day, and he handed me a drawing and his hands were like violently shaking because he was so old. So

spk_0:   4:57
this paper is like flapping. Have no laughing at him. I'm laughing where the story's going because I just know the feeling that you must be Yeah, and and it

spk_1:   5:04
just hit me being like this is so everyone aspires to be him. He is almost 80 years old, So he had me the paper, and the next day he passed away and they

spk_0:   5:13
have a terrible love. Well,

spk_1:   5:16
I mean, it's just the reality of it and I think paints that perfect picture of how it was because then I realized it wouldn't just be me and like 10 years from now that being position, it would be in like four times in my life of where I currently was. That was early twenties at that point, and that's where I would still be.

spk_0:   5:33
You could picture Saxon

spk_1:   5:34
spot. I just realized that like nothing would change. I would be in the same desk, hunched over, probably very sick at that point, like finally shaking and having no life outside of that, Um, and that's just not where I want to be. I want to have, like, new experience. I've never been able to travel if I stay in architecture, for example, on that such a big part of my life right now and experiencing new cultures and all that. So that's kind of made me realize that that's not where I see myself little, 80 years, let alone, like when I'm 40 years old.

spk_0:   6:04
So then what was your mindset? What did you have to fall back on at that time? We like What were you thinking? Like, I need to get out of this. You have nothing.

spk_1:   6:11
I had nothing and the only way that I could leave the profession. It's so it's such a hard profession to leave, because again, you put your dick in your entire life to it. So I physically have to remove myself from it. So I moved abroad, not knowing anything. I was like, I'm gonna move abroad and try it out, and that's I'm just gonna see what I can, whatever I can pick up when I'm there. Luckily, I find architecture. ER

spk_0:   6:31
is essentially or graphic design so hot that

spk_1:   6:34
skilled a leverage so essentially started freelancing graphic design, and that's how I transitioned out of it as I moved abroad. Yeah, so that's just like cold turkey stopped. And that was it.

spk_0:   6:45
So you like, you know, that's interesting. Some people will jump ship and they wanna have that plan in place. You're like, just take me somewhere else, and I'll figure it out when I get there. I have I have the graphic design in my back pocket, but I need that change of pace. Where did where did that take you? Where's abroad?

spk_1:   7:00
I moved to Malta. Little island in the middle of my training in kind of picked a place on the map. Um, the way we arrived to it. So I moved there with my partner at the time. And he has an interesting story, too, because he's actually aerospace engineer turned like online fitness professional. So you should have We have him on too, But, um, he sent you, looked up like top 10 countries to retire, to think he was aligned with her lifestyle. And if you think about it, retirees What? They're looking for their looking for, like, a safe place. Like good health care. Good weather, right. Lower cost of living. So, like, perfect multiple. The list. Never even heard of it. Let's try it. So I should pre face this by saying like I'm not someone who just like jump ship like that. So it was just the only option, though there is no I couldn't, like, do something on the side, because I had I was in such tunnel vision. Had such blinders on architecture, I'd like physically had to remove myself from that. So that's what I did. We made a pact that we try over three months. We understand for almost four years. So

spk_0:   7:57
wow. So then what happens when you when you get to Malta, how do you, like walk me through that in terms of like making that living in terms of changing, transitioning into what it is that you're doing?

spk_1:   8:07
So I think that's a little glorified, too. In terms of being an ex pot, it's there's a definitely, like a ramp up transition period. I've moved. I've lived in, I think eight countries now, and it's hard. It's really hard when you're when you moved to a new country and you don't know like their culture, you don't know, like how they do things. People just do things differently around the world, of course. Right. So luckily, Malta was an English speaking country, so it was easier transition. But I just was freelancing. And then I eventually end up getting a job in Malta as a digital marketer. And the way I did that was I started graphic designing Freeland, saying that turned to Brandon Design. And then that was essentially every single piece was designed was such a piece of marketing material. And so that got me really interested in a digital marketing space, because how could I use my designs to actually sell things and to convert on behalf of clients? So that's how it got me into that. And I think I was lucky in the sense that Malta that would been harder transition to do here in North America. If you like not having the traditional education backing for that, where is Malta? Because I was an English speaking foreigner that was educated regardless of what the education background waas, they kind of work more likely take a chance on me. And so I just learned on the job while I was there and I

spk_0:   9:22
were working for an agency.

spk_1:   9:23
I was I was working for a really large spot companies respond. Health company. They're so wasn't agency side at that point, I had never been agency side yet. When I end up moving back to Toronto, I did go agency side. So I did get to see those two aspects, but yeah, Malta was interesting. We also lived in Ukraine for

spk_0:   9:41
a radio.

spk_1:   9:42
Uh, same. So Ukrainians actually, first language.

spk_0:   9:45
Same and then I, like, forgot a lot of it.

spk_1:   9:47
I completely forgot It was so funny when I moved back there because I hadn't spoken like a decade. And they're like, you speak like a little girl from the war era.

spk_0:   9:57
Like, you know, people like Stomach versus Tommy. I just have the tummy version of every single word

spk_1:   10:00
not knowing that we're like, It's so weird seeing this grown woman speaking like

spk_0:   10:04
that, because when I go back, it's a very frenetic language. So I'm just always there, like a little kid, like sounding out e section of the word and I'm like a nice many repeated I'm like, Oh, yeah, I know how you like ding. You got it?

spk_1:   10:17
Yes. I feel like a country like that is a bit harder to integrate with when there's a language barrier and all that, but multi was easier. There's just a lot of other obstacles that come up when you're in a foreign country, but they're all they're all learning. They're all big learnings coming out of that for sure.

spk_0:   10:33
Now I had someone on recently on the podcast, and they are a freelancer as well. And they talked about, uh, some challenges you face when you leave Canada from a kind of citizenship standpoint. From a health care standpoint, What did that look like living in Malta for four years and then having to come back?

spk_1:   10:51
Honestly, that was very difficult. So because I was there with my partner and we were not married and multi being a very Catholic society, Um, he had his online business that was based in Canada, and I was working for a company there, so I got residency there. I had to reapply every single year, and one day he calls me at work saying that his residency got denied and I was like, What does that mean? He's like, It means we need to get married, and that was like, okay, and he's like, so can you calm down because we need to do this today because otherwise they're kicking me up. Whoa. So we had a lot of obstacles in that way. We ended up working out, I

spk_0:   11:26
should say, but

spk_1:   11:26
we are. We should start a Wikipedia page. We're the only common law couple. We're not together anymore. But we were the only common law couple of Malta.

spk_0:   11:35
We gotta get out of there, even. Really? Yeah.

spk_1:   11:38
Like never that at that time, my resume. But so there were a lot

spk_0:   11:42
of difficulties when you went down to, like, whatever was the courthouse. Whatever they're like. Wait. Is this serious? You want to be what you're asking us to to never done this in the history of the country. Lunchtime, shock and wedding. I was like, Should I call my

spk_1:   11:54
parents Kind of calling them?

spk_0:   11:55
It was like,

spk_1:   11:56
This is what we're doing. They were not happy.

spk_0:   11:58
Yeah, I can see that being kind of Ah, surprise. A shock?

spk_1:   12:01
Yeah, we're Taylor for a long time at that point, but yeah, Camilla did not exist there. So hurdles in that.

spk_0:   12:06
So I rewrote the Maltese law doctrine. I don't know if anyone's following the law of the marriage law. There it is.

spk_1:   12:16
I don't know if anyone has followed suit since just because they don't think it's an option

spk_0:   12:20
way. Canadians were waiting for me

spk_1:   12:24
to find some loopholes. You to go like to the room Consulate tender vouching on behalf of us so

spk_0:   12:30
blessed by the pope. No, no, no. Uh, not

spk_1:   12:34
quite. Um And then on the health care side of things, that was actually the reason end up moving back because I ended up becoming I end up getting in a really dark place by the time I was leaving Malta. And part of the reason why we left back it came back to CanDo is because there just wasn't adequate medical care if I needed that kind of support system and we didn't even really know where to start their bit antiquated in that sense. And also, we were just not familiar with how they did things like they probably serve the local culture there. Really Well, I think there's still some, um, missed opportunities that haven't quite caught up yet. But that was eventually the reason why we came back was because the health care system was just like, wasn't able to support.

spk_0:   13:16
Interesting. So I had nothing to do with job opportunity, anything like that. It was just It's crazy. It's crazy. How? Growing up in candidate in a first world country, you know, you you think of these things, or maybe you don't. You take things for granted and so many other places in the world. You know, I'm not saying Malta doesn't have a good health care system. But I'm just saying, like, you know, you you don't know what you deal with until you actually come to it. And you're like, Wow, this is really

spk_1:   13:42
different. It's so true. Like the more countries I've visited, more countries I live in, I realize what an incredible country, Candace, and how fortunate we are to live here. Like the fact that we could just walk down the streets during the day or middle of the night even is such a blessing?

spk_0:   13:55
Absolutely. Okay, so four years goes by, you're coming back to Canada. Monta now is scratching out the law that they created for your your common law. Marriage? Yeah.

spk_1:   14:04
Thank God they're

spk_0:   14:05
gone. So you come back, then What?

spk_1:   14:10
Um, I come back, and to be honest, with you, I entered a really deep depression. It was really, really hard coming back, thinking that it would be easier because I'd be surrounding with friends and family. That's another thing about being abroad is you're on your own. So we didn't have that support system. We didn't have people about understood. We were going through so thinking, coming back. But the thing is, everyone has moved on with their lives in the four years, and I end up feeling more isolated than ever had in my life. So entered, like a really dark period in my life. And I've been quite vocal about this in my social media. This year was the first time I ever talked about it. That was

spk_0:   14:45
very open about mental health.

spk_1:   14:47
Yeah, quite open about it now. Just trying to open up a conversation, remove shame surrounding it, having gone through myself and especially in the midst of it. I was. No one knew about it except for my part of the time, but not my parents. Not my best friends. No one knew of how bad it waas um,

spk_0:   15:02
on that topic, would you? I I know that you're a very big advocate now, but, um, would you say anyone who's listening that's going through any struggles themselves? Toa kind of open up on dhe, Find someone. It's okay to be vulnerable about that, and I'm sure

spk_1:   15:15
that it's definitely way easier said than done. So it depends like what spectrum they fall on, whether they just, like experience, sadness than definitely talk to someone. But if they are on the verge of, um, considering suicide, then they really need someone else to kind of pull them and take that first step. So there is a wide spectrum. Um, I I am a big believer now in what you don't reveal, you don't heal. So whether that is just to someone in your circle or a professional, or there's the suicide hot lines, that kind of thing. But I think in order to be able to release something now, you have to reveal it to someone and just let it out of you. So that stuffing the first step in just putting a voice to the feelings you're having as opposed to internalizing think you could work through it yourself as powerful, very powerful. Yeah, it took me a long time to realize that again, Easier said than done, because in the time of there was no way I would have said any thing anyone. So it kind of takes someone else, too. I think recognize that if you do think if you do think you have an inkling that someone is going through a tough time, chances are it's way worse than they're letting on. Like there's like Iceberg. They're like tip of the iceberg you're seeing You're seeing like, a little bit. Unhappiness will probably like experiencing a lot of darkness. Um, it goes much deeper than that when you don't see them. So I encourage friends. Family members. Who do you think that is happening to someone to offer that support? Maybe offered to take them to the doctor to have that conversation with them? Or to have a phone call with a counselor, that kind of thing as just like that first step and I feel like that for a step, really paves the way then to be able to take matters into your home own hands because I also am a believer that ultimately your mentality and your mental well being is up to you and no one knows can help you through that. But there is like a stepping stone to keep that momentum going for you to be able to continue that process on yourself.

spk_0:   17:07
Absolutely. So you had someone that helped you along the way. They kind of got you out of where you were

spk_1:   17:13
a little bit. I think there was just a breaking point with my partner realizing that I was in a really bad place. And so he mentioned something to a doctor. And then I came into the doctors and she had that pre face already knowing that I was in having trouble and want to talk about it. So that kind of kick started that mom. And then I went on this long journey within myself and did and have many like tools and resources Now to that helped me through it. Um, and I do think it's like an ongoing journey, but I definitely am. I don't think I'd ever come back to that place that I was before.

spk_0:   17:48
I have it here. Then I'm happy you're here and openly sharing that's That's great. That's powerful.

spk_1:   17:54
That's been interesting sharing the story because even when I did share I posted essentially an I D TV earlier this year talking about it, and I sent it first to my parents and my best friend, just saying, This is what I'm about to put it all on the Internet and they're like, Don't do it. You'll never get a job again, like there's like the

spk_0:   18:13
Really

spk_1:   18:14
Yeah, So I think it just if anything adds to the shame right that you feel But the end the day that was my reality. It's not anymore. But it waas, and I am really glad I did share it because I just had such a flood of people coming to me, saying that they are also experiencing that or they feel they think they know someone who is. And what can they do to help them. So is actually really beautiful that that happens. And that's kind of the premise for my program as well. To like, I'm such an advocate for mental health right now and having a stability within yourself before you even try to start a business, because if you don't, you're kind of like band dating that and you end up reaching a breaking point and it will be all for nothing,

spk_0:   18:52
especially starting your own business. I mean, that's that's no small venture to get into for the faint of heart. So definitely go through your own struggles, not comparing it to mental health. But I'm just like you. You kind of hit the nail on the head, saying, you know, it's important to take care of yourself first before, um, tryingto take on anything else in your life. Definitely. So then you, um you came out of it? Yeah. Came out of it. Yeah. Amazing. And then, uh and then where, Um

spk_1:   19:23
I guess what coincided with me coming out of it was leaving, leaving traditional career pasts behind as well, Which is interesting now that I think back on it, that those kind of coincided the same time. I would say within the same year. And I feel like because I became in such a good place and I was so like a piece of confidence in myself that it then gave me the courage to be able to branch out on my own and just start something on my own. So I was at the time working agency side for a marketing agency here in Toronto. And when I left that I was freelancing on my own with really large corporate clients for a while, but kind of still feeling unfulfilled in the sense that I didn't see the impact I was making directly to the beneficiary of that outcome. Really large corporations that were multinational and couldn't see who is really under the table of, like these seven figure it campaigns that was managing. And I realized I had so many learning side Sony insights and so many great tactics that I that I knew of. And at the same time, I'd built up quite successful travel blogging platform just from all my travels abroad. And I was able to monetize that. I saw there was a bit of white space, especially with female bloggers who just kind of put content other for the sake of it, but not thinking that they can actually make something out of it, which anyone can if you're strategic about it. So because I saw both sides being kind of the blogger, as well as the agency that wouldn't employer partner with bloggers, that I just decided that I could make more of an impact if I would just take everything I knew from those large corporations and apply directly to the small business owner. And I could see directly how I could help her. So that's kind of how that came about. I would say

spk_0:   21:12
So you created a block while you were traveling while you were in Malta while you're traveling around What was the name of that law architect abroad. I love that. So great. Even though you you transitioned and shifted out of it, it was a unique brand name. I like that on dso What was the block about? Your documenting your travels, Talking about places, things to do, where to go. Thanks to see,

spk_1:   21:32
Yeah, I was like a huge planner. And even to this day, I still plan on my friend's trips mean and gladly. So So, yeah, I was just about, like, definitely designed focused, I would say. But design focused abroad, um, food and nice design spaces, that kind of thing. Boutique hotels and just off the beaten path as well, which I was a big fan of just finding. I've been on some really cool experiences and just sharing that for people.

spk_0:   21:59
So when you kind of took a look at it. And, you know, you felt that disconnect from not being connected to the other end of the two. That person a TTE, the other end that was receiving the benefit of the work that you were doing Was that a direct correlation when you thought, Well, I want to get into something else where I was actually able to directly communicate with the people that were on the other end of my blogged That happened right away, Or did that kind of take a few steps to get there? And how did that look like?

spk_1:   22:24
Think it took a few steps, But I always kind of hot in the back of my mind that I want to just create something for myself. Ah, product aren't offering, but I just wasn't sure what that would look like. Like I was thinking courses. But it just didn't didn't resonate with me that I would just create an online course. So what ultimately led me to the mastermind idea was I saw, I guess it was two fold. I saw that. Yes, I could directly impact people with everything I knew, and they don't really have access to this type of resources right now. I also saw that, or I felt at least in the quote unquote influencer industry, that women especially kept their cards with close to their chest, and they weren't really willing to share what was working for them. And I was like, I just have all these researchers. Let's just share together. And I feel about us talking about it, we can actually grow exponentially further together, as opposed to just trying individually on her own. So that was kind of how that came together and compound did that. So definitely it was a big gradual. But I kind of had in the back my mind that I would do something. I just wasn't sure that look, like eventually landed on the idea that masterminded it. Just all came together in terms of all the different avenues that I had that led me to that point.

spk_0:   23:32
Now, were you continuing to, like, build your skill set? I mean, it's if you're you know, you were based on doing graphic design when you first came to Malta, and then that kind of evolved, did you feel that you were confident you have the tools or ready to actually create something such as a mastermind.

spk_1:   23:46
I mean,

spk_0:   23:47
Bernie. What? Actually, for anyone who doesn't understand, can you just explain what a mastermind is?

spk_1:   23:51
Sure, I would say a mastermind is a collective of like minded individuals that meet together, whether virtually or in person, to pursue a common goal, either within themselves or for the collective. So mine is specifically business driven, so I call it a 12 month accelerated program. It's like a business incubation program that happens every quarter. So this different ways master minds operate. I feel like it's definitely like a loosely used term. People even refer to master and sometimes for like, one off meetings. I would say it has more of a continuity aspect to it, but there's massive programs that are like range from a year 2 10 weeks. So

spk_0:   24:31
and you lost it by yourself. Yeah. So what tools did you have in your kind of arsenal? Thio. Feel confident toe be ableto launch. Ah, mastermind.

spk_1:   24:40
I mean, I don't know if I was ever necessarily quite confidence.

spk_0:   24:45
Maybe those are just

spk_1:   24:45
myself. Well, I started slowly abduct people do silly. I built I sold it before I built it. That was a bit so. I'm a big believer in continue educations. When you asked me, did I continue living like, Yes, I still to this day I'm enrolled in certification course. Right now I have business coaches and business mentors, and I'm in part of a master program. Master my broker myself. So I had those kind of resources that I invested in before even had the cash flow thinking that, you know, someone had been there, done that. And I needed some of that guidance because also within my own circle, I don't have anyone that was doing what I was doing. So my friends, my family were like, What? What the hell are you up to? Like they ask me still to this day whether I run an animal, Um, so I just It's hard to explain, right? Unless you have to surround yourself with those people that understand what you're going through that Zach what I created as well, because I was feeling really alone in that journey, and I was like, Why don't you bring people together that are doing the same thing? And it doesn't matter whether they know each other or not. we'll get to know each other and we'll become each other's advocates and support group. So the resources I had in my toolbox, likely coming from the digital marking background. I was very well versed with the digital marking tools kit. I would say, like all the programs and online programs and platforms and all that, Um and Plus, I had my audience base that had built up. Granted, it was more so for the travel blogging aspect. So that's been a really interesting shift, actually rebranded this year, too, to doing this and knowing that that follower the audience would drop off to a certain points because they just don't care about this side of things. They care more about me traveling around the world in talking about that. So there has been that shift.

spk_0:   26:27
So you rolled the dice. I mean, you had a community you thought to yourself. I might as well start off and see if I can get some people that are followers of my travel blawg to kind of jump into the mastermind. And you're right with anything that is doesn't necessarily correlate with one another. You'll have people that will just say no one. That'll be the end of it. But I think that was you know, that's a great place to start leveraging a community that you already have and seeing if there was interest there.

spk_1:   26:53
Yeah, definitely exhausted, my assurance. Exhausted. But I leveraged my organic network first before I ever went in the paid media side of things. I still to this day don't really double with that yet, but I know I will.

spk_0:   27:04
Why? A mastermind out of anything that you could have transitioned from working with multinational corporations, doing what you were doing? What resonated with you in terms of starting a mastermind?

spk_1:   27:14
Yeah, I think a few reasons that I kind of touched on already. So one seeing directly the impact I could have with the help that I'm providing to whom that person waas, um, to knowing that there was just opportunity within the influencer industry to monetize and they didn't quite know that. Like I knew I had a really good idea of, like, affiliate marketing and all that, and no one was really doubling with that with blogging. Also, I just I really thought that having a group coming together could provide greater support the night, then I could individually, and that's been the biggest I think Cabinet of it all in the biggest, um, learning coming out of this because I didn't know what would necessarily happen coming out for this kind of a test the first time I did a pilot program, I should say, And it was so beautiful because all the women coming out of it became each other's, like, best business besties. Let's call it and cheerleaders and advocates of each other's businesses network and so me collaborations. Out of that, that would never have happened if I just decided to continue one on one consultancy like I was doing cause I could go. I was a consultant, digital marketing freelance, and I I did work with individuals. But the impact I could have to an individual is just far less greater than the support of the collective that I keep referring to. It just It happens organically, and ideas foster with other people being at the table, no matter what your background is. And this is also why I'm such advocate for mental health, because people that are in like, the deepest despair, but they don't realize like what a gift they have just by being themselves like they have something that no one else does. And you kind of have to be a better version of yourself to be able to bring that fourth to the world, though, right as a basis, like you have to be in a decent off space to be able to, um like saying invoice in, amplify your voice with what you have to share, But everyone has that unique voice to share.

spk_0:   29:03
So I guess you're thinking already at scale. I mean, you had that consultancy and with that one on one work, you did you like, I very much enjoy working with the person that is going to decide, um, how their businesses run their decision maker, that the accountant in some context on dhe, I guess because I went through something kind of similar not wanting to work with large corporations. Um, not from like a brand standpoint, but from, like actually doing physical like, service based work for them because there's just so many layers to the people that you deal with for the sign offs that you have to have for the end result, and it's amount of

spk_1:   29:38
red tape.

spk_0:   29:38
Yeah, and some people don't mind that. But for me, it just it didn't turn my crank and then kind of working and speaking with people on a 1 to 1 basis. I mean, I've worked with, um, these reps and MLM companies, and it's great because the fact of Mother is there are their own business. They make the marketing decisions, they make all the decisions in their business. So you get to see firsthand the impact that the work that you do with them makes directly in their business. So for you, I don't want to make assumptions, but I'm guessing that, you know, working with people one on one and then thinking, Well, I it would really like me up if I worked with the collective of people, um, would probably spur from that getting getting the results or seeing that satisfaction of working with that person went online. Would you tend to agree with that, or is it a little different for you?

spk_1:   30:23
Um, yeah, I grew up in parts in the sense that now you mentioned I do appreciate working directly with the decision maker, definitely, especially with in businesses that are flexible. So being, you know, on entrepreneur, you have the ability hopefully to pivot when you need to. And that's something that I found that was stagnant in the corporate world, specially agency side. They were just like just a bit behind, because they don't have that flexibility to just, like, turn on a dime when you need Thio and they're playing Maur. They're playing more for the instant gratification game as opposed to, like the long term play, which is something that I am trying to build a swell like. How can we be malleable with the given times? Because I could be on instagram influencers today, but tomorrow the platform could be gone. And when you have to leverage, then so just looking at how it's transitioning and be ableto be ahead of that game, I think is really important. And that's just like so not something that I find large corporations have the ability to do,

spk_0:   31:25
I think controlling um, the outcome, Um, coming back to what you were saying about not knowing if a platform will leave tomorrow. It's great that you can build influence E. It's great that you could build an audience, but at the end of the date. You don't control anything about it. So I think a mastermind is a fantastic way to be able to pull people from a distribution channel like Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, tic Tac, whatever that may be on. Bring them all under a collective name and we'll finally get into the name of it. It's called influential, right?

spk_1:   31:53
Yeah. Influential, spelled with an e l l e at the end. So influencing women only, um, or identifying as women people. And yeah, it launched this year, and it's been doing really, really great. And all the women that are in it was just so fantastic. It's such a I'm just so grateful. Be ableto work in that capacity every single day like it's amazing that that's what I get to do and bring them together and and see directly. The impact and transformations are having their lives. It's so

spk_0:   32:21
I mean your energy shines through so you can tell it's definitely something that lights you up. Um, for anyone who's listening that say wants to start a mastermind. Okay, can you share what that would look like from your own experience and talk thio? Whomever is interested in doing that,

spk_1:   32:38
I say, I think in this day and age you could start anything pretty soon without with very mineral resources. I think if you just launch what is tthe e minimal, viable product like, what can you get out there? That is You're able to kind of get out almost tomorrow without think, overthinking it without trying to overdo it and then get feedback and then curate that based on the feedback we received. That's kind of how we went about it is I lost it without having anything. I didn't have a membership site I didn't have, Like, I had a sales page on the Web site. That was it. I didn't even have an idea of the structure. I I thought I would do what I wanted to look like and I had appearing out. But instead of me rewriting all my mom, my wa jewels, before it launched, I actually decided to let the collective kind of guide that because I wasn't entirely sure how it looked. And I'm so glad I did that because it ended up looking completely different than what I originally thought so because I had enrollments at a pilot price, Let's call it, and I was able to really nurture them throughout that process and really see what they needed. I was able to then curate my entire program based on those immediate needs of my consumer, and it's still a work in progress. Still, to this day this is on my third cohort and ice just you continuously improving. But I really launch, like, what was the minimum possible? And now we have a full membership site with modules and videos and resources and downloads and all that. Um, and I have all the tools and platforms that are all integrate together to support that. But I didn't when I started. And I don't think you necessarily need thio.

spk_0:   34:13
No, I totally see that. I mean, with just not even a mastermind with any business. There's You have preconceived notions. You have a hypothesis is that you just need to test and iterated. That's businesses. Alliteration, test it a rate and just keep keep moving forward. Um, so how many people from your, um, you're blawg came over and or maybe who was? How did you generate that first cohort of people or your M v P. Initially How did you Where did you find your first group of women? That

spk_1:   34:45
Yeah, I did it. I did it through my existing audience and they were 100% from that. So I even think, maybe this now Call her and I'm running right now. That's just about to end. Maybe it's like half of people that, but the 1st 1 was all people that knew me, and it's just me. The first time I had launched an offer like that, I never spoke to my audience. But working even one on one that was only with, like larger companies I never liked talk directly to the the blogger or the small business owner. So I think by me just talking about that launching that that generate enough interest to be able to fill it up. So I was lucky that had the audience. But I think if someone still doesn't have that base, it's still doable. There's still ways to do it. There's so much organic play that you can be dabbling in, whether it's like looking at Facebook groups and and so much I I always talk to my women in terms of like the three marketing pillars, you can look out being organic paid and partnerships. And what can you leverage based best based on where you at, what current assets you have and what kind of budget you have if you have a budget and maybe like paid media is obviously not the right. That for you, if you have a lot of time than organic, is probably not the best for you. But how can you maybe leveraged like babies, for example, joint ventures to to expose yourself to other like minded audiences?

spk_0:   35:55
So is that what is at the base of influential, um, showing women how they can grow business and kind of average it through these three different mediums?

spk_1:   36:04
Yeah, it's It's definitely really comprehensive from a digital marketing and even some traditional marking standpoints. Um, so in terms of industries, it spends many verticals for women. They come from all different, like product race businesses, service based businesses. But they all fall within a similar spectrum of where they're out there. Businesses, some are. Some are still in corporate and have a side hustle that they want to prioritize. Some have a full blown business and just want to scale so None of them are really at the level. I'm out right now because if they were, I would be very honest with them and say, Go to my business coach And because all the women also have to work well together, that's really important for me to. So I definitely have a really strict vetting process to ensure that they all are within that growth mentality. They're open minded and they just have goals in mind. So they come into the program with three specific elicit in mind that they want to hit from the three months. And then I worked backwards with them to create, almost like a work back schedule of How can we hit those key KP eyes? And that's usually done through digital marketing tactics and learnings that provide with them, whether it's social or building a funnel, anything like that launch strategy. But there is a really underlying intention throughout of ensuring that their mental health and well being is prioritized throughout. So, for example, I have a coach who's a mindset consultant who also coaches all the women individually in support to my coaching, and that's been such a game changer. That's something I brought on my recent cohort, and that's part of what I'm seeing growing because that's not something I could have a Ford in the beginning stages. But then I saw how important it was for me. Toe have that, and I think it's been such a value add for the women.

spk_0:   37:42
I think that's part of the involvement. Going like what you thought Could this co hurt or like this year of your master minds could completely changes, You know, a new idea, spurs or, you know, just feedback from from your members.

spk_1:   37:58
Yeah, I definitely have a vision in mind of where I see it going long term. I just think I'd rather ramp it up slowly to ensure it has a sustainability, then kick it off the bat and that some people do just go all in on it. And I think that is also something that you can explore. It just for me. I was kind of building up slowly myself.

spk_0:   38:18
Are you open to sharing with that long term vision?

spk_1:   38:20
Yeah, I really see it as so right now. I see for women in terms of just improving all aspects of their life, very fragmented. So for example, they go to like a gym or they have a trainer. They have the mindset consultant. They have like a psychologist. They have business coach, like all these different things that they all have to seek out individually. I really want to bring the under one roof and knowing that all women don't necessarily need the same things. But if they came and I had the best of the best, and we just created veg individualized program for them with the premise that they have a business they want to grow, but knowing that they have to grow within themselves as well, and their mind set has to be at a really sharp point for them to be able to have that sustainability. Because at the end, the day I could just have a program where I just teaching digital marketing and I grow their business, and I give them they're our ally, that they want it. But as soon as we start working together, they'll probably go back to the same habits they had, the same patterns they had previously. So I actually tried to go deeper and deeper and deeper as much as I possibly can and it's difficult at times. It's not, um, it's not like the easiest process for both me as well as the woman to go through it. But their growth is so much more profound and transformational because of that, if that makes sense,

spk_0:   39:34
yeah, absolutely.

spk_1:   39:35
So I really see that being a big benefit to the women, having all those experts being able to contribute to their growth, depending on what they need individually and having that really individualized, tailored program. But still having the group aspect,

spk_0:   39:50
How important is mindset for what you teach, and just for you to embody in anything that you take on,

spk_1:   39:57
I think it's honestly everything. I think it's more important than the actual actions, although I think actions do backup mindset. But yeah, knowing that I never was a big believer in mind set whatsoever. I just thought things happened to me and kind of like, what was me, especially when I was going through those difficult periods, but because I was able to completely turn around my life by turning around my mindset, I consider myself a reform pessimist. Um, I have also completely overcome a heart condition that I was diagnosed with when I was a kid just threw convincing myself that I can push my limits with it physically, and I was able to overcome that to the point where the zero is. My cardiologists told me they could no longer diagnose me. So from personal level, I'm a big believer in mind set, but I also see the power. It can have four people in all aspects of life, whether they're trying to pursue a physical goal or business school or just mental health.

spk_0:   40:54
I find mindset is becoming more mainstream, and usually you hear something is becoming more mainstream. There might be a negative connotation to it, but I think that's really important that it is because, um, you know, you brought a good point up that literally anything that you kind of focus on and either believe is true or choose not to believe. It's true regardless of what you believe it, that that will be the truth to you. And so

spk_1:   41:19
true. You can convince yourself of anything absolutely, and that's the thing. Your brain cannot distinguish between what it's seeing in front of it versus what you're telling it. Seeing in front of us, you can actually tell your brain that you were seeing things, and this is part of a certification of going through right now called neural linguistic programming. And it's about mapping the mind and how we can control that map and how we can manipulate it. And it's amazing. Your mind, I think, is the most powerful tool kit in our entire being in our universe. And the way we can utilize energies around us and play off of that, I think is we can make it easier for ourselves. And then then we think it needs to be. We think it has to be a difficult journey. I think it actually easier based on our mind.

spk_0:   42:00
Yeah, convincing yourself is just part of it, just believing in it. Whether you believe it, it's right or it's wrong. You're gonna be right. It's interesting. I didn't know you're doing Ah, certification and an LP that's really like for anyone who doesn't know what that is like. That's what Tony Robbins does. Um, and I forget who else but please do share about you know what what you're trying to accomplish with taking certification and my

spk_1:   42:26
initial intention with this was just too up level myself was a coach because I never had that when I was, like, directly teaching someone when I was working with clients, corporate clients, I wasn't teaching them how to do their own digital marketing. I was just doing it for them, right? So all of a sudden I was teaching others how to do it and really wantto them to understand the practice behind it. And I just realized, like I don't have any experience in being a coach. I was a teacher in various things. I've been like a snowball instructor, lifeguard, that kind of thing. But I had never done that, so I just wanted to continuously being able to upload for myself in that way. So NLP Waas something that I came across, I guess a couple years ago, and I realized that I had been essentially utilizing it will pee on myself without even realizing, and that's how I came to be at this mental state that I'm currently in. In the whole mindset that I shift that I have undergone was because I was using an LP practices without even realizing it. And so I am utilizing that as a way to. Well, my initial intention, though I should say, was to just become a better coach for the women in my program. But it's been a really interesting journey because I am still coaching myself throughout it. So we're lucky as coaches that we are able to become through our pursuit of being a better coach. We end up being a better human being, so that's been a really cool journey as well and something that didn't expect. But I kind of have to be at the forefront of myself first before I can ever impart on anyone else.

spk_0:   44:02
Sure, you have to continue kind of leveling yourself up and taking care of you. At the end of the day. That's number one. No matter of whether it's in the business context or something else. 100% what is an n o. P kind of application?

spk_1:   44:15
Who there's There's lots. Um, I haven't interesting one. So there's different techniques like hypnosis is part of it. Um, e f T is another technique. The call, but one was really interesting to me that we recently explored Waas. A woman came onto a coaching call with, and we were like, what is one your own self limiting beliefs, and she was saying that it's hard to make money. There's like a statement that she has wrapped up in her head. It's part of her conditioning of upbringing, whether her parents kind of probably imparted that, saying, You have to work X amount of hours years to be able to make money. It's hard to make money doesn't come easily to you. So this is what she thought for herself, and she couldn't. She couldn't like distinguish between that's belief and the reality. So essentially, what the NLP technique would do is it would take that belief and match it with the belief that you've hod previously like that you no longer haps. I'll give you an example. I am 13 years old. That's a belief I usedto have very strongly. No one would question that when I was 13 years old. I would tell him 30 years old and I am. But I no longer have that belief. So that is something that has been processed in my mind, and it's somewhere else in my mind. That is a belief that I know that I once told myself, but I no longer know one could convince me over that I still have that. So it's a matter of matching this other belief of that money is hard to make and pairing it with that in that part of your brain, and there's techniques to take you through that. But it's really interesting in terms of just like removing that, and it's very freeing. And then you're able to than impart another believe into yourself. Being the opposite money is easy to make, and all of a sudden that belief, then the energy that that exudes that money is easy to make. Your auctions kind of paved the way for that. If this is making any sense,

spk_0:   45:59
yeah, no, no, no, no.

spk_1:   46:00
And maybe money then attracts to you in different ways and forms. Abundance doesn't necessarily have to be the work. Maybe all of sudden money ends up showing through your door through like an inheritance, Let's say, or like you walking across the street, you find a $5 bill like it could be anything like that. But all of a sudden, with that belief and that being your embodiment of that belief, things start happening to you.

spk_0:   46:21
I love that, um kind of if whoever's listening like from a visual standpoint, I'm going to say it has as how I picture it, Let me know if that's accurate. When you're referring to pairing up that prior belief, tow wherever that belief actually came from. At that point in time, Is it kind of like, um, you know, say that belief keeps recurring your mind, the money belief that you know, having that scarcity mindset. Are you saying like, kind of parrot up like Maybe that's like a book you put in a bookshelf and you just you find that slot and it's like, Okay, that's It's home now. You don't have to come back to that. Let's create new beliefs and and move from there and then let the universe in the action and kind of intermingle and bring you what? What, you want those new beliefs to be in your life?

spk_1:   47:04
Yeah, I think you could paint that analogy. It's also taking you throughout that process. Almost take you back in time of when you were 13 years old and then turning 14 years old, and that process of that belief changing and having that process being neared by this new change in belief is part of that is very cool. Yeah, it's really powerful,

spk_0:   47:23
so powerful. I mean, I feel like some days I know, I know that even as ah conscious collective like humans aren't using like all the power that our brains have, Um, I don't know what the statistic is, but it's kind of like jaw dropping when you hear, like, how much of her brain were actually using and like, what we're actually capable of doing. And it's just about tapping into it. That's why coming back to what I was saying about, like mindset becoming more mainstream, people need to understand that, you know, you don't need to be a victim of circumstance. You can actually create the life that you choose by future like bye bye, future planning in your mind, but believing that it's already happened to you, that's how I like right in my like daily goals write in my journal. It's like I speak as though they've already happened, and I tried to picture picture my feeling my emotion, like like in that moment,

spk_1:   48:11
that's exactly what's about. I did this exact exercise yesterday for 2020 vision planning, and I sat to myself, sat at a bar with myself last night, and I was like, Okay, it's December 1st, 2020. How am I feeling? What have I done like, What is my life look like? And I just wrote that entire little is if I was there. I think that is such so powerful. And also to remind yourself is that as you're going through, too,

spk_0:   48:34
that's amazing. I like that. I've never done a something like that were ever written out an entire year is if it's already happened.

spk_1:   48:40
Yeah, I do this, I would say on a weekly basis. Actually, no, um, I practice something called, I guess referred to the seven equities. But essentially with seven components, make up your life being body, mind, soul, family, social, business and money.

spk_0:   48:57
So all the seven

spk_1:   48:58
things and I just reflect on where I want to be Within one year, three or five years, people can use different time, brings up, suits them some guys. You only do like three months. Or it could be like that day how I want to feel in all those different aspects that day and just reflecting back on that. But I think it provides a good framework because it's really comprehensive. And that's a big thing about my program, is we're not just looking at the business side of things were clearly looking everything. If it's not a document, your health, it's a detriment to your family relationships than thought to me that pursuit of your business is not worth it. And I'd rather go back and actually retract on your business progress to ensure that you have cause otherwise, you're kind of like moving ahead at a Dutchman, and you're nowhere better off than they were before.

spk_0:   49:33
Just kind of stuck in limbo.

spk_1:   49:35
Yeah, so it's good to know, I think, do an overview and audit all those things on a consistent basis. I think you could definitely have it all. Or you can release, pursue all things at once and just have those kind of micro changes. Doesn't have to be this like overnight success. I like the idea of like a 1% betterment consistently in the mental aspects, and yeah, totally adds up for the long term. It's not even noticeable when you are doing it like it could be like a tiny little thing. But if you do it every single day, like all the sudden you build up that consistency, and if you did 1% better every single day, you would be 370 times better by the end of the year by doing 1% every day. It's

spk_0:   50:09
a big number. It's a big change. Is there anything else that's in the works for you or you're working on in terms of projects outside of the mastermind?

spk_1:   50:18
Um, I just recently did a retreat, which was my first time ever doing did last weekend, actually, and there's a three day retreat, So I see that being something that I'm going to be playing bigger in and just also bringing on partners and board to that are aligned with with my vision in terms of like, this is beyond me. This is not even like if I could remove myself from this, I would, but just being able to reach more people. So the program is going online and 2020 with the idea that the retreats will bring that collect together and still have that in person in real life experiences and those face to face touch points with one another.

spk_0:   50:53
Are the retreats focused around the same kind of idea? Is the mastermind like women in business helping Manu off?

spk_1:   50:58
They are okay. Yeah, they're very much aligned with that. Um, yeah. Um, I also just want to continue exploring the world and just being immersed in different cultures that I haven't quite seen yet. I will. I will like to touch on this for a second, because I do think travel for me like the biggest thing would travel that I've seen because I used to use travel as a cover up for my despair that I was having any time I got restless. I would just pick up and leave. And I think a lot of people use travel in that way and that, like unconscious state to just kind of distract them from what's going on. So travel for me was like my drug of choice, and I would just be traveling new country every single month for a long time. Now, I'm very conscious of how I travel, and I like travel as a way to expose me to new like thoughts and beliefs and ways of doing things because you go to a country that I'll give you a good example. I was I am part of an expedition that is going to sound strange. But I search for tribes in Myanmar where the women have their full faces tattooed and they haven't even been exposed to technology. So I'm in now exposed to these tribes that have never facing a white woman before, let alone like a cell phone.

spk_0:   52:08
Wait, hold on. I like how did you even, like, get into the get that on your radar as a thing to explore? Like, did you see? I don't even know what I would search the fine, like tribes in Myanmar that have women that have, like, Well, you got your eye on that. Got you on that kind of

spk_1:   52:31
like on the whole idea in the

spk_0:   52:32
first place. And then that specific.

spk_1:   52:35
Um well, I did touch on how I was just really interested in going places off the beaten path and also just really like looking at the cultural traditions and all of that. So, through working with a corporate travel clients, I met a woman who was interesting. That and I wasn't which became obsessed with this idea that these women hod would get their faces tattooed at the age of 12 and they've been doing it for centuries or as far as we know. But it's never been document before, and it's a dying art because they were colonising through colonization. It became, like, essentially extinct, and they're dying off. So we just go like deep within the jungles. And it's not really it's not premeditated the sense that, like we know where they live, it's a matter of like riding around in the jungle on our motorcycles and being like, Hey, do you have tattooed women? And just like going deep in going deep in trying to uncover them So we never know what we're going to get when we go. But what I was trying to say what that is all a sudden, you're immersed in an environment that's very foreign, you know, we're sleeping in like wouldn't shocks, but they are. They have longevity of their life. We were interviewing women that are over 100 years old. Yeah, and they don't do things the way we do things, but they're a functioning society. They're happy and they're healthy, and so they have a different way of going about it. But the end result or the end goal is the same. And I feel like that is what I now pursue in my travels. This seeing like is there something else that can expand my way of thinking that me growing up in like white, middle class Canada, that I had a certain belief that maybe there's a better way of doing something for myself, And then it's just a matter of me like seeing Is there a better way? Adopt for myself, not for anyone else, but, like for myself. Is there a better way, maybe, of doing something

spk_0:   54:20
as powerful? And that's great that you're actually like using your travels toe learn, but like going with an intention as well already like, Do you have predetermined like Travel times? Or you tell yourself I want to travel X amount of times this year and do X amount of adventures or kind of step outside of my comfort zone with each one of those travel experiences.

spk_1:   54:42
I don't I used to. I used to have, like, a yearly bucket list that I would hit, but again, that was when I was just using travels away to just hit those places up kind of thing and distract myself. So now I just have a mandate to live abroad. And when I say live, I use that term loosely. It's 2 to 3 months minimum in a new country to be able to, like, really be just more immersed in that and see what the everyday is life everyday life is like because there are a lot of challenges with being a place for that length of time. All of a sudden, you need to, like, find a place to live and have a lease and go grocery shopping. And, like all those little things that you don't necessarily get a sense of when you're just in a place for a few weeks at a time, right?

spk_0:   55:24
Definitely. Yeah. So are you planning? Um, like, what's the next travel destination? I'm actually doing

spk_1:   55:30
statesnext. I've never really done the States. I know it doesn't sound very like exotic or anything, but I've been, you know, this year I was living in Asia. You before that Europe. So I'm doing states usually go away for the winters. That's kind of my goal to be away for these brutal blizzards like we're experiencing today in Toronto. And I mean, I love Toronto, though the other day I think it's one the best cities in the world. So I love being here for, like, spring, summer, fall. But when the snow hits, I'm usually gone.

spk_0:   55:59
So you planning that around your master minds? Yeah, that's smart like that. Ah, And then what? When you go to somewhere like the states for the winter, are you ever being being heir? You linking up with people that you already know? Like, how does that work?

spk_1:   56:14
Yeah, it depends on the time frame. Um, anything under a month, probably Airbnb If I know if a no person there, then Yeah, I would link up with them for for sure. But anything above that, I try to get a short term lease. The best way to go about it. Obviously, there's challenges with that butts, but like finding those Facebook groups of like expats are like short term rentals there. There's a lot of digital nomad groups now around the world, and so I always try to find the digital nomad group there. Lily called that like Lisbon digital nomad like Bali detail No matter, just finding them. They have so many resources and tips like they've been there, they've done that, and they're also eager to meet other people that are about to do that, too.

spk_0:   56:48
So for anyone who's listening, who's interested in kind of doing that like maybe for lack of a better term, become a snowbird, set themselves on dhe or set their schedules that they're gonna work x amount and plan their life around? Maybe staying. We'll use your example Spring, summer, fall. But they want to leave. What are the main things that you looked at or like, maybe run us through the first time they made that jumping like, Can you believe for the winter? What? What were the kind of pitfalls things that you didn't know that you know, now that you know others who were trying to do that should look out for

spk_1:   57:20
Yeah, I have a lot of tips on this front from learning for his hand myself. So first of all, researching the place. I know that sounds obvious, but why are you going to that place? What is the average cost of living? How much does an apartment cost you? What? How does food tally up to the food you're having now, that kind of thing. What kind of resources are there on the ground already? So looking at those digital nomad groups, if you are a digital nomad or if you're looking to actually get a job in a place that also looking through, like maybe meet up and looking at people, maybe you're gonna find a language exchange of English is in there first language. That's kind of how we got into the digital. No, my group in Ukraine, for example, is we found English, Ukrainian language exchange and through that is how we actually finding our apartment and found the right real estate agent. So I do recommend if you're looking for a short term rental to try and find a real estate agent, that's localized. That may be another did Roma Nomad has used and it can advocate for prior to going. It's just easier than you spending money at, like a hotel for like, weeks on under. Airbnb even adds up to these days, so anything shorter than like two or three months, it's It's definitely hard to get at least, But there's so many Facebook groups where people are looking for a short term roommates. If if that's something you're willing to do, it's not something that I personally like. But there's also really interesting co living space is now around the world. I forget the name of them, but essentially they're co working spaces that also have, like, habitation with within it. And I feel like that would be a really easy way, and they kind of they're not. They're quite affordable, too, in the sense that you like you are typically in. I don't want to call it hostile style, but you probably would share a room with people. But they have beautiful spaces that you live in kitchens for you to use, and then they have the coat working spaces as well. But I would definitely come to research of those resources. And then how long can you stay in a place? Because don't get kicked out like we actually kicked out of melted the first time. That's what unit moving to cream because they just were like, No, you can't live here for longer than three months. We're

spk_0:   59:18
going to do with you changing the law, you know, that came later that came later. Yeah.

spk_1:   59:22
Yeah. First we literally had to physically leave, and that was a surprise is something we didn't plan for. And you kind of have to pivot. So knowing just try to connect. I would say with someone who has been there, done that from your country of origin, cause every country is different as well. So I do that look into, like, banking as well.

spk_0:   59:41
That was gonna be my next big question. Say, like, you're going to the states. How does that work? In terms of, like, securing Do you need bank accounts in that country? Uh, how does that work for, Like, signing your lease and short term leases and stuff like that,

spk_1:   59:54
To be honest has never been an issue for me. I never had anything more than a sorry Canadian account. Okay, so that's never been an issue for transferring money. Sometimes you're going to get dinged with those transaction fees. Cross border. But there's different platforms now that that mitigate. That's a little bit at least, but it's never been an issue. Um, definitely have like going to a place I would say if you're looking for to sign a short term lease or any lease in general definitely have letters of reference from any past tendencies that you've had also past employees like like, just have people that will vouch for you that have a professional backing of some sort of have some sort of credentials that will look better for no matter what country you go to. It's not just like your mom saying that you're a stand up guy and a girl, right? So, yeah, so that helps to be armed with that, I think, as opposed to going there and then scrambling on the ground to reach out to any past employers any past, even if you haven't worked for someone a couple of years like it's good to even have, like that track record like the past 45 years. Who have you crossed past with in a way that some one can actually vouch much for you as a person who has credibility?

spk_0:   1:1:07
That's amazing. That's super valuable. So I kind of want to go somewhere this way. Do you want to go? You got some idea. I mean, I like states is a big draw. Um, I'd like to spend some time in the U s, um, but it's good to like, kind of understand what goes into actually securing leases and how long you're gonna go for and what that means from a banking perspective and what that means for, I mean, from an online perspective, it's fine and making money. But it's like wanting to make sure you're making all the right decisions when you're there in terms of like plugging into the right community, not not setting up shop like right across from like where major gang crime is and stuff. It's like the little things. But all those

spk_1:   1:1:48
answers can be found online like very easy people so eager to jump in and help on, and it's not. I actually think there's that much prep that people think. Like I could legally move up and go somewhere tomorrow, and you will figure it out and you'll make it work knowing that there are unexpected expenses that will come up with traveling. That's the reality of it, because I now budget for those like just shit times that come up that I didn't ever first see happening or didn't plan for, and that's just reality of it. And before it used to really deter me being like, can't even like paying this for this or like this flight got canceled or like I got screwed over here, but, like, that's just the reality of it. And because we are fortunate enough to be able to do this, this is like what we're choosing as part of it. And you sometimes have to pay for those conveniences, right? For sure. Are

spk_0:   1:2:37
you like, Airbnb ing your place while you're gone? Like, how does

spk_1:   1:2:40
I just I haven't left my lease two days ago. Okay, so, no, I am officially like homeless. Let's call it, uh, very transient right now. And sometimes that is also hard to not have that place that is like your anchor, right? So when that happens, I do give myself a few weeks knowing that I'm in this transitory stage, and the reality is I'm probably not gonna be up to speed with my productivity levels that I will be if I had a place that I'm more used to, and I have that routine, and that's another thing. I think when you're going anywhere, a lot of people go to place for, like, three weeks thinking they'll they'll try digital nomads. See for three weeks? Well, three weeks and you're, like, have just probably started your routine. It clearly takes, I would say 2 to 3 weeks to ramp up minimum to find out, Like, where? To, like, every little thing. Like, where is your gym gonna be, like little things like that? That's a big thing. That's the big thing that research is. I find out where the gym is when I land. Health

spk_0:   1:3:39
mind, Body one. Yeah. Uh, what do you tell the countries that you I mean, some will care? Some will not. Um, when you land there and you're you are planning on staying for three months. What information do you die votes to

spk_1:   1:3:55
them. I say that I'm traveling. Okay. It's vacation That I don't I don't say I'm working. I don't say anything to do with business. Um, I just say I'm a marketing consultant, and unless that I am, you have to also be careful. If you are doing any transactional business, I'll give you an example in Bali. Um, I had to switch our our mastermind program like I was gonna do a paid in prison workshop, but I would have to have. I wasn't there long enough to get all that set up with the government there, and I would have to have claimed that income so end up making it a free meet up, and I had to do that. So knowing those kind of things in advance, if you are are making any transactions on the ground while you're there is pretty important to know, um, money going back online back home is a different story. Usually that that's harder to like track. But if you're actually making that transaction of anyone that's on the ground there, that's a big thing to find out about. I think

spk_0:   1:4:51
about the little things like you said, things that that come with trial and error and experience.

spk_1:   1:4:57
It's just trial and error, like if you got you know, your hand slapped, it's kind of you just will like I've I've been some really sticky situations where I don't regret them because again, a lot of learning experience coming out of that. Probably the biggest one was in Ukraine when we had the police knocking on the door saying that you are arrested. That was really

spk_0:   1:5:16
come on. You're sure

spk_1:   1:5:18
it was just, um what happened? It was we signed a lease with someone, but we signed it with the directly with the landlord who took me under her wing. She was like a second mother to me. And the police then showed up on her door saying that we were fraudulent with the real estate agent, even though we never like he showed us this place and that in another place. Sorry. And that was it. And because we originally owed to him, we have to pay. Like they had a crazy commission rate in the sense that I think we're originally supposed to be there one month. And we also owed him a month of rent. So what don't you like the double rent for that and saying, like, you have to come with us, your complete. Like we're in a war right now. You're disrespecting your country like come with us. It was really like that big knock

spk_0:   1:6:05
on her

spk_1:   1:6:05
door, like with their bet, Tom. Everything. And I was like freaking out. But yeah, things like that, like things will just happened. I've been in some, like, hard medical situations, even like where I don't I'm not near medical assistance. Like in the mountains of me and Mark. I had a really bad experience burning my hand, and I was like a flight and 12 hour drive away from the nearest doctor. So we get to deal with it like

spk_0:   1:6:25
you said you would you learn stories

spk_1:   1:6:27
I don't tell. My parents

spk_0:   1:6:29
will be sure to say, Don't listen. Um, as we wind down, I wanted to ask you a question, and I think this question will be a good one based on your just life experience in general. What are the three things that you typically do to kind of check in and recalibrate with yourself along the way?

spk_1:   1:6:51
Yeah, I do this every single day, I would say, because knowing that I have a tendency to sway to, let's say, the darker side, it's consistent effort on my part to ensure I don't. I feel like it comes more easily, maybe two, a lot of other people, but anyone who resonates or has gone through any periods of depression would probably resident with that me saying that so every single day I know meditates and I move my body and I call it I sweat every single day. Um, that's also managed for myself for my heart condition, just to make sure I don't go back in that way. And I just practice gratitude. Um, just talk about out loud, like to no one about what I'm more grateful for that day. That's a big part of my program to ensuring that we start off any type of meeting or anything on that positive note in. And like, there's so many blessings in your life, no matter what we're going through, and just reflecting on that you can't have fear through gratitude, like if you're actually in body and gratitude, you won't feel the fear. You won't feel the hate, and it kind of erases that. So that's been really a game changer for me.

spk_0:   1:7:57
I love that sweat gratitude. Meditation.

spk_1:   1:8:01
Yeah, I could call meditation. Mindfulness to people don't necessarily resonate with meditation. Some people, maybe it's prayer for them, but just like a mindfulness practice where you do check in with yourself and you kind of are super present for that moment, without expectation of having to do something or of having to think through something. And

spk_0:   1:8:21
I love that well, Cassie, I really appreciate the time. I really appreciate you sharing your story and your message and kind of pulling back the veil and sharing even your darkest moments. I know that that can be extremely tough, but it's also very powerful. And I'm acknowledge you and I thank you.

spk_1:   1:8:37
Thank you so much for having me allowing me to share in, like, riding this beautiful platform, be able to do so and for allowing me to use my voice in that way because you're helping remove the stigma. Shame surrounding that. So doing a cool thing there in

spk_0:   1:8:50
jail. If, um, if anyone wants to connect with you, where can they learn about your mastermind? Where can they can connect with you? Just anything that you want to find a plug in Here. Go for

spk_1:   1:8:59
it. Um, some instagram miscast rake Super easy C A s s drink. I'm the O. G. Let's

spk_0:   1:9:04
call that O g.

spk_1:   1:9:05
Toronto Drake and my program's called Influential Its i n f l u e n T i E l l e dot com But that's all found through my instagram. I also have a website just like a quick bio. CASS trick dot com and that will lead you to everything as well.

spk_0:   1:9:23
Amazing. There you have it. Please reach out to Cassie. She has so many amazing things to share. And if you're looking to learn more of us starting a mastermind if you even people reach out to you if they want to start a blawg, um,

spk_1:   1:9:36
honestly, really, anything. I have just so many resources I'm willing to share completely for free, like no expectations. So I'm happy to do that with anyone. Also, if anyone has any questions on, like, mental health or depression or anything like that, I'm happy to walk them through that, too.

spk_0:   1:9:53
You are, nog. Thank you. So thank you for sharing and for being so open. Thank

spk_1:   1:9:57
you, Andrew. Appreciate you.