I hope you’re getting some sunshine – the roses here in Cordovado are in bloom, and after picking up my car in Austria (post-accident repairs!), I even braved a quick dip in freezing Attersee lake in the Salzkammergut. Today to celebrate May Day, I have a little gift for you: a 2-minute video: “From Distraction to Presence: Inside the Launch of Embody” Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JObooS6sKxw In it, I share why I wrote Embody: The Power of Presence in an Age of Distraction. If you’re tired of being told to “just stop scrolling,” this is for you. I don’t want you to

We’ve developed our IQ (Intelligence Quotient) through education and cultivated our EQ (Emotional Intelligence) through personal development. Yet there’s a crucial third intelligence that is a crucial skill to develop in today’s digital world: Body Intelligence (BQ). What is Body Intelligence? Body Intelligence is your capacity to listen to, interpret, and respond to the wisdom of the body. It allows you to: Unlike IQ, which measures cognitive abilities, or EQ, which addresses emotional awareness, BQ focuses on the intelligence that resides in the body—a powerful wisdom that has evolved over millennia. Why BQ Matters More Than Ever In our screen-dominated world,

Where I live in Italy, there’s wild garlic in the fields right now—earthy, pungent, alive. I’m kneeling in the damp grass, fingers brushing green blades, and for these moments, I’m not a brain on a screen. I’m in a body in the world. This is the basis of embodiment. Neuroscientifically, it’s called sensory grounding (touch, smell, movement). This shifts us out of hypercognitive mode—that frazzled state where we mistake ourselves for thinking machines. Studies show even brief nature exposure lowers cortisol, while tactile engagement (like foraging) reactivates the vagus nerve, dialing down stress. My new book, Embody: The Power of Presence in an

The first one is skiing—just look at those colors! I took that photo a few weeks ago in Cortina d’Ampezzo (Italy). This rejuvenates the soul as well as body. I’ve got two other ways that are equally as powerful. The “24-hour reset The first one is the “24-hour reset.” Carving out a day dedicated to sleep. That’s right: 24 hours in bed, free from distractions, responsibilities, and external stimuli. Why wait until you’re completely burnt out or sick to give yourself this incredible gift? What Does It Involve? My rules are simple: 24 hours in bed with no input from

Today is the vernal equinox. The official start of spring is a great time for new beginnings, which is why I’ve chosen to show you the new cover of the book Embody. Designed by the fabulous American graphic designer Pamela Berry, the cover shows me watching the sunset in 650,000 square meters of sand in the Empty Quarter Desert of Oman. I was in Oman to prepare my last great Scottish event. Sitting in the silence of the desert, I realized just how small and inconsequential I—and all my plans—were compared to the magnificence of nature. It was a wonderful

Guincho beach in Portugal, as seen from our hotel room window. Every year we come here, staying at our favorite hotel, the quirky Muchaxo, to recharge our batteries. I try to limit all digital and electronic input while I’m here. Nothing but stare at the sea, walk on the beach, and see old friends. It’s great to do something like this once a year. Stop the input. Check in with myself. See what’s new. Mourn what’s gone. Be open for new ideas.  It’s so wonderfully simple and yet so nourishing I had to show you a photo of where we are.

My newsletter is late this week because I was working yesterday, as you can see from the photo above. I slipped away from my desk in the afternoon to take advantage of the 3 hour ski pass which is on offer less than an hour from where we are living in Italy. I told myself that I had to get ready for my brother’s family, who are traveling from Atlanta to visit us in a few weeks time. My nephew is a top skier and I want to retain my position as “cool aunt”. I’m also preparing myself because my

I’m proud to announce that renowned award winning veteran journalist and broadcaster Vicki Barker will introduce me on the forthcoming book launch on 20 November in London at the University Women’s Club . I’ve known Vicki for over 30 years and both on a professional and personal level she is one of the women I most admire. In fact, she appeared in my novel, The Magical Reality of Annabel Jones, where she gave the protagonist Annabel deeper insights into the secret history of women. The new book “EMBODY: The Power of Presence in an Age of Distraction” is the culmination

I couldn’t have asked for a more impactful testimonial from such an accomplished artist, podcaster, former film maker and beautiful person as well as a good friend. She told me she sat down and read it in one sitting! Very big thank you to Lou Hamilton BRAVE NEW GIRL The desire to make the world a better place is something we have in common and it starts with making ourselves better! You can find more book testimonials on the home page of this website.

In this video, I introduce a powerful shaking meditation—a simple, movement-based practice from my upcoming book, “Embody. The Power of Presence in an Age of Distraction”. Shaking meditation helps release tension, ease anxiety, and calm the mind, especially effective for managing burnout and daily stress. I’ll guide you through each step, showing you how to “shake off” what weighs on your mind and body. Try this practice for 3-10 minutes at the end of the day to feel more grounded, clear, and at peace. Here is the link Stay tuned for the book launch on November 20!

“Embody: The Power of Presence in an Age of Distraction”, Click here to watch the short video and find out!

I’ve been mostly off the radar for the past few months, as I’ve dedicated this time to completely rewriting a book I originally pulled from the market over a decade ago. It’s my best book ever—written to help you relax and feel comfortably centered in this runaway technological age of ours. Here’s a sneak preview of the title: “Embody: The Power of Presence in an Age of Distraction” This has been me since May. Cup of tea migrated from the left side of the computer ( hot water and lemon) in the morning to the right side (chicory latte) in

Is the complexity of disrupting industries overloading your mental circuits? This Cognitive Reset technique isn’t just a break – it’s a science-backed method to clear mental cache and optimize your brain’s processing power. 1. Find a quiet space for 15 minutes 2. Focus on your natural breathing rhythm 3. Observe thoughts without engaging 4. If restless, gently shake out limbs 5. Conclude by drinking two glasses of water Innovators practicing this technique report: • Ability to maintain peak mental performance during extended problem-solving sessions • Enhanced pattern recognition across disparate data sets • Improved emotional resilience when facing setbacks or

In the race to transform industries, are you overlooking your most powerful tool – your own body? This Somatic Integration practice isn’t just relaxation, it’s a gateway to accessing the vast intelligence of your entire nervous system. 1. Sit comfortably, eyes closed 2. Perform a slow body scan 3. Focus on hands, feet, breath, and belly 4. Ask periodically: ‘What am I aware of right now?’ 5. Practice for 15-30 minutes Leaders who practice regularly report: • Enhanced intuitive decision-making in high-stakes situations • Improved ability to ‘read the room’ and navigate complex interpersonal dynamics • Greater resilience and emotional

In our digital age, do you ever feel disconnected from the tangible world your innovations aim to improve? This Grounding Practice isn’t just a nature walk – it’s a powerful recalibration of your entire sensory system. 1. Find a natural outdoor setting 2. Walk barefoot, focusing on foot sensations 3. Engage all senses – sounds, smells, sights 4. Practice for 10-20 minutes 5. Notice how you feel compared to when you started Innovators report: • Sudden solutions to UX/UI challenges after reconnecting with natural interfaces • Enhanced ability to predict real-world implications of digital innovations • Improved capacity to communicate

Feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of global challenges? This Cosmic Perspective Meditation isn’t just relaxation – it’s a tool for radical perception shift. By systematically expanding your awareness, you’re training your mind to hold complexity and see patterns at a larger scale. 1. Sit comfortably, eyes closed 2. Visualize expanding awareness: room → building → city → country → Earth → solar system → galaxy → universe 3. Hold the cosmic perspective, reflecting on your work 4. Slowly ‘zoom’ back to your immediate surroundings Practitioners report: • Sudden insights into complex systems problems • A renewed sense of purpose and

Feeling stuck in old thought patterns? The Windmill Exercise isn’t just arm circles – it’s a powerful neuroplasticity tool. By engaging both hemispheres of your brain through bilateral movement, you’re literally creating new neural pathways. 1. Stand with arms extended at shoulder height 2. Rotate both arms forward for 60 seconds 3. Reverse direction for 60 seconds 4. Rotate left arm forward, right arm backward for 60 seconds 5. Switch directions for final 60 seconds As you move, notice the shift in your mental state. Many report a sudden ‘aha!’ moment or a fresh perspective on a longstanding problem. This

From a young age, many of us—especially women—are taught to identify strongly with our physical appearance. But here’s a liberating truth: You are not your body. Neurological research shows that our sense of self is created by complex brain processes, not our physical form. In ‘The worry-free way,’ I explore how this insight can free us from societal pressures and negative self-image. Learn practical steps to cultivate a deeper, more authentic sense of self beyond physical appearance. Discover how embracing this concept can lead to improved body image, self-esteem, and overall well-being. Photo credit: Gelatin at Pexels

Emotions are brief, intense physiological responses to stimuli. Feelings are our conscious interpretation of these emotions. In ‘The worry-free way,’ I explore this crucial distinction. You experience emotions, but you are not your emotions. You’re the awareness observing both the raw emotional response and the subsequent feelings. Recent neuroscience supports this view: This understanding is liberating. By recognizing you’re not your emotions, you can: Learn practical steps to navigate your emotional landscape without being controlled by it. Discover how to inhabit your body fully while freeing your mind from emotional turbulence. Photo credit: Mart Production at Pexels

 Ever wondered why ASMR videos, featuring gentle sounds and personal attention, have millions of views? It’s often an unconscious attempt by people stuck in their heads to reconnect with their bodies and sensory experiences. While ASMR can offer temporary relief, my upcoming book “The worry-free way” goes deeper. I reveal how to break free from the thought maze and truly inhabit your body, achieving lasting mind-body connection without external stimuli. Discover why you are not your thoughts and learn evidence-based techniques to find inner calm and sensory awareness. Photo credit: Oscar Keys at Unsplash Read more about ASMR at this

Speaking at TEDx Klagenfurt in Austria initiated me into a world filled with people willing to give their time and energy to share ideas that can make the world a better place. But not only that. These aren’t idealistic changes based upon hope, but concrete ideas, deliberate changes, pivotal shifts and personal paths examining the path to a better future. The theme — Deep Shift — provided an excellent backdrop for thought provoking discussions on how to harness the potential for the profound shifts happening all around us so that we can embrace the future without fear. Chapeau to Eithne

I thought about this as I re-read one of my favorite books by one of the greatest Deeper Cut Leaders: a remarkable woman named Peace Pilgram. Born Mildred Norman in 1908, Peace Pilgrim was an American wanderer and social activist who gave up everything and in 1953 began a pilgrimage for peace across America. Wearing a tunic with the words Peace Pilgrim on the front and 25,000 miles on foot for peace on the back,  she became a wandering monk, accepting only food and lodging only given to her. For the next 28 years, Peace Pilgrim spread her message of

Excellent article in this weekend’s Financial Times Weekend On Wall Street. It’s well known that diversity is a sticking point in the wealth management industry, which has most advisors remaining pale and male, as author Sallie Krawcheck calls it. But there is a change on the horizon. Not only are women slowly seeping into the upper echelons of this industry, there is a shift in who owns the wealth: and it’s women. How? The industry’s core clients—white, male baby boomers—are dying out. And, given that women live on average a decade longer than their husbands, it means that widows are

It’s been niggling me for a while now. Every time I read up on leadership, I encounter a funny pit in my stomach that tells me that something isn’t right. There are too much written about leadership. It now has more styles than Prada. Coercive leadership. Bureaucratic leadership. Task-oriented, authoritarian, charismatic, servant, transformational, adaptive, feminine, balanced—it seems that everyone is wanting to accelerate digital transformation, advance automation, integrate emerging technologies, be data-driven, and all the while lead with purpose and make a difference. I realize that with all these inspiring ideas and wonderful words, it’s hard to separate our dreams

If you want to understand the deeper cut of mental health issues, read this excellent article in The Economist, titled “Many mental-health conditions have bodily triggers”, which provides the missing link that bridges the divide between psychiatry and neurology/medicine. The answer? The body. Many mental-health conditions have bodily tiggers. It is possible to heal from OCD, anxiety, depression, infections, autoimmune disorders and metabolic issues. My integrated mind-body approach is called “The 5 Medicines”. Every day doses of movements, meals, meditation, massages and mind shifts create profound and long lasting shifts that change lives.   #MetabolicPsychiatry #PANDAS #AutoimmuneBrain #BrainInflammation #KetogenicForMentalHealth #BiomarkersForMentalHealth

Many people on TikTok are sharing the small ways in which they are making changes to their daily lives to make things fairer for women. The trend started with Ashley Chaney, a producer and host from Los Angeles, who explained how she practices “microfeminisms” in her workplace. If you are having issues standing up for yourself, a few of these “microfeminisms” may help. But do it gently. Keeping the conversation going is far more effective than giving a short put-down. Remember, we are in this for the long term. Read more at this link on Bored Panda Photo by Kelli McClintock on

For 16 years, from 2000-2016, while I was working as an entrepreneur running a successful international event business, I spent two months a year closely assisting an unconventional spiritual guide named Lorraine. I had done a shamanic journey with her while visiting the States and, seeing the profound results within myself, I invited her to Europe to do the same with many people I knew who would benefit from such work.   Unbeknownst to me, her contemporary shamanic methods were the cutting edge of the expansion of consciousness movement. What was to be a one off trip of hers soon

A meatsuit is a spiritual term Native Americans use for the body. Native Americans understood very well that a person isn’t the body they wear. It was what was inside a person, their essence or their soul, that mattered. If you start to see the world this way, it will give you a mind shift that will profoundly affect your life. Because – It helps you connect with a deeper and larger part of yourself—your essence—which is where your authenticity lies – It brings you deeper into yourself because you start to identify with what really matters: your essence –

A good article in Psychology Today by Dr. Mira Brancu delves beneath the “Imposter Syndrome” which many women express when asked how they feel in leadership positions. It’s not just lack of confidence, but subtle cultural encouragement against a woman who shows any ambition. They don’t like to be seen as self promoting or selfish. Over time they learn to focus on behaviours that are informed by societal norms, such as teamwork and supporting others. So what often happens? While struggling to make it to the top in our dog eat dog hustle culture, sometimes women swallow their feminine traits

While teaching yoga recently in Italy, I discovered that the differences between countries go far deeper than just external appearances – they are ingrained in the body itself. One of the poses we practiced was the Tree Pose, which involves standing on one leg with the other tucked against the inner thigh of the standing leg, and the arms held overhead like branches. To balance on one leg, you need to be firmly connected with the floor beneath your feet, and it helps to lower the energy from your head, where most of us live, and deeper into the body.

A great article by Dr. Andrea Wojnicki, MBA DBA highlights one of the most valuable and underrated leadership skills: listening. Often considered passive, listening is an active, strategic tool that can lead to significant business advantages. However it is often contrary to what we are taught to do, especially in our caffeine-induced, overly stimulated world. So how can you cultivate this skill? By putting yourself in receiving mode. So the next time you find yourself overwhelmed by a rat-a-tat-tat of words, take a deep breath. Count to 5. Then exhale slowly and follow the breath down into your core. That

Worldwide, internet users spend an average of 400 hours—that’s nearly seven hours—a day online, according to a new report. Let’s put it this way: many people around the world spend the equivalent of their entire childhood connected to the internet. “I need it for my job” is one sentence I hear in defense of that automatic eye shift to your phone in your hand. “It’s nonnegotiable” is another. And that doesn’t even count the time spent streaming a show or a podcast. Self-reflection and introspection may seem to many to be time wasted. Or a luxury in a world in

Wonderful, life-changing advice. But how to find it? Not through words. Trying this way will only frustrate you more, because the answer is deep within you, right in your center or core. And how do you access it? That’s the secret I can help with. You see, even though your Why can be found in the center of your being, the way to access it is through the body. That’s how all permanent mindset shifts work. And that’s where the four Ms come in: Meditation, Movement, Massage and Meals. Want to know this and more leadership skills? Write to me on

While speaking on a panel in Vienna last year at the Lead Today Shape Tomorrow conference hosted by Female Founders, I was struck by the impressive young women running startups aimed at uplifting women across various industries. Yet despite their ambition and drive, many confessed to feeling exhausted, burdened by mental load, and emotionally overwhelmed.What struck me most was their underlying lack of trust in the future. There was a palpable sense of urgency, as if time were running out on their ability to enact real change. And herein lies the crux of the issue: Although these trailblazers seek to

Do you know that there is a place within you that I call home? It’s right there, just a few inches beneath your navel. When you connect to this place, everything that has been worrying you, whether it is anxiety or sleeplessness or spinning thoughts and fears, simply melts away. We spend so much time in our heads that we end up thinking that we are our thoughts. However when you shift your center of gravity downwards, you begin to move downwards into your body. Eventually, you arrive home again. Becoming aware of this practice requires a shift of consciousness

Yogis have known this for hundreds of years, however scientific research is proving that emotions can indeed be stored in muscle tissues. When we experience stress, fear, or sadness, our body’s natural response can include muscle tension or a contraction which is held in the fascia. Over time, if these emotions are not fully processed or released, they can become “trapped” in the muscles, leading to chronic tension, discomfort, or pain. Practices like massage therapy, yoga and my four Ms—movements, meals, massages and meditation—can help to release these stored emotions from the body, promoting physical relaxation and emotional wellbeing. Read

I am delighted that a woman has reached this pinnacle in Japan, a country where, according to the Global Gender Gap report, only 12.9% of senior and leadership posts are held by women. Although this may be unusual in Japan, it’s not surprising that this has occurred within the aviation industry. Why? Let me share with you a deeper cut of why Tottori has received this job. Aviation is one of the few industries that willingly learns from mistakes. It has a culture of dealing with errors and sharing of experiences in a transparent manner.  In short, it is an

Today marks United Nations International Girls in ICT Day 2024, a poignant moment for us to contemplate how we can guarantee equal opportunities for women and girls in accessing leadership training, advancing in their careers, securing scholarships, and obtaining fellowships within the ICT sector. It necessitates a concerted effort to confront gender biases and stereotypes head-on, while also challenging societal norms that may dissuade girls from pursuing ICT careers. Read more at this link Photo by Isreal Andrade at Unsplash

While speaking at a post-Davos conference in St Moritz, Switzerland earlier this year, I brought attention to the most important business ally you have: The body. The body communicates with you constantly, sending signals and feedback about your physical and mental well-being. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg. It’s a game changer that allows you to move beyond the scarcity model that is so prevalent in business today into one of understanding that there is enough. Connecting to the body gives you deeper insights and allows you to stay centered and open no matter what the situation. Like

Photo credit: Razvan Chisu at Unsplash Don’t get me wrong. I firmly support women and women’s rights. Most millennials and above, including me, were raised with so many patriarchal values and unconscious gender biases. Without a doubt, there needs to be more women in positions of power, and I will do everything I can to help make this happen. However when I give talks in women’s conferences around the world, I make a point to remind my fellow sisters to be compassionate and understanding toward men who fear women moving up the corporate ladder. According to CNBC, women make up

The highly anticipated “Recipe4Health” study, reported in a recent article in HCPLive, has unveiled compelling evidence that a nutritious diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, can profoundly impact cardiovascular health and address social determinants of ill-health. This landmark research, presented at the prestigious American Heart Association Epidemiology and Prevention│Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Scientific Sessions in March 2024, followed 5,286 middle-aged individuals for a year, providing them with free weekly deliveries of fresh produce and educational sessions. The results are nothing short of remarkable. Participants experienced significant improvements in their dietary habits, increased physical activity levels, and a notable reduction in food

If you are leading from scarcity, your leadership model is based upon domination and submission. This may work short term, but fear is not a sustainable way to lead. Expanding your reality allows you to see things you never saw before. It gives you a confidence to trust the future. To lead from within. It’s the opposite of business as usual. This is what feminine leadership is all about.

How did Whitney Wolfe Herd, the youngest female self-made billionaire, make Bumble Inc. into a billion-dollar brand? By trusting her gut. She understands that her body is her most valuable business partner. In her own words: “Being able to put your blinders on, ignore negative opinions, and follow your strong intuition is what’s validating to me. It’s a great feeling to know you can trust your gut.” And how do you learn this? By following the principles of feminine leadership Photo credit: Drew Dizzy Graham at Unsplash

I love that Leena Nair, formerly at Unilever as head of human resources, and now at Chanel as CEO, is going beyond gender bias and is now advocating for a new kind of leadership, based on compassion, empathy, kindness, and benevolence. It’s not that she isn’t a champion for gender balance. During her time at Unilever the share of female managers increased to 50%, from 38%. But she understands it’s all about mentoring and supporting women in self-confidence and self-belief, encouraging them to step up. And most of all, helping the men understand that there’s space for both. At the end of

In the realm of modern business, the essence of leadership is undergoing a profound transformation. Effective leadership isn’t just about driving profits or achieving targets; it’s about fostering a culture of holistic well-being, starting with oneself. As we delve deeper into the principles of feminine leadership, invaluable insights challenge conventional norms. One such principle emphasizes the vital connection between personal health and professional success. Don’t sacrifice your well-being for the sake of business. True prosperity stems from a balanced approach. Self-care isn’t a luxury but a necessity. It’s not sustainable to compromise your health in the pursuit of business goals.

Riane Eisler, an author, social systems scientist, and cultural historian, offers unique insights into the hidden dynamics underlying gender inequality. An excellent article interviewing one of my heroes, author and social systems scientist and cultural historian Raine Eisler, who understands the dynamic hidden beneath gender inequality. We all want to encourage more women to take on leading roles. It’s easy to say words about what NEEDS to be done. But to actually do this requires a shift in consciousness. How do you do this? Firstly, by revealing the deeper cut of what is creating and perpetuating this dynamic. It is

The results have been transformative – from shedding pounds and extra baggage to glowing skin and mental clarity. But this detox was about more than just physical changes. It shifted mindsets to understand that food is medicine. 🍎 Rather than relying on pills it shows you can reclaim your health through the power of fruits, leafy green, vegetables, and clean eating. Detoxing is far greater than eating healthy — it needs to be sustained over a period of time to allow the body to do a deeper clean of its organs. This is why doing it in a group is

The New Principles of Feminine Leadership are needed more than ever. In a world marked by growing division and polarization, it’s crucial to remember the importance of unity and collaboration. As we champion women’s rights and strive for equality, let’s keep a bigger picture in mind. Women are leading the way towards progress, but true leadership isn’t about emulating traditional models based on division and conquest. Instead, it’s about embracing the principles of feminine leadership of empathy, collaboration, and inclusivity. First within ourselves. Then with others. Let’s find ways to bring together the two halves of humanity, transcending gender divides