Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin

Join me for one of my show's most inspiring interviews yet with the incredible Ali Ingersoll, whose life took a dramatic turn after a diving accident left her a C6 quadriplegic. Ali shares her adventurous pre-accident life, her harrowing recovery journey, and her inspiring work as a disability rights advocate. Most importantly though, she shares why victimhood is a choice and how we can use the power of perspective and taking responsibility for ourselves as the key to changing our lives for the better - no matter the adversity that we face. Get ready to laugh, tear up and be beyond inspired by the incredible, Ali Ingersoll.  Learn more about Ali and connect with her here: https://aliingersoll.com/  CLICK HERE to ORDER Kate's book "Okay. Now What?" - How to Be Resilient When Life Gets Tough. Want to download a free chapter of my book to give it a read first? CLICK HERE. Want to Kate to speak at your event or workplace? Visit https:https://www.kategladdin.com/ Check out Kate's personalised life coaching programs: https://www.kategladdin.com/coaching    Introduction to the Episode (00:00:00)   Kate Gladdin introduces episode 18 and welcomes guest Ali Ingersoll. Ali's Colorful Background (00:01:06)   Ali shares her unique upbringing and experiences traveling around the world. Moving to China (00:03:37)   Ali discusses her spontaneous move to China and experiences there. Life-Changing Accident (00:06:53)   Ali recounts the shallow water diving accident that left her paralyzed. Initial Recovery Challenges (00:07:50)   Ali describes her recovery journey, including medical challenges and surgeries. Struggles and Resilience (00:08:36)   She shares her ongoing struggles, including health issues and mental health challenges. Connecting with the Disability Community (00:11:17)   Ali explains how connecting with the disability community changed her life. Advocacy Work (00:12:13)   Ali discusses her advocacy efforts for health equity and disability rights. Navigating Personal Life (00:12:27)   Ali talks about her dating life and the intersection of personal experiences with advocacy. Combining Advocacy and Business (00:13:56)   Ali shares her journey to becoming a disability strategy consultant and speaker.  Conclusion of Ali's Journey (00:15:14)   Kate reflects on Ali's inspiring journey and the lessons learned along the way. Ali's Surgery Experience (00:16:45)   Ali describes a failed surgery and the emotional impact of her recovery journey. Finding Community (00:17:44)   Ali shares how connecting with others on Facebook helped her feel less isolated during recovery. The Importance of Support (00:18:27)   Ali emphasizes the need for community support and understanding from those who have shared similar experiences. Choosing Empowerment (00:19:10)   They discuss the significance of choosing to empower oneself instead of adopting a victim mentality. Belief Systems and Life's Challenges (00:19:25)   Ali reflects on whether everything happens for a reason, emphasizing personal interpretation of life's events. Mentorship and Listening (00:21:00)   Ali talks about mentoring women with similar experiences and the importance of listening to their needs. Processing Grief and Loss (00:22:09)   The speakers discuss the complexities of grief and how personal experiences shape their perspectives. Life's Unexpected Paths (00:24:11)   Ali considers how her life would have been different without her accident but finds meaning in her current path. Redefining Happiness (00:24:39)   Ali's TED talk focuses on the concept of "happy enough" and the societal pressures surrounding happiness. Taking Responsibility (00:25:33)   Discussion on taking 100% responsibility for one's life and the impact of mindset on personal growth. Emotional Hostage Situations (00:28:24)   Ali describes how negative thoughts can trap individuals in their own lives, hindering progress. Humor in Difficult Times (00:31:22)   The importance of humor and light-heartedness in coping with serious life challenges is highlighted. Legacy and Impact (00:32:32)   Ali expresses her desire to leave a legacy that positively impacts others rather than focusing solely on personal achievements. Social Media and Doomscrolling (00:33:06)   Ali discusses her use of social media, including a phase of doomscrolling. Happiness vs. Purpose (00:33:27)   Kate reflects on the difference between external validation and finding internal peace after loss. Hope Among Holocaust Survivors (00:34:24)   Ali shares insights from studies on Holocaust survivors and the power of hope during adversity. Altruism and Selfishness (00:35:11)   The speakers debate whether altruism is selfish if it benefits both the giver and receiver. Finding Meaning in Grief (00:36:07)   Kate explains how her sister's death led her to seek underlying problems and create a charity. Risk Assessment in Adventure (00:37:40)   Ali describes her approach to risky activities, emphasizing research and acceptance of consequences. Cultural Differences in Grief (00:38:01)   The conversation touches on varying beliefs about death and how they influence behavior. The Power of Perspective (00:40:19)   Kate shares a story about a farmer illustrating the unpredictability of life events and responses. Curiosity as a Life Principle (00:41:06)   Ali encourages being insatiably curious and learning from diverse experiences and conversations. Friendship Dynamics (00:41:47)   The speakers discuss the unrealistic expectation of finding everything in one friend. The Importance of Resilience (00:42:31)   Kate emphasizes the choice between being a victim of circumstances and maintaining resilience. Connecting with Ali Online (00:43:19)   Ali shares her blog and website for listeners to connect with her and her work.

Gratitude is such an important practice to focus on for mental health and happiness, which is why I love that it's Thanksgiving this week! A time to slow down and appreciate the good things we have in life with those we love most. However, I recorded this episode because I feel like sometimes we feel bad for wanting more in life - like we "should" just be grateful for what we already have. So we shut down our BIG dreams and let the fears and doubts get in the way from us taking action on them. Because also, what if we fail and never get to our goals? It's tempting to push them away and settle for what we have. So this episode is the pep talk you need to allow yourself to dream as BIG as your heart desires from a place of abundance and gratitude by introducing you to one of my favourite gratitude practices that goes beyond your stereotypical advice.   CLICK HERE to ORDER Kate's book "Okay. Now What?" - How to Be Resilient When Life Gets Tough. Want to download a free chapter of my book to give it a read first? CLICK HERE. Want to Kate to speak at your event or workplace? Visit https:https://www.kategladdin.com/ Check out Kate's personalised life coaching programs: https://www.kategladdin.com/coaching    Introduction to Thanksgiving (00:00:00)   Kate welcomes listeners and introduces the theme of Thanksgiving week. Experiencing Thanksgiving as an Aussie (00:00:18)   Kate shares her experiences celebrating Thanksgiving in the U.S. as an Australian. The Importance of Gratitude (00:01:02)   Discussion on the significance of gratitude, especially during challenging times. Introducing the "Want List" Practice (00:02:07)   Kate explains a unique gratitude practice that combines gratitude and goal-setting. Overcoming Fear in Goal-Setting (00:03:01)   Kate addresses the fear adults face when considering their desires and goals. The Structure of the "Want List" (00:03:51)   Instructions on how to create the "want list" with alternating entries of what you want and what you already have. Reflecting on Past Goals (00:04:40)   Kate reflects on her previous goals and how many she has achieved since then. Encouragement to Participate (00:05:33)   Listeners are encouraged to actively participate in the "want list" exercise. Sharing Personal Goals (00:06:28)   Kate shares her updated "want list," illustrating her desires and gratitude. Shifting from Scarcity to Abundance (00:09:35)   Discussion on moving from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance and possibility. Permission to Want More (00:10:36)   Kate gives listeners permission to desire more in life while being grateful for what they have. Final Thoughts on Goal-Setting (00:12:44)   Concluding thoughts on the importance of pursuing goals and evolving through the process.      

This episode I have the pleasure of chatting with Lori Hodges, a seasoned firefighter, paramedic, and emergency management expert with over 30 years of experience. We dove into her new book, "Shaking in the Forest," exploring deep themes like trauma, resilience, and the power of perspective. Laura shared her incredible journey, emphasizing how humor and a purpose driven mindset can help us navigate life’s toughest challenges. It was an inspiring conversation about finding unexpected beauty in chaos and the importance of self-care and choosing your outlet to shape your experiences for the better.  CLICK HERE to ORDER Kate's book "Okay. Now What?" - How to Be Resilient When Life Gets Tough. Want to Kate to speak at your event or workplace? Visit https:https://www.kategladdin.com/ Check out Kate's personalised life coaching programs: https://www.kategladdin.com/coaching    Introduction to the Episode (00:00:00)   Kate Gladdin welcomes listeners to Episode 16, introducing the theme of resilience and personal impact. Introducing Laura Hodges (00:00:21)   Kate expresses excitement about having Laura Hodges, a seasoned emergency responder and author, on the show. Inspiration Behind the Book (00:01:07)   Laura shares her journey of writing "Shaking in the Forest," focusing on lessons learned from trauma. Coping with Trauma (00:01:59)   Laura discusses coping mechanisms and the importance of resilience in overcoming personal and professional trauma. The Importance of Choice (00:03:25)   Laura emphasizes the power of choice in responding to life's challenges and the role of self-love. Setting Boundaries (00:04:45)   Laura reflects on learning to set boundaries to protect herself while dealing with family addiction issues. Safety First in Emergencies (00:04:56)   Laura explains the crucial lesson of ensuring personal safety before assisting others in emergency situations. Managing Anxiety in Crisis (00:06:28)   Laura shares practical tips for managing anxiety during stressful moments, emphasizing grounding techniques. Perspective in Emergency Situations (00:10:04)   Laura highlights the importance of maintaining a broader perspective during emergencies to avoid tunnel vision. The Role of Humor in Trauma (00:13:24)   Laura discusses how humor serves as a coping mechanism for trauma and builds connections among emergency responders. Finding Beauty in Chaos (00:15:28)   Laura reflects on the concept of "collateral beauty of chaos," emphasizing lessons learned from difficult experiences. The title change (00:18:37)   Laura discusses the initial title of her book and the reason for changing it. Focus on the positive (00:18:41)   Kate emphasizes the importance of choosing to focus on positive aspects during struggles. Finding purpose in chaos (00:19:28)   Laura reflects on discovering beauty and lessons during challenging times. Starting a paramedic career (00:20:19)   Laura shares her journey into emergency services at age 25. Advice for the lost (00:20:34)   Laura offers guidance to those in their 20s feeling uncertain about their career paths. Signs and decisions (00:22:04)   Laura recounts pivotal moments that guided her towards a fulfilling career. Curiosity over passion (00:23:33)   Kate advises following curiosity as a pathway to discovering one's passion. Emergency management vs. firefighting (00:24:00)   Laura explains her preference for emergency management over traditional firefighting roles. Finding beauty amidst chaos (00:25:14)   Kate shares her experience of witnessing beauty during wildfire chaos. Key takeaways from the book (00:26:39)   Laura discusses the importance of learning from mistakes and finding beauty in adversity. Embracing life's ups and downs (00:27:50)   Laura emphasizes focusing on the good during tough times and celebrating small victories. Connecting with Laura (00:29:05)   Laura shares how listeners can reach her and purchase her book.

 I'm so excited to announce that my latest book, "Okay, Now What?", is officially on sale!! So in this episode I share the recording of my Instagram Live book launch, and dive deep into the journey of writing this book and the lessons I’ve learned along the way.  Get your copy here! After having written 3 books for teens, this book is for ADULTS. Because I'm sure you've discovered like I have, life doesn't get any easier as we get older.  In fact, major life changes happen every 12 to 18 months on average. And some of these changes are very unwanted. Deaths, diagnoses, divorces - there's endless ways we can be blindsided. Or sometimes it's just the daily things that keep going off track. And a critical skill to handle it all is resilience. By 'resilience' I don’t mean just smother your struggle with smiles and try to snap back to happiness. Resilience is more than just 'bouncing back', it’s about building - building a set of skills that help you face the world with courage, adapt to change, and become mentally stronger. After my sister was killed in an accident, I made it my mission to learn how to do this - how to become more resilient in a way that is both practical and impactful.  And now I've written this book to help you do the same.  Grab your copy here! It's also available as an audiobook - narrated by yours truly! So if you prefer listening to audiobooks narrated by the author themselves, make sure you check it out on Audible or your favorite audiobook outlet! Listen to the book on Audible. Want to download a free chapter of my book to give it a read first? CLICK HERE. Thank you to everyone who's supported me along my journey & helped me get to where I am today, I am so thankful for you!