Philosophitness with Novi Brown

Meet Novi Brown - Actress, Model, Hair Goddess, Creator, Dreamer, Doer. I actually can not remember the exact moment I met this vibrant beauty. It was probably waiting at a packed casting at One on One or Aqua Studios in New York City … While I don’t remember the exact moment we met, she is impossible to forget.

If you just tap into her social media you will see she is a determined force of positive thinking. Also, very exciting, her career is taking off in new ways. She recently landed a starring role in Tyler Perry’s new show on BET, Sistas.

Her glow up is real. I hope you enjoy this interview.

1. What is your philosophy around health and wellness? 

   Listen to your body. LISTEN TO YOUR MIND, YOUR SOUL! Health and wellness is an ever-expanding practice with many different ways to execute. Just be mindful and see what there is to learn.

2. How has this philosophy evolved over the years? Are there things you do now that would surprise your younger self?

   I've freed myself even more. I allow myself to feel all of my emotions and honor them. That is a gift. Being fully immersed in my own life and not looking to fill in any one else's, is a great way to live. My philosophy is a constant evolution of breaking down and away limitations. 

3. Has life changed dramatically since landing your new show? How are you approaching the balance of work, life and staying healthy?

   It has and it has not. It has because now I am beginning my career as a true working creative, which allows me to move about the world with even more purpose and intention than before. I am humbled and grateful to be aligned in my purpose. I'm excited! It has not because I am the one that does the work day in and day out. That's the best part of the purpose, it's YOURS to fulfill.   

4. You have a powerful way of communicating through social media. You positivity shines through loud and clear. How did you get to this place? How do you reset when you’re struggling with your mindset? 

   It's a daily practice to stay motivated to ignore the bullshit and noise of the world.  Egos are extremely loud.  Through many life experiences in friendships, family and love, I've learned that too many people do not honor themselves and that is where the discourse lies.  Once I leaned in more into my own voice and the way that I see the world, the more I an open to learning and with learning - well, it never ends! I am always listening to motivational, inspirational, soul-searching content to remind me that I am here for a much larger purpose than being tight because someone didn't text me back. Now, don't get me wrong, I still slip up sometimes, however, I cannot and will not let my small ego delay my purpose. Remember, quality over quantity.

5. Also, you are a hair goddess. Do you have any tips for black girls when it comes to taking care of their hair when you workout and sweat a lot?

   Protective styles are my favorite of alllllll time! If not, a sweat head band or go natural. Sweat is necessary to keep your skin glowing too!

6. What are your wellness essentials?

   Water, minding my business, sleep, walking outside, skin care line, etc. 

7. What has been your biggest revelation in the past year?

   I can and will do ANYTHING!

Instagram: @iamnovibrown

Website: https://www.novibrown.com

Philosophitness with Rachel Ricketts

Meet Rachel Ricketts - Activist, Speaker, Writer, Yogi, Connector, Healer, Friend. Rachel is one of the first people I really connected with when I moved to Vancouver. I heard her speak at an event and was drawn in by her unapologetic truth telling. 

She took the time to introduce me to some incredible humans and spaces in Vancouver. Which is priceless, because making friends as an adult can be even more daunting than the first day of kindergarten at times. 

Rachel has an incredible story. She has been through some unthinkable heart breaks that have given her empathy and passion to live boldly and to take on the work of spiritual activism and social justice. I hope you will take some time to read more about her work and her journey. For now, this interview is beautiful start.

Tell me what wellness means to you? How does fitness (or movement) fit into that?

Wellness means soul-care. It means connecting to and with yourself on a spiritual, emotional, mental and physical level. Acknowledging, honouring and prioritizing your needs and the internal and external things that help you be your best self in every possible way, so that, ultimately, you have the capacity to show up for the collective. For me, movement plays into that in a major way because it helps us get out of our heads and into our bodies. We live in a world that prioritizes operating from the neck up, but it leaves us disconnected from our hearts and spirits. Getting into the body is one of the best ways to ground ourselves so we can attune to what it is we are feeling and what we need to take care of ourselves on all levels.

From the outside looking in, it seems that the work you do is very draining and probably overwhelming at times. How do you take care of yourself day to day?

My work is undoubtedly draining and overwhelming (but it is also affirming and joyous). I constantly remind myself that I cannot be of service to anyone if I am pouring from an empty cup, so my soul-care is a top priority. I take care of myself through daily meditation, even if it’s just 5 minutes but I strive for 10-15 mins in the morning and/or before bed. I move my body as much as I can through yoga, HIIT or an impromptu dance party (usually solo in my living room to Solange). I give myself permission to rest which is HUGE (and really hard). I also rely on many of the spiritual modalities I teach (practice what you preach and all that). In addition to yoga and meditation, that looks like breath work, Reiki and intuitive channeling. Lastly, I call in my support team on a regular basis, I could not do what I do without the steady support of others - my husband, my friends, my therapists (yes I have two) and spiritual coaches.

What has been one of the biggest health (physical, mental or emotional) challenges you’ve worked to overcome or are in the process of addressing?

After my mother died I experienced a dark night of the soul unlike anything I could have known or imagined prior. My grief and situational depression was all-encompassing and all-consuming. It impacted my ability to think, to eat, to sleep, to work - there was not a single faction of my life that was not affected. It was the most demanding event of my entire life and it took every ounce of energy and attention I had to face my tough emotions, withstand the discomfort and move through it. There were moments I wanted to end my own life, and I had to get really clear and serious about taking care of myself and my mental health to ensure I survived. It was the single hardest experience of my life. I will never be the same because I learned a lot about how and why I need to prioritize myself and my wellbeing which has been a gift. Grief never "ends," it’s a process and it looks different day to day but I have learned how to better tune in to my needs so I can withstand the tough times better and equip myself with tools to support myself.

You’ve spent most of your life living in Canada and now you are living in Sweden; what have you observed about the way that different cultures influences wellness and health? How does that impact communities of color within these populations?

Some cultures certainly prioritize health and wellness in a way others do not. The Swedes are incredibly health conscious, more so in regards to fitness but also holistic wellbeing. Of course, it makes a huge difference when healthcare is a right and not a privilege and in that way Canada and Sweden are quite similar and offer a huge advantage over the US or developing nations. When health is a right, of course, it means there is more access for all but particularly communities of colour who are so often disenfranchised as a result of systemic racism and oppression. Globally, there is a huge push for wellness offerings that derive from communities of colour without honouring the roots of those practices or the communities from which they originate and I am seeing how this is harming POC around the world as we are often excluded from partaking in wellness offerings or practices that were originally made by and for us. 

If you had to pick only one type of physical activity to do for a whole year, what would it be and why?

Yoga. Always. It fills me up in so many ways and there are so many different variations. I love how intuitive it is and that I can do it home alone (my fave) or in a group with tons of people.

What are your wellness essentials?

1) Rose Essential Oil - I  have an edible one as well as one to wear on my chakra points/put in a diffuser that uplift my mood and protect my aura.

2) Natural Supplements - especially adaptogens to support my adrenals (I travel with what seems like a small suitcase of herbs and vitamins)

3) Ritual Botanicals Toner Spray - it smells divine, leaves your face with a glow (and is handmade by my baby sis)

4) Matcha Green Tea by Harmonic Arts - I make an oat milk matcha every morning as a ritual for energy and focus

5) Candle - I travel a lot so the candle becomes my altar. I love cedar or sweetgrass by Quw'utsun'made.

Do you think that wellness as a practice, a concept, a philosophy could have an impact on social justice on a local or global level? 

Absolutely! And it is the basis for all of my teachings. Spiritual, mental, emotional and physical wellness, and mindfulness particularly, as a practice and philosophy is the crux of my Spiritual Activism courses in support of radical racial justice. Hurt people hurt people. Period. White supremacy is a consequence of people in pain hurling their pain at people of colour and causing us to bear the consequence. It is very intentional and systematic, but at the end of the day it is a result of pain and trauma so white people need to address their shit and collect their people. If we cannot take care of our own shit, process our traumas, honour our experiences, then we have no ability to tolerate our own discomfort let alone the grand discomfort that comes when realizing the ways we impact and/or oppress others. When you oppress me, you oppress yourself. Social justice is a form of global healing - they are one and the same. So we need to commit to our healing like our lives depend on it (they do) so we can get to the bigger and larger task of healing the collective divide.

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Follow Rachel:

@iamrachelricketts

www.rachelricketts.com

Philosophitness with Leah Kim

Meet Leah Kim - Mother, Yogi, Teacher, Writer, Mental Health Advocate, Truth Teller. Leah and I met while working for Nike in New York . She is one of the original Nike Master Trainers (which is no small feat), who has lived a taught all over the world (LA, Hong Kong, UK) and most recently transplanted to New York.

The first time I took her class I got to experience the depth of her practice and to her teaching. And the first time we really connected was after she reached out to me (out of the blue) while I was pregnant to see how I was holding up. That reach out meant a lot (read: I was not holding up so well!) and reminded me how important it is to have people in your life that support you and help you stay healthy along the way.

In this interview we focus on mental health, specifically postpartum mental health. It is something that is not talked about enough and is likely impacting someone you know. Please read, follow Leah, check out her writing, jump into one of her rare classes if you get so lucky and share with someone who might benefit.

What is your personal philosophy around fitness and health? 

I think it all starts with listening and being kind to my body, which is often easier said than done. Health is everything, obviously. When you aren’t in good health, you don’t feel good and you’re not able to move through your life how you want to. I think it’s important to have a clear definition of what your health really means to you. Sometimes I confuse health with being skinny or having endless energy and never needing to rest. When I find myself caught up in this untrue mindset, I take a step back, consider how lucky I am to be healthy despite also forever working on self-improvement, and I remind myself not to take my body for granted. 

Who has been your greatest influence in this area of your life?

I used to look outside myself to others who I thought had the answers. But then I realized, how can someone else know what is best for ME? Yoga reminds us that the teacher is within. A fitness or eating plan that works for one person may not be right for me. In the past, I’ve beaten myself up while trying to follow someone else’s pre-set plan. Now I work on listening to my own body’s cues. I am inspired by body-confident women of all sizes, shapes, and colors.

What has motherhood taught you about health?

Motherhood has challenged my physical and mental health unlike anything else in my life. It has quite literally brought me to my knees. It has also taught me that my body and my mind are strong and resilient AF. Being a mother is undoubtedly a physical sacrifice; even just all the repetitive movements a mother makes in caring for her child can and often do cause strain and tension on our bodies. As such, we mothers must take care of ourselves first and foremost. I used to feel selfish for taking time away from my family to take care of myself but, if we are not healthy and balanced, we cannot be there for anyone else.  

You have become an advocate for mental health, particularly for women suffering from postpartum. What are some of the truths and myths around these issues that you would like to shed light on? 

This is a really big question. The main thing I would like to say is that just because you’re not experiencing postpartum psychosis doesn’t mean you’re not suffering. There are many manifestations and degrees of postpartum illness and it doesn’t require you to want to harm your baby. Also, if someone tries to brush your feelings off by saying “it’s just baby blues, it’s normal”...and those words don’t feel right or true in your bones - listen to your body, not to that person. Find someone who will actually hear what you are saying. Finally, it is untrue that all postpartum illnesses resolve within the first year. Mental health - particularly maternal mental health - is not remotely so clear cut. If you feel “off,” no matter how many months or even years postpartum you are or whatever textbook definitions you may have heard about postpartum conditions, seek help. It is out there for you. 

Are there any resources or action steps you recommend for people struggling with mental health issues?

This is also a big question and it’s important to get professional support if you’re struggling. As part of a professionally guided recovery plan, the following action steps might be helpful:

-When in active distress, find something to distract the mind and calm the body. I like to turn on a funny TV show that I find comforting. This can be a useful temporary solution to bring relief so I don’t start to spiral. 

-Consider if your blood sugar might be low. When was your last meal? Feeling off or unsteady could be from low blood sugar and it can be grounding to eat something. 

-Get off any social media that makes you feel shitty. Consider deleting the app off your phone. You can always add it back later. 

-Look up support groups. There are many out there that you can reach out to via email or phone. 

-Ask a trusted loved one for help. Do you need them to come keep you company? Or just have a conversation? Ask. You don’t need to figure this out on your own. 

-Make sure you’re not holding your breath (literally). Big, full, steady exhales are important. Try exhaling through the mouth. 

-Do some stream of consciousness journaling. It can be as basic as describing what you are feeling. It doesn’t have to make any sense and you don’t even have to read it again. Writing thoughts down helps to unstick them from relentlessly cycling in your mind.

How do you do it all - parent, work, teach, write, take care of yourself, etc? What is your secret? 

The answer to this is that I definitely do not do it all perfectly. I don’t think it is possible. I do prioritize my various responsibilities and and non-negotiables. At the beginning of each week, I set my schedule. Instead of trying to do everything every single day, I look at my week as a whole. I used to do my practice of yoga and meditation every day for 2-3 hours. While I miss those days, I’ve accepted that it’s simply not achievable at this point in my life. Right now my biggest priority is taking care of my family - raising my son and making sure we are all getting enough healthy food, movement, and sleep. On Sunday, I plan our meals, do the grocery shopping, and schedule my workouts. I aim for 5 workouts a week but I know this may not always be possible and I don’t stress about it. I plan daily writing time, knowing that sometimes it might be a very short 20 minute block and other times it may be the entire 4 hours my son is in school. Because of the many things I need and want to do, I’ve taken a break from teaching public classes (something had to give!). This has enabled me to make considerable headway on two books I am writing and it has given me the freedom to explore new relationships with companies I love like Apple. I just taught at an incredible event at their headquarters in California. I guess the short answer to this question is - prioritize, be flexible, and be easy on yourself when things don’t go to plan. 

What are your fitness/wellness essentials you can not live without? 

My answer to this is going to be ridiculously simple: water, an un-encumbering outfit to do yoga in, and a hair tie for my ponytail. Over the years I have simplified my routines and my expectations. You really don’t NEED much STUFF to take care of yourself. Even for yoga, you don’t even need a mat. Less necessities, less potential for excuses. 

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Follow Leah:

@leahkimyoga

Writing link:

https://medium.com/@leahkimyoga