Life is tough, we all know this. Are you making things more difficult on yourself? Your experience is something that only you get to have, so why not make it the best possible? While this may sound too easy, there are some conscious efforts you can make to approach all of life with ease. EASE is the focus of today’s episode of INWARD with Kelsey and Bryan. They will feed you new ideas on how to always put your best foot forward internally and FLOW. Simply, be easy on yourself! www.theswimmechanic.com https://www.kelseyabbott.com/

SMOGCAST

048: INWARD with Ease

On this SMOGcast I want to share my experience in finding purpose behind my passion because, honestly it took me a while to see this clearly. To me, passion seems pretty easy to identify and define, but in order for it to reach its fullest expression and ultimately, VALUE, there needs to be purpose behind it. It must be shared with others in a such a way that theyre left inspired and empowered to tap into their own brilliance.  I hope you can take something from my experience in finding significance in my life and inspire you to begin playing BIG! After all, we don’t have much time to put our gift out into the world and thats precisely why were all here. www.theswimmechanic.com

047: Bryan on Living Significantly

Bryan and Kelsey talk about one very small, simple and often overlooked thing. GRATITUDE. It feels pretty good when someone shows you appreciate for the things you do, right? It also feels good to give those same compliments, doesn’t it? On today’s episode, the third in the INWARD series, we explore the concept of being grateful, the endless list of benefits from it and how to do more of that good stuff. This is definitely a bright and shiny conversational and I hope it leaves you inspired to put more love out there! www.theswimmechanic.com www.kelseyabbott.com  

046: INWARD: Grateful for the Goodness

On this episode, Bryan and Kelsey examine the word communication: it’s chronology, how it’s changed, and why so many people are terrible at it. Bryan believes communication to be the most important facet of connection and that you can’t have one without the other. So, whether you’re trying to relay a message to your coworker, make a pitch to your staff, or have a difficult talk with your spouse, you can benefit from the incredibly simple tools for communication laid out in this episode. It’s literally just one thing and you may be surprised to find out the missing ingredient for most people. SMOGgers, get comfy for another episode of INWARD with Kelsey Abbott. www.theswimmechanic.com www.instagram.com/theswimmechanic https://www.kelseyabbott.com www.instagram.com/kelseyabbottcpc

045: INWARD- The Key to Communication

Dubbed “The Rainman of Swimming”, Mike Rosen has an insane thirst for and knowledge of all things swimming. Mike lives in Stockholm, and travels all over the world every year as head coach of Sweden Open Water. Mike was a 19 time national champion swimmer in high school and has since raced open water on the world cup level with some big results to show.   With his encyclopedic knowledge of the world of swimming, he wrote a book simply titled “Open Water” and the english translation is available on June 4 from Chronicle Books. Check it out!   His most recent mission is one I’m particularly interested, being one to bring awareness to the open water, the community that can be created around it, and water safety - in the Maldives. We talk all about what this was like, how the locals received his message, and the plans he has for future missions of this sort.   Mikael on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/human_ambition/   Beach Life Festival Contest: http://theswimmechanic.com/contest   SMOG Shades: http://theswimmechanic.com/shop/goodr-x-smog-limited-edition-sunglasses  

044: Love Changes Everything with Mikael Rosen

Overcoming fear doesn’t have to be a difficult thing. Bryan breaks down what he found to work for himself and the approach he’s taken with thousands of clients since then. People show up to SMOG thinking they’re going to swim, and of course they do, but the deeper stitched value is in their overcoming of fears. The ocean simply serves as a vehicle to bring them there.    SO, are you ready to take your fears, those both known and unknown to you, head on, full steam, courageously, boldly, confidently, with the knowing that you will be literally unstoppable after? Bryan is ready to take you there on this episode!   www.theswimmechanic.com

043: The First Step to Overcoming YOUR Fear

Mindfulness is about observation without criticism; being compassionate with yourself. Mindfulness equips us to navigate a world of cognitive assault. Mindfulness allows us to respond rather than react. As you are here now, reading the words coming on this page, you are practicing mindfulness, being actively present and finding the joy in this moment. By being here now, you are investing in yourself, in the quality of your day and how you feel about the world around you. Now, do you know how to maintain this? Do you know how to tap into this space when you need it most?   My good friend Kelsey Abbott and I love dissecting the psychology wrapped around human experience and today we discuss all things mindfulness. This episode is the official first episode of a new podcast her and I are co-hosting called INWARD - an honest, humble exploration of who you are, why and how to recognize the beauty around you, even in the most unassuming of places.    www.theswimmechanic.com   https://www.kelseyabbott.com

042: INWARD: Examining Mindfulness with Kelsey Abbott

Don’t fear the teacher. Fear IS the teacher! In part 1, Bryan told his humbling near-drowning experience and how he set out to conquer his fear on his own. A couple years later, Bryan uncovered another fear that lived deep inside of him that was holding him back from who he wanted to be. He had the choice to continue turning his head or take his fear face on. Episode 41 shares this story.  www.theswimmechanic.com

041: Fear of Open Water and The Power of Overcoming it 2/3 with Bryan

Khalil is author of “I Forgot to Die” and the founder/owner of SunLife Organics. From the ground up, he built the concept around offering the most nutrient dense, organic, plant-based food with a high value on convenience. Today they have 10 locations and 4 more babies on the way this year, with no intention of stopping any time soon. When you hear Khalil’s story, you’ll understand the intimately deep desire to surround himself with the healthiest things in this world, thus born SunLife Organics, and his yoga studio Malibu Beach Yoga. Homeless and addicted, Khalil hit a rock bottom that may seem impossibly irreversible. He’s redefined the word transformation, rewritten the story of a Phoenix rising. “If I can do it, you can” tends to fall short. There’s typically not enough information or inspiration behind those words to ignite the flame, but after hearing Khalil’s story and hearing him say just that, you WILL believe it. You WILL believe we are all birthed with infinite opportunity.  https://sunlifeorganics.com https://www.malibubeachyoga.com https://www.amazon.com/I-Forgot-Die-Khalil-Rafati/dp/1619613743/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?crid=2MDXAT046H26Y&keywords=i+forgot+to+die+by+khalil+rafati&qid=1552581377&s=gateway&sprefix=i+forgot+to+%2Caps%2C241&sr=8-1-fkmrnull http://theswimmechanic.com/shop/goodr-x-smog-limited-edition-sunglasses  

040: From Pain to Purpose with Khalil Rafati

Cool, calm and collected. What does this really mean? Bryan believes it’s approaching a situation KNOWING that you can, that you are able, ok and equipped for it. Focusing on what is, rather than what is not. Understanding that circumstance is not truth; it's temporary. It's knowing that you will take away knowledge and wisdom from this; it's a teacher to you. Perhaps most importantly, it's NOT PERSONAL.    In understanding this, you can approach a situation/difficult conversation from the driver’s seat, not as a helpless passenger anticipating a crash. YOU are in control of how you perceive and receive the world around you.    www.theswimmechanic.com

039: Cool, Calm and Collected with Bryan

SMOGgers, coming in hot, episode 38 has arrived! On todays episode, we talk about the the hard fought hours before and after your 8-5 work duties, and how to invest in them. Noah feeds us easily actionable ways to execute this and create the most productive, rewarding daily routine. No more multi-tasking constantly, watering yourself down, stretching yourself thin and being left only with an empty tank at the end of the day for your friends and family.    In Noah's 30 years as a professional artist, he’s tapped into potential that most would immediately discount is possible. At 16, he started his hustle, riding his bike door to door trying to sell art - painting signs, posters, whatever people needed. Noah was gifted with an insane level of creativity and when his parents were divorced at 9, he stepped up to help his mom out and create more for his family. It was during this time of his teen years that things really started to pop. He was being commissioned to make art for celebrities, which opened many doors within the next handful of years to painting the cars for Fast and the Furious, partnering with Disney to paint his own versions of the characters (which are now highly sought after works), creating the tattoos on Pink for music videos, branding campaigns for Lexus, Toyota, MTV, Microsoft, Lucas Film and more!    The most beautiful piece of Noah’s story are his charitable and ministry efforts. Noah and his wife Chantel launched a home in South Africa the “Ingane Forever Family Home” which has helped rescue and care for AIDS Orphans and those with special needs. Noah has built a life of significance, not simply of success. Noah created Noah University, helping mentor entrepreneurs worldwide into their calling and helping creatives and artists grow their platforms for a life of impact.    SMOGgers, this epsisode is JAM PACKED, so grab a pen and paper or take notes on your phone. Noah unloads some serious nuggets of wisdom and inspiration this SMOGcast.    www.noahelias.net www.instagram.com/noah.j.elias www.noahfineart.com

038: Punch Fear in the Face and Help Others Do the Same, Noah Elias

Bob Hasson is a businessman and leadership consultant. His greatest passion is strengthening leaders and organizations, with specific focus on developing sound organizational structure, fiscal responsibility, and dynamic relationships on leadership teams. As CEO of R.M Hasson Painting Contractors, Inc., which he founded in 1978, he established the company as a trusted partner serving general contractors across the Western United States. For over thirty years, he has been active as a consultant and board member for churches, ministries, non-profits, and school boards, and his wisdom has been sought out by many leaders and organizations. On the episode, Bob Hasson unpacks over 30 years of wisdom from the business world. What is one thing we need or crave? Safety. He emphasizes the power of leadership; not from a place of ego, but from a place of compassion, love, honor, and open ears. The power of community is a big part of what Bryan and Bob enjoy sharing. www.bobhasson.com

037: Safety in Vulnerability; Bob Hasson on How to be Honorable

After Bryan’s 3 part series chronicling his anxiety based around competition and the internal struggle of not being good enough (032-034), Bryan reveals his first experience with fear, which was an open water swim. It all occurred in a lake in Texas. Conquering lake swims ultimately brought him to the Pacific Ocean in California where he both swims and coaches daily today. Unknowingly, Bryan was creating the methodology he uses today with clients around the world. Take a listen to his humbling story and his actionable advice to overcome your own fears!

036: Fear of Open Water and the power of overcoming it 1/2 with Bryan

 From New York, to New Hampshire, Illinois, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and most of her childhood in Kentucky, Katya was transplanted from one small town to the next. Growing up in these rural areas, she thrived off of the tight knit feel of small town community. Katya has always been the athlete who shows up early and is willing to stay late. The athlete who keeps raising the bar, but keeps it to themselves, to be sure not to come off arrogant or overly confident. The athlete who will work until they get exactly where they want to be. From gymnastics to varsity crew at Stanford to finding triathlon at 19 to modeling to coaching, she’s always been ALL IN.   She took her pro card a few years into racing Ironman and 25 full ironman races later, she hung up the towel to be a full-time boy mom and wife, as well as a registered dietician. While she retired from racing pro triathlon, she is competitive in ultra running and throws down on epic cycling adventures.   On SMOGcast, Katya reveals her secrets to creating a go-get-em morning routine and how she presses mute on anxiety and excuses. She is the everywoman that knows how to commit, laser focus in on her goal and absolutely destroy it. Take a listen to the highly-relatable success story of Katya Meyers.   www.katyameyers.com www.instagram.com/katyameyers   

035: No Excuses, No Hesitation: The How to GET IT DONE with Katya Meyers

On part 3 of Bryan’s 3 part series chronicling his battle with anxiety and fear, he will catch you up to present day by sharing what he believes to be his most profound years of growth and evolution. Playing in his high school grunge band instilled confidence in himself, in knowing that people did in fact want to see who he truly was, in all of its awkward/goofy/sarcastic/unique ways. Bryan needed a collective of like minded folks to be there as he stepped into his fears and tested the waters of vulnerability. In breaking through to the other side of his specific fears (which  could be any fear/anxiety you have), it highlighted the truth that he could do the same with anything else in his way. Fear is learned and on this episode Bryan shares his biggest secrets of how to UNLEARN it. 

034: The power of Community in Overcoming Fear with Bryan Mineo

Since creating SMOG in LA nearly 5 years ago, I’ve been consistently struck and blown away by the stories of our members; watching their journeys of overcoming fear and finding joy unfold. I truly hope you can take something from these people’s stories and draw some inspiration to dream bigger and GO FOR IT! Spread the word, leave a review and look out for new episodes!

hubhopper

SMOGCAST

hubhopper