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NEW PODCAST EPISODE! Sarah Malone – Recognize. Release. Recover: A Guide to Freedom from Narcissistic Abuse - In this episode, I’m joined by Sarah Malone, owner of Spark: The Secret Place—a holistic healing collective dedicated to helping you overcome emotional, relational, and spiritual blocks. Sarah also appeared on TLC’s 90 Day: The Last Resort, where she helped couples navigate relationship challenges.The focus of this episode is on identifying the signs of narcissistic abuse, what steps to take to gain freedom, and the resources available to get help. Narcissistic relationships can follow us throughout our lives if we don’t recognize the signs and break the cycle. More on Sarah Malone:As a clinical hypnotherapist and spiritual teacher, Sarah uniquely blends therapy with spirituality in a refreshingly straightforward way. She gained recognition as a holistic therapist on a reality TV show and is the author of Affirmations for a Peaceful Life. Featured in P.O.W.E.R. magazine and Yahoo Finance, she also hosts her own podcast, Ignite the Spark Within. Known as “The Real Deal” in the healing community, Sarah leads transformational retreats and workshops, striving to bring more of heaven to earth.Connect w/ Sarah:Sarah’s Website: https://www.sparkflc.com/Sarah’s Retreats: https://www.sparkflc.com/retreatInstagram: @sarah_sparkmalone
Wellness Travel: How England’s Running Culture Inspired My Return to Morning Cardio - I recently returned from a tour of England, which concluded in Edinburgh, Scotland. I visited because English culture has, in some ways, influenced my life, mainly financially. As a parent, I was inspired to set up a trust fund for generational wealth after watching countless English period dramas that revolved around inheritance. I particularly enjoyed the stories that weren’t centered around families warring over who would inherit; instead, the story was about a kind aunt, family friend, or business partner who thoughtfully bequeathed wealth to benefit the future of a group, company, or town. Little Dorrit and North and South come to mind. But when I actually visited England, what influenced me most—and something I could not have predicted—was the running culture. A Running Culture That Shows Up Now, America has a running culture, too. But I saw key differences in the runners I observed while in England: Running wasn’t a niche activity confined to major metro areas like in America; it was everywhere in nine cities and towns I visited on my way from London to Edinburgh. People ran at all hours—early morning, mid-day, late night. Runners were often in pairs or small groups, yet solo runners were common too. The age range was wide—from young adults to seniors. I was struck by how normalized it was. From London to Bath, to the cobblestone paths of York and Edinburgh, people were out running. And they weren’t wearing the latest high-performance gear either. Some were in simple joggers, hoodies, or even casual clothes—more focused on movement than image. I’ve since learned that my observations, align with the UK’s emphasis on community-based running initiatives. For instance, Parkrun, a free weekly 5k event, has become a significant part of British running culture, promoting inclusivity and attracting participants of all ages and abilities My Running History It has been over sixteen years since I’ve had a steady morning running schedule. Back when I focused on bodybuilding (2005–2011), I followed a 6–7-day/week double-split training schedule: cardio in the morning and strength training in the evening on a split routine. Since I changed my routine to focus on skill and longevity—incorporating calisthenic and gymnastic strength, mobility, and flexibility—the double-split training fell away in favor of just a once-per-day, split schedule, five days per week. As far as morning cardio went, prioritizing sleep, different work schedules, and pursuing goals outside of the gym became my focus. Time felt too short to get up earlier for a quick HIIT sprinting session or a jog. But over the years, my body has been changing, and I know reincorporating a double-split schedule can give me that edge I need to get my body where I prefer it. Still, I had not been able to stop myself from hitting the snooze button every time I tried to reincorporate a morning run. Travel as Inspiration Prior to visiting England, I had been trying to find a way to convince myself to start running in the morning again. But travel can really provide inspiration to make changes in your life. Each day, I walked through cities like York, established around 71 AD, which is still thriving with people on the streets day and night. I was in ancient towns with strong clubbing cultures. Centuries-old buildings and castles were the backdrop of people, young and old, living out their modern lives. I could not help but think about the endurance of the people and their culture, and that translated to a new understanding of perseverance: I have to persevere, too. If I want to still thrive on into the future and not simply let my body age and change in ways that have been bothering me for years, the least I can do is persevere: get out of bed in the morning and hit the pavement. Run. Take care of myself. Thrive for as long as I can and be my own legacy. So after 16 years of hitting the snooze button, I have so far woken up every day to run or at least walk in the morning five days per week. As an added benefit, I’ve found myself feeling sleepy at a decent hour instead of staying up till 12 AM most nights, as I had for the past year. Now, with my physical activity and daylight exposure balanced, I sleep and wake earlier so I can maintain a morning cardio schedule. I happy to experience the changing of the seasons again while moving through nature—something I really missed after my workouts moved primarily indoors 16 years ago when I stopped doing morning cardio. Thank you, England—and Scotland—for re-inspiring me to get out of bed and take up running again; an unexpected but welcoming takeaway from my brief trip abroad. Interested in Wellness Travel? LLAFIT offers wellness travel tours and custom getaways. To learn more, visit TravelToRestore.com. TravelToRestore.com was created by Sylvia Petro, the creator of LLAFIT and Sylvia Petro & Travel Advisors travel agency. The agency specializes in wellness, luxury, solo, and group travel. Coming from a twenty-year-long fitness and wellness background, Sylvia Petro & Advisors puts thoughtful wellness, solo, group, and luxury travel at the forefront of offerings. All four categories offer the option to renew, relax, regroup, and/or reenergize–by yourself, as a couple, or with friends and family. Leave the planning and booking to Sylvia Petro & Advisors, so you can fully immerse yourself in rejuvenation, relaxation, and adventure. Contact Sylvia Petro & Advisors to design your ideal getaway–on land, at sea, or both!
Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts - This website earns commissions from qualifying purchases from posted ads. If you’re looking for a digital detox getaway, time and space to meditate, or simply a destination that will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, consider Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts. The word Zoëtry combines the Greek words “life” (Zoe) and “poetry” (artful creations) to mean the “Art of life.” Zoëtry’s offerings are thoughtfully crafted for those seeking true focus on their well-being. And as part of the World of Hyatt Inclusive collection, one can find a Zoëtry resort in the Caribbean, Central America, and Spain. Customer reviews praise the many benefits of vacationing at stunning Zoëtry resorts. Below breaks down the most frequent features of praise customers have submitted online about Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts. Exceptional Service The staff at Zoëtry consistently receive high praise for their exceptional service. From the moment you arrive at a Zoëtry resort, you’ll feel welcomed and well-cared for by a team that is dedicated to ensuring your stay is unforgettable. One reviewer wrote, “The staff was incredibly kind, attentive, and went above and beyond to make our stay amazing.” Zoëtry’s exceptional service is by design. Every Zoëtry guest receives the World of Hyatt’s Endless Privileges package, which is the ultra-luxury inclusive package offered by the World of Hyatt Inclusive Collection. The Endless Privileges package includes perks like 24-hr concierge, stylish VIP arrival, customized and unique experiences, and more. With all those luxuries and excellent attentive staff, it’s no wonder Zoëtry resorts receives such praise from prior guests for exceptional service. Serene Atmosphere Zoëtry Resorts & Spas are designed to offer a tranquil and serene atmosphere that allows guests to fully unwind and relax. The resorts are often located in beautiful natural settings, such as on the beach or surrounded by lush tropical gardens. One reviewer described their experience at a Zoëtry property as “pure relaxation in paradise.” Some popular Zoëtry properties that enable guests to indulge in lush gardens and nature include Zoëtry Villa Rolandi Isla Mujeres Cancun, Zoëtry Curaçao, and Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya. However, all Zoëtry locations are situated among natural beauty; there is an ideal paradise for every taste. View Zoëtry Resort Locations. Gourmet Cuisine Foodies will love the gourmet cuisine offered at Zoëtry resorts. From farm-to-table dining options to international cuisine, the properties offer a variety of dining experiences that are sure to delight your taste buds. One reviewer raved about the food at a Zoëtry resort, saying, “The food was beyond amazing! Everything was so fresh and flavorful, and the presentation was beautiful.” With Zoëtry’s Endless Privileges package, guests enjoy signature à la carte dining of authentic, gourmet cuisine made with organic ingredients. Organic beverage options are also available. Luxurious Accommodations Zoëtry resorts offer luxurious accommodations that are designed to be both comfortable and stylish. From spacious suites to private villas, the properties offer a range of accommodations to suit every traveler’s needs. One reviewer described their room as “absolutely stunning, with beautiful decor and all the amenities you could need.” Part of the magic of Zoëtry’s accommodations lies in the Endless Privileges package all Zoëtry guests can enjoy. 24-hr concierge and laundry service, nightly turndowns, three-times daily maid service, and an in-suite mini bar that is refreshed twice daily all enhance already outstanding room service. Other features of Zoëtry accommodations include close proximity to local communities, downtowns, shopping, and historical attractions. Some Zoëtry resorts are also attached to a golf resort, so for those who relax by swinging a club, Zoëtry has them covered. Relaxing Spa Treatments One of the highlights of a stay at a Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts is the opportunity to indulge in relaxing spa treatments. The properties offer a range of treatments designed to help guests feel rejuvenated and refreshed, from massages and facials to yoga and meditation classes. One reviewer wrote, “The spa treatments were so relaxing and rejuvenating. It was the perfect way to unwind and recharge.” Spa treatments that can be found at Zoëtry resorts include Thalassotherapy, steam rooms, aqua gyms, sports massages, and lymphatic drainage and antiaging therapies. As a World of Hyatt travel advisor and wellness destination specialist, I have been privileged to be educated on all Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts offerings. This gem within the World of Hyatt portfolio provides guests with a seamless transition into a luxurious and rejuvenating vacation experience. Numerous Zoëtry properties are AAA Diamond award-winning resorts. And as evidenced by numerous positive reviews online, guests have shared their rewarding experiences, highlighting the exceptional service, serene atmosphere, gourmet cuisine, luxurious accommodations, and relaxing spa treatments available at these resorts. Whether you’re in search of a romantic getaway or a solo retreat, a stay at a Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resort is sure to leave you feeling refreshed and renewed.
Things Other Women Say & Do to Fit Women - I was five years into my fitness journey when I first noticed the below-listed negative behaviors and comments from other women. And I was taken aback by the potency of what felt like anger, hatred, or frustration emanating from their eyes and ejecting from their mouths. My first experience of this came from a teacher whom I respected, viewed as an intellectual, and thought was mentally far above the petty insecurities that evoke the above-described hallmarks of a woman incensed by another woman’s success. I was a new, young mom, and she was middle-aged and a mother herself. The year prior, we had many enriching conversations, and she was my favorite teacher. But, after vowing to improve my life and health and ultimately getting into shape, she started making backhanded comments about my appearance. While not succeeding in making me feel bad about my body, she succeeded in showing me the kind of woman I wouldn’t like to become: bitter, insecure, and doing nothing about it. Prior to adopting a healthy lifestyle, I had severe depression, and like many, I was lazy and out of shape. Pregnancy woke me up, and I realized I had to be healthier and more mindful about my lifestyle. Knowing my history of depression and having finally overcome it, my teacher ignored or overlooked the positive changes I made as a new, young mom, and instead gave in to her insecurities and insulted my achievements and appearance any chance she got. Needless to say, I ended our once enjoyable conversations. But insults about my new healthy lifestyle didn’t end with her. Over time, I was increasingly on the receiving end of women ejecting unwarranted insults on me about my body. Sadly, I eventually found myself scrutinizing my figure (which is what they wanted). But that self-scrutiny did not last. Education and principles saved me then and still save me now from focusing on the superficial aspects of reaching fitness goals. Regular exercise and education on nutrition diminished my depression. So while women focused on my looks, I focused on the health of my brain, and I wasn’t about to go back to the depressed girl I once was by reversing my lifestyle changes. This is why my primary goal has always been lifelong health and fitness. To meet that goal, all obstacles must be overcome, including those who might try to psych me out along the way. As years passed and my love of wellness became interwoven into who I am, I stopped caring about reactions from my many female critics (because they haven’t gone away). My teacher’s sudden personality change toward me was surprising and, frankly, disappointing, but now I know it’s far too common, if not expected, among women in the unrelenting battle of body comparisons waged against each other. As derisive behaviors and comments kept coming my way from random women, co-workers, and even family members, I noticed a predictable pattern. If you’re a fit woman reading this, you can expect to experience the same below-listed negative patterns of behavior from other women — women who feel personally affronted and challenged by your success. They hope, consciously or subconsciously, to tear you down and make you like them: those who give up, give in, and/or don’t take action in an area everyone wishes to master but few do: mind, body, fitness, and health. I call the disparaging comments from these women “regurgitations” because they simply can’t control the rude, involuntary eruptions that sprout from their mouths when they see you, and it’s learned behavior, repeated across generations of women. Negative Behaviors Finding Fault This is when a woman’s roving eye scans your entire body seeking fault: some blemish or imperfection that will knock your appearance down a peg (in her eyes). She’ll pick a specific area or areas of your body and not hesitate to tell you how unattractive she thinks it is—as if you asked her opinion. This is just an effort to make you feel insecure because she’s insecure around you. These women seem to think all fit women are arrogant, vain, and need to be knocked off their pedestals. They’re wrong. We know we’re not perfect. We just work to be better than average. Modeling Yeah, I know it’s weird: women model for each other. Strange, but plain-old fact. Women who have a particular obsession with the superficial and fancy themselves as hot, sexy — choose your label — often feel the urge to declare their place as beauty queens of every space they’re in. They do this by always being curiously in your line of sight, sauntering around, often when there’s plenty of room for them to walk behind you, away from you, or anywhere else. These “models” are usually what I call “mantelpieces”: pretty faces, but often with an average body or the old-world ideal: a girlish, prepubescent-skinny, shapeless build. A recent superhero miscasting comes to mind – I agree with Cameron. The pretty faces of these women may get the adoration of many, and as a result, they believe every inch of their body is perfect. Really, oftentimes, these women do not have above-average bodies. Maybe due to the praise they’ve received over their lifetimes because of their faces, they fail to see the need to improve the other 90% of themselves from the neck down. When one of these women see another who has worked for her physique, they feel threatened, often because she lacks the discipline to do the same on her own. Their modeling is a feeble silent challenge. Being so accustomed to being the most beautiful creature in every room, she does all she knows how to do in an attempt to remain queen of her immediate space by modelling: getting in your way, hoping you’ll see just how magnificently beautiful she is — at least in her mind. A perk of being a woman with a hard-earned physique and the self-discipline that requires, is we’re not easily made jealous. We know how much work it takes to get where we are, how little effort it takes to be standard or skinny like the type of woman described above, and we know which we prefer. Speaking of the “mantelpieces,” a pretty face is a small percentage of one’s whole self. Women like the above, the models, often fail to consider the whole picture, not just aesthetically, but in various areas of life: it’s not all about aesthetics. It takes a certain personality, discipline, planning, and knowledge to reach high health and fitness goals. A woman who is secure and mature enough in herself to not so desperately seek attention for her physical appearance is one who should be modeled after. Attempted Physical Competition Usually a fitness newbie with an inflated sense of their physical abilities falls into this type of behavior. Sadly for them, it’s always an epic failure when chanced against an experienced athlete. This typically takes place at a gym. Here’s the scene: a woman who’s been exercising for a month or so believes she is suddenly strong and tough. She likely walks around with graphic tees that say something about working out, like, “I ♡ dumbbells” or “Little Tough Guy.” You know that type. She believes she’s super-fit because she’s managed to work out consistently for more than one month. But, more than likely, in order to make any real progress, her boyfriend has to babysit her at the weight rack and hold her hand through easy exercises, like bicep curls. Or, because of her lack of self-motivation and self-discipline, she requires the motivation and reassurance of group exercise. With her newly inflated ego, she thinks she can go head-to-head with an experienced female athlete. She’ll attempt to mimic the same exercises at the same intensity as the athlete. But this goes awry from the onset, when she discovers, after embarrassing failure, that she either can’t do even one rep of the exercise, can’t achieve proper form, or lacks the adequate conditioning to perform at the level of the seasoned athlete. This insecure creature clearly doesn’t know (or appreciate) that it takes time and dedication to achieve a certain level of fitness and master a given physical skill. A more experienced person wouldn’t follow someone else’s routine on a whim. They know the logic and science behind individualized training, which is based on fitness level, experience, and goals. Keep trying, newbie. The Lost Puppy This is the woman who follows you around the gym with puppy-dog eyes, lost and clueless as of what to do—so she’ll follow you since you’re ostensibly fit. While this is not offensive or rude like the previous non-verbal actions I’ve described, it’s annoying as hell. Her wide eyes and constant dawdling around you is her way of saying, “help me, help me. I want to be like you.” These women are irritating simply because they’re lost in the first place. I mean, take a moment to read a book or something before paying for a gym membership. This person not only wastes money, but wastes their own time — while trying to waste another woman’s time to boot. The key to success isn’t following random people around and hoping they’ll stop what they’re doing to rescue an ignorant gym-goer. These women have every opportunity to get informed as anyone else does. I have helped one or two of these women in the past. But, their strategies to reach fitness goals: joining a gym with no game plan and following around random people they want to look like, should have told me that they weren’t dedicated to sticking to anything I showed them. Additionally, these irritating interlopers often eventually have wishy-washy fits of negative regurgitations like the rest. It’s best to leave them roaming aimlessly than allow them to waste your time. Let some guy rescue them in their ignorance, as that’s so often the end result. Negative Comments Reveling in a Fantasy that Fit Women are Airheads Our bodies are the only real possession we have in life; therefore, it’s a no-brainer to take care of it. However, when you manage to be of that class of people who actually achieve good health and fitness and keep it up, you often become a source of hatred, particularly if you’re a woman among other women. One of the things these women do in rebellion is act as if you’re stupid. Come on, we all know people love believing fit people are idiots. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a woman so eager to see this belief fulfilled that she refused to fully listen to things I said. Instead, she cut me off, either assuming she knew what I was going to say and it was inept, or that my statement needed to be completed by her for it to be correct. These women also tend to state the obvious when speaking to you or they overexplain things, hoping to present themselves as the “smart one.” In reality, stating the obvious simply means you have nothing to add. Unlike those who see the achievement of health and fitness as an impossibility or a time-consuming burden, women who manage to maintain good health for years know how to keep a balance. It’s all about education. Yes, education. Being that we’re all organic with body systems that require regular maintenance, anyone with a modicum of intelligence should prioritize health and fitness. If you ask me, those who don’t are themselves stupid. People who maintain balance in health, fitness, and life inform themselves about how to reach and maintain their goals; unlike those who give in to the primal urge to compete with others. These unnecessarily abrasive women are not so combative when another woman’s hobby is, say, scrapbooking or drinking wine and gossiping about reality TV. Minimizing – Downplaying Your Hard Work & Dedication Here’s a typical sentence, “I know [insert name of random person] who has more muscle, is leaner, etc than you.” Or,...
Podcast Transcript – Wellness Travel w/ Blisstopia Retreats - NOTE: below is a generated transcript from Season 3, Episode 1 of the Lifelong Health and Fitness Conversations podcast. Episode title: "Wellness Travel: Blisstopia Retreats" In this episode, I speak with Lana and Mark, founders and owners of Blisstopia Retreats in Peoria, Arizona. We discuss their many wellness services and offerings on their property designed for immersion into holistic wellness experiences. Blisstopia Retreats hosts their own retreats and collaborates with other wellness, health, medical, and professional practitioners to host retreats on the beautiful Blisstopia property. Blisstopia Retreats is 5-star rated on Google and highly recommended on Alignable. Their mission is to encourage people to embrace empowered, creative, and vibrant living through Yoga, Fitness, Meditation, Ayurveda, and various wellness activities. They do this by providing a nurturing environment, holistic practices, and community support. S3. EP. 2 – Discovering Holistic Wellness at Blisstopia Retreats w/ Lana & Mark Podcast Transcript: Sylvia Petro: Welcome to season three of the lifelong Health and Fitness Conversations podcast. And last season, I hinted at something exciting that all listeners can dive into. Now, after much research, learning, and a bit of adventure, I’m ready to share what this new offering is. Wellness travel. To kick off this new offering, I speak with Lana and Mark, founders and owners of Blisstopia retreats in Peoria, Arizona. We discuss their many wellness services and offerings on their property, which is designed for immersion into holistic wellness experiences. Blisstopia retreats host their own retreats, and they collaborate with other wellness, health, medical, and professional practitioners to host retreats on their beautiful property. Blisstopia Retreats is five star rated on Google and highly recommended on Alignable. Their mission is to encourage people to embrace empowered, creative, and vibrant living through yoga, fitness, meditation, Ayurveda, and various wellness activities. They do this by providing a nurturing environment, holistic practices, and community support. To learn more about Blisstopia retreats and to view their latest retreat events, see the links in the podcast description. Now on to our conversation. Sylvia Petro: Well, Lana and Mark, thank you for joining me today for this podcast recording. Blisstopia Retreats: Thanks for having us. Blisstopia Retreats: Thank you. Sylvia Petro: And I see your beautiful retreat background. Blisstopia Retreats: There with Tokyo retreat. Yes, we’re right here in Peoria, Arizona, and this is the sunrise mountain preserve behind us. So it is a preserve. And there’s hiking right back, outside our gate. Sylvia Petro: Wow. And that’s why I wanted to interview you both, because I saw your retreat on Facebook, and I’m always looking at wellness retreats. So can you tell listeners a bit about the genesis of your company? Blisstopia Retreats: Yeah, we started, we opened Blisstopia retreats in July of 2021, so three years ago now. And, I held our first retreat in October of 2021. And we’ve been hosting many, retreats since then. We’ve hosted over 40 retreats in that timeframe. And, we’re growing and expanding and hosting more and more. But the journey really came from Minnesota. We moved down from Minnesota, in 2021 after selling our fitness centers that we had in a yoga studio up in Minnesota, sold her home, moved here and said, it’s time to open up a retreat wellness center so that we can help more people in a deeper level. Blisstopia Retreats: It really was a calling. everything that we’ve done is like, it shows itself and we just take action because we believe that if something shows itself, it needs to be tended to. Like, if your intention is, awake and active, the only other step is to do it like that. You’re supposed to do like then that’s what we do. It’s like, okay, I guess that’s what we’re gonna do. Blisstopia Retreats: We apologize for the background noise of our chickens. We have several chickens and they’re. It’s that time of the day for them. Sylvia Petro: Yeah, that’s actually, that might be appealing to listeners, actually. So they can interact with the chickens when they get there. Absolutely. Lana and Mark started Blisstopia together eleven years ago I did see on your website, you have 20 years that you’ve been in business. So can you tell me a bit about, your services and what offerings you have at Blisstopia? Blisstopia Retreats: Well, together, Lana and I started with our fitness centers. That was about eleven years ago. We opened our first fitness center together. It was a boxing fitness center, a franchise location. Then we purchased a second one. And, then we opened up our boutique yoga studio, custom built. We designed it ourselves and then built it out and opened our yoga studio and ran that. And then we opened up a third boxing fitness, center, franchise location. So we were pretty busy and, we weren’t able to work together any longer because we had so many businesses that we had to run back and forth to. So that was one of the reasons that we decided, well, it’s time to downsize and go back to what we originally planned was to work together in one location. And that’s why we downsized from that. Ah, moved to Arizona, opened up our retreat center. Blisstopia Retreats: Before that, both Mark and I had been in the health, wellness, spiritual realm in some shape or form. I was a psychotherapist for a long time, active doing, employee assistance and psychotherapy. And through that journey early on, 00:05:00 Blisstopia Retreats: I knew that there had to be other things to help people besides just talking, which is, it’s good, but you only can get so far in that. So I started diving deep into different modalities. I was drawn to be a doula for a long time. So I attended over 400 births over 20 years. I got certified in hypnotherapy because I thought that would really help, people go into the subconscious mind. And then also energy work, healing touch and Reiki I found to be a really amazing modality as well. So, with my background and also martial arts have just kind of integrated. And then Mark and I, together with Mark’s background and you can talk about your background and integrated those modalities. Blisstopia Retreats: Yeah. I’ve owned and operated several, martial arts schools over the years. everything from karate schools to mixed, martial arts centers, training centers for fighters. And, it’s been a passion of mine. I’ve been involved in martial arts for almost 45 years now. And, so we try to incorporate even a little bit of that into our retreat business. we offer self defense training and boxing fitness classes for fun and also just to break up a retreat from. It may be yoga based, to have a little bit of the yin and yang built into the retreat as well. Sylvia Petro: And just listening to you both talking about, your journeys and your legacies, because even though you don’t do those things anymore, you’ve contributed to people’s lives. And when you put that all together now, one of the things, and, this podcast focuses on lifelong health and wellness is you can put all that together to create like a holistic experience for people who visit Blisstopia. And maybe when they visit more than once, they can enjoy different aspects of your services. So do you kind of get repeats so they can experience? Because there’s a lot to experience. Blisstopia Retreats: It sounds like we do get repeat guests to come. we actually had one guest, come about six times in a year. Yeah, she ended up moving here and she ended up moving in with us to help support us for the retreat. Blisstopia Retreats: She’s now an assistant of ours for our retreat site. Blisstopia Retreats: And we also, have had retreat guests that have come for retreat for the healing process, but have also come back for yoga teacher training and energy healing training, for certifications, for them to pass on the wisdom and the knowledge of their community. So they worked on themselves and then they started to be practitioners of the work. And that’s what we love is like, if they’re called to do it, you know? Blisstopia Retreats: But we offer so many different avenues, for healing and different themes, depending on what someone might be going through, whether that’s grief or loss or just feeling stuck, or they’re in a light life phase where it’s like, now what? So it depends on what they’re working through, and then we work through the workshops that most will benefit them at that time, depending on who we’re calling in for that specific retreat. So, like, I just talked to a gal yesterday about our warrior goddess retreat in September, September 13 through the 16th of this year. And she, was recently divorced. she has three children, adult children, and she’s in her early fifties. And she was, just recently diagnosed with a brain tumor. And so she went to Greece on a retreat and said, that was great. I’ve always wanted to go to Greece, but it wasn’t a retreat that dived into who you are as a human being. It was about the environment. Yeah. Right. Blisstopia Retreats: Which is awesome. Blisstopia Retreats: I mean, gosh. Yeah. And she said, now, though, the point in my life right now with what she has happening, she said, I want to learn more about me and what’s next for me and dive deeper into who I am and heal. So. Sylvia Petro: Yeah, that’s a good point, actually. Blisstopia offers a variety of retreats to help people heal because there are a lot of retreats out there, and, a lot of them focus on the destination, and so they think the destination 00:10:00 will heal you. So can you tell me a bit about Blisstopia Retreats? And, we did speak before. You also have retreats for facilitators. Can you explain the features of each type of retreat? Blisstopia Retreats: Yeah, yeah. Destinations are great. And everybody, you know, everybody wants to go to a beautiful, incredible, inspiring location. And our facility in our location is that it’s, you know, it’s not a tropical beach, it’s not somewhere in Europe, but it’s in, in the desert here in Arizona, which has its own, you know, mystique about it. And it’s also. The beauty of the desert can be a lot more than people realize. People think that Arizona is 115 degrees year round. Blisstopia Retreats: Yeah, it is right now, though. But you can see it’s comfortable. We’re sitting outside and it’s. Blisstopia Retreats: And I have no sweat dripping off of me sitting outside in 100 degree weather. Blisstopia Retreats: Yeah. Sylvia Petro: And the sun is therapy. The sun is therapy wherever it is on earth. So, yeah, it is. Blisstopia Retreats: It is such a great healing modality that people need to not be afraid of the sun. They need to embrace it because it does heal. And you know what we do here that I like to brag about Lana, because Lana has such a vast background in helping and healing people. She’s a psychotherapist, she’s a hypnotherapist, she’s a Reiki master, she’s a yoga teacher and a yoga teacher. Trainer. All of those things are all about reaching people, touching people, helping people, and healing people. So it really comes down to retreats. Come down to not just the location, but who’s running it? How are they running it? and why are they running it? Do they have the path to run that retreat to help people? It might be great just to go there and just to get away, but you can do that. You can do that on a beach vacation yourself. You know, go to Mexico and have a great time. But do you get much out of that? Spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally?...
Thoughts: The Toxic Grip of Sibling/Parent Jealousy - Támara Hill, MS, NCC, CCTP, LPC, covers the touchy, somewhat taboo realities of toxic family dynamics. In the video that inspired this post, “The Toxic Grip of Sibling/Parent Jealousy: Beware of This Trap,” she educates viewers about a common yet rarely talked about feature of some toxic families. This topic intrigued me after I sought counseling for a family issue I have been trying to separate myself from for the past three years. Mental health practitioners, like Ms. Hill, enable many experiencing such issues to recognize things they may have been battling or ignoring for years, how dangerous those dynamics are, and how to free themselves from those dangers and lessen the scars they may have left behind. My Personal Experience Unfortunately, for decades, my mother has found ways to insert herself into my life. Did she specifically select me? I believe yes and no. She’s an opportunist who lives her life as a sort of succubus. She’s of that generation (or generations, more correctly) of women who believe the way to have security in life is to attach themselves to someone, preferably a man with money. But if that fails, they test other targets, including their children. From this leechlike lifestyle choice, family dynamics like the devouring mother, which typically affects sons, and enmeshment, which can befall any child, come about. The devouring mother is defined as: “[A] psychological archetype that describes a mother who is overbearing, controlling, and manipulative towards her children. This personality disorder is often seen in those with borderline personality disorders or narcissism. A devouring mother doesn’t want her children to spread their wings and fly. They want them dependent, downtrodden, and constantly in need of their mother. She essentially wants to “devour” them whole in order to keep their kids as close as possible with no chance to develop an identity of their own. “It’s an analytical term referring to kind of this shadow side of the mother archetype. It’s somebody who consumes their children psychologically and emotionally instilling guilt in them for leaving or for becoming an independent autonomous human,” Brillon from scarymommy.com explains. @jimbrillon What is a devouring mother? #narcissism #psychology #psychiatrist #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawareness ♬ original sound – Orange County, CA Therapist Enmeshment is defined as: “Emotional incest, also known as covert incest, has nothing to do with incestuous sexual abuse. Rather, it is an unhealthy emotional relationship between a parent and a child that blurs boundaries . . . . The parent looks to the child for emotional support. In some cases, the parent also seeks practical support from the child,” GoodTherapy.com Should you have the misfortune of being born of one of the above-described women and she has not found a man who is willing to keep her, you might be targeted as a de facto life partner for your mother. Yes, that’s sick, but you already read the above definitions. You might also find yourself writing or reading books like this recent bestseller. Looking back, I was an easy target: I’ve stayed mostly single because I enjoy personal freedom; I struggled in my early adulthood as a single parent, so my mom put on the guise of the caring rescuer; and I had a soft spot for my mother that I didn’t have for anyone else on this earth. Combining all of that, every time one of her relationships failed, she came back to me. Over and over again, until she managed to live with me for most of my twenties, and she is actively stealing the last years of my thirties. At least now, I recognize all her schemes—since she has finally managed to make herself the center of my universe. Access the Family Enmeshment Signs and Checklist from Attachment Project The Jealous Mother My mom gets upset when I make progress with any of my business endeavors, trying her best to invalidate any of my accomplishments by saying things that suggest I didn’t really do or complete one of my endeavors, such as graduate college or write my book, for example. Specifically business-wise, one day she offered me money toward my business and suggested I also ask my aunt for financial help. I immediately turned down the suggestion to ask my aunt, whom I’ve barely spoken to for decades for money, and thought about her offer for sometime before unfortunately accepting. By accepting, I fell into the final trap she laid for me. I only just realized that the sole reason she has ever offered me any money or support has been to claim that without her, I wouldn’t have achieved what I’ve achieved. She tries to get ahead of any of my accomplishments in progress by planting seeds about me to invalidate or minimize the steps I’m taking to make progress. It’s been a lifelong thing that I really didn’t pay attention to until recently. The funny thing about her “logic” is I’m twenty five years her junior, which is plenty of time to undo her attempts to stain my character. Meanwhile, she’s running out of time. What makes a perfect target for a narcissist? Before her most recent scheme to get back in my daily life, I looked back at the years thinking about my boyfriends, jobs, etc., while my mom was constantly in the background planting seeds until she found a way to make herself central in my life. What’s the point? Well, I was someone she believed she could always return to, and she believes I make her look good by labeling me as the ever-in-need child whom she went to rescue—rather than admitting that the decades-long cycle of her living with me started when she was over 40 and ever-lost and seeking a place to live. So, she targeted me, her youngest child, who was gladly living over 1,300 miles away from her at the time. Since then and many moves later, she has positioned herself as accomplished and above by labeling me as incapable and needy over the years. She believes by putting down her children, she in contrast appears better in the perception of others. The needy one is the woman described above, one who attaches herself to others for a sense of security. As Ms. Hill states, projection is a tool of this type of mother. In my mother’s claims against me and others, she isn’t fooling anyone about what she is; yet people indulge because putting down others is a favorite pastime of many, and schadenfreude is irresistible to some. I’ll admit, there was a period in my early twenties when I thought my mom knew somethings about navigating life, and I thought she could be of help while I was raising my son. But now I know she has been perpetually lost and always seeking to jump on to something or someone who will hopefully finally get her somewhere. The Jealous/Insecure Sister Now, my eldest sibling, the beloved, the jealous—as Ms. Hill defines—is very transparent. She attempts to hide her insecurities by accumulating labels through money spent, rather than through personal discipline and achievement, and by constantly seeking faults in others—no one is off limits. She speaks as if she is an authority on things she has no qualifications for and no applied experience in. She believes she is so intelligent and superior to others that she blurts out inaccuracies and believes you’ll believe her because she is so confident and loud with her claims. She has played it safe throughout her life, and that has led her to believe she is successful, but she is pusillanimous and has been unchallenged. The second there’s a whiff of challenge against her, she cracks. Very fragile ego. Then, as a coverup, she projects that on others. Signs of her jealousy have been a need, an ostensibly animal-like prodding or urge, to find something to put me down about every single time I’m in her presence. In fact, the post, “Things Other Women Say and Do to Fit Women,” was largely inspired by my sister’s treatment of me, her and many other women I’ve encountered at gyms, jobs, etc., throughout my life. The motive behind my sister’s instinctual reactions and antics toward me, again, come from a place in which she’s 1.) insecure, and 2.) believes she’s an authority, superior, and successful. She believes I’ll internalize her putdowns and be humbled. I’ve encountered many spiteful females like her in my life. I know their methods. Her attempts are all miscalculations that fail to land. Their Coalition “You’re doing too much!” That’s what my sister asserted during a bullying event she and my mother launched on me while trying to pressure me to give up my rights to a home I’m 50% owner of. The motive of the jealous mother/sibling coalition is to chip away at the rival to make them feel small, make them second-guess themselves, and keep them from fully flourishing. In my jealous sibling/mother scenario, my mother attempted to use my belligerently insecure sister to attack me—like her ultimate weapon against me, believing I stayed away from my sister for years due to intimidation at how loud, big, and surface-level successful she is. But, really, I have too much life experience with such women and no patience for them. So, when she and my mom tried (for days) to apply pressure on me to get a reaction that would be detrimental to my life, they failed. I knew exactly what they were trying to do. Another miscalculation. That angry protest from my sister, “You’re doing too much,” might as well have been, “Stand still while we punch you. Stop growing, stop achieving, stop defending yourself. Take our abuse, give into our pressure, and succumb to the ruin and setback that will bring to your life!” Some people can’t mask their desperation for your demise. And as I wrote above, my sister very easy to read. It’s funny how family members can behave as if you have no life experience outside of your childhood and them. As if all your development stopped in childhood; yet, of course, their development continued. You’re the flat character, while they’re the complex, round character. Waking Up Sometimes to get out of toxic situations with family, you have to accept the reality of who they are as people and stop making exceptions for them. So many of us tend to take repeated disrespect from our relatives or see them through rose-colored glasses. If you would not tolerate mistreatment from a non-relative, don’t accept it from family. They don’t have special rights to interfere with your life or mistreat you, and the law agrees. Now that I’ve finally woken up to what my mother is, I greatly enjoy making my business moves known. When I attend a networking event, I love seeing her seethe. When she tries to knock my choice of business and immediately compares it to what she would do instead, I laugh internally because she never does anything that requires real work. She always seeks someone to do the work for her, as she sits back and claims credit because it was her idea or because she unwisely threw money here and there. And, every time she tries to mess with my business online, I know I can pursue tortuous interference against her—to add to the other lawsuit I have against her—yes, the toxicity of the situation has gotten that bad, and her embedding in my life is now so enmeshed that I’ve had to go legal, as if I’m divorcing from my mother. Yes, that’s a sick comparison, but reread the definition of enmeshment above. I don’t have much to say about my sister. She’s a typical insecure female, and as a matter of course, I don’t keep those in my life. via GIPHY Final Thoughts I appreciate Támara Hill for covering this topic, and I hope sharing a bit of my story helps some readers. Keeping with taboo topics, I would like to know Ms. Hills experience and knowledge...
I Tried SpoiledChild’s Rapid Recovery Hair Mask - This website earns commissions from qualifying purchases from posted ads. This post is not a paid advertisement for any SpoiledChild products. I fell for SpoiledChild’s Instagram ads and ordered the S24 Rapid Recovery Hair Mask. Week after week my Reels feed showed me ads of customers dipping combs into a thick, pale, creamy hair mask, until the sight of what looked like creamy goodness wore me down and I finally clicked the “Learn More” link. I have been on a hair growth journey since December 2017. The fact that I remember the month I began that journey reveals just how frustrating reaching my hair growth goal has been. In this six-year period, I tried all the mainstream products and some specialty products for natural, ethnic 4C hair (like mine). My hair hasn’t grown much, but it has strengthened, and my true pattern has finally revealed itself—after years of perms, hot iron straightening, and resisting the often-recommended big chop. My Current Hair Regimen (w/o SpoiledChild) Butter (yes, butter) – Danish Creamery Unsalted Frequency of use: 1-2x/month Application: I apply melted unsalted butter to my hair and leave it in for up to three days before washing it out. Chebeauty Chebe Hair Butter and NaturAll Sea Moss & Chebe 8.5 Oz Curl Refresher Spray for Curly Hair, Coils and Waves Frequency of use: Daily Application: I apply Chebe butter to my hair whenever I feel it is needed to add shine, shape, and relax my curls. Shiny Leaf Cold-Pressed Castor Oil Shampoo & Conditioner Frequency of use: Every two weeks or as needed with my exercise routine, which can make shampooing more necessary. Application: This product gives me the same effect as washing my hair in highly filtered water. Design Essentials Natural Coconut & Monoi Curl Defining Gelee Frequency of use: As needed Application: I’ve fallen out of using this wonderful product regularly after noticing Chebe butter products do more for my hair than this product. The above routine is finally offering me regular growth, defined curls, and comfort and confidence with my hair every single day. So, given that, I had no reason to try SpoiledChild’s Rapid Recovery Hair Mask—but as stated above, the Instagram ads got me. Still, even though I fell for the ads, I was also skeptical of the product’s effectiveness compared to the products that took me years to find and make part of my regime. My Thoughts on SpoiledChild’s Rapid Recovery Hair Mask I took the SpoiledChild welcome quiz and was recommended the S24 hair mask. I applied it post-gym to my hair and left it in for about 6 minutes (I didn’t have the 10 minutes recommended in the instructions). After rinsing out the majority of the product, I put my hair up in a bun and went about my day, and left the hair mask jar with my son to try for himself. The Results My son’s hair was noticeably looser and more defined after one use. 😍 After seeing his hair, I undid my bun and fanned out my hair. The texture was so much softer than it has ever been. My curls were defined and shiny. Even with my satisfaction with my current routine, I’ve never seen my hair look that pretty—actually “pretty.” Needless to say, I signed up for the S24 hair mask auto-subscription, and I can’t wait to see where my hair goes from here. Recommendation Give SpoiledChild a try. Even though Instagram can be full of fly-by-night companies and gimmicks, SpoiledChild does not appear to fall into that category. Improving 4C hair like mine is not easy, especially with one application of a product. But SpoiledChild’s Rapid Recovery Hair Mask accomplished that with flying colors.
Eat Well in 2024 - Eat Well in 2024! Sustainable practices are the goal at LLAFIT. If you didn’t reach your nutrition goals in 2023, it is not too late. You can start again today—in fact, you can start again with your next meal, no matter how many times you fall off track. When it comes to sustainable eating choices to stay lean and healthy for life, follow the core principles below as a foundational guideline. 🥗 Organic Prioritization: Opt for organic produce to minimize exposure to pesticides and synthetic chemicals, promoting long-term health and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. 🌈 Colorful Veggie Palette: Incorporate a diverse range of colorful vegetables, each offering unique phytonutrients, antioxidants, and essential vitamins crucial for optimal cellular function. 🌾 Whole Grains Wisdom: Choose whole grains over refined counterparts to ensure a sustained release of energy, stabilize blood sugar levels, and support digestive health throughout your life. 🥑 Healthy Fats Harmony: Embrace sources of healthy fats, such as avocados and nuts, to nourish your brain, maintain cardiovascular health, and aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins over the years. 🌱 Protein Prowess: Whether plant-based or lean meats, prioritize proteins to support muscle health, immune function, and cellular repair for a resilient body across the stages of life. 🍽️ Portion Precision: Practice mindful portion control to maintain a healthy weight, optimize nutrient absorption, and prevent overeating-related health issues. 💧 Hydration Habits: Stay adequately hydrated with water and herbal teas to support bodily functions, optimize cognitive performance, and maintain skin elasticity over the course of your life. 🍽️ Mindful Eating Mastery: Cultivate the habit of slow, mindful eating, fostering a deeper connection with your food, enhanced digestion, and an overall sense of satisfaction. #nutrition #fitness #womenshealth #lifelongfitness #lifelongnutrition #EatWell2024 #SustainableEating #NutritionGoals #LLAFIT #HealthyChoices #StartAgainToday #WellnessJourney #HealthyForLife #CorePrinciples #BalancedDiet #LifelongHealth #NutritionGuidelines #fitforlife #fitmom
PODCAST TRANSCRIPT: Family Narcissism Unmasked w/ Lisa A. Romano - NOTE: below is a generated transcript from Season 2, Episode 5 of the Lifelong Health and Fitness Conversations podcast. Episode title: "Family Narcissism Unmasked w/ Lisa A. Romano" Lifelong Health and Fitness Conversations podcast features mental health expert Lisa Romano Sylvia Petro: Thank you for tuning into the mental health segment of the Lifelong Health and Fitness Conversations podcast. In this episode, I speak with Lisa A. Romano, a globally recognized life coach who specializes in assisting wounded adult children to overcome the childhood emotional trauma that keeps them stuck by repeating negative self-sabotaging patterns in their lives. Lisa is best known for her remarkable work in the area of adult children of alcoholic issues, codependency, and narcissistic abuse recovery. Lisa is also one of the most-listened-to meditation teachers on Insight Timer, and her YouTube channel has over 640,000 subscribers. Her podcast Breakdown to Breakthrough ranks in the Top 100 Podcasts on mental wellness. You can learn more about Lisa’s online courses and her seven bestselling books by visiting lisaaromano.com. And for Lisa’s full bio and links to connect with her, please see the podcast description. Now, on to our conversation. Lisa Romano is a life coach specializing in narcissistic familial relationships Sylvia Petro: So, first, Lisa, I’d like to thank you for joining me on this episode. Lisa A. Romano: Sure. Thank you so much for inviting me. Sylvia Petro: And would you like me to call you Miss Romano or Lisa? Lisa A. Romano: Oh, please, call me Lisa. Sylvia Petro: Okay. Well, I look forward to speaking about an important topic today, which is narcissistic familial relationships but first, what led you to become a life coach? Lisa A. Romano: My life path. When my life imploded and I didn’t know where to turn, life was just getting really crazy. I couldn’t go to my family. I began to realize they really couldn’t help me. They didn’t have the tools or the life skills to help me. And I went to a psychologist as a last resort, which was seen as, a no-no in my family because it meant you were weak. But I had three little kids to take care of, and I decided to go anyway, despite what they thought about it, and he diagnosed me with codependency. And as I stuck with understanding codependency. And understood my play in it, how I was contributing to the toxic dynamics in my life, I eventually learned about narcissism and began to see the many layers of narcissism in my own family. And that’s when, as crazy as it was, things started to make sense, so I decided to teach people what I was learning about codependency, because I wasn’t getting what I wanted from meetings. They’re not for everybody. I wasn’t getting what I wanted. Even sometimes out of therapy. I was getting information, but I wasn’t getting the life skills. And so, as I taught myself how to heal from codependency, that’s when I decided that I would like to do this professionally and help other people learn what helped save my life. You were born into a codependent family Sylvia Petro: Where did you develop your codependency? Lisa A. Romano: I was born into a codependent family. So, both my parents are adult children of alcoholics. Sylvia Petro: Yeah. Lisa A. Romano: My mom was highly codependent. My dad was highly narcissistic, although my mom had narcissistic traits as well, I would call her more of a codependent, and she was very heavily invested in my father’s emotions, and that was her priority, was keeping him calm, keeping him happy, and seeking his approval. It was really something to grow up watching how my mother absolutely just adored my dad, and not in a healthy way, because she was stuffing her emotions. She was sacrificing herself just to make him happy. And so, observing that as a little girl, and then also reeling from verbal abuse and emotional abuse and neglect, and learning that in order to have any sense of attachment to my mother whatsoever, I couldn’t have a self, I couldn’t have needs. I had to be completely focused on her. Which, as I gained objectivity, I began to realize that how my mother had mirrored her love for my father was, essentially, how I learned to love her, just to sacrifice myself. And that led to being a codependent teenager and being obsessed with boys, and then getting engaged at 21 and just following the pattern and thinking that if. I just love somebody, everything’s going to be great, and if they have a need, I’ll just jump in and fix it. And then after eleven or twelve years of that type of sacrificing and stuffing your emotions, I just imploded. I was near death. I developed asthma, migraine headaches. And it was during a severe asthma attack, and I didn’t even know how sick I was. Which is comma for trauma. It’s common for trauma survivors because you’re so used to neglecting yourself. That allergist said to me that if I fell asleep, I’d die. He said, if you fall asleep right now, you’re not waking up. You better listen to your body, because your body is listening to you. And it was a profound moment because it was the first time someone said look within, look within. Because I had been taught to look outside of me. Sylvia Petro: So, you did mention that your mother wasn’t as narcissistic as your father. but if you had to mold yourself to gain acceptance from her, that’s displaying some narcissistic traits. Correct? Lisa A. Romano: Correct. However, I think I just want to clarify that codependency and narcissism, there can be overlap. Sylvia Petro: Okay. Lisa A. Romano: So you could love someone who is highly codependent and is self-sacrificing, and they expect you to behave a certain way because they’re doing so much for you. Sylvia Petro: Yeah. Lisa A. Romano: So there definitely was some overlap with my mom. And this was not something that she showed anybody else. This was, doors were closed. I was her target. Absolutely. Narcissists feel entitled to exploit people emotionally, and they lack empathy Sylvia Petro: Okay, so regarding, the topic of this episode, narcissistic familial relationships, in one of your videos, you said, people might worry that they can be labeled narcissist. And I think especially nowadays, we’re inundated with videos about narcissism. And also when someone is in a situation where they’re under attack by multiple people, like, if they’re triangulated by the narcissist, they might be accused of being a narcissist because they started fighting for their lives. So what can you define as hallmarks of a narcissist? Lisa A. Romano: Well, narcissists are grandiose. They feel entitled to exploit people emotionally, and they lack empathy. And these are pervasive patterns. This isn’t your best friend has a bad day because her dog died or her boyfriend broke up with her, these are pervasive patterns of entitlement exploitation; a lack of empathy; the need to be right; the consistent lack of accountability; getting angry at you because you got angry at them for violating a boundary. And, again, these are consistent–crazy-making conversations; circular conversations to avoid accountability; triangulation; hedging their bets; making sure that in case you ever leave them, people think that you’re the crazy one; creating flying monkeys; and it’s all happening and you don’t even know what’s happening. Sylvia Petro: Right. Lisa A. Romano: You might be having, let’s say it’s–a sister who you think is highly narcissistic for whatever reason, and you’re having an argument with her, or you’re in a spat with her, and you’re just like, it’s in you, right? Like, you’re just like, “wow, I can’t believe this is going on between me and Mary, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.” But you don’t know that Mary is going out of her way to talk to your boyfriend or talk to your mom, and she really is hedging her bets to get out ahead of the conversation. So, in case you open your mouth you already look like the one that is crazy, and, she comes off like the concerned sibling. Sylvia Petro: Yeah. And this is very much true. I noticed–I don’t want to speak on my issue too much; it’s mainly for listeners, but in a personal issue, where it really could be years of setting someone up as a certain character type or categorizing someone a certain way, and it might not be just directed toward you. It could be multiple family members. when they help a certain family member, that one’s needy, and I also help this one, and I help that one. And if you let them accumulate enough events of them giving you things and you accepting those things, then when they go in for a big return on that investment in you, then they already created this image of you. That is so negative as this needy, dependent person that the damage is essentially done because you did nothing to really stop it, or you didn’t think it was really that harmful. Because while it’s a relative, they make certain slights, and we make allowances for relatives to slight us. so, yeah, it seems like this long-term investment in creating, an image. Lisa A. Romano: Yeah. And I think it stems in their image of self because they’re “superior.” So I think it’s just their nature. That, well, if I’m superior to everyone, then there has to be a minion. There has to be someone that I enable, perhaps, or there has to be someone that I can play this role out with, where I am seen as the superior one, the more intelligent one, the more capable one, the more responsible one. I think it’s just part of their nature. And you’re right, it can happen all outside your conscious awareness of it and on the surface appear to be very innocent. But you’ll see it when there’s an expected payback. That’s when you’ll see it like, whoa, where’d that come from? And you will regret ever taking anything from this person. Sylvia Petro: Yeah, that’s exactly what happens. How common is familial or parental narcissism? Sylvia Petro: So how common would you say familial or parental narcissism is? Lisa A. Romano: I think it’s fairly common. I don’t know how common it is in terms of being able to diagnose someone with NPD. To be able to diagnose someone, that person has to walk into a therapist office and say, “my life is unmanageable, and please help me figure out why.” So the numbers in terms of statistics are pretty low. But just think about it. Narcissists don’t go into therapy. You go into therapy because you’re married to a narcissist or your mother’s a narcissist, your dad’s a narcissist, or you work with the narcissist. But in terms of statistics, I can’t give you those statistics. I don’t even know if those statistics exist. But what I would say is that most I believe that undiagnosed narcissistic traits. Are probably at the core of many upsetting relationship dynamics. Lisa A. Romano: But narcissist, again, they’re not self aware, and so they’re not looking at how they might be behaving in a relationship. So trying to gain those statistics is nearly impossible. But I think it’s far more common. Than a lot of people realize. Yeah. Sylvia Petro: And, as far as narcissistic parents or family authority figures, how can they affect the family unit? And when I say that, I mean it seems to spread far and wide. Can you give some information based on your practice or personal experience on that, on the role of an authority figure in a family and how that can really sway things? Lisa A. Romano: I always tell everybody it’s like one narcissist in a bunch. They say, like,...
Top 10 Reasons to Learn Middle Splits: Flexibility, Performance, and More - This website earns commissions from qualifying purchases from posted ads. Learning the middle splits, also known as a straddle or middle split stretch, can offer several benefits. While it may not be necessary for everyone, it can be valuable for certain individuals depending on their goals and interests. Here are some reasons why people might choose to learn the middle splits: Flexibility: Middle splits are an excellent way to improve flexibility in the hip adductors (inner thigh muscles), hamstrings, and groins. Increased flexibility can lead to better range of motion in the hips and legs, which can be beneficial in various activities such as dance, martial arts, yoga, and gymnastics. Injury Prevention: Improved flexibility can help prevent injuries, especially in sports or activities that involve kicking, jumping, or sudden changes in direction. It can reduce the risk of strains, tears, and muscle imbalances. Enhanced Athletic Performance: For athletes, middle split flexibility can enhance performance in sports like martial arts, cheerleading, and acrobatics, where a wider range of motion in the hips and legs is crucial. Posture and Alignment: Middle split training can contribute to better posture and alignment by addressing imbalances in the pelvic and hip area. This can help alleviate lower back pain and improve overall body alignment. Core Strength: Maintaining proper form while working on middle splits requires engagement of the core muscles. Over time, this can lead to increased core strength and stability. Mental Discipline: Learning the middle splits requires patience and consistent effort. It can be a challenging and rewarding journey that helps develop mental discipline and perseverance. Cross-Training: Even if you’re not primarily focused on flexibility, adding middle split training to your fitness routine can be a great form of cross-training. It can complement strength training and cardiovascular workouts. Aesthetic Goals: Some individuals are motivated to learn the middle splits for aesthetic reasons. Achieving the splits can be a satisfying personal accomplishment and may enhance body confidence. Yoga and Meditation: In yoga and meditation practices, sitting in a wide-legged position similar to the middle splits is often used for grounding and meditation purposes. Learning the splits can make these practices more comfortable and accessible. Diverse Skill Set: Learning the middle splits is a skill in itself, and having a diverse set of physical skills and abilities can be personally fulfilling and open up opportunities to explore various physical disciplines. It’s important to note that achieving the middle splits takes time and effort, and it’s not necessary for everyone. Whether or not you decide to learn them should depend on your individual goals, interests, and physical abilities. If you’re considering it, it’s advisable to consult with a qualified trainer or coach who can provide guidance and help you progress safely.
A Candid Review of My First Cruise w/ Virgin Voyages - This website earns commissions from qualifying purchases from posted ads. Virgin Voyages has been making waves in the cruise industry since its launch in 2019. With a focus on creating unique experiences for travelers, Virgin Voyages offers an array of amenities on board their ships. From a tattoo parlor to a record shop, Virgin Voyages strives to offer something for everyone–as long as you’re 18+. Yes, the cruise line is adult-only, and that is one of its primary selling points. In this post, I detail the highlights of my experience aboard the Scarlet Lady, one of Virgin Voyages’ four ships. Pre-Voyage As a wellness destination planner, I was immediately drawn to Virgin Voyages gym and spa offerings. I booked my first cruise on the Scarlet Lady, which sailed directly after the Limitless Voyage curated by JLo. My son and I flew into Miami, Florida, from Texas one day before our cruise departure, which gave us extra time to explore Miami. I booked us in an upscale but affordable boutique hotel, Yotel Miami, which was about two miles away from Virgin Voyages Terminal V. The hotel was located close to the Metromover rail, city buses, and the free city trolley. The day of our sailing, my son and I made our way to Virgin Voyages cruise terminal. As a travel agent, I make it a priority to explore various ways to get around different destinations, so to get to Virgin’s Terminal V, we took the Coral Way, a free trolley in downtown Miami that stops at the cruise terminal and goes all the way to Terminal V. Virgin Voyages crew members were also on the trolley on their way to welcome “sailors” (Virgin Voyages passengers) and board the Scarlet Lady. Boarding We arrived at the terminal a little over an hour early, and while we waited to line up for boarding, the Virgin crew offered us free shuttle rides to and from Bayside, an area of the cruise port with shops and food. The shuttle accommodated around 15 adults and had room for luggage. While at Bayside, we ate at a mainstream chain restaurant and explored the mall. By the time we returned to Terminal V, we were able to get in line to board the ship. Boarding took between 30-40 minutes, and check-in was easy. Tip: Currently, Virgin Voyages requires all passengers to have a valid passport that is not within six months of expiring post-voyage. The party atmosphere Virgin Voyages is known for started the moment we got through passport checks. The crew danced and made loud, enthusiastic pep announcements before we boarded. The deck of the ship we entered on (Deck 7), led to shops and few eateries. This led to most people opting to eat at the nearest (and easiest to navigate to) restaurant, The Pizza Place. The restaurant had limited seating, and this created an awkward clustering of people minutes after stepping on board. This introductory experience was a preview of the week to come: confusion on how to navigate the ship. My Cabin Our cabin was ready after we finished eating at The Pizza Place. The moment we opened the cabin door, the curtains to the balcony opened automatically. The infotainment touch pad was handy, and the movie offerings were decent. The Band, assigned to us pre-boarding, worked like a champ when it came to accessing our cabin and making purchases. Lastly, my Ship Eats delivery was my best-tasting food on board. Real Guests vs Virgin Voyages Marketing Marketing videos and materials for Virgin Voyages show a diverse crowd of people on their ships, and that is true to life. People of all sexual orientations, ages (I’ll return to this), races, etc., were ready to dance, drink, get in a hot tub, and lounge in the sun or at one of the bars or hangout spots on board. As hinted at above, I ran into just one unwelcome sticking point while on board. Oddly, while Virgin Voyages caters to people 18+, if you actually look 18 or in your early twenties, you will get a lot of stares from other guests. I’m not sure why this was a thing, but after Scarlet Night (the second night of the cruise) my son, who looks about seventeen but is years above eighteen, felt very out of place and didn’t want to leave the cabin for a while. He pulled it together the following day and made the best of it for the remainder of the cruise. But how young we both look was commented on more than once; this meant at every reserved restaurant, people stared at us. Maybe people wondered how we afforded the cruise? I’m honestly at a loss as to why we stuck out like such a sore thumb. As a lifelong wellness practitioner, abstaining from alcohol and staying out of the sun is great for antiaging, but I don’t like being gawked at for it, and for being such a socially inclusive line, I was surprised by how uncomfortable my son was made to feel merely because of how young he looks. I know Virgin Voyages is not at fault for the behavior of its guests, so that was just an unfortunate experience on our sailing. Other cruise lines that aren’t adult-only have kids (actual kids) on board, and therefore seeing a young-looking person is not a big deal. Entertainment The shows on board are creative, fresh, celebrate focus on only sub or counterculture, and one popular show, Dual Reality, is a new take on the classic Romeo and Juliet. Pop-up entertainment was also around on board, which was often singers and dancing crew members. Compared to other cruise entertainment I’ve seen, Virgin Voyages is equal to or in some ways more entertaining than entertainment on other cruise lines. In addition to creative theatrical shows, great large-screen technology is also incorporated in a number of Virgin Voyages shows. Food Virgin Voyages recently won a best dining award by Cruise Critic. The week we sailed, the flavor quality was not there, however. I wish it was because I was really looking forward to a tasty meal, since the quality of food everywhere seems to have been declining lately. I’m not sure why most meals I had on board lacked flavor or in some cases lacked something as simple as salt. I like to believe my experience was a fluke because many guests continue to praise the food on Virgin Voyages. My theory is the food lacked flavor because our cruise directly followed a major celebrity sailing. Maybe they ran out of salt—and sugar, and all seasonings? Lastly, on debarkation day, the coffee was very weak, and crew members brushed it off, making it clear that they were done servicing us, even though we had not debarked yet. Duly noted. Gunbae on Scarlet Lady - Virgin Voyages - IG View this post on InstagramA post shared by Sylvia Petro & Advisors - Dream Vacations (@sylviapetroandadvisors) Destinations I booked the Fire & Sunset Soirées itinerary, which sailed to Key West then Beach Club Bimini, Bahamas, and finally returned to Miami. Key West had great excursion options and many tourist-oriented places to explore. Bimini, Bahamas, is a narrow strip of land with some excursion offerings and shops that were closed during our stop on the island. Virgin Voyages Beach Club Bimini is toward the end of Bimini island and is set up for lounging, ocean swimming, and partying in large pools. I unfortunately missed the planned bonfires because I returned to the cruise ship early. I’m sure the bonfires were beautiful. See the video below for images of Beach Club Bimini. Beach Club Bimini While the Fire & Sunset Soirées sailing was brief and within the eastern Caribbean, Virgin Voyages sails to many locations, with some exciting, bucket-list-worthy destinations. Some popular itineraries take sailors to Greece, Australia, and Dubai. See all Virgin Voyages Itineraries. Will I Sail Virgin Again? Virgin Voyages is a new cruise line aiming to fill a gap in the cruise market that will accommodate sexy, fitness- and wellness-oriented adults who love great food, group gatherings, relaxation, and drinking. To me, as a lifelong fitness-oriented person, a couple of those things don’t go together, or at least there should be more spaces to keep some things apart. I prefer activities outside of the bars and lounges I found on board the Scarlet Lady. However, for lounge and bar-goers, the ship had a gaming area as part of The Social Club for quizzes and group games. The Groupie, a karaoke lounge, was also a great feature of the ship. I enjoyed making people’s ears bleed as I sang Stricken by Disturbed and other songs far out of my range of vocal capabilities. Overall, Virgin Voyages is a great fit for bar and lounge lovers, sub and counterculture enjoyment, wellness experiences. Virgin Voyages is a new cruise line, and I know there is a lot in store for the future. Don’t let the bumpy points of my first Virgin Voyage experience stop you from trying this new cruise line. All said, I’d be happy to sail on a Virgin Voyage again. Travel can sometimes be trial and error. The fun of it lies in exploration and what the experiences teach you about yourself.
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