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      in health and weelbeing

      Stay Ahead Of The Unforeseen Costs Of A Severe Illness

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      Here’s a little something to ponder… When it comes to insurance, most people seem more comfortable splurging on entertainment, clothing and food than they are on lifestyle protection policies such as dread disease cover. Often the thinking is that: “it will never happen to me?” or “I still have time.” However, life-altering illnesses such as cancer, a stroke or heart attack often require that one take time off from regular programming to fully recover. 

      No Guarantees
      This was the case for Kim Gillot, who was unexpectedly diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer at 32 – without any family history at all. “I discovered a lump after bumping myself in the shower and ignored it as most women do because we often don’t want to be inconvenienced by these things,” recalls Kim. A week and a half later, she consulted a doctor for food poisoning and insisted on a by-the-way breast exam. When the doctor couldn’t pick up the lump via a physical examination, Kim listened to her intuition and insisted on a mammogram. The mammogram results showed an abnormality. Next was a biopsy. “I remember receiving a call on 25 February 2017 confirming that I had aggressive stage 2 hormone-positive breast cancer. My cancer was both oestrogen receptor-positive (ER+) and progesterone receptor-positive (PR+),” shares Kim. She had the tumour removed within a week of her final biopsy and adds that getting the surgery out the way so soon was what ultimately spared her from the aggressive cancer.
      Kim received her payout from her Old Mutual Illness insurance policy shortly after the lumpectomy. “The money was a huge godsend,” she says. At age 20, Kim recalls seeing her father work relentlessly to pay her mother’s medical bills after she’d suffered a stroke. This, along with a 2016 smash and grab incident, made her realise just how underinsured she was, leading her to take out the Old Mutual lllness insurance amongst other policies.
      Peace Of Mind 
      When experiencing something as all-consuming as cancer, it’s a cycle of medical tests, treatments and recovery. After three harrowing rounds of chemotherapy, doctors switched Kim to aggressive radiation, which she did five days a week for seven weeks. “It was tiring and painful,” she recalls. This was followed by hormone-therapy implants for the next 18 months to subdue her oestrogen levels. The therapy introduced a new dynamic –  chemically induced menopause as a side effect! In November 2019, instead of continuing on the hormone therapy, Kim opted for a hysterectomy – something she says left her broken, with a lot of unanswered questions. 

      For Kim, who was placed on temporary disability leave at work, the Old Mutual Illness insurance payout took away the overwhelming financial burden of the upfront medical payments and shortfalls. “Even though my Old Mutual financial adviser is based in Cape Town, I have telephonic access to financial advice at all times. I really appreciate how each adviser that I spoke to gave me really good counsel in investing and growing the money to sustain myself,” enthuses Kim. 
      Kim is currently recovering from a double mastectomy and her can-do attitude remains strong. “Cancer is the demon I love to fight, I’m going to keep fighting it,” she shares, adding that she always makes it a point to share just how important severe illness cover is. “If you have the financial means to do it, please go ahead and make that sacrifice. We lead fast-paced and stressful lives and tomorrow is not promised to us. Everyone has a journey – yours may not be cancer but another illness.”
      How Will The Old Mutual Illness Insurance Benefit Me?
      The Old Mutual Illness insurance pays a single tax-free amount between R100 000 and R6 million should you suffer from a severe illness such as cancer, stroke, heart attack and other predefined illnesses. The money can be used to cover rehabilitation costs, travel expenses to treatment centres, modifications to your home or car and day to-day expenses while taking time off from work to recover. If your quality of life is severely impacted by treatment and you can’t care for yourself, the Cancer Enhancer will boost the payout by up to 25% of the cover amount.
      Can I Customise My Cover? 
      For an additional cost you can tailor the cover to meet your needs by adding extra benefits such as Top-up Benefit, Child Illness Benefit, Mild Illness Benefit, For Women Benefit and Returning Illness Benefit, plus other add-ons such as Premium Protection or *Cashback. Every five years, on the cashback anniversary, we will pay back 15% of all premiums received for the contract since the previous cashback anniversary and while cashback exists on your contract. Cashback will not be paid if the contract is not active on the cashback anniversary. Cashback would, on average, increase your premium by 12.5%.
      Choosing the right cover for serious illnesses doesn’t have to be daunting. For more information speak to your financial adviser. Visit www.oldmutual/illness or call 0860 60 60 60
      How soon does the cover kick in?
      Immediately. You’re covered for up to 30 days before paying your first premium.
      DISCLAIMER: This story was told by one of our customers, who received a monetary token of our appreciation for sharing it. The information shared in this article does not constitute financial advice. For more information and Ts & Cs, visit oldmutual.co.za/illness 
      *In Partnership with Old Mutual More

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      in health and weelbeing

      How to Choose High-Quality Vitamins and Supplements

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      There are a lot of different multivitamins available, and not all of them are created equally. Before choosing a multivitamin, you should do your research to ensure that the one you pick is the one that will benefit you the most. Ask yourself these four questions the next time you go shopping for a multivitamin.
       1. Does it offer a complete range of vitamins and vital minerals?
      Multivitamins are designed to help you reach the daily recommended intake of the several micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) that your body needs to function at its best.¹
      Studies have shown that the majority of us are unable to do this through diet alone, taking a multivitamin is a beneficial  supplement.¹
      Whether you need a daily pick-me-up or nutrient replenishment, taking a comprehensive multivitamin will go a long way toward helping you obtain sufficient levels of micronutrients in your diet.
      Remember, when shopping for a multivitamin, it’s crucial to find one that offers you, the things you need.
      A high-quality multivitamin offers a complete range of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, D, E, K,B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, B6, and B12).²
      A multivitamin should also include a broad range of minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron, iodine, selenium, copper, manganese, molybdenum, and chromium.³
      Understanding the jumble of letters, figures, and micrograms relating to multivitamins can be exhausting. Fortunately, once you learn how to read labels, buying a multivitamin becomes simple. Supplement labels list ingredients in ascending order of predominance. Steer clear of multivitamins that contain a long list of additives.
       2. Is it stimulant-free?
      High-quality multivitamins should be free of stimulants.  Stimulants may cause health symptoms such as depression, diarrhoea, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating.⁴
      3. Does it have the appropriate daily values of ingredients?
      If you’ve chosen a multivitamin tablet with the required recommended daily allowance, you know you’ve made a great choice. Be sure to examine the ingredients in other supplements you are taking to prevent excessive intake of nutrients.⁵
      4. Does it offer a complete solution?
      In recent decades, the use of nutritional supplements has rapidly increased.6 One-third of adults and half of the population (⟩55 years of age) report taking at least one supplement per day.⁶
      Multivitamins come in a wide variety of formulations and forms. The key to getting all the benefits from your multivitamin is ensuring you’re buying a good quality one and taking it daily. 
      Whether you want to support your brain health, relieve stress and anxiety, or just rev up your energy, staminaand immunity, BIOPLUS® VIT-ALITY DAILY NUTRI-PACK⁷ offers a complete solution.

      Get All The Essentials You Need In One Daily Dose!  
      Not sure which supplements to take? Leading pharmaceutical company Adcock Ingram (Pty) Ltd have a daily vitamin and mineral supplement range, BIOPLUS® VIT-ALITY.

      Consider BIOPLUS® VIT-ALITY DAILY NUTRI-PACK⁷. Complete from a-z, BIOPLUS VIT-ALITY DAILY NUTRI-PACK is a health supplement in a conveniently packaged blister designed to provide you with a daily dose of antioxidants, omega 3, probiotics, vitamins and minerals.⁷
      The BIOPLUS® VIT-ALITY range is available at selected Dis-Chem and Clicks stores, as well as selected independent pharmacies nationwide. For more information, visit: https://www.adcock.co.za/ProdVitamins/Bioplus and join the conversation on Facebook.
      *In Partnership with Adcock Ingram (Pty) Ltd
      2022102810238696
      References:
      1. National Institutes of Health. Multivitamin/mineral Supplements. Available at: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/MVMS-Consumer/. Last accessed September 2022.
      2. Liebman B. What should your multivitamin contain? Centre for Science in the Public Interest. Available at:https://www.cspinet.org/article/what-should-your-multivitamin-contain. Last accessed October 2022.
      3. Cleveland Clinic. 9 Vitamins and Minerals You Should Take Daily. Available at: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/which-vitamins-should-you-take/. Last accessed September 2022.
      4. Vo K, Neafsey PJ, Lin CA. Concurrent use of amphetamine stimulants and antidepressants by undergraduate students. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2015 Jan 22;9:161-72. doi: 10.2147/PPA.S74602. PMID: 25653508; PMCID: PMC4309786. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4309786/. Last accessed October 2022.
      5. Blumberg JB, Bailey RL, Sesso HD, Ulrich CM. The evolving role of multivitamin/multimineral supplement use among adults in the age of personalized nutrition. Nutrients. 2018 Feb 22;10(2):248. doi: 10.3390/nu10020248. PMID: 29470410; PMCID: PMC5852824. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29470410/. Last accessed October 2022.
      6. Hamishehkar H, Ranjdoost F, Asgharian P, Mahmoodpoor A, Sanaie S. Vitamins, are they safe? Adv Pharm Bull. 2016 Dec;6(4):467-477. doi: 10.15171/apb.2016.061.  Epub 2016 Dec 22. PMID: 28101454; PMCID: PMC5241405. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5241405/. Last access October 2022.
      7. Bioplus® Vit-Ality Daily Nutri-Pack capsules package insert. Adcock Ingram.  More

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      in health and weelbeing

      5 Effective Ways To Beat The Dreaded Afternoon Slump

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      It’s so easy to lose motivation as soon as midday strikes. From frequent strolls to the copier, scrolling TikTok and needing about four coffee breaks an hour, the Afternoon Slump looms large over the human population, threatening even the most productive of people.
      Blame your natural stress hormone, cortisol. It fluctuates frequently throughout the day as we deal with different situations. By the afternoon, our systems are fried from vigorous regulation. If you’ve got things to get done, ASAP, try out these invigorating pointers to energise your body and mind – and meet those deadlines.
      Disclaimer: The below don’t include sugar or a caffeine fix.
      1/ Stretch it out

      Stretching is a wonderful way to calm your mind. Regular stretching focuses on mindfulness and releases tension from the body.
      Do it: Stand up and reach down to touch your toes. Don’t be concerned about who is around you. Bring your hands above your head and hold the stretch for 15 seconds. Tilt as far as you can, from left to right. Repeat.
      READ MORE: 8 Things That Are Sucking The Happiness Right Out Of Your Life
      2/ Close your eyes
      Did you know that closing your eyes is a great way to boost your memory? This is known as “quiet wakefulness”. Resting the eyes allows your muscles and body parts to relax.
      Do it: Place your hands over your eyes for two minutes and relish the time you have to sit and be still. Focus on your breathing and channel your thoughts on something positive.
      READ MORE: What Really Happens To Your Body (And Brain) On A Detox Diet?
      3/ Declutter your desk

      Your space is a reflection of you. Having a cleaner workspace can lead to increased productivity, while clutter can cripple your creativity.
      Do it: Recycle unnecessary paper that you’re hoarding on your desk. A clean desk makes for an efficient and professional student or employee.
      4/ Breathe in, breathe out
      Deep breathing exercises are the best for stress management and improving energy levels. Increased blood flow allows for more oxygen to get into the blood.
      Do it: Get comfortable. Sit or lie down on the floor and inhale through your nose, allowing your belly to fill up. Breathe out through your mouth. Repeat.
      READ MORE: Face Mapping: 9 Things Your Pimples Can Tell You About Your Health
      5/ Take a light stroll

      If you only have a few minutes to spare, taking a walk can do wonders for your blood flow to the muscles and will offer your mind a fresh start.
      Do it: Step away from your phone and computer and go outside for a walk. Start with 5 minutes and gradually increase your steps. Your fitness watch will thank you. More

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      in fitness and body

      Find A New Way To Move With This GPS Smartwatch

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      With up to 11 days of battery life, you won’t have to take off your watch every night to charge it, which means a more complete 24/7 picture of your health.
      With this Fitness aligned smartwatch you get heart rate, sleep score, stress tracking, Body Battery™ energy levels and a lot more. The watch comes with 25 preloaded sports apps for indoor or outdoor activities, you can try something new, including running, cardio, strength, HIIT and more.  
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      Many of us choose to exercise between our work day or other commitments so thankfully you need never miss a call or text as smart notifications are delivered to your wrist when paired to your Apple® or Android™ smartphone.
      Look and Feel
      The Venu Sq 2 smartwatch has a sleek design that’s suited for every outfit and every part of your day. Its bright AMOLED display and optional always-on mode mean you can see everything with a quick glance. From a durable Corning Gorilla Glass 3 lens to the lightweight aluminum bezel and comfortable silicone band, this smartwatch was made to keep up with your lifestyle.
      Stress, Menstrual Cycle and Breathing
      You can track your menstrual cycle or pregnancy. Log symptoms, get exercise and nutrition education. Even see and log details on your wrist with the Women’s Health Tracking app. Find out if you’re having a calm, balanced or stressful day with continuous tracking. Relax reminders will even prompt you to do a short breathing activity when the watch detects stress and will then assist you to relax or focus with breath work activity while tracking your stress and respiration to help you get a better understanding of how you’re breathing.
      If you are looking for some insight and guidance to integrate your watch into a schedule to get fit, fast, strong and healthy, you can dive into the free workouts, running schedules and training plans, all complimented by a Garmin virtual coach.
      Buy the Garmin Venu Sq 2 HERE
      *In Partnership with Garmin More

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      in health and weelbeing

      8 Things That Are Sucking The Happiness Right Out Of Your Life

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      You may not recognise it, but there are several biological imbalances and environmental factors that could create bad mood triggers, affecting your mood as an offshoot of something else that’s not quite right. Read on and check if any of these ring alarm bells.
      Bad mood trigger 1: Food Intolerance
      Food intolerances are responsible for a wide range of physical conditions including nausea and abdominal pain, but they can also affect your mood, causing irritability, mood swings, lack of focus, aggression, nervousness or hyperactivity. If you suffer from regular mood swings, try keeping a food diary – noting what you eat as well as any changes in mood – to see if you can identify a link.
      Bad mood trigger 2: Your Home Decor
      If you want to give your mood a boost, try changing your home decor as your surroundings can heavily influence your mood. While red can make some people feel irritable or hostile, yellow communicates happiness and blue aids relaxation, so try accessorising your home with colours that enhance your mood. Research has also suggested that hanging up soothing pictures – such as beautiful landscape paintings – can positively affect a person’s mood and reduce stress and anxiety.
      READ MORE: Mindful Drinking: How More And More People Are Becoming ‘Sober Curious’
      Bad mood trigger 3: Getting Promoted
      While many of us dream of getting a promotion in work, the reality may not be as rosy as you think. A study by researchers at the University of Warwick has found that rather than improving quality of life for workers, following job promotion employees suffered from increased mental strain and there was on average a 10 percent decrease in people’s mental health.
      Trigger 4: Your Bedside Lamp
      If you regularly fall asleep reading or watching TV, this can have repercussions on your mood the next day. Research has shown that night time light can suppress the production of melatonin; a mood-regulating hormone which is only produced during darkness. So, try investing in some heavy curtains and make sure you turn off all lights at night to give yourself a happiness boost.
      Trigger 5: Nutrient Deficiencies
      While depression can be caused by a number of things, symptoms can be worsened or improved by your diet. Deficiencies in vitamin D, the B vitamins (particularly B6, B12 and folate) and omega-3 fatty acids can all lead to feelings of depression and anxiety. Try introducing more foods rich in these nutrients into your diet to see if symptoms improve.
      READ MORE: How To Support A Loved One If You Think They Are Suicidal
      Trigger 6: Your Friends
      You might think that spending time with your friends is a great mood booster; however, that could all depend on their mood. Research has found that emotions – both positive and negative – are contagious and easily passed from person to person, often without you being aware of it. Furthermore, you don’t even need to see your friends to catch their mood, as a study suggests that the emotions of Facebook users directly affect the emotions of their friends for up to three days.
      Trigger 7: Late Nights
      Many of us are aware that lack of sleep can contribute to a low mood; however, research suggests that when you go to sleep could be almost as important as how much sleep you get. According to a study published in Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, night owls are almost three times as likely as early birds to experience severe symptoms of depression, so try getting some early nights to boost your mood.
      READ MORE: 10 Ways To Motivate Yourself To Hit the Gym After Work
      Trigger 8: The Pill
      A study by researchers from Monash University has found that women who take birth control pills are twice as likely to be depressed as those who don’t. For some, certain birth control pills can also lead to mood swings, increased anger and loss of libido. If you think that your mood has changed for the worse since you began taking the pill, visit your GP to discuss the alternatives. More

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      in health and weelbeing

      Face Mapping: 9 Things Your Pimples Can Tell You About Your Health

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      Face mapping pimples on your skin is a useful technique that can shed light on the different zones in your face, since each zone develops zits reacting to different health events.
      We’re not just talking beauty here – face mapping can provide a deeper view of your skin concerns. The state of your skin can reflect your whole being. If you’ve been indulging in too much rich food and wine, the face mapping technique will show you the error of your ways.
      So, what exactly is face mapping?
      Face mapping or Chinese face mapping is a great tool to determine where skin symptoms such as blemishes, redness and pimples, connect deeper in the body. It’s a technique that reaches back thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine.
      READ MORE: 8 Skin-Smoothing DIY Face Scrubs You Can Make In Your Kitchen
      This unique skin analysis divides the face into fourteen zones. Each zone is thoroughly examined centimetre-by-centimetre by analyzing conditions like congestion, breakouts, dehydration, pigmentation etc. Below, a breakdown of each zone.

      Zones 1 & 3
      The left and right side of forehead is regarded as the “sister” to the bladder and digestive system. If you breakout frequently in this area, it might mean that you need to improve your elimination by drinking more water and eating more “whole” foods.
      Zone 2
      The middle of the forehead, between the eyebrows, is related to the liver. Congestion in this zone can indicate over consumption of alcohol, rich foods, and possibly a food allergy (such as lactose intolerance).
      READ MORE: “I Tried My Mom’s Beauty Routine And Learnt 4 Important Lessons”
      Zones 4 & 10
      The ears are a highly sensitive area related to the kidneys. If you notice that your ears are very hot, you might be stressing them out – drink plenty of plain water and cut down on caffeine and alcohol.
      Zones 5 & 9
      The cheeks often give an accurate glimpse into any respiratory distress. Smokers or people suffering from allergies generally experience fine, broken capillaries or congestion in this area.
      Zones 6 & 8
      The eyes are truly a window to the body’s health because they’re related to the kidneys. Dark circles, while often hereditary, are made worse by dehydration and poor elimination of toxins.
      READ MORE: 7 Face Mists To Keep Your Skin Cool And Hydrated During The Hot Summer Days
      Zone 7
      A reddened nose can indicate heightened blood pressure, or the early stages of rosacea. Congestion around the upper lip can occur if you use comedogenic lipsticks or liners.
      Zones 11 & 13
      Look and feel for undersurface congestion and breakouts. Undersurface congestion can be due to insufficient cleansing all the way down to the jaw-line, leaving make-up and cleanser residue. If there are breakouts along the jawbone near the ear, check if you’re having problems with your back teeth (wisdom), or have had recent dental surgery or x-rays.
      Zone 12
      Breakouts or unusual hair growth can indicate hormonal imbalance, possibly caused by extreme stress. Premenstrual breakouts are also very common on the chin.
      Zone 14
      Don’t forget to include your neck in your treatment regimen – the skin on your neck is just as fragile as that on your face, so it definitely needs the benefits of moisturisation and sun protection. More

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      in lifestyle and culture

      An exclusive interview with Mimi Bouchard, founder of Superhuman

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      Founder of Superhuman app, Mimi Bouchard discusses her pioneering approach to meditation.
      What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine?
      I’m a big believer in a strong morning routine. I always say that your mornings create your days, your days create your weeks, your weeks create your months, your months create your years – and you guessed it – your years create your LIFE. Seeing your mornings from a bird’s eye view really helps you understand the compound effect of how powerful your mornings really are. That being said, my mornings always consist of low screen time, writing and some kind of meditation. Some mornings I combine the last two by doing a Superhuman Writing Meditation™, which is amazing for the mornings I’m not feeling like free-writing. I also love a classic motivational morning seated meditation, but lately I’ve been veering towards the Getting Ready Meditations™, especially if it’s a busy AM. One more type I often do in the mornings is our famous Superhuman Walking Meditations™ – I couldn’t forget to mention that! My morning routine has a lot of general consistency but with wiggle room on the details, depending on how I’m feeling each day. I’m not naturally that consistent as a human so doing it this way helps me actually commit and it feels intuitive to my needs.
      You previously had a very different life – tell us what the key to transformation was for you?
      The key to my crazy “before and after” transformation is simple: I simply became the kind of person that had what I desired. By becoming that person, creating the new “self-image”, and effortlessly taking the actions that new Mimi would take… I transformed every single aspect of my life. I radically changed my body and health, my relationships, my career and finances, the impact I had on the world and the relationship I had with myself. Everything changes when you change your identity. Nothing changes when you continue being the “old self”. This realization alone was the catalyst to my success. This is what “manifestation” really is: become the kind of person that has what you want, and soon enough you’ll create the life you seek.

      What were the steps to launching Superhuman and do you remember the day you decided to take the leap of faith to launch an app?
      My experience as an entrepreneur was not a linear journey to success. I tested many different businesses before getting into the app space, all of which I am so deeply grateful for as they taught me a lot about myself, business, failure and ultimately what it takes to create a massive success.
      I decided to launch an app after much trial and error and experimenting with what stuck with my audience. The more I tried, the closer I got to the clarity I seeked. V1 of Superhuman was actually a health and wellness subscription platform called Mimi Method. I had offered my unique guided meditations right at the bottom of the platform to add some extra value to my subscribers, not thinking much of it. Fast forward six months, the meditations quickly became the most popular category in the platform and I decided to relaunch as solely a meditation app, called Superhuman. I wanted to go global and removing myself from the brand would help me get there. When it comes to developing the app, I definitely didn’t have $300k+ laying around at the beginning to custom develop the app from scratch. I had to get resourceful! I ended up negotiating a licensing deal with an overseas development agency to kickstart Superhuman. I knew there had to be a way to create a custom experience until I could afford my own app. This was a year-and-a-half ago. Now, I’m proud to share that we are launching a new version of the Superhuman app in November 2022, 100% owned by us, created by an epic team of California-based developers. It’s wild how fast everything has grown.
      There were so many steps to creating this business. I don’t even know where to start! But yes, to answer your question, I do vividly remember the day I decided to switch everything over to the new Superhuman brand. I was sitting in my parked car on a quiet road (this is always where I do my best thinking) and I felt the enormity of this decision, ready to go all in. I knew, deep in my gut, that this was just the beginning of something way bigger than me.
      When you launched were you surprised by how quickly it scaled?
      My honest answer? No. I wasn’t surprised. I knew it was going to happen. I have a strong intuition and I am genuinely the poster child of this work I teach. I attracted my company’s success in every way possible. Superhuman is only aligned with success. Big, quick, epic success. We haven’t even done any paid marketing yet. The wild growth has been 100% organic up to this point. If this isn’t proof that the work works, I don’t know what is! Owned and earned media have been how we’ve grown so quickly. Word of mouth has been HUGE for us. The product is life-changing, and when people consistently use the meditations – they see radical change. It’s just what happens. That being said, we are now exploring paid media and can’t wait to reach more people with this work!
      Your meditation technique is pioneering. Tell us more.
      Superhuman is different to every other meditation app out there in more ways than one. I like to say it is the meditation app for “people that don’t like to meditate”. The main differentiators are how you use these meditations and how they feel to listen to them. I almost didn’t even call the product “meditations” because they’re so much more than that. Ultimately, I wanted to meet the customer where they are so we are calling them meditations for now – but they really are a totally new pillar in the sound industry. I like to call our content “functional audio”. Listen to it wherever, whenever and feel the shift instantly. We offer 16+ different categories of meditations for every single moment of your day. From Cooking + Cleaning Meditations to Workout Meditations… to Getting Ready Meditations and Legs Up Wall Meditations (for lymphatic drainage!). This app quite literally has it all.
      Here at Superhuman, we don’t believe your eyes need to be closed and you need to silence your mind to meditate. We are redefining meditation by offering energizing, motivational content that is designed to give you the benefits of changing your energy without needing to change a behavior Most of us have downloaded and even paid for a meditation app without ever sticking to it (myself included). I found that many of these traditional meditations weren’t fun to do. They just added another layer onto my to-do list, which ended up stressing me out more because I would resist doing them. They weren’t enticing, I hated thinking about nothing and I didn’t feel different after. I created these Superhuman meditations for people just like me – people that want to visualize their abundant, wealthy and blissful futures in a way that feels good. And effective. Superhuman meditations are backed by science. They truly transform you by helping you change your self-image. Check out our website to see videos from our scientists + researchers!
      What is the most popular meditation, and can you see when the majority of people meditate?
      The most popular meditation changes week-to-week. We upload new content every single day so our users are always trying something new. Some weeks it’s a Walking Meditation (the one titled “Transform Into Your Future Self” is amazing), other weeks it’s one of our OG Morning Seated Meditations. A popular topic is Wealth + Abundance – our listeners love money manifestation meditations. They really help you uplevel your vibration, opening you up to new potentials and opportunities in your life. I love those, too. Magical things always happen when I do them consistently. Everything is energy. When it comes to time of day, we generally see a spike in the mornings as our listeners like to set the tone for their day with Superhuman. A huge chunk of our members actually use the app 2-5 times per day. Our MAU + DAU stats are very much above industry standard because of this.

      What has been the scariest moment to date and what enabled you to move through that fear and continue to scale and grow both professionally and personally?
      There have been so many terrible moments where something’s gone wrong and it’s been anxiety-inducting to deal with. That’s just life running a tech startup! This stuff happens all of the time. From protecting ourselves legally when being attacked for no reason, to dealing with an old contractor that went rogue and deleted hundreds of our mediation files, to suing copycat businesses, to worrying about user migration when moving from developer-to-developer… The “stresses” are seemingly endless. There isn’t just one that comes to mind. We haven’t had one disastrous problem and we’ve persevered for all of the “medium” to “small” ones. I feel thankful that we’ve set ourselves up very well from the start, which mitigates a lot of risk for future issues. When it comes to me dealing with all of this fear and stress that comes with running a fast-growth business, I just do it. I move forward no matter what the emotions. There’s no other option for me. I just need to continue building my thick skin and put my CEO hat on whenever a problem needs to be solved. This attitude of “keep moving forward and finding solutions” is what has got me here, and what will continue to help me and my business succeed. Giving up is not an option.
      How do you balance the creative and commercial sides of the business and do you feel more drawn to one than the other?
      This is a great question! I’m a visionary. The creative stuff is what I thrive doing most. I can do it anytime and I can get into the zone fast, it’s what I’m drawn to. Most days I work on the business during the day and then record the meditations in the evening when the rest of the world is asleep. Most of my focus actually needs to go into the high-level parts of the business. I feel the product creation is effortless for me, it really just flows out super easily. I’ve grown to love the more commercial side of it all, but it is a lot to work on both at the same time. Thankfully I have a great team member that takes on more of the “integrator” role, and we are continuing to hire fast to give me more “visionary” time. I try to work on the business, not in the business. This is how I move the dial.
      What would be your advice to others wanting to launch an app? Should they have a website first as it’s such a huge investment – how can you help guide others to grow organically?
      My best advice would be figure out your USP (unique selling proposition) and offer something that is different to what else is out there. Uniqueness is massively important in the wellness industry. It’s saturated. It’s the best way you’ll truly stand out. Make it something that you’re passionate about, that helps others. The more people you help, the more your business will grow.
      I’m a big believer in testing your product and the market diligently before investing a large amount of money into it. I’ve learnt this the hard way from my involvement in other business in the past, it’s essential. Even if you think your product is absolutely incredible, you must test it and see how the public reacts before you invest your life savings into making it work. Start with a website. There are loads of subscription-template sites you can use for a minimal monthly fee. See how people react. Take note. Pivot. Repeat. Superhuman is not just a creation I blindly came up with. It’s a creation influenced by the feedback I got along the journey, too.If the product is good enough, you’ll get all the organic marketing you’ll need through word of mouth. Make it so good that people can’t stop talking about it! If you’re needing guidance and wanting to go all in on a career in wellness, I highly suggest checking out www.yessupply.co/mimi – it’s a certification programme that’ll help you step-by-step get to where you want to go. I’m also recording an exclusive masterclass on this exact topic, “creating a multi-million dollar wellness business”, for users that sign up through that link.
      What have been the biggest challenges to date and how did you overcome them?
      One of my biggest challenges has been hiring. I have very high standards for the people I take on my team. There’s a lot of potential being part of the core Superhuman team right now, and the fact that this business is doing so well is making me really picky. The team is everything. It’s been a challenge hiring because I’m looking for extraordinary humans that fit the roles perfectly. I don’t want to have any doubt when hiring, which isn’t great because I tend to overthink things. It’s time consuming interviewing so many people, and it’s something that is difficult for us right now because we are so darn busy. I’m hopeful we’ll continue finding amazing talent soon! It’s a priority for us right now.
      How have you found social media in terms of supporting brand growth?
      Social media has been huge for our growth. The virality of our customers’ organic content has created a major buzz around the brand. We definitely wouldn’t be where we are today without our customer’s love for the product and social media’s ability to share that love on a major scale.
      How do you approach scaling without compromising on quality?
      One of the reasons I love the business model of a digital product paid via subscription is because you can scale really easily. Unlike a physical product that needs inventory and manufacturers, the app business is a lot more forgiving. We could gain 10,000 new members overnight and be fine. Of course, our devs are always on call for any new bugs, but ultimately the product is built well and there’s low risk for quick growth. The beauty of consistent revenue every month from the subscription model means that we have stability as a business and can project future minimum sales well, resulting in investment decisions to continue improving quality. It’s only getting better and better from here!
      What advice would you give to your younger self?
      Only take advice from people that have what you want and start taking 100% responsibility for your life. Those two pieces of advice are life-changers.
      When you travel – how do you stay consistent in your morning routine and what essentials do you need to take with you?
      I’m constantly travelling – I’m actually in an airport right now as I write this! It’s incredibly important for me to stay consistent while on-the-go. I try to uncomplicate things and keep it super simple as this helps me stay consistent. I’m not perfect and definitely still go days without my routine sometimes, but keeping it simple reduces the amount of days that happens. All I need to keep my routine going when I travel is headphones, my Superhuman app, a notebook + a pen.
      If you could recommend a game changer (or three) of a book that truly helped you change your life what would it be?
      There are so many incredible books to choose from! If you’re just starting out on your personal development journey, I always suggest The Success Principles by Jack Canfield. I call this one my bible. It’s so easy to read and digest and it’s great for beginners. If you’re looking for something with more depth, read Becoming Supernatural by Dr. Joe Dispenza.
      This is The Pioneer Issue – what does this mean to you and who else to you is pioneering?
      To me, being a pioneer in an industry means creating something through “out-of-the-box” thinking that can help more people around the globe. Pioneers are opportunity-seekers and industry disruptors. Pioneers teach us that we don’t need to stick to what’s always been done. Improving and adjusting where needed is essential for growth. I believe being a pioneer is the greatest way to have as much impact as possible. There are so many incredible “pioneers” – it’s tough to just think of one. Sarah Blakely pioneered the shapewear industry, Jeff Bezos pioneered the e-commerce industry, etc. Each and every one of these “pioneers” in business inspire me greatly.
      October’s – The Pioneer Issue – Download Now
      – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
      Images: Supplied More

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      in health and weelbeing

      What Really Happens To Your Body (And Brain) On A Detox Diet?

      by

      By Laura Beil
      Your body on a detox is kind of like freefalling from the sky or plunging unexpectedly into icy water: total shock. Since you can’t exactly sit your organs down and chat with them about how you’re about to cut off food for the next few days, your body is largely unprepared for a juice cleanse. We chatted to the experts and delved into what really happens to your body on a detox diet.
      Your Body On A Detox: Right After the first sip
      Your brain’s hunger signals are answered with a dump of pure fruit-juice sugar. And don’t get any ideas – veggie-based cleanses aren’t any healthier. The sweet stuff prompts the pancreas to squirt out insulin, which moves sugar – now in your blood in the form of glucose – into your cells.
      After 30 minutes
      As your cells suck up the glucose, your blood sugar level can start to plummet and you may feel dizzy. Meanwhile, lacking enough kilojoules, your body is operating off its supply of glycogen, a form of short-term energy stored in the liver and muscles.
      After two days
      With each shot of juice, your insulin levels skyrocket, then crash. At this point, your glycogen stores are pretty much gone, leaving your tank on empty – and you feeling listless.
      READ MORE: Are Detox Diets And Cleanses Really Good For You?
      Since you’re getting about half the kilojoules you need, your body draws on long-term power sources: triglycerides, a type of energy stored in fat cells (woo-hoo!), and protein, taken straight from your muscles (oops). You begin to lose muscle mass, even if you’re still exercising every day.
      After three days
      Your brain is not happy. It enters into semi-starvation mode and gobbles ketones, fuel that comes from the breakdown of fat. Ketones work, but they’re like watered-down petrol; as a result, you may feel unfocused or irritable. (Any “mental clarity” is likely due to a strong placebo effect.)
      Sans a fresh protein infusion, your brain is also lacking amino acids, the raw materials that neurotransmitters need to maintain your mood. If you’re prone to depression, you may start feeling blue.
      READ MORE: Caley Jäck’s Simple Formula For Sticking To A Healthy Lifestyle
      The proteins in your shrinking muscles break down into ammonia and uric acid, unwelcome chemicals that invade your bloodstream. Now your kidneys are busy detoxing your detox.
      Stay near the bathroom: the juice’s high carbohydrate load causes a surfeit of water to enter the intestines. That extra H2O in your gut means you’re primed to get diarrhoea.
      After four days
      With no food to digest, your small intestine feels ignored. Its villi – the rows of tiny fibres that move food elements into the blood – start to atrophy. Your diarrhoea may get worse, leading to dehydration… and there goes your rosy glow.
      On the eighth day
      Solid food! But uh-oh – you’ve lost muscle. Even if you go back to your regular eating habits, you now have less muscle mass to burn those kilojoules; instead, the kilojoules are more likely to be turned into fat. (Hence, one reason yo-yo dieting makes it harder to lose weight: your reduced muscle-to-fat ratio messes up your metabolism and makes kilojoules much harder to work off.)
      While juice cleanses can be considered a spiritual practice and many appreciate the infusion of juiced vegetables into their diet, it’s not for everyone. Why not reboot your system the healthy way and download this 5 day healthy eating plan instead. More