August 1, 2024 • 45 mins
Diagnosed at birth with Cystic Fibrosis, Bella’s parents were told their daughter would spend a significant portion of her life in hospitals. However, thanks to the fierce dedication she and her family have invested in her health, Bella has managed to change her destiny, and now shares her considered, holistic approach to health and well-being with others.
In this episode, Bella, founder of the Halo Effect, discusses how her experiences shaped her professional purpose, emphasising the importance of self-awareness, radical self-care, and informed decision-making in creating a healthy lifestyle.
Key takeaways from our conversation include:
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The importance of integrating physical, mental, and social health.
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Science-backed tips for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome and reducing inflammation.
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The role of gut health in managing chronic conditions.
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Practical strategies for achieving peak performance through holistic health.
Tune in to Episode 41 for an inspiring discussion on resilience, holistic health, and the pursuit of well-being.
A reminder that all conversations shared on Classroom 5.0 are for entertainment and educational purposes only, and should never replace the recommendations of your specialised health care team. Please consult with your doctor(s) and professionals for personalised support that informs your healthcare journey.
Access shownotes and links to Bella's work by visiting the episode page here
Watch the full episode available on YouTube here
Season 4 of Classroom 5.0 is brought to you by The Posify Group. To explore how we are creating an inlcusive future, and to learn more about The NeuroIMPACT Network, visit our website here
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Hey there, welcome to Classroom 5 .0, a podcast helping you to design a future oflearning, work and leadership that's both personally meaningful and creates impact for a
better world.
I'm your host, Marianne Power, and I'm thrilled you're joining me for another episode ofour Inclusive Impact series.
You can expect topics and interviews that deep dive into what it takes to build a trulydiverse and equitable world and learn science -backed skills and soul -filled strategies
(00:27):
helping our different kind of difference
to thrive.
Before we get started, I'd like to acknowledge the traditional owners of our homeland,Beopi Country, where this podcast was recorded and pay our respect to elders past, present
and emerging.
It's a pleasure and a privilege to play, live and work on country.
And I'm so glad you're here.
So let's dive on in to today's episode.
(00:51):
Bella Stevens, welcome to Classroom 5 .0.
It's been a hot minute since you and I talked about this conversation.
So I'm very excited to be having it.
How are you?
I'm good.
Thank you for having me.
I'm very excited.
am too.
I'm excited because I can't wait to bring to our listeners your incredible wealth ofknowledge, but also your personal story about, you know, dealing and managing our health
(01:14):
and the importance of that.
Anyway, enough about me.
I'm going to throw it over to you, Bella.
Introduce yourself.
Who are you in the world?
Why are you here?
Why are we having this conversation?
More importantly, let's start with your origin story because I think our listeners will bevery curious to hear about your own health journey.
Yeah.
Absolutely.
So I guess for myself, my whole life has basically revolved around taking care of myhealth.
(01:36):
So when I was born, I was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, which for those of you who don'tknow is a recessive genetic condition.
But it basically affects the lungs, pancreas and liver mainly.
But my parents were basically told in one of those first meetings that
(01:58):
I would be in hospital a minimum of twice a year for about a fortnight at a time for therest of my life.
And they refer to these like fortnightly, guess they call them tuneups.
well they put you on IV antibiotics, for two weeks at a time, regardless of whether you'resick or not.
(02:19):
It's more of just like adjusting.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Twice a year, a year.
That's the standard protocol.
I didn't realize that.
Wow.
And the same thing when I was two, they said to my parents, we're going to put her onantibiotics for 12 months.
Again, just in case like there's nothing, you know, technically wrong, we just want to,know, preventative approach.
(02:44):
Yep.
Preventative approach.
And I think about what I know now about gut health and hormone health and all of thosethings.
Like that's a crime.
totally destroy the bacterial home that we have in our gut, in our body at such a youngage.
It really sets us up for some pretty horrendous issues down the track from whether it beleaky gut or hormone conditions or whatever it be.
(03:14):
But back to it, my parents basically left that meeting, that first one where they said,you'd be in hospital twice a year for the rest of your life.
They basically left and just said to each other, we're going to do whatever we have to doto not make that our reality.
and I'm so grateful that that was the approach that they took.
(03:35):
Cause that then reflected onto me and carried on with me.
but I'm 23 now and I can say that I think I've been admitted to hospital maybe four orfive times in that 23 year period.
the longer than a
(03:55):
and I successfully run my own business now in the health and wellbeing space anddefinitely want to kind of step into that, inspirational, but also like motivational and
supportive role of people that do live with chronic conditions to help them believe thatthey can create the health that they want and not everything that they're told from, you
(04:19):
know, doctors or, or.
you know, professional point of view is going to be right for them.
Yeah, it's a tricky one, isn't it?
Because I mean, those standard protocols that we have in medicine are there because it'swhat we've known has worked and kept people safe and well for as long as possible.
And yet I think that there's a lot of research now emerging and understanding, like yousaid, about about the gut and the implications of antibiotics.
(04:42):
And so really starting to revisit a lot of the ways that we used to approach things and
As I listen to you speak, the word advocacy just keeps coming to mind.
You know, what an incredible role your parents and yourself have played in really, I'mguessing, and I want to hear your version of this, getting to understand your unique
(05:03):
physical, mental profile, spiritual profile, and then being able to wrap your own sort ofmedical protocol around that.
And I'm curious to hear what that journey's looked like, that advocacy piece, but also howdid you find the information together to help guide your journey?
So I suppose as a family, were very intentional about the life that we created from theget go.
(05:27):
So we moved to the beach from like the Epping way.
So in inner Sydney, when I was about three, because I don't know if many people know this,but from a cystic fibrosis point of view, living in the ocean and being in the ocean is
one of the best things that you can do.
So as a part
(05:50):
CF and one of the you know, the medications that they they give out which I do every dayis a saline nebulizer.
So basically salt water that you inhale to help clear the mucus from the lining of thelungs.
So when you're in the ocean around the ocean, it not that it mimics because it's not tothe same level, but it is a huge benefit for lung health in general.
(06:16):
I was pretty much
not going to say thrown in the ocean, but I was drawn to the ocean from a very, very youngage.
And that I initially started with nippers, but I then quickly got into surfing and startedmy surfing journey from there.
So that was one of the really big things that we did.
I've had the same doctor of Chinese medicine since I was four, I believe.
(06:38):
So she treated
with cupping and acupuncture and Chinese herbs as like a slightly alternative version ofthe Western medicine system.
And that was just my preference and what I wanted to do and what I wanted to explore.
Same thing with my family.
Because I think we still obviously had to have regular meetings with the Western medicinedoctors and they would, you know, recommend or provide medication.
(07:08):
based on where I was at and what my health was like.
But we always did so much research and asked so many questions around, you know, what arethe side effects of this?
How long would they be on this for?
Why am I taking this in the first place?
And if the answer wasn't good enough, we'd find a different way.
Like we would get a second opinion.
(07:30):
I would check in with my doctor of Chinese medicine and say like, is there an alternativepath for this or
treatment of this sort of thing.
because I always think like, for me, finding the alternative way was always the best forme, aside from points where I was like very acutely unwell, like where I did need IV
(07:55):
antibiotics, or I did need, you know, nebulized antibiotics, there's definitely a time andplace.
but we try to most of the time use the alternative.
Yeah.
And so looking at that more sort of what we would call integrative functional health, Ibelieve is a technical term, isn't it?
Which is kind of controversial here in Australia, at least.
(08:17):
And what I love about what you're sharing is that from what I can gather, this isn't aboutthrowing anything out.
It's about putting everything on the table rather.
Which is an additive model as opposed to a, know, let's just ditch one way of seeing theworld.
And I
I really respect and appreciate those beautiful questions that you asked that I wouldimagine helped you to guide, you know, more autonomous decision making around having
(08:43):
control around your own health and what that looks like.
Knowing what your options are.
What an incredibly conscious way to manage your health.
Do you remember?
I'm so curious.
I'm going to throw you off script here.
Do you remember a point in time as a little Lee or maybe a little bit older where
You had some of those sort of tipping points from, you know, mom and dad are reallyguiding this journey along from the ride into like, this is my health.
(09:11):
This is something I want to take control of.
What, what was that about?
Gosh, that's such a good question because I think even now, my parents are still a hugepart of my life and a big part of navigating my health, mainly because we've always done
(09:31):
it together.
I still live at home with them.
but we still always like, it's definitely much more my decision now.
but it's always a conversation.
We explore things together.
say
What do you think about this or like, can we look into these options?
And one distinctive one that I remember that was like a real, I think I'd say shell shockat the time, but when one of the cystic fibrosis drugs came out from a, not a cure point
(10:04):
of view, but pretty much like a treatment that removed most of the symptoms.
it was a drug that we've been waiting for for a really long time.
How old you?
From what I found out about, I want to say early teens.
(10:27):
It had just gone through the FDA in America.
They said that it would be in Australia in the next couple of years.
They did the trials in Australia.
It got released here.
The thing is there's different types of genes with stick fibrosis.
Some of the medications treat
jeans and I have one of those wonky jeans as they like to call it, which one would, theydidn't know where it came from.
(10:54):
Like it was quite a rare one, but then I have one of the more normal ones as well.
But I remember it had finally come here.
They'd finally finished the trials and they had said like, if you'd like to take it andtry it, you can.
(11:15):
And it was something that I'd waited so long for.
And I remember thinking at the time, I could absolutely say yes right now to taking this,but I knew as well what the side effects were and what the risk would run.
So one of them was elevated liver enzymes, for example.
(11:38):
And I stopped drinking.
I didn't ever drink very much, but I stopped drinking when I was 18.
in an effort to bring those liver enzymes down so that I could come onto that drug when itcame to.
But the risk with this drug was that it was going to elevate the enzymes again.
And I was like, haven't worked for the last five years to bring those liver enzymes downnaturally to then go onto a drug that's going to elevate them and then possibly mean that
(12:03):
I have to come off the medication anyway.
that would have been an outcome.
That would, that could have been an absolute outcome and it could, may not have worked.
may have, but I was also not in a position health wise where I was like, I'm in a steadyenough state to maintain the health that I have now, the way that I've been doing it for
(12:25):
the last 23 years rather than take the chance.
And I think for me, that was a really big, like a really big decision.
one, because it was also my decision.
I'm really grateful that I did make that decision then.
Yes, you talk about the parent point of view.
(12:47):
What a turning point.
I was going to say, how did your parents cope with that decision?
I'm a mom, you know, my daughter's not that much younger than you.
I just, I mean, as a mom, you just want your daughter to be as healthy as they can be.
And obviously your parents have been along this journey with you, but to have all waitedso long for this, know, promise of a magic cure, I can imagine.
(13:10):
to then be faced with the decision of, but what are the actual outcomes?
What are the actual side effect profiles?
Is this drug actually for me?
How did your parents respond?
They supported it a hundred percent because they thought it was the right decision.
They, they knew that the work that we had done wasn't necessarily worth taking that risk.
(13:35):
Because we have, we, you know, live a perfectly great life.
And my health was, is, great.
know, so it wasn't at the stable.
It's probably worth the risk.
know, it's going to push some buttons.
Bella, there are going to be listeners who feel really comfortable and safe in our medicalmodel who, who, who want to know that when they go to the doctor, they're told what to do
(14:00):
and that that is the, you know, the, the absolute treatment that will work for themunequivocally, that there's no question about it.
And what I'm hearing you say is that, hang on, we need to take a pause.
know, these medicines are fantastic.
Our science is great, but it can only tell us so much.
So if you're listening right now and there's that level of like, you know, that just thatuncomfortable feeling of not quite knowing.
(14:25):
I just want you to lean in.
You know, just notice some of those, I guess, those those biases that are popping up orthose assumptions popping up or where you're feeling like, I don't know if I feel
comfortable with this and lean in.
Because what I'm hearing you say, Bella, is
Again, this is all about choice and this is all about checking in with yourself, knowingwhat all the options are and really rallying with the people around you who know you very
(14:49):
well and some very informed, highly educated decision -making here, which is what blows mymind about you at such a young age.
Like it's just, I'm just, yeah, I'm just in awe.
This is just amazing.
Yeah, she's holding her finger up.
Go, tell me.
You've got something to say.
Yes.
I just want to add one more piece to that.
(15:10):
And I was going to say, you are always going to be your own best advocate for your health.
I think it's important to feel like you have control over your health and the decisiondecisions associated because I find a lot of people that I've spoken to, they will
outsource the information, the decisions that they make around their health and they feel.
(15:37):
really vulnerable and there's almost like that lack of trust there because they're notsure if they've made the right decision.
and that's where I encourage you to ask questions.
I encourage you to do your own research, get a second opinion, talk to people that haveexperienced something similar, and decide for yourself, is this right for me?
(16:00):
Because yes, that might take a bit more work,
It's so incredibly important and it's a process of getting information, sifting through itand determining is this right for me?
This is your health and you're driving the bus.
So there's, there's no other alternative in my eyes.
(16:20):
find.
I've got tingles.
I'm so glad you added that piece.
Well, well said.
Well said.
Like mic drop.
We could just stop the conversation right there and then, but let's not.
If you're a leader of a business or in charge of a team of people, then chances are you'reprobably in the thick of getting up to speed on Australia's new psychosocial safety
(16:42):
legislation.
By law, companies now need to do what they can to protect their people against stress andburnout.
But my question to you is that in creating your policies, procedures and programs, are youaccounting for the different kinds of brains in your workplace?
Because stats would suggest maybe not.
In the tech sector, for example,
(17:02):
of people identify as neurodivergent.
And yet when we ask employers what they think that number is, they report back 3%.
Now that gap poses a significant problem because without specialized understanding ofneurodiversity, traditional policies and programs risk missing the mark, leading to higher
instances of burnout.
(17:23):
stress and both physical and mental health challenges and outcomes for our community.
understanding neurodiversity is more than just compliance.
It's also about unlocking innovation.
see, diverse companies are 70 % more likely to attract new markers and 36 % moreprofitable than homogenous ones.
(17:43):
I personally believe that neurodivergent leaders are the different kind of differencemakers that our world needs right
That's why I'm so excited to be launching the Neuro Impact Network.
We're changing the game for neurodiversity leadership and bringing both our neurodivergentleaders and allies together where we can share science -backed strategies that support
(18:03):
legal compliance and equip us with everything we need to be able to build neuro -inclusiveworkplaces.
Plus, peak performance and human -flourishing science strategies that ensure we thrive andprotect our mental
alongside community events so that we can truly connect and share one another's strengths,wins and challenges along the way.
(18:24):
Neurodivergent leaders, listen up.
I really believe this is our time and our space to shine and it's such a privilege to bewelcoming you into this space.
So if it sounds like something that's for you, if you're ready to say goodbye to burnoutand hello to innovation that actually delivers impact, I'd love to see you on the inside.
Everything you need for the applications are in the link below.
(18:44):
I look forward to seeing you there.
I want to transfer this across to the work that you're doing right now, which is reallycorrect me if I'm wrong, but it's empowering other people with information and knowledge,
but also some of this work around, you know, clearing those biases and clearing thoseassumptions that we make about who is in charge of our health to really empower ourselves
(19:06):
and take control of the direction of our lives.
And so with that in mind, that work in mind and that purpose in mind, I want to ask youabout your thoughts.
of know what the answer is going to be.
But in terms of where you see health, wellbeing, mindset in our future world of work.
(19:28):
I think it's a really critical piece to kind of investigate on a multitude of levels.
One, from an individual sense, but also if you're working as a part of a business or youhave employees, whether you're in a corporation,
There's so many different ways to look at this, but I'm going to bring it all the way backdown to individual because I think from, if I think about holistic health and the times
(19:57):
that I've felt my best in just daily life or in a working sense or, know, whatever it be,I'm going to touch on physical health in a moment.
But when my mental
And my emotional health is really well taken care of.
That's when I feel like I'm really thriving.
(20:17):
The physical health for me has always been something that I've worked really hard at.
that's not necessarily, something that I have to work as hard at as I do with my mentaland emotional.
and I think a lot of that ties back to funnily enough, the food that we put in our body.
(20:38):
the amount of sleep that we get and the way that we manage stress and that in combinationwith the physical, so with movement.
And that's why they created the program that we were talking about that ground zeroprogram is to look at those fundamentals of holistic health and wellbeing and go, let's
(20:59):
just bring everything back to the very simple.
I say simple because it is simple, but it's hard to implement.
If you're, you know, I talk to so many people and I have a lot of clients that work fulltime jobs.
They run a family.
They have all of these other things going on in their life that they feel like they don'thave time to take care of themselves.
(21:22):
But I have, and don't get me wrong, I have absolutely done this myself, but if you're nottaking care of you and your needs on a deeper level or even a fundamental level.
You're going to get to the stage where you just don't feel good about your body, yourhealth, the work that you do.
(21:47):
It's very all interconnected and it always has been for me.
That's why I think I've also learned to be very self -aware.
so for example, when I was working in my, commercial gym job a of years ago, I just.
completely fried my nervous system, number one, because you're just living in thisconstant fight or flight stage.
(22:14):
You're not getting enough rest.
You don't have like set times that you're eating or you don't have time to, you know,properly nourish yourself.
social connections, I think was a really big one as well.
Surrounding yourself with people that are positive and have positive views about health.
Cause I love being that for people, but I also want to be around people that do the same.
(22:38):
It's really interesting actually, just as a side note in the holistic health training thatI did, they call it, the wheel of life.
it has like, think maybe 12 different aspects on it, but, you know, like home environment,community, there's obviously all of the fundamental ones.
(23:00):
So physical health,
home cooking, family, friends, joy.
Like there's just so many different aspects.
addition of joy.
That's beautiful.
Yeah.
I mean, as you were speaking, I was thinking through that positive psychology frameworkand listeners who are familiar with that type of work will know the PERMA framework.
(23:20):
So that's positive emotions, engagement, relationships, sense of accomplishment and healthwas added at the end.
you know, health has got so many, like you said, spokes to the wheel within and itself.
that you're picking up on that are just brilliant.
And actually another one, I'm going to throw your script again.
I was reading, because I know that you're a surfer and you and I have had a bit of a bitof a tease.
(23:42):
I'm so keen to come with you to Byron for your retreat and learn how to surf.
have threatened it for many years.
I may have gotten into the ocean a few times and had that surfboard kick me in the head.
So look, there is some there is some fear mindset that Maz is going to have to overcome.
But I know you're my gal.
But I was reading some
interesting data on the state of flow.
(24:02):
And I know that surfers talk a lot about chasing flow and that that being their, you know,their present centered moment out in the ocean and the joy that that brings.
And what was, in fact, can I read it to you?
I think you're going to find this fascinating.
This is out of the books, the art of impossible.
And it talks
from a neurobiological perspective, what's actually going on in our brains and our bodiesand our whole system when we access that flow state.
(24:28):
it says, flow may be the biggest neurochemical cocktail of all.
The state appears to blend all six of the brain's major pleasure chemicals and maybe oneof the few times you get all six at once.
This potent mix explains why people describe flow as their favorite experience, whilepsychologists refer to it as
(24:49):
the source code of intrinsic motivation.
How good is that?
And just to double click, because I people are to be like, well, what are the sixneurotransmitters?
What are we talking about?
Okay.
So I wrote them down for you.
talking dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin.
This one I always pronounce incorrectly, but excuse me while I try.
Norepinephrine.
How'd I go?
(25:09):
And endorphins.
Anandamide.
Ta -da, all six of those.
So they're all, you know, really responsible for different parts of our health andwellbeing.
And all of those pieces that you mentioned, our social connections, food, gut health,which we're going to get to next, mindset, they all play to create this cocktail of
(25:31):
experience that then motivates us.
I'm curious to hear about surfing for you.
Is it a flow state?
And now that I understand the health mechanics as well, I didn't know that.
And that's amazing.
Yeah.
I, there's very few circumstances that I can think of that I feel happier in than theocean.
(25:55):
it has, and not even necessarily surfing, surfing, Like I just came back from Bali, funnyenough, we spent most of the days surfing
I could honestly just go and be an island princess for the rest of my life and just surfevery day and be very happy because I think every time I come in and also the sheer joy of
(26:22):
watching my dad surf and sharing that with each other is one of the most special things inmy life.
That's beautiful.
And I know there's another aspect of that as well.
being near ocean from a mental health point of view, something to do with negative ionsand the rebalancing of our body and things like that.
(26:48):
Spot nervous system care.
Yeah, absolutely.
care.
Yeah.
And it's actually very funny, I was talking about this with one of my best friends theother day and she goes, you'll always be able to know where I'm at in a mental breakdown
stage.
She'll go
the sm - like the bigger the body of water, the bigger the problem.
So if I'm having a bath, if I'm having a bath, it's like, like, you know, it's a bit of ablip on the radar.
(27:16):
if it's like a lake, it's slightly bigger, but if we're at the ocean, like everything'sjust, all hell's broken loose.
And I was like, that is possibly the funniest thing I've ever heard.
Cause I think it doesn't matter what's going on being near the ocean, just
mellows everything out, that flow state exactly.
(27:37):
And what I love about all of that is that I think health, and mindset care and emotionsand spirituality.
I'm using this tone of voice because I can hear some people rolling their eyes going,they're in the bucket of nice to haves.
I don't have time for that.
But if you're somebody who cares about creating a meaningful work life design foryourself, and let's be honest,
(28:01):
reaching and creating your goals and having that sort of peak performance state, then ifyou're not paying attention to these things, then you're missing out.
Because it's through those production of all of those neurochemicals that are thenimportant for our motivation, for our creativity, for innovation, for our performance.
Yeah, look, I could talk to you about this all day.
(28:22):
I know our listeners are going to want gut health, gut health tips, because gut health iskind of
you know, not so new, but hashtag new hipster thing that's coming onto the scene.
Everybody wants to know how to look after their gut.
Can you share with us some, some top tips in terms of where we might be able to start?
absolutely.
So, one thing that I really like, and I'm not going to mention all of them, but the, it'scalled the five R gut framework.
(28:49):
So I haven't heard of it before.
Nice.
I'm gonna write that down.
The first step is kind of the most important one for me.
And then
I'll add onto that as we go, but the first R is remove.
So taking out a couple of these things will massively help from a, from a point of view,if you have had, if you've got quite an unbalanced, gut microbiome, these will help to
(29:18):
kind of reset back to a base.
So they talk about removing, NSAIDs.
So if you're on any,
Panadol, Neurofin, those sorts of drugs.
Not great for our gut microbiome.
They kind of kill off some of the good bacteria, but also kind of lead into development ofthe first, the worst kind of gut bacteria from a balanced point of view.
(29:46):
So if you have to take them, take them, but if you don't, don't is kind of the keymessage.
Correct.
I have a very interesting experience with pain.
I always try alternative methods first before panadol, amniotic or anything like that.
(30:08):
Even as far as like essential oils, like if I've got a headache, peppermint oil is on myforehead, back of my neck, everything.
Nice tip.
Yes, very effective.
Very, very effective.
Processed foods.
So from an inflammation point of view,
inflammation is basically the root cause of most of our gut issues.
(30:32):
So we want to remove as much inflammation from our diet as possible.
this is our processed foods, highly processed seed oils.
So canola oil, vegetable oil, those sorts of oils.
I always recommend olive oil, avocado oil, ghee and coconut oil to my clients as options.
(30:56):
alcohol is a really big player in terms of our gut health.
again, more so feeding the bad bacteria rather than growing the good.
So again, try to rebalance.
Take it helps to take that one out.
what else do we have?
(31:17):
Antibiotics again, take them you need to.
Don't if you don't.
Yeah.
And even things like,
antibacterial soaps or like endocrine disruptors.
So it's a really big one that we're big on in our family is we have a lot of naturalcleaning products.
I only use natural skincare.
I find now if I put anything not natural or non -natural perfume on myself, my skin is sosensitive to it.
(31:45):
I'll just get reactions and break out pretty much.
So I always recommend those things.
to my clients as well if they're quite sensitive.
But from there, you're looking at basically rebuilding the good forms of bacteria to helpthe balance back out.
(32:07):
anti -inflammatory foods, so a lot of fruit and vegetables, again, trying to buy organicwith that so that you're not getting the pesticides and herbicides that are sprayed on
them.
And if you do,
There's certain ways, for example, that you can wash berries in like bi -carb soda and letthem soak to get the, the chemicals and things off before you eat them.
(32:35):
they also say like not to have too much meat on when you reintroducing that bacteria,balance, but always organic and trying to not do antibiotic or, hormone like injected
meat.
Yeah.
So that's one thing that we're really particular about, fiber and then kind of colors.
(32:58):
So getting as much color as you can, all of the different colors are relevant todifferent, micronutrients and things like polyphenols.
so the antioxidants that will, you know, that keep us healthy and fight the free radicalsin our body, which is a big one from an inf like fighting information point of view.
(33:18):
and then you can, after that point, look at things like pre and probiotics to kind offurther build those populations of good bacteria, to back to a state where you can feel,
feel like your guts happy again.
Yeah.
And it's so important because our gut we now know is connected to our brain.
(33:38):
makes everything work in unison.
You know, having an unhealthy gut has got such huge implications for our energy, ourmental clarity, our mood.
There's lots of really rigorous research coming out now about the link between gut healthand mental health.
So I'm going to drop a few links in today's show notes for anybody who wants to dive intothe science and get to know a little bit more about gut health has been inspired by
(34:03):
Bella's story.
And I'm going to imagine if you're listening to that maybe you're not someone who liveswith a chronic health condition.
Maybe you are, but maybe there's somebody that you know who's having a rough time ofmanaging their health who might be inspired.
by Bella's story and some of these tips that she's sharing today.
Because Bella, like, I don't want to gloss over.
I don't want to make this...
(34:27):
How do I say this?
I am so impressed by you and your mindset.
And I want to ask you, behind all of this effort and this incredible outlook that you haveon the outside,
that get up and go despite what I imagine some really hard days.
(34:48):
You nobody wants to have to live with a chronic health condition.
What is it actually like to live with cystic fibrosis?
And what do you want to say to people who are listening in, maybe thinking that, it's okayfor Bella, you know, she's got it all together.
What do you want to say about mindset and how that applies to managing our
(35:13):
It's such a great question.
And I guess the first part of that in terms of what it's like to live with a chroniccondition, it's really hard, you know, like it's, it's so much work and it's not something
that you can pretend that you don't have or is not part of your life.
Like you don't ever get to just like leave the baggage at the door and walk away.
(35:37):
Yeah.
I think.
Everyone has down days and it was funny.
was having this conversation with my dad yesterday.
Everyone has down days and I've absolutely had them, but I think it's so important toallow yourself to have them, but not to get stuck there.
(35:59):
and I would always think about on my off days, not, I would always think what can I do?
Not what should I do?
And
It may not necessarily be something that's,
groundbreaking but it might be like I'm gonna go for a walk or I'm gonna Call one of myfriends or something that you know, you can do that's gonna make you feel that tiny bit
(36:29):
better and For me, it was always journaling.
So I do a lot of gratitude and journal work Slightly less at the moment mainly because I'mvery content and happy with where I'm at But I always say like take the
to sit and look at your life almost from like an outsider's point of view and make a listof the things that are going well in your life or, you know, things that you're happy or
(36:59):
grateful for.
Cause I can guarantee you that that list of good will be longer than the bad.
One thing that I was talking to my mom about, and one she was really particular about fromthe very beginning.
And it's a quote that I love and it's, the words you use become the house that you livein.
And I was like, wow, we were so particular with the language that we used around thechronic conditions, cystic fibrosis in particular.
(37:32):
told my doctors that there were words that we were not going to use around me.
So we were net, like she said, disease is not a word that we're going to use.
There's disabled was not a word that we were going to use.
Challenge condition.
They were fine.
But the words that you talk to yourself with change everything around your mindset andalso the words that you allow other people to use around you regarding your condition also
(38:04):
does, you know, it's a very big piece and you're exposed to a lot of it.
And I even remember like when I was younger and I would go on runs, would, I would saylike, am strong.
I am strong.
And it was always in like rhythm with my feet hitting the pavement.
So there's like little, there's little things that you can tell yourself each day or writethem down or have them on little post -it notes, like scattered around your room.
(38:33):
Cause
I think in preparation, not in preparation, I feel like that's the wrong word, but youknow that there are going to be bad days in your health journey.
And sometimes things can change at the drop of a hat.
Yeah.
You like you can be really healthy one day and then the next week, you know, you're inhospital.
(38:55):
Yeah.
Vita versa.
you're always for me, I'm lucky.
No, I'm not lucky.
I worked really hard at it.
I was going to say.
You do work really hard about it.
That was the thing I was thinking consistently as you were sharing.
This is like peak performance training.
I just can't think of a greater reason to want to train like a peak performer than to, tosafeguard your health, your mental health, your physical health, your spiritual health,
(39:20):
your emotional health, your life.
Absolutely.
It's just beautiful.
All of that is beautiful.
There's many moments.
Thank you.
Are you ready for our lightning round?
my gosh.
I don't know what that is, but yes.
I've asked in this series, I guess, the same, the same bunch of questions and there's noright answer.
Okay.
There's no right or wrong answer.
(39:40):
It's just what comes to mind when you think of a few words and then I want to know, youknow, what you're reading, who you're listening to all of that jazz.
So the first one I've got for you.
Okay.
ready?
When you think of the words and impact mindset, what comes to mind?
What are the qualities someone with an impact mindset might have?
Strong, resilient.
(40:03):
brave, courageous.
supportive.
creative, they're the main ones that come to mind.
Brilliant, I love that.
What about inclusive impact?
What comes to mind then?
(40:26):
Gosh, that's actually a really good one.
Inclusive against similar like very much that's supportive, but willing to look at thingsin, in a variety of ways, like not just having one set way of doing something, catering to
(40:50):
a variety of different people, individuals or learning styles.
inclusive.
And probably a really good listener, like listening to what people need or how you cansupport them best or how you can get them information that may not be how other people
(41:17):
best receive information, like being resourceful for sure.
love that.
What are some of the books you're reading at the moment or podcasts you're listening to,YouTube channels, Tiki Toki stars that are inspiring you?
So one book that I actually read a fair bit, if I feel like I want to give myself a littlebit of extra like love or support is called Good Morning, I Love You.
(41:44):
And I think it's written by is it Shona Shapiro, something along those lines, I can sendit to you.
But it's all about self -compassion and practices to kind of...
get you back to thinking about yourself in a not selfish way, like taking care of yourselfand your mental state and knowing that you're worth taking care of.
(42:12):
Huberman Lab is one that I listen to podcast wise.
Have you got a favorite episode you want to share with us?
I Huberman's work.
good.
Send me some afterwards and we'll drop them in the show links.
Okay.
The thing with Huberman podcasts, I have to listen to them in
threes because there's so much information.
And there's so much information.
(42:33):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Me too.
Yeah.
and the ultimate human podcast by Gary Brecker is the other one.
awesome.
So yes.
they're probably the main ones.
I love those.
drop them all in.
Cooking videos.
All of them.
All of it.
All of it.
I love it.
(42:53):
And this one's the big one for you.
What does it mean to live a meaningful
I think life's too short to not be doing things that make you happy or being surrounded bypeople that make you happy.
I think I actually, not that I spend a lot of time doing this, but when I watch the videosof when they interview people in their nineties or in palliative care, for example, and
(43:20):
they ask them, you know, what are the things that you regret the most or what do you thinkyou should have spent more time doing?
Always like, you know, things
Not caring about what other people think, not worrying about having so much money that youcould.
I'm not worrying about having too much money.
(43:42):
Sorry is more what I was trying to say.
know, having being financially stable and traveling the world, not working as much as youthink you should.
And being around the people
you really care about and making the effort to keep those relationships.
(44:04):
That's beautiful.
Thank you.
Now know you've got your Ground Zero program.
I'm going to share a link to that in our show notes so that listeners who want to get intouch and work with you know how to find you.
Plus, like I mentioned, this exciting retreat that's coming up.
Let's go surfing in November.
Let's go surfing, yes.
(44:24):
How else can our listeners reach out to connect with you and follow your journey and yourwork after they've heard you here today?
The Instagram is...
One of the ways that I like to share my content, more as a bit of fun, but everything youwill need will be on my website, which we can follow as well.
(44:44):
Beautiful.
I love it.
I'll pop all of that in the show notes below.
Bella, thank you so much for sharing incredible insights and wisdom, but your heart withus all because it is so big.
It lights me up every time we speak and I know it's going to do the same for ourlisteners.
And listeners, thank you for joining us for another episode of Classroom 5 .0 and for yourinterest in inclusive impact.
(45:07):
Thanks for joining me for another episode of Classroom 5 .0.
If this episode sparked an insight for you, why not share it with a friend who mightbenefit too, or spread the word by leaving your rating and review.
I read every single one and I promise your interest in impact means the world.
Classroom 5 .0 is brought to you by The Posify Group, a psychology coaching and consultingcompany specializing in neurodiversity and purpose driven leadership, equipping today and
(45:34):
tomorrow's leaders with the future skills and mindsets needed to thrive and create impact.
To learn more about our work and to access today's show notes, links and more episodesjust like these, you can visit www .theposifygroup .com .au forward slash podcast.
I'll see you next time.
Hey there, welcome to Classroom 5 .0, a podcast helping you to design a future oflearning, work and leadership that's both personally meaningful and creates impact for a
better world.
I'm your host, Marianne Power, and I'm thrilled you're joining me for another episode ofour Inclusive Impact series.
You can expect topics and interviews that deep dive into what it takes to build a trulydiverse and equitable world and learn science -backed skills and soul -filled strategies
(00:27):
helping our different kind of difference
to thrive.
Before we get started, I'd like to acknowledge the traditional owners of our homeland,Beopi Country, where this podcast was recorded and pay our respect to elders past, present
and emerging.
It's a pleasure and a privilege to play, live and work on country.
And I'm so glad you're here.
So let's dive on in to today's episode.
(00:51):
Bella Stevens, welcome to Classroom 5 .0.
It's been a hot minute since you and I talked about this conversation.
So I'm very excited to be having it.
How are you?
I'm good.
Thank you for having me.
I'm very excited.
am too.
I'm excited because I can't wait to bring to our listeners your incredible wealth ofknowledge, but also your personal story about, you know, dealing and managing our health
(01:14):
and the importance of that.
Anyway, enough about me.
I'm going to throw it over to you, Bella.
Introduce yourself.
Who are you in the world?
Why are you here?
Why are we having this conversation?
More importantly, let's start with your origin story because I think our listeners will bevery curious to hear about your own health journey.
Yeah.
Absolutely.
So I guess for myself, my whole life has basically revolved around taking care of myhealth.
(01:36):
So when I was born, I was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, which for those of you who don'tknow is a recessive genetic condition.
But it basically affects the lungs, pancreas and liver mainly.
But my parents were basically told in one of those first meetings that
(01:58):
I would be in hospital a minimum of twice a year for about a fortnight at a time for therest of my life.
And they refer to these like fortnightly, guess they call them tuneups.
well they put you on IV antibiotics, for two weeks at a time, regardless of whether you'resick or not.
(02:19):
It's more of just like adjusting.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Twice a year, a year.
That's the standard protocol.
I didn't realize that.
Wow.
And the same thing when I was two, they said to my parents, we're going to put her onantibiotics for 12 months.
Again, just in case like there's nothing, you know, technically wrong, we just want to,know, preventative approach.
(02:44):
Yep.
Preventative approach.
And I think about what I know now about gut health and hormone health and all of thosethings.
Like that's a crime.
totally destroy the bacterial home that we have in our gut, in our body at such a youngage.
It really sets us up for some pretty horrendous issues down the track from whether it beleaky gut or hormone conditions or whatever it be.
(03:14):
But back to it, my parents basically left that meeting, that first one where they said,you'd be in hospital twice a year for the rest of your life.
They basically left and just said to each other, we're going to do whatever we have to doto not make that our reality.
and I'm so grateful that that was the approach that they took.
(03:35):
Cause that then reflected onto me and carried on with me.
but I'm 23 now and I can say that I think I've been admitted to hospital maybe four orfive times in that 23 year period.
the longer than a
(03:55):
and I successfully run my own business now in the health and wellbeing space anddefinitely want to kind of step into that, inspirational, but also like motivational and
supportive role of people that do live with chronic conditions to help them believe thatthey can create the health that they want and not everything that they're told from, you
(04:19):
know, doctors or, or.
you know, professional point of view is going to be right for them.
Yeah, it's a tricky one, isn't it?
Because I mean, those standard protocols that we have in medicine are there because it'swhat we've known has worked and kept people safe and well for as long as possible.
And yet I think that there's a lot of research now emerging and understanding, like yousaid, about about the gut and the implications of antibiotics.
(04:42):
And so really starting to revisit a lot of the ways that we used to approach things and
As I listen to you speak, the word advocacy just keeps coming to mind.
You know, what an incredible role your parents and yourself have played in really, I'mguessing, and I want to hear your version of this, getting to understand your unique
(05:03):
physical, mental profile, spiritual profile, and then being able to wrap your own sort ofmedical protocol around that.
And I'm curious to hear what that journey's looked like, that advocacy piece, but also howdid you find the information together to help guide your journey?
So I suppose as a family, were very intentional about the life that we created from theget go.
(05:27):
So we moved to the beach from like the Epping way.
So in inner Sydney, when I was about three, because I don't know if many people know this,but from a cystic fibrosis point of view, living in the ocean and being in the ocean is
one of the best things that you can do.
So as a part
(05:50):
CF and one of the you know, the medications that they they give out which I do every dayis a saline nebulizer.
So basically salt water that you inhale to help clear the mucus from the lining of thelungs.
So when you're in the ocean around the ocean, it not that it mimics because it's not tothe same level, but it is a huge benefit for lung health in general.
(06:16):
I was pretty much
not going to say thrown in the ocean, but I was drawn to the ocean from a very, very youngage.
And that I initially started with nippers, but I then quickly got into surfing and startedmy surfing journey from there.
So that was one of the really big things that we did.
I've had the same doctor of Chinese medicine since I was four, I believe.
(06:38):
So she treated
with cupping and acupuncture and Chinese herbs as like a slightly alternative version ofthe Western medicine system.
And that was just my preference and what I wanted to do and what I wanted to explore.
Same thing with my family.
Because I think we still obviously had to have regular meetings with the Western medicinedoctors and they would, you know, recommend or provide medication.
(07:08):
based on where I was at and what my health was like.
But we always did so much research and asked so many questions around, you know, what arethe side effects of this?
How long would they be on this for?
Why am I taking this in the first place?
And if the answer wasn't good enough, we'd find a different way.
Like we would get a second opinion.
(07:30):
I would check in with my doctor of Chinese medicine and say like, is there an alternativepath for this or
treatment of this sort of thing.
because I always think like, for me, finding the alternative way was always the best forme, aside from points where I was like very acutely unwell, like where I did need IV
(07:55):
antibiotics, or I did need, you know, nebulized antibiotics, there's definitely a time andplace.
but we try to most of the time use the alternative.
Yeah.
And so looking at that more sort of what we would call integrative functional health, Ibelieve is a technical term, isn't it?
Which is kind of controversial here in Australia, at least.
(08:17):
And what I love about what you're sharing is that from what I can gather, this isn't aboutthrowing anything out.
It's about putting everything on the table rather.
Which is an additive model as opposed to a, know, let's just ditch one way of seeing theworld.
And I
I really respect and appreciate those beautiful questions that you asked that I wouldimagine helped you to guide, you know, more autonomous decision making around having
(08:43):
control around your own health and what that looks like.
Knowing what your options are.
What an incredibly conscious way to manage your health.
Do you remember?
I'm so curious.
I'm going to throw you off script here.
Do you remember a point in time as a little Lee or maybe a little bit older where
You had some of those sort of tipping points from, you know, mom and dad are reallyguiding this journey along from the ride into like, this is my health.
(09:11):
This is something I want to take control of.
What, what was that about?
Gosh, that's such a good question because I think even now, my parents are still a hugepart of my life and a big part of navigating my health, mainly because we've always done
(09:31):
it together.
I still live at home with them.
but we still always like, it's definitely much more my decision now.
but it's always a conversation.
We explore things together.
say
What do you think about this or like, can we look into these options?
And one distinctive one that I remember that was like a real, I think I'd say shell shockat the time, but when one of the cystic fibrosis drugs came out from a, not a cure point
(10:04):
of view, but pretty much like a treatment that removed most of the symptoms.
it was a drug that we've been waiting for for a really long time.
How old you?
From what I found out about, I want to say early teens.
(10:27):
It had just gone through the FDA in America.
They said that it would be in Australia in the next couple of years.
They did the trials in Australia.
It got released here.
The thing is there's different types of genes with stick fibrosis.
Some of the medications treat
jeans and I have one of those wonky jeans as they like to call it, which one would, theydidn't know where it came from.
(10:54):
Like it was quite a rare one, but then I have one of the more normal ones as well.
But I remember it had finally come here.
They'd finally finished the trials and they had said like, if you'd like to take it andtry it, you can.
(11:15):
And it was something that I'd waited so long for.
And I remember thinking at the time, I could absolutely say yes right now to taking this,but I knew as well what the side effects were and what the risk would run.
So one of them was elevated liver enzymes, for example.
(11:38):
And I stopped drinking.
I didn't ever drink very much, but I stopped drinking when I was 18.
in an effort to bring those liver enzymes down so that I could come onto that drug when itcame to.
But the risk with this drug was that it was going to elevate the enzymes again.
And I was like, haven't worked for the last five years to bring those liver enzymes downnaturally to then go onto a drug that's going to elevate them and then possibly mean that
(12:03):
I have to come off the medication anyway.
that would have been an outcome.
That would, that could have been an absolute outcome and it could, may not have worked.
may have, but I was also not in a position health wise where I was like, I'm in a steadyenough state to maintain the health that I have now, the way that I've been doing it for
(12:25):
the last 23 years rather than take the chance.
And I think for me, that was a really big, like a really big decision.
one, because it was also my decision.
I'm really grateful that I did make that decision then.
Yes, you talk about the parent point of view.
(12:47):
What a turning point.
I was going to say, how did your parents cope with that decision?
I'm a mom, you know, my daughter's not that much younger than you.
I just, I mean, as a mom, you just want your daughter to be as healthy as they can be.
And obviously your parents have been along this journey with you, but to have all waitedso long for this, know, promise of a magic cure, I can imagine.
(13:10):
to then be faced with the decision of, but what are the actual outcomes?
What are the actual side effect profiles?
Is this drug actually for me?
How did your parents respond?
They supported it a hundred percent because they thought it was the right decision.
They, they knew that the work that we had done wasn't necessarily worth taking that risk.
(13:35):
Because we have, we, you know, live a perfectly great life.
And my health was, is, great.
know, so it wasn't at the stable.
It's probably worth the risk.
know, it's going to push some buttons.
Bella, there are going to be listeners who feel really comfortable and safe in our medicalmodel who, who, who want to know that when they go to the doctor, they're told what to do
(14:00):
and that that is the, you know, the, the absolute treatment that will work for themunequivocally, that there's no question about it.
And what I'm hearing you say is that, hang on, we need to take a pause.
know, these medicines are fantastic.
Our science is great, but it can only tell us so much.
So if you're listening right now and there's that level of like, you know, that just thatuncomfortable feeling of not quite knowing.
(14:25):
I just want you to lean in.
You know, just notice some of those, I guess, those those biases that are popping up orthose assumptions popping up or where you're feeling like, I don't know if I feel
comfortable with this and lean in.
Because what I'm hearing you say, Bella, is
Again, this is all about choice and this is all about checking in with yourself, knowingwhat all the options are and really rallying with the people around you who know you very
(14:49):
well and some very informed, highly educated decision -making here, which is what blows mymind about you at such a young age.
Like it's just, I'm just, yeah, I'm just in awe.
This is just amazing.
Yeah, she's holding her finger up.
Go, tell me.
You've got something to say.
Yes.
I just want to add one more piece to that.
(15:10):
And I was going to say, you are always going to be your own best advocate for your health.
I think it's important to feel like you have control over your health and the decisiondecisions associated because I find a lot of people that I've spoken to, they will
outsource the information, the decisions that they make around their health and they feel.
(15:37):
really vulnerable and there's almost like that lack of trust there because they're notsure if they've made the right decision.
and that's where I encourage you to ask questions.
I encourage you to do your own research, get a second opinion, talk to people that haveexperienced something similar, and decide for yourself, is this right for me?
(16:00):
Because yes, that might take a bit more work,
It's so incredibly important and it's a process of getting information, sifting through itand determining is this right for me?
This is your health and you're driving the bus.
So there's, there's no other alternative in my eyes.
(16:20):
find.
I've got tingles.
I'm so glad you added that piece.
Well, well said.
Well said.
Like mic drop.
We could just stop the conversation right there and then, but let's not.
If you're a leader of a business or in charge of a team of people, then chances are you'reprobably in the thick of getting up to speed on Australia's new psychosocial safety
(16:42):
legislation.
By law, companies now need to do what they can to protect their people against stress andburnout.
But my question to you is that in creating your policies, procedures and programs, are youaccounting for the different kinds of brains in your workplace?
Because stats would suggest maybe not.
In the tech sector, for example,
(17:02):
of people identify as neurodivergent.
And yet when we ask employers what they think that number is, they report back 3%.
Now that gap poses a significant problem because without specialized understanding ofneurodiversity, traditional policies and programs risk missing the mark, leading to higher
instances of burnout.
(17:23):
stress and both physical and mental health challenges and outcomes for our community.
understanding neurodiversity is more than just compliance.
It's also about unlocking innovation.
see, diverse companies are 70 % more likely to attract new markers and 36 % moreprofitable than homogenous ones.
(17:43):
I personally believe that neurodivergent leaders are the different kind of differencemakers that our world needs right
That's why I'm so excited to be launching the Neuro Impact Network.
We're changing the game for neurodiversity leadership and bringing both our neurodivergentleaders and allies together where we can share science -backed strategies that support
(18:03):
legal compliance and equip us with everything we need to be able to build neuro -inclusiveworkplaces.
Plus, peak performance and human -flourishing science strategies that ensure we thrive andprotect our mental
alongside community events so that we can truly connect and share one another's strengths,wins and challenges along the way.
(18:24):
Neurodivergent leaders, listen up.
I really believe this is our time and our space to shine and it's such a privilege to bewelcoming you into this space.
So if it sounds like something that's for you, if you're ready to say goodbye to burnoutand hello to innovation that actually delivers impact, I'd love to see you on the inside.
Everything you need for the applications are in the link below.
(18:44):
I look forward to seeing you there.
I want to transfer this across to the work that you're doing right now, which is reallycorrect me if I'm wrong, but it's empowering other people with information and knowledge,
but also some of this work around, you know, clearing those biases and clearing thoseassumptions that we make about who is in charge of our health to really empower ourselves
(19:06):
and take control of the direction of our lives.
And so with that in mind, that work in mind and that purpose in mind, I want to ask youabout your thoughts.
of know what the answer is going to be.
But in terms of where you see health, wellbeing, mindset in our future world of work.
(19:28):
I think it's a really critical piece to kind of investigate on a multitude of levels.
One, from an individual sense, but also if you're working as a part of a business or youhave employees, whether you're in a corporation,
There's so many different ways to look at this, but I'm going to bring it all the way backdown to individual because I think from, if I think about holistic health and the times
(19:57):
that I've felt my best in just daily life or in a working sense or, know, whatever it be,I'm going to touch on physical health in a moment.
But when my mental
And my emotional health is really well taken care of.
That's when I feel like I'm really thriving.
(20:17):
The physical health for me has always been something that I've worked really hard at.
that's not necessarily, something that I have to work as hard at as I do with my mentaland emotional.
and I think a lot of that ties back to funnily enough, the food that we put in our body.
(20:38):
the amount of sleep that we get and the way that we manage stress and that in combinationwith the physical, so with movement.
And that's why they created the program that we were talking about that ground zeroprogram is to look at those fundamentals of holistic health and wellbeing and go, let's
(20:59):
just bring everything back to the very simple.
I say simple because it is simple, but it's hard to implement.
If you're, you know, I talk to so many people and I have a lot of clients that work fulltime jobs.
They run a family.
They have all of these other things going on in their life that they feel like they don'thave time to take care of themselves.
(21:22):
But I have, and don't get me wrong, I have absolutely done this myself, but if you're nottaking care of you and your needs on a deeper level or even a fundamental level.
You're going to get to the stage where you just don't feel good about your body, yourhealth, the work that you do.
(21:47):
It's very all interconnected and it always has been for me.
That's why I think I've also learned to be very self -aware.
so for example, when I was working in my, commercial gym job a of years ago, I just.
completely fried my nervous system, number one, because you're just living in thisconstant fight or flight stage.
(22:14):
You're not getting enough rest.
You don't have like set times that you're eating or you don't have time to, you know,properly nourish yourself.
social connections, I think was a really big one as well.
Surrounding yourself with people that are positive and have positive views about health.
Cause I love being that for people, but I also want to be around people that do the same.
(22:38):
It's really interesting actually, just as a side note in the holistic health training thatI did, they call it, the wheel of life.
it has like, think maybe 12 different aspects on it, but, you know, like home environment,community, there's obviously all of the fundamental ones.
(23:00):
So physical health,
home cooking, family, friends, joy.
Like there's just so many different aspects.
addition of joy.
That's beautiful.
Yeah.
I mean, as you were speaking, I was thinking through that positive psychology frameworkand listeners who are familiar with that type of work will know the PERMA framework.
(23:20):
So that's positive emotions, engagement, relationships, sense of accomplishment and healthwas added at the end.
you know, health has got so many, like you said, spokes to the wheel within and itself.
that you're picking up on that are just brilliant.
And actually another one, I'm going to throw your script again.
I was reading, because I know that you're a surfer and you and I have had a bit of a bitof a tease.
(23:42):
I'm so keen to come with you to Byron for your retreat and learn how to surf.
have threatened it for many years.
I may have gotten into the ocean a few times and had that surfboard kick me in the head.
So look, there is some there is some fear mindset that Maz is going to have to overcome.
But I know you're my gal.
But I was reading some
interesting data on the state of flow.
(24:02):
And I know that surfers talk a lot about chasing flow and that that being their, you know,their present centered moment out in the ocean and the joy that that brings.
And what was, in fact, can I read it to you?
I think you're going to find this fascinating.
This is out of the books, the art of impossible.
And it talks
from a neurobiological perspective, what's actually going on in our brains and our bodiesand our whole system when we access that flow state.
(24:28):
it says, flow may be the biggest neurochemical cocktail of all.
The state appears to blend all six of the brain's major pleasure chemicals and maybe oneof the few times you get all six at once.
This potent mix explains why people describe flow as their favorite experience, whilepsychologists refer to it as
(24:49):
the source code of intrinsic motivation.
How good is that?
And just to double click, because I people are to be like, well, what are the sixneurotransmitters?
What are we talking about?
Okay.
So I wrote them down for you.
talking dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin.
This one I always pronounce incorrectly, but excuse me while I try.
Norepinephrine.
How'd I go?
(25:09):
And endorphins.
Anandamide.
Ta -da, all six of those.
So they're all, you know, really responsible for different parts of our health andwellbeing.
And all of those pieces that you mentioned, our social connections, food, gut health,which we're going to get to next, mindset, they all play to create this cocktail of
(25:31):
experience that then motivates us.
I'm curious to hear about surfing for you.
Is it a flow state?
And now that I understand the health mechanics as well, I didn't know that.
And that's amazing.
Yeah.
I, there's very few circumstances that I can think of that I feel happier in than theocean.
(25:55):
it has, and not even necessarily surfing, surfing, Like I just came back from Bali, funnyenough, we spent most of the days surfing
I could honestly just go and be an island princess for the rest of my life and just surfevery day and be very happy because I think every time I come in and also the sheer joy of
(26:22):
watching my dad surf and sharing that with each other is one of the most special things inmy life.
That's beautiful.
And I know there's another aspect of that as well.
being near ocean from a mental health point of view, something to do with negative ionsand the rebalancing of our body and things like that.
(26:48):
Spot nervous system care.
Yeah, absolutely.
care.
Yeah.
And it's actually very funny, I was talking about this with one of my best friends theother day and she goes, you'll always be able to know where I'm at in a mental breakdown
stage.
She'll go
the sm - like the bigger the body of water, the bigger the problem.
So if I'm having a bath, if I'm having a bath, it's like, like, you know, it's a bit of ablip on the radar.
(27:16):
if it's like a lake, it's slightly bigger, but if we're at the ocean, like everything'sjust, all hell's broken loose.
And I was like, that is possibly the funniest thing I've ever heard.
Cause I think it doesn't matter what's going on being near the ocean, just
mellows everything out, that flow state exactly.
(27:37):
And what I love about all of that is that I think health, and mindset care and emotionsand spirituality.
I'm using this tone of voice because I can hear some people rolling their eyes going,they're in the bucket of nice to haves.
I don't have time for that.
But if you're somebody who cares about creating a meaningful work life design foryourself, and let's be honest,
(28:01):
reaching and creating your goals and having that sort of peak performance state, then ifyou're not paying attention to these things, then you're missing out.
Because it's through those production of all of those neurochemicals that are thenimportant for our motivation, for our creativity, for innovation, for our performance.
Yeah, look, I could talk to you about this all day.
(28:22):
I know our listeners are going to want gut health, gut health tips, because gut health iskind of
you know, not so new, but hashtag new hipster thing that's coming onto the scene.
Everybody wants to know how to look after their gut.
Can you share with us some, some top tips in terms of where we might be able to start?
absolutely.
So, one thing that I really like, and I'm not going to mention all of them, but the, it'scalled the five R gut framework.
(28:49):
So I haven't heard of it before.
Nice.
I'm gonna write that down.
The first step is kind of the most important one for me.
And then
I'll add onto that as we go, but the first R is remove.
So taking out a couple of these things will massively help from a, from a point of view,if you have had, if you've got quite an unbalanced, gut microbiome, these will help to
(29:18):
kind of reset back to a base.
So they talk about removing, NSAIDs.
So if you're on any,
Panadol, Neurofin, those sorts of drugs.
Not great for our gut microbiome.
They kind of kill off some of the good bacteria, but also kind of lead into development ofthe first, the worst kind of gut bacteria from a balanced point of view.
(29:46):
So if you have to take them, take them, but if you don't, don't is kind of the keymessage.
Correct.
I have a very interesting experience with pain.
I always try alternative methods first before panadol, amniotic or anything like that.
(30:08):
Even as far as like essential oils, like if I've got a headache, peppermint oil is on myforehead, back of my neck, everything.
Nice tip.
Yes, very effective.
Very, very effective.
Processed foods.
So from an inflammation point of view,
inflammation is basically the root cause of most of our gut issues.
(30:32):
So we want to remove as much inflammation from our diet as possible.
this is our processed foods, highly processed seed oils.
So canola oil, vegetable oil, those sorts of oils.
I always recommend olive oil, avocado oil, ghee and coconut oil to my clients as options.
(30:56):
alcohol is a really big player in terms of our gut health.
again, more so feeding the bad bacteria rather than growing the good.
So again, try to rebalance.
Take it helps to take that one out.
what else do we have?
(31:17):
Antibiotics again, take them you need to.
Don't if you don't.
Yeah.
And even things like,
antibacterial soaps or like endocrine disruptors.
So it's a really big one that we're big on in our family is we have a lot of naturalcleaning products.
I only use natural skincare.
I find now if I put anything not natural or non -natural perfume on myself, my skin is sosensitive to it.
(31:45):
I'll just get reactions and break out pretty much.
So I always recommend those things.
to my clients as well if they're quite sensitive.
But from there, you're looking at basically rebuilding the good forms of bacteria to helpthe balance back out.
(32:07):
anti -inflammatory foods, so a lot of fruit and vegetables, again, trying to buy organicwith that so that you're not getting the pesticides and herbicides that are sprayed on
them.
And if you do,
There's certain ways, for example, that you can wash berries in like bi -carb soda and letthem soak to get the, the chemicals and things off before you eat them.
(32:35):
they also say like not to have too much meat on when you reintroducing that bacteria,balance, but always organic and trying to not do antibiotic or, hormone like injected
meat.
Yeah.
So that's one thing that we're really particular about, fiber and then kind of colors.
(32:58):
So getting as much color as you can, all of the different colors are relevant todifferent, micronutrients and things like polyphenols.
so the antioxidants that will, you know, that keep us healthy and fight the free radicalsin our body, which is a big one from an inf like fighting information point of view.
(33:18):
and then you can, after that point, look at things like pre and probiotics to kind offurther build those populations of good bacteria, to back to a state where you can feel,
feel like your guts happy again.
Yeah.
And it's so important because our gut we now know is connected to our brain.
(33:38):
makes everything work in unison.
You know, having an unhealthy gut has got such huge implications for our energy, ourmental clarity, our mood.
There's lots of really rigorous research coming out now about the link between gut healthand mental health.
So I'm going to drop a few links in today's show notes for anybody who wants to dive intothe science and get to know a little bit more about gut health has been inspired by
(34:03):
Bella's story.
And I'm going to imagine if you're listening to that maybe you're not someone who liveswith a chronic health condition.
Maybe you are, but maybe there's somebody that you know who's having a rough time ofmanaging their health who might be inspired.
by Bella's story and some of these tips that she's sharing today.
Because Bella, like, I don't want to gloss over.
I don't want to make this...
(34:27):
How do I say this?
I am so impressed by you and your mindset.
And I want to ask you, behind all of this effort and this incredible outlook that you haveon the outside,
that get up and go despite what I imagine some really hard days.
(34:48):
You nobody wants to have to live with a chronic health condition.
What is it actually like to live with cystic fibrosis?
And what do you want to say to people who are listening in, maybe thinking that, it's okayfor Bella, you know, she's got it all together.
What do you want to say about mindset and how that applies to managing our
(35:13):
It's such a great question.
And I guess the first part of that in terms of what it's like to live with a chroniccondition, it's really hard, you know, like it's, it's so much work and it's not something
that you can pretend that you don't have or is not part of your life.
Like you don't ever get to just like leave the baggage at the door and walk away.
(35:37):
Yeah.
I think.
Everyone has down days and it was funny.
was having this conversation with my dad yesterday.
Everyone has down days and I've absolutely had them, but I think it's so important toallow yourself to have them, but not to get stuck there.
(35:59):
and I would always think about on my off days, not, I would always think what can I do?
Not what should I do?
And
It may not necessarily be something that's,
groundbreaking but it might be like I'm gonna go for a walk or I'm gonna Call one of myfriends or something that you know, you can do that's gonna make you feel that tiny bit
(36:29):
better and For me, it was always journaling.
So I do a lot of gratitude and journal work Slightly less at the moment mainly because I'mvery content and happy with where I'm at But I always say like take the
to sit and look at your life almost from like an outsider's point of view and make a listof the things that are going well in your life or, you know, things that you're happy or
(36:59):
grateful for.
Cause I can guarantee you that that list of good will be longer than the bad.
One thing that I was talking to my mom about, and one she was really particular about fromthe very beginning.
And it's a quote that I love and it's, the words you use become the house that you livein.
And I was like, wow, we were so particular with the language that we used around thechronic conditions, cystic fibrosis in particular.
(37:32):
told my doctors that there were words that we were not going to use around me.
So we were net, like she said, disease is not a word that we're going to use.
There's disabled was not a word that we were going to use.
Challenge condition.
They were fine.
But the words that you talk to yourself with change everything around your mindset andalso the words that you allow other people to use around you regarding your condition also
(38:04):
does, you know, it's a very big piece and you're exposed to a lot of it.
And I even remember like when I was younger and I would go on runs, would, I would saylike, am strong.
I am strong.
And it was always in like rhythm with my feet hitting the pavement.
So there's like little, there's little things that you can tell yourself each day or writethem down or have them on little post -it notes, like scattered around your room.
(38:33):
Cause
I think in preparation, not in preparation, I feel like that's the wrong word, but youknow that there are going to be bad days in your health journey.
And sometimes things can change at the drop of a hat.
Yeah.
You like you can be really healthy one day and then the next week, you know, you're inhospital.
(38:55):
Yeah.
Vita versa.
you're always for me, I'm lucky.
No, I'm not lucky.
I worked really hard at it.
I was going to say.
You do work really hard about it.
That was the thing I was thinking consistently as you were sharing.
This is like peak performance training.
I just can't think of a greater reason to want to train like a peak performer than to, tosafeguard your health, your mental health, your physical health, your spiritual health,
(39:20):
your emotional health, your life.
Absolutely.
It's just beautiful.
All of that is beautiful.
There's many moments.
Thank you.
Are you ready for our lightning round?
my gosh.
I don't know what that is, but yes.
I've asked in this series, I guess, the same, the same bunch of questions and there's noright answer.
Okay.
There's no right or wrong answer.
(39:40):
It's just what comes to mind when you think of a few words and then I want to know, youknow, what you're reading, who you're listening to all of that jazz.
So the first one I've got for you.
Okay.
ready?
When you think of the words and impact mindset, what comes to mind?
What are the qualities someone with an impact mindset might have?
Strong, resilient.
(40:03):
brave, courageous.
supportive.
creative, they're the main ones that come to mind.
Brilliant, I love that.
What about inclusive impact?
What comes to mind then?
(40:26):
Gosh, that's actually a really good one.
Inclusive against similar like very much that's supportive, but willing to look at thingsin, in a variety of ways, like not just having one set way of doing something, catering to
(40:50):
a variety of different people, individuals or learning styles.
inclusive.
And probably a really good listener, like listening to what people need or how you cansupport them best or how you can get them information that may not be how other people
(41:17):
best receive information, like being resourceful for sure.
love that.
What are some of the books you're reading at the moment or podcasts you're listening to,YouTube channels, Tiki Toki stars that are inspiring you?
So one book that I actually read a fair bit, if I feel like I want to give myself a littlebit of extra like love or support is called Good Morning, I Love You.
(41:44):
And I think it's written by is it Shona Shapiro, something along those lines, I can sendit to you.
But it's all about self -compassion and practices to kind of...
get you back to thinking about yourself in a not selfish way, like taking care of yourselfand your mental state and knowing that you're worth taking care of.
(42:12):
Huberman Lab is one that I listen to podcast wise.
Have you got a favorite episode you want to share with us?
I Huberman's work.
good.
Send me some afterwards and we'll drop them in the show links.
Okay.
The thing with Huberman podcasts, I have to listen to them in
threes because there's so much information.
And there's so much information.
(42:33):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Me too.
Yeah.
and the ultimate human podcast by Gary Brecker is the other one.
awesome.
So yes.
they're probably the main ones.
I love those.
drop them all in.
Cooking videos.
All of them.
All of it.
All of it.
I love it.
(42:53):
And this one's the big one for you.
What does it mean to live a meaningful
I think life's too short to not be doing things that make you happy or being surrounded bypeople that make you happy.
I think I actually, not that I spend a lot of time doing this, but when I watch the videosof when they interview people in their nineties or in palliative care, for example, and
(43:20):
they ask them, you know, what are the things that you regret the most or what do you thinkyou should have spent more time doing?
Always like, you know, things
Not caring about what other people think, not worrying about having so much money that youcould.
I'm not worrying about having too much money.
(43:42):
Sorry is more what I was trying to say.
know, having being financially stable and traveling the world, not working as much as youthink you should.
And being around the people
you really care about and making the effort to keep those relationships.
(44:04):
That's beautiful.
Thank you.
Now know you've got your Ground Zero program.
I'm going to share a link to that in our show notes so that listeners who want to get intouch and work with you know how to find you.
Plus, like I mentioned, this exciting retreat that's coming up.
Let's go surfing in November.
Let's go surfing, yes.
(44:24):
How else can our listeners reach out to connect with you and follow your journey and yourwork after they've heard you here today?
The Instagram is...
One of the ways that I like to share my content, more as a bit of fun, but everything youwill need will be on my website, which we can follow as well.
(44:44):
Beautiful.
I love it.
I'll pop all of that in the show notes below.
Bella, thank you so much for sharing incredible insights and wisdom, but your heart withus all because it is so big.
It lights me up every time we speak and I know it's going to do the same for ourlisteners.
And listeners, thank you for joining us for another episode of Classroom 5 .0 and for yourinterest in inclusive impact.
(45:07):
Thanks for joining me for another episode of Classroom 5 .0.
If this episode sparked an insight for you, why not share it with a friend who mightbenefit too, or spread the word by leaving your rating and review.
I read every single one and I promise your interest in impact means the world.
Classroom 5 .0 is brought to you by The Posify Group, a psychology coaching and consultingcompany specializing in neurodiversity and purpose driven leadership, equipping today and
(45:34):
tomorrow's leaders with the future skills and mindsets needed to thrive and create impact.
To learn more about our work and to access today's show notes, links and more episodesjust like these, you can visit www .theposifygroup .com .au forward slash podcast.
I'll see you next time.
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