January 13, 2024 • 40 mins
Connect with Alexandra Silver-Fagan through her Instagram and Website.
This episode was recorded live on Insider Expeditions Diplo Wellness Expedition with Flume, Oliver Tree and Secular Sabbath.
And if you want to go on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to Antarctica as a valued listener I can offer $3000 USD discount on there next journey using code: PRUE3000
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Have you ever stood at a crossroads in life where surrendering to the flow felt like the only option? Join Alexandra Silver-Fagan and me as we recount an extraordinary journey to Antarctica, where the silent expanse taught us the art of letting go and the importance of aligning with life's rhythms. Alexandra's narrative is a powerful testament to the transformative potential of embracing stillness, as she shares her evolution from a life of structure to one of profound introspection.
Our conversation also ventures into the delicate realm of mental health, with Alexandra opening up about her time in a treatment facility. The poignant stories she shares are a reminder of the work that continues after treatment and the strength found in the quiet moments of self-discovery. As a yoga teacher and strength coach, Alexandra's insights on presence and the embrace of her feminine strength offer a fresh perspective on cultivating resilience from within.
As the episode reaches its peak, we reminisce about shared moments of awe on a silent mountain hike, underscoring that tranquility isn't tethered to a place, but rather a state of being that can be accessed through introspection. Listeners are invited to ponder the wisdom of different cultures and the unlearning necessary to unearth the peace that lies at our core. We wrap up with an invitation to listeners to seek their own adventures and personal growth, sharing the excitement of the unknown paths that lie ahead. Join us for a journey not just across a continent, but deep into the heart of what it means to truly live.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Alex (00:00):
I find that we get to our strongest place when we move
easefully there and listen, andwhen you flow into strong life
flows to you.
It's the only way you can openup the channel to receive is
when you've opened up your palmand stopped gripping and trying
to plan every little moment orcontrol.
And this trip is divine in thatit's an exact representation of
(00:26):
what I've been trying to keeppushing forward through in my
life, or flow into and teachothers how to do the same.
Prue Aja (00:38):
Welcome to the Seen and Heard podcast, helping you
enhance your connection, evolveyour mindset and emerge
confidently as your true self,living a life feeling aligned,
activated and energized.
I'm your host, pruaja,international photographer,
motivational speaker andalignment strategist.
This episode was recorded livein Antarctica on a music,
(01:04):
wellness and conservationadventure hosted by Insider
Expeditions.
We danced all night and we wentdeep inside our minds with
secular Sabbath, where westarted the day with tea
ceremonies that merged into yoga, a sound bath, meditation, and
in the evenings we did groupgestalt therapy.
(01:24):
It was out of this world, aswell as learning and adventuring
and exploring the sacred,powerful land of Antarctica.
If you're the adventurous typelike me and live for wild
experiences like this, make sureyou check out the show notes
for upcoming trips with InsiderExpeditions, and I've also
(01:46):
included a very special offerfor my listeners.
When I first spotted AlexandraSilverfagan on the dance floor
on the World Voyager in theSouthern Oceans in Antarctica, I
saw her style.
She wore some sparkles and wasembodying her feminine energy in
a strong, powerful way, and aswe got to know one another, I
(02:09):
learned that Alexandra has spenther life exploring the concept
of strong and what it means toembody this concept physically,
emotionally and spiritually.
As a professional in thefitness industry for 10 years,
alex has worked with clients tocultivate a confident, worthy
and powerful expression of self.
It is her life's mission tohelp the world work in and not
(02:33):
just work out, as the creatorand founder of her own method
Flow Into Strong and RKCKettlebell Specialist, 350-hour
registered yoga teacher and theyoungest Nike master trainer
ever, at age 23.
Alex knows that the journeyreally begins when we come home
(02:54):
to ourselves through movement.
Currently, she's the creator ofPower and one of the teachers
at Open, a breathwork meditationand yoga studio located in
Venice, california, and has adigital app.
Alex is also a mental healthadvocate, which we dive into in
this episode, a published author, influencer and integrating all
(03:16):
parts of her message, remindingher clients and followers that
with passion and dedication, youcan do anything.
This episode we connect intohow the land teaches us to
surrender and the strength youcan have when being in Flow.
I hope you enjoy so you'resaying before you've been doing
(03:37):
a lot of traveling this year andabout the landscapes and the
places that you've been going.
Tell me a little bit about that.
Alex (03:48):
I created a life for myself that was very structured
and exciting at a very early age, and I was given a lot of
responsibility, a lot of labels,of people telling me what I was
good at and who I was, and so Ijust barreled straight ahead
(04:10):
until the methods of myexistence no longer applied to
my life, meaning I was in arelationship and my job changed
and my relationship ended and Ididn't know how to function.
I didn't know what to do whenthe storm came and how to
(04:33):
actually navigate it, and I tooka long time to just not do
anything.
I went to a mental healthtreatment facility.
I took a whole year of just areset where I got to actually
understand who I was underneaththe not necessarily just the
(04:55):
chaos, but what life was showingme how to do and what to do and
where to go.
What would it be like to justexist?
And I got really clear on myheart and then, once I was able
to do that, life startedproviding me opportunities to
(05:16):
move forward and dance and playin new ways.
And so what?
I find that now that I've beengiving these opportunities,
especially with travel and beingin new cultures, new
environments and also in grouptravel, where I'm not just on my
own timeline, I'm on somebodyelse's schedule and a group
schedule and group dynamic, thatI'm still learning how to stay
(05:40):
connected to just what'sunderneath all of that and flow,
because it's not about honoringnecessarily your own structure,
but having your own value andwhat you want out of a sensation
and then flowing with what'saround you.
So I find that it takes me afew days to drop into an
(06:05):
experience and then I just fullysurrender and I'm sitting here
in a robe, in my pajamas, andI've been awake for a few hours.
Prue Aja (06:15):
We're just flowing, just going with it, and what a
beautiful way to fully surrenderinto it.
And actually I want to go backto you talking about having that
year off, because I feel likethat's what I went through in
the last year.
Probably six months ago I cameout of it but it was really hard
(06:35):
and grasping onto that old meand like, but this is who I am
and this is what I do, and like,if I'm not doing that, then who
am I?
And being physically forced tohave to let go.
There were days I couldn't evenmake food to eat and I thought
(06:56):
that I would have to send mydaughter back to her dad because
I couldn't do anything and itwas scary.
There were really, really scarydays.
And it sounds like a similarthing because I feel like now,
once everything was fallen awayand moving out of the head and
into the heart space and reallyjust trusting to listen and
(07:20):
follow where that was leading me.
And now we're here inAntarctica.
Alex (07:27):
Yeah, I also find that I'm learning a lot from being here,
not necessarily just that we'reon this trip, but Antarctica
specifically.
My intention for this trip wassimplicity, because it's so
different than my normal cadence.
I'm always reaching for thenext thing or on a schedule.
(07:49):
I'm from New York.
I'm used to having so muchstimulus and the first day we
had so much spaciousness, andthen I had to keep reminding
myself simplicity.
That's what you asked for.
And this continent, this land,this landscape is pristine, but
it's also it's pristine and it'sspecific.
(08:21):
So it chooses what it wants inthe moment and we have to pivot.
This morning we were supposed togo on expeditions.
We can't because of the weather, and I'm learning a lot from
the expedition guides and our,especially our, lead guide.
I spoke to him this morning.
He was like it's a conversation, it's a dance.
(08:42):
You listen to her and then yourespond and it doesn't matter
what you've planned.
You have to do what she wants.
And I find that with our higherpower, our universe, it doesn't
matter what your plan is.
There's another plan and ifyou're going to fight it, it
might be dangerous.
So you just got to pivot, learnand be some simple with your
(09:09):
intention Just I'm Today ishere's what I want to feel today
.
I don't know how I'm going toget there, but I need to listen
and respond to what's around me.
Prue Aja (09:19):
And trust that that is what you need in that moment,
right now and there.
And if it's not now, it's someother time, and knowing what's
meant for you is not going topass you by.
And I feel like this morningthis weather is very much in
tune also with the mood, eventhough it's rainy and stuff, but
(09:41):
there's been so much excitementand so many different things
happening on this trip that alot of us need a lot more time
in bed, we need a lot more sleep, and whether, like this, makes
you feel less guilty about beingin bed and just resting really
resting.
Even though this land is sostill and when you were thinking
(10:03):
of words and before I wasthinking, dynamic, there's so
much power to it in thestillness and groundedness and
it does feel alive.
If it was really closelyconnected to Gaia, mother nature
at her essence, it's almostlike this is the center, even
(10:25):
it's the bottom of the earth.
It's kind of like whereeverything comes from, almost
mm-hmm.
Alex (10:31):
It feels like the the true description of our world's
energy in any moment.
Or it can be this crazy storm,or yesterday we had that
beautiful moment of blue skies,and it's.
It's alive, just like we gothrough emotions.
(10:54):
This land goes through emotions, and I currently live in LA.
I move from New York and I havetrouble with California's
energy because it's so, it's thesame, and you don't get the
highs without the lows.
We need the stormy day, mm-hmm,so that we can really embrace
(11:17):
the blue sky totally so, do you?
Prue Aja (11:22):
are you saying that you don't get storms there, like
it's just sunny all the time?
Alex (11:26):
pretty much, yeah it's like a groundhog's day and then
you don't have anything toanchor to yeah and I even look
at my life and if everything wasstatus quo and just copacetic,
that would, that wouldn't allowthere's no growth in that.
Like you need, you needsomething to anchor, to like in
this moment, even what you weresaying.
(11:46):
Like you, you had a time inyour life where you needed to
just stop and and and and lookat yourself and not go back to
all of these old patterns.
And we need to anchor to thosemoments that we can keep
stepping forward and growing andand being alive we have to be
alive.
Prue Aja (12:07):
Definitely when you went to this mental health
retreat, was it?
No, it was a hospital, it was atreatment facility okay, yeah,
so what things have you takenaway that help you in your
everyday life?
Alex (12:27):
to slow down.
To slow down.
Being in treatment wasn't theplace that healed me.
It was the place that I couldlook at what I was feeling and
lay it all out on the table andbe in a really safe space where
I felt held, but I wasn't pushedor prodded to do anything
(12:50):
differently.
So I could be as happy as Ineeded, I could be as angry as I
needed, I could be as sad as Ineeded, and got to actually
stand back and observe andwitness.
And then, when I came out,that's when a lot of the work
began.
And so when you're rushingthrough all these thoughts or
trying to push away emotions orpush away thoughts and this is
(13:12):
even what I teach with my in mycareer I'm a yoga teacher and
strength coach and I invitepeople to find presence and
stillness first, so that theycan unlock the strength that
they already have within.
Prue Aja (13:29):
And if you're, if you're rushing around, you miss,
you miss the opportunity toactually hear, and so treatment
taught me how to shut up andlisten because there are just so
many layers of distractions inour everyday life so much noise,
(13:49):
people, phones, like not havinga Wi-Fi here has been so
incredible and it's broughteveryone into this one place and
being fully present with oneanother not being in our phones,
obviously, taking photos andstuff, but, yeah, taking away
those layers and actually reallyfeeling your feelings.
(14:13):
And imagine if everyone had thatpractice each day when they
woke up and checked in and saidhow am I feeling today?
Instead of I know, for me Iused to wake up and go, I need
to do that and that and that andthat, and then it would layer
up quickly in my head and thenI'd just get up feeling stressed
and go all right, let's runthrough the day and get all the
things down that need to getdone.
(14:34):
And now I wake up two hoursbefore my daughter does and
really I potter like I slowlymove through the day and the
power in creating your own dayas in setting the intention and
going instead of going, this isall the things I have to do
(14:54):
today.
What do I want today to looklike?
And kind of visualizing thebest day possible as well that's
exactly how I feel with thisland.
Alex (15:07):
we wake up and it's just, it's gonna be a great day,
regardless of if we go on that 9am expedition that was planned,
we'll still have a fantastic,beautiful day, as long as we're
in relationship and inconversation with what's around
us and what's within us, andthat's the essence of my work is
(15:27):
to teach people how to be inconversation with what's within
so that you can better navigatewhat's without so you also
mentioned that you have beendoing this since a very young
age, so how did it all start?
I went to school for theater,psychology, marketing.
(15:50):
I went to NYU and so I also.
My family dynamics invited meto grow up very quickly.
I was taking care of myselffrom a really young age and when
I went to school at 18, I wasjust living in the city and on
my own and I I felt like I grewup very quickly and then my
(16:17):
career happened very fast.
I was in my last year at NYUand I was a bottle waitress at a
nightclub, which taught me alot.
I didn't feel healthy at all, soI signed up for a bodybuilding
bikini competition and that justthe the domino effect of that
(16:43):
decision put me, pushed mestraight ahead very, very
quickly.
I was signed bodybuildingcomNike found me.
I was signed as a mastertrainer at 23.
I was then a Wilhelmina fitnessmodel.
I was on the cover of magazines, I was teaching at these
incredible events and I was inmy 20s, early 20s wow, 23 when I
(17:09):
was with Nike and I had no ideawho I was.
I didn't have that journey intowomanhood yet.
I went from young girl workingin nightlife, where I was being
validated for the way that Ilooked and if I could also get
money for the club and and thenalso being validated for how I
(17:34):
looked in a different way withfitness, and then validated for
my titles and not actuallylearning who Alexandra is.
And I've gone by Alex my wholecareer, my whole life, and this
year I'm now 31.
(17:55):
On my 31st birthday, I was inMorocco and I felt something
inside of me that said Alexandra, your name is Alexandra and I
identify as these differentwomen inside me, or different
girls.
So there's like this littlegirl version of myself.
There's this woman, and thenthere's also it's like in
(18:17):
between gal, who she she skirtsbetween little girl and Alex and
Alexandra.
It was the first time that Ireally understood what it was
like to step into my namesakeand who I am as a woman, and so
(18:38):
I.
That's when I went to treatmentin 2020.
The world took all these labelsaway and I had to figure out
who I was underneath.
And I'm now stepping forward asAlexandra and holding that
vision, while rebuilding mycareer and these titles around
(19:01):
me.
But I know that if they wentaway and I'm not I'm still I'm
still me.
Prue Aja (19:07):
There's a totally different energy between the two
names as well.
Sure, it does feel very youngand playful and kind of suited
your story of what you're sayingwhere you were at.
And Alexandra sounds like thisgrounded goddess woman that
really just knows herself andher values and has so much
(19:29):
strength from that so it doesn'tmatter what changes on the
exterior, she knows who she is.
That's exactly right.
And it sounds like similar to meif I'm getting this right,
really stepping into yourfeminine energy as well, so not
being that yang and pushing andhustling and going and just like
(19:51):
doing all the things, it'sactually being in the trusting
and the receiving and thingscoming in to you that serve you
and so you can really be in yourpower and magnetize that coming
forward?
Alex (20:08):
Yeah, and the feminine power isn't aggressive.
She is receptive and grounded,and I'm now understanding what
that power feels like.
It's not having to controleverything.
It's being able to stand inyour intention and in your
(20:28):
integrity and in your grace andallow everything else to swirl
around you as you're, thispillar of softness and strength.
Prue Aja (20:39):
I love reminding myself to move through the day
with ease and grace, becausebefore it was like having to do
this, like just this heavierenergy and I've also learned
recently that masculine energyis a lot for a feminine body too
, to carry that weight and whenwe can actually just be in that
(21:01):
feminine energy, it feelslighter and everything just
flows more easily around you.
And there are definitely dayswhere my head still gets in the
way and goes but what about thisand what about this?
And I'm remembering just goingto that really deep, scary place
(21:22):
has taught me it's me, we go,it's okay just to let it all go,
because even at the very bottomyou're going to die and you've
got to go there sometimes.
And just to keep letting it goand trusting that, yeah,
witnessing it, checking in howyou're feeling about it and how
(21:43):
you're really feeling about it.
What does it mean to you?
And it actually gets to a placeof something that you've been
holding on to that needs to belet go as well.
I haven't quite finishedprocessing that thing.
It needs to go.
Do you know what?
I can really let that go.
Alex (22:00):
Yeah I say my brand is called Flow Into Strong, and so
I find that we get to ourstrongest place when we move
easefully there and listen, andwhen you flow into strong, life
flows to you.
It's the only way you can openup the channel to receive is
when you've opened up your palmand stopped gripping and trying
(22:23):
to feed, trying to plan everylittle moment or control, and
this trip is divine in that it'san exact representation of what
I've been trying to keeppushing forward through in my
life or flow into and teachothers how to do the same.
That's really magnificent.
Prue Aja (22:44):
It really is.
What would you say has beenyour awe moment?
Alex (22:50):
Yesterday we hiked up this incredible mountain with
pristine, crystal white snow,powdery, beautiful got all the
way to the top and we did it insilence.
Thank you to Pruah forsuggesting that we have a
(23:12):
meditative, silent landing.
And so the expedition was thatwalked up silence.
I was with one of my bestfriends, who I brought with me,
and then we got to the top andhe and I sat down just in
meditation and watched the sunblanket the peaks in front of us
, and then there was theAntarctica Peninsula and then
(23:36):
another island that was framingthe sun hitting the other
mountains further off, and wewere quiet and you can just hear
.
You heard the water and littlebits of the penguins and the
wind and the voice of, I feel,the goddess so powerful and so
(23:59):
soft at the same time, becausethe elements are intense here,
but they're also just.
It's an exhale.
Everything feels like an exhaleand I just started crying and
my grandpa came to me.
He passed right when my careerstarted and I was with him and I
(24:23):
was just hoping he was proud ofme and it was a really
beautiful moment to just sit andlisten to what was around and
what was within.
So it was a peak life momentright there.
Prue Aja (24:35):
What an incredible moment and memory that you have
forever.
Yeah.
Alex (24:42):
I also.
I'm also feeling super blessedthat, remembering that not
everybody in the world will getto see this, and my hope is that
if they don't get to actuallysee that, they can feel it in
another way.
And it's not that we're I wassitting on the top of a mountain
looking at something, to havethat sensation that is available
(25:04):
to us all the time.
Prue Aja (25:07):
It is, yeah, it's within, and you'll be just got
to do it in such an expansivespace.
But anywhere in nature andclosing your eyes, you can be
anywhere and being in silenceand listening to the intricacies
that nature offers you aroundyou.
Alex (25:27):
You can do it in New York, you can do it in LA, do it in
Byron Bay.
Prue Aja (25:32):
It's totally changed my life meditation.
I started Vedic meditationeight years ago and it really
helps with my mental health andalso just being in flow and
trusting that everything's there, because you're creating that
space to connect to your higherself and allow what's meant to
come through, come through.
And I feel like if we don'tcreate that space, then we're
(25:55):
just doing what's in front of usand not connecting to our path
as well.
Alex (26:00):
Totally, and this isn't brand new information, this is
we've actually, we have to, wehave to remember this
information.
I was my last trip.
I was in Tanzania and we weredancing on the top of this rock
in the middle of the Serengetiand one of the guards because
they always have armed guardsjust in case there's water
(26:22):
buffalo or water buffalowildebeests and he was standing
there and I sit down to startmeditating and just look out at
the landscape and he says to mego inside.
I said what I didn't expectthis man to start talking to me.
Go inside and listen and you'llhear God.
Prue Aja (26:43):
Wow.
Alex (26:44):
And I was just.
It's like I doubt he's got anapp on his phone that teaches
him how to meditate.
We just.
This is built into our being.
It's not rocket science.
We just have to be quiet andtrust.
And cultures like that are sosimple they don't have as much
(27:11):
of the stimulus around them, sothey don't have that much to
remember.
Prue Aja (27:16):
Yeah.
Alex (27:17):
This is already there, and we're in this constant state of
unlearning and reprogramming,and so it was really special to
have that moment.
Prue Aja (27:26):
That is an incredible moment and memory as well that
you will always have, soprofound.
I had acupuncture earlier thisyear with this.
You know those really oldChinese men and they're really
old, dusty Chinese acupunctureplaces and I thought I'm just
going to go to that one, one ofthese modern, cool ones.
(27:47):
And it was incredible.
I was so wired when I went inthere.
I was like you know, when youfeel like I don't know if you've
had this like electric shocksthrough your body, it's like
you've just been electrocuted.
You're so frazzled and I endedup being in there with the
needles in for over an hour anda heat lamp.
And he came in after about 20minutes, half an hour, and he
(28:09):
put his hand on me and he waslike how are you feeling?
I said my head's still justspinning and he goes.
There's only one question youneed to be asking yourself is
who am I?
Whoa.
And so I just went into that,but also without attaching
labels, not being like, oh, I'ma photographer, I'm this, I'm
(28:30):
this, I'm my mom, just reallysurrendering into that and it's
kind of like a meditation, likea mantra, and just going back to
that and by the end of thesession I floated out of there,
and the more I'm aware ofgetting into these states of
being frazzled, the more not I'mgoing into them.
(28:51):
A lot less, because as soon asI start feeling it coming on,
it's like okay, take a step back, you're going too hard, it's
too much happening and you don'thave to live like this anymore
and just keep calming, calmingdown.
Alex (29:05):
Yeah, Well, the tension is when we're trying to resist
what's around us and we'repushing forward in whatever
decision that we had made forthat moment, even if it's not
reflective of what actuallyneeds to happen.
And when you release, when yourelease the desire for your own
(29:26):
way, all of that tensiondisappears.
Prue Aja (29:29):
Yeah, I can't believe how we're not taught this from a
grade.
And we have to go through it.
We know it.
Yeah, we know it.
Alex (29:39):
We're actually, we're taught something else, we're
pushed for something else.
You need to be this.
What do you want to be Likewhen you grow up?
Right, we think about labels,or we see these movies of epic
love stories that you need tofind the one, or you need to
earn money to be successful andwe just need to slow down, eat
(30:00):
from the land and lay down andsnuggle your people and close
your eyes and dream.
Prue Aja (30:08):
Simplify and just come back to what's actually
important in life and realizewe're just here to experience.
We're not going to takeanything with us except the
memories, the lessons and, since, coming out of my
transformation as well, justlaughing at life, at the things
(30:32):
and not taking things soseriously anymore, because
really we're only here for sucha short, precious moment and we
need to enjoy it with ease andgrace as Queen.
Alex (30:48):
Amen.
I've been saying that insteadof amen, amen, amen.
Prue Aja (30:52):
I love it.
Is there anything else youwanted to share from this trip
or about your journey?
Alex (31:02):
I'll just put out a an intention for the next year,
because we're almost towards theend of 2023.
Prue Aja (31:10):
Yeah, because I feel like we've been actually out of
space, out in space.
Totally, right now in timewe're on a good still, whereas
everyone back in reality rightnow is getting prepared for the
holiday season and for Christmasand for New Year's, and might
be in the same way.
Alex (31:27):
Time does not exist here.
The sun never sets, which hasbeen turning me inside out.
I'm so confused, but it's beengreat because it's also allowed
me to drop my oh.
Now the sun is setting, so Ihave to start getting tired and
I have to go to sleep at thistime and I have to wake up at
this time, just just wow,whatever, whatever it be.
So we're coming towards the endof the year and my intention
(31:51):
for 2024.
My intention for 2023 was graceand security, and I found that I
was able to experience securityand safety.
I created it for myself.
I didn't really travel, I wasjust working for the first few
(32:12):
months.
I realized how unfulfilling itwas and that creating security
around me wasn't actuallyfeeling secure.
And then life gifted me all ofthese trips, and so I would like
my intention for 2024 to beWonder, wonder.
(32:51):
I want to be exploring andfeeling safe and just continue
to wonder what else, what else,what else?
Because when you're safe andsecure, you stay in this little
box, and I want to.
I want to expand out.
Prue Aja (33:10):
I love that.
I feel like we've been.
That's another construct that'sbeen put onto us is that you
have to be safe and secure.
Safe is important, but thisform of security owning a house,
having plenty of money in thebank, you know it's another
thing that how do you knowwhen's enough money or enough
(33:31):
stuff to be secure?
Alex (33:34):
It's all energy.
It's all energy and you can tapinto it at any moment.
Prue Aja (33:39):
Yeah, totally.
When you were thinking of yours, I was thinking of what mine is
, and it's curiosity Justfollowing that curiosity and
seeing what comes out of that.
Alex (33:52):
I feel minus anonymous, as Wonder and my right now my
Instagram says curiosity is mysuperpower, so I do believe
that's gotten me to some prettygood places.
After my year of spaciousness, Ihad a year of yes where I said
yes to everything that came myway and it's led me.
(34:12):
It's led me to my community, mytribe, to a new life in LA,
from New York.
It's led me here sitting on adeck in Antarctica with you.
And, yeah, we need to becurious and secure that we'll be
okay as we lean into ourcuriosity and step forward, and
(34:34):
actually I want to add one morething in.
Prue Aja (34:36):
So when I found out about this trip, I said I shared
it on my stories and just saidI am manifesting, going on this.
And two weeks later, which was10 days before the trip things
shifted and changed and I had aticket to come, and then there
was fear that came up, though Iwas like I shouldn't be doing
(34:59):
this now.
Who's going to look after mydaughter and my dog?
And what about working?
And what about having, you know, working up until Christmas, so
I've got enough time, money tohave time off over summer.
And inside it was a hell, yes,but the fear was getting in the
way and my friend supported meand said you have to go and then
just taking that step into it.
(35:20):
So these things are always abit scary for me.
And then, as I step, theuniverse supports me, but you
have to show that you arewilling to take that leap and
trust that it's all going towork out as well.
Alex (35:35):
Yeah, I've done the same and it hasn't served me wrong.
I've had more moments of regretthan the discomfort of the fear
of what you're leaving behind.
There's always something else.
I feel the same.
I didn't know about this tripuntil I was sitting in Tanzania
(35:57):
with the organizer of the tripand he said you're coming to
Antarctica.
I said I guess I am.
And I had no plans to traveluntil the following year.
And I believe when you getinvitations like that, it's
truly a nudge from the universe.
It's like, hey, I got this foryou.
Yeah, You're like okay, Are youlike?
(36:19):
Nah, nah, nah, I'm good in thislittle box over here and I know
it's scary because we,especially in our society, we
need to work and there's afamily and there's
responsibilities and obligations, but things you can always find
a way.
Prue Aja (36:37):
You can and you're never going to let yourself down
, and if you do, it's just aredirection.
Alex (36:43):
Sure there are reasons that you don't go on trips as
well.
I was actually invited to go toAntarctica on my 30th birthday
and I logistically was not ableto go on that trip and I did
regret it, but it led me togoing on this trip and I needed
to be here right now because ifI had gone on that trip, I
(37:03):
wouldn't have been further alongin this exploration of my
mission and my purpose andmyself that I probably wouldn't
have my conversation withAntarctica, with her, wouldn't
have been as rich.
And so I think the goddess thatit took me another year and a
(37:25):
half before I was able to stepfoot on this continent and it
felt like it felt like I missedout.
But I didn't miss out onanything, and it's a good
reminder that if somethingdoesn't happen for you in that
moment, it's going to show upeven better.
Prue Aja (37:43):
That's what I love.
Sometimes you miss theseopportunities or things didn't
quite work out.
That's like no, because that'snot quite all of them.
It's something way bigger thanthat for you, something that's
beyond your comprehension, thatyou can even create in your mind
, and that's what I'm reallyexcited about next year.
It really feels like a blankcanvas and so much expansion and
(38:07):
opportunity ahead, andespecially as the world evolves
as well by coming into a newworld and everyone's shifting
and changing and there's so muchmore love and connection and
connection to nature, and it'sexciting, it feels good.
Alex (38:24):
Keeps getting better, forever and ever.
Prue Aja (38:26):
Yeah, thank you so much.
Thanks for having me.
Love having this chat with youso nice.
If you're yearning for anadventure that transcends the
ordinary picture yourselfsurrounded by the awe inspiring
beauty of places like Antarctica, sharing moments with
incredible individuals, insiderexpeditions will take you there.
(38:49):
I have a very special discountoffer for you as a valued
listener in the show notes forupcoming expeditions.
So seize the opportunity toembark on an adventure that
promises not just a trip, but anexperience of a lifetime just
like this one, and I might evensee you there.
(39:11):
Remember, just like today'sguest, the world needs your
gifts.
So shine your light, own yourpower, show up and be seen and
heard.
If you're now feeling inspiredand motivated and believe this
episode can inspire someone inyour community, please hit share
on your favorite social mediaplatform.
It truly means so much to me.
(39:32):
Each month, I also choose onepodcast listener that writes a
review to receive a special gifta personal one on one align and
energize strategy sessiondesigned to get you back on
track to living your best life.
To find out other ways, you canwork with me head over to
pruhajacom, where you can findlinks to my upcoming photo shoot
(39:56):
, tour dates, coaching,mentoring and my upcoming
retreat in Byron Bay, or ifyou're looking for a
motivational speaker for yournext event.
I would love to help you out,thank you.
I find that we get to our strongest place when we move
easefully there and listen, andwhen you flow into strong life
flows to you.
It's the only way you can openup the channel to receive is
when you've opened up your palmand stopped gripping and trying
to plan every little moment orcontrol.
And this trip is divine in thatit's an exact representation of
(00:26):
what I've been trying to keeppushing forward through in my
life, or flow into and teachothers how to do the same.
Prue Aja (00:38):
Welcome to the Seen and Heard podcast, helping you
enhance your connection, evolveyour mindset and emerge
confidently as your true self,living a life feeling aligned,
activated and energized.
I'm your host, pruaja,international photographer,
motivational speaker andalignment strategist.
This episode was recorded livein Antarctica on a music,
(01:04):
wellness and conservationadventure hosted by Insider
Expeditions.
We danced all night and we wentdeep inside our minds with
secular Sabbath, where westarted the day with tea
ceremonies that merged into yoga, a sound bath, meditation, and
in the evenings we did groupgestalt therapy.
(01:24):
It was out of this world, aswell as learning and adventuring
and exploring the sacred,powerful land of Antarctica.
If you're the adventurous typelike me and live for wild
experiences like this, make sureyou check out the show notes
for upcoming trips with InsiderExpeditions, and I've also
(01:46):
included a very special offerfor my listeners.
When I first spotted AlexandraSilverfagan on the dance floor
on the World Voyager in theSouthern Oceans in Antarctica, I
saw her style.
She wore some sparkles and wasembodying her feminine energy in
a strong, powerful way, and aswe got to know one another, I
(02:09):
learned that Alexandra has spenther life exploring the concept
of strong and what it means toembody this concept physically,
emotionally and spiritually.
As a professional in thefitness industry for 10 years,
alex has worked with clients tocultivate a confident, worthy
and powerful expression of self.
It is her life's mission tohelp the world work in and not
(02:33):
just work out, as the creatorand founder of her own method
Flow Into Strong and RKCKettlebell Specialist, 350-hour
registered yoga teacher and theyoungest Nike master trainer
ever, at age 23.
Alex knows that the journeyreally begins when we come home
(02:54):
to ourselves through movement.
Currently, she's the creator ofPower and one of the teachers
at Open, a breathwork meditationand yoga studio located in
Venice, california, and has adigital app.
Alex is also a mental healthadvocate, which we dive into in
this episode, a published author, influencer and integrating all
(03:16):
parts of her message, remindingher clients and followers that
with passion and dedication, youcan do anything.
This episode we connect intohow the land teaches us to
surrender and the strength youcan have when being in Flow.
I hope you enjoy so you'resaying before you've been doing
(03:37):
a lot of traveling this year andabout the landscapes and the
places that you've been going.
Tell me a little bit about that.
Alex (03:48):
I created a life for myself that was very structured
and exciting at a very early age, and I was given a lot of
responsibility, a lot of labels,of people telling me what I was
good at and who I was, and so Ijust barreled straight ahead
(04:10):
until the methods of myexistence no longer applied to
my life, meaning I was in arelationship and my job changed
and my relationship ended and Ididn't know how to function.
I didn't know what to do whenthe storm came and how to
(04:33):
actually navigate it, and I tooka long time to just not do
anything.
I went to a mental healthtreatment facility.
I took a whole year of just areset where I got to actually
understand who I was underneaththe not necessarily just the
(04:55):
chaos, but what life was showingme how to do and what to do and
where to go.
What would it be like to justexist?
And I got really clear on myheart and then, once I was able
to do that, life startedproviding me opportunities to
(05:16):
move forward and dance and playin new ways.
And so what?
I find that now that I've beengiving these opportunities,
especially with travel and beingin new cultures, new
environments and also in grouptravel, where I'm not just on my
own timeline, I'm on somebodyelse's schedule and a group
schedule and group dynamic, thatI'm still learning how to stay
(05:40):
connected to just what'sunderneath all of that and flow,
because it's not about honoringnecessarily your own structure,
but having your own value andwhat you want out of a sensation
and then flowing with what'saround you.
So I find that it takes me afew days to drop into an
(06:05):
experience and then I just fullysurrender and I'm sitting here
in a robe, in my pajamas, andI've been awake for a few hours.
Prue Aja (06:15):
We're just flowing, just going with it, and what a
beautiful way to fully surrenderinto it.
And actually I want to go backto you talking about having that
year off, because I feel likethat's what I went through in
the last year.
Probably six months ago I cameout of it but it was really hard
(06:35):
and grasping onto that old meand like, but this is who I am
and this is what I do, and like,if I'm not doing that, then who
am I?
And being physically forced tohave to let go.
There were days I couldn't evenmake food to eat and I thought
(06:56):
that I would have to send mydaughter back to her dad because
I couldn't do anything and itwas scary.
There were really, really scarydays.
And it sounds like a similarthing because I feel like now,
once everything was fallen awayand moving out of the head and
into the heart space and reallyjust trusting to listen and
(07:20):
follow where that was leading me.
And now we're here inAntarctica.
Alex (07:27):
Yeah, I also find that I'm learning a lot from being here,
not necessarily just that we'reon this trip, but Antarctica
specifically.
My intention for this trip wassimplicity, because it's so
different than my normal cadence.
I'm always reaching for thenext thing or on a schedule.
(07:49):
I'm from New York.
I'm used to having so muchstimulus and the first day we
had so much spaciousness, andthen I had to keep reminding
myself simplicity.
That's what you asked for.
And this continent, this land,this landscape is pristine, but
it's also it's pristine and it'sspecific.
(08:21):
So it chooses what it wants inthe moment and we have to pivot.
This morning we were supposed togo on expeditions.
We can't because of the weather, and I'm learning a lot from
the expedition guides and our,especially our, lead guide.
I spoke to him this morning.
He was like it's a conversation, it's a dance.
(08:42):
You listen to her and then yourespond and it doesn't matter
what you've planned.
You have to do what she wants.
And I find that with our higherpower, our universe, it doesn't
matter what your plan is.
There's another plan and ifyou're going to fight it, it
might be dangerous.
So you just got to pivot, learnand be some simple with your
(09:09):
intention Just I'm Today ishere's what I want to feel today
.
I don't know how I'm going toget there, but I need to listen
and respond to what's around me.
Prue Aja (09:19):
And trust that that is what you need in that moment,
right now and there.
And if it's not now, it's someother time, and knowing what's
meant for you is not going topass you by.
And I feel like this morningthis weather is very much in
tune also with the mood, eventhough it's rainy and stuff, but
(09:41):
there's been so much excitementand so many different things
happening on this trip that alot of us need a lot more time
in bed, we need a lot more sleep, and whether, like this, makes
you feel less guilty about beingin bed and just resting really
resting.
Even though this land is sostill and when you were thinking
(10:03):
of words and before I wasthinking, dynamic, there's so
much power to it in thestillness and groundedness and
it does feel alive.
If it was really closelyconnected to Gaia, mother nature
at her essence, it's almostlike this is the center, even
(10:25):
it's the bottom of the earth.
It's kind of like whereeverything comes from, almost
mm-hmm.
Alex (10:31):
It feels like the the true description of our world's
energy in any moment.
Or it can be this crazy storm,or yesterday we had that
beautiful moment of blue skies,and it's.
It's alive, just like we gothrough emotions.
(10:54):
This land goes through emotions, and I currently live in LA.
I move from New York and I havetrouble with California's
energy because it's so, it's thesame, and you don't get the
highs without the lows.
We need the stormy day, mm-hmm,so that we can really embrace
(11:17):
the blue sky totally so, do you?
Prue Aja (11:22):
are you saying that you don't get storms there, like
it's just sunny all the time?
Alex (11:26):
pretty much, yeah it's like a groundhog's day and then
you don't have anything toanchor to yeah and I even look
at my life and if everything wasstatus quo and just copacetic,
that would, that wouldn't allowthere's no growth in that.
Like you need, you needsomething to anchor, to like in
this moment, even what you weresaying.
(11:46):
Like you, you had a time inyour life where you needed to
just stop and and and and lookat yourself and not go back to
all of these old patterns.
And we need to anchor to thosemoments that we can keep
stepping forward and growing andand being alive we have to be
alive.
Prue Aja (12:07):
Definitely when you went to this mental health
retreat, was it?
No, it was a hospital, it was atreatment facility okay, yeah,
so what things have you takenaway that help you in your
everyday life?
Alex (12:27):
to slow down.
To slow down.
Being in treatment wasn't theplace that healed me.
It was the place that I couldlook at what I was feeling and
lay it all out on the table andbe in a really safe space where
I felt held, but I wasn't pushedor prodded to do anything
(12:50):
differently.
So I could be as happy as Ineeded, I could be as angry as I
needed, I could be as sad as Ineeded, and got to actually
stand back and observe andwitness.
And then, when I came out,that's when a lot of the work
began.
And so when you're rushingthrough all these thoughts or
trying to push away emotions orpush away thoughts and this is
(13:12):
even what I teach with my in mycareer I'm a yoga teacher and
strength coach and I invitepeople to find presence and
stillness first, so that theycan unlock the strength that
they already have within.
Prue Aja (13:29):
And if you're, if you're rushing around, you miss,
you miss the opportunity toactually hear, and so treatment
taught me how to shut up andlisten because there are just so
many layers of distractions inour everyday life so much noise,
(13:49):
people, phones, like not havinga Wi-Fi here has been so
incredible and it's broughteveryone into this one place and
being fully present with oneanother not being in our phones,
obviously, taking photos andstuff, but, yeah, taking away
those layers and actually reallyfeeling your feelings.
(14:13):
And imagine if everyone had thatpractice each day when they
woke up and checked in and saidhow am I feeling today?
Instead of I know, for me Iused to wake up and go, I need
to do that and that and that andthat, and then it would layer
up quickly in my head and thenI'd just get up feeling stressed
and go all right, let's runthrough the day and get all the
things down that need to getdone.
(14:34):
And now I wake up two hoursbefore my daughter does and
really I potter like I slowlymove through the day and the
power in creating your own dayas in setting the intention and
going instead of going, this isall the things I have to do
(14:54):
today.
What do I want today to looklike?
And kind of visualizing thebest day possible as well that's
exactly how I feel with thisland.
Alex (15:07):
we wake up and it's just, it's gonna be a great day,
regardless of if we go on that 9am expedition that was planned,
we'll still have a fantastic,beautiful day, as long as we're
in relationship and inconversation with what's around
us and what's within us, andthat's the essence of my work is
(15:27):
to teach people how to be inconversation with what's within
so that you can better navigatewhat's without so you also
mentioned that you have beendoing this since a very young
age, so how did it all start?
I went to school for theater,psychology, marketing.
(15:50):
I went to NYU and so I also.
My family dynamics invited meto grow up very quickly.
I was taking care of myselffrom a really young age and when
I went to school at 18, I wasjust living in the city and on
my own and I I felt like I grewup very quickly and then my
(16:17):
career happened very fast.
I was in my last year at NYUand I was a bottle waitress at a
nightclub, which taught me alot.
I didn't feel healthy at all, soI signed up for a bodybuilding
bikini competition and that justthe the domino effect of that
(16:43):
decision put me, pushed mestraight ahead very, very
quickly.
I was signed bodybuildingcomNike found me.
I was signed as a mastertrainer at 23.
I was then a Wilhelmina fitnessmodel.
I was on the cover of magazines, I was teaching at these
incredible events and I was inmy 20s, early 20s wow, 23 when I
(17:09):
was with Nike and I had no ideawho I was.
I didn't have that journey intowomanhood yet.
I went from young girl workingin nightlife, where I was being
validated for the way that Ilooked and if I could also get
money for the club and and thenalso being validated for how I
(17:34):
looked in a different way withfitness, and then validated for
my titles and not actuallylearning who Alexandra is.
And I've gone by Alex my wholecareer, my whole life, and this
year I'm now 31.
(17:55):
On my 31st birthday, I was inMorocco and I felt something
inside of me that said Alexandra, your name is Alexandra and I
identify as these differentwomen inside me, or different
girls.
So there's like this littlegirl version of myself.
There's this woman, and thenthere's also it's like in
(18:17):
between gal, who she she skirtsbetween little girl and Alex and
Alexandra.
It was the first time that Ireally understood what it was
like to step into my namesakeand who I am as a woman, and so
(18:38):
I.
That's when I went to treatmentin 2020.
The world took all these labelsaway and I had to figure out
who I was underneath.
And I'm now stepping forward asAlexandra and holding that
vision, while rebuilding mycareer and these titles around
(19:01):
me.
But I know that if they wentaway and I'm not I'm still I'm
still me.
Prue Aja (19:07):
There's a totally different energy between the two
names as well.
Sure, it does feel very youngand playful and kind of suited
your story of what you're sayingwhere you were at.
And Alexandra sounds like thisgrounded goddess woman that
really just knows herself andher values and has so much
(19:29):
strength from that so it doesn'tmatter what changes on the
exterior, she knows who she is.
That's exactly right.
And it sounds like similar to meif I'm getting this right,
really stepping into yourfeminine energy as well, so not
being that yang and pushing andhustling and going and just like
(19:51):
doing all the things, it'sactually being in the trusting
and the receiving and thingscoming in to you that serve you
and so you can really be in yourpower and magnetize that coming
forward?
Alex (20:08):
Yeah, and the feminine power isn't aggressive.
She is receptive and grounded,and I'm now understanding what
that power feels like.
It's not having to controleverything.
It's being able to stand inyour intention and in your
(20:28):
integrity and in your grace andallow everything else to swirl
around you as you're, thispillar of softness and strength.
Prue Aja (20:39):
I love reminding myself to move through the day
with ease and grace, becausebefore it was like having to do
this, like just this heavierenergy and I've also learned
recently that masculine energyis a lot for a feminine body too
, to carry that weight and whenwe can actually just be in that
(21:01):
feminine energy, it feelslighter and everything just
flows more easily around you.
And there are definitely dayswhere my head still gets in the
way and goes but what about thisand what about this?
And I'm remembering just goingto that really deep, scary place
(21:22):
has taught me it's me, we go,it's okay just to let it all go,
because even at the very bottomyou're going to die and you've
got to go there sometimes.
And just to keep letting it goand trusting that, yeah,
witnessing it, checking in howyou're feeling about it and how
(21:43):
you're really feeling about it.
What does it mean to you?
And it actually gets to a placeof something that you've been
holding on to that needs to belet go as well.
I haven't quite finishedprocessing that thing.
It needs to go.
Do you know what?
I can really let that go.
Alex (22:00):
Yeah I say my brand is called Flow Into Strong, and so
I find that we get to ourstrongest place when we move
easefully there and listen, andwhen you flow into strong, life
flows to you.
It's the only way you can openup the channel to receive is
when you've opened up your palmand stopped gripping and trying
(22:23):
to feed, trying to plan everylittle moment or control, and
this trip is divine in that it'san exact representation of what
I've been trying to keeppushing forward through in my
life or flow into and teachothers how to do the same.
That's really magnificent.
Prue Aja (22:44):
It really is.
What would you say has beenyour awe moment?
Alex (22:50):
Yesterday we hiked up this incredible mountain with
pristine, crystal white snow,powdery, beautiful got all the
way to the top and we did it insilence.
Thank you to Pruah forsuggesting that we have a
(23:12):
meditative, silent landing.
And so the expedition was thatwalked up silence.
I was with one of my bestfriends, who I brought with me,
and then we got to the top andhe and I sat down just in
meditation and watched the sunblanket the peaks in front of us
, and then there was theAntarctica Peninsula and then
(23:36):
another island that was framingthe sun hitting the other
mountains further off, and wewere quiet and you can just hear
.
You heard the water and littlebits of the penguins and the
wind and the voice of, I feel,the goddess so powerful and so
(23:59):
soft at the same time, becausethe elements are intense here,
but they're also just.
It's an exhale.
Everything feels like an exhaleand I just started crying and
my grandpa came to me.
He passed right when my careerstarted and I was with him and I
(24:23):
was just hoping he was proud ofme and it was a really
beautiful moment to just sit andlisten to what was around and
what was within.
So it was a peak life momentright there.
Prue Aja (24:35):
What an incredible moment and memory that you have
forever.
Yeah.
Alex (24:42):
I also.
I'm also feeling super blessedthat, remembering that not
everybody in the world will getto see this, and my hope is that
if they don't get to actuallysee that, they can feel it in
another way.
And it's not that we're I wassitting on the top of a mountain
looking at something, to havethat sensation that is available
(25:04):
to us all the time.
Prue Aja (25:07):
It is, yeah, it's within, and you'll be just got
to do it in such an expansivespace.
But anywhere in nature andclosing your eyes, you can be
anywhere and being in silenceand listening to the intricacies
that nature offers you aroundyou.
Alex (25:27):
You can do it in New York, you can do it in LA, do it in
Byron Bay.
Prue Aja (25:32):
It's totally changed my life meditation.
I started Vedic meditationeight years ago and it really
helps with my mental health andalso just being in flow and
trusting that everything's there, because you're creating that
space to connect to your higherself and allow what's meant to
come through, come through.
And I feel like if we don'tcreate that space, then we're
(25:55):
just doing what's in front of usand not connecting to our path
as well.
Alex (26:00):
Totally, and this isn't brand new information, this is
we've actually, we have to, wehave to remember this
information.
I was my last trip.
I was in Tanzania and we weredancing on the top of this rock
in the middle of the Serengetiand one of the guards because
they always have armed guardsjust in case there's water
(26:22):
buffalo or water buffalowildebeests and he was standing
there and I sit down to startmeditating and just look out at
the landscape and he says to mego inside.
I said what I didn't expectthis man to start talking to me.
Go inside and listen and you'llhear God.
Prue Aja (26:43):
Wow.
Alex (26:44):
And I was just.
It's like I doubt he's got anapp on his phone that teaches
him how to meditate.
We just.
This is built into our being.
It's not rocket science.
We just have to be quiet andtrust.
And cultures like that are sosimple they don't have as much
(27:11):
of the stimulus around them, sothey don't have that much to
remember.
Prue Aja (27:16):
Yeah.
Alex (27:17):
This is already there, and we're in this constant state of
unlearning and reprogramming,and so it was really special to
have that moment.
Prue Aja (27:26):
That is an incredible moment and memory as well that
you will always have, soprofound.
I had acupuncture earlier thisyear with this.
You know those really oldChinese men and they're really
old, dusty Chinese acupunctureplaces and I thought I'm just
going to go to that one, one ofthese modern, cool ones.
(27:47):
And it was incredible.
I was so wired when I went inthere.
I was like you know, when youfeel like I don't know if you've
had this like electric shocksthrough your body, it's like
you've just been electrocuted.
You're so frazzled and I endedup being in there with the
needles in for over an hour anda heat lamp.
And he came in after about 20minutes, half an hour, and he
(28:09):
put his hand on me and he waslike how are you feeling?
I said my head's still justspinning and he goes.
There's only one question youneed to be asking yourself is
who am I?
Whoa.
And so I just went into that,but also without attaching
labels, not being like, oh, I'ma photographer, I'm this, I'm
(28:30):
this, I'm my mom, just reallysurrendering into that and it's
kind of like a meditation, likea mantra, and just going back to
that and by the end of thesession I floated out of there,
and the more I'm aware ofgetting into these states of
being frazzled, the more not I'mgoing into them.
(28:51):
A lot less, because as soon asI start feeling it coming on,
it's like okay, take a step back, you're going too hard, it's
too much happening and you don'thave to live like this anymore
and just keep calming, calmingdown.
Alex (29:05):
Yeah, Well, the tension is when we're trying to resist
what's around us and we'repushing forward in whatever
decision that we had made forthat moment, even if it's not
reflective of what actuallyneeds to happen.
And when you release, when yourelease the desire for your own
(29:26):
way, all of that tensiondisappears.
Prue Aja (29:29):
Yeah, I can't believe how we're not taught this from a
grade.
And we have to go through it.
We know it.
Yeah, we know it.
Alex (29:39):
We're actually, we're taught something else, we're
pushed for something else.
You need to be this.
What do you want to be Likewhen you grow up?
Right, we think about labels,or we see these movies of epic
love stories that you need tofind the one, or you need to
earn money to be successful andwe just need to slow down, eat
(30:00):
from the land and lay down andsnuggle your people and close
your eyes and dream.
Prue Aja (30:08):
Simplify and just come back to what's actually
important in life and realizewe're just here to experience.
We're not going to takeanything with us except the
memories, the lessons and, since, coming out of my
transformation as well, justlaughing at life, at the things
(30:32):
and not taking things soseriously anymore, because
really we're only here for sucha short, precious moment and we
need to enjoy it with ease andgrace as Queen.
Alex (30:48):
Amen.
I've been saying that insteadof amen, amen, amen.
Prue Aja (30:52):
I love it.
Is there anything else youwanted to share from this trip
or about your journey?
Alex (31:02):
I'll just put out a an intention for the next year,
because we're almost towards theend of 2023.
Prue Aja (31:10):
Yeah, because I feel like we've been actually out of
space, out in space.
Totally, right now in timewe're on a good still, whereas
everyone back in reality rightnow is getting prepared for the
holiday season and for Christmasand for New Year's, and might
be in the same way.
Alex (31:27):
Time does not exist here.
The sun never sets, which hasbeen turning me inside out.
I'm so confused, but it's beengreat because it's also allowed
me to drop my oh.
Now the sun is setting, so Ihave to start getting tired and
I have to go to sleep at thistime and I have to wake up at
this time, just just wow,whatever, whatever it be.
So we're coming towards the endof the year and my intention
(31:51):
for 2024.
My intention for 2023 was graceand security, and I found that I
was able to experience securityand safety.
I created it for myself.
I didn't really travel, I wasjust working for the first few
(32:12):
months.
I realized how unfulfilling itwas and that creating security
around me wasn't actuallyfeeling secure.
And then life gifted me all ofthese trips, and so I would like
my intention for 2024 to beWonder, wonder.
(32:51):
I want to be exploring andfeeling safe and just continue
to wonder what else, what else,what else?
Because when you're safe andsecure, you stay in this little
box, and I want to.
I want to expand out.
Prue Aja (33:10):
I love that.
I feel like we've been.
That's another construct that'sbeen put onto us is that you
have to be safe and secure.
Safe is important, but thisform of security owning a house,
having plenty of money in thebank, you know it's another
thing that how do you knowwhen's enough money or enough
(33:31):
stuff to be secure?
Alex (33:34):
It's all energy.
It's all energy and you can tapinto it at any moment.
Prue Aja (33:39):
Yeah, totally.
When you were thinking of yours, I was thinking of what mine is
, and it's curiosity Justfollowing that curiosity and
seeing what comes out of that.
Alex (33:52):
I feel minus anonymous, as Wonder and my right now my
Instagram says curiosity is mysuperpower, so I do believe
that's gotten me to some prettygood places.
After my year of spaciousness, Ihad a year of yes where I said
yes to everything that came myway and it's led me.
(34:12):
It's led me to my community, mytribe, to a new life in LA,
from New York.
It's led me here sitting on adeck in Antarctica with you.
And, yeah, we need to becurious and secure that we'll be
okay as we lean into ourcuriosity and step forward, and
(34:34):
actually I want to add one morething in.
Prue Aja (34:36):
So when I found out about this trip, I said I shared
it on my stories and just saidI am manifesting, going on this.
And two weeks later, which was10 days before the trip things
shifted and changed and I had aticket to come, and then there
was fear that came up, though Iwas like I shouldn't be doing
(34:59):
this now.
Who's going to look after mydaughter and my dog?
And what about working?
And what about having, you know, working up until Christmas, so
I've got enough time, money tohave time off over summer.
And inside it was a hell, yes,but the fear was getting in the
way and my friend supported meand said you have to go and then
just taking that step into it.
(35:20):
So these things are always abit scary for me.
And then, as I step, theuniverse supports me, but you
have to show that you arewilling to take that leap and
trust that it's all going towork out as well.
Alex (35:35):
Yeah, I've done the same and it hasn't served me wrong.
I've had more moments of regretthan the discomfort of the fear
of what you're leaving behind.
There's always something else.
I feel the same.
I didn't know about this tripuntil I was sitting in Tanzania
(35:57):
with the organizer of the tripand he said you're coming to
Antarctica.
I said I guess I am.
And I had no plans to traveluntil the following year.
And I believe when you getinvitations like that, it's
truly a nudge from the universe.
It's like, hey, I got this foryou.
Yeah, You're like okay, Are youlike?
(36:19):
Nah, nah, nah, I'm good in thislittle box over here and I know
it's scary because we,especially in our society, we
need to work and there's afamily and there's
responsibilities and obligations, but things you can always find
a way.
Prue Aja (36:37):
You can and you're never going to let yourself down
, and if you do, it's just aredirection.
Alex (36:43):
Sure there are reasons that you don't go on trips as
well.
I was actually invited to go toAntarctica on my 30th birthday
and I logistically was not ableto go on that trip and I did
regret it, but it led me togoing on this trip and I needed
to be here right now because ifI had gone on that trip, I
(37:03):
wouldn't have been further alongin this exploration of my
mission and my purpose andmyself that I probably wouldn't
have my conversation withAntarctica, with her, wouldn't
have been as rich.
And so I think the goddess thatit took me another year and a
(37:25):
half before I was able to stepfoot on this continent and it
felt like it felt like I missedout.
But I didn't miss out onanything, and it's a good
reminder that if somethingdoesn't happen for you in that
moment, it's going to show upeven better.
Prue Aja (37:43):
That's what I love.
Sometimes you miss theseopportunities or things didn't
quite work out.
That's like no, because that'snot quite all of them.
It's something way bigger thanthat for you, something that's
beyond your comprehension, thatyou can even create in your mind
, and that's what I'm reallyexcited about next year.
It really feels like a blankcanvas and so much expansion and
(38:07):
opportunity ahead, andespecially as the world evolves
as well by coming into a newworld and everyone's shifting
and changing and there's so muchmore love and connection and
connection to nature, and it'sexciting, it feels good.
Alex (38:24):
Keeps getting better, forever and ever.
Prue Aja (38:26):
Yeah, thank you so much.
Thanks for having me.
Love having this chat with youso nice.
If you're yearning for anadventure that transcends the
ordinary picture yourselfsurrounded by the awe inspiring
beauty of places like Antarctica, sharing moments with
incredible individuals, insiderexpeditions will take you there.
(38:49):
I have a very special discountoffer for you as a valued
listener in the show notes forupcoming expeditions.
So seize the opportunity toembark on an adventure that
promises not just a trip, but anexperience of a lifetime just
like this one, and I might evensee you there.
(39:11):
Remember, just like today'sguest, the world needs your
gifts.
So shine your light, own yourpower, show up and be seen and
heard.
If you're now feeling inspiredand motivated and believe this
episode can inspire someone inyour community, please hit share
on your favorite social mediaplatform.
It truly means so much to me.
(39:32):
Each month, I also choose onepodcast listener that writes a
review to receive a special gifta personal one on one align and
energize strategy sessiondesigned to get you back on
track to living your best life.
To find out other ways, you canwork with me head over to
pruhajacom, where you can findlinks to my upcoming photo shoot
(39:56):
, tour dates, coaching,mentoring and my upcoming
retreat in Byron Bay, or ifyou're looking for a
motivational speaker for yournext event.
I would love to help you out,thank you.
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