 I am here with Brandon Bennett and excited to talk with him about what kinds of lessons he's learning as he has been building his business. So Brandon is a member of my master heart business mentoring group, and he is a life and career coach, especially helping people who consider themselves heart centered professionals. And Brandon you can say a bit about your background if you'd like but welcome and thanks for doing this. Yeah, yeah it's a pleasure being with you George. A little bit of my background. Please. Yeah, just to put a little bit of that out there. So as you were mentioning I'm a purposeful career and like coach, and one of the aspects that I recognize within my own growth as well as on a professional level was I had this this big vision on what was supposed to be the mountaintop at least something that I had in my head visually. And it was centered around money and it was centered around prestige and it was centered around brand. And one of the cool things about that was that I did receive this I did create create this in terms of working for the number one value sports franchise in the world. You know, this figure income, you know had had created this this dynamic where I was doing work that I thought on an intellectual or on a mind level would be fulfilling it would lead to happiness. And what I realized was that on a deeper level. I was being called forward to something that was that was much deeper than what I had a original vision for it first. So, my path led me to, you know, having a breakdown in my in my health which which led me to completely, you know, going on different protocols and working with different professionals on the on the holistic healing space to completely control my health and once I became more and more self aware of not only the importance of the mind body connection when it comes to health, but also I started to become more aware of certain sensitivities whether it be to the environment whether it be to being introverted and needing a certain amount of space alone in order to operate and thrive at best. So I started to put this this career that, again, was perceptually the the mountaintop in no longer serve me. So, I started to put more and more attention and awareness towards what was it that I would love and I would love to see these traits of a career of a profession that would create a sense of peace and joy and happiness, while at the same time utilizing my own story as well as strengths and skills that I may have continued to develop over the years. And guess the short story of a the short version of a long story is that it's this is what led me into to the work that I do today. Yeah, it's great that you have experienced the kind of sort of dissatisfaction and misalignment that that you're, you know, now helping others to, you know, to do something about so, as you've been growing your business maybe maybe you can start by sharing how you got your initial clients. And then now, as you are working more on content and stuff you kind of moving into kind of getting clients through through the messaging but but how did you initially get your first clients as a life coach. Great question George so one of the biggest areas that I recognize where I could see a problem from my own experience was centered around stress. And I was someone who was was in the corporate, you know, executive sales environment, and I was working maybe 60 sometimes 70 hours a week. And I, you know, ultimately, as I mentioned before had this this breakdown in my health. I mean I had brain fog mental fatigue I had a lack of energy at a certain period of time where I was able to unable to even get out of bed. Ultimately I was unhappy. And after having this breakthrough when it came to my health I realized, and I saw it as clear as day that I'm surrounded by individuals and people who are experiencing the same issues when it comes to their health. So, since I had relationships from in the professional sports arena, which is where I worked nearly a decade and executive sales. I just went back to the individuals who I already had relationships with and in a sense reintroduced myself told them what I was about. A lot of them could kind of see the transformation within my own self, you know they saw that I had lost 50 to 60 pounds and saw that I was in just in a much different type of headspace that maybe I had previously showed up. So that's where I ultimately started to really, you know, craft my coaching skills and started working with people it was more around ambitious. You know, kind of overstressed and overwhelmed executives with on the sales router and the marketing space, who were just desiring a desire and to create more self awareness and reduce stress within their lives. Yeah, man that's, you know, so powerful to, and I think this is worth emphasizing that when our own network sees the change in our own life. That's the most powerful testimonial, you know, for our work, at least in the beginning right in the beginning when like our marketing isn't filled with testimonials from 50 clients or whatever. It's like, hey look at the change I've made in my own life. And, and to not be afraid to talk about that so that's what you did right you went out and like you said reintroduce yourself to your colleagues. And so when you said that you started talking about your coaching, I know a lot of people are shy. Well, a lot of people are just self employed people are shy about talking about their own work. So, what do you, what do you advise there I mean how did you do it how did you, how did you have the courage to talk to your call talk to the people that it was in a different context professionally, and approach them about you know your new self employment or you knew business. Yeah, no that's another great question George I, if I'm from tuning back into that particular period of time, it was, you know, I myself had experienced so much personal transformation, you know and I had invested so much what I would say resources towards learning about, you know, the mind the body, going through yoga and meditation training going through holistic nutrition training going through functional nutrition all these different aspects just to better understand this this body that we have and how to better take care of it. And I feel like in my experience and I'm sure other people can relate to this too when you feel a certain connection and you feel a certain calling that something inside of you desires to be expressed. And then even if there are certain fears and there's just certain elements that maybe want to reduce and bring you down to that smaller version. And in my case, you know, I allowed myself to just to humble myself and say hey, like, this is something I'm creating this is something that's new, and this is something I'm passionate about. And this is something that is deeper than just a sense of, you know, receiving income or paycheck this is something that I feel very much connected to. And if it aligns if it makes sense I would love to speak to you, you know, about certain issues and see if there may be some synergy on working with one another. I like that. Yeah, I like that you are coming from an outpouring of what your genuine excitement about the changes you've experienced and you know you're kind of tapping their curiosity about it and to say hey you know if you're even that we have a bit of a relationship if you want to kind of hear more about this or, or see if I can be helpful, maybe to you or to somebody you know, and I like that. And I like that you were upfront about the fact that you know you're starting this new thing. I believe that most people want to help other small business or want to help small business owners whether they are one or not. Yeah, you know, so when our friends or colleagues come to us saying about a new thing and I'm genuinely excited about it and it's, it's coming out of my own transformation. You know, I think I think most people are open to to supporting so so now you are moving more into writing and creating content and another area where a lot of people are shy about it. How are you relating to that kind of tell us talk us through a little bit about your, your growth into that area. Yeah, you know with, for me with writing writing is something that I it's it's an area that I feel such a deep connection to, and I feel such a, I feel like I'm a happier person one when I'm doing it. And two, it's, it's just medium it's an outlet that I feel very comfortable and feel very aligned to so when it came or when it first came to putting myself out there and sharing, you know, it's funny I probably produced, or I probably shared maybe over the years, I don't know 6070 different blogs but I remember the first one that I really put out there was why I left my dream job. And I was so afraid and I had so much fear around putting myself out there and putting my own thoughts and my own perception of where I was at and why I make the decisions to choose what I was kind of the path I was going into. And I believe you know for myself and I'm sure many other people out there. Writing is the thing that really gives me a great sense of energy, and you know when it comes to how I operate and how I believe that you know a lot of us here on this planet can can can really produce and operate from. I believe there's there's certain elements of their certain pieces that when we tap a little bit more into those, and they may be uncomfortable but we can have this sense of, you know, a certain level of expansion, whenever we're doing something that's actually growing and, and for me, it's almost, I think it's this element of, if, if I'm not writing, then I'm not as happy as I probably, you know, can be so just having the practice and having the routine of writing not only for myself journaling every single day. That's a process that really benefits and I find value in, but also sharing my perception and sharing experiences and putting material and info out there that I remember within my own journey before I, you know, went into coaching and I was in a position where I felt stuck. And it felt like I was in a career that maybe was no longer serving me. There were other individuals who inspired me who put out content that I felt a certain level of connection to. So, there's this. I feel there's this sense of doing the planet and doing humanity a disservice if there's something that you feel led to express. And, and, and you don't put it out there. So that my way of kind of looking at it and continuing to move forward with it. Yeah, absolutely. When, when there has been a transformation in our own life, whether it's a physical transformation emotional, or mental transformation you have some insight. Chances are somebody out there needs it. And some chances are it's somebody in your own circle, who needs to read that hear that. And so I'm grateful that you are putting this out there. So, alright, well, I want to talk about, you know, a lot of, well, you know, a lot of people here are kind of getting to know you and you moved countries. You know, you, you are now living in Costa Rica. Actually, I'm not hearing the birds right now but we've got it. But when we step before we started recording they were doing the birds in the background. So do you want to tell us a bit about that transition like that is a big move. How did you have the courage to do it. Yeah, kind of talk us a little bit through the kind of emotional aspect of uprooting from where you were comfortable or more maybe not comfortable, but but making that courageous choice. Yeah, man. Another beautiful question. I'm trying to see what's the best way to start the this this Costa Rica image or this vision of being out here it's interesting because it was created. I haven't been here for ever even having been here. You know, the earliest memory that I can remember of having was when I went through my yoga and meditation teacher training about five years ago. I was in Ecuador for about two months. And this was my first time I was someone who was so used to to kind of, you know, almost in a sense being Superman, like showing up for so many other people whether it's family whether it's colleagues or friends. And this was a period in my life where I had intentionally created more space and more more downtime and stillness for myself. So I ended up traveling to Ecuador, and I was in the mountains and I was eating tropical fruits and I was just very connected to nature, and I had never experienced that before in my life. It was such a profound experience for me while I was out there. And I remember this is at the very beginning of my my coaching journey because at that point I didn't have any clients, I had resigned about about. What is that about half a year prior to that point. I was kind of in this just in this this state of this space of this exploration and being open with that. And while I was out there I said man this is, this is so amazing this is something that I see I have a inclination that I would love to be able to create from this I would love to be able to live in an environment that is similar to this. And, you know, fast forward years, you know, over the process of, you know, five years, that seed, continue to show up in different, different areas a different times a different paths throughout throughout my life. And, you know it kind of reached a. It reached a climax. This is actually before this was at the beginning of 2020 this was actually before the pandemic I was on a coaching call. And on the other end of the coaching call I was in dialogue with someone and then in this particular person had recently lived in Ecuador. I'm excuse me in Costa Rica I'm off on that had recently had previously lived in Costa Rica, and I just felt this huge expansion in my body through that conversation of having with them around this and I said, you know I approached my partner and I said hey, you know I really feel a deep connection to this I don't know why I don't know where it's coming from but I feel like this this is with being amazing thing for us to do for us to to explore and to go navigate through and fast forward, you know, certain things shifted into the world and I was like I don't know if this is going to end up happening but you know we ended up kind of moving beyond the fear and saying let's take picture and saying like, let's do it, you know, sold off all of my things and, and, and, you know, have been out here ever since and I absolutely, absolutely love it. Yeah, yeah, it's amazing it's amazing that. And where were you previously. I was in Austin, Texas. Okay, yeah. And the cool thing I'll say this just Austin is an amazing place right love Austin so I shared this just as an as a distinction of following what it is that one loves and not running and, and that's one of the things that I, I believe we all have this sense of, you know, if we focus our attention on what it is that we love or what the big picture is. And I believe naturally, you know it can navigate and we can be guided to to where that is for us. Well, speaking of what you love the work that you do now is something that's much more fulfilling than than before. So, tell us about who your ideal client is and what kind of work you love doing with them. Yeah, you know it's interesting because my, even as I mentioned before when I was working with these different clients. When I first started on the health level, reducing stress and slowing down and being able to, to better take care of themselves. And this thread of almost every single client that I worked with once they were able to receive more self awareness and more self empowerment I had a better take care of themselves. A lot of these people actually transitioned into other careers and other jobs. And I recognize this theme or this pattern of being these individuals being ambitious heart centered. Maybe they're at a place, you know, they're, they're, they're working in a position that on the surface it seems like they're in a great spot and that they've, you know, kind of reached this, this climate. But they ultimately they feel stuck. And they feel like, you know, they're so used to being the person that shows up for other people, the person that people can depend on that when it comes to them themselves they, they may feel or not even necessarily know how to ask for support because they're the ones who people are always coming to. So that is the actual tends to more time to not to be the, the, the clients whom I serve and who I work with. And we really the biggest thing we really do from the start is we really slow down. Because a big part of, you know, my work, and it's kind of unconventional when we talk about the pace that maybe society may move that or just with technology and all these beautiful aspects that we have access to is to really slow individuals and to be a stand and to be a support system so that anything can be expressed, anything can be shared. And we can see what it is where someone's unique gifts or strengths or skills are at, so that they can ultimately choose what their next step is for them and what's going to create more of a sense of fulfillment and peace and happiness within their own lives. Beautifully said, yeah. Well, if anybody watching or listening to this is feeling resonate resonant with Brandon's energy. Well Brandon what would be the next step if someone says I want to maybe work with you. Yeah, you can either reach out to me on my, my website. I think that would be the best way and there's, there's multiple, you know, opportunities to read, you know, more information or content to see again if there is some resonation, because when it comes to coaching there's there's a certain relationship in a certain level of, you know, both people really filling into and seeing if there's a mutual fit. So from there you can you can check me out on the website and then if it makes sense and it aligns and we can actually set up a 30 minute discovery call to go a little bit deeper and and see if it may make sense to to work with one another. And the website is Brandon Bennett and me it's your name.com so Brandon, B R A N D O N Bennett is with two ends and two T so B E N N E T T. So Brandon Bennett calm, of course I'll have the link below and you're also active on on social media, a couple of places and on medium as well. You have some videos. Of course I'll link to those in the notes below but Brandon thank you so much for doing this any other any kind of final words of encouragement affirmation for, for those who are watching and listening. Yeah. No first off I want to just acknowledge you and express gratitude and appreciation for you and the work that you do George because I can say as someone who's who's been on this path in this in this journey for this solo per newer journey for almost five years that you can, there's a lot of noise that is out there, you know whether we do coaches or marketing or, or other people, and it's, I can, I could offer any advice to other people is for people who you resonate with, you know people mentors or people who are maybe in a in a in a different state who you look up to really, you know, put more time and attention towards those people because they can bring you up and also support you in a way that maybe others who may be around you or others who may not necessarily have that experience or that, you know, type of, for lack of better terms that that type of energy in which you're choosing to channel and choosing to to grow into. So just just just recognizing that and I just will again want to acknowledge you and if you're you're watching this just know just it's a journey. So the more mindful and graceful and peaceful and self love that you can exhibit towards yourself. The more, you know, compassionate, and the more you'll continue to just take steps forward. And I really said, thank you so much Brandon for the work that you do, and the way that you are as you as you go about doing it. And I wish you continued growth and fulfillment as you do all this. Thank you. Thank you George I appreciate you having me.