Hi, I'm Deb from Queensland, Australia and I thought, since I'm new here, why not check the map to see who's close. I can see @Kate Galli whos into the vegan life - yum, @Sean Street living his no bullshit life - love that, @Leon Stensholm advocating for mental health - such a good area. When was the last time you checked the map to find your Skool neighbour?

While preparing for a coaching call this week, I found myself pulling together the mindset strategies I lean on most when progress feels slow, motivation dips, and you start wondering if you can keep going. I know I'm not the only one who's been there, so I thought they might be helpful here too. I wrote them with weight loss in mind, however they apply anywhere you're stretching yourself—business, personal growth, relationships... you name it. Sometimes we don't need a new strategy. We just need something that helps us keep showing up. ✅ 1. Build Your "Why Stack." ❤️ When things feel hard, your brain often forgets the goal. Write down five reasons you want what you want: - Two emotional reasons (confidence, freedom, body comfort) - Two functional reasons (energy, mobility, day-to-day strength) - One big-picture reason (longevity, being a positive role model) ✅ 2. Get Clear on Your Identity Beliefs.🪞 Anchor into who you're becoming, not just what you're doing. Statements like: - "I am a person who prepares." - "I keep promises to myself." - "I make choices aligned with my goal." Identity shifts make aligned decisions easier—especially on the tough days. ✅ 3. Use Mental Rehearsal for Tough Moments. 🧠 Mental rehearsal is a powerful tool. When you imagine yourself navigating a challenge successfully, you're more likely to follow through when the moment arrives. Rehearse situations that tend to trip you up—snacking, social eating, tired evenings, scale fluctuations, or the thought, "This is too hard." A simple script: - Imagine the moment. - Notice the discomfort. - Breathe. - See yourself taking the aligned action (tea, journaling, going to bed, etc.). - Feel the pride afterwards. Just 2–3 minutes a day can make a meaningful difference. ✅ 4. Create "If–Then" Plans for Mental Triggers. 🛟 This helps prevent spiralling. For example: - If I think, "This is too hard," then I remind myself, "It's not hard, it's new. I can do new." - If I feel overwhelmed, then I pause, drink some water, or do a five-minute brain dump before deciding anything. - If I crave something off-plan, then I wait 10 minutes and reassess.

Are you a C.A.R.R.O.T. or Stick person? 🥕 I think there’s value in both… But only one deserves an acronym 😉 (And yes... this was also the perfect excuse to share my Crispy Rice Paper Rolls recipe inside Plant Positive 🧡) 🥕 C — Clarity Clarity on what you’re looking to achieve… and Why it actually matters. Not surface-level “I want to be healthier.” More like: - How do you want to feel daily? - What changes if you follow through? - What does “this working” look like in 3–6 months? 🧡 If the “why” doesn’t move you, it won’t move your behaviour. 🥕 A — Alignment Alignment between that Why and your most important values. I call this the, “Stop Fighting You” part of the process! Ask yourself: - Does this support the person I want to become? - Or am I constantly negotiating with myself? 🧡 Alignment removes friction. Everything feels lighter. 🥕 R — Routines that support you. This is where most people either overcomplicate… or give up too soon. Think of this as experimentation, not perfection. Your goal: build routines that feel: ✔️ Simple ✔️ Repeatable ✔️ Enjoyable (yes, really) A simple framework to start: Morning Routine (sets the tone for your day to come): - Quality fuel → food and information - A moment of stillness → mindfulness / gratitude - Light movement → stretch, walk, sunlight Evening Routine (sets the tone for your sleep to come): - Wind-down buffer (60 mins device-free if possible) - Something calming → reading, journaling, music - Signal to your body: we’re done for the day 🧡 You don’t need a “perfect routine.” You need one you’ll actually do on a Tuesday. 🥕 R — Rules that guide you. This is where things get powerful. Because structure = Freedom. Rules remove decision fatigue. You decide once… and move on. Important: These should be yours. However here are some of mine as a starting point: - Move daily → minimum 30-minute walk - ½ your plate = fibrous veg (lunch + dinner) - No processed carbs Mon–Fri (weekend flexibility 👌)

For nearly 30 years, Laura Simpson has been helping animals, always with a special place in her heart for the underdogs. She supports the men and women in war-torn countries who dedicate their lives to helping the animals that so many people simply walk by. I've been making a monthly donation to Harmony Fund for about five years, and during that time I've watched Laura work tirelessly, putting out fires around the world. She helps provide food, shelter, and support to people who have chosen to care for animals even when they themselves have almost nothing. Laura loves and cares for the people just as much as she does the underdogs. Last year, Laura shared a story with me about her colleague who organizes the aid in Ukraine. When she went to take cat food to Nadia, she discovered she had no food at all, for herself or the animals. She was wearing what barely resembled a shirt wrapped around her legs because she didn't have a washing machine, and her Parkinson's disease was getting worse. Without hesitation, Laura arranged for her colleague, who had already gone home to get food for Nadia, to return to the store and buy additional groceries, clothing, and hygiene supplies for her. Laura told me this story with such a heavy heart. She witnesses situations like this, along with the suffering of animals, every single day. Yet she keeps going, no matter what it takes. Laura has shared other stories with me over the years that would make you stop and say, "Wow." She doesn't stop to ask whether she should help. She simply does. She is an absolute blessing to the animals and to the people who love them. Please leave a little love for Laura in the comments. I'll make sure she sees every one of them. I know it will make her heart smile. ❤️ LM If you'd like to learn more about Harmony Fund and other trusted organizations helping animals around the world, I'd love to have you join us in Empowering Animals. Please use this link rather than my profile so your membership is credited correctly. Thank you! ❤️

Earlier this year, I shared the story of Sasha's Shelter, where more than 700 dogs faced an uncertain future after the Serbian government ordered the shelter to close. Without somewhere else to go, many of those dogs would have ended up in kill shelters. Harmony Fund stepped in to help make an impossible relocation possible. It was one of many examples of why I've come to admire the work they do. Yesterday, I received the following email from Laura at Harmony Fund. She gave me permission to share it, along with the photos, because it shines a light on the people who quietly dedicate their lives to saving animals the rest of the world often forgets. For 30 years, Harmony Fund has stood beside these rescuers, supporting the underdogs in some of the most difficult places on Earth. I'd like you to meet Milena. At 77 years old, she is still saying "yes" to animals that have nowhere else to turn. This is her story, in her own words. Milena's First-Hand Account of Her Surprise Rescue Last Week BOSNIA: July 7 Today was one of the hardest days of my life. A van stopped in front of my sanctuary. The driver called my name, and I recognized him immediately. He is one of the dog catchers. I didn't ask a single question because I was afraid of the answer. He quietly said, "I brought you a mother and her seven puppies. I have nowhere else to take them." My heart sank. A cold wave ran through my body. Inside, I whispered to myself, "I have nowhere to take them either." Then he opened the back doors of the van. I will never forget what I saw. The van was completely full: tiny puppies, older puppies, frightened dogs of every size, all packed tightly together. Their eyes were filled with fear, confusion, and hopelessness. The smallest babies were desperately trying to nurse from their mother's empty breasts. She had nothing left to give them except her love. I felt my legs giving way. I couldn't breathe. The driver looked at me and asked, "Will you take them?" My mind was racing. Where will they sleep? How will I feed them? I am alone. I already have eleven new puppies. I have no money. I have no space. I am exhausted.