"No matter what, show up! However, you show up, show up! "great words from Jacqui Burge - Founder and CEO of Desk Yogi and the last #TheWomanAlchemist interview part of the #SmashThatCeiling #womeninspiringwomen series giving an insight into successful female leaders/role model and their mindset.

JACQUI BURGE

Jacqui started practising and teaching fitness, nutrition, and yoga in 1994. This passion grew into a dedicated focus on the effects of workplace conditions on an employee's overall well-being. Through extensive research and experience, she discovered that even with all companies do to make employees comfortable as a whole; the workplace continued to be plagued with absenteeism, depression, illness, injury, and disengagement. To battle this epidemic of decreased productivity, low morale, and the significant effect it can have on company finances, Jacqui launched Desk Yogi, providing a comprehensive wellness platform built around state-of-the-art instructional videos on topics including yoga, fitness, mindfulness, meditation and stress reduction, healthy eating, workplace ergonomics, and productivity to all employees in any workspace, at their pace, no matter their fitness level. This interview is an extract from the book "STOP IT! It is all in your head" available now.

INTERVIEW WITH JACQUI BURGE

1. When you were a child, what was your dream job and why? Odd as it may sound, my dream job was to be a competitive Ice Skater. Although I did train daily and worked to compete in the Olympics one day – I never saw myself doing anything else. I found such joy and freedom while skating. It fed me creatively and fired up my competitive spirit. 2. Can you tell me when you started to consider yourself successful? I am still working on this one! When my daughter starred as Jasmine in the musical Aladdin a few weeks ago, I considered myself successful. I signified that I had raised her to 14 years old financially and emotionally, and I showed up for her. As a result, I showed up for myself. All of my hard work culminated in her success. In a very non –codependent way! 3. I'm sure you have faced adversity like every business/business person: how do you motivate yourself and force yourself through the worst times? I learned from a mentor early on – a woman who owned her businesses and started from the ground up with less than 200 dollars in the bank - that no matter what, show up every day. Tired – show up. Sad – show up. Happy – show up. Distracted – show up. However, you show up – show up! 4. What are the best things about your job? As cheesy as it sounds – meeting new people. The one on one connection and sharing of ideas, teaching what you have learned, and having someone mirror that backs you. It is a beautiful thing. I also don't mind going home early on Fridays!

5. As Tony Robbins says, "Success leaves clues": what are your daily/weekly habits? Each day I wake up an hour earlier than everyone in my home – even the dogs and cats. I have a morning routine that includes a strong cup of coffee, yoga, meditation, prayer, and cleaning. It takes about an hour in all, but by the time the kids are awake, I am fully present and available for Mom time. We get ready and eat breakfast together, and then we head out for the day. We come back together at night and usually eat again and hang out. This is the routine that works for my life. Fifteen minutes of meditation, 15 minutes of yoga, 30 minutes of daydreaming, alone time, and cleaning the house, so I don't have it all piled up on Saturday. This is how I recharge and show up for the good things in life. 6. What do you think is the most significant barrier to female leadership? Men. Just kidding. This is a tricky question. I have been in many situations where I was the only woman on a team and the boss - when I worked in construction. Not sure if it is the most significant, but one BIG barrier is having the people who work for you believe you didn't get the job by mistake (relative, relationship, friend). That you indeed are qualified.

WOMEN INSPIRING WOMEN

7. What women inspire you and why? This might be an odd one! But Helen Keller is my all-time favourite inspiring woman. She has the courage and determination to communicate with no communication tools and again show up for the life she has been given without apology. I am also a big fan of Jackie O – she faced national grief with dignity and class. But, again – the theme of showing up, I can't seem to get away from it! 8. What advice would you give to your 16year old self? Don't get married before the age of 21! J Be kind to others and yourself. Sit in silence every day for 15 minutes and listen to you. 9. Your instant mindfulness fix… Grounding in the space, you find yourself in. It takes 2 minutes. Feel your feed on the ground. Close your eyes. Notice sound as it enters your ears. Then notice your breathing. Feel the rib cage expand. Notice the air as it leaves your nostrils—one more breath. Let your collar bone slightly rise and allow your shoulders to fall back and down. Pause. Slowly open your eyes. Notice your feed on the ground. Smile. Done. That is it—a complete transformation. 10. And finally, something frivolous: the best thing about being a woman… Birthing humans, birthing an idea. Birthing the authentic self.

Top Takeaways from Jacqui Burge

• No matter what, show up! However, you show up, show up!
• Have a morning routine that works for you.
• Recharge and show up for life.
• Be kind to others and yourself.
• Ground yourself in the space you find yourself in.