Karen Valencic is the Founder of Spiral Impact, where she blends physics and martial arts to manage conflict and enhance performance. With over 30 years of experience in the martial art Aikido, she created the Spiral Impact method, which guides people on mastering conflict, fostering positive engagement, and driving innovation. Karen is also the author of Spiral Impact: Black Belt Edition.

Conflict is often viewed as negative, especially by women who feel they lack positions of power to resolve conflict. However, conflict can foster innovation and growth when managed effectively. How can you shift your approach to leverage conflict to your benefit?

As a third-degree black belt in Aikido, Karen Valencic defines conflict as the tension between force and power. Recognizing this tension is the first step to mastering conflict since it allows you to develop emotional intelligence and mindfulness to solve problems. You must then determine where and how to focus your energy, which may involve asking questions to gain more information about the issue and foster a positive dialogue.

Tune in to this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show as Andrea Heuston invites Karen Valencic, the Founder of Spiral Impact, to speak about mastering conflict in your personal and professional lives. Karen shares the connection between conflict resolution and Aikido techniques, how to join her conflict mastery course, and how Aikido altered her perspective.

Helena Smolock is the Founder, President, and CEO of Velocity Athletic Training, an award-winning company that helps professionals gain strength through resistance and functional training and meditation. As a fitness professional and master athlete, she has over 35 years of experience in the fitness industry. Helena has assisted corporate clients, semi-pro athletes, and post-rehab clients with injuries in her studio.

Pursuing optimal health often focuses on physical fitness, but what role do mental and emotional well-being play? For individuals in the corporate space, achieving ideal health requires both physical activity and a mindset that fosters resilience and positivity. How can you align your mental and physical health to thrive?

Helena Smolock, a seasoned fitness expert, has dedicated her career to understanding this balance. Drawing from her experience as a master athlete and corporate wellness work, Helena emphasizes the importance of mindset in driving physical health. Her method includes using affirmations and visualization techniques, such as mantras encouraging individuals to focus on empowering words and positive goals.

In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston speaks with Helena Smolock, the Founder, President, and CEO of Velocity Athletic Training, about fostering health and wellness in both personal and professional settings. Helena shares her journey from aspiring criminal lawyer to fitness entrepreneur, her strategies for addressing the mental health challenges of remote work, and how her tools help individuals and teams optimize their well-being.

Jennifer Brown is the Founder and CEO of Jennifer Brown Speaks, where she focuses on keynote speaking and coaching organizations on creating inclusive workplaces. As a globally recognized DEI thought leader, speaker, award-winning entrepreneur, and bestselling author, she has 20 years of experience consulting with leaders. Jennifer is the author of Inclusive and How to Be an Inclusive Leader. She has also spoken at institutions and organizations like Google, LinkedIn, and Toyota about building cultures of belonging and envisioning the future of work.

The Supreme Court recently banned affirmative action in college admissions, indirectly impacting businesses' efforts to foster equal representation and inclusion. With inclusivity and diversity becoming increasingly important, what does it take to lead with authenticity and impact?

As an LGBTQ+ entrepreneur, Jennifer Brown faced stigma and discomfort in the corporate world after coming out, leading her to suppress her identity. Rather than minimizing your or another’s identity, she emphasizes aligning with your true self and fostering an inclusive environment for others. This involves embracing your diverse characteristics and sharing those experiences with others, which can alter established paradigms and empower others facing similar struggles.

In today’s episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston talks with Jennifer Brown, the Founder and CEO of Jennifer Brown Speaks, about cultivating diversity and inclusion. Jennifer discusses her company’s merger, the current state of DEI programs, and how she built her consultancy from the ground up.