Hey everyone, welcome back to Top5 brought to you by DefinedTalent. We are a results driven service working with clients to connect them with quality talent as well as working to make an impact within the recruiting industry. We talk straight about today's professional world with real world professionals, experts in recruitment, job seekers and business owners alike. Have a question for us? Send it in and you might spur our next conversation. I'm Tara Thurber, Director of Talent Innovation
here at dDefinedTalent.. And joining me today is Jackie Kazar - Mama of two, teacher, event planning specialist and health coach. Hey, Jackie, how are you today?
Hey, Tara, thanks for having me here.
Awesome. Super excited to have you. Why don't we just kind of slowly, slowly start here and tell us a little bit about yourself?
Yeah, of course. Um, let's say, I have been married for six years. We have two beautiful babies.
Yay!
We have a four year old boy. And I just had a baby in June and baby girl.
Congratulations!
Thank you! So, we've been we've been pretty busy. But um, I am a third grade teacher by day. And an event planner at night I own on the side, I own an event planning company called Blank Slate Events with a friend. And my most recent venture is becoming an online health and wellness coach.
Wow. So you've been super busy to say the very least (laughs).
Yeah, definitely (laughs).
Well, you know, when thinking about everything that you've been doing, let me ask you, some people think having it all means that they have to sacrifice one thing to accomplish another. How can you speak to this?
I feel like you shouldn't have to sacrifice something. I feel like it's more of shifting your priorities.
Yeah.
Like, I'm clearly very busy. I do a lot. But I make sure I prioritize what I need to do in order to fulfill everything that I that brings me joy. And I also feel like as a mom, we tend to put ourselves on the backburner, and people tend to kind of sacrifice your own well being.
Yeah.
And we just really need to learn how to prioritize so we can fulfill ourselves with joy.
Yeah, be at our fullest truth, right?
Yes, exactly.
And be able to show up at 100%. But I feel like at times, if we don't prioritize ourself, then you're right - everything externally can kind of take all that from us.
100%. And I feel like a lot of people, your family, friends, your kids, they rely on you, and whatever for you to show up for them. You need to be at your best self.
Absolutely. You know, as we're approaching, you know, three years from when COVID began. You know, what did? What has it taught you about your own self care and living your best self?
Well, I have to say (laughs), being a teacher during COVID was not easy at all.
(laughs)
I definitely struggled with that work/home, like life balance.
Yeah.
And it definitely lead to burnout.
Yeah.
And don't get me wrong, I love teaching, but I feel like after going through that, it hasn't been as fun as it used to be.
Yeah.
So, making sure you prioritize yourself in order so you don't burn out.
Yeah.
Is so important. I definitely learned that a lot, especially these past three years. And I've learned that it's not selfish, to take care of yourself. Like I feel like a lot of people think it's selfish, you know, put yourself first like, I'm only thinking about myself, but you're not. You need to put yourself as a priority in order to show up for your family, your job, your kids, your hobbies, whatever it
is. You do need to incorporate that self care and I feel like that's what some people don't do.
Yeah, and I'll never forget somebody once told me it's not selfish, it's self less. And something like that. I mean, it hits home as as a mom as an entrepreneur, you know, you tend to feel this heavy guilt or this selfishness because you're doing something for yourself. Meanwhile, everybody externally is needing something from you. So it's being able to find the selflessness in being selfish, is important. And you know, now I know, in the beginning of COVID, it was like, everything
came to a halting stop. And then as everything started moving again, and now even, you know, approaching three years later, I feel like everybody is speeding forward. And that's also kind of a red flag, so to speak, because now you're forgetting. Or you could forget, hey, I need to dial it back a little bit, because I need to make sure I prioritize myself. Right? And be okay with that.
Yeah, no, definitely. We're always go, go, go, go, go. And we're not just taking a minute to breathe and just, you know, find some time to focus on you.
Yeah, yeah. Now as a teacher, but then also an Event Planning Specialist having that as your own business, and now getting into becoming an online health coach. You know, it's amazing to see that you're doing this. And, you know, what I would be curious about is what is your advice for individuals that are realizing that they want to further their career or change their career? Or make a switch? What kind of advice do you have for those types of people?
I would say, definitely go for it. People, I feel like every year you grow, you change, you find different things that you like, and that's great. I think that's awesome. And I feel like we need to normalize a little bit more switching careers and doing what we love to do. Especially I mean, I know for me personally, as a teacher, I feel like you go to school to get your teacher certification, and then that's it, you think, Okay, well, I need to I need to teach like that is my job. Like, that's
what I went to school for. So I feel like we need to normalize a little bit of going out of our comfort zone, and experiencing new things. And I just feel like that would make people happier.
More happier, right? Yeah, I feel like so much of us, we, you know, we spend so much time working. And if you're not happy, that time has lost its energy that you're losing its energy that becomes lost. And, you know, being able to tap into different outlets that interest you or excite you or kind of help you find your true your true self, right?
Mmm hmm.
And your your true passion. A lot of people become afraid of that, well, I didn't go to school for that, or I'm not good enough to do something like that. Right? And that's a big one, where you have these little Gremlins talking to you that you're not good enough and you need to just stay where you're at. But finding that strength within, to be able to realize, and normalize, doing job changes, doing industry changes, whatever that may be.
You need to take that as a risk and and allow yourself to find the comfort in being uncomfortable.
Yeah, no, definitely 100%. I feel like as a TA, I still love teaching.
Yeah!
And it's not my saying that I'm leaving my teaching career (laughs).
Right! (laughs)
But knowing that I have a passion for teaching, and I also have a love for health and fitness.
Yeah. Mmm hmm. Right.
I found an outlet like you're saying, I combine both forces and do something that really brings me joy and I really enjoy doing that. So it's really cool that I feel like taking those risks to do things are important.
Yup. It's something too just something that came to my mind was also you know, the work/life balance and finding work/life balance and so many of us somebody one day said to me, it's not work/life balance anymore. It's life balance. And you know, finding those outlets and being able to express yourself but also, I mean, look at you're taking your specialty of you being a teacher but then being able to kind of grasp more towards the health and wellness,
and then marry it together. And it's like this kind of like, passionate explosion that gets to happen because you get the best of both worlds.
Exactly (laughs) 100%!
Under is that right? Yeah, you know, moving into the fitness category? How do you feel a workout routine or daily exercise schedule affects people, mentally and emotionally?
I love this question because I feel like people just associate workout/working out with a physical change.
Yeah.
They don't realize that it really helps. Their, you know, helps you mentally and emotionally and it does a lot more than just like, changing how you look on the outside, it does a lot for you in the inside. And like I said, it helps you a lot mentally, emotionally. If you're stressed, if you're overwhelmed, you're anxious, you're angry or sad, all those emotions just by moving your body. It really does help you and it puts a big impact on yourself and makes you feel good inside.
I could not agree more. I ended up when COVID hit I went into workout mode, because that was how I was handling all of my stress and you know, everything that was coming down on me and I couldn't agree more, I could not miss a day of working out and it wasn't a powerful workout every single day. From doing maybe a yoga class or just stretching to
No, it doesn't have to be. (laughs) doing hit workouts, you know. And what I noticed was if I
That was that was like this big huge light that missed my morning workout part of my morning routine, I wasn't showing up as the best version of myself during the day. And it actually hit me one day where I missed my morning window of making sure I get up earlier so that the kids are still sleeping, I can get a workout in still, I missed that window and I didn't get a chance to work
out. And my eldest daughter was like, Mom, did you not work out this morning, because you're not yourself right now (laughs). went off in my head where I realized I wasn't doing these workouts for the physical aspect of what I was gaining, but and looking like on the outside, it really is internal and you know, days that I'm super stressed or days that I'm just, you know, sad. Sometimes you don't want to work out. But just taking that first step and pressing start
was a challenge at times. But once you start going, you're done. And you've got all of these endorphins going and you've got this new energy. It's like I became a new person after my workout and then eating healthy and you know, making sure it's not just the workout. But it's so much more than that.
So much more than that. It really is. It's just the best way to start your day, honestly. Just physically, mentally, and making sure you take that time for yourself is so important. It's so important.
Well, and I'm happy to share this too, because I feel that it's an outlet. That people don't realize that they're missing it. Right?
Yeah, no 100% I feel like people have this excuse, or a lot of people I know tell me, well, I don't have time. I don't have time.
Yeah.
And to me, that tells me Well, maybe you either have too much on your plate, you're stressed out, and you need this more. (laughs).
Right! (laughs)
And it's just like what I said in the beginning shifting those priorities.
Yep.
I'm busy. I'm very busy.
Yeah...
But I make sure I wake up a little bit earlier. And I'm not saying you have to go to the gym and do an hour workout. No, you can take 10 minutes. I don't know read a book a little bit.
Yup!
You want to exercise your mind as well. And I don't want to take a 15, 20, 30 minute workout, go for a walk, do some meditation, do some yoga, whatever it is move your body just a little bit. And I feel like everyone would be less stressed throughout the day and they'll just feel internally good and just make you a happier person.
I couldn't agree more even like we do little dance parties at the house sometimes in the morning, because the girls will wake up cranky or something. And I'm like, all right, we need to shift the energy in the household, let's turn on some music, get the kids dancing around. And it's like this - it's almost like a weight kind of lifts off of everybody when you can - movement is so powerful. And I don't think that
people realize it. And, you know, going back to, oh, I don't have time, I have to call BS on people that say that to me. Because I know it's crazy. And it's like, wait a second, you know, I'm just as busy, if not, you know, not comparing but more busy than this person or that person. I'm still force it, I still make the time.
Yeah.
And I forced myself, I set my alarm for 4:45. Every morning, it gives me the 15 Minute, 20 minute window to wake up to make sure I can get that movement and before the household is up, because once the households up, I lose my time, right? And so for people that are thinking that they don't have time, get back to the calendar and look at your calendar, look at time blocking, time management, and then changing those priorities. It's all possible. Everybody has
time. It's just a matter of making it.
I couldn't agree more. And I also want to add, that I know we were talking about our kids, and your children seeing you and knowing when you worked out or knowing when you move or can tell if you have moved your body or if you haven't. They're always watching, and you want to set that example for them because you want them to also be happy and feel good inside.
Yeah.
I know, my my oldest will, like comes downstairs sometimes while I'm working out and he tries to work out with me! (laughs)
(laughs)
And he knows that it's part of my routine. And he knows that it makes me happy. So he doesn't bother me when I'm doing it. He joins me.
They embrace it!
They do, they really do. And I think that's such a beautiful thing. Like the other morning, he grabbed my hand and wanted to dance. I thought it was the cutest thing. I'm like, we're starting our day with movement and we're dancing! (laughs)
(chuckles)
And it was great. It was just a great way to start the day
Well, and it's powerful for these littles you know I've got the six year old will come up sometimes in the middle of my core workout, and she's pulling out my weights, and she's getting in there and you know, not for nothing, my 10 year old, I want her to really pay attention to her feelings and her emotions and her health. And we're setting an example for these young these young littles.
And, there's times I get done with my workout, and my eldest is like, can you just throw on another workout so I can do it while you're taking a shower? And I'm like, Yes! And it changes their mindset. Just a little bit of movement changes their mindset. So by us, the adults, kind of laying the land for these little people I think is such a strong thing too. And it, you know, it doesn't always have to be just your time,
right? It's something that you can do workouts with your kids, you can go for hikes or runs like my eldest, I started training her on running last summer because I was getting up and running three miles every morning. And she was like I want to go. So we started her on her bicycle, and then she and then all of a sudden, I've got like neighborhood kids asking to come running with us.
(laughs)
And I'm like, Alright, great.
Start a running club! (laughs)
Yeah, right. So it's, it's good. And I think that, you know, time is fleeting, and time is always moving. And whether you have the time or not, you got to try and make the time and prioritize yourself care. Because whether you have children or not, it's it's also showing others that you love, care and respect your own self.
Yeah, and that's definitely important. 100%.
Definitely. So for 2023 some themes that we are focusing on are risk taking and self awareness. How do you feel you have improved your ability to take risks, while still remaining true to yourself over the years?
Yeah, um, let's see...
And to add a question, another question to that, which kind of comes in the hand and Hannah's on What were some stumbling blocks you encountered?
Okay, so I've definitely taken some risks, especially recently, and being home with the baby, I've learned a lot about myself.
Yeah.
And I feel like I became more confident in myself with taking these risks and not caring so much about what others think, which I think are important.
Huge!
And definitely stepping out of my comfort zone (laughs).
(laughs)
And I just feel like that is a big risk. And but, you know, I'm still, but doing what I love.
Yeah.
And not really caring, like, oh, well, what is what is she gonna think.
Yeah.
I'm kind of just going with how I feel inside and going and running with it. Um, but (laughs) one, I would say thing that I am working on, and something that I know, I need to improve on. Definitely the time management, that's something that - I get distracted a lot.
(laughs)
I'm trying to focus be a little bit more focused. And that is definitely something that I struggle with. So I am looking forward to learning a little bit more about it, and, you know, getting a little bit better at it.
I love it. I love it. I feel like, you know, when we take risks, it's scary.
Yeah.
And we always want to be successful, right? Or, and it's, it's scary, because you don't want to fail. And you want people, I should say, in general tend to want approval from others on the risks that they're taking. And I feel like, as an individual, as long as there are risks that aren't obviously going to cause harm or, you know, hurt others, then it's like, you need to just really get into yourself into your mind and into your body and your
soul. And trust yourself. I think that's the biggest word is for risk taking would be Trust yourself, trust the process. And trust the universe.
Yeah, so definitely that, Yeah.
Yeah.
And I would say enjoy it.
Yes!
Enjoy the process like, don't think of it as I don't know, something that you have to do. Because then you're not going to enjoy it you're not going to be like a job or a chore and you're not going to do it. But if you think of it using a different mindset,
Yup, like something you get to do.
You get to do.
Yeah.
Then it becomes more joyful. And you I feel like you set yourself up for success that way. Rather than failure.
Yeah.
It's just important to take those risks. You learn so much about yourself in the process of doing that.
Definitely do definitely do. And I think to embrace the failures, you know? I don't want to put failure right next to success. It's, you know, they're two separate things. But I think, as we fail while taking risks -
- We learn, right?
Don't think of it as something negative. Think of it as a new opportunity.
Exactly. Yeah. No, I couldn't agree more.
Awesome. I love it. So, as we're kind of wrapping up here, I'm super curious to hearing what are your Top5 tips on becoming the healthiest version of yourself?
Write my Top5 tips to become the healthiest version of yourself? Um, I would definitely have to say, I'll just go I'll work from five to one.
All right, great! (laughs)
In No particular order, just my personal preference (laughs).
Perfect.
But number five would have to be personal development. I feel like it is so important to read, to listen to a podcast, to learn to help you grow as a human is so important. I feel like some people think oh, well, I'm not reading like a self help book because I am not fixing anything. It doesn't have to be to fix something. Just be to learn about something.
Yep.
It could be a learn about something new, something interested in and I just feel like you need to continue learning. Like we don't just stop learning. After we read a book or after we learn how to do one thing I feel like you need to keep the learning going. And you learn a lot more about yourself. You grow as a human you become a better person, a better mother, a better wife, a better friend. And yeah, I just feel like personal development is overlooked a lot of the time.
Absolutely. People skip it, don't think they need it. But I do feel like it's really important for everyone to dive into a little bit.
I love that.
My number four would be to say, eat healthy. Eat a well balanced diet, you need to fuel your body with the right foods, the right nutrients, and you'll end up feeling so much better. Now, I don't want to say - I enjoy - I love food, I love to eat, I love to drink, like I just like that aspect of life. And I never like to give up a certain or eliminate a certain food group from my diet, I feel like having a well balanced diet is the
healthiest diet. And it's just more sustained sustainable to do when we take out something and you're going on, like a diet fad diet.
Right.
You do it. Let's say you have the right you get the results that you want. But then once you incorporate that food group back in, well, those results really don't stay.
It's out the window!
It's out the window and you're all back to square one. So I feel like if you just eat healthy, eat a well balanced diet, then you'd be more successful.
And everything in moderation. That's something I'm learning on a daily basis is moderation, right?
Oh a 100%. No, you shouldn't have to give up that slice of pizza once in a while (laughs).
Right? (laughs) I don't want to.
Yeah, you want to enjoy food you want to enjoy, and it'll just make you feel better.
Awesome.
My number three will have to be exercising.
Yeah!
Moving your body every day is so important. I can't stress it enough. Honestly, it doesn't have to be this crazy hour long cardio session that you're having or hit workout. It could be stretching, it could be yoga, it could be going for a walk around your block. Whatever it is, it will help you relieve stress. It will help you deal with any emotions that you're going through. And it will just help you live a healthier and happier life. I feel like.
Yeah, I agree with you there too.
Um, my number four, which -
Right now too, we're down to two?
Yes.
5,4 3, 2.
Like five, four? Yes. We're on number two, my bad. I'm shifting your mindset. So I feel like a lot of people like when I say we need to learn how to have fun with whatever you're doing. And like I said before, when you think that you have to do something...
Yes...
You it becomes a chore becomes a job and become something you don't want to do. But when you change and shift your mind set a little bit to something that you get to wake up and do this. It just it changes the whole outlook out of it and you end up enjoying the process and you enjoy your journey much more. So definitely shifting your mindset, having fun with everything rather than being negative about it.
I have to just say here, too, was shifting your mindset. That was something that for the month of the first two weeks of December, our household just got crazy. My husband's been out working crazy hours, I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off. And we had looked at the weeks and in order to make plans for work and stuff like that. And I had said to my husband, I said the only thing I need us to mentally concentrate on is we may be like two ships passing in
the night for a month. But every time we are in each other's presence, we have to be enjoying it. And we have to be looking at this craziness as through excitement and through a different lens. Otherwise we're going to be miserable as a family for a month.
And your and your kids pick up on it.
Absolutely!
They know they know when you're stressed they know you're like tense and that you're overwhelmed. They can feel it too. So shifting that mindset will not only help me you grow I feel like it'll also help you as and your family.
Your family - everyone around you. You know if you're showing up with negative energy because you're stressed and you've got so much going on. But again, it's it's not the I have to mindset, it's the I get to mindset. And by just shifting that one little word
Changes everything.
It makes a huge difference. Huge difference. All right. So give us your your last and final top one!
My number one tip to becoming the healthiest version of yourself would have to be, make yourself a priority.
Yes.
It is not selfish to focus on yourself. You need to focus on yourself and do something that makes you happy in order to be there for everyone else. Your kids like I am repeating myself, but your kids, your spouse, your friends,
Yeah.
And you need to be there. You can't just give to your family, everyone relies on you. everyone else and not give to yourself.
And deplete yourself from that you need that.
Because then you'll burn out. And you just won't have the energy to keep going. So definitely, definitely, definitely make yourself a priority. It is so important to do that. It will make so much of a difference to you to your family. Just make you happier.
100,000,000% Prioritize yourself first and then everything can fall into place. You can show up as your best truest healthiest, authentic self. And then everybody's gonna feel that so I love your Top5 tips. I writing these down I'm going to put them on a sticky right on my computer for the year 2023. You know becoming your healthiest version of yourself and make a great yeah, no. Some thank you so much, Jackie for joining us today. It was such a pleasure to have you on our podcast.
My pleasure. Thank you for having me here. It was a lot of fun.
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