not a straight line

Renee is a 59-year-old Belgian powerhouse who transforms adversity into action with relentless determination. Born into a world of severe bullying and academic struggles, he discovered his guiding philosophy at age 11 through a book about the Tao Te Ching, though he wouldn't embrace its wisdom until years later. His early mantra became "watch me and I'll show you," fueled by those who said he'd never amount to anything.From chef to Navy engineer to special forces pilot, René built a life of calculated risks and bold moves. After leaving the military, he made an unexpected pivot to truck driving for four years, using it as a way to explore Europe. The most pivotal moment came when he quit smoking to pursue an opportunity he couldn't even name, a decision that unlocked the door to becoming Tony Robbins' personal bodyguard for two years, opening an entirely new world of possibilities.His transformation from bodyguard to international speaker happened through pure persistence and strategic positioning. René relentlessly pursued Veronica Chu from Success Resources, following her to events across continents until she finally asked him to represent Tony Robbins globally. This launched a decade-long collaboration that took him from sleeping in his car to commanding stages worldwide, teaching nonverbal communication to Fortune 500 companies.Today, René operates across 27 social media platforms and 43 countries, specializing in body language, negotiation, and contract management. As a single father who raised three daughters with military discipline, he instilled the values of "everything is possible" and systematic action. His health regimen - no chemicals, natural products only, 10,000 steps daily - keeps him outrunning people half his age at 59.Currently developing eight luxury wellness resorts across four continents, René embodies his philosophy that "when the dream is big enough, the facts don't count." From Dubai to Peru, his vision combines his culinary background, military precision, and wellness expertise into ecological retreats built from log homes. His message remains consistent: be limitless, choose your environment carefully, and never let anyone steal your dreams.His final piece of wisdom: "You become like the five people you surround yourself with daily - so choose wisely and go fully forward."Find out more about RenéBook linkshttps://www.renedeceuninck.com/bookWebsitehttps://www.renedeceuninck.comShophttps://www.renedeceuninck.com/shopSocial MediaLinkedIn: https://be.linkedin.com/in/rdeceuninck Twitter: https://x.com/Rene_Deceuninck Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renedeceuninck Facebook 1: https://www.facebook.com/Rene.Deceuninck.Global.1/ Facebook 2: https://www.facebook.com/Rene.Deceuninck.Global.2/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ReneDeceuninckGlobal Pinterest: <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/renedeceuninck/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

Esther Wildenberg is a spiritual entrepreneur whose life was irrevocably changed by a devastating accident in her twenties. Born an identical twin in the Netherlands, she struggled early with identity formation and spiritual sensitivity that left her feeling isolated and misunderstood.After graduating from dental school at Amsterdam University, Esther worked briefly in dentistry before a collision with two motorcycles while cycling left her hospitalized for months. During her recovery, she experienced two near-death encounters that revealed her life purpose: to help women wake up to their potential at a young age, rather than waiting for midlife crises or major life events to spark change.This profound experience launched Esther on a decades-long journey of healing and personal development. She transitioned through various careers - from fitness industry management to corporate consulting - building the experience and confidence needed to eventually share her message with the world. Her unconventional resume actually became her strength, landing her executive roles based on attitude rather than traditional qualifications.Meeting her wife Cheri Tree at a conference in Amsterdam marked another pivotal moment. As customers turned business partners, they built a successful tech company together while creating a modern family. Their son Kai arrived via IVF in 2020, ten weeks early during the height of COVID, presenting unexpected challenges but also deepening Esther's understanding of identity and purpose.Now at 50, Esther has found her voice as an author, speaker, and retreat leader. Her upcoming book promises to give readers "30 years of experience in one book," offering practical strategies to discover life purpose without waiting for crisis to create change. Based in Laguna Beach, Esther continues her mission of awakening souls while balancing motherhood, business partnership, and her expanding individual consulting practice focused on spiritual intelligence in business.Find out more about EstherBook linksComing soon :)Websiteestherwildenberg.com&nbsp;(Personal)bankcode.com/esther&nbsp;(Company)bankcodevt.com&nbsp;(Company)Social Mediahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/estherwildenberg1Thanks for listening to 'not a straight line'!If this conversation inspired you, please leave me a Rating &amp; Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.And share the episode with a friend.Would you like to be a guest, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.And thanks to Matthew Blissfor his audio engineering excellenceYou can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Get in touch via https://notastraightline.life/chat.To find out more about starting your own podcast, visit https://activateyourpodcast.comThanks for listening to 'not a straight line' 🙏💚Please subscribe or follow, and leave me a Rating &amp; Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.And share the episode with a friend 🤗And thanks to Matthew Blissfor his audio engineering wizardry and brilliance.You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Ula Caroto is a former wealth management professional turned energy intelligence coach who discovered that true success isn't about pushing harder - it's about resting smarter. Born in Poland and raised by her grandmother in a small forest town, she learned early that she would "never stay still" after witnessing her mother feel trapped in an unhappy marriage.What started as a three-month summer job in London at age 19 became a life-changing pivot. Falling in love with the city's multicultural energy, she strategically transferred her financial mathematics studies to London Metropolitan University. Her practical approach of "following what others do" when she saw good opportunities served her well, leading to a 16-year career climbing the corporate ladder at investment firms.Despite outward success, something fundamental was missing. She felt disconnected from herself and her unique talents, burning out despite achieving every traditional marker of achievement. The death of a 26-year-old friend from cancer became her wake-up call - she couldn't wait for some distant future to live authentically.Her transition to coaching seemed smooth until two nervous breakdowns last year revealed the depth of her own struggles with rest. Even as someone teaching others about energy management, she discovered she was missing crucial emotional rest. These breakdowns, rather than derailing her, crystallized her expertise and earned her the title "Queen of Rest" from her clients.Today, she helps high-achievers understand that rest isn't just sleep - it's a seven-dimensional practice including mental, emotional, social, creative, sensory, and spiritual restoration. Her work combines polyvagal theory with practical energy intelligence, helping clients reconnect with their true selves through nervous system regulation. From her plant-filled office in Hertfordshire, she's building a business that honors both growth and genuine restoration.Find out more about UlaBook linksBook in me: Beautifully SELFish. Break Free from People-Pleasing and Thrive on Your Terms ; Books that have influenced me - where do I start?Give and Take by Adam GrantUnbound. A Woman's Guide to Power by Kasia UrbaniakSorry I'm Late, I didn't want to come. An introvert's Year of Living Dangerously by Jessica PanWild Power. Discover the Magic of Your Menstrual Cycle and Awaken the Feminine Path to Power by Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo WurlitzerEvery single book written by Brene Brown Websitehttps://queenofrest.co.ukSocial MediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/urszula-caroto/Thanks for listening to 'not a straight line'!If this conversation inspired you, please leave me a Rating &amp; Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.And share the episode with a friend.Would you like to be a guest, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.And thanks to Matthew Blissfor his audio engineering excellenceYou can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Jeff Mask is a CEO coach whose journey from childhood trauma to spiritual awakening shaped his unique approach to business leadership. At age eight, a devastating accident knocked out his front teeth, leaving him with years of reconstructive surgery and schoolyard bullying that became an unlikely gift.From this painful experience emerged a profound insight at nine years old: his happiness came through serving others and helping them find joy. This revelation became the foundation for everything that followed, even as he struggled academically with dyslexia and learning disabilities.A two-year mission in Buenos Aires transformed his self-perception entirely. Learning Spanish fluently while navigating dangerous streets, Jeff realized he could master anything he truly cared about. This breakthrough led to university, then an MBA from Thunderbird Global School, where he discovered his intellectual capabilities had simply needed time to mature.His career included web services, pharmaceutical sales, and Infusionsoft with his brother. But it was a miraculous house purchase in December 2017—falling through eleven times—that became the catalyst for his true calling.Today, Jeff coaches CEOs worldwide to grow their businesses without losing their souls or families, building this practice after a spiritual awakening at 3 AM in February 2018. Together with wife Sherry, he now runs luxury retreats helping executive couples build both thriving businesses and lasting marriages.Find out more about JeffWebsitehttps://www.jeffmask.com/Social MediaLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffmask/Thanks for listening to 'not a straight line'!If this conversation inspired you, please leave me a Rating &amp; Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.And share the episode with a friend.Would you like to be a guest, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.And thanks to Matthew Blissfor his audio engineering excellenceYou can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Jennifer Bates is a life coach whose journey has zigzagged through military service, psychology, parenthood, and creative pursuits. As a military child who moved frequently, she developed adaptability while masking vulnerabilities behind perfectionism and achievement. Her early experiences taught her that only certain aspects of herself were acceptable to share, forming patterns she would later need to unlearn.Motherhood marked a profound turning point, challenging every aspect of Jennifer's identity despite extensive preparation. This experience forced her to relinquish the illusion of control and develop deeper empathy for both her children and herself. Through parenting, she discovered that big feelings aren't to be controlled but acknowledged and accepted.After earning her psychology degree through a military scholarship, Jennifer pursued a master's in social work. Her clinical work with veterans proved particularly meaningful due to their shared military background, though frequent relocations and family responsibilities interrupted her professional trajectory.Seeking creative fulfillment amid the isolation of parenthood, Jennifer returned to her childhood passion for performing arts. When the pandemic limited in-person opportunities, she explored audiobook narration as a family-compatible outlet.A connection formed during an audiobook course led Jennifer to discover her calling as a coach. Now she creates space for others navigating life's uncertainties, emphasizing radical self-compassion in challenging times. Jennifer believes we never truly "figure it out" completely—learning and growth continue throughout life's non-linear journey.Find out more about JenniferPodcasthttps://creatingspace.captivate.fm/Social [email protected]://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-bates-creatingspacecoachingEmailcreatingspacecoaching@gmail.comThanks for listening to 'not a straight line'!If this conversation inspired you, please leave me a Rating &amp; Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.And share the episode with a friend.Would you like to be a guest, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.And thanks to Matthew Blissfor his audio engineering excellenceYou can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Ross is a Kiwi-born business consultant whose life has been shaped by profound zigzags and an unwavering optimist's spirit. Starting as a young man torn between aviation dreams and military service, he chose the army but pivoted away from officer training in Australia—a decision he still reflects on with curiosity rather than regret.His 14-year career in New Zealand's tourism industry saw him pioneering early digital systems, taking television crews through Papua New Guinea's stunning landscapes, and living what he calls "the dream." Redundancy struck like lightning when his role disappeared in a reorganization meeting, but this apparent setback became his greatest catalyst.Through methodical networking with 80 CEOs and a determination to reinvent himself, Ross found his calling in customer relationship management during the technology revolution of the 1990s. He implemented groundbreaking CRM systems across multiple industries, often building solutions from scratch that were years ahead of their time.The most challenging zag came with his wife Dee's early onset dementia diagnosis. After 33 years of marriage, her condition deteriorated rapidly following their move to Sydney, forcing difficult decisions about care and fundamentally reshaping his daily reality.Now in his consulting practice, Ross channels decades of technical innovation and business transformation into creating "aha moments" for business owners. His mission remains crystal clear: guide entrepreneurs to breakthrough insights that transform their operations, with plans to continue this passionate work until 2032.Find out more about RossWebsitehttps://www.nextree.com.au/Social MediaLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosskeatingThanks for listening to 'not a straight line'!If this conversation inspired you, please leave me a Rating &amp; Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.And share the episode with a friend.Would you like to be a guest, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.And thanks to Matthew Blissfor his audio engineering excellenceYou can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Please join us in The Wealthy Artist™ Telegram channel.Thanks for listening to 'not a straight line' 🙏💚Although we're moving to The Wealthy Artist™, please subscribe or follow, and leave me a Rating &amp; Review for posterity!Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.And you can always share the episode with a friend 🤗And thanks to Matthew Blissfor his audio engineering wizardry and brilliance.You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Please join us in The Wealthy Artist™ Telegram channel.Thanks for listening to 'not a straight line' 🙏💚Although we're moving to The Wealthy Artist™, please subscribe or follow, and leave me a Rating &amp; Review for posterity!Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.And you can always share the episode with a friend 🤗And thanks to Matthew Blissfor his audio engineering wizardry and brilliance.You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Please join us in The Wealthy Artist™ Telegram channel.Thanks for listening to 'not a straight line' 🙏💚Although we're moving to The Wealthy Artist™, please subscribe or follow, and leave me a Rating &amp; Review for posterity!Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.And you can always share the episode with a friend 🤗And thanks to Matthew Blissfor his audio engineering wizardry and brilliance.You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Please join us in The Wealthy Artist™ Telegram channel.Thanks for listening to 'not a straight line' 🙏💚Although we're moving to The Wealthy Artist™, please subscribe or follow, and leave me a Rating &amp; Review for posterity!Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.And you can always share the episode with a friend 🤗And thanks to Matthew Blissfor his audio engineering wizardry and brilliance.You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Del Parsons is a mission-driven business coach who emerged from a transformative journey of self-discovery. Growing up in a Welsh-speaking community in Anglesey, her parents instilled the belief she could achieve anything. This created both opportunity and an unspoken pressure to excel.Her early life followed expected paths until her first significant 'failure' - dropping out of university after just six weeks. This setback became a pivotal learning experience that eventually led her to complete a psychology degree.After university, Del built a successful corporate career in marketing agencies, steadily climbing to board-level positions. Her professional trajectory appeared ideal from the outside, yet internally she felt increasingly constrained.Becoming a mother in 2009 catalysed the most significant transformation in her life. Her son's birth prompted bold decisions – ending her first marriage, recalibrating her career, and eventually finding personal happiness with her second husband Craig.The transition to entrepreneurship revealed her passion for supporting female business owners. Through this evolution, Del developed deep self-trust – a stark contrast to the external validation she once craved.Today, Del's mission to empower female founders resonates deeply within her. Looking towards her fifties, she embraces continuous growth while helping other women navigate their non-linear journeys with one powerful question: "What do you want?"Find out more about DelWebsitehttp://www.delparsonscoaching.co.uk/Social Mediahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/del-parsons-business-coachThanks for listening to 'not a straight line'!If this conversation inspired you, please leave me a Rating &amp; Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.And share the episode with a friend.Would you like to be a guest, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.And thanks to Matthew Blissfor his audio engineering excellenceYou can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Get in touch via https://notastraightline.life/chat.To find out more about starting your own podcast, visit https://activateyourpodcast.comAnd would you like to be a guest on a Wednesday episode, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.Thanks for listening to 'not a straight line' 🙏💚Please subscribe or follow, and leave me a Rating &amp; Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.And share the episode with a friend 🤗And thanks to Matthew Blissfor his audio engineering wizardry and brilliance.You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Get in touch via https://notastraightline.life/chat.To find out more about starting your own podcast, visit https://activateyourpodcast.comAnd would you like to be a guest on a Wednesday episode, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.Thanks for listening to 'not a straight line' 🙏💚Please subscribe or follow, and leave me a Rating &amp; Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.And share the episode with a friend 🤗And thanks to Matthew Blissfor his audio engineering wizardry and brilliance.You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

Get in touch via https://notastraightline.life/chat.To find out more about starting your own podcast, visit https://activateyourpodcast.comAnd would you like to be a guest on a Wednesday episode, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.Thanks for listening to 'not a straight line' 🙏💚Please subscribe or follow, and leave me a Rating &amp; Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.And share the episode with a friend 🤗And thanks to Matthew Blissfor his audio engineering wizardry and brilliance.You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

To find out more about starting your own podcast, visit https://activateyourpodcast.comAnd would you like to be a guest on a Wednesday episode, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.Thanks for listening to 'not a straight line' 🙏💚Please subscribe or follow, and leave me a Rating &amp; Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.And share the episode with a friend 🤗And thanks to Matthew Blissfor his audio engineering wizardry and brilliance.You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

To find out more about starting your own podcast, visit https://activateyourpodcast.comAnd would you like to be a guest on a Wednesday episode, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.Thanks for listening to 'not a straight line' 🙏💚Please subscribe or follow, and leave me a Rating &amp; Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.And share the episode with a friend 🤗And thanks to Matthew Blissfor his audio engineering wizardry and brilliance.You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

To find out more about starting your own podcast, visit https://activateyourpodcast.comAnd would you like to be a guest on a Wednesday episode, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.Thanks for listening to 'not a straight line' 🙏💚Please subscribe or follow, and leave me a Rating &amp; Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.And share the episode with a friend 🤗And thanks to Matthew Blissfor his audio engineering wizardry and brilliance.You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

In this deeply moving and powerfully vulnerable conversation, I sit down with the brilliant and courageous Matt Elwell, whose life, like so many of ours, has been anything but a straight line.From growing up in a home filled with love, chaos, unpredictability, and a father navigating bipolar disorder, to the freezing cold tile showroom in derelict cowsheds he ran with his dad and brother, to standing on the edge of financial ruin during the credit crunch—Matt shares it all. His journey is one of resilience forged through fire, of vision born from necessity, and of a deep commitment to connection, growth, and honesty.What struck me most in our time together was Matt’s raw willingness to talk about the parts of his story that most people would rather keep hidden—the shame, the regret, the moments of feeling lost or broken. But what shines through more than anything is his heart: huge, open, and always seeking to lift others up.You’ll hear how Matt went from the brink of despair to building a thriving coaching business that helps people close not just sales, but gaps in confidence, belief, and clarity. We explore the roles that opposites play in his life: his structured business partner Nick, his steady and loving wife Kerry, his own dance between risk and safety, and how embracing those opposites has been the key to both his personal and professional evolution.This conversation meanders, as life does, through pain and joy, grit and grace, love and loss. We talk about Matt's childhood, therapy, purpose, parenting, business, and what it truly means to live a life of meaning. Even when the path is anything but straight.And perhaps the greatest takeaway from this episode is Matt’s call to all of us: to acknowledge those around us, to say “I love you,” to offer a kind word, and to remember that in the messiness of our own journeys, we are never alone.Find out more about Matt ElwellBook linksOpen with a Close: The Twelve Point Guide to Closing More Sales (Amazon)WebsiteElite Closing Academy: https://eliteclosingacademy.com/Social MediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-elwell-sales-trainer/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattelitecloser/Threads: https://www.threads.com/@mattelitecloserThanks for listening to 'not a straight line'!If this conversation inspired you, please leave me a Rating &amp; Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.And share the episode with a friend.Would you like to be a guest, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.And thanks to Matthew Blissfor his audio engineering excellenceYou can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.

To find out more about starting your own podcast, visit https://activateyourpodcast.comAnd would you like to be a guest on a Wednesday episode, or know someone who should be? Visit https://podcast.notastraightline.life/guest.Thanks for listening to 'not a straight line' 🙏💚Please subscribe or follow, and leave me a Rating &amp; Review! Here are some instructions on how: https://podcast.notastraightline.life/rate.And share the episode with a friend 🤗And thanks to Matthew Blissfor his audio engineering wizardry and brilliance.You can find out more about his services at https://www.mbpod.com/.