Outlier's Edge Podcast with Niiamah Ashong

Today, Trailblazer Zach Kleyn and I navigate the various seasons of change and the phase and actions of bringing something to a close in order for the next iteration to exist. As Your Journey Continues: What can you let go and release in order to emerge into a new space? 🔥🧭👣RSVP to Blaze Your Own Trail Now at the next Outlier to Trailblazer Tribe experience: https://niiamahashong.com/tribe Ready to play at your next level? Here are 3 ways we can help you increase your income, influence, and impact: Play at your next level with our curated small-group coaching program: If you’re ready to be the least interesting person in the room, and to reap the rewards of visibly showing up in your life and business as yourself, we should talk. Learn More Immerse yourself in a community of safety and bravery: Join 12 leaders in NYC or Singapore for 2 days of intensive deep-dive coaching exploration to create more impact, influence, and income in your life and business. Learn More Be coached by me 1:1: Take your life and business to your next level with me as your personal coach. My clients invest $30K–$100K to transform their life, leadership, and culture in their business. If you're ready to lead your tribe and move your movement, we should talk. Learn More

Are You Practicing Being Unapologetically Yourself? Or are you expecting to have a major change happen overnight? Today we're joined by Outlier Laurens who shares how practicing being more of who he is has allowed him to show up more powerfully in his work engagement with the clients that he serves and for himself. As Your Journey Continues: What is one uncomfortable behavior, mindset, thought or action that you can practice this week to be more you than you’ve ever been in your life? 🔥🧭👣RSVP to Blaze Your Own Trail Now at the next Outlier to Trailblazer Community experience: https://niiamahashong.com/tribe Ready to play at your next level? Here are 3 ways we can help you increase your income, influence, and impact: Play at your next level with our curated small-group coaching program: If you’re ready to be the least interesting person in the room, and to reap the rewards of visibly showing up in your life and business as yourself, we should talk. Learn More Immerse yourself in a community of safety and bravery: Join 12 leaders in NYC or Singapore for 2 days of intensive deep-dive coaching exploration to create more impact, influence, and income in your life and business. Learn More Be coached by me 1:1: Take your life and business to your next level with me as your personal coach. My clients invest $30K–$100K to transform their life, leadership, and culture in their business. If you're ready to lead your tribe and move your movement, we should talk. Learn More

"We often compare how WE FEEL on the INSIDE with how OTHERS LOOK on the OUTSIDE." - Rich Litvin Are you holding yourself back because: you feel doubt while others look confident? you feel unsure while others look like they have clarity? you feel afraid of failing while others look always succeed? I know these specific comparisons because they are persistent inner thoughts of mine. But I know I'm not alone with these thoughts . And you're not alone either. That's why we've revamped Outlier to Trailblazer coaching conversations to explore the "inner journey" of becoming a more impactful and influencial entrepreneur, thought-leader, coach, change-maker, author, business leader, and trailblazer. Today, Trailblazer Erin Baker shares her inner journey to blazing her own unique trail while navigating failure, career changes, committment, and the journey to becoming a leader and coach to social impact entrepreneurs. 🔥🧭👣RSVP to Blaze Your Own Trail Now at the next Outlier to Trailblazer Community experience: https://niiamahashong.com/tribe Ready to play at your next level? Here are 3 ways we can help you increase your income, influence, and impact: Play at your next level with our curated small-group coaching program: If you’re ready to be the least interesting person in the room, and to reap the rewards of visibly showing up in your life and business as yourself, we should talk. Learn More Immerse yourself in a community of safety and bravery: Join 12 leaders in NYC or Singapore for 2 days of intensive deep-dive coaching exploration to create more impact, influence, and income in your life and business. Learn More Be coached by me 1:1: Take your life and business to your next level with me as your personal coach. My clients invest $30K–$100K to transform their life, leadership, and culture in their business. If you're ready to lead your tribe and move your movement, we should talk. Learn More

At your current level growth, how are you choosing to play the game? What would it look like if you chose to live in your gifts by taking responsibility instead of becoming a victim of circumstance? I am joined by two game-changers who are not afraid to speak their truth no matter how unsettling it may be for others. Through this conversation, we dig deep at the meaning of “Next Level Game” and the lukewarm decisions they have made that have instead caused them not to show up more visibly. YOUR JOURNEY CONTINUES As you look into how to attain your next level success, take time to look at decisions that are a definite yes, a definite no and those which fall into the category I call “sure!”

Inclusion is a term that has come up on many occasions recently and with good reason. To many, inclusion means tolerance. What if, however, we elevated the conversation in a meaningful way? Lionel Koh joins me in this conversation that illuminates the problem with inclusion as we have it now. He brings the duty of inclusion to you and I and our responsibility in taking the time to understand one another. YOUR JOURNEY CONTINUES What if we viewed inclusion as a way of getting to know other people's journeys? This would certainly change out would-be biased opinions to appreciation and respect.

In our bid to make an impact on our creative paths, we can sometimes find ourselves questioning if whatever we are doing is working. It is normal to question yourself as you continue to trudge on the road less traveled. This is why you should purpose to receive any appreciation sent your way. Stacy points to put the strengths she sees in me during this conversation. It is a humbling experience that shows me how much of an impact the path I have chosen, is having on her and others. YOUR JOURNEY CONTINUES I have learned that surrounding yourself with the right people is priceless. They have a way of pointing out the strengths they see in you and at times this is all you have to hold on to.

Having an idea and actually stepping out to implement it is no easy feat. The idea sounds great while still in your mind but to move to your next level, you will need to actualize it and then sell it. A step that has many entrepreneurs a little shaken. Christine Volden and I dive deep into a conversation that covers all you need to get to that next level. She reveals truths that have brought her success time and time again. YOUR JOURNEY CONTINUES Trust yourself! That's it because you have everything you need to get you to where you need to be.

In order to make an impact in the world, you need to bring more vulnerability by showing up more authentically. You need to venture into places that others wouldn't want to go and by doing this, you are making connections that truly matter. Dr. Chris Joseph joins me in this impactful conversation that dives deeper into the power that comes when we show up authentically. He isn't afraid to appear vulnerable as long as his message serves others. YOUR JOURNEY CONTINUES What would happen in your life if you chose to make non-action a non-option?

There is this perception out in the world that hustle is a hard grind, and maybe that’s what it is. As Pioneers, Outliers and Mavericks, we have to deal with fulfilling this expectation but also with carving out paths less travelled. This can get exhausting and the zeal you started your journey with can slowly fade. In this discussion with a fellow Pioneer, Dr. Sarah Coxin, an experienced ex-archaeologist, who left that highly acclaimed profession to follow her desires gives her definition of the word hustle and brings insight to the pressure that comes with the term. Society has made it seem like if you aren’t getting results, you aren’t focused enough, and yet she wants to feel to achieve a flow which makes everything happen in a seamless motion.

Trust conundrum: Knowing too much and simultaneously not knowing enough.

https://empjoyment.com "I feel like this is the first time I have been truly seen..." I spent the last week in London at the Youpreneur Summit. What will stay with me always are the 5 people who shared with me that they felt fully seen as a result of a conversation with me. These were 5 people who in a lot of visible ways have achieved more success than me and more impact than me. AND through it all, felt more like my peers than most other people I encountered. They were each a more powerful leader than others tend to see. They had created success in unconventional ways and were at the precipice of something beyond that. They didn’t know it yet, but it was shining out of them as brightly as a candle in a dark room. Their work was not done - it is time from them to take their success and start creating unconventional impact. But it’s not something most of us choose see - in ourselves and in others. We often focus on the outer journey of being visible (likes, views, hearts, mentions, audience size, downloads, books sold, etc.) As movement leaders, we are required to go beyond the surface of what looks good to make our inner journey visible as well. You can shift the entire trajectory of someone’s life by giving them the gift of being seen, heard, and understood. This used to be a "fru-fru" kind of statement to me until the people I worked with consistently started their own movements, leveled up their impact, and started to change their world during the time we worked together. I’ll say it so you don’t have to: "You are here to change the world in a way that only you can. " If you are ready to fully step into being a powerful and authentic leader who ushers us into a new and brighter future, we should talk. I am curating a special group experience for 10 Trailblazers who, like you, know they can take their impact to the next level and want a guide and companions as they navigate the uncharted territories of this next frontier. You cannot simply buy your way into this group and program. I’m not here to convince you to join it either. You’ll already know it’s for you if you have felt the calling to something greater. I acknowledge you for stepping into this level of leadership and impact. You are here to change the world. We’re here to help you become the leader who does. If now is the time for you or someone you know to answer or figure out your purpose and your soul’s calling to elevate the future of your world, leave a comment/send a message and I will invite you to explore whether we will be the tribe that helps you as you fulfill your purpose.

You are here to change the world. Let’s help you become a leader who does! #outlier2trailblazer

Focus on continual success: The story of the two-finger handhold... #notanimposter #storytime #mytrailblazerjourney #worldjoy

Hi! My name is Niiamah Ashong and I’m an imposter... https://niiamahashong.com/tribe

How to give the worst presentation of your life! (it’s easier than you think!!) --- I’m currently enrolling for 2 programs that start in January 2020 for which I’m incredibly proud and excited. I want to give you an opportunity to join us and immerse yourself in the unique communities of practice we create so you can experience and bring all of you to your life, work, and impact. 1) Trailblazer Oasis This program is for people who know that they are unique and different from other people AND want to leverage more of who they are to lead themselves and others to the next level of impact. A Trailblazer is someone who is willing to go through the risky, uncertain, and uncharted wilderness in order to make the path easier for others in future. The Oasis is your haven from it all to rejuvenate and recalibrate amongst a group of peers who challenge, champion, and change with you along your journey. You have a purpose, a mission, a message, and a vision of a future that is distrinct from the past. You aren’t interested in simply improving the status quo - you’re looking to transform the status quo towards a possibility few even realize. You have already been playing a "big game" in the eyes of other people in terms of impact, influence, and income, but you know that there is the next league you want to play at (and are having trouble consistently showing up that way). The Trailblazer Oasis is a Community of Practice specifically designed to help you authentically and powerfully lead others to a higher level of impact by up-leveling yourself in ways that are in integrity with you, your values, and your unique talents. We address the three most common challenges we find holding Trailblazers back - being misunderstood, being misaligned, and being mistaken that they are alone and need to do it a certain way to be successful. By the end of this 9 month Community of Practice, you’ll have transformed in several areas including: + Your Vision + Your Strategy + Your Mindset + Your Unique Talents + Your Energy + Your Tribe + Your Leadership + Your Next Level + Your Impact + Your Visibility + Your Support + Your Story + Your Platform + Your Message + Your Profit Individual clients who have gone through their personal Trailblazer Oasis program have seen results including: + Sharing their message to a 500-person audience within 1 mknth + Being featured on a TV show (and now...) + Hosting their own TV show + Launching their first group program/course + Posting their first Live videos + Enrolled high-level corporate clients + Organizing their first online communities + Speaking on panels and podcasts + and much more While these results are great, what makes this program unique is that each person is ACTIVELY CREATING THEIR VERSION OF THE FUTURE TODAY! They aren’t waiting to get their message out. They aren’t held back by the sheer size of their vision. And they aren’t wasting energy creating things that aren’t aligned with their vision because of someone else’s system. Instead They are creating the impact they want to see in larger waves in the future with the world they are in and are getting opportunities to take it to higher levels and more people at an Exponential rate. WARNING: If you choose to join us, please be aware that some goals might come faster than you had expected. And others may not come at all, in service of something more aligned with what you truly want to create. I am an expert at supporting people in creating community, impact, and transformation through their unique personality. The Trailblazer Oasis is limited to 10 Trailblazers and is starting in January 2020. This is designed as a group of peers, so you can join by invitation, referral, or application only If you are ready to take your unique impact to the next level, then we should talk. Send me a message and we can explore from there. 2) Unapologetically You This program is all about practicing how you can Be More You for you. At

Listen to the full episode here https://empjoyment.com One week into reclaiming and owning exactly who I am (and have always been)

Welcome to "Too much" May! Yesterday at a dinner with my wife and two of my best friends in Singapore, I got triggered and triggered hard. I found myself feeling misunderstood, angry, and confused in the moment right in the middle of an otherwise amazing dinner. I am grateful to have done enough work to recognize being in the triggered state, but I was completely in its grasp as I fought to be understood and shut down conversations in order to try and protect myself from further pain. What caused this? Someone at the table said something along the lines of “BUT Nemo that’s YOUR style. You’re A LOT!”. The capitalization is how I heard it in my head. And how that translated to me was that I was being dismissed, shunned, and my accomplishments minimized because of my ability to do and be different. It turns out after talking through the incident further, it wasn’t at all the intention (no capital letters involved). Rather than trying to diminish me, the comment was meant to raise me up and shine a light on some of the awesomeness that was needed to show up in my own style. I just couldn’t hear it. It simply didn’t compute. There was just one way for that statement to be interpreted in my mind at the time. And it was to my own detriment. When I woke up this morning, I no longer felt misunderstood, angry, or confused. Instead, I felt embarrassed. Embarrassed for my behavior. Embarrassed for my wife for having been a witness and at times a target on it. Embarrassed as a leader of Outliers, Pioneers, and Mavericks for not having the presence of mind and emotional capacity to not get triggered. I have an amazing wife though and through an early morning reflection with her, I felt a new emotion: happiness. Happiness because yesterday had exposed a blind spot that I was unaware of: I have a low capacity for receiving and seeing myself as “a lot” or “too much” in a positive way. Happiness because with that awareness I could actively begin the work that I lead my clients through to Discover-> Embrace -> Leverage -> Appreciate new elements of my uniqueness to capture the value in it. So, I’m not trying to *accept* that I am too much. Nay, I am taking it further. I want to be celebrated and valued for being too much. I’m often afraid that I am playing too small. I can see how I’m trapping myself under a “too much” ceiling. It’s time to break down and break through. I know it’s possible and it’s my next level of growth. So I hereby declare this “Too Much May”. I am actively coming from a place of being, doing, and having too much and finding the positive gifts in all of it. “Too much” is my filter this month. Demi Langford-McConkie said it best: “It’s either Too Much or not at all”. — How you can help: If you want to participate or help with this, you can do so by sharing your own experiences with feeling too much along the way AND the gifts that come from it. You can also call out times when I am coming off as being too much for you. Be as specific as possible. Heads up, I won’t be apologizing for it or express gratitude . Instead I will simply say “You’re Welcome”. And leave it at that. This is my practice. I choose to be visible in service of myself and others. Game on! https://nemoashong.com

What Support do you Need to Acheive your Next Level (Live Coaching Nemo Ashong)

5 hidden traps that have kept me from playing at my next level Outsights from session 2 of the Next Level Masterclass. ---an invitation --- I have decided to open up the doors to the Masterclass beyond my list to create an opportunity for people who are serious and craving to play a bigger game. Https://niiamahashong.com/nlm I can offer this easily because each session is a live experience where we work on your fears, desires, challenges, and possibilities to get you playing into your next level now. This is not for everyone by design. Come if you are ready to play at your next level or you are tired of settling for your current level. Don’t come if you aren’t interested in doing the work - I’ll find another way to serve you later.

Lonliness. It’s the hidden cost to being a leader, being unique, playing at my next level, and honestly just plain old being myself. It’s the payment to enter higher realms of impact, growth, and contribution that I have been hesitant to pay. It’s a fact of choosing to belong to yourself first. If you play it all out, the best way to stand out is to be yourself because there’s only one of you out there. There’s only 1 in 7+ BILLION PEOPLE who is you. Of course it’s going to be lonely! I honestly didn’t get that until 5 mins before sharing this here. The path to being yourself, to experience true and wholesome freedom and security, to make your highest impact, and to influence and lead change in your world is inherently lonely. And the story I tell myself is that "being lonely means being unloved." The cold hard truth of it is that at the level of allowing myself to be me in the world, I’m actually finding that: a) I love myself more (and I think I’m legit awesome) b) I love and have the capacity to love others more and c) I am loved by others more. I’m going to unpack c) more because that’s the external result I internally craved and the external ceiling I keep bumping into. I am loved by others "more". 1) "More" through the lens of "Scale": There absolute value of people who love me continues to grow daily. And it directly ties/ feeds back into my capacity for love. The greater my capacity for love, the more love comes my way. 2) "More" through the lens of "Depth": This is one of the thing I’ve been fighting for in my life recently. Where Scaled Love speaks to being "well-known", Deep Love speaks to being "know - well". The people who choose to love me, choose to do so for the true and unapologetic me as I currently am and as I am becoming. There’s no more "code-switching". I’m not burdened by having to diminish myself in order to make others feel safe. I am not drained by having to be multiple things to multiple people - and then keeping each part of my life compartmentalized for sake of being exposed (this one came fastest for me to be). I don’t have to be a "chameleon" and change who I am to match your world. Instead, I welcome you to my world. I welcome you as you are and as you are becoming. I welcome you to be courageous and thrive beyond safety. I welcome you to be in integrity with yourself. Whole, complete, and unapologetic. Everyday I create a world where we can be unique together. Where we can be authentic together. Where we can be lonely together. Where we can simply BE together. My name is Nemo Ashong. Most people see me as personable, friendly, joyous, and so much more. And what they don’t see is that on the inside I’m lonely. What I now know is that feeling alone, being alone, and feeling lonely isn’t a good or a bad thing. It comes down to the stories I tell myself. And I’m choosing to listen to stories that bring us all together - as seperate, unique, and legit awesome people who can be as one, not in spite of but because of what makes us different. Here’s to being more you everyday because you are the difference. Game on! (Special thanks to Hayden Lee, Luisa Molano, and Chris Joseph for helping me embrace something that I thought was holding me back rather than helping me forward)

“You don’t have to fight for the best when you are willing to be the only.” Reclaiming my power with Being Lonely. Lesson from Sapa, Vietnam

Meta time: a live about going live There’s a reason why I choose to go live and to create videos. It’s not because of Facebook reach. Most people aren’t even awake when I go live. It’s because it’s one of the most effortless ways for me to get my thought leadership out in the world. No one gave me permission and even if the “reach” went down, I would still choose to leverage this medium because it’s a natural vehicle for me. And I get 100X relative value from it: 10X the results of most people for 10% of the energy. (Now it’s math time: 10/0.1=100) Some of my clients leverage in-person dinners, others podcasts, others speaking, some blogging, others recorded live workshops, and some choose word of mouth /referrals. Discover it. Embrace it. Leverage it. And Appreciate it’s value by getting better at it. What’s your 100X thought leadership vehicle?

What’s the container of transformation that best supports the change you lead yourself and your people through? — I’m going to watch Trevor Noah live in Singapore in 3 hours. I’ve been following him regularly for months now, watching the MULTIPLE videos he posts in the same day as my day progresses. On one level, he’s shown a real example of there’s no such thing as too much content - he’s part of the reason I feel comfortable doing to back to back live videos. On another level, this is the first time I’ve given money directly to Trevor’s world. And when I take out my wallet, I like to explore why. Today it’s gotten me to think about my distinctions between audience, tribe, and community and the capacity of transformation within each.

You are already a leader (even if you haven’t yet realized it). You are already changing the world everyday ( even when you aren’t trying). You are already ready (even if the task seems impossible or scary). You are already enough ( even if it feels like you can’t be what others want - you are exactly what we need) -- Step up and own who you already are. You are a gift to your world - don’t hold it back.

This episode was really edgy for me to make live... and remains edgy for me to post it on the podcast. Which is why I'm doing it. #speakingmytruth

Get out of your own way! Not Knowing could be the exact path to your greatest impact - listen to explore how.

Are you thinking like a human (quantum thinking) or are you processing like a machine (binary thinking)? As machines and technology become more wide-spread and accessible, we often feel we need to spend more time operating like a machine with clear black or white options. I call SHENANIGANS to that! We have the wonderful opportunity to be human and with it comes a unique way of thinking that we alone have access to. Let's make the most of it!

"We often compare how WE FEEL on the INSIDE to how THEY LOOK on the OUTSIDE." ~Rich Litvin This episode dives into our opportunity as Trailblazers to create safety by choosing to be vulnerable to share the invisible feelings within us so that others can see themselves as well.

What’s one fun thing you have been waiting to do? Take 15 mins today to schedule it. It won’t just happen on its own! And leading change takes energy, and it’s your responsibility to fill up your own energy tank as a leader. That’s right - IT’S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE FUN AS A LEADER! You’re welcome ;)

Trailblazer secret fear: What if I'm wrong Doubt along the path of taking a stand for yourself and what you believe #worldjoy #changeleadership #change #leadership #hiddenfears

A few weeks ago, I made the decision to retire my nickname of "Nemo" and return to my actual name "Niiamah". I had no intention that morning of ever changing my name from Nemo. I had gone be that nickname for over 15 years. And in one hour, I went through an experience that forever shifted my life and had me proudly reclaim who I truly am. This episode capture the stories behind the Life, Death, and Rebirth of Niiamah Ashong. It is a story unlike any other because it is my story. What's your story?

Update Your Assumptions to Play a Bigger Game (Live Coaching Nemo Ashong)

Changing Your Game through One Deep Insight (Live Coaching with Nemo Ashong)

Choice within Judgement (Live Coaching Nemo Ashong)

Embrace being messy to play at your next level (Live Coaching Nemo Ashong)

Next Level Growth for Next Level Success (Live Coaching Nemo Ashong)

Are you ready to receive appreciation

Leading from Deep Connection and Trust (Live Coaching Nemo Ashong)

Create Safety to allow others to receive feedback, appreciation, & comments

Navigating Your Unconventional Path to Success (Live Coaching Nemo Ashong)

Delivering Meaningful Appreciation, Acknowledgement and Feedback

Giving and Receiving Appreciation (Nemo Ashong with Stacy Louise Christopher)

The Edge of Receiving Appreciation, Feedback, and Acknowledgement

Wholistic Success and Excitement (Live Coaching Nemo Ashong)

I’m Ridin’ Solo No Mo’! (Building a Team to Support your Vision)

Heart Centered Vs Head Centered

Listen to the full episode here https://empjoyment.com Lessons learned climbing my latest mountain as an Outlier, Pioneer, and Maverick

What’s working on me right now: It’s easier for me to try to improve my weaknesses than to live up to the true potential of my gifts. A focus on weaknesses has the ability to marginally improve a mediocre past. A focus on gifts has the ability to create a unique contribution currently unknown and not experienced in my world such that a new future has the possibility to be brought to life. In the video, I share: - Why feedFORWARD is more powerful than feedBACK - why you get higher returns on your investment into honing your unique gifts and talents than on improving your weaknesses - a special invitation to a one time small group coaching experience where you can learn how to discover, embrace, and leverage your unique talents and skills in any setting

I’m Playing at my next level. I’m no longer playing behind the guise of a made-up business name. I’m here to play full out and with the all-stars. My mission is beyond myself and it turns out that I’m “a lot”. So I’m embracing that and going all in. There’s a lot of “new” that I have been working on these past few weeks (and there’s a lot more to be shared in the future). + New Brand (www.facebook.com/NemoAshong) + New website (https://NemoAshong.com) + New videos and podcast: I’m living the life of Outliers, Pioneers, and Mavericks, I create members of the Outliers, Pioneers, and Mavericks tribe, and I’m constantly creating space through coaching and group conversations. Not everyone is ready to work with me, AND I feel there are valuable insights from watching others get served. So going forward, I’m focused on documenting and sharing conversations that I have with you all. I’m coaching people live on the POMcasts, you get to see how I am navigating climbing my next mountain as I’m coached, and I’m exploring “dangerous” topics with ordinary people who are willing to both safe and brave in order to make change in their world. I recommend subscribing now because I update each of these daily (Videos: https://nemoashong.com/YouTube Podcast: https://nemoashong.com/iTunes or https://nemoashong.com/Spotify) Ready to take on your next frontier? Let’s play - Journey on! https://nemoashong.com

From too much to WAY too much! https://nemoashong.com