Amber Elizabeth Dodzweit

Passion Profile: Amber Elizabeth Dodzweit

May 25, 2015Nina KovnerPASSION PROFILE

“Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of all kinds because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish it’s work so that we may be complete.” James 1:2

While pro beauty makes up most of my business at Passion Squared, I also have the honor of working in the pro fitness and wellness worlds. Is the Universe trying to tell me something? Lol. I digress. I first met Amber through my awesome friend and former client Ashley Conrad, CEO of Clutch Bodyshop, and it was love at first sight. Amber is the real deal. Passion. Purpose. Bad Ass. Megababe and one of the most inspiring humans I know. Whether you are in beauty or fitness, there is so much we can all learn from Amber.

N. What does passion look & feel like to you?
A. Passion to me is anything you do that removes you from life’s pressure. That thing that you go to that sometimes is the only solace you have in finding peace- mindlessness even. To me, passion is finding a “therapist” without actually having to sit on a couch; it’s your release, your outlet. Your non-negotiable.

N. Why did you become an athlete & fitness coach?
A. Training and physical exercise saved my life. In my early 20’s I experienced a time that caused me to think that I would never be able to make it out of my circumstances. What pushing my body beyond its limits taught me was that pain was temporary and in fact, it was necessary for growth. It was this outlook that allowed me to keep going and ultimately grab a hold of everything I wanted for my life.

N.What is the biggest challenge you have had and how did you overcome it?
A. The biggest challenge specifically I’ve had has been against my own mindset. I think we all doubt ourselves and wonder if we truly have what it takes. There are daily battles I face so to identify one is hard…I would say that returning back to the fitness industry after I walked away was one of the biggest challenges I’ve ever faced. The tendency to shrink back in the face of expectation is so real- and coming back to the table to reclaim a career that I thought had ended was a huge leap of faith.

N.What is the greatest lesson you have learned?
A. The greatest lesson I’ve ever learned has to be “the shadow of our fear is always bigger than the actual thing.” Meaning, when you turn to face whatever might have you hiding…you realize how tiny and surmountable it is. Fear is like a projector casting a huge scary picture from a small concept.

N. What is one skill you believe all successful athletes + coaches need to have?
A. I think that successful athletes and coaches need to realize that succumbing to pain is optional. I think it’s important that we all experience what pain feels like- but the best athletes in the world feel it and continue on in spite of it.

N. Why that one?
A. I say that because it’s truly the subconscious mind that determines our reality. It translates to not only athletic but to life.

N. Why are you so focused on HIIT/Plyo?
A. I’ve been doing HIIT and Plyo workouts since the 5th grade. I was trained early on by an Olympic coach that happened to be on staff at my tiny high school. These workouts are how I was raised, I’ve tried all aspects of exercise and they always feel like home to me. This is beside the fact that daily studies are released supporting the fact that this form of exercise is superior in burning fat and building lean muscle. I recently read an article that stated that HIIT and bodyweight workouts are better than cardio, it just makes me so proud to share the truth with those that have battled the cardio machines their whole lives.

N. Favorite quote?
A. “Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of all kinds because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish it’s work so that we may be complete.” -James 1:2

N. Starbucks or Coffee Bean?
A. Meh- Cabernet Sauvignon. :)

You can find out more about Amber and her new online training program at amberdodzweit.com.
You can also find her bad assery on Instagram @amberdodzweit and on Facebook.

Thank you Amber for sharing your awesomeness with us. I love you baby boo.

Love + Awesomeness-
Nina

#QandAwesome Episode 3 Blogging + Decisions

February 21, 2015Nina Kovner#QandAwesome

In this weeks episode of #QandAwesome we talk blogging, decisions, consistency, content and commitments. Many of the ingredients for creating awesome in anything we do. A big shout out to my A School group for inspiring this weeks episode. Thanks so much for watching.

A Creative Process

December 1, 2014Nina KovnerGROW, MY TRUTH

Some people make things happen, some watch things happen, while others wonder
what has happened.  -Proverb

Here is the audio version of this post, thank you so much for listening.

Awesomeness in business and in life doesn’t just happen by accident; it’s a process.

Where It Begins
Its 3pm on the dot. It’s Sunday. I just prepared a delicious shot of espresso and turned on the Garden State soundtrack and lit a Marlboro light. It’s cool and rainy and grey, so unusual for la la land. And I am inspired to create this week’s blog.

Now, I could wait to Monday morning, which has been my process for a few years, but lately I am finding it more difficult and quite honestly too much pressure to put on myself. I mean, come on, a fresh written, recorded blog and newsletter, every Monday morning, to be sent before 7am? Yes. But no matter what, it happens. Why? I made a commitment. I know consistency matters. I keep my promises.

A Little Back Story
My mind has been racing the last few months, lots of change, shifts, emotions, plans, and with only 31 days left in 2014, I have a shit ton of awesomeness to create to kick off 2015 right. But because of my promise, I create space and processes to focus my mind.

We Move Towards What We Focus On
The topics for my posts come to me quite randomly yet are filled with intention and purpose. Understanding the promise of Passion Squared, I listen to my tribe and write for them, for you, and for me. Topics can come from a discussion, an interaction or situation with a client, an experience at a store, a movie or TV show.

This is my creative process. It’s messy, flawed, raw, authentic and yet strangely consistent. And I trust the process, doubts and all. Often I am asked how I manifested my career and created Passion Squared, what my process is…

Well, this is it. Above is my process for blog creation, workshop creation, talk creation, projects, and any other awesomeness I am working on.

Is There A System?
In my upcoming NEW coaching program A School, I break down my recipe for creating awesome in my business and my life. Many of the tools I have used for years to grow companies, and more recently, they are the tools I use to create an awesome life and business filled with purpose and authenticity for both myself and my clients. In the end though, you must make it your own, if you are going to own it, as only then will you stay committed and consistent.

So, just like that, one smoke down, 1 shot of espresso and 4 songs later on the Garden State soundtrack, my blog is complete. And this typically is where many begin to self sabotage their art.

Are You Self Sabotaging Your Creations?
Over-thinking, over analyzing, judging. All elements for never creating anything. Perfectionism paralyzes our thoughts, actions and awesomeness. Trust the process, put your heart into it, create it and let it out into the Universe for those who need it. Let it go.

Is It Really That Simple? Of Course Not.
Now, I will prep it in WordPress, create graphics and quotes on Canva and Word Swag, create a description, determine keywords, create links, test links, preview it, proof read it, fix most of the typos, preview it again, proof it again, record it, embed the recording, preview it again, and publish it. Then I’m off the create The Weekly Dose of Awesome, on MailChimp, my “every single Monday no matter what” love note to all of my awesome subscribers.

Commitment. Consistency. Courage. And most importantly, a process, which allows for all of this to happen week in and week out. What’s your process?

With love + gratitude-
Nina

PS: Want to be the first to hear about A School, click here to get your name on the awesome list.

PPS: When its all said and done, this post will have taken about 3 hours to publish, not including brain and bathroom breaks, which there are a few. It’s the little things, the details, the things you may not even be aware that you are seeing and feeling when engaging with this post that truly make things awesome.

The Letter C

March 17, 2014Nina KovnerENGAGE, GROW

It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives. It’s what we do consistently.  -Anthony Robbins

 

Here is the audio version of this post. Thank you so much for listening. Enjoy!

So what does it take to create awesome? Over the last couple years, and really, over my entire career I have studied many businesses, including my own. I am one for keeping things real, and simple. While there are several ways to create awesome and people are doing it every day, it is the following traits and actions that I see which are some of the most important, and conveniently enough, they all begin with the letter C, so I call this the Creating Awesome Recipe.

Confidence

Believing your awesome and learning to love yourself and believe in you. This is absolutely the biggest roadblock to awesomeness in the professional beauty + wellness industries in my experience. You can have all the education and motivation in the world, BUT, if you do not feel deserving of success and happiness, another class or workshop will not help you. Truth.

Courage

Turning your fears into creative fuel. Learning to say YES, and more importantly, NO! It’s a decision. It’s a choice. Make it.

Clarity

Discovering your awesome and finding your purpose, promise and passion for yourself and your business. When you have clarity, those around you will too. If you want people to buy into your vision, seek clarity first, and then share it.

Consistency

Living your awesome and creating systems, processes and plans for growing your business, consistently.  This holds true in business and in life.

Commitment

Are you prepared to make it happen, even on the days you don’t feel like it? Enough said.

Connections

Sharing your awesomeness by engaging and marketing online and off to grow yourself, your team and your business.  Creating deep connections with the world around you brings so much more meaning to owning and leading a business.

Communication

George Bernard Shaw once said,” The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”  Truer words have never been spoken. Communicate with your team, clients and community. They will be grateful, and you will be a much happier owner, leader and awesomeness creator.

So there you have it. Pick one, work on it, then move to the next. Rome was not built in a day… and neither are our businesses or lives.

(shared with LOVE from Nina)

Another Brick In The Wall

January 13, 2014Nina KovnerGROW, MY TRUTH

The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. – Randy Pausch

Starting, creating, owning and running a small business is not for the faint of heart. It seems almost everyday I witness hopeful, bright-eyed future entrepreneurs “start” a business. And sadly, I see almost as many crash and burn, give up or walk away.

We have all heard the saying, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it. Truer words have never been spoken.

The last few years have been some of the most difficult of my life, yet some of the happiest and most rewarding.  It seems everyday, there are more bricks, or what seems like boulders in my way.

If you are thinking about becoming a small business owner, of living your dream, here are some of my AHAS the last couple years that may be helpful for you to decide whether you want to venture into ownership.

This is not a list of how to determine if you are meant to be a biz owner, that is a different blog, I am talking about deep in your heart and soul, are you ready to do whatever it takes.

1. Are you courageous enough to stick it through, even in the worst times?

2. Are you comfortable with being insanely uncomfortable?

3. What are you willing to sacrifice?

4. Are you strong enough to bust through the bricks and obstacles that will be placed in your way?

5. Are you committed to consistently, day after day, building your dream, and not just when you feel like it?

Why am I sharing this with you? I work with small business owners every day. I am a small business owner and many times I am accused of being overly positive and optimistic.

I do choose to see the best in everything. It is a daily choice. However, that does not mean I do not have struggles. I do. Every single day.

On any given day during the week, this is what happens in my world…

“OMG what the hell am I doing” pops into my head, more often than I care to admit, but am now.
I cry. A lot.
I get stuck.
I stare into space.
I get scared.
I get insecure.
I am overly critical about my work, this blog included.

And what I have come to learn is that all of that is normal. Well, normal for someone who is passionate and ballsy enough to take the road less traveled.

The bricks are there for a reason. We can either see them as an obstacle or a gift. The gift being, each time we break through, we become stronger and more courageous.

And that is the gift. Courage. To live our purpose. Because when we do, we are giving the world and ourselves the greatest gift of all. Our happiness.

(shared with LOVE from Nina)