Who It’s For: Entrepreneurs, Senior Business Leaders, Managers, Sales Professionals, Female Leaders, and R&D, Innovation, DEI, and Other Critical Teams
Ep 105 - Dive into Confidence with Cori Myka
Darlene Hawley
How Adult Swim Education Can Transform Your Life Beyond the Pool.
Welcome back, everyone! I'm thrilled to share another episode from the Attract and Stand Out podcast. I'm joined by the incredible Cori Myka, founder of Calm Within Adult Swim. With over 25 years of experience in adult swim education, Cori brings a wealth of knowledge on overcoming fear and discovering personal growth, both in the water and in life.
Diving into the Fear of Water
Cori specializes in demystifying and dismantling the common fear of water many adults harbor. Through a tailored combination of mental and physical training, she empowers individuals to not only become confident swimmers but also to embrace their personal development journey. Cori’s passion for swimming started young, and her unique approach highlights the importance of individual discovery and self-trust over conforming to standard methods.
Understanding the Inner Critic
Our conversation naturally gravitates towards a common challenge: the inner critic. As we both acknowledge, this internal voice can be a relentless obstacle, whether you're learning to swim or striving towards leadership. We delve into the significance of being present, embracing who we are, and reshaping the narrative inside our heads. Tackling these beliefs is a massive step toward liberating ourselves from self-imposed limitations.
The Process of Overcoming Fear
Cori walks us through her method of helping adults overcome their fears in the water. By aligning mental fortitude with physical readiness, she teaches students to stay grounded and calm, even when confronted with nerve-wracking situations like the shock of cold water. Instead of succumbing to fear, she encourages them to use such instances to connect with their innate resilience and adaptability.
Transformational Success Stories
A highlight of our chat was the story of Rhonda, a student who conquered a profound fear of water stemming from a traumatic incident in her youth. By gently guiding Rhonda through a supportive process, Cori helped her fulfill a lifelong dream of jumping into the Hawaiian waters from a boat. Rhonda’s journey is a powerful reminder of how transforming fear into empowerment transcends swimming and can significantly impact all facets of life.
Lessons for Life and Business
Cori and I found enriching parallels between the lessons learned in the pool and those applicable in personal and professional realms. Facing the fear of public speaking or navigating entrepreneurship requires similar courage and self-trust. We both emphasize the vital importance of flexibility, joy, and curiosity when setting and pursuing goals.
As I wrap up this inspiring episode, I encourage you all to reflect on the interconnectedness of fear, confidence, and personal evolution. Through Cori’s compassionate teaching and our heartfelt discussion, I hope you’re inspired to approach challenges with kindness and patience.
For those of you feeling the call of the water or embarking on new ventures, I highly recommend exploring Cori Myka’s offerings at Calm Within Adult Swim. Her approach could be the transformative experience you’ve been searching for.
Don't forget to subscribe to the Attract and Stand Out podcast and leave a review—your support helps me make a splash in helping others find our community. If you’ve been away from the water or curious about a swimming journey, I invite you to connect with Cori and discover the joy and confidence that the water can bring. Until our next episode, remember to let your unique light shine and embrace your journey wholeheartedly.
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Hey There!
I'm Darlene
As a mother, wife, connector, and dream builder, I’m Darlene Hawley, the founder of DarleneHawley.com and an Executive Leadership & Businesss Coach dedicated to empowering leaders like you.
My passion lies in helping ambitious professionals cultivate their unique leadership style while crafting an authentic and impactful personal brand. Through my coaching, we’ll work together to build a solid foundation that not only inspires your team but also drives results and growth within your organization.
Since 2007, I have been committed to guiding leaders and entrepreneurs in launching and scaling their businesses with confidence and clarity.
Today, I focus on supporting women in reaching their leadership goals and living their dream lives—all while balancing the joys of raising my family and creating meaningful memories each day.
Together, we’ll transform your challenges into opportunities, allowing you to lead with authenticity and inspire those around you.
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Welcome back to the Attract & Stand Out podcast! In this episode, I’m chatting with the incredible Michele Risa, CEO of Collaborative Solutions. Michele takes us on a journey—from her early days in the corporate world to launching her own business back in 1991 (before entrepreneurship was even a buzzword!). She opens up about what it really means to follow your heart, trust yourself, and build a business that reflects who you are at your core. We dive into so many powerful topics—why collaboration always wins over competition, the real work behind diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how trust is the true foundation of great leadership. Michele also shares stories from working internationally and offers such grounded wisdom on staying resilient and growing with intention over the long haul. If you're a leader who wants to make an impact by showing up as your full, authentic self—you’re going to love this conversation. Here’s what we cover: 00:30 – Michele’s leap from corporate to entrepreneurship 02:56 – Why collaboration is the future 04:50 – How DEI creates stronger businesses 08:20 – What it takes to lead with authenticity 11:47 – Michele’s biggest lessons from decades in business 18:45 – Navigating challenges with resilience 26:58 – Rapid fire Qs + final takeaways Let’s dive in! Michele Risa, CEO Collaborative Solutions, Inc since 1991, is an Executive Consultant specializing in trust, engagement, and talent optimization. Michele’s most recent project is creating employment for 1 million low-income women in the MENA region- Middle East/North Africa. She is: a renowned speaker at Mastercard, Microsoft, TEDx, and more. Co-author of the award-winning book "Conscious Entrepreneurs: A Radical New Approach to Purpose, Passion & Profit.” Former President of the Manhattan Holistic Chamber of Commerce. Certifications: PTSD, Breathwork, Reiki, Vipassana, and M.A. Columbia University. www.collaborativesolutionsco.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelerisa/
Discover how living with an invisible illness taught me the true meaning of self-care. In this personal reflection for Mental Health Awareness Month, I share daily wellness rituals that support mental health and how we can build a stronger foundation for well-being in life and in the workplace.
