Jodene is the co-founder of:
and founder of:
Published August 21st, 2011
I’ve definitely felt more inspired to do something different.
It’s been an interesting week with my back giving me serious trouble and having to put gym on hold. At the same time I’ve had very caring friends want to support me because we all know that it’s not easy just changing a lifestyle.
I got the twitter handle of a woman who eats wheat, gluten, sugar free and it was suggested I follow her. I did, with the hope that she would make it sound easy to make the changes, but her tweets are filled with envy of what everyone is eating around her, and that’s not exactly what I want to hear.
I got some great advice and decide that making the little changes from the suggestions was a great place to start. Most of it is replacing one thing for the healthier option, so I went on a little shopping adventure to take a look at the array of suggestions that were given to me. Well didn’t that just make me depressed enough to want to eat a loaf of white bread. I would have tucked into the healthier wholesome bread, if it were not 7 times the price of the white.
Maybe I’m the last to realise, but no wonder we live on the white stuff … the healthier option is actually ridiculously priced. Really? Does it really have to cost so much?
I’m not in a position to swap out a R10 packet of past for a R45 one and I’m certainly not in a position to replace a R40 packet of chicken with a R120 for 2 ostrich steaks. But I want to make the changes … so there’s gotto be a way without having to get radical and eat dried dates that should be coated in gold for their price?
Who is out there? Who knows how to keep it healthy and not get stuck in the health food trap of having to spend 3 times the price to just live project body?
It’s official … I’m looking for tips, options, recipes and alternatives …
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published August 20th, 2011This is going to be short and hopefully sweet enough …
I had to go to body stress release for my back yesterday and I’m on a course of anti-inflammatories which I haven’t had to take in over 6 months. I feel as though I’m sitting on the pain again, but not the pain that was before the sequestration of my disks. It’s more like the pain I was nursing after, but pain non the less.
I’m trying to keep calm and not totally freak out that my back is giving in on me again. I keep reminding myself that it took months to finally sequestrate and I wasn’t doing anything about it then … I wasn’t conscious and now I am. I’ve stopped gym immediately, went straight to a treatment that I know works, haven’t been sitting for hours on end and am taking medication. That’s pretty forward for a situation that feels as though it’s driving me backwards.
Next week is hectic with important meetings on Monday, my first Social Media Tuesday breakfast at the Crowne Plaza Johannesburg, on the radio on Wednesday and the build up to the launch of FollowSA in 10 days time … so yes, I’m nervous!
I have friends coming over later, so I don’t want to be sitting for too long. I also have my boyfriend coming home and us supporting the opposite sides in the rugby with us watching a match for the first time … hence, the need to lie down, take a deep breathe and remind myself that I’m more conscious this time around!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published August 19th, 2011
My cousin passed away when I was about 11 years old. She was married into our family but my favourite of cousins none the less. She was the eternal child and used to keep chocolates hidden under the bed when her and my cousin (the real member of the family) lived with us. She was an incredible artist and I kept a picture of Jock of the bushveld that she drew for me when I was about 6 years old. I remember that picture, the way my family wept when she died from an asthma attack … and my cousin (her husband) listening to Pink Floyd.
I remember the continuous play of music, that I was too young to appreciate, more than I remember how anyone dealt with the loss of the gentlest soul I have ever known. That’s why I went …
I knew I wasn’t part of the Pink Floyd generation and I knew the chances of me remember anything more than ‘another brick in the wall’ would be a miracle. I also didn’t mention my reason for going to anyone at all. Not when I received the invite from the Joburg Theatre, when I put it in my diary, told Mr Unexpected we had plans or when I sat in the show and held the hand of the man I love.
To be honest, I felt about two generations behind the majority of the crowd and couldn’t believe that my memories of hours of listening to Pink Floyd amist mourning family members didn’t strike up one memory of a song. That didn’t take away from the fact that ‘project me’ has taught me to appreciate the little things when thrown into a foreign world and it didn’t take me long to latch onto the theme for the evening.
I’ve seen a lot of shows in my life and I’ve had the privilege of seeing nearly every artist (besides the country artists that I’m never going to see unless I get my ass to the USA) and can mention one spectacular concert after the other. Stage settings to faint over and costume changes to drool over. Dancers and entertainment as the cherry on top.
And then there’s the Pink Floyd generation … the one that’s about the music!!!!
I watched Mr Unexpected by mesmerised by the mechanics of the phenomenal lighting and knew that he would have given anything to have his camera there and snapping away at a dynamic display of lasers and dancing lights. I, on the other hand, was in awe of the singing and would tell anyone (Pink Floyd fan or not) to take the leap and enjoy the experience of true singing talent (spoken like a real Justin Bieber anti-fan) and play around with the meaning behind many interesting songs.
Is it this country girl’s cup of tea? I’d say no … seeing as though it’s ‘project me’ and truth is so important along this journey. However, something made me envious of the older peeps in the crowd who were clapping, cheering, seat dancing and singing along to nearly every song. They had memories they could relate to every tune from “shine on you crazy diamond” to “run like hell” and it was amazing to watch myself watching them.
I live in an odd world where the music I listen to is know by a handful of South Africans. If I throw out my song list that includes “big green tractor” and “farmer’s daughter” everyone would look at me like I had fallen out of a tree. Yet, all I ever ask of anyone is to respect why I love the music I do and not make me turn it off when they are in my home, my car or my life. They don’t have to like it and I don’t have to like the Bieber’s and Gaga’s of the world … but they sing for a reason. They sing for their generation and their world and we are all entitled to choose the world we LISTEN to. So the Floyd generation, I hope you’ve done at least a Bieber or Gaga song … and the hip hops of the world … do yourself a favour and go watch Pink Floyd that’s all and only about the music!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published August 19th, 2011
Follow Gary on Twitter
Gary Max Wright was born in Liverpool and started dancing at the age of Ten in a local dance school. He trained in all styles of dance such as Disco, Freestyle, Jazz, Ballet, Ballroom and Latin American.
He spent much of his spare time working hard, training and competing. With much support from his dance teacher Margaret Redmond he quickly established himself as one of the top Ballroom and Latin American Junior Dancers in England which gained him a place representing England in the Great British Junior Team at the British Open to the World Championships held in the famous Tower Ballroom, Blackpool.
Gary then went on to represent England in Junior Ballroom, Latin and 10 Dance World Championships all in the same year. He has also visited many other World Championships events in places such as Turin, Moscow, Prague, Italy, Holland, Sweden, America and Singapore where he gained 7th place representing England in the World Youth IDSF Championships.
Gary has also won the British National under 21 Championships, UK closed under 21 Championships, Celtic classic Amateur team match, runner up in the International under 21 Championships, Celtic classic under 21 Championships 2nd place in the World in the Dutch Open Championships in Holland and another of his successful results include being placed 7th in the British Open under 21 championships in Blackpool Winter Gardens which is the biggest competition in the world after dancing with his partner Victoria Burke for 2 weeks. He has also won and been a finalist in many more Youth and Amateur National and International Competitions.
2006 saw him taking part in the highly acclaimed production of Simply Ballroom with Lionel Blair were he did an extensive tour in the UK and also South Africa, Dubai followed by Gary making his first West End debut at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane . He then topped off his amazing year by performing in the Qdos pantomime, Cinderella in Hull. This was one of the best-selling pantomimes Hull New Theatre has seen to date. Not only did he get a chance to work with the Chuckle Brothers but he also understudied one of the Main roles.
In 2007 and 2008 Gary returned back to Simply Ballroom to do yet again a very successful tour which also included two American tours which gave him the opportunity to work with the legendary Miss Debbie Reynolds.
2009 saw him appearing in ‘Cheek to Cheek’ with Anton du Beke and Erin Boag in the amazing London Coliseum and then immediately followed by a brand new Latin American Show called ‘Latin Fever’ with Strictly Come Dancing stars Darren Bennet and Lilia Kopylova at the Peacock Theatre London.
2010 Gary also Performed on Broadway with the hugely successful Dance Show Burn The Floor followed by London’s West-End at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2011.
On a personal note: Gary, it’s been a joy spending inspirational moments with you and watching the passion with which you dance and live. I wish you health and happiness with each move you make and hope we keep in touch because I’m not done watching you dance yet! Best of luck for opening night at Perth tonight and for the rest of the Burn the Floor tour.
Thank you for sharing your project me story with myself and my readers. You are an inspiration for anyone who has the power to dream:
What is your definition of happiness?
Happiness for me is having a loving Family and Friends who are always there for you. As long as i have that I’ll always be Happy. It’s not about materialistic things at all.
If you could have everyone say one thing to themselves every day, what would it be?
Be Happy with yourself! PMA Positive,Mental,Attitude that’s a saying me and my Friend on Tour say to ourselves if we feel a little low. Everyone from time to time gets a little down you just have to turn that Frown upside down ha ha!
We all need someone to believe in us. Who is that person for you and why?
For me it’s my Family i have such a good Relationship especially with my Mum and Nan and as long as they believe in me that’s all that matters. They believed in me when i first started to Dance at 10 years of age and now look at me.
What quality do you believe we can never be taught because it is our birth right?
I believe every person has different qualities that’s what makes people special and the way you are brought up tends to mould people into what they are. For example Different experiences in life. For me i have experienced things from a Young age i was travelling on a plane at 11 on my own for my Dancing and had to grow up a little quicker than others my Age.
Describe the moment when you realised that you could achieve anything?
I think because I’ve Danced since i was 10 in Competitions in Latin and Ballroom and been very successful i kinda grew in Confidence and then by the Time i was 21 i made practically every U21 Latin American Top 10 so that’s when i thought if I’m being placed in the Top 10 in the entire World the Sky is my limit and now I’ve Danced on Broadway and London’s West-End. And it still isn’t finished 
What have you always dreamed of being or doing and have you reached that dream?
This might seem kind of silly but i wasn’t one of those Kids who dreamt of being something… I have taken Life as it comes i think I’m very laid back. Like i said i would never have Dreamt of performing on Broadway and West-End, but something i would love to do is appear on Strictly Come Dancing in England aka in South Africa as (Dancing With The Stars) At the moment though I’m loving my Burn The Floor adventures for me this Show is the best Dance Show out there and i love everything about it. As long as my Body lets me I’ll do this!!!
When life gets in the way, what do you always remind yourself of?
Easy question! That I have the best Family and Friends back in Liverpool who will always be there for me.
We all have something unique to offer the world, what is yours?
I hope that mine is bringing pleasure to people who watch me Dance!
How do you deal with the fears that could potentially hold you back?
I think the biggest thing for me is that i miss all my Family and Friends so much back at Home, but i know that as long as I’m Happy they will be Happy too. The other thing that kind of scares me is Injury’s because what i do is very demanding on my body and one serious injury it could all be over. You have to take care of yourself so much and you know more than anyone your own body.
What do you believe we have lost sight of in the world as a whole?
Well you know at the moment being from England we have had all these Riots. I’ve been so disappointed in reading or seeing on the News what’s going on because some people just don’t care about anybody else or who they hurt along the way. There will always be issues in the World its how we deal with them is what is important.
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published August 18th, 2011
I’ve discovered that I have the best time when I suspend expectation and grab the moments to leave the world behind, which I certainly don’t do often enough.
In the span of about 20 minutes I have two special peeps, who I met along my Twitter journey, tell me that they have been concerned about me. Yep, I’ve been concerned about me too but for friends to be noticing it in my blog and taking me to lunch to check how I’m doing, well that caught my attention.
To be honest, the only thing I should be doing is the one I’m avoiding most of all … crying!
Believe it or not, only a small portion of those tears would be sad ones and rest would be filled with gratitude, happiness and being freakin’ proud of myself.
Surrounded by the most gorgeous ladies who have united into special force of friendship and encouragement, I did my best to forget about the world for long enough to be a Jozi chick in a crowd of Twits and get totally lost in a girlie movie.
First off … kudos to me because it was my first girlie event where I didn’t have Mr Unexpected on my arm. I felt so grown up and almost needed a kleenex moment when talking to my friend, Liza, about falling in love with my friend.
Movies always come along at the perfect time and I’m a strong believer that people have the potential to change by living the very things I share in ‘project me’. It might have been slow and it’s still happening, but I’ve changed and sometimes I don’t realise just how tough it is to make those changes and never cut myself slack when a box of Kleenex wouldn’t be enough to mop up the tears I want to cry.
Crazy stupid love was that perfectly timed movie! Okay, it was a whole lot of predictable Hollywood, but it was also a whole lot of real life too. Real life that I needed to see. Real life that had me clinging to my kleenex with each realisation that love is not textbook. Love is not simple. Love is not smooth-sailing. But most of all … love is not a waste of time!!
One hysterical scene from Crazy Stupid Love
I expected to cry my way through the movie and was convinced that my crazy Twitter friends would shed a tear or two with me, but the only thing those kleenex were used for was the drool with every scene that had us girls gasping at the gorgeousness of Ryan Gosling. Yes, he’s that hot and an incredible cast in conjunction with the ridiculously gorgeous smile, body, eyes … did I say body … of Ryan Gosling allowed me to do it. I totally escaped and took the breath I needed thanks to some awesome women in my life and brands like kleenex that embrace the power of social media and took us away from our men, our families, our work, our worlds … for a much needed moment!
A special thank you goes to some magical women in my life and a real kleenex moment when I think of all the love and support. To Sam Robinson from Sabio Communications, the ladies from Ofra Cosmetics and my Twitter-sisters Pixel Slave and Loud Liza. We all need someone to believe in us and I’m blessed to have so many of you … now pass me a kleenex!!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published August 17th, 2011
Of course I’m rushing …
I’m totally not adjusted to doing a day’s work, having girl’s night out and … oh, shit … having to make sure there’s dinner for Mr Unexpected.
Smile …
That’s the only thing I really have to share with you anyway!
It’s been an interesting few days (or weeks) and last night was well needed time with Greggie and mom on our Tuesday night’s that Mr Unexpected has now labelled “talking about our feelings night”. No … he’s not included in those and I know he’s smiling big time about that.
I, on the other hand, needed to hear the very simple advice … smile … because I’ve gone back to a whole lot of seriousness of late. Greggie reminded me of the fun energy with which I conducted so much of my life when he first met me and somehow it’s been overshadowed by a whole lot of seriousness, which is the opposite to how I should be living each moment.
Either way, I’m going to make my dreams a reality! I just need to choose how I want it to be done and really want to be smiling. I don’t want to uptight and serious and if you ask anyone close to me right now, that’s all I am of late. Of course, I’m cutting myself some slack because it’s a scary space to be in and I don’t know if I’ve mentioned enough times but Greggie goes overseas for a month in the first week of September. Yep … one whole month of being on my own in Lifeology and not having that best friend to turn to when I freak out (which I do every second day or so). It’s financially and emotionally scary to think about. He’s the anchor for the responsible side of the business and have a lot going on while he’s away, including running Socialise Me Breakfasts in Durban … SMILE!!
Yes … he’s reminded me of the power of a smile and how it has the energy to change my entire energy, so I’ve been doing a lot of that today … A LOT!!!
Now to dash off for a fun girl’s night out and not panic too much about my achy back … SMILE!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published August 16th, 2011
I gather that right now I’m sounding a little grouchy?
Well, as long as I don’t sound ungrateful, then I’m still on ‘project me’ track.
I’ve missed two weeks of Body Mind Healing with Juliette and by the time I got there today I was sufficiently sore enough to feel a surge of panic. I loved her analogy: My world has shifted. Yes, I couldn’t put it in better words than just that!
It’s true you know … fear and excitement feel the same!! It’s also true that fear of failure and fear of success feel the same too.
Picture this … After saying my good bye to Mr Unexpected before 7am, I crawled back into bed and pulled the covers over my head. That’s my time to meditate or visualise or … hide from the world. This morning was project hide and the more I thought about what I had to do today, the further under the covers I hid.
Mom checked on me once to see if I was still alive but by the time 10:30 am rolled on and the phone calls started, I had to face the facts … it was time to get up! Get up and confirm exciting appointments! Get up and realise that an international company has said YES to publishing my work and I have things to get off to them! Time to get up and answer emails about information about the Jodene’s breakfast … I’m even getting requests to head out of town and do a breakfast in Durban… exciting right?
It should be, but all I am is frozen in fear. Not because I can’t do it or it’s all happening too fast, but because my back is sore and if you were around this time last year, you know that’s no joke. It’ almost a year ago that I sequestrated the L3, L4 disk in my lower back and I’ve never known such pain in my entire life. It took months of rehabilitation and put writing to an absolute halt. I can’t go through that again, and especially not when I have so many exciting things on the go.
So if ever ‘project me’ has to kick into action it’s right about now.
Taking care of me, listening to my body, putting me first, not panicking and reminding myself that there is no need to sabotage my happiness.
Right now my head is filled with what to include in the ‘live your own project me’ book and I know that the better part of it is done, but some things I’m only realising right now … now that I’m manifesting my dreams into reality. Now that I understand what it means to be powerful enough to make dreams come true.
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published August 15th, 2011
My personality and hands are too frozen to even attempt a rational blog.
Yes, it’s that freezing! I think it’s the unexpectedness of the rain that has sent my fingertips into shock. We usually have this long build up to the rain and beg for it a little so that by the time it arrives we are sweltering hot and standing under it in pure relief. I always stand under the first rains, but there was no way in hell that was happening today, so I’m sticking to these being winter rains. I know my summer rain and it ain’t coming around for a while.
Today I felt extra lucky working from home and didn’t care that my mother had work interviews for new recruitment … I was in my jimmy jams and Tiger slippers!
I’ve also managed to dodge having to leave the house tomorrow except for the fact that we are so low on groceries that I’m about to be serving up a boiled onion if I don’t brave the cold tomorrow. Or … my loving boyfriend could dash to the rescue and arrive home with dinner … (Note to self: Make sure you get Mr Unexpected to read the blog!)
So I got a skype message from 2 friends today, both very concerned about me after reading the past few entries of my blog. I would be lying if I didn’t say that things are that scary, but ‘project me’ and good friends are keeping me in check. It’s very true when they say that living your dreams are as scary as not. So I was grateful for the cold and not running to meeting so I was forced to sit down and make things happen today.
It was all about spreading the word about the Jodene’s breakfasts at the Crowne Plaza and a little more about writing the press release info for #FollowSA which is officially set for August 31st … gulp!
I’m praying to the gods that it’s just the cold, because my back has been sore again today. It’s not close to how it was before it sequestrated, but I know the signs. No matter how afraid anything else might make me, this fears me the most. I’ve spent the day trying not to sit for too long but was too freaking cold to go out and get some anti-inflammatories (maybe not the smartest reason not to go out). What’s scaring me the most is that I’ve finally been given the opportunity to get the book “Living your project me story” published and I’m worried my back is going to limit my writing.
I’m doing things differently and am meeting with my very patient personal trainer, Patrick, this Thursday to discuss making sure I keep exercising and protecting my back at the same time. Just FYI … mom thinks it’s another kinda exercise that’s giving my back a workout (sorry mom, you knew I’d mention it ;p) but I know good pain from bad and this ain’t fun.
No, I’m not glossing over it …. I’ve been offered the opportunity to publish my book by a small but real publishing company in LA!!! Holy cow!!!! All the little details to follow as I find them out, but I have one book on the go and another that the publisher would like me to write. Both of them are going to be online publications with the ‘project me story’ one to go to print as well. The combination of being freezing, sore and overwhelmed might be overshadowing the excitement, but it’s there! My bio goes on the website in the next few days as an upcoming author and when that’s release I will post it for you to see.
Incredibly … when you ask me what my ultimate dream is, it’s to be a published author! Who says ‘project me’ isn’t the best damn gift you can give yourself? Well … isn’t that inspiration to get it written and a get a copy to you ASAP!!
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published August 14th, 2011
Living your own ‘project me’ is about being conscious to the power of choice and then dosing yourself up on fearlessness and having fun doing it. If anyone thinks it’s easier said than done, it’s me. Ironically I pride myself in being my own living example of what I teach, except in the one area of life that I just can’t seem to get my act together with … my physical body.
I got to gym twice last week and attempted to eat a little better, but there’s a lot of bread, potatoes and white rice going around.
No matter what happens, I’ve committed myself to ‘project body’ and a part of me knows that there are so many of us out there who don’t have the passion for gym, hate getting up early in the morning, battle to make simple changes to our diet and put our bodies first.
So I’ve decided to focus on what I am good at and see how to turn that into a better relationship with my body and this journey of health, consciousness and happiness.
This week I plan to focus on ‘project me’ and what I have done to get to where I am today … What I set out to achieve and am currently living with such happiness. What I have done to stay focused on my career and to live my purpose. And this is how I’m going to do it … I’m going to ask people their perception of what they see in me. It’s one of the first steps in ‘project me’ … when you can’t believe in yourself then who believes in you? I have those people and I need to turn for some help now …
This all started after having lunch with Hustler Girl and a whole lot of friends. Just from a simple conversation I realised that I’m not alone and I can turn to her at any time for support, motivation or advice … yet, I haven’t done that with ‘project body’.
If all I’ve done in 9 weeks is watch myself not be able to, then that’s more than I would have realised before … not to find out what I am able to be …
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
Published August 13th, 2011If you’re single … don’t turn to me for advice!
If you’re dating … don’t turn to me for advice!
That’s how I’m feeling right now!
So much for being a life achievement facilitator!
That’s how I’m feeling right now too!
I’m forcing a blog and the irony is this … Greggie had a nice sit down with me today and told me he can see I’ve forgotten the fun. Funny that, because Mr Unexpected asked me what happened to the ‘sense of humour’ part of courage,consciousness and a sense of humour?
It must have taken some courage to finally ask me, but when Greggie approached it and questioned if my relationship was damaging my esteem, I had to tell myself a very big truth. Well, I had to admit to myself that I have a whole lot of truths to tell myself, but I can’t confirm that I know what they are yet.
I’m uptight … all of the time!! It might never come across in the blog post or on Twitter, but I am … uptight!! Why? I have no idea and even when Mr Unexpected told me that this song reminded him of us, I found a reason to read into the words and decide that he was telling me he was going to leave me.
I literally feel like deer in the headlights right now …
I know this is wafty, but it’s all I’ve got!
He thinks the words of this song are about him and I think they are about me … either way, if one of were going to run we would have done it by now!
Well it’s a winding road
When you’re in the lost and found
You’re a lover, I’m a runner
And we go ’round ‘n ’round
And I love you but I leave you
I don’t want you but I need you
You know it’s you who calls me back here, baby
Oh I wanna see you again
But I’m stuck in colder weather
Maybe tomorrow will be better
Can I call you then
Cause I’m a ramblin’ man
I ain’t ever gonna change
I got a gypsy soul
And I was born for leavin’ (born for leavin’)
When I close my eyes I see you
No matter where I am
I can smell your perfume through these whispering pines
I’m with your ghost again
It’s a shame about the weather
But I know soon we’ll be together
And I can’t wait ’til then
I can’t wait ’til then
With courage, consciousness & a sense of humour
