SLP 270: Align Yourself To Big Energy with Alice Mackinnon

‘Surfing brought joy back into my life and I just kind of sobbed as I paddled out into the line-up and a Brahminy kite was flying overhead, and I just sobbed at the gift of choosing joy again in my life, and the ocean brought it back in for me. Which is what it did when I learnt how to surf at 46 as well. There was just this experience of choosing joy and choosing the wild inside that surfing brings because you are immersed in the ocean and there’s big energy out there sometimes and you get to align yourself to big energy and as your skills in surfing grow, there’s kind of an alchemy that happens where instead of being wiped out by big energy, you get to hitch a ride on it.’ ~ Alice Mackinnon   Dr Alice MacKinnon (PhD) is a mindfulness martial artist. Her work focuses on presenting and practising dynamic, hands-on and embodied practices that take mindfulness from a worthy idea into the rough and tumble of daily life – at work, in the community, and in the home and family. Alice is a long-time practitioner of meditation, yoga, qigong, surfing and fitness – these are the foundations of mindfulness as a martial art in her own life.   For over 24 years, Alice was a professional and community environmental sustainability educator, consultant and communicator. She earned a PhD in Adult Learning at the University of Technology Sydney, that focused on transformative education and multiparty stakeholder negotiation and their potential to create systemic change. The insights gained from that sustained research continue to inform her work today.   At the age of 50 years old, Alice stepped aside from the environmental sustainability field and retrained to gather fitness, yoga, surfing and qigong instructing under the applied mindfulness umbrella. She hosts community and online classes in fitness, yoga and qigong. She facilitates and hosts public retreats and workshops in mindfulness and well-being. She is a consultant and facilitator to business and community organisations in the areas of applied mindfulness, health and well-being, healthy psychosocial workplaces, and emotional intelligence.   Alice collaborates with her wife Jennifer Jefferies, an internationally renowned speaker and naturopath, to host the Smart Sassy Seniors podcast and live events. These are gathering enthusiastic audiences in Australia and around the world.   Alice is also a published author with three books: “Expanding Green Strategies: Creating change through negotiation” (2009) “The dharma of surfing: wisdom from the water for life” (2016) “Surfing as a Dance: How one woman found grace in and out of the water” (2018) Her fourth book will be released in June/July 2023 and is called “Surfacing: Choosing Resilience, Recovery and Love”.   Alice’s formal qualifications include: PhD, Masters in Applied Science (Social Ecology), Graduate Diploma Education (English and History), Bachelor of Arts (Journalism and Public Relations). She is also a qualified and experienced Fitness Instructor, Yoga Instructor and Qigong Instructor. For six years she was also a Surfing Instructor on the Gold Coast helping mostly middle-aged women grasp their dream of surfing.   Most recently Alice is trained in Trauma Informed Practice, Mental Health First Aid, Gentle Somatic Yoga, Creative Community Recovery Facilitation, Rites of Passage Facilitation, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and PSYCH-K.     Her definition of Self Love is to just take a deep breath, I think perhaps to back yourself to go I am here. I am here. I have work to do. I have a purpose in being here I will do this. I will show up. I will find what my purpose is. I will do this with curiosity and humility and belief that I am here for a reason. And whatever I need to do whatever paths, guides practices I need to find to help me to do that, I will do.   Her favourite quote is from Leonard Cohen:   Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There’s a crack in every thing. That’s how the light gets in.     Links to follow: Website: https://aliceionamackinnon.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliceionamackinnon/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sally.mackinnon.73 Smart & Sassy Seniors Podcast: https://smartsassyseniors.com/   Kim interviewed Alice’s wife Jennifer Jefferies on the Self Love Podcast – SHOW 41   Quotes: I have a brain that loves to study and create Life these days is about living, weaving and creativity I have learned to choose joy again Surfing brought joy back into my life There’s kind of an alchemy that happens where instead of being wiped out by big energy, you get to hitch a ride on it You can experience big joy with big energy I just wanted to find lasting love Working with the subconscious and on your heart creates Peel back the layers with kindness When we are curious, we get to suspend all judgements Sit beside your emotions and welcome them in Gently ask yourself questions fearlessly A good therapist will hold your hand and guide you through the darkest times We are the midwives of a new epoch We have a responsibility to embrace this new time We have the means to make a difference The breath is the bridge Ask what brings you joy and lifts the spirit and heart Follow the path of joy and open the gate     SELF LOVE PODCAST SPONSOR LINKS   THANKYOU FOR LISTENING… If you would like to share your feedback on this podcast please head to my Facebook and Instagram pages below. Thanks so much if you take the time to give me a 5-star rating on iTunes so that others find this podcast easily and I sincerely appreciate all of your feedback and comments. It makes it all worthwhile as I know this podcast can plant a seed where big things can indeed grow!   If you would love to work with Kim one on one coaching or be a part of her Self Love & Wellness Mentorship Program to continue to master the art of self-love click here – www.kimmorrison.com   BRAND NEW ‘ESSENTIAL SELF CARE WEEKEND’ VIRTUAL EVENT with Kim Morrison   Immerse yourself in a whole weekend for you, dive into the powers of your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and how essential oils can create magic and change in your life. Learn the importance of self-care and what it means to indulge and recharge every day… after all you deserve it!   Click here for more information and locations for your Standard or VIP ticket - https://twenty8.com/events-and-workshops/     PODCAST SPONSOR: Twenty8 Essentials - https://twenty8.com/ DISCOUNT CODE: Discount Code for SLP Listeners – selflovepodcast   LINKS: Twenty8 Essentials Website: https://twenty8.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twenty8essentials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twenty.8.essential/ Kim Morrison Website: www.kimmorrison.com     The Art Of Self Love - https://twenty8.com/product/the-art-of-self-love/ Self-Love & Wellness Mentoring Program - https://www.kimmorrisontraining.com/ Essential Oils 101 Program - https://www.kimmorrisontraining.com/essential-oil-101 Kim Morrison Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimmorrison28/ Kim Morrison Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimMorrisonTraining   MUSIC INTRO & OUTRO Many thanks to Wes and Charlotte Carr - https://wesleydeanmusic.com/