“A bird sitting on a branch is never afraid of the branch breaking because its trust is not on the branch, but in her own wings.” A quote by Maya Angelou has truly inspired Klyn to always believe in herself and trust her gut instinct.
Having survived over 70 hospitalizations, Klyn has spent her life inspiring others to overcome adversity, be ready to respond to changes, optimize their full potential, and achieve impossible goals. Today, her business, MK Foundation, offers sale consulting services founded on mindfulness leadership.
“When you know who you are, other people are attracted to it, then don’t fight for that circle. Keep that circle, and don’t change it. Something beautiful is happening, and sometimes, it just takes a little longer to manifest. But when you know what it is, don’t change it.”
Listen to another amazing success story of an entrepreneur. Join Klyn as she shares her journey from being a cystic fibrosis survivor and how she has helped other entrepreneurs succeed through her valuable business perspective.
Website: https://missklyn.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yourkeynotespeaker
Facebook: http://facebook.com/iammissklyn/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/klynelsbury
John: Thank you for tuning in to the Business Sphere. Don’t forget to share this episode and subscribe. My guest today is author and motivational keynote speaker, Klyn Elsbury, after surviving over 70 hospitalizations, Klyn has devoted her life to helping others achieve impossible goals. Thanks for being on the show today. Klyn.
Klyn: Thank you so much for having me. I think we’re gonna have a very fun upbeat show you listeners get ready to dial it in because that is going to be amazing.
John: Well, I’m excited, excited and honored to having you as a guest. So I would love to maybe ask you to share with the listeners that don’t know who you are already. A little bit about your backstory and how you got started in this world?
Klyn: Yeah, I mean, so really, the thing that most people are curious about is, I’m 34, which normally women don’t like to lead with their age, or their weight. But basically, I’ll lead with that, because I’m one of the oldest and fittest people in the world with a condition known as cystic fibrosis. So you alluded to it in the introduction. But I have survived over 70 hospitalizations ranging from two nights to as long as six months with the average been about 14 days. And in those hospital walls, I was aware that maybe I’ll never have a traditional career, right. I was a corporate recruiter, I loved recruiting, but I just couldn’t hold down a job.
And rather than play video games, or watch TV inside the hospital, I decided to learn anything and everything I could about business, because to me, it was one of the most exciting last frontiers, right? We’ve pretty much discovered most of the world. But we haven’t discovered what’s possible in business. And through those experiences. During that time in I started my company, the MK Foundation, and started really working with other companies and peak performance and basically improving the mindset and teaching mindful leadership practices to help people survive their tough times. Because it doesn’t necessarily matter if you’re surviving a night in the hospital or very difficult conversation in the boardroom. The principal emotions are the exact same.
John: That’s amazing. And I know these are probably some questions that you always face during these conversations. But if you don’t share mind sharing with the listeners, like Were you born with this condition? How did you figure out you had this condition, condition disease? And is there something like that the doctors has given you to see if this is the life you’re gonna always have like this condition, precondition, or will eventually subside?
Klyn: Yeah, so it’s an interesting world, I can always recommend people pick up the book, breakfast salt if you really want to nerd out on this. It’s about 400 pages. And it’s honestly, one of the best books I’ve ever read on cystic fibrosis, but it’s genetic. So both my parents had a copy and I was a 25% chance to actually get the disease. So I was born with it. I’ve never known anything any different. For six months of my life, we’re in the neonatal intensive care unit. And, you know, the progresses, it depends on your mutation. I think there’s over 1800 mutations, I happen to have the most common one. And, you know, if you asked me that question five years ago, I would not have had such an upbeat or optimistic answer on the prognosis. Because basically, it was n stage, which means I was in the realm of looking at a lung transplant.
On a good week, my lung function was 34%. And the infections were so riddled with mucus that, you know, walk into a car was a challenger to walker at one point. But there have been some amazing discoveries, pharmaceutical discoveries in the last few years, that have helped to rewrite some of the genetic code so I can say, you know, it’s been about six months since my last hospitalization, which is one of the longest answer I’ve ever had. And I’m in a really good healthy place. I trained as a dancer on my off time. So like I am, it’s a different than it was five years ago. So I never want to touch on the prognosis or like the life expectancy person just because everything in science has been rewritten recently with this condition.
John: Well, I mean, living they shouldn’t like that must be very difficult for you to stay positive, upbeat, but also like you mentioned, hold down a job and career. Stay connected with people close to you. Because they don’t really get it perspective-wise. They don’t understand what you have to go through. So along those years, I’m sure family has been really close some close friendships, I’m sure. But it’s very difficult right to have to live through it without a lot of people understanding what you’re going through. So were you able to like form communities form groups, learn about how to cope with people very similar, living with the same disease as you do? So that you can all bring, share and kind of work things out together.
Klyn: I mean, there’s a lot of resources out there. And you know, it’s interesting, one of the things that I always maybe wish I did more of was get involved in the community, and get to know more about others with cystic fibrosis, I’ve got a couple of great friends that have it. Outside of that, I mean, honestly, like, it sounds weird, but I didn’t want to associate. I personally wanted to associate with members of like, YPO, Vistage Entrepreneurs Organization. So I took almost, you know, a blind eye towards the condition, because I didn’t want that to be my entire life. And I didn’t want that to be my sole purpose in the world, was to say I survived something health challenge, and because we all have health challenges at the end of the day, and the other thing is like, I’ve never known anything different.
And for me, it’s funny I, I look at entrepreneurs, and I look at business people and like, they don’t take the time to just sit and think, right, I mean, outside of Napoleon Hill on the book behind you, but like, they don’t take that time. And here I am, after a couple of months, spending two weeks on an isolation ward, similar to what everyone goes through with COVID, where it’s like, it’s just one person in the room, you know, you get your food props done. And that’s it. And there’s two weeks, all I had was time to just sit around and contemplate things. And so I didn’t notice anything different. I didn’t think it was anything weird. I didn’t think it was anything to top. Sure. I mean, I don’t like being poked and prodded. But like, I kind of started in a weird way after hospitalization, flirty, right? Being like, okay, what are we going to do with this? And it’s, I don’t, I don’t know if that necessarily answers your question per se, because I just didn’t associate with the CF community much. And now that I’m older, and I’m starting to feel a lot better, I’m starting to get more involved. But like, it was such a disconnect. For me, personally.
John: that’s amazing. And I love hearing stories like this, because it’s not how you, you know, compared to others, and you watch how things evolve, you’re actually a doer, you’re active, you’re progressing, you’re growing, you’re learning, you’re taking these risks and challenges. And that’s what life is about, right? Like, as an entrepreneur, business owner, you’re gonna make the most of every situation, you’re not gonna sit back and wait for things to happen to you. And if that’s what you’re looking for, then go get a job, go get, you know, be an employee somewhere. But with business owners, we’re a little different breed, we actually want to make change, right, we were the transformation of all local communities rarely, because we’re the ones that support and enhance people’s lives. So I love that. So let’s take a step back a little bit. I would love to find out a little bit about your earlier career. So you mentioned you were recruiter. Why recruiting? And how did that transform to you taking on this new challenge?
Klyn: Yeah, recruiting is interesting. So it’s actually recruiting. So they’re struggling, nobody’s sitting there, you know, in sixth grade, and the teacher comes over and says, What do you want to be? And you’re like, I want to be a recruiter. Like, that doesn’t happen, right? And so for me, I was living in Iowa, and I decided to drop out of college, I was spending so much time in the hospital, I just didn’t think I’d ever live long enough to pay off the student loan debt. So I’m like, I’m out. And they’ll put you know, when you’re desperate, you’re like, Well, where are you going to wind up? For me, I was like, well, let’s go to the happiest place on earth, and not even love Disney. But I was like, moving to Orlando. And really, no one would hire me without a degree. So I just started cold calling on companies. And I got a job at a financial services firm. And I was amazed, but I didn’t really like it. And nothing wrong with that company. For those of you going on LinkedIn and figuring out who it is. I didn’t really like it, though.
And I found out that you could get more money if you’ve recruited people to work for them. And there was no cap on the Commission’s in addition to your day job. And that basically led me to a couple of different companies doing some recruiting work, and eventually quitting my career with the financial services industry. Because it was commissioned heavy yet it was a cushy corner office, you know, it was everything you want when you’re 22, right. And I remember the CEO said I wasn’t qualified and I was like, Cool, I’m gonna just sit in your lobby until you give me that interview. And I did not move for like four hours. So it was, it was amazing. And I still to this day of recruit for my fiance’s company, just because it is, it’s such a piece of my heart to be able to connect people with something that they’ve dreamed about, because I didn’t know if I’d ever be able to work, right. So to give someone that opportunity, it’s one of the most challenging and rewarding things that I’ve ever experienced. And I love every second of it.
John: That’s great as a career path, because you have no salary, no, real cushy, you know, wage that you can fall on, right? Like when your commission only, you’re driven to make sure you fulfill your needs basic needs of shelter, food, survival, right? And then when you are able to do that, and then you can realize, like, there’s a lot more opportunity abundance out there, and allows you to really think on your feet, make career move choices, and allows you I think sales has been the best skill set in any entrepreneur. And I was doing advertising sales for 10 years before I started my agency. And it was by far the best life experience, I can hands-down associate to the success of my company and I’ve been, you know, at it for over nine years. So for me, it’s like, if you had to learn, learn how to pitch, promote, talk to others communicate, listen, observe, like figure out like these intangible skills, and a lot of people don’t even talk about sales, because they’re afraid of rejection objections, like and unknowns, right. But if you’re able to think quickly on your feet, it’s gonna make you so much more employable prosper as a business owner and likeable. At the end of the day.
Klyn: Yeah, I mean, sales. I’m so passionate about sales. It’s insane. Because I mean, my second book, I don’t know what all you’ve gotten the links, but my second book was something called the unstuck yourself. And it’s essentially a neuroscience-based playbook for up-and-coming salespeople to really learn the things that how their mind works, so that they can succeed in that field. And it’s interesting about at least once a week as somebody that I don’t know, reach out to me on social and say, you know, hey, I really want to follow in your footsteps for your business, you know, doing the speaking and the writing and hosting the mindful leadership workshops.
What do I do, and it’s almost like they want a key to this lifestyle, but what they don’t understand is, you might have a beautiful story to tell, and I don’t want to discredit any listener who has a beautiful story to tell of how they’ve survived something. But 99% of my day, has nothing to do about my story and everything to do with my ability to write excel pitch and build quality relationships that may or may not result in getting to speak to that company. So it’s not just, you know, tell your story. It’s, you know, learn the business, learn the salesmanship learn the way in which you can communicate with somebody else that essentially I don’t want to say get stuff on your side that finds that mutual cohesion. And so I’m incredibly passionate about all things sales and selling, because I don’t think any business owner would be where they are today without the ability to sell their ideas to someone else.
John: Yeah, and you hit it on the nail, right? Like a lot of people want to get find that golden egg solution, but don’t want to put in that time and effort and work right behind the scenes. And just like how you are successful, it took you many years. And it could be 5,10, 20 years of constantly doing these habits, and training and learning and making so many mistakes over the years. But when you’re now that author or speaker, and everyone wants to be like you, they don’t want to put in that 10 years, 20 years. And I always associate two athletes. And over the weekend there was NBA All-Star game and you know, you look at the greatest of greats, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, whoever it may be, no one talked to about when they were 5,10 years old, spending 12 hour days in coaching, training, eating well like putting in the time in the gym.
And then, you know, trying to get recruited, putting in those extra hours. And they’ve sacrifice friendships, relation birthday parties, all these gatherings, but now they are a success, and everyone wants to be like them, but you don’t want to do the work. Right? So it’s very similar business. Where, you know, everyone’s talking about Jeff Bezos or you know, all these Tim Cook’s whoever maybe like these big guys, and they’re like, well, nobody talks about them when they were 15,10 years old or 20 years old, and then they are doing what they did for 20 years to then kind of be who they are today. You know me, like no one really talks about their history and story. They just want to be like them.
Klyn: Kobe Bryant, it’s interesting, you realize that. So one of my coaching programs have an amazing soul. So hopefully she’s tuning in now she knows who she is already. And one of the assignments I gave her was to watch a video of his called the life advice. And it was before anybody knew who Kobe was right. And he had just gotten drafted. And he had said that every single decision he makes every day has to satisfy this question. And the question was, is what I’m about to do is the choice I’m allowed to make going to make me a better ballplayer checkbox. And if the answer is yes, he would do that, whether that’s going to the gym for next year, or, you know, deciding what he needs for his diet, or which, you know, place to study?
And if the answer was no, then he just, it was very simple. Don’t do that. And so as we talk about business, we talk about scalability, we talk about salesmanship, all of these things, the answers is always to your true north. Right? Is what you’re doing going to grow your company in this moment is this podcast going to satisfy your needs for, you know, a larger reach, if it is awesome checkbox if it isn’t pivot. And it was just such a profound moment when I’ve watched that, because so often in our day to days, you know, we can talk about my health or my business, is what I’m doing going to set me up for the success of my future, right checkbox. And when you have that kind of, when you have that amount of clarity in your life, you’re the name that people don’t ask how you did it, I thought there was such a beautiful point that Kobe made.
John: And it doesn’t have to be a superstar at that caliber to make an impact. It’d be someone in your little circle, like family, friends that you aspire and look up to, right. And having clarity, like you mentioned, mindset, making sure that you have these mini-goals. And hopefully, the values that you portray moving along in life are very core to what you’re all about. Because it’s often alignment. And I always talk about guide, and I always talk about, like making sure that everything is in alignment, in life, in your lifestyle, in the choices you make. Because as an entrepreneur, you’re gonna get thrown a ton of different pitches, sales, whatever different ideas constantly. And you have to decide what you want to do with the given time that you have with the people you want to resonate with, with the clients that you want to serve and help with the products and services that you want to put into the marketplace. Like these choices are so critical to the demise and success in your business life. Right?
And even with the people that you connect with, how you perceive yourself, how do you put yourself out there, like game PR, like if you’re speaking, and how people are gonna judge you, right? All these are tied into your persona. And it’s the overall picture. So being clear on why you’re doing what you’re doing, does it get you closer to what you want to become like the greatest best of that given career path. But also choices, right? Like, depending on where you’re at in your life, you have to make decisions if family comes first, you have elderly parents. Now, financially, you’re at a different stage, like these choices and decisions everyone has to make. It’s hard. And as an entrepreneur, like nine years ago, I was at a different stage. Now I’m a little bit different. So as you mature into every situation in business, you have to also reflect sit down and put together different goals moving forward as well.
Klyn: 100% And you know, it’s interesting, because, like, people occasionally reach out I don’t have you know, the SEO presence, I’m sure you do, but a lot of people occasionally reach out. And my first thing is, do you know your unconscious core values, right? So, and a lot of that I’ve got my master’s practice. in something called neuro-linguistic programming. So I went all out on that and hypnosis all started from the hospital. Because what else you got to do? And it was interesting, like once I found out my unconscious core values like it made it so frickin simple to decide what to align myself with.
Right? And it was just such an interesting tool. And, you know, most people they sat in a room probably, you know, if they’re business owners with on a mug and analysis, they sat in a room with some consultant probably recommended from ADP who said what are your values and you pick words that sound pretty to you and then you put it on a plaque and you say this is it but the reality is cuz like, we can make up words that make us feel a certain way all day long. But if it’s not your primary operating system, you’re going to have internal conflict and internal conflict, as you know, from the bookshelf behind you, leads to external conflict, which is never good for our teams and growth. But it’s such an integral part to know what your guiding compasses and how to make your decisions. So I couldn’t agree with you more on that.
John: I’m gonna ask you. Were there people instrumental to how you turned out like right now, it seems like you’re in a good place, you understand what you need to do have this mental clarity, understanding because you’ve read a lot, you’ve lived through quite a lot of turmoil and, you know, challenges in your life. Like Were there people that you can really associate to that change psychologically, or pivotal moments in your life that you wouldn’t mind sharing Klyn?
Klyn: Yeah, I mean, so what’s great about that question is, I hope every listener has these people in their corner, right? But also want to share that your people, okay, that’s gonna sound really dumb. So work with me, I have what I call a board of directors of my life. And some of these people are not even alive. But you talk to them as if they are right. So when you go into your meditation that’s really part of mindful leadership is get the advice from people who’ve been there, and you’d be amazed what your mind can share with you. But for living, there’s four that immediately came to mind. My mom and dad, of course, to match my mom’s work ethic, you know, she worked third shift, just so she could visit me in the hospital. And she, this was an iowa so it was like 100 miles away was my hospitals. So she’d worked third shift, drive, sleep into patient chair, take care of me. drive back to her. You know, John, it was just it was maddening to watch how she did. And then she’d negotiate with medical billing companies. So like my mom was, it’s such an integral. So my dad, he never read me princess books. Sometimes I’m like, No dad, you can read via Cinderella, it’s okay.
But instead, he’d been selling power magazine to the hospital. And we’d read sales books, because he was a territory rep for a while. And that’s what helped pay for the medical bills. I wouldn’t be anywhere without my fiance, and I’ll cry Oh, mom. We’re getting married in October. And, you know, he and I met when we met, I lied about my condition. We met online. So I was like, I’m gonna just bury this until he started to Google me, because he figured out my spelling of my name was weird. And he tapes and K L Y. And Google filled in the rest, right. And, you know, he’s the one who taught me a lot about business. He’s the one who invested in me, I mean, I don’t even have Social Security for goodness sakes and stage. And he invested in a lot of mines, mindset, leadership type coaching, you know, NLP hypnosis, I can, he paid my way for a lot of it just to help me. And then I’ve got a really good friend also with CF, who happens to be very successful as well, not just financially, but from a family standpoint. And the two of us are, you know, besties. So we’ll sit there and we’ll have conversations about how do we get through this treatment? Or what are we doing right, so printed up those four in my life. And if it weren’t, for those four, there’s not a shot in the world, I would even be able to chat with you today. I don’t, I don’t think I’d be alive. I really don’t.
John: And that’s so important. And I love, thank you for sharing this because there are people in every single person’s lives that are making a difference. In keeping you going, wanting you to succeed, and have larger goals, and you even believe you do have right like, You got to push yourself, you got to challenge yourself and you got to find these people, but they’re probably really close to you. And they want the best out of what you’re capable of because they see something that you don’t even see in yourself. So I love you sharing that. And you know, even through all these different people that you’ve been able to work with and give you guidance. Were there moments that you kind of wanted to give up? Because you know going to the hospital so many times these people kept you going kept you alive, kept you motivated to overcome whatever you’re dealing with. Were there moments of like, I just want to let it be right or were they always there to kind of keep you motivated to see what the goals are like your to see you succeed in the future?
Klyn: Yeah, it’s interesting. You ask that so we do little pity party festivals right? It’s interesting. So couple of Sodom. So I mentioned earlier, this has a point, by the way, but it’s a long answer. So bear with me. And I love dance, you know, it’s been 10 to 15 hours in studio a week. And I wasn’t always healthy enough to be able to dance, right? So when my lungs started getting improved, and I could start to move again and dance again, without coughing, it became a big part of my identity. And it seems almost conflicting, because, you know, she’s a businesswoman who dances on the side like, Yeah, but it’s just who I am. And ironically, a couple of days ago, after a really big soloist, performance, I fell, walking down the stairs after class, and I hurt my foot. And it’s in a boot on crutches right now. And it was interesting, I reached out to all the people in the world, I reached out to my mom, and I was like, here’s the deal.
I’m a complaint for one day, like, let me have this. I’m going to pull up your phone with the lowest me. And I can’t believe this happened. And what is God trying to do in my life right now, like, I love working out, I love dancing, I finally got my health back. And then there’s a chance that it’s like a type of fracture that needs surgery. And it was just like, you know, Effie world if you will. And so my network, you know, those core for the court for was basically like, you can complain, like, have your day, I might have had wine at like one day. And you know what the next day happens? And it’s like, could I let the emotion out? I know is the emotion, we don’t play that game anymore. And so I’ve never wanted to give that because in the moment, you know, I recognize the emotion when I have, and I allowed myself to have it, it’s no different than that night. Yeah, if you want to brownie, eat the frickin brownie, just donate 25 of them, you know, when you’re fighting, because Being human means going through emotions, and what a beautiful thing it is that we can experience what it’s like to cry or to be down or to want to give up. But set a timer on it. And it can be one day, it can be 25 minutes, it can be whatever works for you. But let your corporate know, I don’t need your advice, I don’t need your help, I just need you to help me talk about how horrible this is. Because tomorrow is going to be a new day. And then that’s in the past. And so that’s kind of how we figure that out.
John: And that’s it’s very interesting, you’re saying that because you’re self-aware to have control over changing perspectives and changing the state you’re in. A lot of people don’t have that self-awareness and control, they will then and all they’re gonna do is keep calling other people that are willing to listen to them. And then they get so these friends or people peers are gonna get frustrated because they’re very, I guess, not positive. And they’re constantly very, you know, negative throughout this duration, but they never switch to say, look, my actions have got led me to where it is today. How do I make these subtle changes to change the scope of moving to a positive direction, right, like a lot of people aren’t even aware that they’re doing what they’re doing, to then make a pivotal change, like you’re so self-aware, knowledgeable insight for have a group of surrounding people to allow you to make that pivot right then and there. And there’s only so many people in this world that’s able to do that. And that’s why you’re in the position where you’re at, versus a lot of people that wish to be where you’re at. Hopefully, that makes sense.
Klyn: And I mean, so and I didn’t know there’s anything weird about that, right? Like, I didn’t know that that wasn’t a skill others have. And not even that it’s a skill, but like, that’s just not, you know, and so that’s really what inspired me to create the Mindful Leadership Series. Because, like, if we can be aware of like, hey, let’s have a pity party books. Let’s just quit for the day, like, you know, career-ending industry, but I just injured and I just got back into something I’m insanely passionate about, like, yeah, that warrants quitting for the day, like that warrants giving up for the day, right? But then we’re gonna order it’s funny, I ordered a weighted vest online to do sit-ups on because like the ankles, but like the rest of me doesn’t need to be.
And so that’s really, things like that is why the mindful leadership series started to take off because what if executives were aware of the patterns they’re running consciously or unconsciously throughout their teams, and it was such a big eye-opener for me that some of the quirkier things like to might be able to help others and therein lies the beauty of everything I’ve been through right so you know it because you’re equally as well read. That like the struggles were going through the traumas, the challenges led us to a realization that can then help someone else. And it was just like, Whoa.
John: That’s amazing it’s context and perspective and I think you nailed it, because a lot of people aren’t aware because they’re at a different stage and they feel that everyone they’re touching should be at their same level but in reality, everyone as that is at different levels of their life right different business stage, business life stage right? like it’s just interesting to see. So tell me, so how long have you been at this new venture of yours this mastermind that you mentioned and how has it been, because i would love to hear you share with the listeners what do you look for? How has you know the growth been during this pandemic and what are you most excited about really?
Klyn: Yeah, so it was interesting, as I mentioned and briefly planned I was on social security disability. So you know the system is not set up for people to be inspired to succeed it’s set up to get you little 1100 a month and stay in poverty and in poverty become impoverished right ? and the system isn’t designed for ambition and that sucks, because impoverished right and the system isn’t designed for ambition and that sucks because the sickest people out there the reason they provide assets to any corporation is because from sickness from trauma, from challenges is when happens right and you can look back at your own life and think about when you innovated your business and it’s like it probably came from some really tough time.
So I have this little rant about how you know the best talent in the world probably isn’t given the opportunity to showcase their talent because being sick people think you have to be healthy to do something, and then the system keeps down it doesn’t encourage them to sprout up, so I finally was able to get out of social security disability and start my business and every freaking person attorneys everyone was like nope stay in the system, stay in the system and I was like I can’t you know I’d rather die and try than be this person it just wasn’t for me. And I started talking a lot about what it was like for CF and what it’s like to go past your traumas and I had just made it per se do it was right before the pandemic, and I had 72 on the books ready to go speaking gigs for the year and then covid happened and I was actually at a retreat in Hawaii so we were on total lack down, and I lost literally everything again and it was heartbreaking because I thought to myself I should have stayed in the system I really honestly thought that and that was when I got really pissed off, and through anger also creates results for me and I wrote unstuck yourself.
And that book created the leap to talking to organizations for me because, organizations want to grow their sales turn up pandemic, but they also want to empower their people and whether it’s empowering you to get off the system or empowering you to grow your pipeline same principles and so then through. So then through some of the consulting gigs that we blessed to come my way, I was able to supplement my income outside of those 72 speaking gigs and do some executive coaching for sales teams and i found out that there’s amazing people in sales professions that just don’t have mental awerness, or mental acuity to keep going. And that was really what launched the mindful leadership series and so it’s a keynote it’s also a workshop, it’s also a 12-month coaching program for executive where I basically teach them the secrets of mindfulness and how to use that as leverage based on what I’ve learned in the hospital walls, so you know like I mentioned this very first step is what are your unconscious core values and what’s your vision and does it align with what that check form ADP said it should be and then from, there it’s an actual road map like all right these are the things you need and we teach you know breadth work tools we teach yoga tools, we teach all these tools and tactics to help the organization because I don’t even know if you know but I mean gosh I think it’s 800, now 120 billion a year is spent in something called pre-absenteeism which means that the workforce itself is having a sick day that isn’t necessarily a sick day just because they mentally can’t cope right now. And i combined you know living in hospitals with mindful leadership practices for employee wellness programs and that was when the business so povet is actually pretty good for me now, I don’t know if that answered the question it was kind of came from.
John: That’s amazing because you’re able to pivot change understand your strength, understand where you can take your skills tio the next level hit a persona avatar that can satisfy your skill set with a desire for them to up level, and you create a business out of it and I love that, and that’s where a need comes right a lot of people are forced to make changes in their lives that would be first career choices movement away from family and friends, you know sacrifice right. And just to give you back story my parent came from Vietnam during the war, and I was the first child in Canada so they sacrifice not knowing the language, and knowing anyone to come to Canada to have four children, like we raised four children and no real support system no language like they sacrifice everything for us.
So I understand what that need desire and sacrifice is all about to then endure everything that I do for the family type business owners because that’s the roof of why I do what I do, to support these hardworking individuals that are doing what they are there to do for their family nothing else right. and so i understand form the upbringing that my parents had and sent down to all the children. So I you know I understand where you’re coming from because the pain that you have to endure from going to the hospital living through a lot of these challenges having your mom come working multiple jobs to even just spend time with you like, there were moments I didn’t even know we had food like we were surviving it was crazy, but these are things that you look back and reflect that not a lot of people can understand because they’re living in a more comfortable kind od lifestyle that maybe their parents were able to pass on down to them, so not everyone can do what we are doing Klyn and I love that story that you brought out.
Klyn: Yeah and likewise it’s interesting too because we’ve been talking for I don’t know like 40 minutes, now and I can really see it in your eyes too what a profound impact it had for your life like, and what an amazing moment I’m sure as you go about your day whether it’s your own family or employees you work with, but just kind of reteaching the lessons that your parents taught you over and over again, because your entire body just shifted in that story and it was a beautiful thing to experience with you
John: Yeah and then having that clarity like the people that I really want to support and help are on with the same values, culture the same people resonating and we have fun like these are things that i look forward to it’s not really work when you actually enjoy what you’re doing, it feels like you’re I’m running a kind of family-run business from different kind of all walks of lives. But we are all in the same kind of goal right ? and the same values and it’s so much fun when everyone’s embodied in the same sort of values. So I don’t know it’s like life right you kind of resonate with people and they see what you’re all about and they want to join you and it’s fun so.
Klyn: And sometimes it doesn’t even out about you, but sometimes it doesn’t even feel like work like this morning was a great example I don’t come in my coffee I attempted to do yoga with one foot, not my greatest and there’s a sudden like you know maybe I should do something on the computer to feel like I’m in a job right, and so I think that that’s kind of one of the beautiful things that both our parents taught us is pursue your own path and it might not look like what you originally thought you might move across the world, you might be really poor but what’s the alternative and sometimes, the alternative of saying where you are so painful that you can’t not make that switch so I love, I love that.
John: And I love the fact everyone has 24 hours in the day, and you have to make the most out of it and there’s times that you want to complain you can talk you’re going to you know, regret all the things that you did previous days but what are you going to do to make changes closer to that goal, that you have in mind right for that day that month or year whatever. It is and every day I look at i only have fixed amount 24 hours, I want to spend time with my family I want to stay healthy, I got to grow my business I want to take care of my people right, absolutely.
And all these things are so important if it means a lot to you and so, therefore, you need to figure out what’s important in your life who’s important and how do you move it closer to your goals, and if you understand how to do that and navigate and be present and have clarity and have those gut values that you talk about like. It’s interesting to see the transformation that you start having, and the impact that you’re having on the people, because they see that you start having and the impact that you’re having on the people because they see that you’re making changes to your life and they’re happier to be associated to you, knowing you spending precious moments with you. So all these things are like that ripple effect it’s like that business owner mentality of word of mouth referrals when you know you’re a solid person, and you resonate with those values people want to associate with you so you got to stay stuck with those values that really mean a lot.
Klyn: Yeah and most people you know. It’s interesting I remember the first time that I turned someone downright like they were like oh can you come vote for me and I was like tell me a little bit about you? and then I was like, you know what I can’t and it was a check too and it was not a light amount it was probably one of the biggest gigs or whatever you want to call it that had been offered, but like we talked a lot about our core principles today, and I just remember looking at it being like, yeah I don’t want your money like, I could care less like and then naturally the clients you have that you before with it’s like they, want more of you and then they have friends and it’s like you know we talked earlier you know did you find your tribe.
Humans were designed to have a tribe you know we look back if you study anthropology at all there’s some really good books on the hunter-gatherer’s guide, is one of them and you know we talked about the power of connection the tribe, and at night you know we bonded together over a fire because we’re afraid of tigers and stuff and it’s no different in today’s world to have that tribe, and that tribe also finds like your four clients and remember when. Oh gosh! that Neil Strauss was super popular and it was game recognized as game kind of the same logic of like you know, when you know who you are other people are attracted to it and then don’t fight for that circle or like keep that circle, don’t change it because something beautiful is happening and sometimes it just takes a little longer to manifest, but when you know who it is don’t change it’s beautiful.
John: And it’s a great ending to this ,but I also want to let you know like when you’re at a good state to say no to people, because your soul you know if they’re gonna be a good client or if they’re gonna be a good employee or a good friend that gut is never wrong. I mean I love using that gut check to say do you really want to work with this person? how do you how were the first initial interactions what were the conversation, like were they like really, really getting you did they really connect because you can tell after thousands of conversations and interactions with many many walks of lives right, so it takes practice it doesn’t happen overnight, it takes years and years of talking to people knowing your root cause core values, understanding running business, working with people but when you kind of know, you know if that makes sense Klyn?
Klyn: Yeah chest the gut, and it’s such an interesting thing we do a meditation, we call it their higher self-meditation some people call it source some people call it god some people call it their gut which isn’t all the same anyways, and you get executives used to checking their gut because so many times when you look at your business and there’s this study done oh gosh it was a bite it was, Malcolm Gladwell blink that was the book go buy it. And he basically talked about like how the gut forms ideas and you know, you just know and so many times executives aren’t in tune with it and then they’re like what’s happening why are these decisions and then world’s happening to them, instead of for them and it’s a fascinating way to look at life and every time I haven’t trusted my gut, I’ve been burned you know so I guess maybe the takeaway for this episode has nothing to do with values and everything to do with trust your gut y’all like.
John: No but it’s true you formed a board of directors which are people that know you better than you believe you know yourself right. So if you’re in alignment and you’ve started forming a company or team or management team, or whatever and they kind of know who you are the one question, I always tell my team my management team is if you were the owner and you’re in my position what would you do? and that answers it and if they can do what they do and not ask, me then it’s like their business and they’re gonna run it the way they do, and I trust their gut because I need them to really learn these, you know skill sets that I’ve kind of been harvesting on them pushing out. So it’s like learning right that evolution to step away from the business to really enhance other people’s individuality to serve them better in life as well, so as you grow and evolve you gotta also help the people below you and above you to learn insights from. So I love that, so what’s I know this has been a great conversation Klyn, is there any final words that you would love to share with some of the listeners that are starting thinking of running a business, have been in business for a couple years, to make them the you know take make them more successful than they already are.
Klyn: I love that question. I used to always you know what, no I’m gonna, I’m not I’m the same way I usually do. it’s the opening quote in my book and it’s by Maya Angelou not me and it says, “you know a bird sitting on a branch is never afraid of the branch breaking because its trust is not on the branch but in her own wings “.
John: Amazing, so you gotta spread those wigs you gotta keep trying growing, learning, I mean and that guy I love that. I mean this was agreat conversation Klyn. So I know I’m gonna share some of the links and things that you mentioned, but if you don’t mind sharing with the listeners where can they check you outreach out to you if they have any questions and check out your courses and mastermind?
Klyn: Yeah, so everything guys is on missklyn.com, or if you want just do what my fiance did type in K.L.Y google’s going to fill in the rest. The website is getting some updates so if you, just put your information on the contact forms we get we reach out to you right away but, based on the day you look it’ll look different than the day before.
John: Amazing, no I’m gonna definitely have those links on the show notes it’s been a lot of fun, I’m ultra grateful for this opportunity to speak with, established author as well as going through so much in your life. I love this conversation thank you so much, Klyn.
Klyn: Yeah, absolutely and thank you for having a night. I you know honestly like, I don’t know where you’re at with your fam but, you know thank them for sharing all the tools that they gave you because your story was beautiful, so I feel like we grew
John: I really appreciate it thank you again.
Klyn: Absolutely you have a great day.
