Wellness & Wisdom: An Interview with Resilience Coach Saeed Olayiwola
Saeed @ 3D Health Club, Hatton Garden Liverpool
Hi Saeed! Firstly, thank you so much for taking the time to share with us. You are a great inspiration and your positivity is infectious. Thank you for all the wonderful work you do in this world and for your GLOW!
Could we perhaps start with a little about your own personal journey and how you found your glow, your purpose and truth?
To be honest with you, I think I’m still trying to find my complete truth in the world. I'm happy to say I do have feel like I have found some of my truth,. I’ve found my purpose, which is to serve and support people’s journeys so that we can all be healthier, happier and more fulfilled. My glow has always been within since our very soul was conceived. I think our experiences and the lessons we learn growing up can either dampen our glow or make it light up a room, and then the world, haha! I think this is what has happened to me. All of my experiences, both good and bad, have helped me embrace my glow more and more over the years, and I’m now lighting up the world with each action, interaction and experience at a time.
Your top tips for keeping your vibe high when the going gets tough
Wow, I could say bit about this, I'll try and keep if brief haha! First I'd say is that we should be the best gardener of our own mind, we should cultivate it daily and plant the most positive, honest and fun thoughts. We should weed it daily to rid ourselves of unwanted thoughts that don’t serve our glow or journey. This will help keep our mind open, light, strong and happy. Second, I think we should have a daily positive routine to start our day. I like to give thanks, do some meditation - sometimes mantra focused - physical training and a light to do list – a maximum of three key things that will make a impact. Have a tool box of experiences, activities, people that you know lift your mood and engage with them more so during hard times. Allow your self to feel what’s going on, and make a point not to wallow. Focus on taking action.
3 things guaranteed to reconnect you to your glow
Time with the people I love. Movement. Meditation.
What would you like to see more of in our beautiful world and how to you envisage life for future generations?
More acceptance and celebrations of differences, more focus on encouraging experiences over material things. More support to elevate the vulnerable and less fortunate. And more freedom to love who we want and be ourselves.
What is your main source of inspiration?
My desire to be my best and support others that want to do the same.
Your top songs guaranteed to get you pumped!
Firestarter- Prodigy Ruff Ryders Anthem – DMX Feel The Love – Rudimental (feat John Newman) Dr Dre ft Snoop Dogg Still D. R. E
How do you balance caring for others with remaining grounded in your own truth?
By reflecting on my truths to make sure they are still my truths for the right reasons, understanding that all our journeys are different and accepting that its okay to let go when the time feels right to do so.
What does self-care look like to you?
Being honest to our self about our good and bad points. Being honest with ourselves about the direction we want to grow in. Allowing our selves to make mistakes and get things wrong knowing that we are evolving to our better self. Letting go of things that we truly cant control. Daily gratitude for what is going well on our journey. Choosing to face challenges as early as possible. Spending time with people that light up our soul. Doing things and having experiences that light up our soul. Laughing, and playing often. Moving and meditating daily.
How do you see the divine masculine and divine feminine moving through the world together in harmony?
Through the communal realisation of the difference and equality between the two and the embrace, acceptance and celebration of the strength in those differences.
Could you share with us a main figure of inspiration for you connect deeply with?
No one figure; more the community, energy of people around me, family and friends, the community I support. And myself haha!
Quote, prayer, mantra that instantly brings you back home
I have all I need within me to achieve every thing I need.
If you could satsang with a group of five people throughout history, past or present who would you invite and why?
My grandparents on my mother’s side. To hear stories of what my mum was like as a child and hear their life experiences growing up. Mohammed to hear first-hand about the revelations and thoughts on other faiths, and the wealth being acquired by rich Muslims when so many are dying of poverty the world over. Buddha to talk enlightenment and get his thoughts on present time. Dr Martin Luther King to talk about race, in his time and now, his thoughts on it and if he knew who was behind his assassination. Jesus and his thoughts on what the church has become with all the wealth they are amassing when so many are dying of hunger the world over.
If you could give your younger self some words of wisdom what would they be?
Let yourself make mistakes, focus less on things you can’t control, go after life. Focus on experiences not things, travel the world the moment you get the opportunity, spend as much time as possible with people you love. Be patient.
Lastly, could you share a couple of fun facts about yourself so we can get to know you even better
I thrive on challenges; just recently did a Liverpool to Amsterdam Bike ride raising money for a youth homeless charity. I love dancing till I get sweat in my eyes. I love being silly ☺
About Saeed
Saeed Olayinwola is the founder of SOHealth whose mission is that "By 2020 to have supported 100,000 members of the public including non-employed, employed and young people towards a healthier lifestyle."
He is also the Head Coach and Owner of 3D Liverpool, a health club which uses physical training to build healthier, stronger bodies and resilient minds.