In this episode, Nicole Bellisle, executive educator at Harvard University and the founder of Living Leaders, shares the profound impact ceremonial grade cacao has had on her journey as a leader and entrepreneur. Dive into the ancient practice of cacao rituals and discover how it can serve as a powerful tool for managing energy, enhancing mindfulness at work, and deepening your connection with yourself and those around you. Nicole guides you through the spiritual and health benefits of ceremonial grade cacao, offers a step-by-step recipe to create your own cacao blend, and shares personal insights on integrating this sacred ritual into your daily leadership and business practices. Whether you're preparing for a major meeting, seeking clarity and purpose, or simply looking to cultivate a more conscious and connected way of living and leading, this episode is for you. What You'll Learn: - The history and healing properties of ceremonial grade cacao - How to prepare ceremonial grade cacao at home - Tips for integrating cacao rituals into your leadership practice - The science behind cacao's health benefits, and why these are so important for leaders and entrepreneurs - Practical ways to use cacao to enhance mental focus, reduce stress, and support your menstrual cycle Ceremonial Grade Cacao Recipe Ingredients: 25-32 grams of finely chopped ceremonial grade cacao 6-8 oz of water A dash of pink Himalayan sea salt 1 teaspoon (or less) of vanilla extract A dash of cayenne pepper or cinnamon (depending on preference for spicy or nutty flavor) A few dashes of turmeric (for its anti-inflammatory properties) Local honey or maple syrup, to taste (for sweetness) 2-3 oz of your favorite milk (adjust based on dietary needs or cycle syncing) Optional: spoonful of tahini or nut butter, essential oils or flower essences (safe for ingestion), cardamom, nutmeg, coconut oil for additional flavors and benefits Instructions: Place 25-32 grams of finely chopped ceremonial grade cacao into a small pot. Heat the Mixture: Add 6-8 oz of water to the pot with cacao. Heat the mixture over low to medium heat. Be careful not to let it boil to preserve the nutrients and flavors of the cacao. Stir in a dash of pink Himalayan sea salt, vanilla extract, and your choice of cayenne pepper or cinnamon. Add a few dashes of turmeric for its health benefits. Sweeten with local honey or maple syrup according to your taste. Stir often, inhaling the chocolatey aromas deeply. While stirring, set an intention or say a prayer over the cacao, infusing your preparation with positive energy and purpose. Once the mixture starts to steam (after about 4 minutes), add 2-3 oz of your favorite milk. This helps prevent boiling and ensures the cacao fully melts into a smooth consistency. Froth (Optional): If you have a frother, use it to froth the cacao mixture to your desired texture. Serve and Enjoy: Pour the prepared cacao into your favorite mug. Find a comfortable spot or a place in nature to enjoy your ceremonial cacao. Hold the mug with both hands, feeling its warmth. Notice its color and aroma, reconnecting with your intention. Take a deep breath, then take your first sip, mindfully savoring the flavor and welcoming the cacao into your body. Continue to sip slowly, focusing on the sensations in your heart and being open to receiving love and wellness. Customize (Optional): Experiment by adding other ingredients like tahini, nut butter, essential oils, cardamom, nutmeg, or coconut oil to find your favorite combinations and adjust for seasonal or personal preferences. Notes: This recipe is not only a method for preparing a nourishing drink but also an invitation to create a moment of mindfulness and connection. Adjust the ingredients and steps to suit your personal taste and wellness journey. Remember to check for any dietary restrictions or health considerations, especially when experimenting with additional ingredients. Links: Cacao Source: https://www.sourcecacao.com/ Self-Paced Online Self-Reiki Course: https://www.nicolebellisle.com/selfreiki Learn how to Cycle Sync: www.mymoonrhythm.com Subscribe to Living Leaders Newsletter: www.livingleaders.org Harvard University Executive Education for Sustainability Leadership Program -- if you're a sustainability exec, apply here: https://eesl.sph.harvard.edu/ Connect with Nicole: www.nicolebellisle.com https://instagram.com/nicolebellisle https://www.tiktok.com/@nicolebellisle If you found value in this episode, please like, subscribe, and share with others who might benefit from integrating cacao rituals into their leadership journey. Leave a comment below on how you plan to incorporate ceremonial grade cacao into your life or any experiences you've had with cacao ceremonies. Thanks for watching, and remember to embrace the power of ritual to transform not just your leadership, but your life. #CeremonialCacao #LeadershipRituals #MindfulnessForLeaders #CacaoCeremony #ConsciousBusiness

This video is for leader, business owners or entrepreneur who is interested in scaling their business, without burning out. Traditional business strategy is NOT the only way. In fact, business as usual is destroying our health and our planet. If you're a conscious leader, keep reading... Learning to manage your energy is even more critical than managing your time. You can neatly organize tasks and biohack your way to efficiency and productivity all day long, but if those tasks are not aligned with your innate creative gifts and true purpose, those tasks will leave you feeling drained and unfulfilled. Managing your energy through tools like the Energy Audit worksheet is a profoundly simple way to unlock your creative flow and vitality. I'm Nicole Bellisle and I have over 11 years of experience in executive education at Harvard University. I've worked with thousands of executives and founders from all around the world in my roles at Techstars and Impact Hub. I'm also a Reiki Master Teacher with a deep connection to nature. I'm here to help usher us into a new paradigm of business, one that is rooted in regenerative operational practices, self-healing, and well-being. Watch the video to learn more, and see a quick walk-through of the Energy Audit tool that I use with my executive and business owner clients. Useful Links: Energy Audit Worksheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13tYR5ba7vSVpqDSh90hCqCUE9hEEzgwx/view?usp=sharing Resource Library with more tools like this: https://www.livingleaders.org/resources Donate or tip if you find this tool helpful: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=3B22DW6ZQXVV2

Did you know you can reverse engineer your ideal lifestyle, to determine the financial model that will support that lifestyle? My ideal lifestyle is seasonal (or cyclical) and global. I don't work when I'm menstruating, and I take a season of rest and integration during the winter. I value location freedom and time flexibility, so it's important to me to have a mix of active and passive income streams. Knowing what I value, I can not only construct my ideal lifestyle design, but I can also build a financial model that supports it. In this video I'll share more about this concept and how to get started. First, you'll need to identify what you truly value and want in your lifestyle. Be honest with yourself. Write down what comes up, not what you think you should value or want. From there, you'll start to map out the specifics of your ideal lifestyle. How often will you work, and on what? How much time off will you take? Will your calendar be empty or full, or will it ebb and flow depending on the season? Get specific. Now that you have a vision for your ideal lifestyle, what will that lifestyle cost? And what income streams will get you there? Remember, you don't want to choose income streams or formats of work that go against the values you listed. It's possible to live your ideal lifestyle AND financially resource it. There are plenty of creative levers to pull when it comes to pricing, delivery format, and exploring passive or investment-based income streams. Your life is a business, and it gets to be a work of art. Your lifestyle can look as unique as you are. Links: Nicole's Ideal Lifestyle Design Worksheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19yB11Vp2G-ihzPT20A_NfXV5k1VG273S9Gsi9u12mAg/edit?usp=sharing Financial Model Spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1s-BOHQEY8nIcMt-CTVaKwbdTHuBNGmOL/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102418240038548976723&rtpof=true&sd=true Ways to Work with Me: https://www.nicolebellisle.com/work-with-me Follow on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/nicolebellisle/

Adapted from the 8 Dimensions of Wellness, The Wellness Wheel is a tool that I use at the start of any new season to take inventory of my whole human health. This gives me a chance to take a sacred pause, honestly check-in with myself and increase my self-visibility. Self-visibility is powerful. When we can truly see ourselves, we can make more conscious decisions about our habits and health. Why is wellness important for exceptional leadership? As a leader, you're no good to anyone if you're burnt out or unhealthy. When we are unhealthy or sick, we're unable to fully show up to our work and relationships, including the relationship we have to ourselves and our own body. Conscious leaders understand that their health is their greatest asset, and see it as a sacred responsibility to move towards their own wholeness. In this video, I'll walk you through the process of filling out a Wellness Wheel, using my own wheel as an example. You can use the blank templates via the link below to create your own wheel. Miro Board Link: https://miro.com/app/board/uXjVOtfn85Q=/?share_link_id=863751593977 Blank Wellness Wheel Templates: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q83x5cMFT-OeFKkBMlmq73gkLMF-GJU4/view Ways to Work with Me: https://www.nicolebellisle.com/work-with-me Follow on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/nicolebellisle/ #wellness #consciousleadership #leadershipcoaching #executivecoaching #businessowner #businesscoach

Checking in with ourselves by asking really powerful questions can catapult us into new levels of self-awareness. Questions are portals, but we must ask them of ourselves when we have time stillness and spaciousness to hear the truth of our own answer. In this video I share 7 questions that have changed the way I show up in the world. I start my day every day by checking in with myself and asking myself these questions. It allows me to meet myself where I am, and tune into whatever is true for me. The challenge then is to honor the answer, and follow our intuition towards that deeper truth. I find that checking in with myself in this way feels like a nurturing act of self-love because it signals to my body and being that my needs matter. I can meet myself with unconditional love and reverence for my deeper truths. #selfcheckin #checkin #selfawareness #selfhealing #consciousness

The morning rhythm is one of my favorite practices for managing my energy. It's not just a morning routine, it's a strategy for setting my "tone" or vibe for the whole day ahead. Depending on where I am in my cycle, or what season of life I'm living in, I like to hand pick certain practices that my body or mind might be craving. Starting my day with the morning rhythm sends the signal to my body and psyche that I'm worthy of self-care and putting myself first. Not to mention, it's the best time to check in with ourselves and investigate any intuitive guidance that might be available, since it's a fresh day and we haven't encountered any distractions yet. I LOVE posting my morning practices to Instagram Stories as a form of accountability. Be sure to follow and post your morning rhythm activities to join the accountability and conversation. Get the FREE Morning Rhythm Guide: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/630e55782812b898e99a926e Ways to Work with Me: https://www.nicolebellisle.com/work-with-me Follow on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/nicolebellisle/ #morningroutine #morningmotivation #morningpractice #consciousleadership #consciousbusiness #selfawareness