Rosa Talavera-Kaufman of zant: 5 Lifestyle Tweaks That Can Dramatically Improve Your Wellbeing

Maintain healthy connections. Stay in touch with your family and friends on a regular basis. Get involved in community or group activities as much as possible. Additionally, volunteering can give you a sense of belonging and make you feel good about yourself.

As a part of our series about “5 Lifestyle Tweaks That Will Dramatically Improve One’s Wellbeing”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Rosa Talavera-Kaufman.

Rosa has been a counselor, writer, and life coach for over 20 years. During her career path, she learned the importance of living purposefully. She feels that purpose leads to fulfillment and joy. Her life coaching practice focuses on improving clients’ emotional and physical well-being through spiritual and holistic methods. Visit www.talaverallc.com to learn more.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the story about how you first got involved in fitness and wellness?

I developed an interest in mental health at an early age. Growing up in a volatile household prompted me to understand human behavior and how to manage life’s challenges. My Psychology degree taught me how to help individuals improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It also taught me how to make a tangible difference in people’s lives and mine. Working in the mental health field aligns with my personal values of health, well-being, and helping others. This alignment led me to maintain a sense of purpose.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?

Throughout my career, I have volunteered at women’s shelters as a speaker and fashion stylist. My passion has always been empowering women to live happy and fulfilling lives. Growing up in a volatile household, surviving a painful divorce, and managing mental health issues were some of the topics I discussed. I would also assist those seeking employment with dressing for an interview.

At the beginning of one meeting, I felt extremely unwelcome by the audience. I felt the weight of hostile stares and tense body language as I began to speak. However, throughout the presentation, they became more receptive to my message. There wasn’t much harshness in the body language or looks. One young lady particularly stood out to me. It was clear that she was angry, incredulous as she looked at me. Afterward, she asked me for some assistance in choosing an outfit for a job interview the following day. The sudden change in her behavior intrigued me. As we gathered clothing and accessories, she thanked me for showing compassion and respect during my speech.

I learned from this interaction that sometimes all you have to do is show someone you care, that you are genuinely interested, that you won’t judge them, and that you validate them. It’s common for us to propose solutions to problems that we haven’t even encountered ourselves or can’t comprehend unless we’ve experienced them. Being compassionate, empathic, and listening to others goes a long way.

Can you share a story with us about the most humorous mistake you made when you were first starting? What lesson or take-away did you learn from that?

In my early career, I worked in a mental health facility that housed troubled teens. A particular redheaded teenager caught my attention for her aggressive and hostile nature. It moved me to wonder what could be happening in this girl’s life to make her so angry.

During our walk to her room after a group session she never participated in, all she could talk about was how pointless those sessions were. Despite the inappropriate language, the humor was in the way she expressed herself. Her expression made me laugh (that’s the mistake) and I quickly redirected her to a more positive outlook. That chuckle, however, had a profound effect on her. It’s almost as if she felt seen, heard, and validated. Next day, her body language had changed, still quiet but not aggressive, and the day after that, she began sharing.

Can you share with our readers a bit about why you are an authority in the fitness and wellness field? In your opinion, what is your unique contribution to the world of wellness?

Teaching my clients to be their authentic selves is one of my greatest achievements. Becoming your authentic self requires guiding others to self-discovery, acceptance, and expression. To bring lasting change, I teach daily practices and techniques that promote self-reflection. In addition, I assist them in navigating challenges for personal growth and development.

When it comes to life coaching, I take a more holistic approach. My goal is to help clients find the most effective wellness regimens that work for them, including physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Among the practices and techniques I use are mindfulness, guided meditation, and crystal chakra healing.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

For the first time in her life, my mother got a job to support my education. I am the person I am today because of her encouragement and example of resistance. Although my mother has since passed away, my support system today includes my sister Wanda, two dear friends or my non-biological sisters Debbi and Maite, and my son Nathan, who is my source of inspiration, joy, and resilience.

Ok thank you for all that. Now let’s move to the main focus of our interview. We all know that it’s important to eat more vegetables, eat less sugar, exercise more, and get better sleep etc. But while we know it intellectually, it’s often difficult to put it into practice and make it a part of our daily habits. In your opinion what are the 3 main blockages that prevent us from taking the information that we all know, and integrating it into our lives?

It can be challenging to incorporate a healthy lifestyle into your daily routine. Among the main blockages, I see:

1. The lack of time. Our busy lives leave little time for meal preparation or exercise. Prioritizing health and fitness over daily responsibilities can be challenging.
2. The lack of resources. Access to healthy food and fitness facilities can be limited by cost, timing, or accessibility restrictions.
3. There is a lack of knowledge and emotional factors. A lack of knowledge about how to eat a healthy diet and exercise effectively. A lack of motivation to stick to a daily routine due to time constraints, setbacks, or slow progress.

Can you please share your “5 Non-Intuitive Lifestyle Tweaks That Will Dramatically Improve One’s Wellbeing”?

You can significantly improve your well-being by adopting these five non-intuitive lifestyle tweaks:

1. Take a moment to practice gratitude when you wake up in the morning. By doing this throughout the day, you can feel more positive. Before I get out of bed or reach for my phone, I like to take three deep breaths and think of three things I’m grateful for. To learn about my 3 Breaths, 3 Minute Meditation Routine for Beginners, visit my blog at www.rosatalavera.com. Click here for the direct link: https://www.rosatalavera.com/?p=1638.
2. Take part in micro-workouts throughout the day to get more exercise. Fitness and energy levels can be improved by walking around the block, taking the stairs, or doing a few squats during breaks.
3. Keep an eye on what you eat. Learn how to identify hunger and fullness cues. Add more protein to your diet, swap fries for salads, control food portions, and drink herbal tea instead of soda.
4. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule. Reduce screen time before bed, get to bed at the same time every night, and create a restful sleeping environment. I have an ocean wave projector light that creates a relaxing atmosphere with ocean-like colors and patterns.
5. Maintain healthy connections. Stay in touch with your family and friends on a regular basis. Get involved in community or group activities as much as possible. Additionally, volunteering can give you a sense of belonging and make you feel good about yourself.

As an expert, this might be obvious to you, but I think it would be instructive to articulate this for the public. Aside from weight loss, what are 3 benefits of daily exercise? Can you explain?

Three benefits of daily exercise aside from weight loss are:

1. Better health. As a result of daily exercise, the heart becomes stronger, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Lowering blood pressure and improving cholesterol levels are two of its benefits. The body receives more oxygen and nutrients from it, which increases energy levels.
2. Improved mental health. Exercise reduces stress, boosts mood, and enhances mental health. Additionally, it can help you sleep better.
3. Body image. Increasing muscle tone can improve your physical appearance. These changes can have a positive effect on body image and self-esteem. Taking part in group exercises or sports can foster social interaction and a sense of belonging.

For someone who is looking to add exercise to their daily routine, which 3 exercises would you recommend that are absolutely critical?

Incorporating these three types of exercise ensures cardiovascular health, strength, and flexibility. Building a sustainable habit requires starting with manageable durations and intensities for those starting an exercise routine. Before beginning an exercise regimen, consult a medical professional about the right exercise routine for your needs.

1. Exercises that promote cardiovascular health. Exercise such as walking, running, and cycling. Improves heart health, burns calories, and boosts energy levels. Start with 20–30 minutes a day and increase intensity and duration as you progress.
2. Strength training. Exercises with weights. They can enhance strength, build muscle, and improve joint health. Initially, start with light weights and gradually increase weight and repetitions as you gain strength.
3. Exercises to improve flexibility. Stretching and yoga. In addition to improving flexibility, they also promote relaxation. Try a yoga class for beginners or a stretching session with a professional.

Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story?

Wayne Dyer’s books provide an inclusive spiritual perspective that resonates with many readers. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive mindset. His books have encouraged me to change my thoughts to create tangible changes in my life. His teachings have led me to self-discovery, self-reflection, and taking control of my destiny. In his teachings, he emphasizes love, compassion, and gratitude. Through his books, I have found guidance that has led me on a path to illumination, spiritual awakening, and personal growth that has helped me live a more fulfilling life.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

Becoming Your Authentic Self would be my choice. The journey to becoming your authentic self involves self-discovery and growth. It’s about aligning your life with your true values, passions, and beliefs to achieve a more fulfilling life. Take some time to consider your values, beliefs, and desires. Accept your strengths and weaknesses, and practice self-compassion. Authenticity requires self-acceptance. Think about whether your social and familial beliefs are serving your authentic self. Invest time in your passions. This will allow you to discover what your true interests are. You may uncover new paths to self-discovery when you step out of your comfort zone. Maintain a sense of honesty with yourself and others. Last but not least, be patient. Authenticity is an ongoing process that requires persistence and patience. An authentic person acts and behaves according to their core identity. It’s about leading your life with compassion, perspective and confidence. When you live authentically, you can feel happier, more confident, and more positive about yourself and others.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life?

My favorite quote is “Feel fear and do it anyway.” Growing up in a volatile household, I learned to be fearful of others, decision making, and taking risks. It wasn’t until I started working on becoming my authentic self that I was able to deal with fear and anxiety.

My fears have prevented me from living the life I wanted. I am not advising everyone to do this, but for me, following my intuition has turned out to be a wise move. Whenever fear leads to self-doubt, I ask myself why. Who or what am I afraid of? What’s the worst that can happen?

My biggest fear is stepping outside my comfort zone. The decision to step outside my comfort zone has allowed me to recognize fear and acknowledge its presence. I have also learned to act and move forward despite it, build confidence and resilience, and not let fear dictate my choices. As a final benefit, it has empowered me to take charge of my life.

We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them :-)

Sadly, my favorite author and virtual mentor Wayne Dyer has passed away. The publications he has written continue to inspire me to live a fulfilling life and to grow as a person. His insights are invaluable, and I cannot recommend them highly enough. However, I am always open to new positive influences.

What is the best way our readers can follow you online?

You can find more information about my work at www.talaverallc.com. Please feel free to contact me via the zant App at rosa.k@zantprovider.app or rdtalavera@gmail.com.

Thank you for these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!