Total Health: Myke Celis of Best Me Ever Professional Coaching On How We Can Optimize Our Mental, Physical, Emotional, & Spiritual Wellbeing

Write down and acknowledge your feelings. Stop judging yourself. Just let them flow and grow with them as you process, understand and accept them for what they are. They are valid as of the moment that you recognized them.

Often when we refer to wellness, we assume that we are talking about physical wellbeing. But one can be physically very healthy but still be unwell, emotionally or mentally. What are the steps we can take to cultivate optimal wellness in all areas of our life; to develop Mental, Physical, Emotional, & Spiritual Wellbeing?

As a part of our series about “How We Can Cultivate Our Mental, Physical, Emotional, & Spiritual Wellbeing”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Myke Celis.

Global Master Coach and International Best Selling Author Myke Celis, M.A, PCC is one of the most influential names in the coaching industry to date. Best known for #bestmeever , his global platform across multi media that has helped people from all over the world become their authentic, unapologetic, grandest version of themselves as they overcome limiting beliefs, achieve balance and clarity in all aspects of their lives as they pursue their biggest goals and become what they’re meant to be. Named as one of the 40 Influencers Under 40 by Insights Success Magazine, Myke Celis is a favorite coach, ambassador, speaker and workshop facilitator of a number of local and international brands and companies that wish to elevate themselves to the next level. When not coaching face to face or virtually, Myke Celis is a part-time radio talk show host, writes a regular column at MarketingInAsia.Com as a subject matter expert for Coaching, works out at the gym and travels the world to spread good vibes and positivity wherever he goes.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?

I have always considered myself as somewhat different. I mean I don’t really like doing all the things that normal boys my age then loved. I took more interests in Unicorns for as long as I can remember. I have always been awe struck with their beauty, magic and uniqueness, something which inspired me all through out while growing up: to embrace my own kind of beautiful, be really be comfortable with being different, and just let my own magic sparkle along the way. This actually led me to be called as the Unicorn Coach by a number of people and to be honest, I also call my coachees and coach mentees as my Unicorns because all of them are truly special in their own way.

Admittedly it was tough at first having come from a conservative, dysfunctional family and being surrounded by people who were not really open to others who did not fit into the box which the society has created. I had my own struggles believe me, and that led me to decide that one day, I won’t let others experience those as I champion for self-acceptance, self-care, self-love and unconditional inclusivity.

What or who inspired you to pursue your career? We’d love to hear the story.

After more than 15 years running my own advertising agency, building local and multinational brands, creating market leaders, I had a turning point in my life. You see eversince, I was coming from a space of wanting to prove myself that I was good in what I do because I wanted to be loved and accepted for who and what I was (growing up gay was not easy back then). Then in 2014, I experienced a betrayal of a friend that left me almost bankrupt and was in really bad shape while being in a physically abusive relationship. I suddenly found myself at the rock bottom, my walls of success nowhere to be found.

So at that point, with nothing else to lose, I asked myself: what is it that I want to do for the rest of my life over and over again. And the answer was to speak to inspire.

That has been my guiding light eversince, whether speaking as I coach, give talks here and abroad, host on-air, or through the words I write in my books — everything I speak about comes from my heart.

I have always looked up to Oprah, Tony Robbins and Ellen DeGenres as my inspiration because everytime they speak, they change lives. I hope to do just the same in my own space.

None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Was there a particular person who you feel gave you the most help or encouragement to be who you are today? Can you share a story about that?

I am fortunate enough to have such a loving mom, Clarina and my favorite aunt, Virgie, to love and support me unconditionally along the way. I am also blessed to have my dear friends, my coaches in the Global Coaching Circle, members of my #bestmeever Self-Empowerment Community on Facebook who always have my back. And of course, all my readers, listeners, followers and viewers whom I may not know personally but have rallied for me ever since I was starting.

I am inspired by the love each and everyone willingly gives me. Every day, as I receive, is a story by itself, whether receiving a simple thank you for having my book inspire her or sharing with me how I gave him hope to push forward amidst trying times. Those little things keep me going and growing.

Can you share the funniest or most interesting mistake that occurred to you in the course of your career? What lesson or take away did you learn from that?

This happened recently: I had a client who was complaining about his height during a happy conversation. Hearing him out, I knew for a fact that he was quite tall already and that height is something that was hereditary. So I asked him: how tall are your parents? There was a short pause and then he said: I am adopted.

Crickets. I wanted to die then. But then I caught myself and just said: “Well, I think they’re tall as well! And mighty proud of what you’ve achieved! (he was into basketball).

That made my client laugh.

Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?

My own #bestmeever book series! All the 5 inspirational titles were born from my own experiences and reading them allows me to remember how blessed I am to be given the chance to help and inspire others become their own #bestmeever.

Can you share your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Why does that resonate with you so much?

You are wanted, needed and loved always. In always. This is one of my favorite lines to my coachees or whenever I give talks because we all need to be reminded at times that we matter. A lot, actually. Don’t ever let life, and whatever it may bring, make you forget that.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? How do you think that might help people?

Apart from my usual coaching stints, I actually have several new coaching programs focused on holistic wellness, well-being and growth which they can check out in my website www.coach-mykecelis.com and hopefully they find a fit. I recently went back to the studio to do live on-air hosting after more than 2.5 years of doing it remotely, and have been accepting live in-studio guestings more in other stations now that the COVID19 situation has been more manageable. I also have some upcoming brand collaborations which they should watch out for (can’t mention yet as it will preempt the launch).

OK, thank you for all of that. Let’s now shift to the core focus of our interview. In this interview series we’d like to discuss cultivating wellness habits in four areas of our lives: Mental wellness, Physical wellness, Emotional wellness, & Spiritual wellness. Let’s dive deeper into these together. Based on your research or experience, can you share with our readers three good habits that can lead to optimum mental wellness? Please share a story or example for each.

I have always been an advocate of mental wellness ever since I started my coaching practice. Like I always say, no matter how good you are at something, if your mental health is compromised, you won’t be able to function well. Self-care is really a must and focusing on one’s mental health is imperative so to speak. Here are some ways to take care of your mental health:

1. Choose the people you surround yourself with. Make sure that they’re good for your mental health: that they inspire you to grow and help you become your best. Do away with those who poison your mind, make you doubt your worth and are simply toxic to your well being. Remember, you don’t have to settle in a space with these people that rob you of your own happiness and growth. Reach out to a mental health professional if needed.
2. Allow yourself to have breaks. Guilt-free. Rest your mind. Stop thinking and working even for just a while. You’re entitled to that. You’re not a robot to begin with. Pausing actually allows your mind to recalibrate so you can be more productive there after.
3. Filter the way you utilize social media. Choose content which are healthy for your mind and do away with comparing and nitpicking on the lives of others and that of your own based on what you see online. That’s only half the truth at most. You have to own your reality still. Take social media breaks once in a while. Going offline won’t kill you because there’s so much life outside to enjoy.
4. Create an inspiring space for your home and work place. Declutter, fill it with stuff you love and have enough room to do all the things you want and need in between. Yes, your space affects the way you think so this can do wonders for you.
5. Exercise and eat healthily. I swear to this as by doing so on a personal note, it helped me appreciate myself more, think and reflect along the way as I worked out and release the negative energies and stress while sweating it out. Added bonus that looking good can really make you feel good inside and out.

Do you have a specific type of meditation practice or Yoga practice that you have found helpful? We’d love to hear about it.

I spend roughly 5–10 minutes in the morning and before going to sleep visualizing about my biggest goals and allowing that experience to flow through me as if they already happened. I allow myself to feel the emotions and to express my gratitude as they come. It feels good to start and end my day thinking about the beautiful possibilities that lie ahead.

Thank you for that. Can you share three good habits that can lead to optimum physical wellness? Please share a story or example for each.

This is something close to my heart.

1. Walk as much as you can. Never under estimate the value of walking as it can help improve your endurance and help aid in your weightloss. Try exploring new routes every now and then and appreciate the scenery and the moment spent for what it is. Take this as your quiet time to reflect as you clear your mind from everything that’s taking unnecessary space. Ideally, 30 mins per day, whether one time or collectively, will suffice for maintenance purposes. In my case, I wake up at 4am in the morning and do my daily walks (and jogs) during that time so I can enjoy the peace and quiet my surroundings have to offer.
2. Eat your protein and veggies right after work out to build your muscles. Don’t feel guilty about it because apparently, according to my personal trainer at the gym, you are still burning calories 30 minutes after finishing your work out. Note: everything in moderation still ok?
3. Find and commit to an activity that excites you and brings you genuine joy. I recently went back to doing aerial silks to compliment my gym work out. Last time I did that was in 2017! But hey, never too old or too late to start all over again. And I have been enjoying my classes to the fullest and I am reminded of just that with the photos I take each and every time to document my progress.

Do you have any particular thoughts about healthy eating? We all know that it’s important to eat more vegetables, eat less sugar, 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 main blockages that prevent us from taking the information that we all know, and integrating it into our lives?

I used to hate eating vegetables a lot. But then I realized that it wasn’t the taste that was preventing me: it was my mindset. That I was just a meat eater. When I questioned that and started eating small portions of vegetables during each of my meal, I have grown to love them as time goes by. I think really it’s more of giving the kind of diet that works for you. In my case, I do intermittent fasting and replaced some of my carbs with vegetables. I just try to improve the experience by experimenting on recipes I saw online. At the end of the day, when you’re committed to the results you want for yourself and you realize that eating healthily is part of it, you’ll make it happen no matter what it takes. Even eating vegetables.

Can you share three good habits that can lead to optimum emotional wellness? Please share a story or example for each.

Here are my favorites:

1. Appreciate your relationships with others and yourself. Give compliments. Gifts. Just be 100% present.
2. Write down and acknowledge your feelings. Stop judging yourself. Just let them flow and grow with them as you process, understand and accept them for what they are. They are valid as of the moment that you recognized them.
3. When deciding, choose always based on these 3 criteria: what makes you feel happy, complete and fulfilled.

Do you have any particular thoughts about the power of smiling to improve emotional wellness? We’d love to hear it.

Smiling has a way of tricking your brain that you’re actually having a good mood. It can do wonders for you even the most difficult days.

Finally, can you share three good habits that can lead to optimum spiritual wellness? Please share a story or example for each.

1. Choose a belief system that’s in alignment with your core values. Regardless of what others may have to say or do about it, focus on what feels right for you because you know what’s best.
2. Always find ample quiet time to get in touch within and practice your spirituality. That will help ground you better in the process.
3. Allow yourself to learn and explore your spiritual side more. Invest on yourself and your growth by journeying with a professional or mentor with you so you can maximize the entire experience.

Do you have any particular thoughts about how being “in nature” can help us to cultivate spiritual wellness?

Being amidst nature can not only help us grow spiritually but in other aspects as well. I think it goes with the freedom associated with the space that allows us to transcend the usual boundaries of our own mindset.

Ok, we are nearly done. You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.

My platform #bestmeever advocates for one’s overall wellness and well-being so that one can become his authentic, unapologetic, grandest version of himself while being genuinely self-empowered. Hopefully I get to inspire people to become just that through coaching, my talks, my shows and my books because we all deserve to live the best life we have always wanted for ourselves.

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, especially if we both tag them :-)

OMG, would love to meet Oprah, Ellen De Genres, Tony Robbins, Jack Canfield and Ru Paul. One whole day, over breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner and perhaps wine even!

These are the people who inspired me to become my own #bestmeever and help others do just the same in my current space.

Being able to thank them personally and be given the chance to work with them will be life changing.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

Here are my links. Would love you to visit them:

Website: www.coach-mykecelis.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mybestmeever

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/my_bestmeever/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coach_myke_celis

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachmykecelis/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/bestmeever

Thank you for these really excellent insights, and we greatly appreciate the time you spent with this. We wish you continued success.