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#30 Jody Ballard.  'Remove your limiting fears and build your Library of Experiences one culture at a time'
Writer, global nomad, artist, a seeker of human behaviour, Jody Ballard is the son of a Montana Cowboy who has lived in eight foreign countries.  Having moved over thirty times (so far), Jody has emerged not only as a prolific agent of change, but also a master of the inter-cultural and international dynamic.  During those three decades journey Jody founded a thriving business, Strategic Wellness Systems, principally dedicated to the five essential components of health: physical, psychological spiritual, relational and mental.
Nicholla says.....'I met Jody for the first time for this interview and I left feeling like I had not only met a worldly woman but someone I felt connected with.  Her warm, embracing and story telling style was so captivating that it left me pondering my own expatriate journey and what my next possibilities could be.  She's a women who removes 'limiting fear' from her life by embracing change and the unknown to construct her library of experiences.  Her book writing is deeply entwined in her personal journey of discovering her values and her beliefs. She connects so well with people that she is someone you should stop and speak to if you bump into her.  Her wisdom runs deep but her eagerness to share and drive you to your best is right at the surface of her being.  This podcast is an adventure, an insightful and empathetic conversation with a women who is well placed to be a counsellor, author and coach. She's found her calling. Long may it continue.'

Jody says.....
 No matter where you go, as an expat you take all your baggage with you, you bring all your challenges you had but you also bring all of your strengths. 
Inside this Episode
These are the questions I asked Jody and the answers are in the podcast.

  • Tell us a little bit about yourself and your 'nomadic ' journey and how starting your own venture came about?
  • Tell us a little bit about your business and the vision for your business. What is it that you do?
  • How do you see yourself? Do you see yourself as a councillor first, then an author?  
  • Do you think 'change' has been a easy thing to accept in your life and what would be the top 3 tips you would give to women moving abroad for the first time or moving again and again?
  • Did you have fears when you came to Abu Dhabi?  How did you overcome them?
  • Do you think being an expat has had a significant impact on your business or do you think it would have been the same had you started your entrepreneurial journey in your home country?
  • Can you give us an insight into your day to day activities.  How do your organise your day and how do you prioritize?
  • What inspires you? What gets you going?
  • You have also written a book - The Smell of Mud which from what I read, its a way of teaching your 'to do' list but through story.  How was the journey of being those characters and writing the book impacted your life? 
  •  Why did you call the book 'The Smell of Mud'
  • Do you think writing the book has answered those questions you had an help you organise your thoughts and value?
  •  Is social media a large part of your business and what tools are working for you right now?
  • What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful business owner?
  • What achievement are you most proud of?  
  • What is the best piece of business advise you have ever been given?  And how is that working for you right now?
  • How (if ever) did you rise above failure or struggle? What action did you take?
  • Where do you see yourself and your businesses in the next 10 years? How will they have evolved?
  • Who is your ‘go to person, book or quote’ that gets you pumped and helps you refocus when you are feeling de-motivated or low?
  • If everything was taken away from you and you had to start again where would you start?
  • Do you think you will ever settle or always be an expat?
  • Closing question:  What would you say to those ladies out there that are on the edge of taking the plunge into being a business owner?

Great Quotes by Jody for you to Tweet
  • 'Every time you move as an expat you are building your resume. (click to tweet)
  • 'Fear stops us a lot in our lives from taking chances' (click to tweet)
  • 'As an expat you must learn to adapt to your new culture' (click to tweet)
  • Social Media did feel fake to me at first but now I create messages that are meaningful, genuine & real (click to tweet)
  • Recognise your failures, acknowledge them, learn from them and take actionable action. (click to tweet)

Help us Spread the stories on The Learning Curve Podcast.
 Jody's Notes

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