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071 - “Too Happy to Be Real?” The Truth Behind Unshakable Joy
14 Plays1 month ago
"They told me I was too joyful. Too happy. But they didn't know the storms I’ve survived."
In this heart-expanding episode of Vulnerability Muscle, Reggie D. Ford sits down with Colombian-Italian happiness coach and resilience expert Stephanie Mancini-Sims, whose presence radiates the kind of joy that can only be born from adversity. From growing up without a father but surrounded by fierce love, to uprooting her life for a second chance at love in the U.S., Stephanie reveals how she transformed pain into purpose—and why joy isn’t about ignoring hardship but about choosing light in spite of it.
Stephanie shares her Happiness Without Complications methodology, five daily practices that cultivate sustainable happiness, and how she uses her faith and emotional intelligence to help individuals and organizations build thriving cultures. Through deeply moving personal stories and practical wisdom, this episode reminds us that vulnerability isn't weakness—it's the soil where resilience grows.
If you’ve ever been told your joy is "too much" or felt like happiness was out of reach, this episode will remind you that joy is your birthright—and it can coexist with sadness, struggle, and uncertainty. Listen now to reconnect with the power of purpose, faith, and the human spirit.
Contact Info:
Host: Reggie D. Ford
Website: https://reggiedford.com
Socials: @reggiedford on all platforms
Guest: Stephanie Mancini-Sims
Instagram: @stephaniemancinisims
Website: https://www.stephaniemancinisims.com
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Transcript
Introduction to 'Vulnerability Muscle' Podcast
00:00:00
Speaker
Other people will say, no, you are showing the weakness. No, I'm showing I'm a human being that ah life is not easy. You say that before, life has difficult moments.
00:00:11
Speaker
That's in the Bible too, but we are not alone. And how I came out of that situation stronger, building my resilience and have joy right now.
00:00:22
Speaker
Welcome to Vulnerability Muscle, the inspiring podcast challenging norms and helping you redefine vulnerability as a strength. I'm your host, Reggie D. Ford. Each episode of Vulnerability Muscle dives into a variety of topics such as mental health, social issues, and mindset shifts.
00:00:40
Speaker
We explore the power of vulnerability and fostering meaningful connections. healing, building resilience, and promoting personal growth. Sometimes these conversations are uncomfortable, but good workouts often are.
00:00:55
Speaker
So join us and flex that vulnerability muscle. Welcome to this episode of
Meet the Guest: Stephanie Mancini Sims
00:01:01
Speaker
Vulnerability Muscle. I'm your host, Reggie Ford. And today with me, I have a guest who exudes joy and happiness and resilience all in one. ah If you're not watching this, I encourage you to go to YouTube and watch because you're going to feel the energy coming from the screen.
00:01:18
Speaker
But her name is Stephanie Mancini Sims. And Stephanie is a Colombian Italian happiness coach, master in psychology and international speaker with over 17 years of experience transforming workplace cultures across multinational companies with a deep passion for emotional connection, well-being, and organizational happiness, she empowers individuals and teams to find joy even in adversity.
00:01:47
Speaker
Creator of the Happiness Without Complications methodology, Stephanie blends her professional expertise with her personal journey of resilience and faith to inspire others to live purposefully. She currently resides in the United States, where she continues to share practical tools for cultivating joy, resilience, and meaningful leadership.
00:02:08
Speaker
Welcome, Stephanie. How are you? Thank you, Reggie. Thank you for this invitation. I'm super happy. love you for this chance. Yes, I am excited. I'm so excited. I've been wanting to have this conversation for a minute. Before we hop in, I want to ask just what are you grateful for today? I'm grateful for everything. Today's another day. I'm healthy. i have my family.
00:02:36
Speaker
i have a job. I have this great opportunity with you that I wasn't searched for that got through into my life. So I'm so grateful. Let's go. I love it. And i'm I'm grateful for this opportunity in this moment as well. And I know that I'm going to gain so much from this conversation. And I think the listeners will
Perspectives on Vulnerability and Strength
00:02:56
Speaker
as well. Before we hop into more of your story and your work, I got a segment called What Comes to Mind. And it's just three questions. And you let me know the first thing that you think of. Okay.
00:03:08
Speaker
So what comes to mind, Stephanie, when you hear the word vulnerability? um For me, that word comes like, I feel like showing the real me be authentic to others.
00:03:23
Speaker
Yeah, I love that. I love that. What do you do to center yourself, to ground yourself when you're feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or maybe even depressed? I go to God's presence.
00:03:35
Speaker
That's where my strength comes. Nice, nice. And what is one of your favorite childhood memories? um Being surrounded with all my family. For me, family so important. I grew up with my grandparents and my aunts, my cousins. So i'm only child, but I was surrounded by family.
00:03:56
Speaker
Nice. And and where did you grow up? what what Which country did you grow up in? I grew up in Colombia, in Barranquilla. Oh, nice. Nice. Tell me a little bit about what that looked like. I'm curious. I want to go to Colombia. I think it's high on my list of places to visit, but paint a picture for me. What did it look like for you? It's a wonderful country. My city, I have to say, it's a city very close from the sea to the sea. So people, because of the weather, we have hot weather all the time. So people is very happy all the time. We have sun all the time. We are very kind to each other. So it's a great place to live and to grow. So I encourage you not just to come to Colombia, but go to Barranquilla.
00:04:47
Speaker
who Oh, wow. Okay. Well, I will have to check that out. Yes, food is also very delicious. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. i i haven't I don't know if I've had true authentic food, but um what I have had has been amazing. So I can only imagine.
00:05:05
Speaker
who Who of those people that you named, who do who would you say was most influential for you during your upbringing?
Influences and Childhood Memories
00:05:13
Speaker
During my what? Sorry. your ah When you were growing up, like when, as a child, who of the people, your, your, you know, your family members that you mentioned, who was influential to you growing up?
00:05:24
Speaker
Well, I, I will say, i mean, my mom first, because she was a single mom. So she always showed me to be a strong, person, resilience, no matter what.
00:05:37
Speaker
um She's a woman of faith. That's very important for me. And i also was very close to my grandpa.
00:05:46
Speaker
You could learn like a lot from him. so I love to be surrounded by him all the time. Oh, can resonate with the grandpa. Grandpas are special, special people. If you have the opportunity to have your grandpa in your life,
00:06:02
Speaker
I think that's such a blessing, especially when you have a good one who who you look forward to seeing and being around. And so I'm glad that you had him and your mom. you You've had a lot of of opportunities to show your resilience. And you know life you've you've had a lot of adversity through your life. Do you want to speak to some of that adversity and how resilience help you get through that?
00:06:27
Speaker
Yeah, of course. Like, From the very beginning of my life, like my dad left my mom when she was pregnant. So that rejection, of course, when you are growing and you don't have the skill at the moment, it's very hard at school when older kids have their parents, both parents in every situation. But then I was, you know, know surrounded by my family, my grandpa, my ah my uncles. And I received that love.
00:06:57
Speaker
And especially, I think I was always connected with God because that's memories I have. I don't have memories for all my childhood, but I i remember my connection with God all the time. So i I think he always showed me he was my father always. He was there with me.
00:07:18
Speaker
So that's made me strong. Like i I wasn't alone and I was a very special daughter for him. Yes. And it's so important. Like with two things that you just mentioned, one was,
00:07:31
Speaker
the relationships in the community that you had with your family and how supportive they were in the absence of your your biological dad being there.
Building Resilience Through Community and Faith
00:07:40
Speaker
and And so relationships in terms of helping build resilience, like Harvard research on the developing child says that the number one greatest factor in helping a child who's gone through adversity build resilience is at least one caring, loving, supportive adult.
00:07:57
Speaker
And it doesn't say parent, it says adult. and you had your mom and then you had other adults around helping raise you and helping build that resilience. So the relationships and community is one piece, but then also your faith.
00:08:12
Speaker
And, and every time I hear or see you, I think of how strong your faith is and how connected to God you are and, and how connected to, to, to him, you know, to he's, he is to you. And I. i think that it's such a powerful, powerful way of going through life because like you said, you're not alone. You're never alone.
00:08:36
Speaker
Even in the absence of some of those relationships, if if someone were to, God forbid, pass away or to leave your life or walk out, like you still have a relationship with something bigger than yourself. And that's so powerful.
00:08:49
Speaker
Wow. How did you cultivate that relationship with God? When did that start? So it started with my day, you know, like when I just wake up, I need to search his presence because that's where my strengths come. So I start my day worshiping him, talking with him and praying, giving him all the burdens I have, everything that is outside my control.
00:09:16
Speaker
Well, that's why I believe I have a powerful father that he's in control of everything and whatever I cannot do, I'm so sure when I read the Bible, I read his promises for me, he's in control of everything.
00:09:30
Speaker
So, and I start being with that gratitude, attitude all the time, like for everything, but especially because I have him in my life. That's everything I need, all I need in life.
00:09:42
Speaker
Oh, man, that that that gratitude is a powerful force. It's a you know, when you when you're expressing gratitude, when you're looking for things to be grateful for, you start to see the positive things in life.
00:09:55
Speaker
You know, when you you wake up and like, I'm going to be grateful for three. I encourage listeners every night, either write down or simply think about or talk about three things that you're grateful for in the day.
00:10:10
Speaker
Right. Just write it down. It can be as big as I'm grateful for the new house that I just bought or as small as I'm grateful for the ability to breathe on my own. And we say that's small, but for some people it's not.
00:10:22
Speaker
And so when you start to look at the world like that, the positivity just shines. I'm curious, what what do you think? Because I think some people, when they see how happy you are and how joyful you are, through so despite some of the challenges you that you've gone through, they may say it's fake or that nobody's positive all the time. What would you say to a person like that?
00:10:42
Speaker
I always say it's my faith first. Of course, I'm being in that gratitude. attitude or mindset all the time. So when I talk to others, I try to encourage them to live that way because that's part of my methodology that I live every day is part of my habits of my routine.
00:11:02
Speaker
So that's the way I live. So like you say, so a lot of people take life for granted so they don't they don't appreciate the little things that are so important in life like i could say or another person could say i told you at the beginning my son just left on sunday he's in another country i'm not going to see him very soon just couple months i could be sad and crying and yeah I allow myself to lift that emotion on Sunday. After that, I cry. Yeah, I'm a human being.
00:11:39
Speaker
But after that, I just pray, God, give me the strength to me and to my son, because we need to be strong in this time alone. But ah I'm not alone in this time being apart.
00:11:52
Speaker
But I feel joy. I feel in peace. I know God is taking care of him over there. I know I have other purposes. and work to do here in this country, He will be with me when God's allowed. He's in control everything. When you understand that in life, He can be in joy because the joy comes when you are on His presence.
00:12:20
Speaker
I hear i hear something hovering above the circumstances of life. Right. Circumstances will be hard at times and you're going to be separated from your your son or you're going to have a difficult situation at work or you're going to have a difficult situation in your home life.
00:12:39
Speaker
But that i also hear like above that is is this level of contentment with life, knowing that things are going to be okay, that you're going to make it through the difficult times and you're going to weather those storms as they come, like knowing that things are going to come.
00:12:56
Speaker
And i think that that is a ah strong and beautiful way because you said you acknowledge the sadness. You acknowledge the sadness as it comes up. You cry because it makes sense to cry when your son is leaving. I can't hide my emotion and I can avoid. And no, I'm not allowed to cry because I talk about joy and happiness. No, I'm a human being.
00:13:20
Speaker
And you need to lift that emotion to take it out and then feel with what we feel with his present. That's so real, because i I think for a lot of lot of people, I'm including myself when I talk about this for a really long time. I wanted to suppress the emotions. I didn't want to feel the heavy negative, quote unquote, negative emotions, knowing that.
00:13:46
Speaker
Now, I don't believe that any emotion is negative. It's just indications. it'ss Yeah, it's just an emotion. It's just a feeling. And so to feel that it it allows you to, one, you know get what you need to get out of you because trapped inside you, it starts to cause a lot of toxicity and stress. But once it gets out, you can then realize the positive emotions even more.
00:14:11
Speaker
And so suppressing those negative emotions, it also suppresses the positive ones. And we want to experience joy and happiness. So that means that we're going to experience sadness, heartbreak and disappointment.
00:14:22
Speaker
And and i'm I'm curious about about the relationship with their son. So you're in the United States. How did you get here?
Cultural Transitions and Adapting to the U.S.
00:14:30
Speaker
And and where was he during that period of time? Well, I get here last year in in March because of love.
00:14:37
Speaker
I found the love of my life here and I'm married a wonderful man. So I came here, um my son, of course, he was aware of everything and he's like, mom, I want to be in Colombia because he's 15 years old, you know he's a teenager, now his friends are more important. than He wants to finish school over there. and Of course I accept and respect that.
00:15:05
Speaker
It's more hard for me than for him. He's with his dad, which is a great dad. So that's the decision we make. And he's coming just here for vacation. So that's how I came here.
00:15:19
Speaker
Wow. and you So you came for love. I want to hear about it. Tell me about it. Let's hear about the love. Well, um I got divorced in 2019 and then I allowed myself in that difficult moment, adversity moment, a to you know heal my heart.
00:15:39
Speaker
And then after that, I did a great job in my heart. And when I felt I was ready, I started my search. And I always want because of the culture. I know in Colombia, I don't like so much the cultural. We we have been raised there over there. and So machista tradition and culture demands. So that's why I. Can you explain what that is? um When, um you know, he he's a person, he's a man when he's everything like man is allowed in our culture to have a lot of women's. So he's. you know, the more strong and they don't respect women's mod of them. I don't say everyone, but it's the culture, it's part of the culture. So that's why I decided to search in apps in other countries. I wasn't focused like just here in America, but that's where I found my love.
00:16:41
Speaker
Wow. Yeah. Wow. I mean, and and I ask about that because I think um it's relevant, especially as you think about you you you also have a son who's growing up in that culture and um it it didn't fit you and you didn't you didn't like it that. And I know that, you know, some of those um influences will will shape him, but also you will shape him in a big way of looking at the world and women differently. Yeah.
00:17:06
Speaker
um Another piece to that, too, is i believe in ah in a society and culture like that. I grew up probably not ah the exact same as that, but I remember when I was a kid, like one of the questions that I would get asked was, how many girlfriends do you have?
00:17:26
Speaker
not as a kid right and i'm five six seven eight nine years old and it's like how many girlfriends do i have like and and so now it became a so a status symbol you know a status to have more and more girls around and to not treat them well and so that be that i i can understand a little bit and in that there was very little vulnerability because vulnerability was viewed as a weakness And a whole part of the mission of vulnerability muscle is to redefine that as a strength, because as you tell your story, as you as you talk about the empowerment that you get from the adversity that you've overcome, i think that helps to build greater connection and a sense of healing and growth for us all.
00:18:10
Speaker
And so, um yeah, i'm I'm glad that you you recognize that recognize the values that you hold to look and search elsewhere. And so in March of 2024, you came to the United States. What was that transition like for you?
00:18:29
Speaker
Well, it it wasn't easy at the beginning, of course. life All my family over there, my life, everything I was used to. um But of course, um it was a decision made by heart because we have plans for the future. And knowing that god is in control of everything that he opens the door for everything even though like i got the support of the company i work for so everything like when you see he's in control and he's like um allowing you to do things everything works good wow wow
00:19:10
Speaker
Did you, were you would you, were you culture shock? Did you experience culture shock at all where things were so different that you missed home? Um, no, I think I, I talked about, um, few days ago with a friend of mine. I was telling her like, maybe my mom raised me being like flexible in life, which I think is another skill, very important in life, shut up everywhere. So I live a couple years ago. I live in Germany for one year, studio over there. I've lived in another city because i live in Bogota when i before I came here 14 years. So you realize like you have to adapt to everywhere. Maybe some part of the, the things that was strange for me is the, is the time for food, you know, for, food for eating like here, you are not used to have at least the three meals at a time and everyone is working is in different schedules. So like we enjoy our our breakfast together. Usually it's on the weekend. ah
00:20:18
Speaker
I'm used to have my lunch at a certain time. My husband is not like that. But then I have to learn, like, it doesn't matter if I'm hungry, i have to eat. I don't have to wait for him. so I have to get used to that.
00:20:33
Speaker
That's the with the difference, but nothing like I will say, oh, it's so different, difficult to adapt. No, I'm happy here. i'm happy with him, with his family, which is another blessing to my life. I have here are two parents. I have two new siblings, two sisters that I love so much. So God gave me another family here and I feel so loved.
00:20:56
Speaker
Yeah. Oh, that's so good. so good. want transition and talk little bit. I two more kids. So now I have three kids because my son have two kids. So there are my kids too.
00:21:10
Speaker
Yes. Oh, nice. That's so beautiful. And i oh i' a like like you said, you were blessed with with another family. like that it And and and to to be blessed with another loving, supportive family, especially, you know, you come from a big family who supports and and lifts each other up. And so that is an expectation I'm sure that you you wanted and needed it in ah in a future relationship. And so I'm glad that you found that. ah And I pray for that. I was specific to God. Like, I want a man like this, but I also want his family like this.
00:21:46
Speaker
peace He gave me the desires of my heart. Wow. I'm curious because I think i think somebody out there may be maybe searching for or something similar.
00:21:57
Speaker
What did you see during the the early phases before you met while y'all were talking? What did you hear from him or gain from him to indicate that he was that type of man with with that type of family?
00:22:12
Speaker
When we just start talking, um we feel that connection both even just chatting not just texting each other, not just like a video call. We just texted each other for a week knowing um a little bit more of our history, what we were looking for. We were looking the same to form family for marriage because you can find a lot of things or persons in those dating apps.
00:22:40
Speaker
And I saw a man of values. format For me, that's very important. A man of faith because he was looking for it fearful woman and so he also believe in God for him also God is first so for me that's the first thing because when you understand that everything comes get later so we start to understand that the way he see and value a woman um support um um a man also with emotional intelligence that not everyone you know working that so those are the things that i got show me and this is the one even when the interaction came with the video call sometimes his family was here and they you know say hello to me and talk to me then when he went to colombia and you know the message they say like they he they never saw him so happy like he was with me.
00:23:47
Speaker
And then when receive me when they received me here, the first time I came to the country just to visit and un know them, I feel welcome.
00:23:58
Speaker
yeah I feel love. Like my mother-in-law, I love her so much. When you look at this, mom, you receive me, you know, with tears on her eyes. Like, I love you already because you make my son so happy.
00:24:13
Speaker
Wow. Wow. That's all. That's beautiful. I have a great relation with her. love her so much. I would love that she will live closer to us because they live two hours away from us. But every time,
00:24:28
Speaker
She comes here, we go there busy, we are together, we go shopping, we have our girl time. Yeah. Yeah. Good. Things like that, you know.
00:24:39
Speaker
That is so beautiful. It's so beautiful. And i'd love to I love hearing and and and learning about your family, both back at home in Colombia and here in the States. And I can just i can feel the support. like I feel like there are multiple people with us right now lifting you up and and helping and walking with you through this. so Yeah, my father-in-law too. like Even my my husband say...
00:25:03
Speaker
You are special. He's not yeah with anyone the way he is with you. I feel the love of another father with me. wow He's proud of me. He's still like from the beginning, he say, I know you were special. And my two sister in laws, I love them so much. They are so special with me. They make my life special. They were with me in my wedding. They were the, the you know, the witnesses for our wedding. So I feel so loved. I'm not a alone.
00:25:35
Speaker
Yes. I want to switch gears and talk a little bit about the work that you do now. And and i'm I'm curious how, you know, all those personal experiences in the life that you've lived, how did that influence you developing happiness without complications?
Stephanie's Five-Step Happiness Methodology
00:25:52
Speaker
Every, like, in every, you know, tasks I do in my work and in my personal personality journey, like, I try to share my methodology with a normal way in my social media and in at work. I have every Friday a post and that I call the vitamin Friday. When I try to share, encourage tips for people, you know, to um know how to apply these simple things because our my my methodology are simple five steps.
00:26:27
Speaker
Start your day with gratitude and prayer, you know, with God. Then after that, I do my exercise, my workout, which is something simple. If I can go for a walk, I go for a walk. If I can do a 15 minutes workout, because that's also triggers some, you know, um,
00:26:47
Speaker
endorphins that are on in that you know hormones that builds and bust the happiness and the joy in your body um also i try to take care of my sleep which is very important when when you take care of your body which is the temple of the holy spirit you see that um other thing that i um encourage people is to eat healthy and when i mean of ill or what you consume is not just food which of course that that brings you nutrients and things, but also what you read, what you listen, because that also goes go goes to your mind.
00:27:30
Speaker
So that keeps your mindset. If you're surrounding with toxic people, negative people, or you or you are watching news all the time, I personally, I don't like to watch news.
00:27:44
Speaker
But I know what I need to to know because you if something is happening, you will know. You will know. But I don't need to watch news and to listen all the negativity. And I don't like people when they are negative. Like, no, this is not going to happen. No, I have a faithful mindset that my husband say I'm crazy in that way. But if God gives me a promises, so I believe all his promises.
00:28:12
Speaker
I know that they are going to fulfill sometime in the perfect time. And then i take care of that. And one of the other important step or the last one is to serve other.
00:28:26
Speaker
When you help other people, when you serve other, it's better to give than to receive. That's in the Bible too. the bible is our manual because god created us and he left there everything the way we have to live when you help others and i think that's why i choose to became a human research person because in human resource you can help many people so i lived for that i live serve other to help other people yes when i talk with people is when i feel more happy
00:29:04
Speaker
And people can feel like you say at the beginning, my energy, they say is something you give, not just you give me peace when I talk with you, ah your happiness, everything that, ah you know, the energy they will say in the word, but I know this my faith is what I bring is the light God put in me.
00:29:24
Speaker
So help other people that trigger to the oxytocin that is so important, to feel joy, to feel even less stress.
00:29:36
Speaker
So that's how i wow that's our like five steps. It's so easy. that That yes. And, and, and like ah you say, it's easy and yet we neglect it. And so I just want to recap the five again. So it was one, wake up, pray, have a conversation with God, meditate.
00:29:55
Speaker
Two was to move your body, exercise, workout. Three was sleep. Sleep and what you eat. Sleep and what you eat. yeah Four was what you consume.
00:30:07
Speaker
i' Also, sorry, the fourth one, maybe I didn't mention that with detail, is the meaningful relations, your network. Ah, yes. Your family, your friends, people that, you know, that lift your hands when adversity come.
00:30:23
Speaker
Yes. You cannot be a alone. You cannot be alone. You cannot. Oh, I love that. So the relationships and then serving other others. ah I love it. i love it because one, i think, you know, I, I'm not.
00:30:39
Speaker
a religious person, but I'm very spiritual and I have a connection to God and a higher power. And so that my moments of of meditation, right. I think of it in that way, or, um, there are times where, you know, I'm, I'm, I'm, showing my gratitude or asking for clarity and and things to that higher power. And so I love that. And i'm I'm constantly moving my body. I think that is something that we, our bodies evolve to do and we don't do enough of it anymore when we're inside for 90% the day or even more.
00:31:15
Speaker
And we're behind computers, behind screens. And so doing that, doing those two things. But when you start to stack all those other pieces, the positive pieces of what you consume, the relationships and serving others. I don't know if people realize that acts of kindness actually. help you live longer and give you better health, right? And improves your heart rate variability, which is like the signal and the the signs of your nervous system. It increases things that you said earlier, the oxytocin, the the serotonin, the endorphin levels of of your body. And so, yeah, providing those services and acts to others helps you live longer and healthier, happier lives.
00:31:57
Speaker
So um I started working in this happiness program three years ago. And I try you know to give the tools by doing trainings, being practical in those trainings, help the employees and the leaders to develop those skills in their life. And my last training was like leading with your heart to create a culture of joy.
00:32:25
Speaker
How yeah you cannot create a culture of joy when you lead from your heart, when you have empathy with others, when you help your you know your employees to grow, you understand their situation because not every day is a good day. So you listen to them if they have a hard day because something their life is happening. How can you support them?
00:32:50
Speaker
So when you have that and create that culture of trust and happiness and joy in your company, people, you know, create that engaging employees. They they really want to stay there.
00:33:05
Speaker
And that also encourages them to give the best of them when people feel support. So happiness and productivity is connect. It's linked.
00:33:15
Speaker
I think, I mean, absolutely right. Right. Happiness and productivity go hand in hand. Happiness and retention go hand in hand. Happiness and, you know, teamwork go hand in hand. And so you're going into these these companies and helping to establish and develop and and and build up relationships.
00:33:36
Speaker
cultures of well-being, which is absolutely
Creating Supportive and Joyful Environments
00:33:39
Speaker
phenomenal. I think we need to do it all over the board from government agencies to schools, sports teams to to everywhere. and And I'm curious, like, what are the steps that you take when you're going in?
00:33:51
Speaker
And let's say you're starting from scratch with a company. What what are the some steps that you take? Well, it's important, you know, to know how, how like, listen both parts, leaders listen and listen employees, how both fields what do they want and how you can create something unique for them. What are the skills that you have to develop in them? um And some companies today are working very hard to company work for in emotional intelligence because it's very important to work in that to create that environment done that allows the happiness in in employees, you know, come arise and and
00:34:35
Speaker
improve when you work in your leaders, you know, they so they can develop that emotional intelligence, that empathy empathy with the co-workers that encourage them to um create. We have a training that it's called Connector Manager.
00:34:51
Speaker
And when you connect with people, that's the most important. and You have to connect with your people. When you connect with people, they don't feel like if they're a number, which is sad when companies treat people like a number, not their persons.
00:35:07
Speaker
Each one is unique. So that's the way. And then you create the different trainings, activities, everything being practical. So things that they can apply in the, in the, in the trainings.
00:35:21
Speaker
That's the way I work. Wow. that's That's beautiful. One, going in and and getting excuse me getting both sides of what people want out of that organization. right so You have this this executive team, this this upper level management, and then you have the employees, you have people, you have stakeholders and and saying, hey, what do we want? And then connecting the two and how do we get there to a place? Because we all want to be happy and win and succeed together. And it's sometimes there's just this friction that gets in the way where we're not seeing each other eye to eye. We don't express that empathy. We don't have an outward mindset to incorporate what other people's experience and preferences and perceptions are.
00:36:06
Speaker
And so it's it's beautiful to see that you do that. And then i think it's it's so ah important to see people like to see them for who they are. And this is amazing. So I just got a ah new word um that I learned today and it's called Saubona.
00:36:26
Speaker
Saubona. And it's a ah Zulu greeting that translates to, i see you. More than words of politeness, Sawabona carries the importance of recognizing the worth and dignity of each person.
00:36:42
Speaker
It says, I see the whole of you, your experiences, your passions, your pain, your strength, and your weaknesses, and your future. You are valuable to me.
00:36:54
Speaker
Right. And I didn't even plan on that being a part of this episode, but it literally this morning, that was the first word that I woke up to. And it's about seeing people for the wholeness of them and accepting them as they are.
00:37:08
Speaker
And I think that creates the psychological safety and that emotional intelligence, like to help people show up as themselves and thrive in the environments that they're in.
00:37:20
Speaker
Ah, that's so beautiful. I love it. I love that work. how do you how do you um bring in the joy and purpose into the work that you do? How do you how do you express those values through the work?
00:37:37
Speaker
So I i try when I work in a remote environment. um I manage eight countries. So I try to support even now global projects. So more than eight countries I support. um Every, you know, every day in every interaction, you can make the difference when you approach a person, the way you talk to them. Even when you need to ask for something, I always say, it's not what you're asking. It's the way you ask the things. It's the way you talk with others.
00:38:13
Speaker
And also maybe it's because I have that spiritual connection with God. The Holy Spirit sometimes show me things in that person that they need to listen in my story that they need to talk and release so i've met person at work maybe people in other departments finance or you know in i i work with a lot of engineers so uh one time one person and so like how are you just do that question that simple question
00:38:46
Speaker
is something maybe cultural in my country we really care how are you and i would mean real to know how are you today and when that other person asked me like um you know i'm not that good i was in a live of adsense because i had uh anxiety crisis so that create the moment when i start talking with that person how can i help you with the things i know so i start sharing information, tips, of course my faith, because that goal first, how that changed my life.
00:39:23
Speaker
i I share my story. That's when the vulnerability come. Other people will say, no, you are showing the weakness. No, I'm showing I'm a human being that ah life is not easy. You say that before, life have difficult moments.
00:39:39
Speaker
That's in the Bible too, but we are not alone. And how I came out of that situation stronger building my resilience and have joy right now so i've seen how that person and other people i share my story change and my story helped them and the tips i share with them things that i share in the company that i share in my social media how can that you know, get to the right person at the right moment. Even I've seen in people that left the company, they they keep following social media because they like to read what I share with them.
00:40:22
Speaker
And I do with my love, with all the love of my heart, because that's my purpose. That's the other important thing, Reggie. When you find your purpose, how do you went to that difficult time, that adversity, and you find the purpose of in that.
00:40:38
Speaker
So I found the purpose in my painful moments. How can I help other people go through that? Because already am out. Yes.
00:40:50
Speaker
Yes. ah you You mentioned a couple of things that I want to touch on is one, the curiosity and looking at a person and asking, how are you? you know, truly, how are you?
00:41:02
Speaker
and And getting some some input from them about what they're dealing with. And then you got even more curious, how can I help you? Right? and And not jumping straight to the the solution that you think ought to be the one to help them, but asking them what they need.
00:41:22
Speaker
I think that was absolutely beautiful, just expressing that And then bringing out your own vulnerability. You're modeling that vulnerability to build a connection with them. Like you said, it's not weakness. It is it is human.
00:41:35
Speaker
And when a human feels that they can connect with another human through a shared experience, they're more willing to share their experience. And then we can actually get to a place where, okay, this may help and this may help. But before we get to that point, we don't truly know.
00:41:53
Speaker
and And I'm curious... You've turned your adversity and your pain into purpose. How would you encourage others to to look at that pain in that way to where they can form it into adversity or into purpose? Right. So you need to understand that.
00:42:11
Speaker
um And I love that verse in the Bible, in Romans, that everything works good for the one who loved them. And I focus in the word everything.
00:42:22
Speaker
So everything that happened in my life has a purpose that is going to turn in something positive at the end. So I need to understand first that it's just a moment. It's not going to be the whole story. It's just a season.
00:42:38
Speaker
And then what can I learn? not Not what is happening to me. see So like, what can I learn from this situation? And how I can help others with this. So that's that's when you find the purpose, is there is the how, you know not the why.
00:42:58
Speaker
Because if you happen, why me? No. yeah yeah it a What It's what for? Is to help others. So I got in a difficult situation um in a marriage, so now I can encourage women's To understand God is a God of second chance.
00:43:16
Speaker
And then you you can write a second story of love or being far away from my family, and my son especially, is not the end of the world.
00:43:28
Speaker
how can i do something important with purpose here so in everything that you think is a difficult moment you need to find the what for i'm going through this not the why and then you'll find the purpose Yeah, that's so good. And I think it takes a lot of introspection to be able to do that. You have to you have to sit with it and and actually ask yourself those questions and answer those questions with with a mindset that is looking for a purpose, that is looking for the gratitude of what can I get from this?
00:44:03
Speaker
Because I think. I think you have a positive mindset, right? And that's probably been a part of your life to see that, whereas some people may not
Mindset Shifts and Finding Purpose in Adversity
00:44:12
Speaker
carry that. And so when it happens, they're just like, this sucks. It always sucks. It's always me. It always happens to me.
00:44:18
Speaker
But a huge shift in mindset is challenging that thought process and asking the question, what am I learning from this? How can I alchemize this pain into something purposeful? yeah and And I think that that is a a beautiful way and and you've done it so well.
00:44:36
Speaker
I'm curious of any any responses or breakthroughs or stories that you've had from people you've helped that that can uplift the audience? Like, have you had a story where you saw someone in ah in a current state and then fast forward going through working with you, working in the company that you worked for, things change for them?
00:44:58
Speaker
Yeah, I hear that all the time. People, people like, hey, that what you teach in that training that really helped me. And also like I share with my family and that's what i want that they they take all the the tools i give them and to share with others you need to spread happiness to others and give these skills and also uh what you mentioned that about the positive mindset like is something you can build not everyone can have that from from the beginning of their life
00:45:36
Speaker
ah i don't know i'm i'm grateful that god created me that that way yeah but you can train that you can train being positive so like always focus in the good things of the situation every situation has something good every situation so yes you you decide and i always teach in my trainings like What kind of glasses are you wearing?
00:46:01
Speaker
The positive or the negative? Because every situation has both sides. So which one do you want to focus now? Right. And that's that's the way to To see life. That's the way I see my life all the time. i There is um a book that I just read by Barbara Fredrickson, who has developed several theories around positivity. And the book is called Positivity.
00:46:29
Speaker
And she talks about ah the positivity ratio. And this is the number of great positive things or thoughts or experiences that you experience versus the negative.
00:46:43
Speaker
And she says that a positivity ratio of three to one, three positive things to one negative thing. is what tips the scale in building and compounding into a more positive way of thinking.
00:46:56
Speaker
And those positive thoughts and actions and things have to be genuine, organic. And so to go out and find things genuinely that you can say something positive about or that you can have a positive thought about to combat those negative moments as they happen, because they're going to happen because that's life, right? This negative thing happens.
00:47:17
Speaker
How can I organically and genuinely find three positive things to combat that and do that repeatedly to tip the scale to where your mindset is drawn to see more positive things? Yeah, we already have it by repeating and repeating. Yeah, it's in us.
00:47:34
Speaker
It is in us. and And just like that positivity can compound, that negativity can compound too. And so to be aware, like if you're listening to this, that means you may be aware, more aware now of of the positive thoughts, of the negative thoughts that run through your head. So come back to it.
00:47:52
Speaker
Remember your gratitude practice. Remember your your faith and your joy and and the resilience of so many people who have turned that adversity into something positive.
Encouragement and the Power of Gratitude
00:48:03
Speaker
ah This has been ah a great conversation. i do not even want to go, but before we head out of here, I have a another segment called Rapid Reflections, Rapid Fire, fill in the blank.
00:48:15
Speaker
So the first one is joy during adversity is blank.
00:48:24
Speaker
Joy during adversity is the most important thing you you need to find. on God's presence that will only come in on his presence.
00:48:36
Speaker
My greatest superpower is blank.
00:48:42
Speaker
Being positive and have the faith faithful person. Yeah. A misconception people have about happiness is blank.
00:48:55
Speaker
People think like happiness or I will say people confuse happiness and joy are different so happiness is one is linked with something outside yeah like you great you have an achievement it's you are living in a in a great moment right now so it's everything outside but joy come from here joy come when you are connected with god because no matter what is happening you
00:49:27
Speaker
receive the strength on his presence and that's when joy come no matter what is happening outside you are filled with with joy no matter the like i'm going through different things right now in my life which i'm going through i will smile i have my joy i'm not crying when i need to in a moment i do but most of the time i have the joy And the peace that he gives me.
00:49:58
Speaker
up Wow, that's beautiful. Thank you for that. If I could tell somebody struggling right now, one thing, it would be b blank.
00:50:11
Speaker
Mid-cut. Mid-cut. If I could tell my younger self anything, it would be blank.
00:50:22
Speaker
You don't know the plans he has for you. He has great plans for you. Yes. last one, a small habit that transformed my mindset is blank.
00:50:35
Speaker
Gratitude. gratitude an attitude of gratitude let's get it oh my gosh stephanie this has been absolutely amazing i understand how you've been so impactful in in spreading happiness and well-being to organizations to individuals and it just it it you exude that and i'm grateful for this this opportunity Before we close out here, are there any final thoughts, any burning desires, anything that you wish I had asked that you want to talk about? Is that anything on your chest? um
00:51:09
Speaker
No, I just hope that this podcast gets everyone who needs to listen to this message. And whoever ah needs more information, that, of course, go to my social media, which I try to share.
00:51:26
Speaker
um being bilingual so I try to share in Spanish and English the information so so I can reach more people can you give us a bit of hope in Spanish to to some folks that are listening that may be Spanish speakers as well okay um el
00:51:54
Speaker
i lepirito santo baerto fortais
00:52:00
Speaker
but I caught a couple of words. What did you say? um That joy comes from his presence and that the Holy Spirit is will give you the strength.
00:52:13
Speaker
Wow. Wow. Stephanie, thank you so much. If people want to reach you want shout out what your what your social medias are and your websites or anything like that so that people can find you?
00:52:25
Speaker
Yeah, I'm umm um' on LinkedIn. I try to share more there. Maybe, you know, I try to be more active there in Stephanie Mancini Sims there. And on Instagram too, Steffi Mancini G. So there you can find my post. I try to encourage, give tips all the time.
00:52:51
Speaker
Yes, I will make sure to link those. And this has been fantastic. So, Stephanie, with all the things that you could be doing and all the places you could be, I appreciate you being here with me embracing vulnerability. hi Reggie, thank you so much for this invitation.
00:53:07
Speaker
This was a moment created by God. That's how I see. To share, to spread the message. That's important. Yes, it's have been a blessing. Thank you so much. Thank you.
00:53:18
Speaker
Thank you for joining us in another episode of Vulnerability Muscle. If you've enjoyed these conversations around vulnerability, please consider leaving a review. Your feedback not only motivates us to continue to do the work that we do, but it allows other people to witness the power of vulnerability. Share your thoughts.
00:53:36
Speaker
on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify Podcasts, or wherever you're listening from. And don't forget to spread the word. You can follow us at Vulnerability Muscle on Instagram and me personally at Reggie D. Ford across all platforms.
00:53:51
Speaker
Visit vulnerabilitymuscle.com for additional resources and support. And remember, embracing vulnerability is not a sign of weakness. It is the source of your greatest strength.
00:54:03
Speaker
Sometimes it's uncomfortable, but most workouts are. So keep flexing that vulnerability.