It's Where I Am with Zandra Polard

In this empowering podcast episode, host Zandra Polard engages in a heart-to-heart conversation with Natasha McCree, CEO of the Love CEO Institute, exploring the importance of self-love and the transformative impact of McCree's five-day self-care workshop. Natasha shares insights into redefining self-care for ambitious women, breaking the myths around it, and fostering a lifestyle of self-love. Later in the episode, Zandra welcomes her sister, Anita, who recounts their transformative trip to Mexico, highlighting the significance of breaking through assumptions and connecting on a deeper level. The episode inspires listeners to embark on their self-love journey and cherish the bonds that define family and sisterhood.

What is It's Where I Am with Zandra Polard?

Its Where I Am focuses on the various mental health struggles that people all around the world face every day. Each episode covers a different facet of mental health with a new special guest. It's Where I Am airs on 91.5 Jazz & More every second Saturday of the month.

Unknown Speaker 0:00
Good morning, Las Vegas. It's Zondra Polare with it's where I am. Today, my guest is Natasha, McCree, and she is the CEO of the love CEO Institute. Hey, we need to learn how to love ourselves. I think we forget about us sometimes. I know I do. I'm running that hamster wheel as she says, and I forget that I need to love me too. And love me first. So, today, he or she is Natasha. Hey, thank you for being here.

Unknown Speaker 0:42
I'm so excited to be here. Oh, it's

Unknown Speaker 0:45
so wonderful to have you here because I was in your workshop, learning or relearning? How to love myself again. And I want to thank you for letting me be myself again. So tell us about your workshop tell us how we can get back to love with ourselves.

Unknown Speaker 1:10
Man, you know, when everything's, you know, 2020 birth a lot of stuff. And I know when the pandemic first happened, I started asking God, I was like, Look, what do the women I serve need the most. And I thought about self care, because there was a lot of stress still is that was happening. But that was happening even long before 2020. Sure. And so I took a lot of the concepts that I've been teaching my clients because whenever I'm coaching, it's not simply about getting a task done or doing something. And I packaged it into a five day workshop. And the reason I did five days, I was like, Oh my Lord, I know my, you know, ambitious women aren't going to do five days, but I, I did little bite sized chunks, 30 minutes. And it was so that we could retrain and create a muscle memory of giving ourselves time on a daily. So people have gone through the workshop, it kind of infuses like, oh, I can do 30 minutes a day for myself. So the workshop really takes it unpacks the myths of self care shows you how real self care for ambitious women. And what I mean by that is the different elements of self care and the foundations to have self care so that self care can become a lifestyle, we can create a culture of self care versus just something that happens because we're rewarding ourselves, or something that happens when we're completely empty. So this workshop gives you the tools to be able to make it a lifestyle and create your own blueprint like your personalized blueprint. So that's what I love that you take what you've learned, and then you personalize it. It's my favorite part.

Unknown Speaker 2:52
Because a lot of women as you were saying, like we feel guilty if we do something for ourselves, because we feel like oh, I need to do this for the children first. The children come first. But what are you gonna do if you're depleted? Right?

Unknown Speaker 3:07
Yeah, yeah, it's I think it's the best example of mom showing the kids how she takes care of herself. Absolutely. And mom showing the kids that mom's a priority.

Unknown Speaker 3:19
You know, you're, you're saying because they're listening, and they need to know. When I walked through the door. Don't bombard me. Oh, give me a few minutes to come. You know, get myself together. Give me 1015 minutes. Yes. And I'll be a better me for you.

Unknown Speaker 3:40
You will and you're training them? Do we want our kids when they're in their 20s and their 30s and their 40s? Putting everyone else before them

Unknown Speaker 3:49
right? Now, can you what they see? Can you be too greedy? Can you love yourself too much.

Unknown Speaker 3:59
You can be greedy because that's a whole nother subject but loving yourself. You can never love yourself too much. You can never love yourself too much. Because the reason you're abusing like you, you first off oxygen mask first is so that you have the overflow because then you're not going to even give you know your love to the fullest. We're giving out a scarcity we're giving from a place of anger because we feel obligation, right? You know, and you want to be in a space where you're like I'm all loved. So whoever comes in my world that's gravy and what I'm giving out is abundance. Yeah, overflow. You know,

Unknown Speaker 4:37
I love it. So your workshop you just finished one. When is the next one. So I have

Unknown Speaker 4:45
been doing this workshop every quarter for a while and I found that there were women who in between the workshops really wanted to get in on it. So the workshop that I just did was my last workshop in real time but what my team and I are Doing okay, are going to put the workshop together for people who want to take it outside of any constraints they can take at any time, okay, and they'll still get the support, they'll still get the email support, they'll still get the workshop guides, and they get to take it on their own time. So bad, we'll be up within the next four

Unknown Speaker 5:20
weeks. And so this workshop is primarily for women. Yes.

Unknown Speaker 5:25
Yeah. That's how I serve. Now guys can take it, and they don't learn some stuff. But I'll probably be talking about, you know, the women and the kids and the stuff that we as women go through,

Unknown Speaker 5:34
yes. But also don't you have a another workshop for CEOs in particular, or what is the breakdown age,

Unknown Speaker 5:44
the way it works is I coach, my, my clientele are women. However, I do have male clients. So private coaching, I do have some male clients for private coaching. But I found that I want it to be the, I guess the solution that I was looking for, or the tools or the support that I was looking for. Back in the day, when I didn't take care of myself when I was dog tired. When I was on the hamster wheel when I questioned myself when I doubted, you know, didn't even know how to love myself, I wish someone was there to give me some tools that made life a little easier. And so that's what I've created. The love CEO Institute and left CEO Institute has now been refashioned to complete private coaching or the love cel Academy which really increases your love intelligence our is our foundation love intelligence, as well as I like that the Yeah, it's it's beautiful. So we have you know, loving yourself designing your life. It's all a network of women who are on that same track. And I love it because there are there were so much lacking of love intelligence in this world. And so now I've developed this system that I can teach and other people can teach. So

Unknown Speaker 7:01
this in the workshops, you have the one on one, but you also the other group one, is that a peer support group, or is it you and several other people, it's,

Unknown Speaker 7:16
it's all three, okay. And the reason I did it this way, I considered a love intelligence gym. When you go to the gym, you can go to the gym and do your own workout on the treadmills. You can go to your gym and do weights, you can get classes, you can do a hip hop class, or you can get private coaching. And so I know that we all need different things in our life. And I this isn't a cookie cutter situation. So they have access to my library that has teachings and talks and masterclasses that cover a range from boundaries to pleasure, and dating, and self love. And then we have guest experts who come in once a month. And they'll cover because I believe we need to look at ourselves completely. You know, we can't just compartmentalize ourselves. And so they'll cover different topics, whether you want to improve your marketing for business or finances or your home sanctuary to look at yourself as a whole person. And then we have the peer group masterminds. So that is peer led. My objective is to bring is to build leaders. So the mastermind is peer led, however it is a it's like a gym if you have options.

Unknown Speaker 8:34
So tell our listeners, how they can find you and be a part of these wonderful, wonderful loving workshops. Oh, the

Unknown Speaker 8:43
loving workshops. I am Natasha McCray, on every platform that's in M as in Mary CC, R EA. And the company is left CEO Institute. And if you find us on Instagram, the one of the things that we do is we make sure all of our followers have information about upcoming workshops, and you know what's going on in our world and sharing great information. So it'd be a great hub for you to be a part of if you follow us on Instagram, or go to Natasha mccray.com. And that'll take you to everywhere. I'll take you everywhere.

Unknown Speaker 9:18
Well, I'm already a follower. I want to thank you for being here. And I need my listeners to please make sure that they find Miss Natasha McCray, because we all sometimes forget to love ourselves. And we have to, you know, or we don't at all. Yeah, and we've got to get back to that place. So I want to thank you for sharing your love with us. And I will stay you know, informed and in touch.

Unknown Speaker 9:50
Likewise, they love everything you're doing. Have a wonderful day.

Unknown Speaker 9:53
Thank you so much. Natasha McCray, y'all bye Now I want to bring my next guest on, and she is simply marvelous. This is Miss zani TA. Oh, lard. Hey, I love your name, by the way. Oh, oh, say that again. xenotime Oh, Lord. I was just playing around with my gadgets. Okay. So Natasha is gone, she is gone. She gave us all of our love information and how we can find her. And I was letting our listeners know that we have to always remember to love ourselves. Yes, yeah. And with loving ourselves. It's also also important to remind others to love themselves as well, which is why you're here. You introduced me to Natasha. Her workshops were wonderful, but I know that for you and I, we got to a better place of love. Yes, yeah, definitely. We had, this is my sister, everyone, in case you don't know by the name. This is my sister. And growing up. We didn't always love ourselves or each other. So we went on a recent trip to Mexico. And we did this ritual. And we gave up all of our past negative stuff. And we made a bond to stay in love with one another. From here on out. Yes, yes. So with loving yourselves and Anita, I know you've taken the workshop. Can you tell us what you're working on now? Well, definitely. Natasha is workshop is amazing. And I've always wanted to participate with her. I've been participating with her here, and I have a meeting with her there. But the workshop for the week really solidified the importance of really connecting with myself and how I live in a bubble. Oh, wow. She mentioned, you know, getting out of your bubble and being held accountable for the things you want to achieve. And that so resonated with me. Because I have all these things I'm thinking about. And it's like, always in my head, and I have all these scripts that I've written, and I've only let you read them. Yes, Anita is a script writer, and she has some great stuff. What's going on with the scripts? Because I know you're focusing in on that what's going on? Yeah, well, recently, I submitted a piece a short to Film Co. So Film Co so I'm excited about that. So you know, I just decided to get everything out of the cupboard. Everything's okay. I worked on it. And I submitted it, at least I'm moving forward. Exactly. That's what life's about. It's like, I think I'm always holding like, I want things to be perfect. And, and then I just never let it fly. So, you know, there's always going to be more opportunities. I have more things to work on. And, you know, just grow. But step by step, little by little right. Step by step. Yeah. Yeah. That's something to remember. Yes. We can't do it all at once. So it's easy to see the, you know, the big dream, the big goal. But yeah, but that persistence, and just step by step getting there, you know what I mean? That's success. To me that defines success, ya know, and that's what I'm really looking forward to, because I joined Natasha's love see, oh, sanctuary. So I'm committed to being a part of that. And I think that's really going to help me one to be accountable. And like you said, take the step by step, you know, and then just realized the bigger thing at the end of the row. And always focusing in on you. So is there anything else you would like our listeners to know? How can they find you or giving out any social media handles? What's going on? Well, I'm actually the need to Bonita za NETABONI ta it is my handle for Facebook and Instagram.

Unknown Speaker 14:48
And I'm working on that Instagram trying to catch up with, you know, the millennials and the 21st century. So I'm trying to trickle things in and doing all my hashtags and also Just connecting with self and connecting with your sister. You know, I just want to say, I had amazing time like we had to have that trip together. Oh, yes, yes. And it's really defined well, like how we're going to like, move forward. Because I think so often in families, you know, especially when there's just two sisters or maybe two brothers. There's always this polar opposites that the family identifies. Right. But that's

Unknown Speaker 15:33
the smart one. And she's the Father. Right? skinny one. Okay. I'm the blonde one. And you're the dark haired one. Yes.

Unknown Speaker 15:42
The blonde and the brunette. Yeah. Stop doing that family. It's not good. Don't compare. But you know, when we get away, we actually find out how similar we are. So we don't have to hold on to those characteristics that are defined by us since we were like, born. Yes. Right. And exactly. And I didn't know, you know, I looked at sisters who were like in their 90s. And they still carry a lot of that crazy energy. And I was like, oh, no, I cannot live like this right now. This negative energy with my sister until I'm 90, right. Let it go. People let it go. Yeah. So I just want to say like, of course, growing up, you know, you were my first friend. You know, my first best friend. And, you know, we'll be together until death do us part. And I still may be around. Oh, haunting me. Okay. But you know, I just want to thank you for coming on the show and sharing your story and sharing, you know, your involvement with Natasha's workshop. And I want to look forward to more. Oh, yes. Oh, yes. There's more to come. So keep listening everyone. My YouTube channel, and my website is the same. It's where I am.com Look me up. There's more shows there. And there are more to come. So thank you, 91.5. for tuning in. I'm here every second Saturday of the month at 8:30am. Thank you. See you next month. Bye. Okay, I also want to ask you, what are some other ways that you are self loving? I know traveling is a big thing for you. Oh, yes. I love traveling. It's always been my desire to travel. I remember when I was younger, I was supposed to have gone to London. For what is it high school exchange? Like an exchange program? Oh, yes, yes. Um, but I didn't end up going. So, um, so I was discouraged by that. But you know, I made up for it when I was young when I got older. So in 2018, I did a wonderful trip. And I went to Thailand, which was amazing China. And then I spent like a month and went through France. And I went alone. And it was about 50 days. So during that time, I was like, I started to get a little lonely. So I was like, Okay, I'm in this universe. I can't be lonely. Check in. Yeah, it was like constantly checking in with myself because I was going through a difficult time, that moment. And with a lot of self love, you know? Yeah, talk about loving yourself. 50 days of traveling alone. I was scared to go with you. Yeah, no, I mean, I met a lot of cool people along the process. It was really amazing. And but there were times I were I was by myself too. But you know, it was okay. You know, because it's about I have to love myself, before I really connect with other people. And it was just, it was just wonderful. It just helped me learn how to listen. And to check in with myself and my heart, you know. And so, the one thing I want to go back to is when we finally did our trip together in Mexico, and I mean, I couldn't believe that you haven't traveled that much. Oh, well. Thanks for letting all of our listeners know. Yes, it was my first time going out of the country. Everyone always says really? Yeah, really. So what I'm going out the country again next year. Well, now you got the travel bug. I got my first To stamp. I was like, oh my god, she I can't believe, you know, I know, we think similar in some ways I was like, she just needs to go somewhere and I know she's gonna want to travel. But that was that nudge, like I was talking about earlier, that was that nudge to get someone else to learn how to love again, you know what I mean? So that's something I've taken on, that is a self care for me. Because that was my first time away from my family like that. Even though they kept calling, though.

Unknown Speaker 20:35
They did a lot. But there were times where, you know, I didn't answer the phone, you know, I let them you know, sent a text I'm okay. And, you know, I had to, you know, reconnect with either myself or you depending on what was going on. Right. And for you, since you're throwing business out there. I had to remind you to love yourself in ways in terms of writing or with things that you have written. Right? Yeah, no, I mean, I don't know something about traveling. And by yourself, or with someone you're connecting with, it's like, you can't always run away and hide behind something they're familiar with. And I think, you know, it took us traveling to get away from everything. Yes. To learn more about each other. Yes. Because initially, it was you, me and mom. And Honey, I'm gonna let you know when we had our first TIFF. Oh, I couldn't run away from it. Right. And if that other person was there, if Mommy was there, I would have just grabbed nestled right up under mama and just been mama. The need to say it as Anita baby, you know what I mean? Like, I wouldn't have dealt with the issue at hand. I just wouldn't have talked about it. But yeah, exactly. So you would add your way of, you know, just connecting. And I would have taken my problem and issue to someone else instead of to you. And so we were kind of forced to deal with the issue. Yeah, because it wasn't like, Okay, well, I'm leaving back to LA. Right, you couldn't escape? Right? So, but, um, yeah, no, that was wonderful. And, you know, you just have to connect with each other, because it's like, we didn't want to have a miserable time, the next moment. Right. And, but it was, I think we knew we had to check in I mean, we're, we're getting little older, you know, we have to deal with whatever demons we have between us, and realize that you are me, and I am you. I mean, like, it's really, you know, you know, actually what that made me think of was that we deal with phantom personalities. Okay, explain that. Because, you know, you have an idea of who you think I am. And I have an idea of who you think, Oh, well, I think you are, yeah, and we have all these things, these ideas, but we never talked, we never got to connect with each other. And it's like, we have assumptions, we make assumptions about what you may say, or what I may do, right when I want. And those assumptions rile up a lot of emotions. And so sometimes they're negative. Because it's like the assumption and the expectation doesn't normally happen, because you didn't actually talk to each other or connect about what it is that you want are who we are. So it's like getting rid of those phantom personalities, or assumptions of who someone is, or who you are compared to someone else. And really talking because I think, largely, we just never really talked and connected. I think we finished the conversation before we said a word. Does that make sense? And uh, no, I don't get it. As soon as you walk in the room, you just think oh, I already know what she's gonna say. Oh, yes. Yeah. So it's like, why should I talk? Right? Or you know what you gotta say? Right, like, Phantom conversations we have in our head. Yes. And it's like, even if I said something or you said something, we layer it. We think we're gonna hear exactly stupid. Yeah, exactly. Because, you know, I'm not down with this cancel culture. I'm just gonna cancel my family out if they say something or do something I don't like. I mean, you know, I mean, there are negative things that happen in families where you do have to disassociate. But it's been a common theme that I'm seeing on social media. You know, if I'm upset, I'm just going to cancel everyone out and be by myself. Sometimes you have to work through those things to get to a better spot. And I'm a witness. hallelujah and Amen. Yeah, well, it can be easy to just cut them out. But then you're going to suffer in the end because you know, you, you're going to see him again. And you know, you have to settle any negative vibes or feelings between you because you're part of each other.

Unknown Speaker 25:37
Right? You're a part of me. Yes. And at Thanksgiving time, I don't want it to be awkward because I am going to eat all of the Thanksgiving dishes. And I'd like them all to be present. You can just drop it off if you don't want to. But okay, you know, Xander cooks a lot. And I know how to cook. I know how to put flavors together. But I just don't always make the time to cook. So one time she came to my house, and I'm just made this dish. And she's like, Oh my God, you've got to make that for Thanksgiving. Yes. She tells everyone. Yes. So I don't always make it but she wants to call me out right now. To me. It's the yams with the raisins. Right? It was like a sauce. I don't know how to explain it. It was like yams. And for some reason I put a little tomato and I don't know I can't they weren't the traditional Kangnam ditional was really good. Because it had all the different flavors in there. But anyway, I was interesting enough, yams. Kuhlman? I don't know. It was interesting. It was but it was really good. But yeah, so she's just trying to call me out because I'll try to do something easy. Like, Oh, yum, I'll bring the paper plates or, or I'll bring those skills now. No co skills at Thanksgiving. But um, anyway, I digress. I want to thank you again for being here and sharing your you know, your experiences and our love and light and yours as well and how you are taking care of yourself and moving forward? Yes, it's very important, did you uh, you did give out your social media handles, but can you do it one more time? Oh, yeah. My handles are actually is just one for the same for Facebook and Instagram. Okay. Not on Tik Tok yet, but the Nita Bonita and that's Zane TA, Boni TA. You know, I think this is the beginning of something. Well, we've already started our new journey. But I think love. Yeah, I think there's something that's going to come up a lot bigger for us. And so we're gonna investigate that. Thank you, Sunita. Ciao, ciao bella. Love you. Bye

Transcribed by https://otter.ai