Tearin’ Up My Heart: Emotional Leadership Lessons

Boundaries, Balance, and Leadership Excellence

Robin Zukowski brings over 25 years of expertise as a distinguished fitness professional. She is the Director of Pilates at Gainesville Health and Fitness, where she empowers others through movement and education. As a Master Level Certified Personal Trainer through NASM, Robin’s credentials are a testament to her dedication to the craft. She holds a B.S. in Exercise Science from the University of Florida and has expanded her scope by becoming a Holistic Health Counselor from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in NYC.
Robin’s professional journey includes comprehensive Pilates training under Lolita San Miguel, as well as additional certifications in an array of modalities such as Ballet Barre, Yamuna Body Rolling, and Kettlebell Levels 1 & 2, to name a few. Her multifaceted expertise and commitment to holistic health enable her to inspire and guide individuals at all stages of their wellness journey.
Connect with her on Instagram at @rtzukowski
In this episode, we delve into the essential role boundaries and work-life balance play in achieving leadership excellence. Whether you’re guiding a team, managing your own business, or striving to lead by example in your field, maintaining your well-being is non-negotiable. Boundaries empower leaders to stay resilient and focused, while a commitment to balance ensures sustained productivity and joy in all aspects of life. Tune in to learn actionable insights for cultivating a thriving mindset and environment for long-term success. 
And don’t forget, 2025 is “The Year of the Glutes!” according to Robin. As promised, a link to Tim Wilson’s “Booty Man”.
Thank you for listening. I hope this supports your wellness and leadership journeys. Please support this podcast by giving this episode a like, follow, leave a review, and/or share with a friend!
Connect with your guest host, Narina Brothers on Instagram at @narinabrothers
Connect with your regular host, Jenna on Instagram or Twitter at @jheathmoreno or via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennaheath0925/ 

Season 3: Lead Well, Live Well

Welcome to Season 3 of "Tearin’ Up My Heart: Emotional Leadership Lessons" – This season our topic is: Lead Well, Live Well: Wellness Practices for Leaders! I'm your host, Jenna, and I’m excited to introduce our guest host this season, Narina Brothers, an expert in holistic wellness. 
She is a certified Esogetic Colorpuncture™ Practitioner, a Certified Personal Trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine, certified as a 200 Hour Yoga Teacher through the Sunrise Yoga and Meditation Academy in Australia as well as holding certificates in Trigger Point Release™ and Reformer 1 Pilates. Clearly we all have a lot we can learn from her! 
Together, we’ll explore essential topics like cultivating mental wellness, prioritizing self-care, and building resilient leadership habits. Join us as we discuss strategies for nourishing your mission, setting healthy boundaries, and rediscovering your passion through wellness. Let’s inspire each other to lead with purpose and prioritize our well-being along the journey!
Connect with Jenna on instagram or twitter at @jheathmoreno or via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennaheath0925/ 
Connect with Narina on instagram at @narinabrothers or narinabrothers.com 

Financial Discipline

Jacent Wamala a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Wealth and Wellness Coach. She is a self published author and award winning podcast host with over 10 years of experience she's been featured on the Today Show, Good Morning America, NYT, Shondaland, People, Fast Company, Bloomberg and more. She paid off over $94,000 in student loans and credit cards in just 3 years before she turned 30. It was on that journey she realized the connection between mental health and money. All the women she worked with in therapy mentioned money as a major stressor. As the founder of Wamala Wellness LLC she is educating, encouraging & empowering women to transform their money mindset to build wealth without burning out and create financial freedom faster so they can use money to create an impact in the world.
Connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn @jacentwamala 
Financial discipline is a critical component of effective leadership, as it equips leaders to manage their resources responsibly and set a positive example for their teams. Leaders who practice financial discipline demonstrate the importance of budgeting, prudent spending, and strategic planning, which are essential skills for organizational success. By modeling these behaviors, leaders can foster a culture of accountability and transparency within their teams, encouraging employees to adopt similar practices in their work. Ultimately, financial discipline in leadership not only enhances the sustainability of an organization but also empowers team members to contribute to long-term financial goals.
Follow us on social media, don’t forget to like, follow, leave a review and share with a friend @jheathmoreno   

Intellectual Discipline

Rickelle Tallent is a registered dietitian and performance nutrition coach, dedicated to helping athletes and high-performance individuals optimize their nutrition for peak performance. As the founder of Tallent Nutrition, she leverages her extensive background as a dietitian and former professor to provide tailored nutrition strategies that fuel both physical and mental success. 
Connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn
@tallentnutrition 
On this episode we'll be discussing: Intellectual discipline is the practice of rigorously applying critical thinking and analytical reasoning to pursue knowledge and understanding. It involves systematically evaluating evidence, questioning assumptions, and engaging with complex ideas while remaining open-minded and reflective. Ultimately, it fosters a mindset that values deep understanding and continuous learning.
Follow us on social media, don’t forget to like, follow, leave a review and share with a friend!
@jheathmoreno 

Physical Discipline

Chris Herndon is a dedicated leader with a lifelong commitment to public service. As the founder of Herndon Leadership Institute (HLI), Chris brings his extensive experience from West Point, two Army deployments, and his tenure on the Denver City Council to empower individuals and organizations. HLI offers transformative leadership training, combining proven strategies with practical challenges to help teams and leaders achieve their full potential. Chris's passion for leadership development is reflected in HLI’s mission to equip others with the tools they need to drive meaningful change in their lives, communities, and organizations. 
Connect with him on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-herndon-mpa-7018181/ 
Physical discipline in leadership refers to the practice of maintaining physical health and fitness as a foundational component of personal effectiveness and influence. It involves cultivating habits like regular exercise, proper nutrition, and adequate rest, which in turn boost energy levels, mental clarity, and resilience.
A leader who practices physical discipline sets an example of consistency, endurance, and commitment, demonstrating to their team the importance of self-care and discipline. This self-mastery often translates into better decision-making, emotional regulation, and the ability to handle stress, making them more effective in guiding and inspiring others.
Thank you for listening, I hope this helped support your leadership journey. Don't forget to like, follow, leave a review and share with a friend! 
Connect with Jenna on instagram or twitter at @jheathmoreno or via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennaheath0925/ 

Emotional Discipline

Since 2006, Amy Marie Merrell has been working with domestic violence survivors, as well as in the prevention and aftercare of domestic sex trafficking. Amy truly believes linking arms with others as they work to achieve their goals in their timing is the most beautiful form of advocacy she’s ever found, and considers her role with The Cupcake Girls her life’s work. Amy currently has the honor of serving as the Co-Executive Director of The Cupcake Girls. 
Connect with her on Instagram@amymariemerrell 
On today’s episode we’ll be focusing on the emotion of “Relational  Discipline” 
Relational discipline refers to the intentional practice of building and maintaining strong, respectful, and effective relationships. It emphasizes the balance between upholding standards and values while fostering a positive and collaborative atmosphere among team members. Leaders who practice relational discipline are mindful of how their actions, words, and decisions impact relationships and team dynamics.
Follow us on social media, don’t forget to like, follow, leave a review and share with a friend 
@jheathmoreno   

Visionary Discipline

TED Talk Speaker, professional dancer/teacher, and San Diego State University (SDSU) Homecoming King Brandon Morio Ishikata, M.Ed., CYT knew at three years old playing pretend school with his sister’s Beanie Babies that he aspired to help others find their inner firework. 
Currently an Academic/Career Coach at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a former University of Illinois Chicago New Academic Advisor of the Year, Brandon has taught college courses on Asian Americans in pop culture, yoga/mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, and teacher assistant pedagogy. 
Through dancing, he studied on a full tuition scholarship at the country’s largest social/partner dance studio, May I Have This Dance, was selected to perform at the 100th/101st anniversary of Miss America, and performed two seasons with the four-time Emmy Award winning hip hop dance company, The Puzzle League. 
His interdisciplinary fusion of leadership and ballroom dance inspired his master’s thesis at Loyola University Chicago (LUC) and it became an official college class at UIC titled, “Shall We Dance?: Partner Dance Through a Leadership Lens.”
An advocate for the Asian American/LGBTQIA+ voice, Brandon was as an inaugural Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Kakehashi Project scholar/supervisor, JACL Chicago Kansha Project scholar, San Diego PFLAG scholar, a Japanese American National Museum 30 Changemaker Under 30, and was featured in the California Museum’s signature exhibit, “Uprooted!”, focused on the Japanese American WWII story. 
In fact, he recently gave a TED Talk at TEDxUofIChicago entitled, “Okagesamade (Thanks to You): Dance Lessons From a Los Angeles Parking Lot” depicting how Bon Odori/Obon dancing (Japanese folk dance) teaches us about intergenerational connection and Japanese values within our everyday lives. 
Brandon earned his B.A. in Liberal Studies, cum laude, California Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential from San Diego State University (Go Aztecs!), M.Ed. in Higher Education/Student Affairs, Alpha Sigma Nu honors from Loyola University Chicago (Go Ramblers!), and is currently pursuing his Certificate in Dance Education through the National Dance Education Organization. 
Connect with him on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-ishikata/ 
Visionary discipline is the ability to pursue a clear and inspiring vision while applying consistent, structured practices to achieve it. This approach combines creativity and strategic planning with resilience and adaptability, enabling individuals or organizations to remain focused on their goals even in the face of challenges. By balancing imaginative ideas with methodical execution, visionary discipline turns aspirations into reality.
Follow us on social media, don’t forget to like, follow, leave a review and share with a friend 
@jheathmoreno   

Mental Discipline

Michelle Tavarez is a Police Captain within the Las Vegas Metro Police Department.  She leads the Safe Neighborhoods Bureau which encompasses Gangs, Vice, Narcotics, Crime Guns Intelligence Center, and Violence Prevention Team. She has worked for LVMPD for 22 years and has been in a formal leadership role for the last decade. 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-tavarez-2236b1238/ 
Mental discipline refers to the ability to control one's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in pursuit of a goal or objective. It involves maintaining focus, resisting distractions, and managing impulses, allowing individuals to make thoughtful decisions rather than acting on immediate feelings or reactions. 
Thank you for listening, I hope this helped support your leadership journey. Don't forget to like, follow, leave a review and share with a friend! 
Connect with Jenna on instagram or twitter at @jheathmoreno or via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennaheath0925/ 

Spiritual Discipline

Narina is a nature loving travel enthusiast. In the past, she has worked as an assistant manager in retail and hospitality. Most of her leadership growth has come from her involvement with her communities. Currently, she is a Holistic Wellness Mentor specializing in stress and pain management. Narina helps people feel better in their minds and bodies through sharing her services as a personal trainer, yoga teacher, Pilates instructor and Esogetic Colorpuncture™️ Practitioner. Her listening skills and emotional intelligence are what make her a great coach and leader in her community by leading through example. She demonstrates and advocates the importance of being emotionally disciplined to be able to support others to make impactful changes to their lives. She believes that when individuals feel well, they can show up for the families and their communities in more constructive ways. 
 
@narinabrothers on Instagram
 
https://www.narinabrothers.com/ 
 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/narinabrothers/ 
 
Spiritual discipline refers to the practices and habits that individuals engage in to cultivate and deepen their spiritual life and growth. These disciplines are often intentional activities that help a person align with their spiritual beliefs, enhance their connection to the divine, and develop virtues such as patience, humility, and love.
Thank you for listening, I hope this helped support your leadership journey. Don't forget to like, follow, leave a review and share with a friend! 
Connect with Jenna on instagram or twitter at @jheathmoreno or via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennaheath0925/ 
 

Emotional Discipline

Erica is  a mom, woman of color, educator and mentor with over 15 years of experience working in higher education. Her current role is a director of employee engagement and leadership instructor at a large public university and also has her own business consulting on leadership and workplace culture. Her deep rooted passion is mentoring women so they can realize their full potential and feel empowered to go after what makes them feel successful and fulfilled. 
https://www.mentorcultureconsulting.com/home
@ dr.erica_aros
https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-aros 
Emotional discipline is the ability to effectively manage and regulate your emotions, especially under stress. It involves recognizing and understanding your emotional state, controlling your responses to avoid impulsive actions, and maintaining a balanced perspective even when faced with challenges. 
Thank you for listening, I hope this helped support your leadership journey. Don't forget to like, follow, leave a review and share with a friend! 
Connect with Jenna on instagram or twitter at @jheathmoreno or via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennaheath0925/