2020 has been an incredible year for personal growth. Online classes and events multiplied like wet Mogwais!

Teachers and guides from all around the world were made available to us. Great mentors are crucial to growth, to success. They help us identify and embrace our core values. Set goals, celebrate successes and learn from failures. They exponentially speed up our learning and growth process through their own experience, knowledge, wisdom and teachings.

Invest in yourself and learn, it’s the best investment you can make!

Pass on what you have learned. Learn to teach and teach to learn. It’s a beautiful cycle and helps us grow as a species. I think we can all agree that after the past few months, we can use a bit of growth around the world!

I had a bit of fun assigning an Element to the 4 mentors that had a big impact on me so far in 2020. This is my way of showing my gratitude for what they’ve done and are doing for me.

Mentors will change as you evolve and grow. Some will make a very short appearance, some will stick around. Great mentors will have a big impact on your life whether they are present for 10 minutes or 10 years.

Earth: Simon (AKA: Simon ;))

Simon provides solid grounds to stand on through his integrity, dedication, guidance and the great Callisthenics community he’s built. He is teaching me to embrace and defy Earth’s gravity through strength, patience and perseverance.

Water: Andréanne (AKA: Yogi Nomade)

In 2018 I was jump started physically. In 2020, Andréanne jump started me mentally and emotionally. Through compassion and empathy, she taught me how to find courage. To open up and learn how to let go. Water is the genesys for life and I think it’s pretty fitting since I might not have been writing this had I not opened up. It’s where and how this new journey all started! Words cannot express how grateful I am and forever will be that our paths have crossed.

Fire: Christina (AKA: Movement Queen)

Christina is pure fire and a ball of focused energy! One of the most beautiful human beings I have had the chance to interact with. She is free spirited and the embodiment of a Growth Mindset. This is why I truly enjoy learning from her.

Through Budokon and her fiery passion, she teaches us how to let go, be courageous and creative. How to develop character… strength, both physical and mental.

Thinking about my next class with her gets me fired up! When she teaches, she does it with clear intent, focus, intensity, passion and intelligence.

All of this makes learning from her a truly remarkable experience. I am sure Budokon is as grateful to have her as an ambassador as I am having her as a mentor.

Air: Stéphanie (AKA: Catalyseur de Potentiel)

Stéphanie is guiding me to better understand myself and my core values. She’s helping me define a clear vision and find focus.  She is the wind in my sails to keep me flowing and going in the right direction.

Void (Aether): True Self?

In Japanese Buddhism, there is a fifth element: Void 

It resonates with me and everything I’m learning about the true self.

“A warrior properly attuned to the Void can sense their surroundings and act without using the mind, and without using their “physical senses”.”

Sounds a bit like what I explained (or tried to ;)) in “Laser Focus”. 

As I mentioned in the above mentioned post, music is a catalyst for me… So, I will conclude this blog by sharing a music video by Lindsey Stirling. She also is a 2020 discovery for me and through her art and intelligence, Lindsey constantly inspires me… helps me find focus, creativity and put the pieces together. So in a way she is indirectly a great teacher.

This beautiful song called “Elements” seems to be quite fitting for this post.