172: Break through resistance, reignite your spark

Hi everyone, welcome back to the podcast. I'm your host, Mart Tweedy, and I hope that you're all feeling absolutely amazing today. If not, don't worry, by the end of this episode, I hope that you'll be feeling inspired, energized, and ready to take on whatever life throws your way this weekend. So today I'm going to be talking about something that we all face at some point, which is resistance, authenticity, and finding your spark again. And I want to share some insights on how you can break through those mental roadblocks, embrace who you truly are, and reignite your excitement for life all in one. So we're just going to dive straight on in. You've already had two episodes in the last week or so, you don't need me to ramble about my life again. So when you think about resistance it might feel a bit like an invisible wall that's standing between you and the life that you want to create. So it's kind of like that voice in your head that's saying, "What if you fail?" or "What will people think of me?" So resistance, it isn't comfortable, and it can make you second-guess everything. But here's what I've learned: resistance is not the enemy. It's a signal. It's a flashing neon sign that's pointing directly to where your growth lies. So think about this for a moment. Like, if resistance didn't exist, you'd probably stay where it's comfortable. You'd never push past the boundaries of what you know. So take for example when I was working in the NHS. I was going to work every single day, and I had this conversation with Fran just the other week, and I'd said, I cannot imagine how I used to get up at 6 o'clock in the morning, set off for work at 7. I'd be on my bike along the quayside. I'd get to me office about half 7, 8 o'clock. I'd work until about 4, 4:30. I'd cycle back home, I'd have a shower, I'd take the dog out, I'd somehow fit the gym in, I'd somehow fit in seeing friends and family and, you know, all that jazz. And before I knew it, I'd be sitting down to watch TV or something and it'd be 8 or 9 o'clock and I'd be ready to go to bed and do the same thing again tomorrow. And I would never ever push past those boundaries of what I knew. So I would never have ever thought in a million years I would have me own business or I would be able to work for meself because I was stuck in my comfort zone of working for someone else because that's all I've ever known since I was 16. I have worked my ass off for somebody else ever since I was 16 years old. So that resistance just didn't exist for me. I just stayed exactly where I was because I felt it to be comfort. And it wasn't until me granddad died that I actually started experiencing some resistance, and it pushed me past those boundaries. And so I was basically just sat in a cozy chair, in inverted commas, that was keeping me seated whilst life passed me by. And I'm like, yeah, it felt good for a while, but eventually I realized that it was holding me back. That was what was holding me back. I was just sat there in that comfort zone. So that resistance was that nudge. It was the little voice that told me, there's more for you out there. You are capable of so much more. And trust me, I've faced resistance at every stage of my life. There's always been something new and terrifying on the horizon, especially when I started Cani Crystals, for example, or when I launched the academy. Or when I launched this podcast, or simply stepping into that more authentic version of myself. Like, even launching Manifest earlier, well, I was gonna say earlier this year, but it was last year, wasn't it? Launching tickets for Manifest, that scared the hell out of me. It immediately put me in £85,000 worth of debt because it was like £45,000 for the venue, £40,000 for the speakers, and I came up against so much resistance from, you know, not feeling worthy or not feeling like it was gonna be a success, or what if people don't like it? What if I fail? But the truth is that resistance isn't telling me to stop. It's just asking me to pay attention. It's kind of saying, hey, this is where you need to grow. This is where you're being called to level up. And you know what? Growth happens when you lean into that discomfort. I mean, yeah, it's hella scary. I know it's uncharted territory for us, but the best things in life are always on the other side of fear. Now, back in November 2023, when I first met Chloe, my publisher, I met her at Expert Empires, which is like a conference for business leaders that kind of thing. And it's supposed to teach you how to uplevel your business, basically. So I'd gone because Fearne Cotton was speaking, and I thought, oh well, she's in my like kind of wellness space, this will be really good, it'll be really interesting to see what she has to say. And I met Chloe, my publisher, and that was the first time I'd ever spoken to her. And she said, do you think you've got a book in you? And I said, yeah, I think I do actually. And she was like, so what would it be about? And I told her my story, and she was like, this is fascinating, let's jump on a call. And almost immediately, as soon as she booked that call in, I was like, "Oh my God." It just felt so uncomfortable. It was absolutely terrifying. And the first things that were coming to me head were, "Oh my God, people are gonna judge me. What if people don't like my story? What if people think badly of me?" That kind of thing. And it was like imposter syndrome was really just setting in. But like I said, the best things in life are always on the other side of fear. Now I've written that book over the last 12 months and it's ready to be birthed into the world just next week. I am like, I am so, so happy that I've actually done this. I am so happy that I get to tell my story. I'm so happy that other people are going to get to experience what I've experienced. And like I was saying to Chloe just the other week, if this book helps just one person, then that's my job done. So from moving out of that stage of comfort and moving out of my comfort zone itself, I faced the fear and I've done it anyway. And honestly, that is one of the most uplifting things that you can do in your life, just stepping out of your comfort zone. And I want to talk about authenticity as well, because I know I spoke the other week about this, uh, when I was talking about being magnetic. But if there's one thing that I want you to take away from this episode, is the most magnetic version of you is the one that's unapologetically real. There's no filters, there's no personas, it's just you. But being authentic isn't always easy, is it? We live in a world that constantly tells us to try and fit in, to meet certain expectations to be perfect, in inverted commas. And for a long time, I thought I had to show up in a certain way to be taken seriously as well. So what I would put on this teacher mode persona, thinking that if I didn't, no one would listen to me. But the truth is, the more that I tried to fit into that mold, the less I started feeling like meself. And people could feel it. Like, I used to get messages off people saying, hmm, this week's podcast episode was a little weird. My energy was constrained. My content felt forced. I started to almost resent the very thing that I was passionate about, which was helping other people. And it wasn't until I let go of those expectations and allowed myself to just be that everything started changing. So I started showing up as me, the real me, not the polished, perfectly curated version, but the one who laughs too loud, the one who makes mistakes, the one who sometimes has no idea what I'm actually doing. Because let's be real, that's how I feel every single day in business, for example. And you know what? That's when the magic happened. That's when the opportunities, the connections, and the growth all started flowing into my life effortlessly because authenticity is freeing, it's empowering, and most importantly, it is magnetic. When you embrace who you are, like flaws and all, you just give others permission to do exactly the same. So you start to create a ripple effect of authenticity that changes everything. And there's something else about growth as well, is that it's not all action all the time. One of the most counterintuitive lessons that I've learned is that rest is just as important as the hustle. Now, as you know, I was ill a couple of weeks ago. I had pneumonia. It was draining. Honestly, I, I couldn't do anything else but rest. It was the only thing I could do. I could just lie there and all that was going on in my head is, I need to get this podcast recorded. I need to get all my paperwork submitted to my accountant. I needed to do loads of stuff with the academy. I've got a new course launching soon. I needed to record content for that. And I just had to stop and breathe. I had to stop myself and just think, this can all wait. Because we live in a culture that glorifies busyness, but constantly being on instead of off, it's exhausting. It drains your energy and it clouds your mind, and it leaves no room for creativity or inspiration. And when I say rest, I don't just mean about taking a nap or lounging on the couch. It's about intentionality that creates space to pause, reflect, and recalibrate. So it's more about giving your mind and spirit a chance to breathe. So when you're constantly filling every single moment with distractions, whether it's scrolling on social media, overworking, binge-watching TV, you're not giving yourself the space to think, dream, or process. Like, have you ever noticed that your best ideas come to you when you're in the shower, or when you're taking a walk, or when you're just sitting there quietly? And that's because boredom breeds creativity. When you allow yourself to pause you create room for inspiration to flow in, and the universe drops these million-pound ideas into your head when you are relaxed and open, not when you're running on empty, because manifestation ultimately thrives on balance. Inspired action is a key ingredient in bringing your dreams to life, but it's equally important to know when to pause, when to recharge, and just allow the universe to work its magic. So think of rest as a necessary counterpart to action. Just as you wouldn't expect a plant to grow without periods of stillness and nourishment, you can't expect yourself to manifest effectively without giving your body, mind, and spirit the time that they need to recover. One of the most immediate benefits of rest is that it just clears your mind. It creates space for clarity. When you're constantly busy or overworked, it's easy to just become stuck in a cycle of stress and overthinking, and that mental clutter will really block your ability to tune into your intuition and receive guidance from the universe. So take time to rest because you'll quiet the noise and you'll make room for new insights, new ideas, new opportunities to flow to you. And rest also helps you maintain a high vibrational frequency as well, and that's essential for manifestation because when you're tired or you're burnt out, your energy naturally dips, and that makes it harder to align with the positive emotions and beliefs that attract your desires. On the other hand, when you're well rested you feel more optimistic or patient. You could even feel resilient. And those higher vibrational states not only improve your mood, but they also act as a powerful magnet for the things that you want to manifest. Another important aspect of rest is that it teaches you to trust in the process of manifestation, because like I mentioned in last week's episode, often we fall into the trap of thinking that we need to control every detail constantly do something to make our desires a reality. But manifestation is as much about receiving as it is about taking action. So rest just allows you to surrender. It allows you to let go of resistance and trust that the universe is working behind the scenes to bring your dreams to fruition. So it's a bit of a reminder that you don't have to carry the entire weight of your manifestations on your shoulders, because the universe is your partner in this journey. You are co-creating. So one of the simplest ways to incorporate rest into your life is just to listen to your body's natural rhythms. So start to pay attention when you feel most energetic and when you need to slow down. For example, you might notice that you have more energy in the morning and you feel the need to unwind in the evening. If so, just honor those cues. Schedule your most demanding tasks during your peak energy hours and just allow yourself to rest during those quieter times. That alignment with your natural energy flow will not only enhance your productivity but will also support your overall well-being as well. Now, I could feel my illness coming probably about 3 to 4 days before it actually showed up, and instead of resting, I just continued marching on because I was thinking, I've got a really busy few months ahead of me. I thought, well, I've got my book launch, I'm going to be away for 5 days at the end of February. I thought, I've got some podcasts and, um, other opportunities coming up in March. And I just kept on thinking to myself, I cannot fall behind right now. So instead of listening to my body, knowing that I needed rest and recuperation and probably a bit of medication, I just kept on going 100 miles an hour, balls to the wall. And before I knew it, I'd burnt myself out. And what happened? The illness took over my entire body and forced me to slow down. Okay, so just listen to your body's natural rhythms, and if you need to sleep Sleep. Sleep is one of the most powerful forms of rest, but it's often so overlooked and undervalued. Quality sleep is essential for restoring your body and processing your emotions and integrating new experiences. Last year when we had our baby, obviously for the first— I'm going to say 2 to 3 months— we barely had maybe 2 or 3 hours a night unbroken sleep at a time. And that was because obviously we were getting up to feed him, we were getting up when he was crying. Or getting up to making sure he was actually alive, because that was really scary when you just heard them stop breathing. That's a real thing. Um, but yeah, that, that period of time in my life, I was so ill. I had a sore throat, I was getting colds constantly, and it was because my body just didn't have time to recuperate. Like, if you've ever noticed that problems seem less daunting after a good night's sleep, it's because rest allows your mind to reset and to gain perspective. So to optimize your sleep, create yourself a bit of a relaxing bedtime routine. Limit your screen time before bed. Set up that comfortable sleep environment. Those small adjustments can have such a huge impact on your energy levels and your ability to manifest what you want in life. And when I say rest, like I say, it doesn't just mean sleep or relaxation. It also includes activities that recharge your spirit and bring you joy. Now for some people, this might mean spending time in nature, practicing yoga, meditating. For other people, it could just be engaging in, I don't know, connecting with loved ones, enjoying a quiet moment with a cup of tea, that kind of thing. The key is to find what feels restorative to you and just to make it a regular part of your routine, because those moments of joy and connection, they are not only nourishing, but they also help you to align with the energy of your desires as well. And it's also equally as important to just give yourself permission to rest without guilt. There were so many times when I first started Canny Crystals, I was working for the NHS full-time, and some nights I'd come in from the NHS and I would need like a 2-hour nap before I started cracking on with packing orders and doing me Canny Crystals social media and stuff like that, and recording episodes of this podcast, because I was literally working 2 full-time jobs at the same time. And in those 2 hours when I took myself off to bed, I felt such a sense of guilt that I was leaving Johnny, me partner, to look after our dog on his own and to, you know, have to take him out for a walk on his own, to have to give him his tea every single night because I was in bed. And I just felt an insane amount of guilt over it. But we live in a world that often equates busyness with success, so it can be challenging to prioritize rest without feeling like you've fallen behind. So just remember, rest isn't a luxury, it is a necessity. It's part of daily life. It's part of what we need to survive. By taking time to recharge, you're actually just enhancing your ability to manifest. So think of rest as an investment in your energy and your well-being. It's one that's going to pay you dividends in the long run in forms of clarity, creativity, and alignment. Because when you prioritize rest and recovery, you're sending a powerful message to the universe saying, I value myself and my well-being. I trust that everything I desire is on its way to me. And that act of self-care and trust just creates a ripple effect. It attracts more experiences and more opportunities that support your highest good. So it's a reminder that manifestation isn't just about achieving goals, it's about enjoying the journey and creating a life that feels good in every moment. So if you're feeling stuck or unsure about your next step, I just want you to take a break, light a candle, sit in silence for a few minutes, and just be. Just be. Let your thoughts flow without judgment or expectation, because Honestly, you'll be amazed at what comes up when you just give yourself that headspace. And then once you've taken time to rest, it's time to reconnect with what excites you. We all have that spark inside of us, that thing that lights us up, makes us feel alive, and gives us purpose. But sometimes life's noise just drowns it out. So if you're not sure about what your spark is, start by looking at the people who inspire you. Whose life do you admire? What aspects of their journey resonate with you? And don't shy away from those feelings of admiration or even jealousy because they are clues from your soul. They are pointing you towards what you're capable of. Now, one of my favorite ways to reignite me spark is to create a vision board, and I'll just gather a few images or quotes and ideas that represent that life that I want to create, and I'll revisit that every probably 3 months and I just find that is such a powerful reminder of my goals and dreams, and that really keeps me motivated. So whether it's a physical board or a Pinterest collection or a private Instagram account, having a visual representation of your aspirations can really make a huge difference. And then finally, I just want you to open your mind to the idea that life can change overnight. And I mean this when I say this— overnight. The universe moves in huge mysterious ways, and when you align your energy with abundance and stay open to opportunities, things can shift faster than you can ever imagine. Now, I remember when I first started Canny Crystals and someone said to me, you need to join TikTok, you need to talk about your knowledge. This was well before the days of the podcast. They said, you need to talk about your knowledge on TikTok, just put some videos out there, see what they do. I remember I put about 3 or 4 videos on saying, oh, this is amethyst, amethyst is really good for peace and calm and clarity, and it was really awful. It was absolutely awful. I stepped out of my comfort zone one day and I recorded where I'm actually in the video and it wasn't just me hand turning a crystal round. And I just thought, I'm going to talk about the new moon. So I did a 1-minute video talking about the new moon, posted it, went back on TikTok the next day and had over 50,000 followers. That was crazy. My life changed overnight. I'm not saying it was like the pinnacle moment of the business or anything like that, but but it drastically changed my social media following overnight. I went from something like 7,000 followers to 50,000 followers. So whenever you listen to this, just repeat this affirmation: I am open to miracles. I am open to opportunities. I am the luckiest person in the world. And just repeat that to yourself and just watch how your mindset starts to shift, because when you truly believe in the possibility of rapid transformation you start to invite it into your life. So what I would say is that growth, authenticity, rest, and inspiration— they are the keys to breaking through resistance and stepping into your most abundant timeline. Because it's not about having all the answers right now, it's more about taking the next step, no matter how small, and just trusting that the universe has your back. So take a deep breath, just embrace who you are, and go after the life that you've always dreamed of, because that magic is already within you. You just need to let it out and let it shine. So I hope that that all landed exactly where it needed to. I hope that that was exactly what you needed to hear in your life today. And just before we go, as this episode comes out, there are just 6 days until my book launch. Ah, I'm very excited. Um, so Limitless: Elevate Your Existence, Manifest Your Dreams is out everywhere worldwide on Thursday, the 6th of February. 2025. I think it's being released at 11 AM on the 6th of February, uh, don't quote me on that, but I know that you can get it 1 hour before everyone else. You can also get it at 50% off, which is just £6.49. You can also get the digital copy for free for buying on the day of release, and if you're one of the first 10 people to buy it, you also get a 1-to-1 strategy hour with me as well. So hit the link in my bio on Instagram. I am @cannycrystals. Click on Limitless. Um, you can also click the link in today's show notes for this episode as well. Please, please, please go and support me. I would love to get this book in the charts on Amazon. Oh, it would just mean so, so much to me. I've worked so hard for the last 12 months on this, and I can't believe that it's finally here. It is finally here. I can't wait. I'm very excited. Thank you all for listening to today's episode. If you've enjoyed it, please leave a rating, review, or subscribe wherever you're listening from. I really would appreciate it. If you'd like to get your hands on any crystals, well-being items, um, our well-being journal for example is now back in stock, or any pieces of moldavite, they are all on the website cannycrystals.co.uk. If you use the word podcast at checkout, you will also get 10% off everything there as well. You'll also get 10% off everything at cannycrystalsacademy.co.uk, which is all self-development and e-learning which you can access on the go wherever you are in the world. So yeah, I hope that you enjoyed this episode, and I will see all next Friday, a day after my book is out. Can you believe it? Can't actually believe this. Anyway, thank you so much for listening, and I'll see you all next Friday. Bye!

Pros, save more on what you need to get the job done right, right now at Lowe's. Get 15% off select custom entry and interior doors. Plus, save $80 on the DeWalt 20V Max 2-Tool Combo Kit, now just $169. And at the Lowe's Pro Desk, bring us your materials list and get a quote in minutes. Handwritten, a photo, or even a sticky note is all you need. Keep your jobs moving faster and on budget at Lowe's. Valid through 7/8. While supplies last. Selection varies by location.

Finding great candidates to hire can be like, well, trying to find a needle in a haystack. Sure, you can post your job to some job board, but But then all you can do is hope the right person comes along, which is why you should try ZipRecruiter for free at ziprecruiter.com/zip. ZipRecruiter doesn't depend on candidates finding you, it finds them for you. Its powerful technology identifies people with the right experience and actively invites them to apply to your job. You get qualified candidates fast. So while other companies might deliver a lot of hay, ZipRecruiter finds you what you're looking looking for. The needle in the haystack.

See why 4 out of 5 employers who post a job on ZipRecruiter get a quality candidate within the first day. ZipRecruiter, the smartest way to hire. And right now, you can try ZipRecruiter for free. That's right, free, at ziprecruiter.com/zip. That's ziprecruiter.com/zip. Ziprecruiter.com/zip.