Meghann Recommends
Denver’s best service providers. Hands down
Best Bootcamps in Denver, Blunt Force Training
I see a lot of posts for bootcamps that say things like “no more excuses,” “blast your fat,” but really none of that language appeals to me. What I love about Blunt Force Training is that the trainers are personable and they care about you and what you want to create in your life, there is a great community of like-minded people who are fun to work out with, they have a sports chiropractor and a somatic specialist (a massage therapist that is skilled in helping people with injury elimination and performance enhancement) on staff and in the building to get you to your optimal self, and they offer bootcamps nearly every hour of every day and never repeat the same work out. Oh, and they have yoga and kickboxing too.
So, I guess if they had to advertise like traditional gyms they could be the “all around best, most encouraging, fun, creative, supportive and all-inclusive gym in Denver.” Your first visit is always free, so head to http://Blunt-Force.com and check out the schedule. You won’t regret it!
Yes, I’m willing to show sweaty pictures of myself, that’s how awesome this gym is!
That’s me in the pink jumping!
Sometimes we’re even synchronized!
What’s up with these hackers??
Many of the people I follow on Twitter have been sending errant tweets obviously not created by them, and the Facebook messages I’m getting from my friends definitely aren’t coming from my friends. Recently a friend of mine lost her entire profile because someone hacked in, changed the security questions, and then shut the profile down, making it irrecoverable. What the heck is going on? Do people have nothing better to do with their time than cause problems and frustrations for others by hacking systems?! Rather than focusing on the problem, I’d like to suggest a couple of simple, and yes – obvious solutions that we all tend to forget about which can keep us from being at risk:
- Change your passwords every 3 months. I know this can be tedious, however, it really does make a difference. I recommend that you change them quarterly and keep them consistent throughout all of your social networks, email, websites, bank logins, etc. Or if you are required to have some passwords which are more lengthy, alternate between two. If you are a person who likes to use a variety of passwords, try using an online password storage system such as Last Pass.
- Help others. If you notice crazy messages coming from your online connections, let them know right away so that they can put a stop to the problem. If it doesn’t seem like their messages or posts, it’s probably not them.
- Download your Facebook profile every 3 months. Facebook gives you the ability to back up your profile and archive your data: timeline info like posts you’ve shared, messages, photos and more. Just in case you ever lose your profile somehow, at least you’ll have photos and other important data saved. Here’s how you can do this:
From Facebook: You can download your information from the Account Settings page.
- Click the account menu
at the top right of any Facebook page - Choose Account Settings
- Click on “Download a copy of your Facebook data”
- Click Start My Archive
Because this download contains your timeline information, you should keep it secure and be careful when storing, sending or uploading it to any other services.
To further assist you in keeping your account safe, and your identity safe, I recommend two additional things:
- Don’t show your year of birth. When it comes to your social networks, opt to not show your birth year on your profiles. This information is required to set up your profile (and you should use your real date of birth), but a full date of birth is information you do not want people to have access to easily. Simply select the option not to show your birth year on your profile.This is important on Facebook, and LinkedIn.
- Don’t install apps you don’t trust. Using certain Facebook apps could allow your data to be transferred to a third party without your knowledge. Make sure before clicking “allow” for an app on Facebook, that you research whether or not it’s a trusted app.
Because this download contains your timeline information, you should keep it secure and be careful when storing, sending or uploading it to any other services.
These are just a few simple suggestions to help keep your content and your information safe. Do you have other suggestions? I’d love to hear them in the comments below!
Networking – Don’t Be a Card Collector
Are you one of those people who’s Networking- Phobic? Perhaps you’ve been attending networking events for a while now and haven’t seen the results you would like to see? I’ve developed 5 easy steps for you to follow to get your networking actually working for you! This is #1.
1. Approach networking from a relationship building standpoint – don’t be a “card collector”
I can always sniff out a new networker (and yes, I will admit, I was one 4.5 years ago!) They’re the ones who approach you, business cards in hand, ready to thrust their card into your hand as fast as you’ll receive it. The conversation always starts with “so what do you do?” And they will usually speak about their incredible business or the new product that you’ve just got to try until your ears bleed. If they pause to ask you a question, you may be lucky to get in a short response before the topic of conversation returns to them. Then they will go back to their office and promptly enter your email address into their email newsletter database and begin the slow, painful drip of unwanted messaging ‘convincing’ you of your extreme need for their product/service, which is of course, the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Ok, so maybe I exaggerate a little, but I’m really not too far off!
What if we all approached it from a different space? What if we all cared more for the individual standing in front of us than the 2×3 piece of cardboard with their contact information? What if going to a networking event was a pleasant endeavor, filled with a series of delightful “getting to know you” conversations and, perhaps, a few commenced relationships? What if you let your intuition (yes, that inner energetic GPS) lead you to speak to certain people and begin to get to know them for the uniqueness they be?
Have you ever approached someone at a networking event and asked “so, what have you done that’s fun for you lately?” or “What’s the thing that has you most excited about life right now?” Give it a shot — try to ask a question that has nothing to do with business and see how that person responds. Then, let your intuition guide you to stay and chat some more, or move on to the next intriguing, authentic being. Chances are, you’ll feel much better about the conversation as a whole and if you’re lucky, you’ll have the beginnings of a great KLT (Know, Like & Trust) relationship — one that may actually turn into a great referral partnership, a friend, or possibly even a client!
I definitely recommend you try out a Behind the Moon networking event; I think you’ll find that this style of networking reflects exactly what I’m talking about! No membership is necessary but there are definite advantages to being a member! Check out the membership application here: BTM Memberships
What do you think? What makes for a pleasant relationship-building experience when you network? Ideas??
Coming out of Darkness and Overwhelm into Happiness and Joy
How much easier can spreading consciousness be?? One of my favorite clients is Rikka Zimmerman and working with her and attending her classes, I have already experienced such amazing shifts in my life. Some of the areas I’ve done complete 180′s in: Relationship, Business, Money, Health, just to name a few.
Why am I blogging about this? I am an entrepreneur. Many of you reading this may be also. So here’s my story. January 2011 I was overwhelmed beyond belief. As an entrepreneur, I was always ‘broke.’ I was barely sleeping because I felt that I had to work a ton in order to ‘get to the next level and make money.’ I was dating energy sucker after energy sucker. I cried pretty much all the time, depression was the ‘new black’ for me. Feeling fat and gross, completely stressed out, lacking energy at all times and feeling… well… devastated.
What if all that was required was choosing change. If I was myself a year ago reading this blog post, I would likely have said “it’s not that easy Meghann, you have no money and you’re not courageous enough.”
And here’s what I’d say to my January 2011 self:
- Stop cutting off your awareness – you know, that gut feeling inside that helps you know what to do and what not to do
- Start trusting your KNOWING. Yes, you know.
- Get out of judgment – of myself, my body, and others
- Stop hanging out with people who don’t contribute to you going in the direction you have chosen to go. I always remember this quote “you are the sum of the 5 people you hang out with most.”
The results I have achieved thus far using Rikka’s teaching and my knowing because I have chosen to use them on a daily basis have resulted in the gift of my life, completely redesigned and rejuvenated. I have gained courage I never thought I had to do things like: go out on my own in business and be the potent captain of my own ship, resulting in exponentially increased happiness, clients and profits. Trademark myself as the Mistress of Social Media™ and stepped into a leadership role in my life and my community. Choosing a healthy lifestyle which again added more fun to my life. I’ve stopped dating men who are a suck on my energy and life and have been with an amazing, conscious man, who is a constant positive contribution to all of me and I to him. I have a more profound relationship that is full of supportive energy and positivity with those family and friends I have chosen.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, desperate, devastated, like there’s no way out and this is “just what life’s going to be like,” stop. All that is required is to choose something different. Do things different. Start with one thing a day.
I would highly recommend beginning with some free resources from Rikka.
Oh, and there are a bunch of free resources out there too:
Rikka Zimmerman:
I’d love to hear your comments. What do you love most about your life? What are you choosing to make it better every day?
Meghann Recommends: Networking in Denver
Networking is something that needs to be practiced. It does not come naturally to most and for those to whom it does come naturally, that doesn’t necessarily mean it is being done properly. This is a simple debate over quality vs. quantity. Entrepreneurs (especially those who have come to this world from the corporate world) tend to approach it with the attitude that the man with the most business cards at the end of each event wins. While it can be helpful that you know how to “work a room,” the question is – what kind of impression did you make on each person you came into contact with.
One of the reasons why I recommend Behind the Moon for networking in Denver is for the simple fact that the organization and its founder Sabrina Risley encourages building quality connections. There’s a reason why you begin to see familiar faces at the 13 monthly networking events Behind the Moon hosts – they want you to get to know, like, and trust fellow members. People in this community enjoy being around each other and they develop deeper relationships than what I’ve seen in other communities.
Another reason why I like Behind the Moon – their event hosts are well connected in the community and they host their event because they want to be a resource to the people who attend. They get to know the ‘regulars’ and are extremely welcoming to the new comers; they make everyone, whether a novice to networking, or a seasoned veteran, feel comfortable.
If you haven’t yet been to one of their events, or if you just haven’t been to one lately, I highly recommend you check out their calendar of events and check one out! You don’t have to be a member to attend!
What do you think is important when it comes to networking?
My Favorite Quotes of All Time
By the way, if I don’t have a name next to the quote it’s because I don’t know who said it… feel free to comment with the appropriate name so I can give credit where credit is due!
“The mind attracts that which it feeds upon.” Napoleon Hill
“If only closed minds came with closed mouths.”
“If you love something let it go free. If it doesn’t come back, you never had it. If it comes back, love it forever.” Doug Horton
“I don’t know how to put this, but I’m kind of a big deal.” Will Ferrell
“The mind is like a parachute, it only functions when open.”
“There is no such thing as a social media ‘campaign.’ A social media campaign is like a one night stand in a world where we are supposed to marry our clients.” Gary Vay-Ner-Chuk
“In the end, it’s not going to matter how many breaths you took, but how many moments took your breath away.” shing xiong
“Don’t wait. The time will never be just right.” Napoleon Hill
“If you’re not growing, you’re dying.”
“It’s hard to get lice out of your head, and there’s no easy cure for shaking off campaign-based thinking, either.” David Berkowitz
“If you’re getting involved in social media marketing, you must first accept the ‘business casual’ approach – 50% personal, 50% professional. Kind of like a mullet – business in the front, party in the back.” Meghann Conter, Founder of Your Social Source.
“If something is not happening for you it doesn’t mean it’s never going to happen. It means you’re not ready for it.”
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.” Charles Dickens
Please add your favorites in the comment section below 
Meghann Recommends – Auto Broker in Denver
Any one else feel like they want to add more tasks to their plate? Me neither! As a business owner, it seems like even if I worked 24 hours a day 8 days a week (yes, 8), I still wouldn’t get everything done. That’s why when I got in a car accident and had to look for a new car, I didn’t hesitate to hire an auto broker. Sabrina Risley of http://BehindtheMoonInc.com recommended Rich Kothanek of Highline Automotive to me and I am telling you… he was a godsend!
Rich would bring me (to my house!) new and used cars to test drive, didn’t get frustrated with me one bit when I changed my mind many many times, helped me weigh the benefits of different cars, AND handled obtaining financing for me at a better rate than what I could get myself. The best part – I didn’t have to deal with any car salesmen!! When I had made my decision, he handled all the paperwork for me (including that which was needed for my car loan), brought it all to me with my car and presto! Within 15 minutes I was done! Seamless and effortless on my part. And I LOVE my new car! Woohoo! Thanks Rich!
Meghann Recommends – Weight Loss in Denver
Ever feel like you’ve tried everything, literally, everything to get rid of your problem areas and nothing would work? Yeah well, that was me with my “thunder thighs,” or as Dr. Shelly so nicely refers to them – my hips.
I’ve been self conscious about them my whole life and even when I was in my best, most muscular shape in my mid 20′s working out every day – running, biking, hiking, weight lifting – I still couldn’t get rid of my pesky thighs. When Dr. Shelly told me about laser fat reduction I had my doubts, but I thought it couldn’t hurt to try something new.
Following the Fit & Fabulous You Program healthy eating plan plus the Laser Treatments which consisted of 40 minute sessions 3 times a week for 3 weeks, I got results – in the problem area! To be precise – I lost 1.5 inches off my thighs, a total of 4.5 inches overall, 2% body fat, and 4.5 pounds.
All that only took 3 weeks! Imagine what results I could have had in 6 weeks!
Another thing I loved about the program was that it actually saved me time at the gym. I only exercised 4 days/week for 15 minutes (I used to spend hours at the gym). Now I use the extra time for stress reducing activities like meditation and quiet time, which is also an important part of the program.
I walked out of Dr. Shelly’s office every morning feeling like a whole new person, ready to take on the day with energy and enthusiasm.
Best of all, I love the way I look and feel since completing the program and I have tools to maintain my results!
Since I’m the social media plan, I’ve got to direct you to her FB page! http://facebook.com/LaserFocusedWeightLoss
