Do you want to learn how to be the best version of yourself? Here at Leighnibor Academy, we believe everyone can use a mentor and we understand the power of motivation and coaching. Everyone has a story and the potential to impact people. Listen in to our guests and their stories to get inspired. We hope you enjoy, reflect, and learn. In order to see the video interviews of the podcast, you can check us out on our YouTube page, Leighnibor Academy, where we upload new episodes every Monday. https://www.youtube.com/leighniboracademy You can also check out our social media, @leighniboracademy, for daily inspirational posts on Instagram or inspiring videos on TikTok, as well as updates on Facebook. We would love to have you join our supportive community where we all are trying to be the best versions of ourselves and help guide each other.

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William &#34;Big Sleeps&#34; Stewart is one of those forces to be reckoned with in the community. He has done it all: from producing hip hop hits, to starring in over 43 film and television titles, to writing and producing his own work, to promoting artists in his radio show. In the final episode of Season 2, we dive into Big Sleeps&#39; story, his beginnings in the hip hop scene in Canada, his rise to landing leading roles in successful Netflix films, his battle to stay healthy during the pandemic, his love for acting, and most importantly, his desire to create jobs and opportunities for up and coming industry professionals. As an actor, William &#34;BigSleeps&#34; Stewart has noticed the shift in the entertainment industry becoming more open to diversity. He believes in creating equal opportunity for industry professionals, no longer focusing on external factors but on talent.  For the season 2 finale of Profile, we are happy to have Big Sleeps share his story with us. Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/MDrN2Gnvx74

"We have to change our mentality and realise we are all individuals; but most importantly, we are all human beings and we are all the same on the inside." - William Stewart

Shaping The Mold Of Hollywood North with William "BIGSLEEPS" Stewart | PROFILE S2 Ep: 12

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Nicholas Simon is the founder of The Real Patty Co. (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/therealpattyco/" rel="nofollow">@therealpattyco</a>) spreading the flavor and nostalgia of Jamaican patties all over Western Canada. With years of marketing and sales experience, he is passionate about coming up with new ways to bring people together while having fun at the same time. Nicholas brings his personality into his business so that the customer will feel as excited about his product as he is. We ask him: Who should be an entrepreneur? And his answer is right on the spot. Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/terjTjdKJM8

"We have to ask the right questions to get the right answers. What does the Canada that we want look like? How do we integrate our separate communities and come together as one community?" - Nicholas Simon

The Founder of The Real Patty Company's Journey to Success with Nicholas Simon | PROFILE S2 Ep: 11

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Here&#39;s a question from Life Insurance Consultant, Desmond Wellesley: if you had passed away yesterday, what would your family be doing today? As difficult as it is to imagine, we could all probably answer &#39;I would want my family to be taken care of&#39;. And the only way to do that is by putting programs into place such as life insurance, that would protect your family and loved ones, should anything unexpected ever happen. Desmond Wellesley has over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry and is passionate about guiding people to the best financial choices and understanding that insurance is there to protect you and your loved ones, should anything happen. Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/2DTY1SFkpd0

"It's never too early or late to put programs into place to take care of your loved ones. We never expect anything to happen but there is always the 'if'." - Desmond Wellesley

Insurance Explained with Desmond Wellesley | PROFILE S2 Ep: 10

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The Covid-19 pandemic turned the world upside down on all sectors from health, to education, to various industries, all of which had to adapt in quick time to a new normal. The real estate market in the Greater Vancouver area saw an unprecedented number in sales and prices soaring to an all-time high. Here to walk us through what 2020 looked like in real estate and help you make the best financial decisions in 2021 and beyond is Marce Miller. Marce was born in Edmonton to immigrant parents. From a young age, she persevered in team sports and that team translated into her real estate business. She is highly involved in promoting a safe environment for realtors, fostering a sense of camaraderie between communities of color, and being a valuable member of her brokerage and realtors team. Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/nc57gMwgK88

"If we all start to work together and do business with each other, as allies and partners, those walls start to come down and we can truly see each other." - Marce Miller

Buy, Sell, Or Hold Your House with Real Estate Expert Marce Miller | PROFILE S2 Ep: 9

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Watch Kate tell her story of her upbringing in New Zealand and her journey through England, the Caribbean, and now Canada. Her search for her identity in society and fashion lead her to learn design and later start to create her own look and identity. Are you still searching for your identity and your own style? Remember, if you do what you love and be you, people will see that and feel that and accept you for you. In a world obsessed with labels and categories, it is often hard to exist beyond what is set by society if you don&#39;t fully identify with one thing or the other. You could be a university professor and DJ by night, or a daytime barista and a successful model during the weekends. How you choose to define yourself and your style is completely up to you. Featured in this episode of Profile is Kate Pierre, the designer behind Kate and Frances. We dive into how her biracial experience growing up half black and half white in New Zealand and her love for fashion and clothing design inform how she exists in her own style, merging fashion and comfort into one, and never compromising one or the other. Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/I7-R907MiwI

"If you do what you love, people will see that and feel that. Success is being able to make a living doing what you love." - Kate Pierre

Finding Your Identity And Fashion with Designer Kate Pierre | PROFILE S2 Ep: 8

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Ever heard the phrase &#34;First impressions are hard to forget&#34;? Well, here to help you present your best self forward in order to be perceived as you want to be and engage in more meaningful connections is image consultant, Kristen Hardy. Kristen is fine-tuned to image and presentation and understands the importance of micro-first impressions. She is dedicated to helping people elevate their style, taking from what they are already comfortable with and helping them evolve to fit their character better. Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/AcHUehlLs28

"Our resilience is a mindful choice. When we elevate ourselves and our image, we radiate that positivity into more engaging and meaningful connections." - Kristen Hardy

How To Improve Your Image And First Impressions with Kristen Hardy | PROFILE S2 Ep: 7

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For this episode, I share with you my story. I was lost as a child, without the proper guidance and support system that I needed for proper development. I felt like I was always &#34;re-inventing the wheel&#34; and trying to figure out things for myself. I spent most of my life searching for answers. As such, I have pounced on some startling discoveries that led me to become a motivational speaker and a mentor. You know him as the host of PROFILE, but in this special episode, Robbie takes the hot seat as a guest, sharing with temporary host, Shandie Wattley, all about how Profile and Leighnibor Academy came to be and where they plan to go. Growing up in a lower-income environment in Kingston, Jamaica, Robbie recognized the importance of education as a vehicle out of poverty and started his career as a teacher in the mid-90s. But along the way, he transitioned from academics to focus on personal development, mentorship, and coaching. Robbie is a master of many talents, but his vocation is inspiring others to be their best selves. Having been through it himself, Robbie is aware that when people experience hardships, challenges, and life-changing situations, it is not uncommon for their lives to take a turn into survival mode only. His purpose is to help get people back on their feet and to recognize that there is a better life to be had where they can find their own success, happiness, and purpose in helping build a stronger community and a better world. Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/-FM_tcyusU8

"Inspiration comes from seeing others achieve something you are trying to achieve. I want people to find value in their stories and know that all of us have the power to inspire others." - Robbie Genius

3 Steps For A Successful Business Startup with Robbie Genius | PROFILE S2 Ep: 6

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Mel Warner is a revolutioner and an iconic figure in the entertainment industry in British Columbia. After putting together live performances in high school, he developed a passion for the music industry that would eventually lead him to become one of the most successful independent promoters in BC. In 2019, he was inducted into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame, along with household names like Michael Bublé and Bryan Adams, for his contribution to the music industry for over 30 years. Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/n5h6RvUnDGs

"The tide has changed, there is a new generation coming up and they are not caught up in old guards. They're interested in productivity, and if they like your product they will buy it." - Mel Warner

Entertainment Industry Pioneer with Mel Warner | PROFILE S2 Ep: 5

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A global pandemic requires a world effort to end it – none of us will be safe until everyone is safe. Clavia Alleyne is the founder of Chattel house Health and Beauty, a Registered Massage Therapy Clinic. Founded in 2018, his business was thriving when global pandemic COVID-19 hit. Being a contact-based professional, Clavia found himself in a difficult situation when new health and safety regulations were put in place that prevented him from operating his practice. Like many other businesses, he was forced to shut down indefinitely until it was safe for him and his clients to return to the clinic. But that didn&#39;t stop Clavia from growing his entrepreneurial endeavors, instead, he pivoted his business and created an organic skincare line, a product he considers global pandemic &#34;COVID-proof&#34;, meaning safe to market without having to worry about any health hazards. Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/Zz7HmBYakUw

"Difficult times expose the need for different communities to come together as one community. We are all in this together." - Clavia Alleyne

Can Your Business Survive A Global Pandemic? With Clavia Alleyne | PROFILE S2 Ep: 4

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Brooke Shelley is an experienced mortgage specialist who is dedicated to helping her clients make the best financial decisions that set them up for their future. Having worked on the lending side, Brooke uses her knowledge to educate and advise people on what their best options are when buying or selling their first property, refinancing, or other alternative solutions to mortgaging that can alleviate the stress of such a significant financial decision. The housing market in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia has been turned on its head during the global pandemic. After a drop in sales in early and mid 2020, the market began to pick up as people still working from home began migrating to the suburbs. In February 2021, the market saw record-high sales numbers in residential properties and it continues to surprise realtors, buyers, and mortgage brokers. But with such extreme changes, how do you know if you are making the best decisions for your financial future? That is where Brooke Shelley comes in. Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/KeDt7AjZc3M

"When you are working in a competitive industry, you have to find what sets you apart. But most importantly, you have to have your client's best interest at heart." - Brooke Shelley

Thinking Of Buying Or Selling Property? With Brooke Shelley | PROFILE S2 Ep: 3

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With the ongoing pandemic and the rise in online learning, we are being faced with several challenges; most homes are not conducive to learning, some students relied on schools for access to computers, and the lack of socializing has a negative impact on mental health and results in faster burn out from students, educators, and teachers. Educators are now having to determine which aspects of online learning will be carried forward as schools are reopening and which parts of an in-person classroom are vital to the development of students and cannot be replaced by technology. This episode&#39;s discussion features Shandeen White, an educator, curriculum developer, and examiner. Growing up in an inner-city in Kingston, Jamaica, Shandeen rose from being in &#34;the lost cause class&#34; in primary school to graduating with honors from her Master&#39;s Degree program in Education. Shandeen has been a part of the education system for over 20 years, mentoring a range of students from all ages and backgrounds, helping them to realize their potential. She has seen education evolve over the years and is here to bring us into the future of education and learning with online education becoming the norm. Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/2ZeJBRHIB0k

"I want to give every child an opportunity to realize their potential. It doesn't matter where you come from, it's about where you want to go." - Shandeen White

Are Educators Becoming Obsolete With Online Learning? With Shandeen White | PROFILE S2 Ep: 2

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Nataizya Mukwavi is the Founder of Black Women Connect Vancouver, a not-for-profit organization founded in 2017 serving to bridge gaps present in the local Black community, particularly those affecting Black women. Black Women Connect Vancouver has created a community of support based around the shared unique experiences of Black women. It is a collective of women who come together to inspire, empower, leverage their strengths, and embrace their diverse experiences. In this community, Black women can build meaningful relationships, express their solidarity with each other, and celebrate the beauty of Black womanhood. Black Women Connect Vancouver is essential in Vancouver, British Columbia, where the Black population makes up less than 1% and is unequally dispersed throughout the Lower Mainland (Canadian Census, 2016). Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/kWZjx6wUPr4

"There is always power in numbers and the more we come together as a community, the more society will see that we are a force to be reckoned with." - Nataizya Mukwavi

Empowering Women with Nataizya Mukwavi | PROFILE S2 Ep: 1

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Sara Gillooly is an advocate in real estate. Passionate about ensuring her clients feel supported during an often nerve-wracking process, Sara approaches real estate as something more than a sale, but as an opportunity to empower families and individuals and help them make the best decision for their home. She is also a driving force in helping local businesses thrive during recent challenging times by highlighting and promoting them. Her efforts and community impact have granted her recognition within the top 10% of agents in Greater Vancouver. We discussed how her intercultural background and childhood experience inform how she approaches a home now as an adult, both for herself as a working mother, and for her clients, and the many challenges they may face as well. Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/jGEZeK5W6iY

"You have to see if what you are doing is actually affecting change. If not, look back and see how you can help in a different way." - Sara Gillooly

How I Affect Change In Real Estate with Sara Gillooly | PROFILE S1 Ep: 8

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Benjamin Hagwood is a former debate champion, a coach and educator, and an advocate for youth development. Benjamin discovered a passion and purpose in debate and has dedicated his life to helping others understand how debate fosters healthy communication, empathy, critical thinking, confidence, and other transferable life skills that help youth navigate everyday life more effectively. He now serves as head coach, chair, and executive director of three different organizations, all related to debate, while serving as an example of the benefits debate and proper communication can have in life, and hopes to make those resources available all throughout Canada. Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/bEkxmzFr-PM

"Right now, the world feels so divisive. Debate teaches you to listen; it creates empathy." - Benjamin Hagwood

Debate As A Tool For Communication with Benjamin Hagwood | PROFILE S1 Ep: 7

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Darron Hastick is an entrepreneur, investor, multi-business owner, and advocate for financial literacy. Darron&#39;s journey began in Trinidad and Tobago where his entrepreneurial spirit was starting to develop. Today, he has gone from selling BBQ chicken at age 16 to starting over as a janitor in Canada to becoming the owner of several successful businesses. Having no formal education, Darron has proved that a mindset to achieving what you set out to do is more powerful than a diploma. Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/o5aqWHB5Xk4

"Keep learning. Keep trying. Just focus and the universe will give you what you go out and get." - Darron Hastick

Investing On My Own Growth With Darron Hastick | PROFILE S1 Ep: 6

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Fatima Zaidi is a Leadership Strategist, a Motivational Tedx Speaker, and an advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion. Passionate about creating stronger foundations for work cultures, to promote an empowering environment where every individual can thrive, Fatima has dedicated her life to developing effective leadership and personal growth and development. During our chat, we discuss her journey as a national anti-bullying advocate, to discovering a passion for entrepreneurship and compassionate leadership. Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/bddZextPWYw

"Success does not take place in a vacuum. We're all interconnected and by helping others on their journey, you become a part of a greater success." - Fatima Zaidi

A Compassionate Leader with Fatima Zaidi | PROFILE S1 Ep: 5

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Athumani Abubakary has one of the most compelling stories. From a life of hustling and survival to overcoming addiction and other hardships, Athumani now considers himself a &#39;wounded healer&#39;, living as an example for others going through similar struggles that there is a way out. We had the pleasure of hearing his journey as a reclaimed refugee, becoming a social worker, being a loving father, and spreading the message of love. Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/RvrmKMku7Vg

"I cannot regret my past, I have to focus on what I want to become and help others do the same." - Athumani Abubakary

A Wounded Healer: Leading By Example with Athumani Abubakary | PROFILE S1 Ep: 4

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Gina Williams is a multi-award-winning singer-songwriter, concert pianist, classical orchestra composer, and actress. Having never fit into a single genre of music, Gina instead embraces her multiple talents exploring different genres ranging from Classical Orchestra to Electronic Dance Music, from Alternative Rock to Caribbean Beats, and many more! In this episode, Gina shares her journey of turning her lifelong passion for music into a successful career, where she is not bound by labels, but free to explore all genres. Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/-CysS112uCg

"We need to define what success is for ourselves. Comparisons kill creativity." - Gina Williams

Emerge As Myself, Comparisons Kill Creativity with Gina Williams | PROFILE S1 Ep: 3

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Renita Drakes is a digital strategist, investor, and entrepreneur who is determined to live life on her own terms. Passionate about creating a work environment that works for her, Renita shares her journey into discovering freedom in freelance, pursuing and running multiple successful businesses, and giving back to her community. Watch the video interview here: https://youtu.be/zIZv0r5QO7s

"Time is our only finite resource. Controlling my time is true freedom." - Renita Drakes

Living Life On My Own Terms with Renita Drakes | PROFILE S1 Ep: 2

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Anaya is a champion of healing; whether it be physical, mental, or spiritual health and wellbeing. The master of many talents, Anaya is a model, artist, entrepreneur, and healing guide. Join us as we dive into her journey towards creating a more unified, healthy world. Watch the video version of the interview here: https://youtu.be/bNoWaLvOWew

"I'd like to give this Earth a makeover. You have to move people's hearts to make the change in their minds." - Anaya Arthur

Creating A More Unified, Healthy World with Anaya Arthur | PROFILE S1 Ep: 1

Do you want to learn how to be the best version of yourself? Here at Leighnibor Academy, we believe everyone can use a mentor and we understand the power of motivation and coaching. Everyone has a story and the potential to impact people. Listen in to our guests and their stories to get inspired. We hope you enjoy, reflect, and learn.

In order to see the video interviews of the podcast, you can check us out on our YouTube page, Leighnibor Academy, where we upload new episodes every Monday. https://www.youtube.com/leighniboracademy

You can also check out our social media, @leighniboracademy, for daily inspirational posts on Instagram or inspiring videos on TikTok, as well as updates on Facebook. We would love to have you join our supportive community where we all are trying to be the best versions of ourselves and help guide each other.