Sandra King

The best advice I've received came from Sean Lakiani, the founder of Mindvalley, through his weekly newsletter. Just as I turned 50 last month and was going through that midlife questioning of what's next, his message really shook me and enlightened me. He said that women going through menopause gain wisdom, leadership, courage, and memory - that we become the ones who will remember, who are not as emotional as people portray us, but disciplined, and able to lead people to survive whatever the future holds. His way of thinking made me realize that I will be a leader and will continue to be a leader of my company, my family, my friends, and the people who follow Fitness Group Asia and API Educators. I want to lead them to become innovators themselves and, most importantly, to be people who self-reflect so they can become better selves all the time.

Being an educator means it's always about giving yourself to others - you keep giving knowledge, value, and passion. You need to take care of yourself so well, not just looking for summer break or Thanksgiving break to replenish. You need to take care of yourself mentally and physically. I've seen a lot of educators throughout the years become ill and be forced to retire, and I do not wish that on anyone. Even principals and assistant principals - two of them had serious illnesses and had to step down from their roles. So as an educator, I want anyone starting out in the field to eat well, sleep well, and take care of themselves well, because there's a lot of challenges and frustrations ahead of you. When something doesn't work, seek out other people to support you and help you. Find a mentor, find someone you can talk to, find someone who is always there for you, or anyone you can ask questions to help you. That way you can also learn and grow. Also, attend as many workshops and webinars as possible, because you never know what you're going to learn from each opportunity. These opportunities are going to be golden for you - you can use that in the classroom right away.

Living in the present is my philosophy, instead of thinking about what I could have done or what I would have done. I practice Ashtanga yoga, which is the hardest yoga you'll ever experience in your life - it's both mental and physical. You go through the same series every single day, and throughout the practice, you conquer your mental blocks and clear your head. When you're stuck in a pose, you practice it day in and day out, and you have to shape your mindset. You have to surrender yourself to the pose instead of thinking about how you can pass it - you just surrender and practice as your teacher instructs you. That's actually a way of life, a way of living. Living in the present and being your best self - this way of thinking has been making me feel really happy. I've been practicing yoga for four years, and I will be practicing as long as I can, maybe until 80 years old. I'm also a big meditator and meditate on almost a daily basis. I'm a lifelong learner, always seeking to grow and improve.