[00:00] Hello my dear listeners this is English Canada the podcast about learning languages going through immigration and establishing yourself in a new place

[00:17] Hello everyone this is Anastasia Stoyanova and this is episode number 20 of the podcast English and Canada

[00:26] So welcome and today I would like to share with you and talk about something personal I'd like to talk about two decisions that

[00:36] I've recently made well technically over a month ago and in today's episode I'm not going to give any advice or anything

[00:47] I just want to share my personal story my personal journey some troubles that I've experienced with my health with my nutrition my life because my life has been extremely stressful for the past two years or so

[01:03] Many changes career changes a lot of decisions that I took that I made and it's just I think that it was time for me to make a big change when it comes to food and physical training

[01:25] When I was in Quebec and you know that I studied at university there I was studying French there and it's just

[01:36] I realized that my weight my body is not the body that I want to have I want to be better I want to be healthier because the relationship that

[01:45] I had with my body with my weight with the food that I've been eating has been very problematic let's put it like that because when

[01:55] I arrived in Canada it's already five years I think or more than that time flies my problem was that

[02:04] I was pre anorexic I was losing weight so much that it was just crazy and it was related to my job or the jobs that

[02:15] I had back then or the relationships that I had back then with some of my friends you know colleagues and things like that and just the state that

[02:26] I was in was not healthy But like two years ago things started to change in my career and also I've experienced a different kind of stress so different kind of stress put a different kind of pressure on myself you know when

[02:43] I just arrived in Canada I was losing weight like crazy but then when things stabilized and I cannot say that they are stable now because

[02:53] I'm still in this transition period nonetheless I just want to say that you know your lifestyle choices and the stress and some decisions you make influence your health a lot and when

[03:09] I came back to Toronto after the university I decided that my focus is not going to be my business or my career or my relationship with my husband or with my friends no it's not that

[03:22] I think that I want to focus on my body on the food that I'm putting on my plate this is where all the changes started

[03:31] But also these changes related to food and physical training brought some other positive changes related to my business and other things in my relationship

[03:43] So all I'm saying that maybe today's podcast is something like a sign that you've been looking for because sometimes we're just looking for something like for push

[03:56] So recently we have rebranded our business our CELPIP platform that has been quite successful I've changed it to a new name because we are expanding we've become truly international right now

[04:11] So we chose my team and I chose the name CELPFUL com So my website englishstoyanova ca stays the same

[04:22] You can find all the useful material there podcasts all the things But the big one the CELPIP platform that

[04:31] I've been working on is going to be named CELPFUL com So C E L P F U L CELPFUL just like the word helpful think of the word helpful and just change the first letter into

[04:45] C like A B C CELPFUL CELPFUL is going to be truly helpful if you are preparing for your CELPIP exam you can find all the courses there practice everything was designed by me quality assurance was done by me and my team

[05:03] We've been working hard to actually make it happen So and that's also something that pushes me forward my project this

[05:13] CELPFUL com our CELPIP platform I want to help more people and I want to do it like that being a strong and healthy person and truly giving out all this help and nice things to the world from the point of my life where

[05:32] I am at my best where I am the happiest the healthiest person that I can be So that's why I made two choices

[05:41] So first I changed my diet and I consulted with a nutritionist So of course it was not something that

[05:49] I did all by myself but I also started training with a fitness trainer for the first time in my life you know and

[05:57] I see it as a type of investment And you know you could always find a fitness trainer that's more affordable that can suit your needs that can suit your budget

[06:09] And I think that's the best choice that you can make It's the same choice you're making when for example you're purchasing a subscription to our

[06:16] CELPFUL com platform You're setting yourself up for success So in Quebec I saw so many people who were physically healthy who followed certain diets you know who were some of them were younger some of them were all older but it's not even about age

[06:34] It's about this clear mind that they had And some things that I've been putting off because it's always like we make up excuses like

[06:43] I'm not going to do it because I have career change or I have my business or I have kids or something something something

[06:49] So but this time I said to myself that no I'm going to get a trainer I'm going to get started like that at least for several months for sure

[06:58] So and that's what I did And I'm just sharing with you because you know on this podcast I want to talk about things that are not only related to the

[07:08] English language to Canada but overall related to my personal life as well So because so many changes are happening and in the next episodes

[07:19] I'll talk about something else and I've already planned and I'll tell you in a moment So just a little bit about the diet and the things like weight and stuff

[07:30] So two years ago I decided that I want to change my career But then again teaching never left my life

[07:40] And then I was focusing on developing my business also not as hard as I should have done But anyway I pursued a higher education in

[07:53] Canada a lot of change a lot of attempts to switch my career a lot of stress So my weight went up and

[07:59] I've never seen myself like that I think the last straw the final straw was the fact that I sent this picture to my mother

[08:07] And if you're watching this YouTube version if you're not watching that's okay You can go ahead and just find my channel later

[08:16] It's English in Canada also on YouTube And in the video version I'm just showing some pictures of the weight that

[08:22] I've gained throughout the course of the past two years So I've sent this picture to my mom and I'm just wearing this nice swimsuit

[08:32] And my mom tells me like okay but where's your waist I can't see your waist anymore I mean she was joking of course but

[08:40] I took it truly personally because her opinion matters to me And then I started thinking like oh my gosh

[08:48] I've been carrying this weight with me I've been surrounded by nice great wonderful people my team my colleagues and then some people who

[08:57] I used to take the courses at university with And I never cared about my weight I just thought that with all the changes this is what

[09:07] I should permit myself to do to eat what I want So all in all just in a nutshell to tell you that I started with the simplest thing

[09:21] I gave up sugar Yeah it's not for me I think it's something that comes that's just on the surface something that everyone should do

[09:29] But again always consult a specialist And that's what I did But so I'm just telling you some changes that

[09:35] I've experienced I gave up sugar honey So I'm not putting any honey into my tea anymore I'm not eating any pastries like

[09:43] I used to eat like I was crazy I'm not obsessed when it comes to bread anymore I gave up bread So sometimes

[09:51] I only have like multigrain bread or something So at least for now I'm cutting down and not even cutting down that's not the correct phrase here

[10:02] But I gave up I gave up completely for now And then maybe I can get back to it but just in small portions with the help of the consultations that come from the professionals who can truly guide me

[10:17] And I think that kind of mentorship that kind of consultations can stand in a good stead for you guys

[10:24] The same way if you're learning the language if you're preparing for any exams that are upcoming it's always a good idea to buy for example a subscription to our platform selfhelp com or to find a mentor

[10:39] So in my case in my life I've never had one on one sessions with a fitness trainer In the past I tried to do the training myself it never worked out

[10:50] But I just I told that okay what I was told by other people that you know if your gym is far away then you will find all the excuses not to go

[11:03] But the gym is in my building so I found a trainer in my building Now I want to train consistently and

[11:09] I see that as the investment that I can make Because if I have a better body I'm going to be making better products

[11:16] I'm going to be giving better services I'll be working with my team in a more effective way and I can help more people and

[11:24] I can make this world better This is how I see that So right now I go to the gym every day but I go like a couple of times several times with my trainer

[11:34] We'll see how this goes But I think I removed the main excuse of not actually going because once you set up your schedule with a mentor with a trainer you can do it

[11:44] And if you you know if you are a stingy person if you can't invest money remember that nothing will nothing you will get nothing you know

[11:55] If you don't want to give to the world nothing will be given to you Just remember this This is the lesson that

[12:02] I've learned in a hard way actually So for me I would always give an excuse like oh my gosh I'm running a small business oh my gosh

[12:12] I'm tutoring people I'm working with my team I'm doing all kinds of things I'm doing I'm pursuing higher education in

[12:21] Canada I'm doing this doing that So I would always like find so many excuses And at some point I just couldn't look at my body

[12:29] I couldn't look at my belly and that was just enough to get me started but not enough to keep me going

[12:36] So and I think the same logic can be applied when you I don't know just want to learn any type of skill

[12:44] Like for example if you're learning a language with a teacher or with the platform it's always more fun when you have structure so training works like that for me as well

[12:54] If you know that someone's waiting for you and you paid for it excuses will be gone At least I think starting is the hardest thing but if you know what you're doing this for if you know that you want to be a better version of yourself if you can't look at your body anymore for example if you feel unhealthy if you feel like you're a heavy person you know it's for me it was like that

[13:17] When we were doing because I was very active in Quebec and I was surrounded by amazing people who were super sporty

[13:27] We went all and we did hiking we did rafting lots of crazy good things like crazy but in a good way and

[13:35] I just remember I was saying to myself oh my gosh okay Anastasia you've got to do your best You've got to build your body

[13:42] You it's just not even about the beauty It's about your health It's about the way you feel about yourself

[13:49] So yeah and I think when I think about motivation for me motivation really it's not about wanting to do something because wanting your desire to do something comes and goes

[14:01] You know you could get up and say I can't do it today maybe tomorrow but if you have a schedule if you've paid for it if you chose your trainer or for example if you're preparing for your

[14:13] CELPIP exam you've purchased the subscription you set the timeline and you remove any kinds of frictions or obstacles

[14:21] For example in my case okay I have a gym in the building Why not use it I have a personal trainer and somebody recommended me

[14:29] Why not You know fewer reasons to actually skip and when you have this kind of control you've got to give yourself more time because a lot of people when it comes to exams for example when you're taking a language exam we want results fast now it's not going to work like that

[14:46] No sorry guys you've got to give yourself more time The same goes the same regarding your body that you want to build your diet

[14:57] It's not just like 21 days and you're done You've got to give yourself more time You've got to invest more money and like if you miss one day it's not a failure it's just the process but at least you are building this habit and

[15:10] I would say that it's going to take you months not just 21 days as some people say So yes so just to summarize at this point

[15:22] I would say that if you really want to be accountable hold yourself accountable so build your schedule make a commitment with somebody yes

[15:31] In your case it can be a mentor it can be a self preparation platform on our website selfful com or for example in my case that was a fitness trainer

[15:42] At least I know that I'll be training for two three months with her for sure and then we'll see just to get myself going just to get used to the rhythm to the things that

[15:53] I should be doing So accountability someone expects you at a set time great Then working on the technique so for example if you're working on something like in my case if

[16:05] I train I'm going to have fewer injuries and I'm going to get faster results just because somebody's watching me somebody's correcting my mistakes

[16:14] So getting this feedback when somebody sees your progress just from outside corrects the scores corrects whatever you're doing corrects instantly

[16:25] So when it comes to language learning I think it's the same way as fitness We can compare it 100 people who have a teacher or have a guidance like in your case might be a self prep platform that you're using

[16:40] You are going there as a stronger person as a more prepared person and it will take you shorter amount of time for sure

[16:49] I think sometimes like you can talk to your teacher to your mentor in my case I'm talking to my nutritionist to my fitness trainer like cutting sugar cutting honey but you add more water you're adding more protein into your diet

[17:09] You're cutting down on bread or you're eliminating completely bread and pastries Great but then you instead of pastries you're going to replace it with the proper meals

[17:20] You've got to build your sleep routine and that also we have so many nice apps that we can use And of course because when you have a diet when you train you're sleeping should be also you've got to go to bed at the same time wake up at the same time even on the weekend that's what

[17:39] I'm trying to do And that's a lot of willpower so it's more like you're testing your personality at this point

[17:46] Do you want to live a healthier life Do you want to live a longer life Do you especially if you're still young if you're like in your 20s in your 30s in your 40s you're still young you're even you know in

[17:58] Canada you're always young Even people in their 50s and their 60s are starting It's never too late to start

[18:03] The same about your language preparation English French whatever you're doing right now just keep doing that

[18:11] And I think for me now food and training they come together they it's not a separate thing I think it's also for me like in the past month

[18:22] I've lost three kilograms I don't know how many pounds that is I'm not very good when it comes to pounds

[18:29] Sorry if you're you know listening and you're counting in pounds I always count in kilograms because

[18:34] I'm a European person yeah and in Canada also I think it works in both ways People use pounds and kilograms

[18:42] So it's just like for me it's not about the kilograms It's about the habit that I'm keeping that I'm sticking to as much as

[18:50] I can while I can Because it's not always like that I'm going to be able to have this rigid routine or to have this focus as my health

[19:00] I mean I wish I could do that all the time I wish I could keep health as my center as my main goal It's not going to be like that probably all the time

[19:10] But while I can so that I can give more to this world so that I can give better to this world I will try

[19:19] The same logic I apply to my work to my projects I think when you have this public commitment and when

[19:26] I say public it doesn't have to be like in my case I'm telling you my story right In your case you could talk to your partner

[19:33] You could tell your friend you know hey I'm taking CellPip Please keep me accountable Or maybe you want to give up drinking beer or drinking wine

[19:43] So give up together with your partner Give it up together with your friend In my case I've started teaching

[19:52] French also And I've got my clients right now I'm working on that TAF TCF I'll be creating IELTS platform and

[20:03] TAF TCF platforms in the future step by step This is some kind of public commitment that I want to make and

[20:10] I want to give it all I want to give all I want to give myself to these projects That will take time a couple of years probably

[20:19] Not an easy thing to do but that's what I'm striving for Right now I've been making so many videos about

[20:27] CELPIP I've been creating videos non stop Thank you so much for your support And if you know English and

[20:35] Canada it's also a YouTube channel Maybe you're listening to this on Spotify or on any other platform maybe on my website

[20:42] So guys please go and support me Check out English and Canada Anastasia Stoyanova Or you could just type

[20:49] CELPFUL com just like the word helpful but it's CELPFUL because it's super helpful for your CELPIP So yeah you could try a lot of stuff for free there because

[21:01] I've been putting my effort to make it free also So not everything is paid You could try for free But if you want to support me

[21:09] I'd be really grateful if you could If you could purchase a subscription if you could take a look at the services

[21:15] I provide there and the courses and practices Right now I want to help a lot of people pass TEF TCF in

[21:28] French And like I said I already started working with some of my students with my clients I passed an advanced

[21:36] French exam I'm going to pass C1 in the future I want to blog about it It's like a public commitment that

[21:43] I want to make I hope that I can make it work It's like a new mini goal that I have in the future You know quitting gets harder if you are fully committed

[21:52] So I'm going to try to do my best and to be a better version of myself for you guys So just a takeaway that

[22:01] I want to share with you today So two decisions turned out to be one decision I'm not going to do it alone

[22:08] I'm doing it with my trainer with some help So the same way you guys should do that And it's such a training for your personality for your character

[22:20] It takes a while to get used to Remember give yourself more time please If you're learning French right now if you're learning

[22:25] English if you're pursuing CLB 9 or higher just don't stop Don't stop Make friendships online You know if you don't have friends you could just to be accountable to have to take this responsibility

[22:44] Remember I was talking about having study buddies having mentors having teachers tutors using platforms so you could do all the things

[22:52] We all can do those things I'm sure if you have this goal of let's say stop drinking alcohol stop eating bread stop eating sugar you know cutting down on pastries you know some things like that

[23:09] It's just any kind of decision that we have in our life is like a test for your personality for your character

[23:17] It's like a challenge Why not take this challenge Make your life more interesting like that And good changes they have their price

[23:26] And the price that you're paying this is your investment And you will have return on your investment for sure

[23:32] You'll be a better version for yourself for your friends for your spouse for your partner So in the next episodes

[23:40] I'll be talking more about the English language of course I want to start blogging about French but it will be a separate blog

[23:49] So don't worry if you're not interested in French You're not going to be tortured by me talking about

[23:58] French That would be a separate blog and I will talk about that just to announce in the future But in the next episodes

[24:04] I'll be talking more about overall language acquisition learning a language and practicing and improving your skills

[24:13] So I'm planning on creating a podcast regarding how to improve your listening how to improve your speaking reading writing how to improve your grammar vocab

[24:22] So just something useful and interesting And you could take it not just to learn the English language

[24:27] You could learn any language you want You could learn French You could learn any skill you want Maybe some of these things that

[24:35] I want to talk about I want to share with you guys based on my experience And I hope that I can get your support

[24:41] Please like please comment Send it to someone who needs some kind of motivation who needs like I don't know a living proof an example of a person like myself who started from zero

[24:52] I started from zero I started my French from zero some years ago And look at where I am now But it takes dedication

[25:01] It takes a healthy obsession You've got to be obsessed You've got to love what you're doing You've got to see your goal clearly every day

[25:09] Think about that And I hope that I can inspire someone If I can inspire at least one person that's a life changing moment for me honestly

[25:19] Because I remember when I used to be like at a bad place in my life You know when I had I'm not going to say like addictions but problems in my life

[25:30] All kinds of problems But you only can solve those problems if you really understand that okay you need help or you need to make this change

[25:40] Nobody is going to do that for you You've got to try and start yourself today Make a promise to me that you're going to start moving towards your goal

[25:50] And we can hold each other accountable And I'll see you in the next episode where I'll talk about how to improve your

[25:56] English skills and just language skills And yeah I just hope to see you more often Please support me

[26:03] English in Canada my YouTube channel Go check it out I put a lot of useful stuff there regarding the

[26:10] English learning And also please make sure that you support me and that you go and check out our platform selfful com

[26:19] Just the word self like in the word self help yes selfful helpful selfful com And I hope you have a great day

[26:27] And I'll see you in the new episode Bye bye