The Creative preneur mindset

All right, thank you so much for being with us and welcome back. If you missed anything, I promise you'll find it on our YouTube channel, which is Y254. But give it the hashtag, which is Y in the morning. And also Y254 channel on all our social media platforms, so that you ensure that you get in touch and also be a bit of a conversation as it continues. And joining me live in studio to help us understand more about their journey and why they're here in Kenya on a message of ensuring that you are at your level best is Dr. Leslie Lantimo. She is alongside the one and the only Dr. Tina Koopersmith, who are joining me live in studio. Great to have you and karibuni Kenya. Karibuni Kenya means welcome to Kenya. >> Asante. >> Asante. Oh, wow, you guys are quick learners. That's amazing. That's amazing. So great to meet you. Maybe we can start off with Dr. Tina, your story and why you're in Kenya. >> My story really is that I learned at a very young age, like pre-birth and then when I was 24, life can go at any time. And we get one magical life. So live life as an adventure. And I'm a physician, I'm all about wellness. But life is an adventure. >> Right, absolutely amazing. Dr. Leslie. >> Um as far as my methodology as a mother of 12 children and having served in the military for almost 30 years, to Dr. Tina's thank you. To Dr. Tina's point, um you hear hear that term YOLO, Y O L O, you only live once. And this is not just rehearsal, it's the real thing. So make every action, make every thing that you do count. Yeah. >> Right. So just a little background, how did you guys land in Kenya? What has been the mission that brought you right here in Kenya and how's it been so far? >> Oh my gosh. So going back to May earlier, was this 2026? We're still in 2026, right? May of this year, we were at Top Talent at Hollywood, and there was a speaking contest, and the winner gets to come to Kenya, and I was the winner. >> All congratulations again. >> So, over $50,000 in prizes and services, which includes the sponsored trip. But, I believe that beyond the speakers contest, there was a higher calling, and that I was supposed to be here. There were lives that I was supposed to touch, and lives that were supposed to touch me. >> Right. >> And I get to bring a piece of Kenya back home to some of my 12 children. I have five home, seven grown. Um so, I get to bring piece a piece of Kenya back, and help them to realize um how grateful that they should always remain in life, and that um your life isn't everyone's life, and to appreciate where you are, and to be grateful for where you're at. >> Yeah, that's fantastic. Have you managed to meet any of the street kids? >> Not yet. Um we will yeah. >> this afternoon. Yes. Uh Dr. Tina, how's been it so far since when you landed in Kenya? >> god, it's amazing. This is my second trip to Kenya. I came last year, and very similar, I was at a Top Talent event, and they were talking about doing humanitarian work in Africa, and I was just like, "That's been on my bucket list. I'm finding a way to go." >> Yes, uh >> And it was just life-changing. And um so, when it when the possibility was to come back, >> Yes. >> I said yes, and the synchronicities, like she talks about, there's there's a there's a higher a higher purpose of the people I've met, and the connections I've made, and who I need to serve. >> Right. >> Um I love doing my physician work at home, but I think I'm here for for helping globally, women women's voices, women's health, and relationship health. >> Yeah, cuz you're a certified um gynecologist too as well and obstetrician. >> I'm a gynecologist and a fertility doctor and I have been for over 30 years. >> Yes. Maybe in your line of work and in your line of duty too as well. Are you looking forward to empower young girls using what you learned for the last 30 years? Fair enough. >> Absolutely. Women There's I want to empower women and men and rise together, everybody, and even children have a voice at the table. >> Mhm. >> And everybody to be witnessed and listened to. >> Right. From what you're currently doing in Kenya, what's different from what you did in the first time? What are you looking forward to achieve in this second trip for return to Kenya? >> Well, the connection I made yesterday was one of the members of parliament and she has a center that really is devoted to women of domestic violence as well as teen pregnancies and some incest and I'm going to come back and help her. >> Right. How's it okay? Dr. Leslie, is there anything that you noticed since you started this journey that keeps on resonating with what you've been doing? You're a retired army officer. You served in the United States military as well. What is that one thing that keeps on resonating with your mission and your purpose in this journey? You said this is also your second visit. >> No, this is my first visit. >> your first. Oh, her second visit. >> my first. So, lots of emotions. Mixed emotions, but good ones. Um Honestly, what keeps resonating with me is discipline. Um you asked if we have met any of the street kids. We haven't met any of the street kids and maybe it's terminology, I don't know, but we were at an all school a girl school for all girls yesterday and what I saw was discipline. I saw contentment in where they are. I saw hunger in their eyes and that they are ready to get to their next level and in the military, that is how we train our soldiers. Be hungry for the next. Don't get complacent. Don't be satisfied, right? Always look for how can you improve as a person and how can you improve the environment in which you stand. People should be better as a result of being in your presence. That was what has been resonating with me. >> Yeah. And in terms of humanitarian, cuz all this is humanitarian work and Dr. Cooper mentioned that, you know, we have to empower both men and women. Maybe what are you looking forward to instill in these young girls along your mission as you continue being in Kenya? >> To keep the drive. I got I had a chance to speak to them yesterday and I told them and as you can see my shirt it says making mission and that's like a theme of mine. Make mission and not excuses because we're going to have the disappointments. We're going to have the setbacks. We're going to have the stop the thoughts and the stories that we tell ourselves we're not good enough, we're not tall enough, we're not this, we're not that. But to remember that you don't need the secret sauce. You are the secret sauce and you share your sauce with others for them to taste. >> Right. Absolutely. Dr. Cooper, life is hard and it's hard for everyone. So, how do you help or make a person believe in themselves especially when they're going through life adversity? A lot happens to people from health crises, finances, the economy, this and that. How do you help a person resent and you know, go back to a place where they're nonchalant, they're experiencing peace amidst all the chaos that happens in the world? >> Life is transformation. Life is metabolism. Everything in life is about the only constant is change. So, the worst thing that ever happens to you, if you can look at it as how am I growing and changing. Life chose to live through you. You were chosen to be here. 85% of embryos never make it into into life. So, you were chosen. So, life wants to just sensate the good and the bad. The bad can be transformed into your growth. It doesn't make it easier, right? It doesn't make it it but but how can I use whatever happens to me? >> Right. >> How can I transform that into something where I grow or I connect or I change? So, anger motivation, fear pain becomes purpose, >> Mhm. >> right? Even grief reminds we love, right? So, opposites can you neutralize the emotional charge and go this is just life >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> and roll with the punches? >> Yes. Interesting uh perspective right there. Also, in your journey maybe how have you helped maybe in terms of tools? What are the tools that you keep on let's say giving or some of the information that you keep on relaying out there whenever you meet people that are handling crisis that you'd say this could possibly get set you on the road to goodness. >> The biggest thing that I've learned and I was look I grew up it was all about figuring life out and being in my head. And when you're in your head, as Dr. Leslie said, you're often like I don't belong, I'm alone, I'm scared, I'm frightened. And the minute you feel that child negativity, it's your child survival brain and she's great. She's trying to keep you safe or he, right? >> Yeah. >> And you can't solve the problems with that kind of thinking. So, you have to actually breathe, I'm alive, get just back in my body and remember I'm alive. >> Be present. >> alive >> Mhm. >> and from that place of aliveness, >> Yeah. >> all right, I'm going to figure this out. I'm going to figure this out. And if I don't, I'm going to get help. >> Yes. >> And I go >> And I and I think a lot of people maybe get stuck there where if they can't figure it out, then they believe it's the end of the world for them or end of their story, right? Dr. Leslie, if a young girl who's watching this interview right now and maybe they're stuck or they're caught between a rock and a hard place, they just don't know what to do with their life. They when they look at their situation, it keeps on getting from worse to the worse for lack of a better word. What would be your message to them in terms of know that you're human and this is life, it's unfolding organically? >> What I would say to them is that I am them. I have been them. And sometimes I'm still them. And that we have to extend grace to ourselves. And know that we have everything within us to get to that desired end state as we would say in the military. What is it that you're trying to get after? And back to what I was saying and I will emphatically emphasize. One of my coaches have said to me, you have receipts, which that's true, it is what it is, and then you have rhetoric. And those are the stories that you tell yourself. And you have to ask yourself when you're in those moments where you feel like you're paralyzed, are these receipts or is it rhetoric? And if it's rhetoric, you know, you can push that down and that's not true. I'm going to walk into the direction of where my receipts have already shown me that I've done the thing, I've been the thing, I'm still the thing, I'm still that girl. So I would want them to know that you are that girl, walk in your power. >> Yes. But sometimes the voices in your head can defy the positivity around you. Yeah. >> Yeah, Karen. We have 12 studies have shown that we have was it 12,000 to 80,000 thoughts a day and about 60 to 80% of them are not positive thoughts. So it's just a constant work that you have to lean into and put the positive over the negative. The the negative thoughts, they take up more space on the brain. She's a doctor, she can tell you this. And so it's just constant work. And surrounding yourself and locking arms with a community and people around you that's going to help to propel you and push you even in those moments where you feel stuck. >> Yes. I'm most interested to know Dr. Lesley, maybe what have been the most impactful moments or seasons in your life or experiences that you've been through that you carry along with you this journey and each and every chapter of your life where you go to whatever is such humanitarian works that you're doing, you keep on passing them to the next person from an experience perspective point of view. >> Remembering that I have 12 beautiful children. >> Mhm, amazing. >> And if I can continue to be an example for them and usher them to where they have to go, I can certainly do it for others. They have various personalities. My oldest is 31, my baby is seven. So I have several generations and they've all had their own individual experiences. What I would say if I'm able to meet them where they are, I can help to meet other people where they are. >> Right, absolutely. That's a good lesson. Thank you so much for that uh Dr. Cooper. Mental health is a bigger conversation especially when it comes to today's world. Our young people see everything unfolding on social media. They want to be like it but sometimes it's not the truth. That's not the reality. These are just influencers. Most of them are paid to actually live that life. How do you help a person clock out from the facade of what is being painted out there from the narratives and the conversations to getting in sync with the reality of life? >> So again, when you live in your head and as a physician and as education might always be comparing, always be contrasting, always be competing, that's not the best way to go through life. Come from your heart, not your head. Always be compassionate, always be caring, always be connecting. So literally, when we're in that oh my god, I'm not good enough mode or look what they're doing, come back to now. The past is over. The future you're not guaranteed. Be here now and come from your heart. >> Yes. >> That's how you actually got born. >> Mhm. >> Was from the heart. >> Yes, absolutely. >> So always come back to this moment. If you're breathing, you're doing good. If you're breathing, you're doing good. And as she said, the past is a prequel. >> Yes. >> The sequel, you can rewrite it. >> Yes. >> Life is lived in this moment. Right now, that's it. >> Mhm. Today. >> Today, right now. >> Here and now. >> Right. So breathe into that. Find your team. Trust that you're here for your life. You're here. >> Yes. >> You're you're rocking it. >> Absolutely. We are rocking it. And I'm most interested to understand as well, Dr. Cooper, have there been impactful moments in your life that keep on inspiring you? Either those that broke you or that built you. But I believe each and everything that happens to us in life happens for our own good. It's just that sometimes you don't see the lesson in it. >> That Well, I joke that the lesson was there and I didn't notice and there and I didn't notice and there and I didn't notice because I didn't stop to reflect. I was taught not to fail. >> Mhm. >> Failure is first attempt in learning or further attempt in learning. Failure is to be celebrated because it's one step. Every no is another step towards the next yes. >> Mhm. >> And you know, people like, "Oh, you're a doctor." Like, do you not think I had issues in my life? Oh my god, right? And I was taught never to fail and my manage fell apart. After 35 years. Okay? Was that a failure or a success? It's for both of us to decide. And my ex and I, we're like, we're rocking the the we're still a family. We just live differently. >> Yep. >> Right? And I wanted I wanted to come to Africa and have an adventure. >> Yes. >> And here you are. >> Yeah. So you'd say that's one of the as well that >> It's huge. >> Right. >> Huge. To leave and jump and say, "This isn't working." >> Yes. >> Terrifying. Terrifying. I had to I might be alone for the rest of my life. >> Mhm. >> Oh my god. >> But you embraced it. >> Yeah, I did and with fear and trepidation and terror. I was taught, especially as a woman, I was my job was to get married and have kids. >> Mhm. >> But I wanted a career and an adventure. >> Yes. >> Am I allowed to be alone? That's freaking frightening. >> Yeah, and that's courage and and being brave and bold and you you made it and you're here to Africa. And I can't wait for the young girls out there as well to meet you. But she uh Dr. Cooper has opened up a good conversation on failure. Uh I'm personally afraid of failing. It's not such a good thing when you fail at something that maybe you wanted or you're going for. Maybe it was your dream to go for it, but the more you attempted, the more you keep on falling on your face. Maybe how can we rewrite, especially when it comes to our mindset, uh Dr. Leslie, how we view and process fear of failure? And why is failing such a big deal? Yeah, if she went through what she went through and she's right here on TV and she's this positive, this big ball of positive energy. You too, you can try and be good. So, why do we fear failing and how can we write the narrative around failure? >> I think that's just a natural human thing, uh but like Will Smith says, "Fail forward." There's stretches in the stretching, right? That's where we learn our lessons. That's where we grow. That's where we we're a fortified and we're codified and it's in what we call failure, that's where you find out what you're really made of. That's where you find out where your strength lies, right? And that's when you really know, "I really do have this." And it's not We have to look at failure as the formula really to success. And when you get to the mountain top, you will appreciate the valleys more. And remember that life does this. It's not this. It does this. It ebbs and flows. This is the mountain top. The valley is coming. Look forward to the mountain top and remember the valley. And when you're on the mountain top, you look down in the valley and you pull others along with you. Right? So, failure is just a part of human life. It's just part of what it is. And we shouldn't have a fear of it. >> Yeah, because you know what I'm saying? >> Right? Absolutely agree cuz face everything and rise. >> Yeah. >> Yes. There's a certain shame around oh, you tried it and you didn't hack it. So, there's that shaming and I think maybe it's time that we write from the nuggets of wisdom that you've just shared. >> be military. There's only 1% that are brave enough to put on the uniform and serve. Right? And even in the career, sometimes things don't go as you planned. But you're part of that 1% of success. >> Absolutely. And I want us to talk about the books that you guys have in just a bit. So, ensure that you you put them on standby. Also, when you're trying to build a career, Dr. Cooper, or trying to become something in life, there's this uncertainty of will it work out? Will I get that will I Yes, I'm even in the journey itself. But am I rising to the top? There's so many obstacles and sometimes it just looks like it might never come to pass or it might never work. How have you had to overcome that part in your life? And also for young person who's watching this conversation, what would be your message to them? >> So, that's a big part of my story cuz I was really at the top of my class in med school, residency, fellowship. And then when I decided to kind of leave academic medicine and and be a practicing physician, no one was hiring. And so, I I just had to like, okay, I'm going to do this on my own and I I so alone and I didn't my I always felt like my practice was never as big as other people's practices and I didn't have as many IVF cycles and and I was feeling like a failure. Like I know that I know my stuff and why and in retrospect, right? It forced I didn't feel good enough. So I kept going back for more study, more study, more study, more study cuz I was trying to figure out how to be a better physician cuz I never felt good enough and having all the answers for why patients weren't getting pregnant. When I look back now, I'm like, oh, I practiced outside the box and I started I didn't know I was different than others. Like I was listening to patients. I was trusting them and reminding them, yeah, you're going to learn from this. You can believe in yourself. You're going to get pregnant. Don't don't think you're not. Don't give up. And look at the strength you have. And they're like, you never nobody ever told me that. And I was like, did you just not hear your story? You are so strong. You went through And I didn't know that other people didn't like So, I didn't even see my own strengths. >> Mhm. >> Cuz I was so weighed down by my failures. >> Yeah. >> Right? And so I just remind people, right? It is trusting that you're on the journey. >> Right. >> And I didn't have trust. And now I'm old. So now I have lots of years to look back and um I'm so thankful for all the failures. >> Right. >> My broken hip running a marat- when I was in a marathon, my almost dying in the ocean. Like >> Yeah. >> All these stuff propelled me to I'm not giving up. I got to do it again. I'm not giving up. I got to do it again. And I just I want anyone hearing this, >> Mhm. >> don't give up on your life. Mental health you just said it's mental health awareness month. >> Right. >> Don't give up. You're here. This If you're here celebrating, you're here. >> Yeah. Absolutely. >> And reach out for help. >> Mhm. Powerful. That's a very, very incredible story. Oh, looking from all of that, what sense do you feel if you are to stand to that and maybe give it a name? What do you feel from all of that? >> Well, what came to me in the last week is be alive to thrive, not just survive. >> Be alive to thrive, not to survive. Absolutely. Right. That's a lesson, too. Uh Dr. Leslie, you have a book, too. Even Dr. Copa, as well. I want you both to talk about your books and I just a short story behind the title of the book, as well, and what's inside for us. Yeah. >> Okay. So, we know that we are in the world of AI and I'm in chapter 27 in this particular book and I talk about how AI did not replace my voice. It just helped to multiply it. So, we have thoughts, we have ideas, we have things, but what we don't have a lot of is time. >> Mhm. >> So, AI helps to collapse our time, but still leave a massive impact on what it is we want to give to the world. And that's what this book speaks about. There are two volumes. This is volume one. And uh that's what we talk about in here. We have a plethora of experts that speak from their lanes and where where they see AI going in the future. >> Yeah, it's titled In the AI field, The Builders Blueprint, volume one. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, for a person watching right now, if they get the book, they'll get a scope of how artificial intelligence is, let's say, rewriting the rules and reshaping life today. >> They will get that and they will get it from 27 or 28 different perspectives >> Right. >> from this one book. >> Right. Is it available in our Kenyan bookstores or online? >> It's on I have a link, but if we go to girlorganized.com, there's a place where you can put an email and request a book and you can absolutely get it. >> Say it one more time. A gal. Organize. >> Mhm. A gal. Organized. That life. That life. Right. Please make sure that you log in and you get the book. Dr. Cooper, your book as well. What is it titled? What's the story behind Mhm. Um and it's when you talk about collapsing time when you're in flow or play, when you're turned on, what I mean by like you're actually lit up and you're in the moment that's actually when you're connecting and you're aligned mind, body, heart, spirit. Mhm. And you will collapse time. The synchronicities will start to show up. The opportunities, you'll notice them. And so we're so programmed work work work work work. Yeah. And actually to slow down and breathe and feel and play with your life, right? And trust um is when you'll connect in flow and you'll live in flow. And this is um this book was based on 11 of my podcast episodes. I have way more episodes, but it's um ways to really understand who you are, what lights you up how to change your story um how to play with life, really. It's it's like a blueprint Yes. for helping you Mhm. find more play in your life and play P is know the pleasure, L is love yourself A is accept it all, Y is know your why, your permission and purpose, and S once again, team sport. Absolutely. So, definitely that's like a healing guide or a healing guide. healing guide. To being your best self. Yes. Maybe is it available as well in our Kindle bookstore? it's I mean it's on Amazon, my website that's coming soon, drtinaplays.com, and you can order it through there as well. >> Right. All right, that's all right. Please ensure that you get in touch with Dr. Leslie and Tina as >> And it's a Kindle, too. You can get it as a book or as a Kindle form. >> Yeah. Does it Do both of them have ebook versions? >> what I'm saying. It has an ebook version. >> Right. So, if they click on it, too, as well, they can listen. >> Yes, when they would get ordered, personally signed and sent to them. >> Personally signed and sent to them, especially those in Kenya at the moment. Right. As we finish up the conversation, maybe, uh what are you guys looking forward to or anticipating? Where you going to next? If there be anyone who will be maybe following up or wanting to support, how can they get in touch with Dr. Cooper? >> Well, they get in touch with me, Dr. Tina, at drtinaplays.com. And this afternoon, we get to um go um I think it's called Soweto, and we're feeding about 2,000 children, Top Talent, the Kenya Top Talent Tour. We support the the daily feedings in Soweto here, and we're going to go dish out food for all these kids, which is just such an experience. >> Right. >> Um and then we're going to speak with more um schools, and then we do get a safari at the >> Right. That's a lot that you guys have gone to do. Uh Dr. Leslie, what are you anticipating and looking forward to? It's also your first time in Kenya. Are there any foods uh food taste that you are going to maybe try and have? >> remember names, but there's a special special type of chicken I was told that I must have. Yes. Yes. >> So. >> So, you're going to try chicken. There's ugali, too, as well. It's our staple food. Ugali. >> Ugali. Okay. >> Yes, I'm sure you you eat ugali and chapati. >> Chapati. >> Chapati. It's It's like a rolled bread. Yes. >> Okay. >> It's so delicious and so good. >> Yeah, I'm looking forward to trying some more Kenyan foods. >> Right. >> And then, I know you had asked if um folks want to get in touch with us. Same website, girl organized that life.com to >> Also, there is a radio show that you plug in as well with Dr. Leslie and Dr. Cooper. Thank you so much. Karibu sana. Karibu sana means welcome. >> Asante. >> Yes. I guess that's good manners and thank you for being here. All right, I've been speaking to Dr. Tina and Dr. Leslie for all the information and anything that you want to be a part of that they're doing, especially in the humanitarian space, log on to their respective websites and please have a blast. Don't forget to give me a shout-out, too. Say Sakuwa sent you here. If you get on the website at the comment section, say Sakuwa sent you here, okay? So, so, we're going to take a very short break and be back with Juno in just a bit. Keep it at Y254 Channel at Brown Sanko 1. The hashtag is why in the morning. See you on the other side in just a bit.