Cassandra Bodzak helps people “design a life that lights them up.” She’s the best-selling author of “Eat with Intention: Recipes and Meditations for a Life that Lights You Up.”, a mindful cooking host, and a meditation guid/spiritual business mentor for ladybosses all over the world—and she’s bringing all that to this year’s W.E.L.L. Summit. Read on for a peek inside what she’s sharing Nov. 3 & 4 (and check out her Facebook, Instagram and Twitter feeds in the meantime).

What are you known for? I help people design a life that lights them up (and it tends to include owning their own heart-centered business). I believe in ‘the well being trifecta’ which is the trinity of food, meditation and self care being used to energetically create a foundation for expansion. I believe that we can have it all (the amazing relationship, business, hot bod, money, etc.)—we just need to create the container that’s capable of holding it all. I help people expand their wingspan and create a solid foundation to build their dream life upon.

…And what would WS attendees be surprised to learn about you? They might be surprised to know that I used to be a TV and film actress for many years and that it wasn’t until five years ago when I had my dark night of the soul that my world flipped upside down and I was thrown onto my soul’s mission and the life I now have. They also might be surprised to know that I started daily visualization exercises five years ago about what I wanted my life to look like and with just a couple years started living that vision and have been expanding and meeting, expanding and meeting those visions ever since.

What first attracted you to W.E.L.L. Summit? I love Gianne, her energy is infectious and I was so drawn to the heart and soul she has put into this conference to create a space where all of us wellness nerds can come together, geek out and have a collective lovefest in one place!

What are you teaching at this year’s Summit? I will be speaking on a couple panels but my break away session will be all about powering your morning for an epic day. I am big believer that our daily rituals create our reality so we will be going through creating the foundation for what we want to create in our lives starting by our morning wellbeing trifecta. I will be making a few different power breakfasts (you guys will get to taste them!) and explaining why each one will help fuel your mind, body and soul for the day. I will also being giving everyone some tips and tools of effective morning practices and meditations to help them align themselves for the day. Attendees will curate their own perfect morning ritual complete with breakfast, meditation and self-care ritual so they can bring all of the amazing energy of W.E.L.L. Summit and my class with them onwards!

What does wellness mean to you? Wellness to me is mind, body, soul happiness. It’s having energy, enjoying life and being the author of your life’s story.

What are you hoping to empower attendees with? I will empower attendees with real life examples of how these tools that I am sharing have been complete GAME CHANGERS in my life and in the life (and businesses) of my clients. I will talk about how setting up your day effects your productivity and how these exercises will help you making forward progress in the direction of your dreams even on your “off” days.

What other W.E.L.L. Summit Speaker are you excited to hear from? I’m excited to hear from Kathryn Budig, we have a couple close mutual friends in common but our paths have yet to cross. Love everything she is about!

What exciting things are you working on this year? I am writing my second book right now and leading an amazing LightMaker Book Birthing Club for first time writers in the meantime. I’m working on doing a lot more TV wise than I have in the past—coming full circle from my start on ABC’s The Taste and enjoying every minute of it. I’ve also spent time (and money!) this year to reorganize my business so that I have more time in my schedule to be able to take on several one on one clients again because it brings me such tangible joy to help women design a life and business that lights them up and watch their lives transform before my eyes as we navigate the expansion process together—so suuuuupppppeeerr excited to be able to create space in my schedule for that again!

Anyone who is at the top of their game has had to persevere and cheerleader themselves. What is one thing others told you was impossible but you proved was possible? EVERYTHING! Ha. People though it was crazy for me to be on National TV cooking when I was a self -aught homecook with absolutely no TV connections and I’ve done that a few times over. When I started telling people about my book, they would laugh and humor me but I could tell that they didn’t actually believe me and it was great to have “Eat with Intention” not only hit bestseller status on Amazon after it was released but also has been distributed internationally. These days I don’t really even listen to what other people say is impossible because I know that I get the privilege of living the life I have because I don’t have those ceilings and I believe it’s all possible.

What book(s) are you reading now? As a Man Thinketh on repeat by James Allen, Braving The Wilderness by Brene Brown and Proof of Heaven just came in the mail and I’m excited to dive in!

What quote inspires you? “Life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself.” —Oscar Wilder

How do you feel good about yourself on bad days? First, I recognize that I’m going down into a negative spiral (and it totally happens) and I usually try to switch up the scenery and go for a walk to get some fresh air, listen to my “pump up playlist” to get my mood in a better place.

Secondly, I do a thought purge where I write down all the thoughts that are floating in my head and get them down on paper. This always makes me feel better, it’s like a brain vomit of the toxins.

Lastly, I re-choose my thoughts, sometimes it’s as simple as realizing the recurring thought is, “I’m failing at adulting” and then asking myself, “Okay—what would not failing look like? Let’s write a list of what I would need to do to eradicate that thought. Then I get into action on it and I feel a million times better.” Sometimes it’s choosing an affirmation mantra, “I am powerful beyond belief” or “I am infinite,” and meditating with it for 20 minutes. Long story short, I go into my tool box and give myself the same love and care I would a client that was struggling.

What is your surprising/secret empowering practice? My secret empowering practice is getting into the kitchen. I’m a literal wizard in the kitchen (and it’s a power way beyond me) so whenever I need to remember just how freaking magical I am, I cook or bake something that I have never made before. I play music or mantras, I dance and I give myself over to my personal art—recipe creation. For me, taking that first bite into whatever masterpiece I’ve made reaffirms and empowers me so much. It’s my magic made tangible and I get to re-consume it! 🙂