MEET NANCY
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My heart has always been my only home.
Poetry is my first language. Inaccurate as they may be, words are my tools, my pigments, my strands of melody, my dance. They are chisel marks noting concise increments in life, giving contour to meaning.
But my heart has always been my only home. My huge, open, heart sings in seventy languages. Deliciously happy in its lightness, it rides on the outside sleeve of joy, where earth offers a kiss at every turn of leaf or breeze and pewter moons dance softly on velvet black nights.
I know ache and I know joy—sometimes at the same time. I know how lonely alone can be. And for the last 25 years, to my utter amazement, I know that two hearts can continuously beat as one.
At five, I was going to be a missionary nurse. Endless nights on my knees in the back bedroom with the pink rose trellised wallpaper, weeping and praying, my heart breaking—as I believed I that every hour, more people were ‘cast into utter darkness’.
At seven, home with mumps, I put my feverish cheek so close to the radio that the faint smell of burning tubes enveloped me as I heard a pretty woman sing, “Que Sera Sera… whatever will be, will be… the future’s not ours to see, Que Sera Sera.” Could she see me?! Is that why she shared this big secret with me?!
At twenty-one, newly married, I believed we could wrestle and shove life into any shape we wanted. At forty, divorced with three sons, I was often on my knees in the back bedroom of my mind, weeping over the dreams I had broken. At fifty, I met Mark, the extraordinary love of my life, who sees me, cherishes me, and encourages me to soar even higher in a true partnership.
It’s been a journey. Hard. Glamorous. Painful. Glorious. But isn’t that the mysterious weaving of each of our lives.
Reaching this moment, I celebrate all that I have lived, knowing that even the disparate pieces have come together to create a beautiful congruency. Nothing is wasted. Over many years, as a guide for women to see who they are and define their purpose, I now understand how and why I live what I live. And I also understand that what I have always done, even if I couldn’t name it, is exactly what I was called to do from the beginning, and in truth, what was written in my heart.
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NANCY TRITES BOTKIN
As the founder of Think8Women, Nancy empowers women worldwide to unlock their purpose and ignite their creative power. Whether through her transformative three-day one-on-one immersives, Roundtables, global retreats, or her book, Living On Purpose, Nancy guides each woman to identify her true purpose, allowing her to step into a deeper knowingness with focus and power.
Born in Denver, raised in Australia, now in Montreal, Nancy has lived and worked all over the world as a writer, director, and producer for TV and film. With a career spanning national and international markets, her work has earned over 60 prestigious awards including an Oscar short-listed film.
PROFESSIONAL BIO
Nancy’s creative expertise informs her approach to leadership. As Co-Founder and President of Think8, a global consultancy with offices in Montreal, Los Angeles, Portugal and the Bahamas, Nancy works with CEOs, entrepreneurs, and organizations to amplify their innate creativity and guide them in designing innovative, impactful, and aligned solutions for every aspect of life and work.
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MEET MARIOLA
Growing up under Communist rule in Poland, the church was the only place safe we could gather, lifting voices in song to keep each other strong. Even as policemen paced outside with dogs and tanks… even facing harsh martial law… even with tensions erupting in my family… nothing could shut down the little voice in my heart. Not even the omnipresent dark cloud of fear.
Almost dying of pneumonia several times, doctors pronounced that I would be frail and sickly for life. Even then, knowing nothing of Naturopathy, I refused to believe them. Instead, the little voice whispered, “You will help others heal.”
As the voice grew stronger, I trusted it more fully.
Every night before drifting to sleep, I would close my eyes and my future life would appear in full splendor… traveling the world… creating a loving family… having my own practice… and always, the voice, touching people to help
them heal.
Everything starts with that little voice in your heart.
Miracles happen. Synchronicities beyond understanding.
Every piece of that huge puzzle of my life fell into place. As I moved faithfully towards my own life and dreams, so life moved towards me, pulling me into it.
Connecting with my heart’s Intuition from a place of stillness allows me to hear the voice and trust the energy that this process creates. On my Path I have learned to trust my heart’s now strong voice as my Inner Guidance System.
All these years later, I stand in awe at my life and at the work I am privileged to do with so many thousands of people.
And now, no struggle, no pushing, just the pure joy of creation with Nancy at my side to share everything we have learned and are still learning, with you.
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MARIOLA CZEZYK-LIVERNOCHE
ND.A | PROFESSIONAL BIO
Mariola’s vision and practice of mind-body wellness receives extraordinary responses from clients all over the world. A highly skilled, dedicated naturopath, a HeartMath certified trainer with an extensive background in health and wellness, it is no wonder that clients flock to her for achieving balance and well-being, on biochemical, energetic, and emotional levels.
Her devotion to help others lead heart-based living is highly valued and has been rewarded many times. Honoured by the Naturopath Association as ‘Award Winner’ in 2002, she was awarded ‘Naturopath of the Year’ in 2006 and received the ‘Prize of Honor’ in 2011. While recognitions affirm her dedication, her work continues to be driven by a deep desire to make a difference in the life of each person.
Fluent in French, English, Spanish and Polish, Mariola’s international consultations include life coaching to improve personal success, health, and overall fulfillment. Adding the science of The HeartMath methodology to her own extensive skill sets for transforming stress, has been a personal and professional breakthrough solution for increasing energy, building stronger resilience and emotional self-regulation.
Committed to improving the lives of her clients and empowering them to reach their highest potential, Mariola developed and launched ANDA, her on-line path to wholeness, as she continues to make a profound impact in the field of naturopathy, coaching and holistic health.
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IN GRATITUDE
On this journey, both of us have been held tightly by families that live love and then go beyond—
To Mariola’s beloved Denis, Gabriela and Alexandra…
To Nancy’s ever and only, Mark…
You spoke wisdom when we got lost. Gave kindness when we got snappy. Brought clarity when we were blurry. Graced us with endless creativity, unstintingly. Every mile we ran, you were waiting around the next bend, cheering, tossing oranges and cool water, encouraging us to run on.
Our hearts burst with gratitude for the love-in-action you continue to give and live. Your belief in what we are doing puts wings on our feet as we shape two lifetimes of passion and heart-purposed power into one mission to ignite the hearts of women everywhere. To you, our cherished family, we offer our deepest gratitude.
You are why this journey matters.
To our Wonder of 8 Group whose energy, wisdom, and collective intention is a guiding light…
To Susan the keeper of sanity and maker of all things possible…
To Lesli and Annalie whose handmade beauty creates a poem of visual art in a heart-vision space…
To Lisa whose photography and filmmaking captures the essence of passion and purpose…
To the women who graced our photoshoots and gave testimonials with immeasurable depth of spirit…
To the HeartMath Institute, whose ground-breaking work has shaped our approach to this mission…
To Spa Eastman for being an open-hearted sanctuary where creativity and collaboration flourish…
To you, our precious friends, and co-workers in light…we offer our deepest appreciation.
With love and gratitude,
Mariola and Nancy