Reflections, Intentions and Our Words for 2026

wisdom, and practical tips to help you stop sleepwalking through life and start living it on your terms. You ready to wake up and thrive? Let's go. Let's go. You are tuning in to a wakeup call. I am Tess, a mental fitness coach, and you are Lane Bishley, a seven times champion and champion for mental wellness. And together we are awake academy. So we are here to give you life stories, practical wisdom, a little bit of science, but some tools that you can take away for energy,

actually written down start a t-shirt brand which I forgot. Really? Yeah. No way. Yeah. With proceeds going back to women by the way, which we've included now. Um, and it really was about looking at my year and deciding how I wanted to show up. So, today we're going to give you those tools and a little bit of a insight into how we are reflecting on the year that we've had and setting the intentions for the year forward. And I'm really keen to know LB in this whole process how this a impacted you. So, this is a new format for you, but you're not you're new to looking at habits, routines, and setting goals, right? No, I mean, my whole life's been set around habits, routines, and goals, and it's been pretty a good one for you. Yeah, I'm one of the very few sevenventime world champion athletes in

gives us more ownership and more accountability and essentially more agency over who we are and what we want to achieve. Otherwise, we're allowing all of the external noise and distractions to keep us on track. Yeah. And when they change, we change. So we lose that consistency in life. So this creates a nice consistent framework for us to follow and pursue. And it's al it's also okay if you fall off a little bit. It's natural to wobble. Yeah. And I noticed that I had wobbled a little bit throughout the year. But if I just reflect on the year as a whole, it gave me a sense of confidence and conviction that I'm on the right path. Oh, I love this. So Elby, I haven't actually heard your year in review. No, you have not. Um, and this is the exciting part because I'm hearing it for the first time as well. So, you're going to be our guinea pig for this episode, but just to give people a taste of the tool that we're going to provide to you. And we've actually at the end of this episode, um, we'll point you to where where you get to go through this process um, and who you can do it with as well, cuz it's a really good one to do with loved ones. Now, this toolkit really is

true. Um no it's not. Um if you write it down you clear it think about it as like emotionally dumping what's going on for you and then it actually gives you some space between it because you've processed it. Not space between it because you've buried it. Right? And that's the process of it. Okay. So that's in the state of reflection. That's in the state of reflection. But then when in the state of intention, you need to write it down because you're 40% more likely to achieve it. I know. 40% more actually. So it's now 42. Fantastic. So that also um clarity creates confidence. So you're able to build a sense of understanding of where you're going. We like to set intentions before we start every podcast episode, every meeting, every workshop. We're always doing this practice. So this is a bit of a framework that you can apply at any time in your life. And then that confidence creates momentum. And what you and I really need in our life is structure. And structure creates freedom. Right. 100%. As a Gemini, oh my goodness, I'm so easily distracted. And structure is definitely my friend, but it's been my enemy for such a long time. Yeah. It's amazing what you resist, but how much you need it. Yes. All right. So, if this if you're looking to start this year with intention, with purpose, and a bit of clarity, then this episode is for you. So, please dive in with us as we go through LB's life in review. Why don't we get to go through your life? Oh, I don't worry. I'm going to touch on some of mine as well. Good. All right. Excellent. So, this year is

and es and flows, but the one word I kept landing on was fulfilling. It's been a very fulfilling year. And that's not to say it hasn't been without its challenges, but I've I've navigated my way through those issues and challenges and I've come come out the other side. I'm still standing, still sharing, still learning, still growing. So, it's been a very fulfilling year. I love that. What about you? I wrote down, so mine was like three words. So, for today's episode, if you just feel like following along and you're driving or however you're consuming this episode, just talk to yourself as as we're coaching through it. So, focus on the our similarities, not the differences. So I had three words which ended up turning into four. Um because that's typically me. I don't over complicate it. And in the workbook it says in one word. I know. I know. And I wrote the workbook. So you created the workbook. So I was following the rules. I follow the structure. See that's what happens with us.

misalignment in energies at some points. Um, there was forcing myself to take on everything and have the answer to everyone. Um, so whilst it was incredibly rewarding, I also felt myself really frustrated in my own energy at times. Um, so yeah, that was the two contradictions. And it's like I think by doing the work and like working through this with therapist and you and my husband, I've realized that those two things can coexist at the same time. You can be incredibly proud of yourself, but then also frustrated at points of the process or you can think that it was a year of growth, but also a little bit of stagnation as well. I felt at times I was procrastinating cuz I didn't want to make decisions. So yeah, I I feel like I've led into my gentleness in that as well and having everything okay at the same time. Okay. So they are the four words. They're the four words. Okay. So So what are the four words? Frustration and growth and growth. Yes. And then energy and frustration. Oh, okay. Yeah. All right. Yeah. All right. Wrapped. So I said um in the process and you do get when you do our workbook you do get a very powerful colorful workbook um which can be printed or it can be downloaded and you can do it online. Um again writing it down makes it so much better um in with a paper and pen but if you do want to type it out that is also okay. So what is one thing you were proud of? Have you been listening to this episode and thought, "Mike drop. Maybe I'm ready to get coached or have some therapy, but you don't want to go all the way down and get a therapist." Welcome to the Awake Collective, where we do monthly coaching to help people feel accountable, supported, and they keep on doing the work that you hear in this podcast. It is life transformative. Right, LB? It's a community of support and like-minded people who are willing to keep investing in themselves because what we do is we help people help themselves. If you've enjoyed what you've heard today, then the Awake Collective is for you. So, come and join us at awakeacademy.com.au and join us for monthly coaching, a community that supports you and tools that you can use in your life to thrive. Let's go. See you there. Feeling good is really important to me. As a professional athlete, I really rely heavily on finding the best fuel I can for my body. And that's how I came across micronutrition. I start my day every day with a big glass of water and a heap teaspoon of magnesium powder. And then I boost my immunity because I work really hard with their vitamin C. Micro Nutrition have a range of supplements that will suit everyone's needs. So visit micronutrition.com.au and use our code await 10 for 10% off. You know what I mean? Someone said to us they wanted to bottle up our energy. So we did. The reason why we did though is we needed a product that sustained energy, supports our immunity, supports our mental clarity so we can get up and go and host this podcast. It only has seven ingredients including mushrooms, cortiseps, and turkey tail which gives you so much mental clarity and focus. It's TGA listed and it's available now on our website. So visit awakeacademy.com.au and try some wake up today.

I asked people uh around the table like, "What's one thing that surprises you about me?" And um someone said and this was a couple of years ago. Someone said that you always are able to make the time for me. And you know time is our greatest asset and one of our finest finitist is that even a word I like can be can be one of our um a resource that is very finite. And I as I'm getting older I'm understanding the importance of making the time for the things that light me up the most. And look, uh, watching dad decline doesn't light me up, but being there for him lights me up. So, showing up has what's has what's made me proud the most because I've I've shown up in times when I didn't feel like it. I've I've shown up for people who didn't appreciate it, but I'm still there. Um, and I'm always showing up for myself to the best way I can. And sometimes that's a struggle. Um, but often it's just I'm g I'm learning as I'm getting older to give myself credit and and acceptance for where I'm at on that particular day. I'm not I'm no longer expecting myself to be the champion of the world. What? I know. Isn't that bizarre? I mean, if I'm having a self-pity party, I do walk into my trophy room and check out all my trophies. But and I don't I don't spray you in champagne. No, I know. I miss that. I miss standing on a podium in a bikini being sprayed with champagne. And I really want to introduce that to the corporate world. But that's uh that's the one thing I'm most proud of. What are you most proud of?

there are germ bubbles and they love sharing that with everybody. Yeah. And because I have a ongoing injury, it does like I do have a compromised immune system at times which isn't a label I like to carry around but when it hits I it gives me grace. Yeah. Right. I as Sue Langley would say just another story. Just another label. Just another label. Um so yeah and I knew that after the like October was huge for us. We launched a vitamin, a podcast, a t-shirt brand, and a collective and a collective membership, which is too much. 100% is too much. Oh, and it was mental health week, so or mental health month, so we were booked out for like a lot of workshops for our corporate clients. I don't know why it all scheduled that way, but on reflection, it the only ownership I have on that is me, okay? Um, so I need to own that and know that we we can't do it all all at the same time. And that's something that I give have to give myself grace for is just getting it all done. We teach what we need to learn. We do. Yeah. So, um I booked a holiday after that period and switched myself off for the first time, practiced what I preached and yeah, it was incredibly fulfilling. So, I'm going to carry that practice into 2026. Good. Yeah. I, you know, when people have really busy um hectic workloads, one of the greatest things you can do is is get through it to the best of your ability, but then schedule a bit of time after it to recover cuz rest is your friend. Yeah. Work and rest are not enemies. They're actually friends and and they need each other to manage your energy. Yeah. So, it's really important that you you've learned that now. Yeah. Well, isn't it incredible? We heard from Dr. Michael Jves and he was saying there are whole teams around athletes now that just focused on rest. Yeah. Like he he actually mentioned that athletes these days Yeah. have a whole team around them to help them recover. And I thought that's where I went wrong. Oh yeah. Yeah. Cuz I didn't have a team to help me recover. Who's got a team to help you recover? Anyone? So you have to hold yourself accountable and know what rejuvenates you and how long you need to recover and schedule that time and guard that with your life cuz you need to rest and recuperate to come back and then serve. Yeah. And I feel like that has been on reflection of watching you this year at times when you're like on the cusp you've been managed to catch you've c caught yourself so quickly in that by resting. Mh. Um, so I've really enjoyed watching you learn that process this year.

was uh supporting a family member who was doing it really really tough. And what I learned about myself is I lean into support but also with an element of expectation for them to change. And as Bnee Brown always says, the dis well the the true understanding of disappointment are unmet expectations. And if we're constantly projecting the expectations onto others to shift, to change, to do something different, and they don't, then that increases our levels of disappointment and frustration. And I had to come back to the the foundational premise of why am I helping this soul? And I'm helping him because I love him and his family. And addiction is a whole person disease. It's not micro moments or moments of addiction. It's the whole person and helping someone through addiction is really hard to understand when you're not an addict yourself. Yeah. So, it's taught me the importance of compassion and understanding and empathy without the need for change. Beautiful. Yeah. And you know that is often the spiritual reflection of what you need to see within yourself. Yes. Yeah. Like self-compassion. Yes. Self-acceptance. 100%. Love it. So those all those interactions are mirror mirrors back to us. Yeah. So on that what was your spiritual and emotional lesson that you learned

accepting that that person's journey is their adventure and I'm just always going to be on the sidelines supporting them no matter what. It's funny as I reflect on hearing your story through this, I'm thinking about me and my relationship with my step kids. Yeah. It's a really interesting role that you have to play where you can't jump in and be on all the time, but I'm really working on being present no matter where they are. Yeah. And meeting them there without all the tools. And that's hard as a parent. You must cuz you see your kids and you want what's best for them, but unless they want what's best for them, doesn't matter what you want for them. Yeah. So, this is an exercise that I'm actually going to get them to do this year, right? Um, do you think they will? I trust that they will. They're really good. They're really good when you give kids are really great when you give them frameworks and when you're doing the activity, it's sort of it's osmosis. If it's something like they say the best way you can lead a child is through your actions, not your words. Yeah. because they learn from what they see, not from what they're told. Yeah. So, if we can sit down and do this, we actually did it on New Year's Day last year. We had a barbecue with all of them and their friends. And we sat around New Year's Day and we went around the table and everyone said a goal and we're going to go back to those goals again on New Year's Day this year or next year. 2026. Yeah. And reflect on who achieved what. And that was a beautiful practice.

I trained this morning and I forgot to eat before I trained and I ran out of steam towards the end. You notice a difference? 100% notice the difference. I wasn't able to do cuz I'm doing um short interval sprint training and I was a I normally do five effortlessly and I could only get to four and even at the fourth I ran out of I had a lactic acid build up at the end of the fourth sprint. So it's all because I didn't eat protein. Wowza. Yeah. Okay. What about you? Best new habit. Best new habit I would say is being kinder to myself. Um I we've implemented well-being Sundays at our house. Um which don't happen every Sunday. Um, how's your toddler embracing that? He is. We did it on last Sunday and we had um our closest friends with us and I actually did an intention setting where we with a smudge stick and I burnt away the bad energy of the year. And then I got everyone to do a practice of bringing in new good energy and I used a polo Santa stick. Right. Um, where do we get these sticks? Yeah. Online. I'll put a link in the show notes. Um, and as I was leading the meditation and breath work and then we do an ice bath, Benji is sitting in the chair with us. We set him up and he has his little hands out and he's using the smudge stick. And like it's really beautiful to watch your son go through that process. And I said to him, you know, what's your intention for the year, Benji? And he said, kindness. So he really is starting to grasp it, but then he's in the ice bath and splashing around. So wow. Yeah, it's just again practice what you preach and and they will follow. Okay. So yeah, that is um that is one habit that I really want to continue into 2026. Did he not ball his eyes out in the ice bath? How many toddlers like a last bath? Uh you put put your feet in, put feet out. He was more angry with the polo with the um sage cuz that actually stinks. And everybody is in these like beautiful moments like tears running down their faces and Benji's going What happened to kindness, Benji? That came off. Kindness of sage. Yeah. Okay. So, that is a short taster of what is in the year of reflections. I love doing this on New Year's Eve. Um, there is a really good reason why I haven't done this yet, and that is because it is part of my New Year's Eve practice. Um, I do it with Chris. We sit down and I've done it before Chris. It's just I get to emotionally dump the year that was and then when I wake up on New Year's Day, I watch the sunrise and I write I do the next half which is 2026 on sunrise. Right. And that's how I bring in my new year. So um I just I don't Well, you can't. This is new process for you. I get up and go for a surf. Yeah, exactly. Well, that's your setting the intentions, right? And I really do feel how you bring it in is how you bring it on. So that is my tip for this year. How you bring it in is how you bring it on. Okay. So one thing that you're letting go of

when in actual fact I do. And I was just seeking evidence to prove myself right because I'd rather be right than happy. So by looking for evidence of where I don't belong that made me right which then filled my ego which then actually exacerbated my frustration and anger. So I'm letting go of those ones. Okay. What's the flip of that? Who are you going to become then if you don't have that story? What are you going to take into 2026? A bolder, brighter, more self-compassionate lane. Hell yeah. That sounds like fun. I love her. Looking forward to working with me now, are you? I sure am. Well, that's who I know you to be. Yeah. I mean, I also know your light. I know your light and your shade. Um, and I get really sad when I see you in that sense of fear. So, to hear you really own it is gives me just such joy. So, say that again. What are you becoming? bolder, brighter, more self-compassion. I love it. So, one of the things that we um have in this toolkit is the ability to create a framework around habits and reflections um by life area. Yep. And it comes in six boxes. So, personal, health and wellbeing, relationship and home life, spiritual and emotional growth, business, so that can be career or work and financial. It comes in six boxes and which is sort of like a sixbox quadrant um that you can have your own. Yeah. And every week I draw these in a journal and then that sets my tone for this week. So it has repetition in it because the more you repeat these the more you write them down. So that's how you're going to frame up your week now into those six boxes. Really? Yeah. So you're going to hit one target.

with growth. Just alignment. I don't need to explain it any further. What's your word? Oh, you haven't done it yet. Well, I have thought about it. And my word of the year is going to be grace. Grace. Because in grace is flow. It's embodiment of self. It gives you the ability to let things come to you rather than to force it. Um I'm like a bull in a china shop sometimes. That's what my husband calls me. Right. Yes. Um I would agree with that. Yes. So which gets a lot of things done but not necessarily with grace. So grace is about like owning who I am this year and just sitting in a true sense of self. As a busy mom and an entrepreneur, I am constantly looking at ways I can optimize my sleep cuz when I sleep well, I feel amazing when I wake up. Micronutrition has an amazing product called Sleep Support. It has three different types of magnesium powder and passion flour, which just help me feel a little bit more rejuvenated in the tiny bits of sleep that I do get as a mom. So, visit micronutrition.com.au and use the code awake 10 and get 10% off all of their products. Enjoy your sleep. I've been managing menopause for years and I've constantly been looking for something to help me create mental clarity, boost my immunity, and help me show up with more energy. So, we came up with Wake Up. It's only got seven ingredients in it, including a bit of caffeine. But cortiseps, turkey tail, jinseng, ginko, vitamin B, vitamin D, all really natural good stuff and it's good for you. So if you're feeling a little fatigued and need that little boost, wake up is your pill. You'll find it on our website, awakeacademy.com.au. You know, I don't even really know where to begin. Nice. And what energy are you uh are you going to commit to? Just flow. Okay. Rather than the peaks and the troughs that I'm susceptible to. Um, I just I really want some consistency in my energy levels this year. My energy is consistency, is it? Imagine if you and I consistent. Imagine.

been before. Oh, maybe Colombia. No, Costa Rica. Okay. Health and well-being. The micro habit that's going to shift everything. So, health and well-being is calmness. I want to be more calm. And so, the micro habit is a daily meditation practice. Now, I dip in and out of meditation, but if consistency is the energy that I want, I need to be more consistent with my practice. That can be 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, you noticed a shift within yourself? Absolutely. So, I set the goal that I was going to meditate every day for 2025. Um, I did a reconciliation on that actually. And um so I have meditated a night meditation over 300 times. Brilliant. However, however, I wanted to also have a day meditation. So too much. So I've had about over 200 days, but in between all of that, I had a bit of another injury and a setback which forced me backwards and I had to surrender that I couldn't meditate during those migraines. and issues that came up and I've been trying to find my flow in that. So I am glad and grateful that I still have managed to do like hundreds of hours of meditation this year. When I meditate in the morning when I actually really just want to start work it's really challenging for me. So I have to find my flow in that. So I find my best meditations are actually when I want to separate from work into mom. So I build that just before I switch off from work. I do a meditation and then that sets me on the path to be a better mom. And what's what have you noticed within yourself? Calm presence and I'm out of my masculinity and into my femininity of just being mom, right? Yeah. Beautiful. Yeah. Cuz that's the beauty of meditation. It increases your ability to concentrate, gives you clarity, gives you more confidence within yourself. So I don't understand why we don't do it. I Yeah. It increases your cognitive function, your performance, your memory. So if you're a high performance person and you want more of that. Yeah. So you just have to find what works for you. A lot of people try and meditate in the morning cuz you should do it every day. Yeah. But I find I need upward energy at that time. So exercise is a meditation for me. Walking. But the intentional eye close happens in the middle of the day almost like I'm filling my soul up with fuel like refueling plugging my batteries in. And that's how I've framed it. So it's got a positive source. Just find the time. Find the time. Make the time. Guard the time. Okay. Now, I want to know, what is your home life goal and habit for this year? Naps. Naps. And more naps. I love naps. Kirk loves naps. I love naps. I know. If I've structured my day right, there's time for naps. Well, you could meditate and then have a nap. Why? I just want a nap. Well, it's a reward. So, your body does need reward mechanisms after things. It's true. Yeah. So, dangle that carrot. Okay. Okay. By tw December 2026, you will be proud that you uh by 2026, I'll be proud that I I've written this down somewhere, actually. Oh, here it is. And I'm scrap that. So, if you achieve all of the things that you set out to achieve in 2026, so your habits and your goals. I like to focus on habits cuz we can achieve anything when we've got consistency. Yes. What will you what will you feel worthy for at the end of the year if you achieve it all? Um you're you're worthy of achieving all of those things. Naps, rest. Well, here's the thing, and this is what we know around the work that we do. You don't have to do it to believe you're worthy of it. You actually have to believe you're worthy of it first. Yeah. Before you do it. So, I already know I'm worthy of all these things. I just have to give myself permission to do it. And when I give myself permission and I anchor myself in that, then I'm not relying on the out of on the input and then the um the the outcome of the goal to define me because I am already worthy. Wow. Yeah. So I actually haven't set a goal outside of myself. M I want to do these things because they light me up and they perhaps I'm going to contradict myself because I know they'll also bring me more energy. They'll bring me more connection. They'll make me a happier person. They'll make me a better wife. They'll make me a better business partner. So, it'll improve me. So, the the thing that I'm really going for is sustained growth. I love it. So, maybe that's the name of this episode. Sustained growth for a better 2026. There you go. Yeah. So in all of this, what we want you to hear is like this is a toolkit that really does change your life. This gives you grounding, clarity, focus, and we can all use that in our lives to show up as a better person. But we call this being your best self. Yes. Now, we realize that um the end of 2025 for some has been really challenging. Um energetically, the world is off. We are all grieving right now um for all sorts of reasons. And you don't have to do this at the end of the new year if you don't feel this is right for you. You can start this in the new year. You can start it in February. What we're saying is just start. Um the intention of it will help you affirm to yourself that you are worthy of sustained growth. And there is nothing worse than staying stuck, right? No, there's nothing worse than stagnation. So this toolkit is available to you for our New Year's campaign. So it's on awakeacademy.com.au/bestyou and you can download this. It's $7.77 which is the spiritual number for growth. Tada. Um it is packed with all of these tools, a framework that you can use every week, which will give you clarity, confidence, and intention to have 2026 as your best year yet. So, it'll be after writing all of this down, what do you feel you're going to get out of 2026 that you haven't yet got? Writing all this stuff down certainly gave me an element of clarity, direction, and accountability. So, with that in mind, it it's a healthy reminder of all the things that I want to do. Now, we all wobble. We all fall off the wagon occasionally, but it's nice to be able to come back to that. We use a lot of our I am mantras as our accountability partners just to keep ourselves centered and directional. Whereas this framework and this formula puts our whole life in perspective. And the bit the the wonderful thing is that we can share it with our significant others, our friends, our family, so they can help us and be a part of it and hold us accountable but also join in on the adventure. So that's what's so beautiful about this whole formula. I love the fact that it's just giving me a whole lot more direction in life because as a Gemini, I have thoughts that just ping ping. I'm just my mind blows and I get so easily distracted. I can be very focused, but then a green light squirrel lights over here. So, it's really important for me to be able to come back to this and go, "Oh, yeah, that's what I want to do more of. I forgot that." It's really quickly how quickly we forget these things. I am looking forward to LB 2026, I've got to say. All right. So, if this episode has resonated with you, if you're if you want to do this with someone, please share it with them. The best gift you can give a loved one is your self-growth. And this is a beautiful toolkit to do that. So, visit awakeacademy.com.au/bself. And we will see you in 2026 as the best version of yourself, no matter what you're going through. We'll see you next week. Toodles. Happy New Year. Have you been listening to this episode and thought, "Mike drop. Maybe I'm ready to get coached or have some therapy, but you don't want to go all the way down and get a therapist." Welcome to the Awake Collective, where we do monthly coaching to help people feel accountable, supported, and they keep on doing the work that you hear in this podcast. It is life transformative, right LB? It's a community of support and like-minded people who are willing to keep investing in themselves because what we do is we help people help themselves. If you've enjoyed what you've heard today, then the Awake Collective is for you. So come and join us at awakeacademy.com.au and join us for monthly coaching, a community that supports you and tools that you can use in your life to thrive. Let's go. See you there.