Session 10 - The summit

I met Dr Rakish Rana after nearly two years since my last session, the pandemic has ripped through the foundations of this planet but?as the flames dampen down, from the scorched earth, beautiful flowers are starting to arise through the cracks.

Humanity strived together for a common cause of survival and kindness prevailed.

The very soil of human emotion, nutrient rich from the pandemic that has plagued us.

I sit down with Dr Rakish Rana at this beautiful country park, the feeling in the air is of excitement, of opportunity, of a deep reflection of sorts.

I can hear the harp player creating a beautiful sympathy in the background, very reminiscent of the different stages of my life as she goes through the symphony.

I am already quite emotional due to preparing for this session, mentally analysing?how I feel, what I’ve achieved, what I have failed on and knowing it’s the completion of this chapter in my life, a chapter which I have deeply valued and will always highly reflect upon.

Since we started this journey together, the growth, the change, the metamorphosis of my life has been such that, the entire landscape looks different to me, it feels different, it’s surreal upon reflection, no longer am I being guided from the ropes at the bottom of the mountain but I feel experienced, seasoned, hardened with the mental and physical investment I have worked for during these expositions.

4 years of careful guidance by the Guru himself has transformed my day-to-day life personally and in business.

There is part of me who is always going give gratitude to him, as the changes I have made are deeply rooted in his advice and wisdom therefore cannot escape his guiding presence.

We began to speak about the last few years and how covid has affected the business, I begin to tell him how it wiped 95% of our profits from the books as retailers dropped like flies, I smile at him, he curiously asks how do you feel about that?

I responded by saying, “it gave me the greatest opportunity of my lifetime.”

To focus on The VAYYU Foundation? to make strategic decisions with regards to Vayyu to keep the brand safeguarded whilst the retail stores closed, to launch a global UK conservation charity The Vayyu Foundation and its pioneering projects UOCEAN? 2050 UEARTH? 2050

www.uocean.org - www.uearthproject.com

The impact of these environmental conservation projects stretches the face of this planet from the UK to Indonesia, from India to St.Lucia

I have become a recognised industry leader in sustainable fashion and conservation alike. Something I never thought I would be recognised for or desired to be.

Just last week, at the RPC Retail Compass event, I was named an environmental expert on a panel in which I was speaking at.

I had to look behind me to see whom they were speaking about and to reframe that statement for them by stating I am not expert. Lol. I can just about tie my shoes laces.?

I explained to Dr.Rakish, that money can always be made again and that I had to trust my choices to protect the business and my shareholders and even though it might not have been everyone’s choice, being a leader, you have to make those tough choices in the best interest of the company, I put the company first and didn’t shy away from my responsibilities as Director.

I could of shut the company down, logic would dictate that, it was sinking and bleeding me dry but my overwhelming urge to will always fight came out stronger than ever.

I held the fought, tighten the rains, weathered the storms, in the hope of a brighter day, I believe my sustainable fashion brand VAYYU? is something sacred that has been gifted to me, I’m a custodian of the message and it’s my responsibility to share this with the word.

Moving on from Vayyu, Dr.Rakish went on to ask me how UOCEAN 2050 is going and what challenges it has faced, what successes and what the plans going forward will be?

I responded it has been such a whirlwind of activity, the groundwork, the creativity, the blood, sweat and tears placed into the project to the downfall of my own personal comfort and stability.?

I was here, there and everywhere for the last two years from showcasing in Monaco to waste deep in dirty water across the UK pulling our 30 year old plastic packaging from our rivers but I truly feel it’s my calling, to protect people and planet, not just to spread the spiritual message of VAYYU?

He congratulated me on the international success of the project and just the sheer scale of what I was achieving by cleaning our oceans from plastic and replacing our coastlines with mangroves.

He mentioned that the only thing that stood out to him was the fact I was still doing this all alone, climbing mountains, enjoying the view and going onto the next one without the advice or reflection of a life mountaineer who have already walked that path. With brute force smashing my way through the cliff face with no regard to the ice sheets falling from up above.

Dr.Rakish once compared me to a Runaway steam train ploughing through the snow with no thought about what may lie in front of me, just sheer determination and faith that track lay ahead.

Back to the story, he furthered his point by suggesting I create a high achieving team of individuals around me.

Individuals of great character, depth, experience, integrity and expertise in their respective subjects.

He explained that the mountains I now face going forward maybe to big to scale alone, as these are not the little peaks that once daunted me previously.

Why not bring in a l team to help guide me up those mountains of life??The mountains only a few have ever dared to explore.

Imagine exploring those peaks together and to learn from each other, to elevate oneself, to elevate once’s mind to further heights.

I stopped and thought about it, usually my race is running alone, coming from humble begging, I have become that lone wolf, scarred from the battles, hungry for blood from the lack of resources but determined to survive those cold nights by any means. People say I can be very brash or straight to the point during meetings, which I’m unapologetic for, well, where I’m from, you don’t generally have time for nicety’s, you just get the job done at hand.

What a welcome it would be to run with a high achieving pack, to find comfort in the safety of others, to learn new techniques, to feel supported from their experience and to feel reassured there is a way through other than blowing a hole through the mountain which is time consuming and not always the smartest choice.

I think he is right though I’m hesitant to run with others, it’s not about keeping up, or competing, it’s about trust, being vulnerable, it’s about the betterment of the group, not just the individual.

For to long I have ran alone and I’m accustomed to the solitary life I have created.

Would a A-Team around me help elevate me to the next level??

I took his advice and I have set out on a mission and to create this, to bring a network of support around me, a wealth of experience, a wealth of knowledge to draw upon at any point, to reflect, to learn and to share.

It has been over an hour of us talking and the air became heavy, silence took its place, like two old friends not needing to say any more word but fully knowing how each other felt.

Humbled, proud of each other, grateful, thankful and a sincere admiration for each other’s friendship and consultation.

I feel I am who I am because of this man as I previously stated. I ultimately have grown, matured and most importantly understood taking advice from the right people can benefit your life is so many wonderful ways.

I leave this conversation between us open as our friendship.

I believer our bond will last a lifetime but I will listen to his advice and I’m finding my team, I will find my pack and we will conquer the next mountain together.

So now Ive reached the summit, I look up as I depart from Dr Rakish Rana and before me stands Everest, taller than you could ever imagine, darker than the night itself and windier than I’ve faced before.

But I see a thread hanging down from the first sheet of ice, a single red line with someone shouting down from it through the mist, I think this maybe my new team telling me to clip on.

Fuck it, let’s for it.

Thank you for joining me on this 4 year journey, I hope you can find value in my journey and find comfort knowing they are people out their willing to help you become the best you.

www.vayyu.com

www.vayyufoundation.org

www.uocean.org

www.uearthproject.org