Cristina’s Wellness Coaching Helps You Leverage and Ignite Your True Power
What’s your story?
I am a corporate trainer, executive coach, and certified wellness therapist. I’m also a wellness speaker and corporate wellness curator for organisations. I’d like to say I am “where corporate meets wellness.”
I started my journey as an advertising executive in Brazil. I later worked in Europe and Hong Kong, where I put in endless hours at work, all day, every day. After 12 years of living this lifestyle, with my stress and unhappiness levels soaring, and watching colleagues and friends burning out, I knew something needed to change.
Since I did not want to leave the corporate arena, I began helping corporates from a different angle – as an external partner and supporter.
As a former corporate, I understand the challenges corporates face and what’s at stake. I support clients with soft skills, coaching and wellness therapies, while offering them a safe space to lower their guard, be themselves, regain their confidence and balance, and be the best versions of themselves. I also created a Kirtan community for Hong Kongers, to help them restore their inner peace and balance.
What excites you most about your industry?
Witnessing clients’ transformation from a place of disempowerment and imbalance to a place of empowerment and strength, and seeing them exercise better choices is both exciting and rewarding.
Through empowering processes like training, coaching and wellness therapies, my clients gain awareness of their blind spots, areas for development and rebalancing, to consciously and actively create the changes they need. Once they tap into their true personal power, they can be their authentic selves and lead the lives they want.
My clients’ gratefulness for the partnership in this journey is truly heartwarming and rewarding. Many times it brings tears to my eyes, when clients share their personal and professional transformation and achievements, as well as the impact on their health, work, and families. This is truly priceless, and I feel honoured and blessed to play a part in their success.
What’s your connection to Asia?
My husband! Peter fell in love with Asia after a backpacking trip in his early 20’s. He promised he’d return one day, and years later, he brought me with him. Our daughter was born here, as was our dog, Luna. Hong Kong is our home. The richness, diversity and cultural experiences we have in Asia are endless. There is always more to see, learn and experience.
Hong Kong is also the city in which I reinvented myself, embraced a new career and created Manipura Wellness Practice.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
Hong Kong. It’s my home and it’s where Manipura was born. Having invested years, energy and resources into networking, building my business, and establishing a thriving client base, my roots are here.
It is also in Hong Kong that many clients struggle with the relentless work-life culture, the demanding work environment and time-zone differences with the other markets. They work extremely long hours and travel extensively. I want to support clients here in one of the most demanding markets and cities in Asia and the world. I want HK executives to know about, and understand the experiences Manipura can offer — that corporate and wellness can work hand in hand, by providing coaching and holistic therapies to create a life that is mindful, meaningful and memorable.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
My dad always taught me, “if you want something done well, do it yourself.” In Portuguese, it would be “se você quer algo bem feito, faça você mesmo!” Dad is a perfectionist and I have his genes, so when it comes to important projects, alliances and high stakes, I usually take the lead to ensure everything I do is at a high quality level I can be proud of.
Who inspires you?
My dad taught me to be curious and to learn as much about our bodies as we could. I grew up with an Encyclopaedia, learning about body organs, diseases and remedies. In his early 40s, my dad modified his diet due to high cholesterol. Naturally, we started talking about healthy diets and lifestyles. I feel he ignited my passion for wellness and wellbeing. He’s a doctor that turned out to be an engineer!
Arianna Huffington is ultimately our global wellness ambassador, challenging the paradigm of success, to prioritize health and sleep over financial performance. She is my greatest inspiration behind my motto, “corporate meets wellness,” and I’m proud to be a part of her Thrive Global team.
My clients and colleagues who trust me to co-create wisdom, wellness and wellbeing. I’m inspired by their personal stories, challenges, learnings, and transformation each and every day.
Also, my Kirtan community makes me smile, cry tears of joy, and feel loved, through sharing a mutual passion.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
As a wellness curator for IMI, I work with qualified and inspiring practitioners. Through them, I continuously learn about the body, its parts and systems, the impact on the human mind and emotions, when they are not in balance, as well as other stressors and environmental toxicity.
I recently learned about the differences in the body systems between women and men in imbalanced states, and how having a purpose in life, that goes beyond roles at work, impacts longevity.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
I would have spent more time with friends. There are only 24 hours in a day, and to meet many work and family demands, I sacrificed the social part of my life. Today, thanks to our Kirtan community, the Garden Gathering, and Be Love communities, I am bringing social aspects back to my life. Friends and community are a critical part of our holistic wellness and wellbeing, and we should always have time for them.
How do you unwind?
My Kirtan practice brings me a sense of calm, clarity and contentment. I also do my daily meditation and prayers and do not leave home without having done them! These practices set me up for the day, mentally, emotionally and energetically.
I also use my time to read, spend time with my family and my dog, Luna, all of which feeds my soul. Taking Luna on weekend hikes is a favourite family activity, and seeing her happy makes me happy. In fact, after a busy day, being greeted by Luna brings me incredible peace and joy. Her outpouring of love takes any stress away!
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
One of our favourite destinations in Asia is Japan. We have been exploring from North to South, East to West, and we continue to expand our activities. My husband and daughter enjoy nature, surfing, snowboarding and exploring. Japan is incredibly beautiful. It’s an easy and safe place to travel with children. The people are extremely polite, and the quality, respect and artistic approach to food wins over our hearts and taste buds.
Everyone in business should read this book:
“Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating A Life of Well-being, Wisdom, and Wonder,” by Arianna Huffington, of course!
Through Arianna’s personal wake-up call, she embraces wellness and wellbeing, drawing on the latest research and scientific findings in the fields of psychology, sports, sleep, and physiology, to show the profound and transformative effects of meditation, mindfulness, unplugging and giving. Arianna passionately suggests a third metric to redefine success in today’s world by creating a life of wellbeing, wisdom and wonder so we can thrive in today’s world.
Shameless plug for your business:
Manipura Wellness Practice offers coaching and wellness therapies to individuals and renowned wellness centres in Hong Kong. I am an experienced executive coach, holistic wellness practitioner, trainer and corporate wellness speaker. I am also a certified Iridologist, Bach Remedy practitioner and crystal healer. Drawing on different skills to support a client’s unique needs, my mission is to help individuals proactively and consciously explore and address the wellness areas that are directly impacting overall wellbeing, confidence, energy level, and performance. By making new and healthier choices and leveraging on our strengths, I believe we can live healthy, meaningful and rewarding lives.
How can people connect with you?
I can be reached at:
Website: www.manipurawellness.com
Integrated Medicine Institute in Hong Kong, where I offer my wellness services: https://www.imi.com.hk/iridology-bach-flower-crystal-healing-wellness-practitioner-hong-kong-cristina-rodenbeck.html
Email: [email protected]
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This interview is part of the ‘Callum Connects’ series of more than 500 interviews
Callum Laing is an entrepreneur and investor based in Singapore. He has previously started, built and sold half a dozen businesses and is now a Partner at Unity-Group Private Equity and Co-Founder and CEO of MBH Corporation PLC. He is the author of three best-selling books ‘Progressive Partnerships’, ‘Agglomerate’ and ‘Entrepreneurial Investing’.
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Download free copies of his books at www.callumlaing.com
