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By Paul Palmarozza

Our Society Today

The daily stream of newspaper articles and numerous scientific reports about the increasingly high degree of stress, depression, obesity, violence, broken families, drug addiction, self-harm, participation in perverted sexual practices – the list goes on – all seem to point to the fact that we are not following the right path. There is need to first acknowledge the problems and then find a way to improve the conditions.

Here is one view of the main problems:

• Major values of the day are wealth, power, fame & pleasure. While not wrong in themselves, the problem is that excess in these domains has become the norm. For example, pornography and marijuana are now rapidly expanding businesses. In the business world large company CEOs make 2-300 times the average annual salary of their employees and only stay in that position for 3-4 years. ‘Take the money and run’ seems to guide them, the short-term gain mentality permeates many aspects of businesses and what is ignored is how best to serve the needs of our society, which is the right way to success and sustainability.
• We are a predominantly materialistic society wrongly believing that greater happiness will be attained by having more wealth, power, fame, and physical pleasure. Media continually lists the 100 richest, 100 most famous and 100 most powerful. Do you see listings of the 100 most Compassionate, Generous, or Humble?
• There is little or in some cases, no spiritual education offered to young people and participation in the traditional religious services has substantially decreased for the older generations.
• The family, which is the fundamental unit of a culture, is in a dangerously weakened state causing increased stress and tension in young people raised without the love and discipline offered by both parents. Divorce now is an accepted norm and there is even talk of allowing people to do it online.
• Highly advanced technology has resulted in increasing dependence on the internet and social media, with unregulated damaging material available, even to young children. Artificial Intelligence will bring even greater dependency on technology, without proper understanding by individuals.
• There is an overemphasis on my freedom and equality; my rights – not my duties. Ego-based thinking dominates in our highly competitive society.
• A wake-up call has sounded by Climate Change, which has become a global problem. Examination has revealed that several decisions based on short term financial gains for business, have caused a serious violation of Nature for which the world is beginning to pay a very serious price.

A Good, Truly Rich Life.

These issues must be addressed if a more empathetic, ethical, and healthy society is to be developed. How can this happen?

The essence of the new direction is first honestly acknowledging the problems and challenges we are facing and then turning the attention inwards by quieting the moving mind; surrendering the excess baggage of ego-based ideas and feelings; and simply connecting with our true ‘inner being’.

By addressing the more spiritual dimension of our being we are accessing a great power which has always existed, but has not been availed enough. In recent years several useful practices have been introduced and successfully used to improve the state of being. The main ones are:

Mindfulness

A practice to help bring us to stillness, to be in the present moment with full attention, instead of relying solely on past experiences or letting the mind wander into the future imagining what will be. With a quiet mind and heart, we are then better able to objectively consider important questions, in order that right and good decisions are better able to be made.

Meditation

Meditation has been practised for thousands of years in the various cultural traditions. While there are different systems of meditation, the practice itself is universal. It helps create a real sense of unity, which is crucial in our world today. The essence of the practice is about attention, one-pointed attention, be it on a mantra or on a flame. There will be the inevitable distracting thoughts which consume vast amounts of our energy. We need to let go of these attachments and stay faithfully with the mantra.

Other practices such as Yoga or Silent Retreats are also observed with the same purpose, to quiet the ever-moving mind and calm our feelings to bring one to a more balanced state so that true reason and love can prevail in our daily decisions.

Living Natural Human Values

We will then be prepared to follow the natural human values in how we think, how we relate to others and how we act in our daily life. A natural value is one which is inherent in the nature of a human being. For example, when you ask anyone what it feels like if they consciously tell a lie, the overwhelming response is that it is not comfortable, physically, mentally, or emotionally. This is valid and it is the reason that lie detector machines can work, as there is a natural reaction within when we do not speak the truth. To speak the truth is natural, to lie is unnatural.

Here are some brief examples of the application of these natural values:

How We Think

We should establish a stable and balanced state of mind when making decisions.

There are many decisions that need to be made every day, usually with several options. These may involve significant external pressures, for example, to meet expectations of other people, or internal pressures, such as, I want to win and gain personal recognition. We need to concentrate in order to be clear about our motives and the guiding principle that should be used as the basis for the decision. Key values in this realm are:

Inner Stillness; Self-control; Calmness.

How We Relate to Others

We should establish and maintain a harmonious environment for all activities with other people.

When a high level of voluntary co-operation is in place, the results are greater than the sum of the individual parts. Crucial to the personal efficiency, motivation and satisfaction, is a positive atmosphere, where mutual respect and an active concern for the needs of other people prevails. The values:

Co-operation; Respect; Compassion

How We Act

We must learn to deal effectively with challenges, mistakes and uncontrollable external factors.

As life is full of uncertainties, the best way to respond to the inevitable challenges, be they self-imposed or from an external source, is to maintain a balanced and unattached state, then our full faculties are available to discern the best response. The related values here are:

                                      Equanimity; Steadfastness; Determination.

The Results

By putting these values into practice, by living them, great benefits accrue for all; family, friends, neighbours, work colleagues, the community, nation, society at large, and you. This is real success. The natural results here are:

               Happiness; Peace; Unity

Service

When one lives these values then a natural motivation arises to serve the needs of others, to give. A wonderfully relevant quote from Winston Churchill on the subject: ‘You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give.’

In considering the fundamental nature of service, there are three vital elements that influence the quality:  Intention – the motive behind the service, that is, for whose benefit is the service. Attention – relating to the execution of the service which is at its finest when done attentively with love and care. Retention – refers to the degree to which an individual claims credit for their actions. The less the better.

Service in Practice- Make a Positive Contribution to Climate Change

The key elements of the problem; the greed and corruption of a few and the misuse of Nature’s resources have been noted. A very brief summary of the way forward: Rational Laws, Planting Trees- Protecting Existing Forests, Engaging the Power of the Young & Politicians and Personal Contributions e.g., Support renewable energy either by installing solar energy or using a power company that has good credentials.

There is a long way to go, but we need to start now and continue marching together on the value-based, sustainable way forward. If so:

Considerably more detail on these subjects is offered in the book Cultural Cycles & Climate Change, which offers a Nine-Step Action Plan from More Quiet Time to a Good Life. The lessons learned for history, from not only Western culture but also the Chinese, Indian and Arabic culture over the last 2500 years, are covered. More detail on the Climate Change problem and the proposed solution is provided, along with other examples of the application of natural values. All the subjects covered have benefited from the guidance of respected experts in their field. The book has been published in the UK, US and India and is available on different versions of Amazon.

Paul Palmarozza

Paul Palmarozza has 58 years of business experience including founding a company specialising in e-learning in 1987 which grew and became a listed company on the London Stock Exchange (AIM) in 2001. He retired from the organisation in 2011. Currently he the Founder/ Director of If I Can…CIC, a not-for-profit Community Interest Company which offers free Mindfulness based Values apps, and E-Books. If I can… www.ificanapp.com and Ethical Entrepreneur www.ethicalentrepreneur.org are examples. He is a Guest Lecturer at Regents University Business School, UK and has lectured at the Stillman Business School at Seton Hall University in the US and other business schools in India and UK.

His published books include From Principles to Profit- The Art of Moral Management (co-author with Chris Rees); If I can…Timeless Values for Today; In Praise of Silence; and Ethical Entrepreneur E-Book. His latest book, Cultural Cycles & Climate Change is published in the UK, US and India. The book explores the lessons learned from the Western, Chinese, India and Arabic cultures over 2500 years. The recommended Nine Step action plans involves honestly acknowledging the problems, more quiet time to enable better decisions and then living natural human values and serving the Common Good. The need to serve the Climate Change issue and the way forward are offered. https://culturalcycles.timelessvalues.co.uk/

For 45 years he has been a tutor of Philosophy for the London based School of Philosophy and Economic Science. He has also delivered lectures, seminars and courses and authored numerous articles on the subjects of Spirituality, Values and Principles in Education, Business and Life. See www.timelessvalues.co.uk His email address is ppalmarozza@gmail.com

Marco Castelli always felt more creative and so felt truly drawn to his modelling material, he got into the modelling world from there. Marco was catapulted to Milan when he was contacted by several agencies and worked for several brands. He also created his own charity gala with an auction where the proceeds went to a cooperative for charity in Sicily. The theme of his auction was a great microcosm of his philosophy: There Is No Light Without Love. The benefits of modelling include the experiences in general, working with geniuses and admirable minds, travelling the globe to be shot where the effect is greatest, and discovering the reality of fashion.

Modelling is a part of Marco’s DNA for whom there are many great designers. Read Marco’s interview to find out what new era fashion is facing. Marco brings out his one true essence through artistic means where he excels into the uncommon. For Marco there is no such thing as coincidence and with good reason. Marco sees the future for what it is: individuated and expressive, and his brand Marco Castelli Collection finds a prescient foundation in this very philosophy. Marco Castelli Collection aims to provide garments that speak with the authentic voice of the wearer, enabling this authenticity to come to the light.

What are you most excited about with your brand?

The fact that I can create and share with the world my vision and sense of fashion.

This is central to my “why” and it is a key factor behind my motivation.

What are the benefits of modelling?

The benefits of being a model certainly are the experiences in general. Models have the luxuries of working with geniuses and admirable minds who interest and captivate you. Travelling the globe to be shot where the effect is greatest is of sincere benefit as it means that the job can be optimised for its result all while I am travelling the world and seeing different cultures and people. For my passionate and inquisitive mind, I must say discovering the reality of fashion and what it really is counts for another great benefit for models. Fashion allows models to try such a versatile range of clothing with different qualities and styles. This has allowed me to come to understand the value of each fashion brand and the real difference between fast fashion, mid fashion, and high-end fashion. It is a major reason I know perfectly that my brand has one specific direction and target.

What are your thoughts on the future of modelling?

Modelling is a part of my DNA. I think the model’s life is an opportunity to express one’s sense of fashion not only for a brand but also to identify a personality and give to the audience a dream of the perfect look.

Who are your favourite designers and what is it about them that inspires you?

There are many great designers, but what inspires me about them is their nature, music and energy.

This is important to me because this can completely change the appearance, the purpose, and the effect of a brand.

What is your opinion on the fashion industry?

We are facing a new era of life in general spheres of thinking and life. So in the fashion industry too: it’s time not to be only eco-friendly but to really be producing what the world needs! Less production and more quality is the climate’s call.

What is your biggest business regret?

I have no business regrets, naturally as a result of always following my dreams. The only thing I miss often is my family whom I love and from whom I have received unerring love.

What would you say is the most important life lesson that has shaped you into who you are today?

Fashion is art and art expresses personality.

It comes to eventually determine our identities as it moulds us into who we are to become. The producer behind my art I see again: A determined boy…humble thanks to the education of a splendid family—my great pride. From them I have gained my deepest life lessons. Thanks to them I learned to love myself as I am and to bring out my one true essence (personality). I learned that I have much to appreciate in my life and that loyalty is a key part of everything I do. I understand that you must bring out all the beauty there is in humanity & all our talents. I understand the need for substance’s transcendence over appearance! Another thing that is important is resilience. To me that signifies the ability to cope with stress and adversity, coming out strengthened, drawing on the positive side. Nothing ever happens by chance. We have as a world come to the realisation that everything that happens in the chain of events is exactly that—a chain of events with cause and effect tying each event to the next and the next to the earlier. Everything has a cause before it and every cause has its effect. Take, for instance, the example of dropping a ball. If you drop it, it will fall, and to the ground, because of the force of gravity. If you would like to see the ball do something more than hitting the ground like flying over a tennis court’s net, you will usually hit it with a racket and the harder you hit it, the more likely it is that it will go over the net. What is the central theme behind these laws? Cause and effect, as Paulo Coelho also mentions in his book—the alchemist! Reading that book can sometimes be as simple and necessary as making up the wardrobe.

You once said in an interview that we create our own destiny and go in the direction of our own imagination. What is your vision for the destiny of Marco Castelli Collection?

Through my garments I want to mirror people and bring out their own identity as they begin wearing my garments.

The soul of my project is TIMELESS. Through my garments I want to mirror people and bring out their own identity as they begin wearing my garments. One must be free to feel as they truly are (in a world of fake appearances & influences). The future of my collection will express itself in this: Be yourself & Be Awaken! “Love yourself for what you are, and you will be what you want! It’s nice to be told thank you for the beauty that you bring to the world.

DJ Jeizer has an inspiring journey in which small opportunities led him to his true path and passion

By Srishti Kapoor 

Jeissen Jose Zerpa Bolivar is known by his stage name DJ Jeizer or simply Jeizer, he is a disc jockey and producer of different musical styles. His musical career began in 1998 in Venezuela (Caracas), where he lived during most of his childhood and youth. At the starting of his career, he began working on the Island of Margarita Venezuela as a DJ at the Hotel Pueblo Caribe. From that moment he realized that he was made for social and public life as he loved being surrounded by people from different languages and nationalities. This inspired him to follow his passion for music. In 2004, when 27-years old he had the opportunity to go to the Netherlands where he started learning Dutch and cooking at restaurants. Sooner he established a professional career as Chef Kok. He cooked in Spanish, Mediterranean, Portuguese, Italian, and French restaurants. Learning more and more made him realize that he could also produce music while cooking. He got the opportunity to participate in different events such as Dance Festival Breda Outdoor, finishing 2nd in the competition of Talent Stage. In December of 2018, Jeizer had the privilege of being at Yokuboclub presents a special We Rule Ibiza event with the Zaira Muños Organization. It was a beautiful experience for him to be in Ibiza. In the year 2019, he was hired by Europa FM in Tenerife. He has now released many singles and remixes with Axel Lopez. In 2017, he released his first song Take the Risk, signed by Streamin Music, the singles that had great reception both in Europe and in Venezuela. He then released multiple songs with Axel Lopez titled Thundercloud, Come Back to Me (The Remixes), The Closed Control, You Ready and Life Goes On. He has worked with multiple record labels such as Streamin Music in Holland, record label at Gelgica MF Records, Discografico at Gelgica MF Records, and Addicting Records label in Spain. In July 2020, he will be releasing a new song titled “Tranqi” with the record label, Addicting Records. For this he has signed with three new talents from Toronto, the singer Teria Morada, and the singer, songwriter and producer Rub Amaya Venezolano and signing by Axel & Venezuelan Jeizer.  

Do you find it difficult to have such a broad range of international markets? Does your music differ in style depending on the country or even a city?

For me, as a DJ / Music Producer, I am always listening to all the different musical genres and I stay up to date with the music. In my case, as a producer, I try to bring my own sound and add it to what is on the market. I am always doing something different from others.

In your biography, you have mentioned that you had a love for music ever since you were a child. But why DJ? Why have you decided to be a DJ instead of a pianist or guitar player in a band?

It was really that vision for me, seeing directly while growing up as a DJ I had many musician friends around me but in the end, I decided to be behind the plates and entertain people with my music.

You are playing and listening to Urbano, Latin House, Commercial House, and Electro House. Do you ever see yourself growing in other music genres like Hip-Hop or RnB or even techno?

The truth is that music is always evolving every day. We see many musical genres and the truth is that I am currently working with other alternative genres to give the music a magic touch. Also, I try to give my own music the best melody and connection with the public.

Right now, there is one of the biggest world challenges that humanity is facing. How do you feel about the current situation with Coronavirus? How did that affect you?

Internationally, it is something that caused us many problems and delays, but we always continue to work from home with all the corresponding precautions. The truth is that at the moment I have no income so far in the Netherlands, there are no activities as a DJ. I wish if I could just start giving my people the best of my music.

Where do you see yourself in the next 2-3 years? What are your upcoming biggest projects?

My vision is to sign the main record labels and to be able to play at the best festivals in the world, this is achieved with perseverance, a positive mind, and hard work. I am happy to have the privilege of being here with you and give the testimony of my life as a DJ producer.

What advice would you give to the younger generation with the same passion? What would you suggest to young DJs on how to become successful?

The best advice I can give you is to never stop dreaming and when you have difficulty following the path you have chosen, continue it because every day is a learning experience for you. Always keep your eyes aiming up and do not forget something very important “Humility” this you should never lose, it is the fundamental basis of success. I am happy to give you the strength and desire to fight, I also have a lot to do. Keep going and never forget that it is good to wait.

By Fati Gorezi

Dr Vern Neville is an athlete, coach and performance director. He has been involved in elite professional sport for over 20 years, including having trained 4 International teams in 3 different sports. He was a professional America’s Cup sailor and the ‘Head of Sports Science & Medicine’ for top America’s Cup teams, Prada and Luna Rossa. He holds a PhD in Sports Science and is a world leading expert in athlete fatigue and recovery management. He developed the world’s first online athlete recovery monitoring tool, RESTWISETM., which is used and relied on by thousands of elite athletes and teams. He has published, as lead author, over 12 first class research papers in top medical and sports science journals including a book chapter in the ‘International Olympic Committee Encyclopedia of Sports Medicine’. Vern has consulted for teams in International Soccer, Rugby, NFL, Formula 1, UFC, Netball and Olympic Sports, and has Coached and mentored hundreds of the world’s top athletes in more than 15 different sports, including a 7-times Olympic medalist and multiple World Champions

How do you remember the beginning of your career?
I never planned for my career to follow the path it has. My only true goal has always been to be the best at whatever I did. Sport and fitness have been my life since a young child and I have been fortunate to have experienced a career as a Pro Athlete, a Coach, a Sports Performance Director and now the Managing Partner of a gym equipment company. I have always had a keen interest in engineering and having visited and trained in more than 2,000 gyms and sports performance centres around the world. It was probably inevitable that I would end up designing gyms and fitness equipment. Each career has had its challenges and a steep initial learning phase, but without doubt, the toughest has been starting my own company and getting it to a profitable level.

Let’s talk about the growing popularity of fitness. Where is the market heading?
Health, energy management and longevity are hot topics at the moment. We all value, more than ever before, the importance of being healthy, having greater energy, being able to work harder and longer, and trying to slow the ageing process. Exercise and eating a ‘healthy’, low calorie, low sugar diet has now become a high priority to a larger percentage of the population, evident by the booming gym industry, with new gyms opening almost on a daily basis. But this isn’t sustainable, and the market will soon become extremely competitive which will lead to more creativity in the industry and a greater demand for boutique and different gyms.
However, I believe that there will be an even greater shift in the fitness industry in next few years with more and more people investing in high quality gyms at home. If one calculates the cost of going to a gym including the time to travel to and from a gym, and the time spent in the gym, this can equate to between £25,000 and £500,000 per year depending on one’s hourly value. So, it makes sense to invest in a quality and customised home gym, which can cost between £10,000 and £50,000, allowing for more efficient use of time for work or family.

Tell us about your specific ‘speciality’ in the fitness industry?
I founded ESP Fitness 6 years ago, out of frustration that there wasn’t any high-quality user-centered strength and power fitness training equipment. I felt that the majority of gyms and fitness equipment did not understand the requirements of the high- performance athlete or individual. ESP equipment is now used worldwide by many of the best athletes and teams including the UFC in Las Vegas, England Soccer Team, Manchester City FC, Mercedes F1 and hundreds of others.
ESP Fitness is about winning. It’s about being the best and demanding the best. We want to inspire everyone to become a champion and to be the best version of themselves. So, we strive to create equipment and facilities that inspire the individual to push themselves harder and further than they ever thought possible. ESP focuses on 3 main area; 1) The design of high performance strength gyms, 2) the design and manufacture of heavy duty, innovative, user-centered strength and power training equipment, and 3) the design and fitting of specialized acoustic gym flooring.

What would you say is the secret to success in the fitness industry?
The fitness industry has become extremely competitive and one has got to differentiate one’s self from the competition to be successful. The industry is evolving at such a rapid rate that it is important to have a thorough understanding of what is important to the user and how one can add value to their life. We all know that understanding the consumer is key, but do we take the time to really understand what is important to our target market and how we can add value to their life through our products or services? Modelling and learning from the market leaders with regard to how they are thinking, and evolving, is the fastest way to success in this industry. High quality products or services with as much added-value as possible are becoming more important. ESP guarantees all equipment steelwork with a lifetime warranty. When someone buys an item of ESP Fitness equipment, they buy for life.

What has been your biggest challenge and how have you met that challenge?
We manufacture almost all of our products in the UK and the cost of labour and materials is extremely high when compared with products imported from Asia. As a result, we have a far smaller margin than many of our competitors which can be challenging. It demands that we be creative in how we manage our sales and cashflow. Manufacturing in the UK allows us not only to ensure extremely high-quality, but also gives us the flexibility to provide a ‘customised’ service to our clients. We look to tailor our designs to the specific requirements of each client and by having control over the manufacture process allows us to provide a bespoke service and greater value for our clients.

Where do you see yourself in five years from now? And what will keep you going to reach your goals?
We are creating a global fitness Brand. I have a clear vision of where I want to take the brand and how we are going to achieve this. ESP’s slogan, “WINNING IS EVERYTHING” defines ESP’s approach to everything we do. ESP is a winning brand, for winners. We are looking to expand our brand globally and will be launching 16 new products this year and a big part of our focus will be on providing top-end customised solutions to the ‘Home and Hospitality’ markets. We are also looking to expand the ESP portfolio into other markets within the health sector, especially in education and nutrition.

What about your free time?
This is a tough question to answer, because there is no such thing as “free time”. I try to accomplish as much as I can in a 24 hour day based around my priorities on that particular day. Apart from work, work related activities and a few hours of sleep, I do 25 to 40 minutes of high intensity exercise every day and I read for at least 30 minutes a day. Whenever I can, I try to attend business strategy seminars and business networking events as well as major sporting events. When I am on the road, I try to visit or train in as many different training centres as I can. I also have a passion for wildlife and conservation and try to visit my family’s Private Nature Reserve, BRACKENHILLS, in South Africa whenever I can.

What is next for you?
My focus at the moment, and for the next 3 years, is to grow the ESP Fitness brand and our associated portfolio of health and hospitality businesses internationally. At some stage in the future, I would like to share my experiences and help other aspiring entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and avoid the many obstacles that I have encountered.