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group-coaching

Bee propolis is a fascinating natural substance that honeybees produce by mixing their saliva and beeswax with resins collected from tree buds, sap flows, and other botanical sources. I found this product at a local market this past weekend. 

Often referred to as “bee glue,” it is a sticky, brownish substance used by bees to seal and protect their hives from bacteria, viruses, and other potential threats.

Propolis has been valued for centuries for its medicinal properties. 

Flavonoids & Polyphenols – These are plant-based antioxidants that help protect the body from damage caused by stress, toxins, and infections. They’re found in many superfoods (like berries and green tea) and are known for their immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties.

Antibacterial, Antiviral, Antifungal, and Anti-inflammatory Effects – This means propolis can help fight off bacteria, viruses, and fungi (like those that cause infections or sore throats) while also reducing inflammation in the body. This is why it’s used for wound healing, oral health, and immune support.

Common Uses – Because of these properties, people use propolis to strengthen their immune system, heal small cuts or burns, and ease throat irritation, making it a go-to natural remedy during cold and flu season.

One of the standout benefits of bee propolis is its potential to enhance immune response. Studies suggest it can help the body fight infections, making it a popular natural remedy for colds, flu, and oral health issues. 

It has also been studied for its potential role in wound healing, as it can stimulate skin regeneration while preventing infections. Some research indicates it may have antioxidant properties that support overall wellness and even gut health.

The product I found was a bee propolis throat spray, and it is a great natural remedy, especially if you’re dealing with a sore throat, dry throat, or just want some immune support. Since propolis has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and soothing properties, it can help with a range of issues related to the throat and mouth.

Using it regularly can help:

  • Soothe a sore or scratchy throat – The anti-inflammatory compounds can reduce irritation and swelling, making it easier to swallow.
  • Fight bacteria and viruses – Propolis has natural antibacterial and antiviral properties, which can help combat infections like colds, flu, or even strep throat.
  • Support oral health – It can help with canker sores, gum inflammation, and even minor mouth wounds, thanks to its healing and antimicrobial effects.
  • Coat and protect the throat – If you talk a lot, sing, or just deal with a dry environment (hello, Calgary winters!), it can create a protective barrier and keep your throat from getting too dry or irritated.
  • Boost immunity – Since it has immune-supporting flavonoids and antioxidants, it can help your body fight off infections before they take hold.

 

You can use it preventatively (like before heading into crowded places during flu season) or at the first sign of a sore throat. Some people even use it daily as a natural immune booster. Just be mindful if you have a bee allergy, as propolis can trigger reactions in some individuals.

As business owners, we can prioritize everything and everyone else before ourselves, but the truth is, you are the most valuable asset in your business. Keeping your health in check isn’t just about feeling good—it’s about ensuring you have the energy, resilience, and clarity to lead, create, and grow. 

Whether it’s adding small wellness habits like using a propolis throat spray or simply recognizing when your body needs support, investing in your well-being is an investment in your success. After all, a thriving business starts with a thriving you. 

Failure.
What does that word mean to you?
Do you talk about it every day?
Does it inspire you to do better?
Or, is it something that feels ok in society to talk about because hey ‘everyone is doing it’. And, talking about failures is way better than bragging, right?

One of the common obstacles that I observe with clients (past and present) is that they don’t have the willingness to admit success. Appreciate what went right, and how far they have come. And embrace success, as its own entity. 

And then I take a good look in the mirror and realize that I also don’t like to admit successes. That is something I like to keep to myself, I would much rather talk about my failures and how that has impacted me. How I have grown because of everything that didn’t work out. Heck, my last blog was about failing. So instead, today I’m sharing my thoughts on success, and I think it’s time to celebrate success. And I believe that there might be a few reasons why we don’t.

It was a fluke. 
You know, right place – right time. 
All of the planets aligned for a certain thing to happen. When actually, this belief is a lack of confidence. Maybe in our head, we think it’s an undeserving expectation. Maybe luck played a part in it. When in our heart of hearts, we know it wasn’t a fluke or luck. It was hard work and we are too embarrassed to celebrate it. 

Here’s my story with that. In 2018, my business-life partner Vince and I put together a 10 month business academy. Once a month we brought 6 business owners together and group-coached them on 10 different topics around business. We did a few other things throughout the month as well, but the live portion was the big seller. We called it TrepLife Academy and we held it at a co-working space in downtown Calgary. Anyone who has put together something like this knows how hard it is. There are a lot of moving parts, and there are a lot of variables to make it successful. We did a lot of planning and we had a lot of meetings.
We probably had 40 conversations to get 6 sales. That in itself needs to be celebrated. And Vince and I worked on the curriculum for months, always tweaking, always adding more value. Making sure we delivered the best product possible.

You know, I never did celebrate the success of TLA. I looked at it as a failure because we only ran it once. And I think my lack of self confidence at that time was the reason why I saw failure. Looking back, we had 6 business owners in that room for 10 months. One drove all the way from Edmonton. At that time, it was an amazing co-hort of different businesses coming together to learn off each other and us. This was no fluke. And it was hard work. And everyone involved learned a ton. So, 5 years later I celebrate the success of TrepLife Academy. There was no failure here.

I believe another reason that we don’t celebrate success is because of the implication of duplication. If I succeed once, shouldn’t I be able to do it again? That’s a tall order, but it’s reality.

This marries well with my story above. I mean, celebrating TrepLife Academy once should mean we can do it again, right? Instead, I was scared if it didn’t work again. Back to that lack of self confidence. And so not celebrating the success we had with TrepLife Academy was easier than feeling inadequate if it didn’t work again.

And really, who made that rule? Because it isn’t one. So don’t even give it a second of thought. One success does not ever have to be repeated, and never diminish what has been accomplished. 

My hope is that when success shines, we use it to inspire others. Embrace success, it’s contagious, not only for ourselves but for others around us.

On that note, my success this week is writing my first test with the Jay Shetty Certification School and getting 91% … 48/53 questions correct. On multiple choice, which in my past has not always been the best method for me to take exams.

I celebrate that success because somewhere out there, someone has done something and is staying quiet. Don’t stay quiet. Everyone deserves to celebrate what has worked. And that will lead to more things working, and more people talking about it. We need the contagious, inspiring energy of everyone’s success.

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