Make it Happen by Being You with Ali Meehan

Hosted by Ali Meehan

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Nov 2026

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Make it Happen with Ali Meehan are snapshots of inspiration and stories from Business leaders on various topics to help you make it happen in business and life. Make it Happen with Ali Meehan offers you small but mighty, rich, intense moments of inspiration.

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November 6, 202618 min

Women's Health, Nutrition and Body Confidence: Why Your Body Needs More Than a Diet | Verena Libertad

Send us Fan Mail What if the answer to better health isn't about eating less, cutting out more foods or following another diet? In this conversation, I’m joined by Verena Libertad, a qualified dietitian and micronutrient coach, who shares a refreshing perspective on women's nutrition, body confidence and understanding what our bodies really need. Verena explains why nutrition is about much more than what is on your plate. Through her work in clinical nutrition profiling and diagnostics, she takes a holistic, individual approach, looking at nutritional status, stress, recovery and the relationship between the mind and body. We talk about the insecurities many women experience around their bodies, why constantly restricting foods can affect our nutritional wellbeing, and why there should be room for enjoyment and pleasure when it comes to eating. Verena also shares her own journey into dietetics, how she found a way of working that combines medical knowledge with intuition and sensitivity, and why creating a safe, non-judgemental space is so important when supporting people with their health. Verena also shares her advice for women building a business, including why you don't have to follow somebody else's path and why it's important to talk about what you do rather than assume everyone already knows. The book Verena refers to is The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher Connect with Verena Website: https://verenalibertad.com/en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/verenalibertad Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FXKkMZth7/ Linked-in https://www.linkedin.com/in/verenalibertad Book an online appointment: https://verenalibertad.setmore.com/services/ A conversation about food, health, self-understanding and finding a way of looking after yourself that works for you. Support the show Thanks for listening to the show! If you are a Woman in Spain, or a Woman thinking about moving to Spain join https://costawomen.com - its free to join

October 16, 202638 min

Post Menopause Is Not Past It - thoughts from Petra Boddington

Send us Fan Mail Recorded on World Menopause Day, this conversation is key for every woman in midlife. Petra Boddington is a menopause fitness coach and health specialist based in Gibraltar, with over 150 hours of specialist menopause study, a bodybuilding competition in her sights at 60, and an 81-year-old client who throws 16 kilos over her head. She is warm, direct, funny, and has an absolutely no-nonsense approach about what women can do to protect their health, their independence and their quality of life in the years in menopause. In this episode we talk about what perimenopause and postmenopause actually are (and why so many women are living in denial about both), why postmenopause is not past menopause. We look at the role of strength training, protein, sleep, and hormone therapy. We ask why the joint aches, brain fog, weight gain, and fatigue that so many women put down to simply getting old are often something they can absolutely do something about. This is an honest and genuinely practical conversation about women’s health in midlife. Connect with Petra through:- Website https://petraboddington.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/menopausewithpetra/ Support the show Thanks for listening to the show! If you are a Woman in Spain, or a Woman thinking about moving to Spain join https://costawomen.com - its free to join

October 10, 2026Episode 5925 min

Buying Property in Spain: Why Your Lifestyle Should Come First | Daniella van Steenwijk

Send us Fan Mail Are you thinking about buying property in Spain, or moving to the Costa del Sol? Buying a property in Spain is about much more than finding a beautiful apartment, villa or penthouse. It is a significant financial, practical and emotional decision and the right property depends on the life you want to create. In this episode of Make It Happen by Being You, I talk to Daniella van Steenwijk, an independent personal real estate shopper and buyer representative on the Costa del Sol. Daniella explains why she believes that your lifestyle, priorities and plans should come before looking at property listings. We discuss: • What international buyers need to understand before buying property in Spain • Why buying a property is not simply a transaction • The difference between a traditional estate agent and an independent buyer representative • How to work out what type of property is actually right for you • The additional costs and practical considerations of buying in Spain • Why you need to understand your lifestyle before choosing a location • What can influence your decision • Why Daniella believes “sometimes your personality is your biggest asset” Daniella also shares her own experience of living in several countries and starting from scratch more than once, her love of reading, her business inspiration and the advice she would give her younger self. The book beside her bedside includes Is Your Home Still your Castle? by Monika Griffith Don't start with the property. Start with the person and the life they want to live. If you are considering buying property in Spain, relocating to the Costa del Sol or simply want to understand more about the process from a buyer's perspective, this conversation is well worth a listen. Daniella is on the board of directors at GIPE (National Real Estate Association) CRS certified. Holds a MMCEPI quality seal (European real estate quality seal) And is certified to assist clients in non-traditional real estate transactions (cryptocurrency) Connect with Daniella - Website: https://daniellavst.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniella_personalshopper/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniella-van-steenwijk-30029535a/ Support the show Thanks for listening to the show! If you are a Woman in Spain, or a Woman thinking about moving to Spain join https://costawomen.com - its free to join

September 15, 2026Episode 5836 min

Kate Kurdziej on Retreat Strategy, Profitable Events, and Building a Business That Works Around Your Life

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Make It Happen by Being You Podcast, I'm joined by Kate Kurdziej, business strategist and founder of Olivier Consultancy and the School of Retreats, based on the Costa Blanca. Kate has been running her online business for six years, starting it during COVID with a baby on her hip after leaving a career in wealth management, and has built it into something that genuinely reflects the life she wanted to create: finishing at 3pm for school pickup, taking holidays, and doing work she loves. Kate is a self-described recovering perfectionist with a brain that naturally reverse-engineers a goal into a step-by-step plan. Her business is built around one core belief: that you should never have to sacrifice yourself for the success of your business. She calls it a life-first strategy, and it shapes everything she does, from her consultancy work to the business retreats she now hosts and sells out within minutes. We talk about how retreats became her unexpected Venn diagram of everything she loves, why so many retreat hosts walk away with a few hundred euros when they could be walking away with five figures. We cover the real commercial structure behind a profitable retreat and why Kate believes we have gone too far with AI in our businesses. Kate is a finalist for Best Business Retreat 2026 at the UK Retreat Awards and we will be cheering her on! Connect with Kate: Instagram: @kate_kurdziej Business: Olivier Consultancy Retreat strategy: School of Retreats Support the show Thanks for listening to the show! If you are a Woman in Spain, or a Woman thinking about moving to Spain join https://costawomen.com - its free to join

September 6, 2026Episode 5723 min

Your Story Matters: From Business Journey to Publisher and Author with Sarah Houldcroft

Send us Fan Mail We all have stories inside us. Stories of things that have happened to us, things that have shaped us, and stories we still want to create. In this episode of Make It Happen by Being You, I’m joined by Sarah Houldcroft, founder of the Idea to Author Club and someone who has spent more than 15 years helping authors turn their ideas and stories into books. Sarah shares how she accidentally found her way into publishing after becoming a single mother, starting out as a VA and gradually building a business around something she has always loved: books. We talk about finding your own path, the importance of support when building a business, believing in yourself, and why we should stop assuming that our stories aren't valuable. Sarah also shares her powerful annual “life reset”, inspired by a friend she lost, her passion for water and nature, her work with WaterAid as well as her experience of living abroad. And if you've ever thought about writing a book but keep telling yourself you don't have the time, Sarah has some very practical advice. We also explore AI and the changing world of publishing, the value of human creativity and connection A conversation about stories, resilience, creativity, reinvention and having the courage to believe in yourself. Listen to the full conversation and discover why your own story might be more valuable than you realise. Support the show Thanks for listening to the show! If you are a Woman in Spain, or a Woman thinking about moving to Spain join https://costawomen.com - its free to join

August 15, 2026Episode 5629 min

From Lab Coat to Listening to Your Body: Julie Millour on Chinese Medicine, Women's Health, and Finding Balance from the Inside Out

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Make It Happen by Being You Podcast, I'm joined by Julie Millour, integrative women's health practitioner and doctor of biology, based on the Costa del Sol. Julie spent years working in molecular and cellular biology research, including research into cancer, before leaving it all behind to travel the world for two years and ultimately discover a completely different way of understanding the human body. Today she helps women who feel overwhelmed, anxious and disconnected from their body navigate the transitions of womanhood, from puberty to menopause, using the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, naturopathy, and integrative health. Her approach is rooted in one core belief, that most physical symptoms have an emotional origin, and that when a woman finally understands what is happening in her body, relief begins before the treatment does. We talk about the five elements of Chinese medicine (and which season we are actually in right now, which is not what you might expect), why women are carrying wounds that were passed down through generations. She shares her new goal which is the book she is writing about women's wounds and how they show up as physical symptoms, and the perimenopause group programme she is launching in October. Julie also shares why she spent years hiding her scientific background, what made her finally reclaim it, and why she believes the more you fully embody who you are, the more success you attract. You can connect with Julie and her programmes through her website https://www.juliemillour.com/ Support the show Thanks for listening to the show! If you are a Woman in Spain, or a Woman thinking about moving to Spain join https://costawomen.com - its free to join

June 3, 2026Episode 5531 min

Your Brilliance Is Not the Problem: Kezia Luckett on Neuropositivity Profiling, Neurodivergence, and Finally Feeling Seen

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Make It Happen by Being You Podcast, I'm joined by Kezia Luckett, positive psychologist, founder of the Insytte Institute, and creator of the Neuropositivity Profiler. Kezia and I have known each other for years across different businesses, different lives and different locations, and this conversation is one I've genuinely been looking forward to sharing. Kezia built her work around a simple but radical idea: that the traditional model for understanding the human brain is built on deficit. On proving what's wrong with you. On demonstrating how broken you are before you get any help. Her response to that was to build something completely different: a framework rooted in strengths, brilliance, and what is right with people. The Neuropositivity Profiler came directly from her daughter's ADHD assessment process, and the moment the assessment centre told her it depended on "how bad she is." As a positive psychologist, that phrase was the catalyst for everything that followed. We talk about the five neurosignatures (Neurospark, NeuroDrive, Neurocraft, Neuroflow, and Neurosense), what happens in the gap between insight and identity. We explore why roadblocks are a sign you're growing, as well as the role of AI in human-centred business. At the time of recording, Kezia is offering a free five-day Neuro Business Reset course she's created for female entrepreneurs. There is also a free full Neuropositivity Profiler report available exclusively for Make It Happen listeners until slots expire. Details are in the show notes below. The NeuroBusiness Reset on 15th June 2026 at 1pm UK time for the whole week. You can register by heading to www.neurobusinessreset.com To get your free extended NeuroPositivity Profiler report go to www.neuropositivityprofiler.com using NPP-COSTA-26 into the organisation code when you register to be upgraded to the full report for free, whilst slots last. Website: https://insytte.com/ Connect with Kezia on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kezialuckett/ Book: Humankind by Rutger Bregman Support the show Thanks for listening to the show! If you are a Woman in Spain, or a Woman thinking about moving to Spain join https://costawomen.com - its free to join

May 18, 202624 min

AI Without the Fear: Susanne Drews on Using Artificial Intelligence Wisely, Ethically, with Confidence

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Make It Happen by Being You Podcast, I'm joined by Susanne Drews, AI educator, sociologist, app founder, based on the Costa del Sol. Susanne has spent 20 years living in Spain and has built her business around something that a lot of us find either fascinating or terrifying (sometimes both at the same time) - artificial intelligence. What makes Susanne different is that she doesn't just talk about what AI can do. She teaches people how to use it ethically, critically, confidently; starting with the basics and building from there. She is particularly passionate about helping women overcome the confidence barrier that stops so many of them from engaging with AI tools at all. In this conversation we get into how AI actually works, why it's not so different from the human brain, how Spain is outranking most of Europe in AI adoption, and how Susanne used Google NotebookLM to help her 12-year-old daughter stop drowning in school revision. We also talk about her new app for empathetic leadership (yes, it is nearly ready!), her vision of speaking on a TED stage, and the book that changed her relationship with money. This episode is practical, grounding, and genuinely useful for anyone who is curious about AI but not quite sure where to start. About Susanne Drews Susanne Drews is an AI educator and sociologist who has been based on the Costa del Sol for 20 years. She teaches individuals and businesses how to use artificial intelligence practically, ethically, and with confidence, starting with the fundamentals and building up to more advanced applications. She is currently building an app for empathetic leadership that uses AI to support middle managers, including a wellbeing tracker for sleep, nutrition and energy. Susanne speaks regularly at events across the Costa del Sol and is passionate about bringing AI education to wider audiences. Connect with Susanne: Instagram: @susanne.ia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanne-drews/ Support the show Thanks for listening to the show! If you are a Woman in Spain, or a Woman thinking about moving to Spain join https://costawomen.com - its free to join

May 11, 202624 min

Parenting with Autism: Kim van Helen on Surviving, Self-Regulation, and Why Parents Need Support Too

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Make It Happen by Being You Podcast, I'm joined by Kim van Helen, holistic life coach, women's circle facilitator, and autism parent guidance coach. Kim received her son's autism diagnosis when he was five years old, and spent years in survival mode before she even realised that's what was happening. Today, she helps other parents (especially mothers) find emotional balance, develop self-awareness, and navigate the unique challenges of raising a neurodivergent child with confidence and compassion. This is a conversation that will speak directly to any parent who has been so focused on their child that they have quietly forgotten about themselves. Kim talks about what autism actually is, how it shows up differently in every person, why parents of autistic children are operating under a level of stress equivalent to a combat soldier (without the downtime), and what practical tools can help. She also shares her broader work: conscious networking events, women's circles using shadow and belief work, and her plans to bring autism awareness into English-speaking schools on the Costa del Sol. Kim shares from a place of warmth, grounding and deeply honesty. What We Cover in This Episode Kim's three businesses: The Aligned Network Circle, Van Helen Healing and her new autism parent guidance coaching What autism actually is and why no two people on the spectrum are the same (including the brain scan explanation that genuinely changes how you see it) Why Kim believes she herself may be on the spectrum, and what that realisation meant for her The two sides of parenting an autistic child: caring for your child and (often forgotten) caring for yourself The research showing that parents of neurodivergent children are living in a level of stress comparable to someone in active combat, without any downtime Practical techniques Kim used with her own son, including silent presence during meltdowns and visual daily schedules The difference between a meltdown and a tantrum (and why this matters) How Kim communicated with her son's school, including the notebook system that made a real difference Overcoming self-doubt when building multiple businesses and why mentorship changed everything Her women's circles, shadow work, and why she describes the things we hide from ourselves as "gold nuggets" The Netflix documentary Stutz (Jonah Hill and his therapist Dr Stutz) that deepened her understanding of her own work About Kim van Helen Kim van Helen is a holistic life coach, women's circle facilitator, and autism parent guidance coach based on the Costa del Sol. She is the founder of Helen Healing and The Aligned Network Circle, a conscious networking community for entrepreneurs. As an autism parent guidance coach, Kim helps parents of neurodivergent children find emotional balance and practical tools to navigate their journey with more confidence and less overwhelm. She is also a co-author in development and plans to bring autism awareness workshops to English-speaking schools across the Costa del Sol in 2026. Connect with Kim: Facebook: Van Helen Healing / Parenting with Autism Self-Development Circle Website: vanhelenhealing.com Support the show Thanks for listening to the show! If you are a Woman in Spain, or a Woman thinking about moving to Spain join https://costawomen.com - its free to join

April 25, 202618 min

You Don't Have to Build Your Business on Stress: Krasimira Raykova on Feminine Energy, Fulfilment and Finding a New Way to Lead

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Make It Happen by Being You Podcast, I'm joined by Krasimira Raykova, a feminine energy coach and creator of the Radiant Feminine Awakening System(TM). Krasimira works with women who look successful on the outside but feel disconnected, overwhelmed and unfulfilled on the inside. Her work is about helping women reconnect with their feminine energy so they can feel alive, confident, and deeply fulfilled in both their life and their business. This is a conversation that will resonate with so many women in business. We talk about the epidemic of high-achieving women running on cortisol and pressure, why so many of us have slipped into a masculine way of operating (and what it costs us), and what it actually looks and feels like to lead differently. Krasimira is open, warm and wonderfully honest about her own journey, including the moment she realised her ego was getting in the way of everything. She's also a co-author of Changemaker , an Amazon bestseller and she's about to launch her signature programme. What We Cover in This Episode What the Radiant Feminine Awakening System is and who it's for Why Krasimira believes there's an epidemic of successful but unfulfilled women The difference between masculine and feminine energy (and the balance we actually need) How modern life, family conditioning, and childhood wounds push women into overdrive Krasimira's own story of two marriages, ego, competition, and the shift that changed everything Why success without fulfilment doesn't feel the way we expect The three biggest things she's discovered about building a business as a woman Her co-authored Amazon bestseller Changemaker and the book that transformed her life About Krasimira Raykova Krasimira Raykova is a feminine energy coach based on the Costa del Sol and creator of the Radiant Feminine Awakening System, a programme designed to help high-achieving women reconnect with their feminine energy and experience deep fulfilment in their personal life and business. She is a co-author of Changemaker , an Amazon bestselling book featuring the stories of 17 people who changed the lives of others. Krasimira offers a free 20-minute consultation for women who are curious about her work. Connect with Krasimira: Instagram: @relationshipactivator Website: https://relationshipactivator.com/ Email: relationshipactivator@gmail.com Changemakers book A Woman's Guide to Happiness by Nataliya Kobylkina What is the Radiant Feminine Awakening System? The Radiant Feminine Awakening System is a unique programme created by Krasimira. It is built around six core principles and is designed to guide women through a deep internal transformation. It includes live retreat events (five days where the programme is introduced) followed by a 12-month ongoing journey of change, with mentorship to ensure the transformation takes root rather than fading back into old patterns. Support the show Thanks for listening to the show! If you are a Woman in Spain, or a Woman thinking about moving to Spain join https://costawomen.com - its free to join