Every Friday I am going to feature a woman that I adore. They exude all the qualities of an Alpha Female and I want to dig into their lives to get some nuggets of knowledge to help us all live happier, healthier lives balancing life & work.
Definition of an Alpha Female
An Alpha Female is a powerful and assertive woman. Her confidence is due to being an intelligent and intellectual problem-solver. Being an Alpha Female is a State of Mind based on choosing ambition and being proud of it. She strives for a happy and healthy work/life harmony.
Type A Alpha Females often come across as strong willed and selfish. When we stay true to our authentic selves and stay true to our mission we shine. A true Alpha Female puts the needs of herself first without sacrificing her principles or dignity. She fills up her cup or gas tank first so that she has enough energy for her friends, family, and coworkers. A true Alpha Female strives for synergy with the world around her. She wants a perfect work/life balance but knows that it requires being true to your priorities and what makes you happy. She is never complacent about striving for better and nurtures relationships with the people in her life.
Meet Karlyn Percil – Mercieca!
Karlyn is a Leadership Coach, Author and Motivational Speaker who believes in the power of women. Her mission is to see a world where women are living their highest and best version of themselves. Her purpose in life is to help women optimize their leadership skills and realize their full potential. Using the “Elephant Story Syndrome” (ESS) model, Karlyn helps women identify their internal barriers, discover what is holding them back in life and break through their personal “glass ceiling”—empowering them to pursue their ambitions and goals in life. Karlyn Percil-Mercieca has made numerous television appearances including being on Oprah’s Lifeclass —3 times!
How are you an Alpha Female?
I have always taken the initiative to either do or creative something. I am a creator. I don’t complain about what’s missing, I simply fill the void. I am an Alpha Female because I AM BOLD, Brilliant, Beautiful and most importantly I own my stage. I take care of myself and make time for what really matters to me. I take it upon myself to elevate, celebrate and support other women with their goals, life and love. I am proud of who I am because I worked hard to get to where I am today. I believe I am my sister’s keeper because we are stronger together.
Does work/life balance exist?
Honestly, work-life balance is a myth (at least in my opinion/experience). You can’t balance something that is always moving. We have to be aware and present. This way, when something moves one way, we are flexible enough to move with it. I prefer the term work-life integration. We are human beings and life happens whether we are at work or at home whether everything makes sense or not.
I think the biggest stressor we place on women is asking us to find balance – it doesn’t exist. I believe if we strive for integration, if we give ourselves permission to be fluid and flow with life then we can choose to focus on what matters to us the most at any given time. I believe that this is the only way that women can successfully achieve their personal and professional goals. It’s the only way we can live happy and fulfilled lives.
What are you most passionate about?
I am most passionate about love, laughter and life. My husband, my family (of course) and I am passionate about girls/women and the potential we have to make this world a better place. I believe that every woman, every girl has a gift, something special to offer, and something that only they can do.
I encourage women to challenge the status quo. Do more of what your soul calls you to do. I am here to help them do just that. I help women live outside of their comfort zone because this is where the magic happens. This is where we come alive. This is why my life’s purpose is to celebrate, elevate and support them in whichever way I can to help them create and live the life they love.
What are your daily health habits that keep your immune system boosted?
I start off with what I call my Thrive Wellness Center which contains best practices from Arianna Huffington, Oprah and Tony Robbins. I call them my success mentors – it’s a huge boost for my immune system. I start off with doing something spiritual, mental, emotional, fun, something new and follow that up with my fish oil and vegetarian based capsules. I also drink at least 8 glasses of water a day with lemon. I use a lot of cinnamon and cayenne peppers in my hot drinks.
What is your weekly fitness routine like?
Physical activity is recorded in my Thrive Wellness Centre. The intention is to hit the gym at least ¾ times a week. Right now I haven’t been for a while but I try to walk more when I don’t. Regardless, I try to walk every day. Writing what I accomplish in my Thrive Wellness Centre really pushes me to do something every week. So after lunch my colleague and I always go for a walk even if its only 10 minutes we try to do that every day.
How do you challenge yourself fitness wise?
In the past, I have signed up for a 32k run. I have also completed a 5k once. I’d like to do the mud-run challenge. That is one of my fitness goals.
What are your daily habits for winding down at night and reducing stress?
Reading. I love reading with a cup of hot chocolate with a dash of cayenne pepper (winter) or my fav ginger tea or nay leaf tea (something I used to drink as a child in St Lucia). Another favorite is Netflix. I love watching movies and catching up on one of my favorite shows. Hubby & I curl up on the couch together (my head on his shoulders) and we watch movies together – that one is my favorites. Sometimes we watch an inspirational video and we discuss it. Depending on how tired I am, the movie usually ends up watching me.
What are your daily/weekly nutrition habits that keep you well nourished?
It starts with a visit to my favorite health store in Kensington Market where I get my favorite vegan bars, and spices. My husband makes smoothies for us (not always) depends on what’s going on but I definitely try to eat a lot of fish, very little red meat and not a lot of processed foods.
What are pain points that Alpha Females are constantly problem solving for?
We are constantly trying to make the world a better world for us and for the ones who are coming behind us to thrive in. A place where every girl doesn’t have to worry about sexual violence. A place where women are free to dream and not have to worry about what society thinks about her (weight, height, hair etc.…). I think we’re all striving for equality in one form or another.
What is your definition of happiness?
Being at peace with whatever is presented to me at any given time. I know that unhappiness is wishing things to be differently from what it is. So to me happiness is being at peace with what is –whether or not we expected it. Showing gratitude towards everything that comes into our lives is in my opinion, a form of happiness.