creative people

Creative People in Business 2022

The pandemic allowed me to take a long break from my San Francisco Headshot Studio and look at my future from a different perspective. I’m so happy to come back to my business with new ideas and to pursue regular interviews with Creative People in Business about their values and fulfillment, not only in work, but also in their personal lives. 

 My life has changed since the first sharing of my habits and values in 2016, in Creative People in Business [READ HERE]. Right now, I am not only a professional photographer and networker, but also a wife, mother, and someone committed to serving my community. 

A business portrait of professional headshot photographer

Time I wake up: 6 am
Morning routine: My morning starts with a 30-minute meditation, followed by journaling for 10-15 minutes. At 7 am I wake up my 5 year old son.  We cuddle, giggle and I tell him stories. Then we start preparing for the day: bath, breakfast, dressing, packing lunches, driving to preschool and then I go to work. 
Best habit: Regular Yoga practice
Worst habit: Not spending enough time getting sunshine and fresh air.
Philosophy: Easy does it
Book I am reading now: I used to be a true addict of self-help books. For the past couple of years, I pick one or two books for a whole year! I also read a daily affirmation book each day.
Most used apps: Google Calendar, Productive, Spending
What I do before going to bed: Spend time with my son until he falls asleep by reading or telling nighttime stories.
What time I go to sleep: If I don’t touch my phone, I am in bed by 9pm. If I just glance at it, that sucker will glue me to screen until 11pm, if not later. 

Creative People in Business: Allison Massopust - Physical Therapist

My name is Allison and I am a physical therapist with Beacon Physical Therapy. We help people get back to pain-free and efficient movement. We take a whole-body approach in our evaluation and treatment. We specialize in advanced manual therapy and emphasize function. Our sessions are 1 hour long, without the use of aides or assistants, allowing us to spend the full hour with the patient for thorough evaluations and treatments. I have been in practice for over 7 years with specific training in orthopedics and hands-on treatment techniques. It is my passion to help others, especially in their physical health.  

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Time you wake up? 5:45 am Morning Routine: Quick dress, brush, grab coffee and breakfast to go from home and pet the cat before walking out
My best habit: Patience
Worst habit: Working extra/staying late
Your personal philosophy: As long as I have helped someone I have succeeded in my day
Books you are reading: The Rise of Superman, about "flow state," or any physical therapy/medical journal
What time do you go to sleep? 10:30pm or before

What motivated you to become a physical therapist?
My Mom had a stroke when she was 43 (I was 4 at the time). She was paralyzed on her right side and could not speak very well. She required the use of a wheelchair due to her strength and balance limitations. A physical therapist started coming to the home and I saw the immense improvements in my Mom's function. Since then I wanted to be able to make a difference in someone's life like the physical therapist did with my Mom.

What do you enjoy about your work?

Giving people hope that their life can be improved.  

What is your one of the most rememberable recovery success story?

A gentleman once came into the clinic in distress because he was supposed to run the Boston marathon at the end of the following week but had developed a very painful lesion on one of the bones in his ankle. He could barely walk without a limp. We had 3 long sessions with some improvement, yet he had to decide if his improvement would last him 26 miles in the marathon. He decided to keep his plane tickets and fly out to Boston and risk the potential of not being able to do more than a few miles. In the end, he was actually able to run the full marathon, walking only the last 2 miles. He returned and stopped by the clinic with a hug and a very nice thank you note.  

 
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Allison Massopust, PT, DPT, CPNFT, CFMT, OCS
Senior Physical Therapist
Beacon Physical Therapy, Inc.
1 Sansome Street Suite 725
San Francisco, CA 94104
Phone: (415) 772 - 0997
Fax:     (415) 757-0874
allison@beaconpt.com

Creative People in Business: Randi Kofsky - Massage Therapist

I utilize a combo of soft tissue and trigger point release with cranial sacral therapy to unwind the physical tension in the body along with what is stored in the nervous system. This work provides relief for a wide range of physical issues from headaches to back and neck and hip pain. It also has a calming effect on anxiety and stress. Clients work with me for a few sessions at a time for specific issues as well as weekly or come in monthly for a "reset and restore" session. This type of bodywork is also effective for integrating all the changing/evolving dynamics that occur in our lives. As the saying goes "you cannot meet the same person twice". We are consciousness in a bodily form.

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Time you wake up? 6:30

Morning Routine: Meditation, workout/yoga, drink lemon water

My best habit: Kindness

Worst habit: Coffee

Your personal philosophy: Cultivate Choice

Books you are reading: Tibetan book of the dead; Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the making of the constitution; Relational Psychology, Anatomy books

What time do you go to sleep? 10:30/11 pm

 

1. What is the difference between massage and bodywork?

There's a crossover between the two, but simply put, massage is a series of strokes or a "signature" style, whereas bodywork is applying nuanced skills directly based on the client's presenting concern.

2. What is something I wouldn’t necessarily think you could help me with?

Jaw tension is something I help a lot of people with. I work on the outside as well as put on gloves and work inside, accessing the tight muscles used for clenching that contribute to gum recession. Jaw tension also plays a part in headaches (including migraines) as well as neck and shoulder tension. 

3. What is something you do that surprises people?

I work with babies. I'm part of a collective that holds a monthly free clinic and we focus on seeing pre-crawlers and issues with eating, sleeping, movement, and digestion. 

4. How do clients feel when you do “body reading”?

Body reading is simply the practice of noting structural patterns in the body when the client is standing in gravity.  Like anything else, if you read 1000 bodies, you're going to be able to see more than the first few times. That said, I try to at least explain what I see, so clients can benefit and not feel like I'm trying to know something about them that they may not be aware of. 

5. One of the memorable success stories: 

My greatest successes are when people expand their awareness of how good they can feel in their body. It's the home we live in, so it's important to be able to feel safe and comfortable just being in a body. Sounds simple, but it's not everyone's experience.

6. What do you do in your free time?

I like to run along the ocean whenever possible. Also, swing dancing, traveling and reading at cafes in SF.

Creative-People-Business-Innerwave-bodywork

Randi Kofsky, CMT 

(415) 745-2542

2134 Van Ness Ave
San Francisco, CA 94109

InnerWave Bodywork

Creative People in Business: Igor SF Walker - Life Coach

My name is Igor, SF Walker and I am a Life Coach and an International Best Selling Author. My aim in life is peace, inspiration, health and wellness, harmony and abundance. Everything I do is driven by these thoughts. 

© 2017 Valentina Sadiul Photography

© 2017 Valentina Sadiul Photography

 

  • Time you wake up: 6:30 (if not exactly 30 minutes before the Sunrise)

  • Morning routine: Glass of Alkaline water with Intention - Gratitude Journal: 10 thing I am grateful for - Lifestyle, existential questions and quotes I connect with: ("it is what it is, accept it, harvest the good, forgive the rest", "what they think of you is none of your business", "are all of my habits serving me, if not which ones do I have to change"...) - Visualization Meditation of my LIFE (total of 30 minutes)

  • Best habit: Walking

  • Worst habit: Alcohol

  • Personal philosophy: Slow Down, Reduce the Noise, Listen, BE before you DO, Gratitude

  • Book you are reading now: I am reading a book a week for this year, part of a project for my own book and I just finished "Zen Mind, Beginners Mind" - Shunryu Suzuki 

  • Most used apps: Kindle for Iphone, Youtube App, Communication Apps, Social Media Apps

  • Time you go to sleep: Varies and is driven by the body, not mind

 

 

 

What made you decide to become a life coach? What is unique about SF Walker coaching experience?

Re-connecting with my true self and my core, it was very clear that I always was and always will be a life coach and I simply realigned my path. It only took a 14 year old relationship ending, 16 year old healthcare career ending and a motorcycle crash to realign me, but this is why I am here now, so that other people do not have to go through what I went in order to discover true self and realign www.sfwalker.com/webinar-registration. Most unique part of the SF Walker coaching experience is the WALKING itself. It is a walking, listening and talking, for mind, body and soul coaching session. I do not have your answers, you however do and WE will discover them together. What I have is a never ending stream of caring, curious, "nothing is off limits" questions that will shift emotional states, provide different perspectives to be considered and most importantly guidance for you in finding your own answers. I am a grateful co-pilot and a co-creator in your own story, humbled to be invited into your space.

What is your favorite part about being a coach?

Learning and teaching. Raising awareness. Every single interaction I approach as being a student just as much as being a teacher. Being able to ask that right question that gives you your answer. Priceless.

Do you have any advice for someone who is contemplating working with a life coach but is unsure of the benefits they’ll get?

Understanding the difference between "I need a coach" and "I want to work with a coach." NO ONE needs coaching, I myself only work with my own mentors and coaches because I want to. I want to GROW and in doing so I want to CONTRIBUTE. I am the only one that can guarantee any benefits, as I am the only one taking the steps to get there. There is no question that new knowledge is gained, new understandings and new levels of awareness that all drive wanted change. In the end, it is all about habits and habits are programmed. I love saying to my clients, "Connect to knowledge, respect the teacher." The teacher is simply a vessel, and as the student is ready the teacher appears, regardless of the form.

What is a success to you?

Awareness and presence in the NOW.

When you look back at your coaching history with clients, what are the common issues or goals that they raise?

Love, Beliefs, Relationships, Time, Career, Money, Clarity, Habits, Purpose, Success, Creation of Reality, Acceptance, Forgiveness, Effectiveness, Listening, Public Speaking...

Why did you decide to write a children's book? What is this book about?

My children's book was one of those things that started it all for me, it was where I finally said to myself "OK Igor, let's take this from thoughts and only just talking about it, from daydreaming to reality. Let's obtain these amazing titles, published author and international best selling author." It sounded incredible and impossible, however because of focus, discipline, accountability and vision, today this is a reality. I understood everything in life is about programming, about education, about messages, and since words are spells, and people are more often than not "under a spell" I wanted to share a simple message "Beauty is everywhere, it's in you and it's in me, how I wish everyone would see" I chose a hummingbird to be the storyteller and wonderful sights of San Francisco to be the backdrop. The original page used to run a campaign to become an international bestseller is here: http://www.worldthroughmyeyesbook.com/ and my own personal story and the link to the book is here http://www.sfwalker.com/mystory

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Creative People in Business: Justin Witte - Author and Life Coach

Justin Witte is a passionate writer who loves exploring new topics in an intellectual way that will apply to all readers. He loves to write about all our human conditions of ego, selfishness, and the solution: love.

© Valentina Sadiul Photography 2018

© Valentina Sadiul Photography 2018

Time you wake up? I get up right about 7:30. I’m not that much of a morning person, and the really nice thing is, is that I live a block away from work, so I really don’t have to be. 

Morning Routine: I just sleep until the alarm goes off at 7, then I sit there for about a half hour just relaxing getting ready for my day.

My best habit: My best habit is being aware of all the thoughts that are going through my head through the day. I have found that fore most of my life I had no idea who I was, and today I continue to explore my thoughts because the self is infinite.

Worst habit: My worst habit is letting my irrational mind trick me and fool me into behavior that doesn’t help me or the people around me, for I believe I should be the best service towards others because to love others is the only true way to love yourself. 

Your personal philosophy: I am a philosophy major in college, and that has told me that, in the west, I am a Neoplatonist, and in the East, I am a Visishtadvitan. I have found this to be true for me, but I also believe that all belief systems are true.

Books you are reading: I read a couple of books at the same time. Right now, I am reading Orpheus and the Roots of Platonism, Plotinus’ Enneads, Ramanuja’s Commentary on the Gita, and Greek thought and the Origins of the Scientific Spirit.

What time do you go to sleep? I usually go to sleep around 1pm. Before I go to bed I stay engaged with politics because I find it interesting and I believe it is my duty as a citizen to stay involved. Also, before I go to bed I meditate for 45 minutes. I have always been more of a night person, and that is why I don’t do the mediation in the morning. 

 

What motivated you to be a life coach, and author? I am someone who has been through a lot. I have nine disorders, and I have been able to over come all of them. I was on SSDI for 15 years. Since then, I got one college degree in business, so I could make a living in accounting. I am going for another one in philosophy because I find the nature of truth fascinating. I am a pro-bono life coach because I want everyone to succeed. I have been able to overcome my disabilities mostly through my thinking. I am a writer and I wrote my first book, A Vicious Cycle A Change for the Better, when I could barely read because of my learning disabilities until 5 years ago. What my drive and motivation has shown me is that no matter what is happening in the world I only have one problem: myself. I believe that this world, and everything in it, is the way it is meant to be. I was an atheist for most of my life, but now I define God as everything I do not know, and I do not understand. This way I can learn from everything I go through. Learning is what all the Saints and philosophers, as well as Darwin, says that life is about. I will always have more to learn, and I will always have a drive to achieve something else, and the only thing that stands in my way is my irrational thinking. This is something that I help others explore and overcome. 

What has been your greatest professional success and your biggest setback? My greatest professional success is getting off of SSDI, and making above the median income in America. I learned how to read about 5 years ago because of all of my learning disabilities, and today I finished writing my first book called A Vicious Cycle. It has inspired me to write even more, and I am working on another one right now.  I now have a passion to help others achieve the goals that they want in their life. My greatest set back is when my mind takes me into my old ways of thinking, and I get stalled or take backward steps in my life. I have a long way to go no matter what, and there are times I forget and get frustrated, but I refocus and get back on track. Hopefully that will always be the case. 

What do you love writing about the most? I have written A Vicious Cycle A change for the Better, and I am focused on writing another right now. I made the first one applicable to the average person, but this next one I have going to be submitting to the Ibn al-Arabi Society for publication. I am working on writing about ethics and the way we all live our lives. I love exploring the nature of truth, and trying to reveal it to others. I love contemplation, even in my free time, and with the mediation I do every night, it has shown me that all of this is with me and everyone else. Truths are universal to all of us.

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Do you have regrets about what you put yourself through and your behavior of the past? I don’t have any regrets or any resentments. I am the way I am because of two things that are beyond my control: genetics and circumstances. None of us can control that. This has been what has told me that I am meant to go through every experience that I have. I either learn from those experience and Change for the Better, or I suffer. Today I pray for a lower tolerance of pain, so I no longer have to make myself, and the people around me, suffer. 

As a pro-bono life coach who are the people you want to help the most? I feel like life is about helping others. I believe that my selfishness in my only problem, so want to help the people who are struggling in their life for purpose, self-esteem, struggling with mental illness, and the desire to move their lives in a better direction. For it has shown me if all you want is love, you can’t be selective to who you give it to. Morality is not just something that one practices in crisis, but is a principle they live their lives by. 

What can reader extract from your book? This book is meant to be entertaining, yet at the same time get people to reflect on God, what it means to love and be loved, the best way to live your life, and to show that the only person that has any choice in their life is themselves. Everything else in the world is the way it is meant to be; therefore, someone can accept anything they go through and be happy in any circumstance. 

WEBSITE: https://justinwitteblog.wordpress.com/

BUY ON AMAZON: A Vicious Cycle

Creative People in Business: Andy Babkes - Nutritionist, Exercise Coach, Owner of OptimizedFit

My name is Andy Babkes and I’m a functional nutritionist, efficient exercise coach, healthy-lifestyle optimizer, emotional regulation specialist, and the owner of OptimizedFit.
I like to think of myself as “the laziest healthiest person around.” Meaning, I’m obsessed with trying to improve myself mentally, emotionally, and physically in the quickest most time-efficient ways possible.
To achieve these goals, I am certified in a unique type of exercise program that gives your body all the exercise it needs in less than 20 minutes, once a week. I know it sounds crazy, but the science checks out and my clients and myself love it! In addition, I implement functional nutrition, using lab work and individualized nutrition recommendations as well as helping to resolve negative emotional patterns, I help my clients achieve their goals quickly and safely.

© 2017 Valentina Sadiul Photography

© 2017 Valentina Sadiul Photography

Time you wake up: I’m more of a morning person so I like to get up around 6am-7am.

Morning routine: To help keep a peaceful mind throughout the day, I always start my morning with a 20-minute meditation. Followed by about 30 minutes of stretching and foam rolling to get my body limber and ready to take on the day!

Best habit: I think I’m good at being consistent with my goals. Once I put my mind to something, I will keep at it! I think I can mostly am able to achieve this by being very meticulous with my goals and planning. Daily, I have “to-dos” and I do everything I can to try and hit these goals.

Worst habit: On the flip side, I tend to take on too many projects/commitments… this I am slowly getting better at.

Personal philosophy: Come at the world with compassion, curiosity, and good-will. Don’t take things personally and don’t hold back.

Book you are reading now: Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism by Chögyam Trungpa… just finished No Boundary by Ken Wilber

Most used apps: Google Docs—great for taking quick notes, keeping my “to-do” list handy on whatever piece of technology I am using at the moment.

Time you go to sleep: Generally around 10pm. I never like to stay up past midnight and try to always get 8 hours of sleep each night. I’m also a fan of daily naps whenever possible!

1. What motivated you to start OptimizedFit?

I started down my personal “optimized health” years ago when I decided to become a vegetarian. Then, during college, I stumbled upon the Holistic Health department. From there, I begin taking every class that was offered through their department and couldn’t stop reading about all things nutrition and health. This inspired me to pursue a career as a health coach… Since then, I became certified as a nutritionist and began eating meat again. After all this training and self-education and research it became clear that I had a passion for all things health. This realization is what motivated me to start a business helping others optimize their health.

2. What has been your greatest professional success and biggest setback?

I’ve had many professional milestones, but one of my greatest moments of pride was when I was able to quit my normal 9-5 job and start working for myself. I’m not much of a risk taker so making this jump was huge! It was a very empowering moment.
I don’t really think I’ve had any major setbacks (thank goodness). And if I had to look at all my “setbacks,” I don’t really see them that way… they were all important learning experiences that I am truly grateful for.  

3. What parts of your work do your enjoy the most and why?

Connecting and serving others to get healthier and happier. It’s really strange but cool to have my work life and normal life kind of blend into one. I never feel like I am working.

4. What skills do you consider to be essential to work in this industry?

A thirst for knowledge, wanting to help others, and growth.

5. You are professionally trained in the TiPi. What is Tipi?

TIPI stands for the Technique d’Identification des Peurs Inconscientes (TIPI) or Technique for the Identification of Unconscious Fears in English.

TIPI allows you are able to tap into your body’s innate capacity to heal and process negative emotional patterns. This could look like Phobias such as: Fear of the dark, swimming, heights, driving, being in closed or open spaces, animals, germs, agoraphobia, emetophobia, public speaking, meeting new people, etc. Or emotional patterns such as: PTSD, panic attacks, anxiety, depression, low-self esteem, anger, jealousy, etc.

Often when people think about hiring a health coach they just think about exercise and nutrition, but working on one’s emotional health is absolutely critical for a client’s success.

6. What nutrition and fitness advice would you give to entrepreneurs and busy professionals to boost their energy level?

Something I find that all my clients struggle with is being properly hydrated. An easy equation to figure out how much water you should drink is: to take your weight in pounds, divide that number by 2 and that should be about how many fluid ounces of water you should drink (at minimum) each day. I actually wrote an entire article on the subject here: http://optimizedfit.com/drink-more-water/

Another important tip I give my clients to improve their energy level is to build good sleep habits. That includes getting to bed and waking up at consistent times, minimizing blue light exposure at night, avoiding caffeine after 3pm and more. Lots to talk about… check out my article on other helpful sleep tips: http://optimizedfit.com/get-your-sleep-on/

7. What's your typical daily meal and workout routine look like?

I am a fan of intermittent fasting, which is basically a way to skip breakfast and receive the benefits of fasting. (More details can be found here: http://optimizedfit.com/fasting/)

For lunch and dinner I keep things basic. Generally making sure I have a meal high in healthy proteins and fats with a moderate amount of carbohydrates. A typical meal would look like some steamed organic kale and grass fed ground beef… prepared sort of like a stir fry. After cooking, I’ll add raw salad greens, some kimchi or sauerkraut for health probiotics and added vitamins/minerals as well as some nori or other sea vegetable to boost my iodine and mineral intake for healthy metabolic function.

When I do snack I go for organic, raw nuts—presoaked or some sort of nut butter with a little bit of a dark chocolate (85% or higher) for added antioxidants. Sometimes I will pair these treats with some berries.

There’s a lot of random things I do to stay healthy. Feel free to check out my website for more helpful tips! You can find me at: OptimizedFit.com


Web: OptimizedFit.com
Tel: (415) 735-6843

Creative People in Business: Bastian Sascha Schmidt - Acupuncturist

My name is Sascha and I’m the owner of Tree of Qi Acupuncture Clinic in San Francisco. My interest is in bringing health and healing into the world and I feel very grateful to be able to provide my services to the lively and diverse community we have here in the city.
I focus on helping patients heal the underlying imbalances in their bodies and minds, thus creating what we call “flow” in Chinese medicine. Flow is what ensures movement that is free of pain as well as a state of mind that is free from suffering. 

With health costs on the rise and an emergence of many acute and chronic health concerns ranging from pain, digestive issues, women’s health, to stress, anxiety and depression, I believe that acupuncture and Chinese Medicine are valuable resources for people during this time, especially for those who’d like to take a more active role in their healing journeys.
I use acupuncture, Chinese Herbs, cupping, reiki and nutritional counseling to help my patients find balance in their lives and I’m excited about what I do.

© 2016 Valentina Sadiul Photography

© 2016 Valentina Sadiul Photography

Time you wake up: 7:40 am

Morning routine: I meditate for 20 minutes, then I have tea and listen to either NPR or a podcast. Recently I’ve been detoxing from politics (not always successfully), so I’ve been listening to spiritual talks.

Best habit: Daily meditation

Worst habit: I binge watch TV shows if they’re good.

Personal philosophy: Serve others; do the best I can

Book you are reading now: “Understanding Power” by Noam Chomsky

Most used apps: Sonos for music

Time you go to sleep: Between 10 pm - 11 pm

 

 

Tell me about your choice to open your own clinic and become your own boss: what motivated you? What were your fears and challenges, and how did you overcome them? 

I’ve always liked the look and smell of Chinese Herbs and have been fascinated with Eastern Philosophies and ways of treating the body even years before practicing Chinese Medicine. I used to live in New York City and would go to Chinatown often to be immersed in the colorful world of Chinese food and herbs and products. 

How long did it take for you to get your business running the way you've always imagined it? In other words, how did you "get on your feet"? 

I started my practice out of my apartment, because I was operating with a very low budget. This was surely one of the biggest challenges in the beginning.  However, within 6 months I moved into a nice big clinic space here in the Mission and today, almost 7 years later, I practice in a fully equipped 3 treatment room clinic. 

What do you enjoy most about your role in patient care?

Being my own boss has been a wonderful experience. I set my own schedule, take 3 day weekends, travel, and I get to do what I love most, which is to help people feel better.
A challenge of being my own boss is that I have to oversee all aspects of my business, even the ones that don’t come so easily, such as bookkeeping and marketing. For this reason, I hired a business coach, who recommended getting professional headshots. This is where Valentina comes in: she’s been an integral part in my public appearance - her images not only portray the true essence of who I am and what I do, but also the space and surroundings I practice in.
Having a community of talented friends and colleagues around me has been key to the success of my practice.

How do you balance your work and personal life?

In order to balance the demands of running a clinic I take long weekends, and often I leave the city and go into nature. In my spare time I also like to play music, read, go on long walks, go on meditation retreats, do archery, and visit the many naturally occurring hot springs in California.

What are some of your personal and/or professional goals for the future?

A goal of mine for the future is to open up a tea house in the San Francisco, a place where people can come to relax and ground, a place of community and respite of the city hustle and bustle. A big part of my spirituality and inner growth is to make an impact on the community that lasts even after I’m long gone. It is my hope that my clinic and my future tea house will provide the community with resources for many years to come.

Contact Information:

Address: 2460 Mission Street Suite 104 in San Francisco CA 94110
Web: TreeofQi.com
Tel: (415) 424-3479
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