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The Slap You Didn’t Expect: The Painful Truth About Scaling Your Impact

One of the hardest things to receive is criticism—especially when you believe you’re already on a path of transformation. A few weeks ago, a peer (someone on a similar journey) gave me feedback that felt like a slap: “Edwin, you’re helping many people. But your model won’t scale—it’s chained to you.” Ouch. That cut deeper than any random troll. I had been doing something for years—some success, some failures—but I hadn’t designed for scale. Hearing “you need systems” wasn’t news. But hearing that from someone I respect made me pause, examine my ego, and re-evaluate how I’m building what I do. The main lesson I want you to take away is this: Growth without systems often turns into ego’s vanity project. To truly expand your impact, you need to shift from “me doing everything” to “me designing a structure that amplifies who I am.” In this article, I’ll share three key pivots that changed how I lead, work, and grow—and how you can apply them to your journey.   1.   ...

Your Brain Isn’t Fixed — Even if People Say You’re an “Introvert'

I used to roll my eyes whenever someone said, “Oh, he’s an introvert—let him be.” (A cozy blanket we wrap you in so you don’t have to talk.) Somewhere, I started repeating, “Okay, fine, I’m an introvert.” But inside, a little rebel was whispering: Why did I accept that? Did I absorb it just because it was easier than pushing back? Here’s what I want you to take away: You are not defined by the labels others hand you, and your habits (especially dopamine habits) influence who you become more than you realize. If you want to regain control over your identity — rather than live by someone else’s definition — we need to explore what influences your brain wiring. Let me guide you through this (using real science, a compelling story, and maybe a smirk or two).   1.        Dopamine Hijack: How Quick Rewards Change You Think dopamine is just a simple "feel-good” chemical? Actually, it's more of an anticipation aid — giving you that boost right before...

Love Grows Where Awareness Lives

The other day — tongue in cheek — I told someone, “When you create a larger emotional space for others, you’re actually growing in love.” I said it half-jokingly, but the words stuck with me like a seed waiting to grow. Could it really be that learning to hold space for others is the core of love itself — the kind the Bible talks about, the kind that shows God’s love for us? That’s the journey I want to take you on today. I’ll let you decide whether this idea resonates — but I promise, by the end, you’ll see how self-awareness, emotional literacy, and divine love all come from the same source. 1.        Learning the Language of Emotions: The Forgotten Vocabulary of the Soul When I start working with a coaching client, the first step is usually not setting goals or fixing habits. It’s challenging their understanding of themselves . We begin by reconnecting with something most adults have lost — the language of emotion. You see, many of us were ...

Break Free from the Idol You’ve Created

  Have you ever knelt in prayer, voice trembling, eyes brimming with hope, believing you were speaking to God, only to wake up later with a hollow echo in your soul? I’ve been there. I once prayed, expecting change, expecting presence, but finding only the image I had secretly made of Him in my mind — fashioned from fear, dogma, and what I’d been taught. Here's the main point I want you to appreciate: Many of us are not worshiping the eternal, everlasting God, but an idol made from our experiences, beliefs, and ego. Until we see this, healing, trust, and true purpose will stay out of reach. Over the years, both as a habit coach and through my own journey (especially in my 20s and early 30s), I learned that changing habits isn't just about doing things differently — it's about seeing things differently. The way you perceive God influences your habits, your courage, and your trust. Let’s explore three key truths that helped me, and hopefully do the same for you, to reco...

Hungry for Truth: The Power of Fasting to Build Self-Integrity

We live in a world that moves at lightning speed; a world where dopamine is the new currency and patience is the forgotten art. Our phones buzz, our feeds scroll endlessly, and our meals arrive faster than our thoughts can catch up. In this environment, instant gratification isn’t just a habit; it’s a way of life. We know what to do — we’ve read the books, listened to the podcasts, and followed the “discipline” influencers. Yet, when it’s time for action, we hesitate. We overthink. We delay. We plan and re-plan. We’ve become skilled at talking about growth, but we're often clueless about living it. The real crisis isn’t ignorance, it’s disconnection. The gap between what we know and what we do has grown into a chasm. And the only way to cross that chasm is through integrity; that rare alignment between what we feel, think, and act. But how do you create that alignment in a world that offers shortcuts for every discomfort? For me, the answer came wrapped in hunger. Fasting:...

Don’t Ride Blind: How Awareness Turns Speed into Clarity

I know a nduthi guy, for those unfamiliar with Kenyan slang, that’s a motorbike taxi rider. He’s hard to miss. His bike is among the loudest on our side of town; you hear him long before you see him. From the comfort of my home, nearly a kilometer away from his route, I always know when he’s arrived and when he’s left. What I admire about him is his talent, the way he glides through Nairobi’s relentless traffic, cutting through gridlock like a skilled racer. He’ll get you to your meeting just on time while everyone else is still sweating in their cars. However, I recently noticed something that made me stop: he had no side mirrors. Now, I say he “graduated” from noise to no mirrors because it takes a special kind of confidence to ride like that. I remember once asking him how he manages without mirrors. He smiled and said, “ Boss, I listen. I’m aware.” Not exactly fun to hear: Only 10-15% of people are truly self-aware, but a shocking 95% think they are. That line stay...

How to Win the War in Your Mind: What History’s Greatest Battles Teach About Healing and Resilience

The other day, I noticed myself being a bit negative about a situation—nothing too serious, just that familiar inner grumble that sneaks in when things don’t go as planned. I paused, smiled warmly, and gently reminded myself, “There it is again, the war within.” In that small moment, something became clear: our mind is a battlefield. Every thought is a soldier, every memory a strategy, and every belief a weapon. Most of the time, we’re fighting wars we didn’t even realize we declared—against self-doubt, fear, guilt, or past pain. The greatest wars in history weren’t just about nations; they were about endurance, courage, and belief. And in many ways, they reflect the unseen conflicts that rage inside our own minds. Let’s walk through three monumental battles that forever changed history and see what they reveal about our own inner wars. 1. Thermopylae: When Courage Outlives Defeat In 480 BC, the legendary King Leonidas of Sparta stood with only 7,000 soldiers, facing more th...