Episode 134: Debra Buhring Llapaj (pen name: Sophia Elan) & Her Book, Sicilian Seductions, a Mediterranean Love AffairABOUT SOPHIASophia is a former corporate lawyer turned wellness advocate and multi-genre author, is on a mission to inspire and empower others to live happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. After conquering complex PTSD, she centered her life around passion, purpose, and pleasure. A passionate advocate of self-care and Mediterranean living, she shares her insights and journey through her writing and Mediterranean Me lifestyle brand. Sophia has authored over a dozen books, including an uplifting memoir, a holistic wellness “KISS” (keep it simple, sweetheart) collection, and a multi-part Mediterranean-based Happily Ever Now series, inspired by her life. She is a HeartMath® Certified Coach and is creating a non-profit, GiGi’s Angels, to raise awareness for mental health and cardiovascular health. Most recently from Napa, California, Sophia, a frequent contributor to International Living, has lived throughout the Mediterranean for the last two decades. She encourages us all to embrace life with a curious spirit and an open heart.CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS• The meaning of KISS.• Examples of the ravages of chronic stress.• Writing to undo repression.• "Happiness loves company."• "...enhance your holistic wealth."• "Hugs not drugs."• The cyclical patterns of relationships we live.• The programming we endure in childhood.• "...until you get to that point where you're helping somebody manage their bodies, their emotions, their minds, and not just pumping them with information, you're just creating little soldiers to send out into the world."• "I think we tend to complicate things by trying to oversimplify things."• "...that my husband trying to kill me is what actually catapulted me to truly living an authentic life."• "Don't blame the clowns for being clowns. Ask why you keep going to the circus."• Living a life like Pinocchio.• "...our brains are wired to where we like the familiar, even if it's familiar misery, familiar hell."• Better vs. Bitter.• Nature as Vitamin N.• The power of community.• Embrace the magic that happens with uncertainty.• LonelinessThe MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Sophia is, Where do you feel at home so that you can be truly and authentically yourself?FIND SOPHIAWebsite: www.mediterraneanme.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mediterraneanmeInstagram: https://www.Instagram.com/mediterraneanme52Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewellnessangelLinkedIn – Full Podcast Article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/episode-134-debra-buhring-llapaj-her-book-sicilian-john-m--prxge/?trackingId=6MQcg4T5ThqapjXrjpXVLw%3D%3DCHAPTERS - FINALIZE00:00 - The Book Leads Podcast – Sophia Elan00:59- Introduction & Bio02:09 - Who are you today? Can you provide more information about your work?22:10- How did your path into your career look like, and what did it look like up until now?26:17 - The story of Sophia's PTSD.28:03 - The power of trauma in someone's story.52:36 - How does the work you're doing today reconcile to who you were as a child?55:49 - What is your super power?58:47 - What does leadership mean to you?59:28 - Can you introduce us to the book we’re discussing?01:00:59 - Sophia's love for the Mediterranean and Türkiye01:15:05 - What lessons do you hope readers take away from your novel?01:20:05 - What book has inspired you?01:23:24- What are you up to these days? (A way for guests to share and market their projects and work.)This series has become my Masterclass In Humanity. I'd love for you to join me and see what you take away from these conversations.Learn more about The Book Leads and listen to past episodes:Watch on YouTubeListen on SpotifyListen on Apple PodcastsRead About The Book Leads – Blog PostFor more great content, subscribe to my newsletter Last Week's LeadershipLessons, if you haven't already!

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