Writing on leadership,
the body, and what shifts
Occasional writing — not a schedule, just when something is worth saying. On embodied intelligence, what the science actually tells us, and what becomes possible when you stop leading from the neck up.
A year of mindfulness: what 365 days on the cushion taught me about life
Here’s a completely unrelated picture of my cat in a shopping bag, because apparently, that’s what LinkedIn’s algorithm loves. Now that I’ve gamed the system, let’s dive into the real stuff.
A year ago, I embarked on a journey to practice mindfulness every single day. Not for a badge, not for a streak, and definitely not to impress my ego. I started with one simple “why”: to explore how mindfulness could improve my emotional regulation and help me cultivate curiosity and a non-judgmental attitude towards myself, others, and the world. What began as a scientific enquiry turned into something far more transformative.
Embodied Leadership Takes Courage: Reflections from a Coaching Retreat
This is my favourite picture from a recent coaching retreat I had the pleasure to co-facilitate with Divinia Knowles, the founder of COO RT. The smile on my face says it all. While it might look like I’m watching a group of ‘kids’ in kindergarten taking their afternoon nap, the reality is far more profound. I was witnessing a group of courageous COOs fully immersing themselves in the process—letting go of hesitation, scepticism, and coming home to their bodies.
The Sound of Silence: Leadership Lessons from a Silent Retreat
Yesterday, I returned from a silent retreat, aiming to deepen my mindfulness practice and find answers to some pressing questions that have been piling up in my head. Over the course of 116 hours, 108 of which were spent in complete silence, I discovered that silence isn’t as silent as one might think. The world is a noisy place, even without the distractions of wifi, TV, and digital devices.
Where Solitude and Focus Meet, Good Things Are Born: How I Built My New Website
Launching my new website, dagmaraaldridge.com, is both an exciting and nerve-wracking milestone, but I am super happy to share with you all the fruits of my labor. This project was born out of a solo trip I took to Wales, so I could focus entirely on this daunting task. As someone who's never built a website before, it was a steep learning curve, but I’ve always believed that with focus and dedication, we can learn anything.
My Journey to ICF ACC Credential (spoiler alert - it was hard at times).
I'm beyond happy to share that on Monday, I have received confirmation of my ICF Associate Certified Coach credential and today I received my Credly badge for this achievement! This journey, which began back in January 2022, has been one of profound growth and relentless dedication. It also felt hard at times, juggling two jobs at one point, coaching education and coaching clients.
Embracing the Chill: Lessons from Cold Water Swimming.
For nearly three years, I've been journeying into the embrace of cold waters, a journey that has profoundly impacted both my mental and physical well-being. Today's swim was the epitome of why I cherish this practice. The water was a crisp 6 degrees - no wind, the lake a mirror of glass. Being the first to break the surface, to disturb the stillness, is an experience unlike any other, my absolute favourite.
Why Kids Should Learn to Breath Before Spelling.
Today marks 100 days of daily breathwork practice, a personal journey from skepticism to advocacy for the power of breath. As a leader, emotional regulation was a struggle for me, with my emotions often visibly overwhelming me for everyone to see. Advice to "just breathe" seemed overly simplistic, if not dismissive, until it transformed my life.
I Love Flying and What That Has to Do with Mindfulness?
In May 2014, I began my mindfulness journey, a path that turned out to be filled with ups and downs, much like the altitude changes in flight 🛩
This on-and-off affair, marked by over 1,000 sessions and nearly 14,000 minutes of meditation, led me to today's milestone: 100 consecutive days of seated practice!