Carol Schulte

03/13/2025

Mental health research matters.

Last week, I attended the 5th Anniversary of Womenmind… and the first as an official member!

Womenmind is dedicated to advancing research in women’s mental health (a field that currently gets LESS THAN 2% of Canada’s total scientific research funding. Seriously… ?!?😳)

Hearing that stat, and I couldn’t help but wonder:

💬 What if more research had been done sooner?
💬 What if we knew more about the impact of certain meds (eg. for ADHD) on other suspected diagnosis’? (Eg. bipolar!)

Maybe... just maybe... I wouldn’t have experienced a full-blown manic episode with psychosis.

Yes, there was a time I believed I was being trained as a spy. Convinced I had camera crews following me, starring in my own reality TV show. 🎥 🤦🏼‍♀️

I share this not to dwell on the past, but because it’s a powerful reminder of why this work matters.

Mental health research doesn’t just change lives, it can save them.

A huge shout-out to the amazing people behind Womenmind and the powerful message shared by Deborah Gillis, CAMH Foundation President and CEO:

“Progress doesn’t happen by accident. Progress is a choice.”

Here’s to choosing progress, championing mental health research, and creating a future where fewer people have to suffer in silence. 💕

Mental health matters. Research matters. YOU matter. ✨

01/09/2025

Yes, that’s me doing a headstand while on safari in South Africa. 🦏 What you can’t see? There are rhinos grazing in the distance! (I digress… 🤪)

I used to be obsessed with New Year’s resolutions. I even ran a workshop called « Intentions, Resolutions, and Goals (Oh My!) (yes, Wizard of Oz fans, I see you 🧙‍♀️). But did you know over 85% of resolutions fail by mid-January?

🤯 Seriously?!

Last year, I ditched the resolutions and created “11 Days of New Year’s Evolutions” (DM me if you want the content—it’s my gift to you.)

This year, I’m keeping it even simpler:

👉 What’s ONE thing you can do today to move closer to WHO you want to be in a year from now? And just as important: How do you want to FEEL when you get there?

I’m diving into ‘Be Your Future Self Now’ by Dr. Benjamin Hardy, and it’s packed with gems about stepping into the person you want to be 10 years from now—starting today.

✨ Takeaway: Lofty goals are great, but real change starts when you evolve into the person ready to achieve them.

So here’s your reminder:

Get close with your future self.
Focus on the important, not just the urgent.
Take small, consistent steps.

And remember, stepping into your brave is the doorway to transformation.

Start small. Start today. Start with one thing. You’ve got this. 👊

09/03/2024

I’ve been quiet this summer.
I needed to be.

But before all the adorable ‘first day of school’ pics start rolling in, I want to introduce you to someone special.

Meet Linden.

This future service dog will be my sidekick for the next year. At just 11 weeks old, he’s already a genius, incredibly well-behaved, and, seriously — just look at that face!

I had NO clue what I was signing up for (still figuring it out… as I slowly making my way through his 85-page manual! 😂), but I’m all in.

Goodbye to the world of spontaneity and flying by the seat of my pants—running here, there, and who knows where! Maybe it’s about time I took on some responsibility beyond myself and my plants. 🌱

And while I’ve got a lot of training to do with him (we’ve already mastered ‘sit,’ ‘down,’ ‘stay’— he understands ‘busy busy’—zero accidents in over 24 hours!), I have a sneaky suspicion I’ll be the one doing most of the learning.

The magic of curiosity.
The importance of slowing down.
The power of unconditional love.

The first day, if I’m honest, I wondered if I’d be able to handle it. I even confided in a friend I was afraid I’d have to give him back.

I thought he would disrupt, dare I say ruin, the life I knew.

Now, I think he just might be saving it.

Linden, you’ve already stolen my heart. 🥰

PS: I promise not to flood your feed with endless puppy pics—but I totally get why so many parents (of both human and fur babies) do! 😂

PPS: Swipe right 👉if you want to see some ridiculously cute puppy photos… consider yourself warned!!

05/23/2024

Why are we so darn hard on ourselves?!? 🤔

A few weeks ago, I was in magical Joshua Tree on a girls’ trip with five amazing friends I met during Remote Year in 2017. It was our first time all together since then! 🌵✨

Naturally, we snapped photos here, there, and everywhere. But when our wonderfully talented Lily ( ) wanted to capture each of us solo, we all felt a bit resistant. Despite the stunning photos she took, you should have heard the things we said about ourselves while looking at them! 🙈

But you know what? Photos are about capturing the moment. And if you’re enjoying the moment, who cares how you look?!? (Although maybe easier said than done!)

I’ve been sitting on these photos for weeks, and while I’m not one to post many ‘posed’ shots of myself (selfies are a different story!), this beautiful sunset deserves to be shared. 🌅 💕

Thank you, Lily, for sharing your gifts with us, for capturing these moments so beautifully, and for encouraging us to slow down and be seen. 🌟

📸 Credit:

05/12/2024

Today can be a happy day, and it can also be a hard day.

Can’t believe it’s been 19 years ago since I lost my biggest cheerleader, my Mum. Time makes it easier, but it never goes away. Still think of her daily, and know she’s still looking down and guiding me… ❤️

I have some tough decisions to make. Treatment is responding, but the cancer is still there. I have my next biopsy in a few weeks. I always thought I would be a mother, but maybe life has other plans.

I have so much admiration for all of the mothers out there… and so much love for all those who have lost a mother, lost a child, wanted but never able to have children, or lived through any struggles with motherhood.

Today, you are honoured and adored and celebrated. 💐💕

05/08/2024

This is what a post sweaty workout looks like, at the end of another powerful teacher training weekend ! 🥵

A whole lot of learning, a whole lot of growing, a whole lot of sweating, and a whole lot of pushing boundaries.

There is power in community.

It allows you to show up as you are, without judgment. It creates a safe space for you to try, to get messy, to fail.

The words you find on the wall, right as you walk into this beautiful space, read ‘You Belong Here.’ And you do. When you find a community that not only preaches that, but also practices it — jump in. 🤸‍♂️

Despite wondering if I needed another big commitment in my life right now, I’m truly grateful I did exactly that.

Wanna come move with me?!? Teaching a community class THIS FRIDAY, May 10th, 4:30pm. 🙌

SAOR Studio is located at 3465 Dundas St. W., Toronto.

Let’s get our sweat on together! 😂

05/06/2024

Such a special girls’ trip with these ladies! 💕 We all admitted to feeling a tad anxious leading up to it. This reunion has been seven years in the making—it’s been that long since we were all together.

We first met in 2017 during Remote Year, where we lived in a different city every month for a year. Starting with 78 people, our ‘boo crew,’ as we fondly called ourselves, bonded in Bogotá and never looked back.

Luckily, and not surprisingly, we picked up right where we left off. 🫶

One of the top regrets people have at the end of their lives, as shared in Bronnie Ware’s book ‘The Top Five Regrets of The Dying,’ is wishing they had kept in better touch with their friends.

Relationships are incredibly important. We need to work hard to bridge the gaps created by geography and the demands of life to nurture these special friendships.

The last photo is of a group of women we met here, who have been friends since high school over 60 years ago, and have been doing an annual girls’ trip ever since.

✨😂

Reach out to a friend you haven’t connected with in a while. Whether it’s a message, phone call, or meeting for coffee—these are the moments. ❤️

03/26/2024

Still on a high from last night’s ‘RISE’ event by . 🤩

Surrounded by a roomful of empowered women on a mission is, well, pretty darn empowering!

Huge congrats to , .moores , and all the finalists and winners. (And I must say, not knowing anyone else going, and then seeing so many friendly faces, made me so happy!)

But what hit me the most was listening to , founder of , share her story. Ten years sober, she openly spoke about overcoming addiction and intergenerational trauma. Hearing about the moment she stood at Eaton Centre’s fountain, tears streaming down at seeing her brand on Sephora’s billboard — something she never would have imagined possible as a young girl — brought me to tears.

As the first Indigenous-owned and founded cosmetic company, Cheekbone Beauty uses only sustainable, clean, vegan, and cruelty-free products, and aims to make a difference in the lives of Indigenous youth.

Jenn’s message? “There’s nothing special about me,” (although I would argue differently!) “But I am consistent. Do one thing every day for your business.” (Or your dream…)

She reminded us that anyone can do anything, and big dreams start with the smallest of steps. 🌟

Take a moment to think about your goals and dreams. What small action could you take today to move the dial, even just 1%?

Tag a woman who inspires you or could use a dose of inspiration today! ✨

03/09/2024

To the brilliant, beautiful, badass women out there: I see you, and today, I celebrate you! ✨

All the roles you play, the hats you wear, the emotions you feel, the people you care for, the self doubt you fight, the obstacles you overcome…

I see you though the good hair days and the bad, the days you feel like jumping out of bed you’re so excited, and the days you just want to crawl under those sheets too scared to see the light of day.

I see your fears, your flaws, your hopes, and your dreams. 💭

I see the love you share with so many, and the love you sometimes struggle to share with yourself.

But above all, I see your incredible resilience as you keep showing up, pushing through, making a difference — every single day.

I honor you, I celebrate you, and I’m in awe of you. 🌟

📣 Shoutout to the phenomenal women in our lives! Tag a woman who inspires you, who deserves a moment of recognition and a heartfelt « I see you. » Let’s uplift each other, not just today, but every day. 💕

02/14/2024

I honestly think the most important love out there, is the love you show yourself.

A profound truth, yet embracing self-love remains a journey, a daily practice for me.

Have you ever written a love letter, to yourself? 💌 It’s a powerful reminder of your worth, today and every day.

I’ll start.

Dear C.,

You’re pretty amazing, even though you might not always see it. You’ve been through a lot, are going through a lot, and yet you’re still here.

While you continue to say you haven’t done enough in your life, you’re not where you should be, you wish you were further ahead — maybe it’s time to listen to your own words. Maybe you really are exactly where you’re supposed to be.

Maybe it’s time to listen to your own words. Maybe you really are exactly where you’re supposed to be.

You’ve done some pretty amazing things, nurtured connections all over the world, and are surrounded by some pretty amazing friends who see you — and love you — for who you are. You’re a good daughter, sister, aunt, and friend; thoughtful and kind.

It’s time to be gentler with yourself, to acknowledge your progress and celebrate how far you’ve come. Life isn’t about the cards you’re dealt but how you play them and you, my dear, are playing beautifully.

Keep talking to your Uber drivers, smiling at strangers, and give yourself more high fives when you look at yourself in the mirror. Be as big of a cheerleader for yourself, as you are for others.

You really are more than enough.
In fact, you’re actually pretty darn awesome.

Keep on going. Keep on being you. Keep on finding your brave.

You’ve got this, and I’ve got you.

Xoxo, me ❤️

Now it’s YOUR turn. Write your own love letter. Go on, I dare you. 💕

01/31/2024

In the spirit of my recent birthday reflections, I wanted to share the poem that sparked my mantra for the year: ‘let go.’ ✨

Life is full of unexpected turns.

Losing my Mum and best friend at 24, navigating life with bipolar disorder, facing a hip replacement at 40, and now cancer were never in my plans. And yes, I kinda thought I’d be married with a couple of kids by now!

But here’s what I’ve learned: life doesn’t always follow the script we write in our heads. And that’s okay.

Choosing to accept ‘what is’ holds immense power. 👊

SHE LET GO ~ Safire Rose

She let go. Without a thought or a word, she let go.
She let go of the fear.
She let go of the judgments.
She let go of the confluence of opinions swarming around her head.
She let go of the committee of indecision within her.
She let go of all the ‘right’ reasons.
Wholly and completely, without hesitation or worry, she just let go.
She didn’t ask anyone for advice.
She didn’t read a book on how to let go.
She didn’t search the scriptures.
She just let go.
She let go of all of the memories that held her back.
She let go of all of the anxiety that kept her from moving forward.
She let go of the planning and all of the calculations about how to do it just right.
She didn’t promise to let go.
She didn’t journal about it.
She didn’t write the projected date in her Day-Timer.
She made no public announcement and put no ad in the paper.
She didn’t check the weather report or read her daily horoscope.
She just let go.
She didn’t analyze whether she should let go.
She didn’t call her friends to discuss the matter.
She didn’t do a five-step Spiritual Mind Treatment.
She didn’t call the prayer line.
She didn’t utter one word.
She just let go.
No one was around when it happened.
There was no applause or congratulations.
No one thanked her or praised her.
No one noticed a thing.
Like a leaf falling from a tree, she just let go.
There was no effort.
There was no struggle.
It wasn’t good and it wasn’t bad.
It was what it was, and it is just that.
In the space of letting go, she let it all be.
A small smile came over her face.
A light breeze blew through her.
And the sun and the moon shone forevermore… 💕

01/26/2024

Yesterday marked another birthday for me. 🎉 And while a day traditionally steeped in reflection, historically, it's been shadowed by thoughts like, "This is not at all where I was supposed to be at this age!"

But I'm finally believing I am exactly where I'm supposed to be. My mantra this year is 'letting go' - inspired by this beautiful poem I share here:

https://carolschulte.com/a-year-older-a-year-bolder-the-birthday-girls-guide-to-letting-go/

So, bring on the birthday I say! I’m not just getting older — I’m getting braver and bolder. And I have a feeling it’s gonna be a good one. ✨

Happy Friday! Yesterday marked another birthday for me. 🎉 And while a day traditionally steeped in reflection, historically it’s been shadowed by thoughts like, “I can’t believe I’m ___ years old and haven’t accomplished x, y, and z! ” or “What have I really done with my life? ” a...

01/26/2024

They say life truly begins at forty, but hey, I’ve always been a bit of a late bloomer. So here I am, a few years into my fabulous forties, ready to hit my stride. 💃

Let’s talk about expectations versus reality. Sure, my journey hasn’t been a straight line to where I thought I’d be… and, I’m exactly where I need to be — and I’m choosing all parts of my story — the ups, the downs, and all the unexpected twists and turns in between.

This year, my mantra is all about ‘letting go.’ Inspired by an incredible poem I stumbled upon (which I’ll share shortly) it’s time to let go. And It’s time to celebrate all that I have, all that I don’t, and everything still to come!

So, 43, I’m ready for you! Bring it on… I’m not just getting older; I’m getting braver and bolder. And I have a feeling it’s gonna be a good one. ✨

01/23/2024

Extra, extra... read all about it! 🗞️🌟

Newest edition of 'The Brave Leader' just published! "The Habit Formula: Shaping Success In Leadership and Life."

It's Day 23 of 2024 – how are those New Year's Resolutions holding up? If your experience is anything like mine, you may have fallen off the bandwagon just a wee bit. And that's okay! Moreover, it's to be expected...

In today's edition, I dive into how we can harness the power of habits to jump back on the horse.

We'll discover how simple daily actions can shape your journey – with three small ideas and actionable strategies.

Check out the article below! 👇

It's not about getting it perfect, it's about being staying in action.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/habit-formula-shaping-success-one-day-time-carol-schulte-7skvc/?trackingId=d7ihuyqsTPWKTTjv9xGEnA%3D%3D

01/15/2024

"Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny." ~ Lao Tzu

Your words MATTER. How are you speaking to yourself?!?

It starts subtly— a fleeting thought, a whispered word. And your bodies LISTEN. And before you know it, these thoughts become your reality.

In our fast-paced world, it's easy to overlook the power of our internal narrative. What would it look like if you were to talk to yourself the same way you would your best friend?

I dare you to choose an empowering thought today... it could very well shape your tomorrow! 👊

01/08/2024

I’m done. No more. It’s time. 🌟

This year, I’m breaking up with the habit of measuring my journey against anyone else’s. No more scrolling through social media thinking, ‘Why isn’t that me?’ or shrinking my dreams to fit in someone else’s box.

I’m done playing the endless game of ‘Am I good enough yet?’ Spoiler alert: I always was, and so are you. 👌

No more saying ‘yes’ when my heart is saying ‘no’ — just to keep the peace. It’s time to prioritize my dreams, my path, ME. 🌈

This year is about owning my story, embracing my unique journey, and playing BIGGER – for me — not for the likes and not for approval.

Join me in this rebellion against the comparison and the pleasing and the playing small! And if you’re ready to break free too, join me in ‘11 Days of New Year’s Evolutions’ 💫 Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3RMNML9

Together, let’s make 2024 a year of stepping into our most authentic, brave selves – unapologetically.
Who’s with me? 🙌

01/05/2024

Film shoot 🎥 🤩 yesterday!

Scary, exciting, intimidating, confronting, expanding.

I was still planning my outfits at the 11th hour, literally, the night before! Didn’t feel ready, didn’t feel worthy, didn’t think I was deserving of stepping into the light.

But I am. I’m here to be seen, and so are you. ✨

Cheers to stepping into your light this year… to growing, to stretching, to see what it looks like outside of your comfort zone. Cheers to finding your brave! 👊

AND, it takes an incredible village to make it happen! THANK YOU 🙏🏻 Patricia, the visionary behind (who, despite being two weeks before her due date, brought her A game — and her A team!), and all of you special people ( , , and even neighbours who showed up to support me. Beyond grateful! 💕

Stay tuned… get the popcorn 🍿 ready!

01/05/2024

While I'm all for resolutions - they don't always stick. In fact, over 80% of folks who set them, have stopped by February. WHAT?!?

If you're wondering why, it's because you have to master your mindset, first. Whether for personal or professional growth, mastering your mindset is key. Say goodbye to resolutions and hello to real change!

Watch now! 👇
https://youtu.be/SkbZt635Zg8?si=StPfc2z-niXwtmb9

P.S. If you haven't signed up to join "11 Days of New Year's Evolutions 💫" starting on January 8th, it's not too late! Join in on the fun (and the transformation) HERE:
https://bit.ly/3RMNML9

Embark on a transformative journey with Carol in our latest video, "Transform Your Mindset: Effective Tools for Real-Life Change!" and unlock the true potent...