Massage therapy isn’t just about relaxation, it’s about healing, trust, and human connection. But what if I told you that the same principles that make a great massage therapist also make a great leader?

My guest today, Celeste Aguirre, has built a thriving career in massage therapy over the last 17 years, working in spas, franchises, and chiropractic offices before launching My Massage Studios, a business designed not just to serve clients, but to help other massage therapists grow their own practices.

But beyond massage, Celeste has mastered something every executive, CEO, and business leader needs to understand: how to create lasting relationships, how to build trust in service-based businesses, and how to scale success without losing the personal touch.

In this episode, we’ll explore her journey, the lessons she’s learned about leadership and business, and most importantly, what executives and CEOs can take from the world of massage therapy to lead better, more connected organizations.

Find Celeste on:

mymassagestudios.com

In this powerful return to Heliona Insight, Dr. Michael Maclin—Superintendent of the Special School District of St. Louis County—joins us once again to dive deeper into the conversation that started it all: Inclusion.

Last time, Dr. Maclin left us with a message that resonated across industries: “DEI is not a department; it’s a mindset.” In this follow-up conversation, we explore what that mindset looks like in action—especially now, when Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs are facing scrutiny, burnout, and resistance across the professional landscape.

So what does it look like to prioritize inclusion when it’s no longer “trending”? Why should leaders double down, not back out? And how can we reshape our systems, conversations, and leadership styles to create workplaces where people truly belong?

From education to executive leadership, Dr. Maclin’s experience helps us reframe inclusion as ongoing work, not a policy or a PR checkbox. It’s about belonging. It’s about access. And it’s about the brave decisions leaders need to make even when it’s hard.

If you’re a leader, executive, or changemaker trying to understand what inclusive leadership looks like today—this is the episode for you.

🎧 Listen now and be reminded: inclusion isn’t an initiative. It’s the foundation for the future of work.

Burnout isn’t just about feeling tired, it’s about feeling empty. And yet, in workplaces everywhere, we continue to push ourselves past our limits, treating exhaustion as a badge of honor.

In this special episode of Heliona Insight, I’m doing something different. I’m sharing a short clip from a documentary I produced about burnout in the workplace and diving into what it really means, why it happens, and what we can do to stop it.

If you’ve ever felt drained, detached, or like you’re just going through the motions, this episode is for you. It’s time to have a real conversation about burnout, and more importantly, how we can create workplaces that don’t push people to their breaking point.

What does it take to get unstuck and lead bold transformation? In this episode of Heliona Insight, we’re joined by Monica Cohen, newly appointed CEO of the American Cider Association and a seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience, including C-suite leadership at a $20 billion global food and beverage company, Dairy Farmers of America.

Monica shares her journey as a fearless innovator and bold decision-maker, from managing an innovation accelerator to empowering teams to break through barriers and embrace their potential. Her core message, “You have the power,” is a powerful reminder that leadership starts with mindset and the willingness to challenge the status quo.

Tune in as we dive into Monica’s strategies for helping individuals and organizations get unstuck, ignite transformation, and lead with confidence. This episode is packed with inspiration and actionable takeaways for leaders at every level.

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If you're looking to enhance your organization's wellness initiatives, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heliona⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about how disconnected initiatives and lack of manager-focused wellness lead to environments where mental health remains siloed instead of socialized, resulting in disengagement, high turnover costs and burnout.

How do you scale a business from 3 offices to 23 across four states while fostering a thriving culture of growth and empowerment?

In this episode of Heliona Insight, we sit down with Jeremy Fry, Owner and CEO of Fry Orthodontics and Catalyst Dental Partners, to explore his journey as a leader and entrepreneur.

Jeremy shares how he built a culture where long-term professional growth thrives, empowered his teams with Kaizen principles, and scaled his business by aligning strategy with systems.

From mentoring young professionals to managing multi-industry ventures, his insights offer a blueprint for leaders looking to create sustainable success while inspiring their teams.

If you're looking to enhance your organization's wellness initiatives, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heliona⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about how disconnected initiatives and lack of manager-focused wellness lead to environments where mental health remains siloed instead of socialized, resulting in disengagement, high turnover costs and burnout.

Episode Description:

In this special kickoff episode of Heliona Insight for 2025, host Ebrima Abraham Sisay sets the tone for the year with a powerful theme: Presence.

In a world filled with distractions, being fully present—in conversations, at work, and with ourselves—has become a rare skill. Ebrima shares reflections, actionable tips, and a personal challenge to help leaders and teams embrace intentionality and clarity in every moment.

Tune in for an inspiring start to 2025 and discover how being present can transform your leadership, relationships, and well-being.

If you're looking to enhance your organization's wellness initiatives, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heliona⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about how disconnected initiatives and lack of manager-focused wellness lead to environments where mental health remains siloed instead of socialized, resulting in disengagement, high turnover costs and burnout.

In this episode of Heliona Insight, we sit down with Damion "Coach D" Brown, Certified Mental Performance Coach and Co-Founder of Triumph Performance Institute, to explore the power of mental resiliency in navigating the future.

With over 20 years of experience coaching athletes, executives, and high performers, Coach D shares his strategies for building mental toughness, thriving under pressure, and unlocking peak performance.

From his mantra of “Effort, Not Excuses” to practical lessons on leadership and team culture, this episode is packed with insights to help you lead with confidence and adaptability in an ever-changing world.

Don’t miss this masterclass in mental resilience and high-performance leadership!

If you're looking to enhance your organization's wellness initiatives, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heliona⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about how disconnected initiatives and lack of manager-focused wellness lead to environments where mental health remains siloed instead of socialized, resulting in disengagement, high turnover costs and burnout.

How do you create a healthy workplace culture that drives success while avoiding the common pitfalls of leadership?

Elizabeth McJimsey Souder, Founder and Principal Advisor of What’s Next Biz, brings her expertise as a corporate attorney and business advisor to explore the power of aligning values, managing conflict, and fostering transparency.

In this episode, Elizabeth unpacks the famous phrase 'Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast' and shares actionable insights on how leaders can build thriving organizations rooted in strong cultural foundations.

Join us for a deep dive into the intersection of legal expertise and organizational health, and discover how to transform your workplace for the better.

If you're looking to enhance your organization's wellness initiatives, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Heliona⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about how disconnected initiatives and lack of manager-focused wellness lead to environments where mental health remains siloed instead of socialized, resulting in disengagement, high turnover costs and burnout.