Shows
Success UnlockedBeyond the Résumé: Showcasing Authentic Passion in ApplicationsIn this solo episode of Success Unlocked, Dr. Adrienne Shnier is pulling back the curtain on one of the biggest application mistakes out there: being too polished and not personal enough. If your application reads like a LinkedIn post from 2016, it’s time for a rewrite.Adrienne walks you through how to write with authenticity, purpose, and actual strategy because generic won’t get you in. From turning real-life experiences into compelling narratives to using language that makes your story come alive, this episode is your no-BS guide to standing out on paper and owning your path forw...2025-06-1717 minSuccess UnlockedFrom Strategy to Acceptance: Veronica’s Law School Journey to OsgoodeIn this real-talk episode of Success Unlocked, Dr. Adrienne Shnier sits down with the brilliant (and now Osgoode Law School–bound) Veronica D’Ambrosio to talk about everything the highlight reel doesn’t show. Spoiler: getting into Osgoode isn’t just about a perfect LSAT score; it’s about mindset, accountability, and doing the inner work no one tells you about.Veronica opens up about what it takes to get in - from managing the anxiety of “the unknown,” to resisting the urge to compare yourself to every other overachiever online. She shares how travel became self-care, why she stoppe...2025-06-0353 minSuccess UnlockedUsing Your Resources Effectively with Vanessa CacoThe post-secondary landscape has undergone an incredible transformation, and today’s students have access to a huge range of resources and values-based communities. How do they get the most benefit from these powerful opportunities?Finding the Right Guidance to Help You Reach Your GoalsThis episode of Success Unlocked was recorded on location at UCLA and is the conclusion of a two-part conversation with Apply Yourself’s Client Success Coordinator, Vanessa Caco. Join us as we dig into juicy insights gained through attending an event hosted by LeGal, an undergrad orga...2025-02-1828 minSuccess UnlockedEmbracing Opportunities for Growth with Vanessa CacoApply Yourself provides valuable journeys not only to our clients, but also our team. As we help our students stretch their ambitions and strengthen their skills, we find ourselves growing alongside them! Achieving New Heights Through Consistency, Commitment & Community This week’s episode of Success Unlocked was recorded on the beautiful UCLA campus. I’m joined by the wonderful Vanessa Caco, our Client Success Coordinator at Apply Yourself Global. Vanessa finds tremendous fulfillment in helping students master new tools and maximize their opportunities. Listen now as we discuss the inspiration she dr...2025-02-0419 minSuccess UnlockedAchieving Healthy and Sustainable Success with Kevin P Murphy (Part 1)This episode of The Advancement Spot is a little bit different — I was honoured to sit in the guest seat as the incredible Kevin P Murphy stepped into the host role to lead our candid and inspiring discussion! As the host of The Reflect-On Podcast, Kevin explores inspiring stories, traumas, lessons, and reflections on fears, feelings, and what truly matters. In this episode, he guides us through a beautiful conversation that touches on Apply Yourself’s holistic vision, why we shouldn’t ignore the immense benefits of in-person learning, and how we can nurture and nourish our drive t...2024-09-0347 minSuccess UnlockedYou Can Have It AllWe all want our lives to have a rewarding balance of professional achievements, self-actualization, and personal satisfaction and growth. But is it possible to fit it all on our plates without compromise… or burnout?Creating a Healthy and Supported BalanceThis bite-sized solo episode explores a question that came up recently in The Success Society, our weekly private coaching program, when one of our members wondered whether it was possible to finish their Master’s program, then apply for and get into their MD PhD program, all while having a family and living thei...2024-06-2516 minSuccess UnlockedWhat to Expect When You're Applying with Olivia DobieckiWhen you’re the first in your family to move through the application process, it’s easy to feel lost and overwhelmed. What do students need in order to feel supported, knowledgeable, and confident throughout this journey?Peeking Behind the Curtain: A Unique Perspective of the Apply Yourself Way In this week’s episode, I speak with Olivia Dobiecki, our wonderful administrative assistant who has been part of the Apply Yourself family for the past 18 months. Olivia has not only seen it all during this time, she also has firsthand experience with our programs. In this cand...2024-06-1123 minSuccess UnlockedScheduling for Success: How to Stay on TrackScheduling for Success: How to Stay on TrackWhat happens when things don’t go according to schedule? We have to plan for contingencies and external factors in order to keep moving towards our goals. Today, I explore with you some scheduling strategies that have helped me and my students and clients in their advancement.Flex Schedules and Planning for ChangeMany of us are going through challenging processes and times of busyness. Remember, stress and sacrifice aren't forever. Our “ideal” schedule and our non-negotiables change over time and invite the change...2023-12-0516 minSuccess UnlockedMy Top 3 LSAT & MCAT Non-NegotiablesStudying for Standardized TestsIn this week’s episode, I share with you my top three non-negotiables for standardized test studying. Four degrees later, I can safely say that I've been through a ton of school and exam periods, both as a student and as a professor who sees what students need to succeed. For standardized tests, studying is much more prolonged, requires more endurance, and requires you to build up the skill and muscle memory to be able to perform at your best. My Top 3 LSAT & MCAT Non-NegotiablesIt's important to...2023-11-2820 minSuccess UnlockedWhen to Ask for HelpI share with you another client story from one of our group coaching calls in The Success Society, which is our higher-level coaching group where we talk about all things outside of the application. Now, I am a firm believer that you don’t need to come with a “problem” or something to troubleshoot every single week in order to participate in and benefit from our coaching sessions. Like I say to our Apply Yourself community members, you don’t need to wait until you experience a problem to reach out and ask for support. When it comes to our coac...2023-11-2116 minSuccess UnlockedREPLAY: Fighting Through Fear and External Validation with Farwa A.Today, I'm joined by one of our dear clients, Farwa, who has made so many amazing strides in our short time working together! Farwa is an incoming candidate of the Master of Health Industry Administration Program at the Schulich School of Business, and a recent graduate of York University’s Global Health Program with a specialization in Health Policy, Management, and Systems. Farwa is a student leader and community worker with over three years of experience in community-based research, student engagement, and leadership development. She is interested in pursuing research pathways for humanitarian and community health, and exploring innovative an...2023-11-1443 minSuccess UnlockedWriting the LSAT with our LSAT Coach, Isabella PapaliaWe are joined by Isabella Papalia, one of our all-star LSAT coaches! Isabella holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behavior with a minor in Biology from McMaster University. She is currently completing her second year of law school with the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. Today, we take you into the world of coaching with us and learn more about Isabella along the way. Believing in Yourself Throughout your LSAT and Law School JourneyThe LSAT and law school are no doubt challenging processes, but it’s important to believe in...2023-11-0744 minSuccess UnlockedWriting the LSAT with Jacob McNairWe have Jacob McNair, one of our amazing LSAT coaches, on the podcast! Jacob holds a a Masters degree in Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University and is currently completing his second year of law school. Today, we're going to learn all about Jacob, his academic and professional background, his experience, his philosophy, and the ways these inform his coaching with Apply Yourself.The Key to Positive Mindset Shifts in your Law School and LSAT JourneyThe LSAT doesn’t have to be an isolating or competitive process, and Jacob’s experience can attest to that...2023-10-3139 minSuccess UnlockedWriting for Discovery vs. CommunicationIn today’s episode, we talk about the key differences between writing for discovery vs. writing for communication. This distinction can apply to any piece of writing that is going to be submitted or be used for some purpose other than your own.The Discovery Phase of WritingWriting for discovery is so crucial to fully understand and process your own experiences. It can look like so many different things, like journaling or creating a web diagram, but it just has to make sense to you and help you process, understand, and connect the do...2023-10-2416 minSuccess UnlockedHow to deal with LSAT issues with our LSAT Coach, Marco KimI am joined by Marco Kim, one of our amazing LSAT coaches, on today’s episode! Marco holds a Bachelor's degree from McGill University where he completed his Major in Economics with a Double Minor in Philosophy and World Cinema. He is currently completing his second year of law school at the University of Western Ontario. He’s back on the podcast this week to tell us more about himself and his advancement journey, and to share some key insights and strategies on succeeding at the LSAT. Tune in to learn more! The Importance of Consistency and C...2023-10-1745 minSuccess UnlockedWhy You Need Independence for GrowthWhy You Need Independence for Growth This week, I bring you into a conversation that I had with one of my amazing clients in the Success Society, which was about the need for independence to grow. This amazing member was experiencing a few circumstances happening at home that were preventing her from going back to school and moving back to campus on time. Not only was she delayed in moving, she was also feeling alone and isolated while starting these new processes at the beginning of her semester because her partner was doing his co-op in...2023-10-1016 minSuccess UnlockedStrategies for Study SuccessSetting Ourselves up for Study Success This is a question I often receive and is also something that came up during one of our coaching calls in Mastering Test Prep, that is: How can you set yourself up for study success? This conversation came up with one of our Apply Yourself members because they're starting to implement new study strategies to really bump up their grades, and I share these strategies with you today! 5 Strategies for Study Success These strategies for study success revolve around planning and understanding what you need to...2023-10-0316 minSuccess UnlockedMy Top To-Do List StrategiesI often get this question from my students and clients: How do I manage my to-do list?We all have lists of things that we need to get done. Some challenges that we may face when it comes to to-do lists include 1) not prioritizing appropriately, and 2) finding ourselves in what I call “analysis paralysis,” where we overanalyze the things we need to get done to the point that we actually don’t move forward with getting anything done. Today, I share with you actionable, efficient strategies that have worked and continue to work not only for myself, but al...2023-09-2624 minSuccess UnlockedMy Thoughts on How to Show GratitudeIn this week’s episode, I explore the idea of gratitude and the ways this can manifest in our relationships, specifically with our parents. This conversation on gratitude was sparked by a recent coaching session. One of our Apply Yourself members told us about a circumstance happening at home and they felt they needed to be there to mediate the situation. As you’ll hear in this episode, there are healthy and unhealthy ways to show gratitude, and this can dictate our relationships and the ways we navigate them. Practising Healthy Gratitude in Our RelationshipsDur...2023-09-1918 minSuccess UnlockedFinding Yourself Through Your Applications with Michelle W.Today, we have Michelle, one of our amazing community members, on the podcast! Michelle graduated from the Global Health program at York University, specializing in Health Policy, Management, and Systems. She is one of our OG clients who has been working with us for about a year and a half now, starting all the way back in the Founders Cohort of Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission. We talk about Michelle’s journey through the application process, her growth and experience being a part of the Apply Yourself Community, and the work she engaged in that led to he...2023-09-1245 minSuccess UnlockedFighting Through Fear and External Validation with Farwa A.Fighting Through Fear and External Validation with FarwaToday, I'm joined by one of our dear clients, Farwa, who has made so many amazing strides in our short time working together! Farwa is an incoming candidate of the Master of Health Industry Administration Program at the Schulich School of Business, and a recent graduate of York University’s Global Health Program with a specialization in Health Policy, Management, and Systems. Farwa is a student leader and community worker with over three years of experience in community-based research, student engagement, and leadership development. She is interested in pu...2023-09-0543 minSuccess UnlockedWe're Doing LSAT Questions LIVE! with Jaylene D.Doing LSAT Questions LIVE with Jaylene! In this episode, I invite you to experience first-hand a live coaching session in Mastering Test Prep, which takes place every Thursday where we work together on your standardized test strategy. This coaching session features one of our amazing members, Jaylene, and we ended up working through three LSAT Reading Comprehension questions together- and we got them all right! We also implemented and fine-tuned some strategies for Jaylene to use and carry with her throughout her advancement. Jaylene has had a massive, transformative realization about herself and the way she...2023-08-2940 minSuccess UnlockedBusting Through Limiting Beliefs: From Pain to PerformanceThe “Upper Limit Problem” and the Issue with Limiting BeliefsYou may have heard about The Upper Limit Problem, a term first coined by Gay Hendricks in his book “The Big Leap.” The Upper Limit is a construct of assumptions that we believe and place on ourselves, or assumptions that we have adopted over the course of our lives based on what we hear about ourselves from others, which limits us from succeeding and performing to our true potential. It’s only when we step back, reflect on ourselves, and develop our own frameworks for success...2023-08-2224 minSuccess UnlockedGetting Rid of the ClutterGetting Rid of the ClutterThis week, I share with you one of the most important lessons I learned during my broken ankle healing journey and, more recently, in the process of packing up to move houses in September. That is, we really don’t need a lot of stuff! Think about all of your things: How many pots and pans do you actually use out of the whole set? How many clothes do you use per season?Stuff can also refer to information that we seek to advance ourselves. At Apply Yourself, we ge...2023-08-1519 minSuccess UnlockedReplay: There's No Shame in Rewriting Your Standardized TestsNo Shame in Rewriting Your Standardized TestsIn this episode, I unpack the perceptions around re-writing standardized tests and why it’s totally not a shameful thing. Students and applicants are often hesitant to talk about this, maybe out of disappointment, embarrassment, or fear of failure, but I’m here to tell you that this happens all the time. In fact, many of our guests on the podcast and I have re-written standardized tests. Re-writing doesn’t stop you from advancing and achieving your goals. In fact, it propels you toward them.4 Things to Con...2023-08-0828 minSuccess UnlockedUpdate on my Ankle and Healing Journey- Part 2Update on My Ankle and Healing Journey - Part 2This week's episode is Part 2 of My Ankle and Healing Journey! Last week, I shared that I was due for surgery three days after I learned my ankle went from a stable fracture to an unstable fracture with a significant bone displacement. Today, I give you the full details of everything that happened leading up to the surgery and post-surgery, so buckle up and enjoy the story! Learning to Let Go and Listening to the Universe Finding the lessons b...2023-08-0124 minSuccess UnlockedUpdate on My Ankle and Healing Journey - Part 1Update on My Ankle and Healing JourneyIf you follow us on Instagram, then you know that I have been keeping the Apply Yourself community updated on my broken ankle and healing journey. I want to give a big thank you to everyone who has followed along this journey with me, my ever supportive family, and to everyone who messaged me with well wishes. By the time this episode comes out, it will have been about a month since I broke my ankle. Today, I share with you some life updates and insights gained over the...2023-07-2519 minSuccess UnlockedGet to Know Our LSAT Coach, Hyun Tae Kim!This week we’re joined by Hyun Tae Kim! Hyun Tae is one of our wonderful LSAT coaches and I am so excited to have him back on the podcast so we can further get to know him, his experience, and his journey. Navigating the LSAT, Law School, and the Canadian Education SystemHyun Tae’s experiences and the work that he does reflects his ongoing resiliency, self-reflection, and objectivity as he progresses through his next chapter in life, both as a Canadian law school student and as an LSAT Coach with Apply Yourself! His s...2023-07-1834 minSuccess UnlockedLessons From My Broken AnkleLessons From My Broken AnkleAt the time of recording this episode, I am joining you not from the office or my usual desk space, but from my bed where I have been sitting and recovering from a broken ankle. My initial thought as this accident happened was, “There is something to be learned from this," and I today explore this lesson with you. Letting Yourself Process and Keeping a Positive MindsetThe main lesson I bring to you today is this: Allow yourself to process and seek out the lessons you c...2023-07-1118 minSuccess UnlockedMeet Our LSAT & MCAT Coaches! Part 3: Josh Kapur, Gabriel Benjamen, Jacob McNair, Isabella Papalia, Jonathan MackenzieMeet More of Our LSAT and MCAT Coaches! We are so excited to bring you even more of our amazing coaches in Part 3 of our Meet the Coaches series! I am joined by 4 of our wonderful LSAT and MCAT coaches and our amazing COO Jonathan Mackenzie. In this episode, we chat about everyone’s testing experiences, their approaches to coaching, and why they’re here with us at Apply Yourself. Get To Know Our Coaches! All of our coaches bring a breadth of experience and expertise, as informed by their unique conte...2023-07-0446 minSuccess UnlockedMeet Our LSAT & MCAT Coaches! Part 2: Kirsta Ariello, Jacky Chen, Jonathan MackenzieMeet Our MCAT and LSAT Coaches! We’re back with Part 2 of our Meet the Coaches series! This week, I’m joined by Kirsta Ariello and Jacky Chen, one of our MCAT and LSAT coaches, respectively, and our COO Jonathan Mackenzie on the podcast!Hear from Kirsta, Jacky, and Jonathan! The values, principles, and strategies of all of our coaches align with Apply Yourself’s philosophy of providing customized and personalized test prep based on each person’s unique learning style and circumstances. Tune in to learn more about: Kirsta and Jacky...2023-06-2733 minSuccess UnlockedMeet Our LSAT & MCAT Coaches! Part 1: Hyun Tae Kim, Olga Shaporenko, Marco Kim, Jonathan MackenzieMeet Our LSAT Coaches! We have some big news! We are so excited to launch our brand new LSAT and MCAT Prep Department and our program Mastering Test Prep, which is our new offering for customized standardized test prep. In this episode, I introduce three out of ten of our amazing coaches - Olga Shaporenko, Hyun Tae Kim, and Marco Kim - and I am also joined by our COO Jonathan Mackenzie! We can’t wait to share more with you and support your standardized test journey every step of the way! All Abo...2023-06-2040 minSuccess UnlockedHow to Decide Between OpportunitiesHow to Decide Between Opportunities and Make Tough ChoicesThere comes a time when we have to ask ourselves this question: How do we decide between opportunities? In this episode, I give you strategic questions to help you decide on opportunities that would best lead you to your goals. 7 Questions to Ask When Deciding Between Opportunities While deciding between opportunities is a great place to be, it’s also stressful because you want to be making the right choice for yourself. Here are 7 questions you should ask yourself when you are at...2023-06-1320 minSuccess UnlockedThe Superpower of OveranalyzingOverthinking and Overanalyzing - Weakness or Superpower? You may have heard someone tell you, “You’re totally overthinking this.” There tends to be a negative connotation placed on the quality of overthinking or overanalyzing, but as a fellow over-analyzer, I believe this is a skill that can absolutely be used for good. Today, I unpack the characteristic of overthinking because I think it is a superpower, not a weakness to anybody’s character, or personality, or to who you are, or how you think, because it’s just the way your brain works.Using Over...2023-06-0618 minSuccess UnlockedHow to Be Productive Over the SummerHow to Be Productive Over the SummerI often get the question: “How do I spend my time and be productive over the summer?” Are you thinking about applying to graduate schools, professional schools, job postings, volunteer positions, and more this summer? Then this episode is for you! Being Mindfully Productive Throughout Your Advancement Journey When talking about being productive over the summer, it can look like doing anything that helps move you closer to your goals, or doing something you enjoy that positively contributes to your life. Productivity may look like...2023-05-3019 minSuccess UnlockedListen to Your Body: When to Slow DownMeet the Apply Yourself Community! We're coming to you live from our weekly Mastering Academic Applications Group Coaching Call on Wednesdays at noon EDT! I'm so happy to have some of our wonderful members of the Apply Yourself Community on the podcast. Today, we are joined by Michelle, Jaylene, Farwa, Stephanie, Casey, and Olivia! Listen to Your Body: When to Slow DownThis episode is inspired by a great conversation we had about the importance of listening to your body in times of high stress in order to give yourself the t...2023-05-2352 minSuccess UnlockedREPLAY: How to Showcase Yourself in Medical School Personal Statements with Gabe FezzaThis week’s episode is a replay! Our guest, Gabe Fezza, is a member of the Apply Yourself community and is doing amazing and meaningful work. Gabe shared his insights on the medical school application process and his experience working together in our various programs. Tune in to learn more! Meet Our Guest and Apply Yourself Community Member, Gabe FezzaThis week, we’re joined by our guest and Apply Yourself Community Member, Gabe Fezza! Gabe is completing his second undergraduate degree, his Honours BSc in Global Health with a specialization in Health Promotion and D...2023-05-1641 minSuccess UnlockedREPLAY: How to Showcase Yourself in Your Law School Applications with JayleneMeet Our Guest and Apply Yourself Community Member, Jaylene!I am so excited to be joined by this week's guest, Jaylene! Jaylene completed her Bachelor of Arts with a double major in criminology and psychology, and double minor in gerontology and human rights from St. Thomas University in New Brunswick. Jaylene and I first met during one of our Masterclasses, Showcasing Yourself in Your Graduate and Professional School Applications, with St. Thomas University. She currently attends court as a Shadow Student with a Crown Attorney lawyer, and is also applying to law schools in the Maritimes...2023-05-0938 minSuccess UnlockedHow to Get into Law School with Dorsa LotfazarMeet our Apply Yourself Community Member, Dorsa Lotfazar!I am so happy to be joined by Dorsa Lotfazar, one of our amazing community members here at Apply Yourself. Dorsa graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Major in Psychology and a Minor in Law and Society. We actually became acquainted in our Masterclass held with the UBC Pre-Law Association! She has always had a passion for law and will begin her journey through law school in September. Tune in to learn about the kind of hard work it takes to navigate through law school...2023-05-0242 minSuccess UnlockedWhat Causes Happiness at Work?Meet Our Guest, Professor Kyle Brykman! This week's guest is Kyle Brykman, Assistant Professor of Management at the Odette School of Business at the University of Windsor. Kyle holds a PhD in Management from Queen's University's Smith School of Business, a Master of Science in Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management from Wilfrid Laurier University, and an HBA from the Ivey School of Business. His research focuses on employee voice, resilience, and conflict in teams. His mission is to help organizations, teams, leaders, and employees lead happier, healthier, and more productive lives. Seeking H...2023-04-2549 minSuccess UnlockedREPLAY: Why You DON'T Need to Obsess Over Your Standardized TestsObsessing Over the Test - Why I Fundamentally DisagreeToday, I unpack a trend that I’m seeing more and more on social media - that is, the concept of students and applicants needing to obsess over standardized tests in order to do well. I fundamentally disagree with this concept and fear-based marketing because I know it’s not true and I've been there, too. I’ve been an applicant for graduate and professional school cycles, I’ve been on admissions committees at every single level, and I work with students and clients who thrive an...2023-04-1820 minSuccess UnlockedThe Importance of Community for Our GrowthThe Importance of Community for Our GrowthToday, I discuss the importance of community and the ways it can benefit our growth and advancement. Ultimately, you thrive as much as the people around you are thriving, and when we surround ourselves with a positive community, we feel uplifted and supported in our advancement journeys.3 Reasons Why Community Benefits Our Growth and AdvancementAt Apply Yourself, we support our community members at all ages and stages of life in their advancement, because we believe that you absolutely should be happy with the d...2023-04-1124 minSuccess UnlockedArtificial Intelligence (AI) and Personal StatementsThe Controversy Surrounding AI and Personal Statements Join me today as I unpack my thoughts around AI, personal statements, and the ways admissions committees value the applicant. Trust me when I say that admissions committees know the difference between your own work and that of AI. There's a time and place for AI, but we can’t strip away the humanness and authenticity of the application.3 Reasons Why AI Can’t Give Admissions Committees What They're Looking ForSpeaking as an admissions committee member myself, we want to get to know the...2023-04-0423 minSuccess UnlockedThe 3 Cs of Personal Branding and ReputationMeet our Guest, Britteney Ofodile! I'm so excited to be joined by Britteney Ofodile on the podcast! Britteney is a Business Coach and Consultant and she helps women level-up their business, show up as their authentic selves, and align their work to their driven purposes. Britteney has two decades of experience in corporate America, and she has built and led teams, coached, and mentored others and improved their performance efficiency. Now she takes all of her energy, drive, passion, and experience to move her clients forward - but that’s not all! Join us in this discussion on per...2023-03-281h 05Success UnlockedLaw School Chat Forums - Are They Useful?Are Law School and Other Chat Forums Useful?We're doing something different this episode - I share a segment from one of our group coaching calls in The Success Society, our higher-level coaching community where we discuss all things outside of the application. This is my response to a discussion about law school forums and how this brought up feelings of insecurity for one of our members about their applications. We have to be mindful when engaging with public, anonymous forums - they often promote a competition-based, scarcity mindset and falling down the rabbit hole can h...2023-03-2135 minSuccess UnlockedHow to Showcase Yourself in Your Law School Applications with Jaylene DeAdderMeet Our Guest and Apply Yourself Community Member, Jaylene! I am so excited to be joined by this week's guest, Jaylene! Jaylene completed her Bachelor of Arts with a double major in criminology and psychology, and double minor in gerontology and human rights from St. Thomas University in New Brunswick. Jaylene and I first met during one of our Masterclasses, Showcasing Yourself in Your Graduate and Professional School Applications, with St. Thomas University. She currently attends court as a Shadow Student with a Crown Attorney lawyer, and is also applying to law schools in the Maritimes...2023-03-1438 minSuccess UnlockedHow to Define SuccessThe Way We Define SuccessThe way we define success affects the ways we get there. We can define and talk about success in so many different contexts - academically, professionally, socially, economically, and more. As you go through your advancement journey, ask yourself: How do I define success? Success Is the Freedom to ChooseI believe that success is defined by the freedom to choose - the freedom to make choices that take you closer to your goals now and in the future, whether it be five or ten years f...2023-03-0723 minSuccess UnlockedThe Benefits of Asking QuestionsThe Benefits of Asking Questions Today, we get real about asking questions and why it’s so beneficial for our long-term success, growth, and advancement. As I work with my clients and as we onboard more team members at both Apply Yourself and our law firm, Shnier Mackenzie Law & Policy Consulting, PC, asking questions continues to be a significant part of our mutual success, understanding, and collaboration. 7 Reasons Why Asking Questions Benefits our Advancement Asking questions is so beneficial to our own advancement, so we shouldn’t be afraid to ask them...2023-02-2822 minSuccess UnlockedThe Importance of Taking Time to ThinkWhat’s Missing from Your Schedule? Time to Think.I often hear from students and clients that there’s not enough time in the day to do everything. In today’s episode, I take you through a time management exercise and explore strategies around time, time management, and prioritizing. Many of my clients feel all consumed with their studying and other responsibilities. But rather than more hours in the day, what's actually missing from their schedules is time to think and plan. We have to give ourselves time to think and plan out our work...2023-02-2130 minSuccess Unlocked"There's More for Me Out There" - Committing to YourselfMeet our guest, Anita RomboughWe are so happy to have Anita Rombough on the podcast this week! Anita is a Soul Strategist & Success Coach who helps high-achievers balance multiple priorities and amplify their fulfilment, time, and success so they can break through to their next level. She shares with us her winding journey and the ways she committed to herself - she knew there was more out there for her. So much of Anita’s work aligns with us at Apply Yourself - tune in to learn more!The Importance of Committing To...2023-02-1448 minSuccess UnlockedThere's No Shame Around Re-Writing Standardized TestsNo Shame in Rewriting Your Standardized Tests In this episode, I unpack the perceptions around re-writing standardized tests and why it’s totally not a shameful thing. Students and applicants are often hesitant to talk about this, maybe out of disappointment, embarrassment, or fear of failure, but I’m here to tell you that this happens all the time. In fact, many of our guests on the podcast and I have re-written standardized tests. Re-writing doesn’t stop you from advancing and achieving your goals. In fact, it propels you toward them.4 Things to Consider for Rewriti...2023-02-0728 minSuccess UnlockedWhy You DON'T Need to Obsess Over Your Standardized TestsObsessing Over the Test - Why I Fundamentally Disagree Today, I unpack a trend that I’m seeing more and more on social media - that is, the concept of students and applicants needing to obsess over standardized tests in order to do well. I fundamentally disagree with this concept and fear-based marketing because I know it’s not true and I've been there, too. I’ve been an applicant for graduate and professional school cycles, I’ve been on admissions committees at every single level, and I work with students and clients who thrive an...2023-01-3120 minSuccess UnlockedREPLAY: How to Showcase Yourself in Medical School Personal Statements with Gabe FezzaThis week’s episode is a replay! Our guest, Gabe Fezza, is a member of the Apply Yourself community and is doing amazing and meaningful work. Gabe shared his insights on the medical school application process and his experience working together in our various programs. Tune in to learn more! Meet Our Guest and Apply Yourself Community Member, Gabe FezzaThis week, we’re joined by our guest and Apply Yourself Community Member, Gabe Fezza! Gabe is completing his second undergraduate degree, his Honours BSc in Global Health with a specialization in Health Promotion and D...2023-01-2441 minSuccess UnlockedWhy I Skip New Years "Resolutions"New Years “Resolutions” - Do They Align with You? Today, I discuss why I personally skip New Years “resolutions.” When we think about what's happening outside of the formal institutions where we learn, work, and play, treating the winter like a period of starting anew seems out of alignment with the natural environment and hibernation cycles, perhaps even ourselves. And if New Year's resolutions work for you, go for it! However, for many members of our Apply Yourself community, their goals didn’t just start in January. They've spent weeks, months, or even years working on their adva...2023-01-1721 minSuccess UnlockedThis is 99% of Your JourneyThe JourneyWhat do we mean when we talk about “the journey”? When we think about our own personal journeys, we often start at the place we want to end up - I want to be a doctor, or a lawyer, a dentist, a teacher, an engineer, you name it. But what happens when we reach that goal, the top of the mountain, and what’s on the other side? We don’t stop progressing or advancing. We have to go through our journeys presently, thoughtfully, and intentionally, while celebrating the steps we take along the way. 2023-01-1022 minSuccess Unlocked"I'm No Quitter": 5 Strategies to Reframe Quitting“I’m No Quitter” You may have said or heard someone say this before when in a really challenging situation: “I’m no quitter.” But what if I told you that the choice to stay may actually hinder or prevent your growth and advancement? Now, I don’t believe we shouldn't deal with challenges or hard situations. However, sometimes we have to make the conscious decision to stop doing something for our own benefit and wellbeing. 5 Strategies to Reframe Quitting You may have heard about my own journey in Episode 2. Base...2023-01-0325 minSuccess UnlockedReward, Punishment, and ProductivityProductivity and the Principle of Doing Things We EnjoyToday, I delve into the idea of reward and its impact on our productivity. You may have heard this before: I’m going to work an X amount of hours, then I’m going to do something I enjoy or a hobby of mine for X amount of hours as a reward.I believe that we have to do things we enjoy simply because we enjoy them, not as a reward. This is actually a helpful tool for our own advancement and productivity. 5 Strategies to Refra...2022-12-2725 minSuccess UnlockedHow to Showcase Yourself in Medical School Personal Statements with Gabe FezzaMeet Our Guest and Apply Yourself Community Member, Gabe FezzaThis week, we’re joined by our guest and Apply Yourself Community Member, Gabe Fezza! Gabe is completing his second undergraduate degree, Honours BSc in Global Health with a specialization in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. He is also a Research Assistant at the Cardiac E-Health Unit at the Toronto General Hospital and at the Global Strategy Lab at York University. Gabe is making amazing strides in his own work and as a member of our Community. Showcasing Yourself in Your ApplicationsG...2022-12-2041 minSuccess Unlocked"I'm Only Applying to One Program"Only One Program...Are You Sure?"I’m only applying to one school or one program." So many of our members proclaim this when we start working together. Today, I want to unpack that - why we are often so committed to only one school or one program? Why Do So Many Applicants Want to Apply to Only One Program or School?There tend to be 3 main reasons that students and clients decide to apply to only one school or program, based on my work and experience since founding Apply...2022-12-1323 minSuccess UnlockedHow to Showcase Yourself: Self-Actualization, Identity, and Your Voice with Jessica (Lane) BassmahonWe are joined by Jessica (Lane) Bassmahon on this episode! Jessica is an internationally-renowned, award-winning operatic soprano with 15 years of instructional experience, and is currently pursuing her second Master's degree in Counselling Psychology. Full disclosure: I have also been a voice student of Jessica’s for over 10 years! Shifting Identities and GoalsIn this episode, we explore how our winding journeys led us to where we are today. We draw parallels between the voice and identity, that our identities shift over time, our goals shift over time, and the importance of taking care of ourselves thr...2022-12-0634 minSuccess UnlockedStrategies to Boost Your Productivity in High-Stress TimesIt’s that time of year to focus on final exams, final assignments, applications, and finishing the semester. I hear from students and colleagues, and have felt personally, periods of intense and unwavering stress. It's important to explore strategies to decompress and create some space for calm, unwinding, and the ability to centre ourselves during these intense times of stress. And remember:You are exactly where you need to be.Productivity takes focus, discipline, and assessing our changing circumstances and schedules. Zoning out or detaching from reality can actually be detrimental to our mental health and productivity, so we h...2022-11-2941 minSuccess Unlocked“What Can I Do During Undergrad To Build My Applications?” How We Help University Students Build Their Applications Before their Application CyclesWith Winter application deadlines fast approaching, my clients often ask me: “How do I showcase myself in my applications? In this week’s episode, I talk about what I’ve learned so far from holding our foundational Masterclass: “Showcasing Yourself in Your Graduate & Professional School Applications.” Over the past few months, we had the privilege to connect with students from pre-med, pre-law, pre-vet, health, and so many more university student groups and organizations stretching from British Columbia to New Brunswick! (And if you're a student who attended one of our Masterclasses, shout out to...2022-11-2219 minSuccess UnlockedREPLAY: How to Grow and Make Hard ChoicesThis week’s episode is a replay! Here we cover some really important realizations as we go through our advancement journeys. I want to talk about 3 things: outgrowing, doing what makes you happy, and making the hard choices. In my life, in my experience, and in the work that I do with my clients and the people around me, these three factors often lead to the most growth and advancement when we exercise our abilities to identify and act on them. In our own advancement journeys, it is important to keep these three things in mind as we navigate th...2022-11-1524 minSuccess UnlockedInterview Stories: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly with Jonathan MackenzieToday we are joined by Jonathan Mackenzie, Apply Yourself COO, who you’ve heard about before in his introduction in Episode 30! Jonathan is back on the podcast with us to talk about interviews - the good, the bad, and the ugly. From contentious interviewers to workplace drama, we share our own stories about our interview experiences, lessons learned, and skills gained while navigating through various interview processes.Here are some key takeaways this episode: As interviewees, we are interviewing the potential employer just as much as they are interviewing us. We have to consider specific factors dur...2022-11-0845 minSuccess UnlockedNavigating Your Master's with Eberechukwu Peace AkadinmaI am so excited to introduce our guest Peace Akadinma to the podcast. Peace is currently completing her Masters in the Health Policy and Equity Program at York University, which is also my alma mater! She holds two degrees in Nursing and Global Health, and she is interested in how health and politics merge and the outcomes produced as a result of the conflicts between the two areas. Peace shares her experience conducting research at the graduate school level and her journey to frame her research question for her Major Research Paper. We discuss in depth about s...2022-11-0154 minSuccess UnlockedHow to Answer the "Your Weaknesses/Improvements" Question for Applicants and RefereesToday, we discuss something that I’ve covered extensively with my clients in our VIP 1:1 sessions and group coaching sessions. What does it actually mean to answer this question: What is an area of weakness or area of improvement for the applicant?This question often comes up in applications, reference letters, and job search and academic interviews. After being on admissions committees and providing references for applicants for many years now, I am challenging the misconceptions (what else is new!) about this question and tell you exactly what admissions committees and employers are looking for. (Hint: Contrary to...2022-10-2529 minSuccess UnlockedThe Relationship Between Your Applications and Your Life with Mastering Academic Applications Graduate with StephanieToday, we have one of my amazing VIP clients on the podcast, Stephanie S.! Stephanie is completing her second degree, her Honours Bachelor of Science in Biology, and is currently writing her honours thesis and working as a pharmacy assistant while being a full-time student. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, conducted research at Toronto General Research Institute, and has been a volunteer with Mount Sinai Hospital since 2016. Steph has made amazing strides in her application journey. We started our work together in our 1:1 sessions and our signature course, Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to S...2022-10-1842 minSuccess UnlockedCaring for Loved Ones During Our Times of Advancement - Is It Possible? With Stephanie MuskatToday, we have Stephanie Muskat on the podcast! Stephanie is a registered social worker and holds a Master's in Social Work from the University of Toronto. She is also a licensed psychotherapist and owns Compassion in Caregiving, an all-encompassing mental health network based in Ontario. Compassion in Caregiving focuses on the mental health needs of caregivers, with a focus on one-to-one psychotherapy sessions and group support programs. Stephanie does so much amazing work and more - when I was in situations where I had to care for my loved ones, I wish I had someone like Stephanie a...2022-10-1140 minSuccess UnlockedPathways to Law with Lawyer, Shayna BeeksmaI’m so excited to introduce this week’s guest, Shayna Beeksma! Shayna is an award winning lawyer and founder of Beeksma Law PC. She attended Osgoode Hall Law School - which is also my alma mater! - and was called to the bar in 2012. She completed her articling at Gowling WLG, and following her articling she continued to develop her skills and knowledge at a boutique commercial and estate litigation firm in Burlington, then subsequently moved to a prominent, mid-sized Hamilton firm before opening Beeksma Law in 2018.Shayna shares with us her journey and how she got...2022-10-0452 minSuccess UnlockedApply Yourself is Growing! Learn about Jonathan, Our New COO!We have an exciting announcement to make this episode! Apply Yourself is growing and I am so pleased to introduce Jonathan Mackenzie to the podcast AND the Apply Yourself Team as our Chief Operating Officer! Jonathan has a professional background as a litigator and was called to the bar in 2011. Jonathan has been here since the very beginning of Apply Yourself’s humble beginnings back in 2015 and has a rich understanding and embodiment of our core vision, mission, values, and goals. Full disclosure: Jonathan and Adrienne are actually married and are working together both at Apply Yourself: The Advancement Sp...2022-09-2733 minSuccess UnlockedHow to Manage School and Applications TogetherI’m so happy to be back this week and I’m so grateful that you’re taking time out of your busy day to spend some here with me! Today, I want to talk about something that I’ve received so many questions about - How do we balance application writing with school work, jobs, family commitments, and our other responsibilities? Many of our Apply Yourself clients and community members have application deadlines coming up, so I want to provide some insights and strategies that were discussed with the Mastering Academic Applications: From Scratch to Submission graduates. Before that, he...2022-09-2042 minSuccess UnlockedHow to Grow and Make Hard ChoicesI want to talk about 3 things: outgrowing, doing what makes you happy, and making the hard choices. In my life, in my experience, and in the work that I do with my clients and the people around me, these three factors often lead to the most growth and advancement when we exercise our abilities to identify and act on them. In our own advancement journeys, it is important to keep these three things in mind as we navigate through applications, programs, employment, professional development, and transition periods.Key takeaways:First, the idea of outgrowing something often...2022-08-1624 minSuccess UnlockedHR Recruitment with Olessia LapinaIn today’s episode, I am so excited to be joined by Olessia Lapina, HR and Recruitment specialist. Olessia has worked for some of the world’s top companies including Tiffany & Co, Accor, and LVMH. Since then she has decided to hang her own shingle by founding her own consulting agency, Lapina Consulting, assisting small and medium sized businesses with their HR and Recruitment needs, and providing consultation to individuals seeking career growth and employment. Olessia discusses her own winding journey and how she pursued Human Resources where she honed her passion of helping businesses and individual clien...2022-08-0942 minSuccess UnlockedReflecting on "Vacation"Taking a break from doing something challenging - whether it be school, work, and even applications - is so needed, but is often difficult to do. Believe me, I’ve been there - whenever I have taken a vacation in the past, I almost always brought work with me. (I have brought my laptop with me to the pool on more than one occasion!) However, I have recently come to realize the benefits and importance of taking a vacation, and I’m talking about a real vacation - one with no external distractions and certainly no work! At th...2022-08-0224 minSuccess UnlockedApplying to Grad School with Lavinia L.I am so grateful to be joined by Lavinia, a wonderful client of mine who was part of the Apply Yourself 1:1 VIP 90-Day Coaching Program. Lavinia graduated from York University’s Health Studies program. She is currently working in the community health field, specifically for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and Trillium Health Partners Institute for Better Health. Also, I am so excited to announce that Lavinia has been granted admission to McMaster’s University and is starting her Master’s in Public Health program in just a few weeks! In this episode, Lavinia explained that her perso...2022-07-2638 min