Holistic Beauty

An Interview with Sam Sample

The Woman Behind Be Genki

Sam Sample, the woman behind the Be Genki range of natural beauty blends and products, has given amply of her time to participate in the following interview.

Thank you, Sam, for your thoughtful and insightful advice.

1. Where does your passion for holistic living and well-being come from?

I was also brought up to pick myself up and get on with things, as opposed to dwelling on the negative. This has really shaped me to be the positive and happy person that I am today.

The reality is that life is full of ups and downs. It’s how we act and react when faced with life’s pressures that shapes who we are, and who we will become. I have certainly had extremely challenging and devastating moments in life, but I choose to not let them destroy my future and always resort back to the various disciplines that I have studied – meditation, nutrition, fitness, access energy transformation and aromatherapy – to ensure that I don’t stay in that sad, angry or disappointed state for too long.

Ultimately we all have the ability to be who we want to be and live what-ever lives we want to live, and no-one else is responsible for those choices than us.

2. How did the idea of Be Genki start and develop?

Whilst I was finishing up my Diploma of Nutrition and experimenting with aromatherapy, one of my girlfriends was suffering from anxiety and depression and was taking anti-depressants. It upset me that a young woman in her mid-20s could be put straight onto medication without looking at other alternatives. It bothered me to think that she could become more and more dependent on these pills every day and end up taking them for years, decades or perhaps for life. The thing that really bothered me though, was that her lifestyle was not taken into consideration. No-one sat down with her to address what she was doing on a daily basis.

So I made her a blend of essential oils (the Serenity blend) and we chatted about taking time out to have a bath with the essential oil blend at the end of each day by shutting the bathroom door, turning the mobile phone off and creating a spa-like experience in the comfort of her own home.

We also spoke about nutrition and exercise and lifestyle options. Two months passed and she came to me one day to tell me how much better she was feeling within herself and that she was thinking of going off her medication. Whether it was the act of running a bath and watching the water flow, having that half-hour by herself to relax, inhaling the oil blend or exercising more, it didn’t matter to me. What mattered was that she was feeling more confident and happy. I imagine it was a combination of all the new lifestyle rituals that she started implementing.

You can only imagine how happy this made me feel. Whatever it was that gave her the confidence to take control of her anxiety and depression and ultimately her life, was enough to inspire me to think of other areas of our lives that we need help with improving in today’s fast paced world. Too often, I hear stories about people who run to the chemist to pop a pill for a symptom that they’re suffering from, when they could be utilising alternative medicine and/or making lifestyle changes to treat the cause. So, I developed the four Be Genki ranges:

- Vitality to help us improve our energy and concentration.

- Tranquility to help us prepare for a peaceful night’s sleep.

- Serenity to help us cope with everyday stresses (the blend that I gave to my girlfriend).

- Sensuality to help us nurture the loving relationships that we have with our partner, and more importantly our Self.

In my opinion, these are the four key areas that bring about holistic happiness. Life today is fast paced. Most of us are faced with stress on a day-to-day basis whether it be physically, emotionally or spiritually. In order to achieve optimum wellness and inner harmony we need to learn how to deal with that stress and nurture ourselves on all levels, inside and out.

3. So many women today have unrealistic views of beauty. What are your beliefs about what makes a woman beautiful?

The reality is that these women have spent hours of preparation with hair and make-up artists and then the images have been retouched and airbrushed so that the final image that we see in magazines and on billboards look very different to what the actual woman/girl looks like every day. Then add to that the pressure to retain our youthful teenage complexion by running and getting our faces cut open with scalpels and injected with poisonous concoctions. All in the name of beauty? Not for me.

I believe that beauty comes from within. Being happy and healthy on the physical, emotional and spiritual level is what I believe makes a woman truly beautiful.

My top tips for the physical, emotional and spiritual are as follows: your outward appearance (look and feel of your skin) is a reflection of what’s going on in the inside. It’s the same old story… exercise regularly; drink an adequate amount of purified water each day; consume a diet based on organic wholefoods; avoid/limit your intake of all the nasties such as cigarettes, alcohol, processed foods and late nights; set aside some ‘YOU’ time each day/week to do something that you enjoy doing that’s also nourishing to your soul; take a moment each day to think of all the positive things that you have in your life. Let go of old “baggage” that you’re carrying around inside your head. Think of a few small changes that you can make to reduce your footprint on the planet (recycle, only purchase environmentally friendly household products, turn the lights off when you leave a room). Smile.

4. Sensuality is such an important part of female sexual health. Do you have any advice on how women can enhance their sensuality?

Take time out by setting aside some ‘YOU’ time each day/week: read a book, have a bath, book in for a massage or go for a walk in the park or on the beach, and really take the time to work out what it is that nourishes your soul and calms you in times of stress.

How can you be exuding sensuality if you’re constantly worrying and not addressing and dealing with your stress? Find out what it is that makes your stress dissipate.

Don’t take life too seriously. Smile, laugh and be happy. Take a moment each day to think of all the positive things that you have in your life.

Take responsibility for your own needs and build your own self-confidence and self-esteem. This will allow a give and take in your companionship, rather than dependence on another to meet your needs.

Finally, be gentle and kind to yourself, and be patient when you’re learning to make the positive lifestyle changes that you desire. The hardest part is starting something… from then on it’s a beautiful journey of self discovery.

5. How can women have more balance in today's fast-paced life?

I believe that the most important lessons that we can learn are those that allow us to become more conscious, present and in harmony with our Self so that we can live a joyful life, and know what it is that we need to do when faced with stress. To have the confidence to help ourselves, and know who to turn to when faced with challenges and not freak out and think that our entire universe is crashing down upon us.

It’s also ok to say ‘no’. You don’t have to be everything to everyone and attend everything that you’re invited to. You’re not going to be much help to someone when you’re an emotional and physical wreck.

Listen to your body and ask it the question of what it wants to do. Set aside some ‘YOU’ time every day/week/month and do something that nurtures your inner Self. For me, it’s a yoga class, run on the beach, swim in the ocean, listening to my favourite music, sitting down to a really yummy meal, phoning my best friend for a chat, meeting up with my mum, dad or brother, booking in for a massage, kissing (and making out) with my boyfriend, escaping to the country, playing with a puppy dog, giving and receiving a really long hug, travelling to a new city. The list is endless.

6. Please tell us more about Be Genki.

Physically, all products are made from the finest quality natural ingredients that work with the body’s natural physiology to promote a healthy glowing complexion. Be Genki products contain NO genetically modified ingredients, artificial colours, artificial fragrances, fillers, parabens, sulphates, phlatates or petrochemicals. Every ingredient that is included in a Be Genki product has a beneficial property.

Emotionally, we have identified four key areas that contribute to an individual’s wellbeing – Vitality, Tranquility, Serenity and Sensuality - and offer products and lifestyle recommendations that help create balance - a 360degree approach that is unique to Be Genki. Whether you would like a little "pick me up" throughout the day; a little help coping with everyday stresses; assistance in preparing yourself for a peaceful night’s sleep; or are wanting to nurture the loving relationship that you have with yourself and/or your partner, Be Genki has the product combination and lifestyle tips to help you.

Spiritually, we strive to be an environmentally responsible company. All manufacturing and packaging solutions have been made with the environment in mind. Our bottles, jars and boxes are 100% recyclable and biodegradable. Each year Be Genki donates 5% of its profits to environmental sustainability campaigns that work towards a better, brighter and cleaner future for the world we live in, ensuring that every Be Genki purchase also gives back to the planet.

7. What products from the Be Genki range would you recommend for women who need a bit of extra help in nurturing their relationships with themselves and their partners?

When using the products, take the time to create a little ritual for their application and have fun with it. Burn the Sensuality Oil Blend in an oil burner in your bedroom. Dim the lights of the bathroom or turn the lights off and light a candle and have a bath with the Sensuality Bath and Shower Oil. Give your Self or your partner a massage using the Sensuality Body Oil, give your Self a hand and arm massage with the Sensuality Hand Cream or simply sit down to a cup of Sensuality Herbal Tea and curl up on the couch for a cuddle. Touch is a very powerful way to transfer positive energy.

8. Do you have any advice for women about pursuing their dreams?

And please please please don’t let anyone else’s point-of-view frighten you from taking the challenge. For years and years I have had a number of friends, ex-boyfriends, and acquaintances that have all been forthright in telling me how silly, crazy and stupid my ideas are, and how I should be living my life. I always find it hilarious when someone starts telling me what to do. I very rarely waste the time or energy to argue with them because at the end of the day it is simply their point-of-view and it may or may not align with my point-of-view about how I choose to live my life.

The funny thing though… the ones who are quick to judge are also the ones who I perceive not to be living out their true dreams. So, best for you to follow your own dreams and don’t allow anyone to tell yourself to “buy into” someone else’s thought that it’s crazy or silly.

There’s a quote that I love which has been a little source of inspiration for me lately: “Be You and Change the World. Be Not You and Suffer the World”. (Raz - quoted by Gary Douglas, founder of Access Energy Transformation)

(You can visit Sam Sample at Be Genki for more information about the Be Genki range.)

(From Interview with Sam Sample) (Back to Home Page)