SUZ STOKES - HELPING PEOPLE MAKE POSITIVE CHANGE - STORY BY TONY CUTTING
In the beginning…
Suz was born in New Plymouth and went to Spotswood Primary and College. When she was young, she had troubling breathing issues (Hay fever and Asthma). Due to this Suz managed to avoid all sports except gymnastics and swimming. The swimming was thought to improve her breathing. With “zero coordination” she was happy to take the swimming out of the pool (to avoid the tumble turns) and joined the local surf-lifesaving club.
Her family moved to Dunedin in her last year of school and she briefly attended Bayfield High. Dunedin is renowned for freezing water and the potential of a shark encounter, this meant that Suz decided that was the end of the physical exercise. Suz avoided exercise in all forms for the next 30 years.
Working Life …
Suz first job was as an Assistant Accountant for Cadburys. She had completed a Bachelor of Commerce at Otago University and went on to become a Planning Accountant, then CFO for a local computer processing company.
These jobs were her first experience with Change Management, and this became what she did for many years. She moved to another IT company called Cardinal Network and started using her change experience implementing financial systems.
This where Suz met her husband. Together they left Cardinal and set up a company designing, manufacturing and implementing security systems internationally. They ran this company together for more than 20 years. No small feat in itself, and a whole other story.
Working with clients with different cultural norms opened Suz eyes to new ways of perceiving both business and personal paradigms.
It was during this time Suz was particularly influences by Eastern philosophy (including Astrology and Yoga).
At 50, it was time to start taking care of herself more. Suz set a goal of running a 10k race. At the same time an opportunity to do Yoga Teacher Training presented itself. These two combined to create a personal transformation, and her journey out of corporate life and into health and wellbeing began.
The 35 Day Detox business is born
Suz business came from planning she developed for herself with goals to get physically and mentally strong which also included completing her first triathlon. Sharing this plan (which included more than just exercise training) with others in her Triathlon training group translated to her well written plan morphing into a (self-published) book in 2014.
Her company name is based on what she did – Suz detoxed all areas of her life (body, emotions and mindset) for 35 days. But it is more than that. In numerology 3 represents the Catalyst, and 5 is Change, and they add to 8 which is Manifestation. This sums up the purpose of her new company.
Suz belongs to the Kapiti Triaddix triathlon group, helping women empower themselves through setting and achieving fitness goals.
Starting this business has been a life-saver for Suz. Her husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer and taking others through the program has helped me to cope and heal as part of the journey.
The 35 Day Detox programme is attracting people that have a deep understanding that their potential is much more than what they are currently achieving.
“Most people are stuck in unhealthy patterns and the programme can help to move through those blocks”.
Many clients come back to the programme as their growth continues.
In future Suz will be expanding the online programme – creating a resource that people can dive in and out of to support their journey.
”The exciting thing is that you do not just change the person, everyone in the wider family benefits”.
Moving from a corporate role to a start-up business is difficult. Her advice is to follow your passion.
“It makes it so easy to back yourself in any situation when it’s the thing that brings joy to your life. Honestly assess what you have, where you are at, and then take the first step. Intention is everything” - Suz Stokes
You can sign up and try Suz, 35 Day Detox programme at www.35daydetox.com
Writers Note:
I have been working with Suz to help get myself on track including my health, emotions, business and physical self. I have completed two rounds of the 35 Day Detox and can tell you it makes a massive difference.
Suz has a great coaching style, she is passionate about helping others and unlike other programmes I have been involved with helps you establish long life plans based on self-appreciation and happiness. She provides insights that ‘suddenly make sense’ and help you understand how to navigate the most important areas of your life.
The 35 Day Detox is well worth the investment!
-Tony Cutting
