BetterSelf Profiles: Meet Maddie Karlsson

BetterSelf chats with a natural motivator and strong woman. Our 7 Pillars Profiles explore ambitious people in the community who are making things happen!

Thoughts and Beliefs: We at Betterself believe that “When the Student is ready, the Teacher appears.” Who has taught you the most in life or career that you will cherish forever. What have you learned?

5 years ago, I met a friend who’s ideas and philosophy on life’s was very similar to my own. My friend boosted my confident, helped me, supported me in every way possible I could ever need, especially with a new culture and language, which made it a lot easier for me to adjust to a new environment. The last 5 years I have learned so much about myself and other people, that I will always have use for, in the future and where ever I’m at. I learned “to be who you want to be in life”

Goals and Purpose: When setting goals or overcoming obstacles, we all need support and inspiration. How do you stay determined and focused on your dreams?

Staying motivated and focused is hard, especially on a long term big goal, so I try to make little week to week or month to month goals. When I accomplish them I feel a lot better and I can move on to bigger, better goals.

Inner Peace: How do you keep your composure in stressful situations? In a leadership role, how do you manage to create time for yourself to connect to a consistent peace of mind?

For a long time in my life inner peace was going to the racetrack for me. I was competing as a sponsored racecar driver for 6 years and going to the track and just doing what I loved most for hours and hours was inner peace for me. Since I stopped competing, and of course stress a lot, I have found that yoga has helped me a lot, along with various outdoor activities, such as a walk, a beach run works very well for me. I try to go as often as possible and I always feel so good and relaxed after, it has really helped me to always see a clearer day.

Financial Freedom: To live the life we want with the financial flexibility, hard work is essential. In a challenging economy, the importance of teaching our youth the value of money is now more than ever. Can you share with our readers how it felt to earn your very first paycheck?

My first paycheck, hmm that is funny. I’m born and raised in Sweden and started working very early. My fist paycheck was from selling books and magazine door to door on my bike for Christmas. It was very fun and I felt like I was really rich since my mom opened a bank account for me, this along with knowing I had earned my own money was very gratifying even at a young age.

Personal Relationships: Give us your thoughts on the following quote “Life is shaped by the people who surround us." Share with us how you surround yourself with good people.

I try to surround myself with people that are happy and see life with positive eyes. People that I can have fun with and that I can learn something from and I really hope I give that back to my surroundings too.
Friends that are honest and true to them selves.

Health and Fitness: In addition to your short-term goals, what are your long term goals? Can you share we our readership your training routine?

My long term and short term goal is to stay healthy and have a life filled with many memories of fun and laughter. Myself, I have a big passion for health and fitness but that does not mean that I’m always motivated to go to the gym.

I don’t really have a set workout schedule but I enjoy running, and circuit training both indoor and outdoor if the weather allows. Whenever I have time I try to go rock climbing, kayaking, in lining on the beach or something else fun! Your workout has to be fun it keeps one motivated on a daily basis.

Personal Legacy: Personal Legacy is one of the key Pillars within the BetterSelf vision for a balanced life. Giving back starts with getting connected. Share with us some ways you have given back or which causes you feel passionate about.

I try to help my younger brother and family as much as I can so they can get the chance to experience all the great things I have. Since my brother and I grew up together, we now live in separate worlds, so I will always try and bring him the same cultural growth I have experienced. Through traveling and meeting new people in everyday life, I help him to see things from other viewpoints and learn about him self just like I have.

With all the help and fun we had together growing up we will always be very close sister and brother, each helping the other as much as possible.

*Thank you very much taking the time to connect with BetterSelf and share your experiences with our readers.