Meet Nicola McGillicuddy

We recently connected with Nicola McGillicuddy and have shared our conversation below.

Nicola, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?

I naturally tend to be a positive person, seeing the glass as more full than empty. Despite this, I’ve still struggled with bouts of anxiety and depression.

My optimism comes from a persistent attitude of hope, resilience, and determination—qualities I’ve had to actively cultivate.

For me, optimism is a practice, like a muscle that needs daily exercise. Over the years, through personal growth, I’ve gathered a toolkit of strategies to help me maintain this practice.

My attention is my first tool. I’ve learned that what I focus on is what I give life to. Guarding my attention and choosing where to direct it have become my superpowers.

Nature is my second tool. Spending time in nature shifts my perspective, helping me see beauty and possibilities in the world more clearly.

My third tool is weeding out negative thoughts that don’t serve me. I can usually stop them in their tracks by acknowledging them and saying, ‘NOT USEFUL.’ Then, I redirect my attention to something that will move me forward.

And sometimes, frustrations, doubts, and fears do win the day, and that’s okay. I just don’t let them set up camp. I start the practice fresh the next day.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I have an entrepreneurial spirit and have had the pleasure of creating a successful music school in Redondo Beach with my husband, Dan, called Sunset Learning Studio. We are in our 11th year, and it has been a journey filled with love and a deep sense of contributing to our community.

But right now, I am working on my next adventure called Luv Earth.

A few years ago, my niece Colleen and I began talking about the climate crisis and how it was affecting everything we love and value. We felt powerless and overwhelmed by how huge it all seemed.

But then, we posed a question to ourselves: “What positive actions are being taken to combat global warming?” Asking this question opened our eyes to a world of hope and progress. We discovered an abundance of positive solutions and initiatives happening everywhere, from renewable energy projects to conservation efforts and advocacy for environmental justice.

Do you know how good it feels to learn that fin whales are making a comeback because of conservation efforts and that the world is now powered by 30% renewable energy? It gives you hope! And hope creates the space for action.

This type of news rarely makes headlines, but it transformed our mindset from hopelessness to hopefulness and empowerment. It became very clear to us that…

Fear immobilizes, and positivity moves you forward.

The other thing we did to cope with our anxiety was to intentionally spend more time in nature. This became a journey of ‘rewilding’ our lives.

As we replanted ourselves back into nature, we started to experience more balance, joy, and well-being in our lives. It’s like nature has a way of restoring your own inner habitat. She ‘rewilds’ your thinking, mindset, and way of being. You see more clearly how everything in life is interconnected.

As I started to change, so did my lifestyle. I wanted to do my part to take care of our planet. I started with making simple lifestyle swaps, then looked at how I could make our home more efficient. This led to more sustainable practices like composting, driving an electric car, and becoming a vegetarian. These were gradual steps that took place over time.

Going through this journey, Colleen and I realized there had to be others like us who care deeply about the environment but feel overwhelmed about how they can make a difference.

This realization led us to create the Luv Earth Newsletter. It’s a platform that raises awareness and promotes sustainable living through positivity, knowledge, inspiration, and empowerment.

We’ve come to understand that for the world to transform, we must first transform ourselves.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Willingness is the driving force behind everything I do in life. It’s the spark that ignites any new venture and the motivation that keeps me moving forward. Willingness gives me the courage to step out of my comfort zone. For me, it’s a mindset—I’m willing to try, fail, learn, grow, and show up.

I wasn’t always so willing. Growing up and through my twenties, I spent a lot of time hiding. In school, I would sit in the back row, hoping not to be called on. I had fears of failing and looking stupid. But as I started on a path of personal growth, this began to change. I made the conscious decision to actively participate in my life—to engage fully in all of it: the good, and the bad. My first defining act of willingness was choosing to sit in the front row of a class I was taking. This might seem like a small act, but for me, it was huge. It declared, “I am here, I am fully present, and I want to learn.” My willingness was born from that single decision.

Seeking out knowledge is another trait I have developed. I love reading books, taking classes, and listening to podcasts. I feel like some of the people I learn from have become mentors, helping me grow.

I have learned that continual growth is one of the keys to happiness. It keeps your mind and opinions evolving, allowing you to see and understand perspectives beyond your own.

I really love this quote: “The problem is we look for someone to grow old together when the secret is to find someone to stay a child with.” Keeping my childlike qualities alive has been the foundation of everything meaningful in my life.

It allows me to see the awe and wonder in the world. It keeps me finding the joy and the laugh in every crappy situation and challenge I face. It keeps me curious and growing, and it keeps the playfulness alive in my relationship with my husband.

I have found that no matter what you are creating in this life, it’s the journey where the real adventure is.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

I’m a huge fan of Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist and best-selling author known for exploring topics through data and storytelling. I’ve read all his books and listen to his podcast regularly.

He has challenged me to question my assumptions, consider different perspectives, and rethink my beliefs and opinions.

In his book Think Again, I love how he talks about thinking like a scientist. This involves not only being open-minded but also actively seeking reasons why our thinking might be wrong. This opens the door to humility and allows us to continually update our views based on new information.

In his latest book, Hidden Potential, I loved his insight on asking for advice instead of feedback. As he explains, feedback looks backward, while advice looks forward. We can’t change the past, but we can improve the present and future.

Thanks to him, rethinking has become part of my mindset. He has helped me expand the lens through which I view life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://luv.earth
• Instagram: @luv.earth_luv.you
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/luvearth0188/