Shadowing Practice: The Ultimate Guide to Reinventing Yourself - Learn English Speaking with Video

So have you ever felt like you're stuck in a loop, living a life that doesn't quite feel like yours?

Like there's this version of you that you want to be, but it always feels just out of reach.

If you're here, you probably want a fresh start.

You're ready to reinvent yourself and make this the year where everything changes.

But here's the thing.

Real transformation isn't just about setting goals or changing what you do.

It's about changing who you believe you are.

Now, if you've watched me here on YouTube before, then welcome back.

But if you are new to my channel, then welcome.

I'm Dr. Kim Foster, and I'm an MD turned coach and wellness expert.

I was a family doctor for 20 years before leaving the healthcare system to pivot into wellness and the personal development space.

So the idea of reinvention is something that I am quite familiar with personally.

In this video, I am going to share the ultimate secret to reinventing yourself

and I'm going to walk you through it step by step and it all begins with a powerful shift in identity.

So let's dive right in.

To begin, I'm going to let you in on a secret

that most people totally overlook when they're trying to make big changes in their lives.

The secret to true transformation isn't in setting more goals or working harder or even changing your environment.

Those things can help

but they are not the core of what actually drives change

the real key is your identity it's who you believe you

are at your core what i have seen through all my years as a primary care physician

and a coach after that plus what i have learned through the research is

that behavior follows identity

if you see yourself as someone who is disorganized you're going to really struggle to build habits

that would require a lot of structure no matter how many productivity hacks you try

if you believe you're not a morning person you're not likely to stick to an early morning routine even

if you set a dozen alarms think of it like this our behaviors are like branches on a tree

but our identity is the root if you want to change the fruit

that the tree produces you have to address the root

when you shift your self-concept when you start to see yourself differently your actions

and habits naturally start to align with that new identity

and here's the science behind this researchers studying neuroplasticity have found

that the brain can rewire itself based on repeated thoughts

and beliefs in psychology it's called the self-fulfilling prophecy

when you believe something about yourself your brain essentially works to make it true by shaping your actions

and your behaviors to align with that belief.

Think about it, someone who identifies as an athlete doesn't have to force themselves to exercise, it's just part of who they are.

The same goes for any identity, whether it's being a writer, a leader, or a confident person.

When you identify with it, you naturally act in accordance with it.

So if you're looking to reinvent yourself in the new year, or honestly at any time of year, the most important work isn't just in what you do,

it's in who you become.

That's where the transformation begins.

So all that said, I want to give you a five-step process now for how to do this.

How to make that identity shift so

that you can believe yourself to be the kind of person

that you want to be so that your behavior and your actions align.

Now, most people begin by setting goals, but they don't have a clear vision of who they need to become to achieve those goals.

And that's the problem.

Without a clear picture of your future self, your goals might feel unrealistic or impossible to reach

because you're stuck with the same identity and mindset

that you have now

so here's where we start i want you to imagine who

you want to become in the year ahead i don't just

mean what you'll achieve i mean who you are at your

core how do you carry yourself what kinds of habits and thoughts

and actions define you what makes you feel fulfilled this is step number one defining your future self

which is a vision of the person that you're becoming

if you want to make this really powerful try writing a

letter from your future self to your present self describe in detail who you are what you've achieved

and how you feel make it real this isn't just wishful thinking it's about getting clarity

because once you define that future self you'll you'll be able to take actions

that are aligned with becoming that person every single day.

Now once you've defined your future self, it is time to move on to the next step.

And one of the biggest reasons that people struggle with reinvention is that they're still clinging to an old version of themselves.

They say things like, I've always been this way, or I'm just not someone who's disciplined, or I'm too old to start fresh.

And these are limiting identities that keep you stuck.

This reminds me of an experience that I had during my medical residency.

I was working with a patient who was near the end of his life

and he had been battling his illness for a long time and one day he shared something that really stuck with me.

He said, I spent so much of my life defining myself by my job

and by what I thought I couldn't do

and now I wonder who I could have been if I had just let myself try.

him come to this realization showed me how powerful and limiting our self-imposed identities can be.

That moment has always stayed with me as a reminder not to let old beliefs define my future.

So let me tell you a story about Vera Wang.

You might know her as an iconic fashion designer, but that wasn't always her path.

She dreamed of being an Olympic figure skater, but after not making the team she pivoted to journalism

and became an editor at vogue

when she didn't get the editor in chief position she found

herself at a crossroads now most people might have given up on reinvention at that point

but at 40 she made the bold choice to start over

in fashion even without formal training somehow she was able to release the old identities

that no longer served her and that is how she became the Vera Wang that we know today.

So step two is all about identifying and releasing your old identities.

Think about the beliefs that you hold that don't align with the person that you want to be.

Maybe you've been telling yourself you're not confident or you're too busy to focus on yourself.

Write these down, acknowledge them, and then make a conscious decision to let them go you're not defined by who you were yesterday now

if you want more help with this then you might be

interested in my free workbook called change your mindset change your

life i walk you through a variety of prompts to help you get underneath what you believe about yourself

when it comes to your health and your life

and your self-worth the link to download

that workbook is in the description below now let's move on to the next step

and it is time to get practical one of the the biggest reasons

that people get overwhelmed when they try to reinvent themselves is that they think they need to make huge changes overnight.

But real change doesn't happen in one big leap.

It happens in small, consistent steps that build up over time.

This is where BJ Fogg's concept of tiny habits comes in.

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He teaches that tiny actions done consistently are incredibly powerful because they're manageable and reinforce your new identity.

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So instead of trying to overhaul your entire life in one go, start with small daily actions that reflect the person that you're becoming.

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If your future self is someone who prioritizes health, maybe your tiny habit is drinking a glass of water every morning or going for a quick walk.

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If your future self is disciplined, set a timer for five minutes and work on a focused task.

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When I was shifting my own identity

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and reinventing myself from being a doctor into being a coach and an online entrepreneur in the wellness space, one of the first things that I started doing was blogging.

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This was back in 2011 when blogging was really booming and I thought,

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well if I want to become someone who is sharing expertise outside of just my little exam room one-on-one,

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I need to be someone who puts herself out there.

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So I just started in my own own small way putting out a short blog post just once a week

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and that reinforced my new belief in myself

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that i was someone who had content to share and

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that i could reach people even

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if they weren't an official patient sitting in my clinic

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so this step step number three is build your future self

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with micro habits i want you to write down three tiny habits that align with the future that you envisioned.

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And remember, these don't need to be big.

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Small actions done consistently have the power to reshape who you are.

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Now for the next step, I want to raise the issue of self-talk.

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The way you speak to yourself is one of the most powerful forces shaping your identity.

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But here's the problem.

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Most of us have an inner dialogue that reinforces our old limiting identities.

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Even as we're starting to adopt some changes, we say things like, oh, I'm not good at this, or I always mess up.

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These words become the reality we live in.

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Muhammad Ali famously used the mantra, I am the greatest, long before he became the champion that we know today.

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He repeated this phrase over and over, and by reframing his inner dialogue, he began to see himself as a winner, and eventually the world saw him that way too.

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So this step, step number four, is changing your inner dialogue.

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Start by paying attention to how you talk to yourself.

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Instead of saying, I can't do this, try, I'm learning to do this.

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Instead of, I'm not disciplined, say, I'm becoming more disciplined every day.

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Write down a few affirmations that align with your future self

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and make it a habit to repeat these daily your words have the power to shape your reality

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so use them to reinforce the identity that you're stepping into okay

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so once you start taking some small actions

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that will bring you closer to your future self

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and you're noticing your inner dialogue and working on changing

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that it's time to move on to the next step now a lot of people

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when they get to this stage get stuck that's because sometimes

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when you're ready to move past the micro habits

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and starting to make some bigger moves to truly step into a new identity it feels intimidating especially

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if you're facing self-doubt

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and this is where having an alter ego can sometimes be

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a game changer todd herman teaches this in his book the alter ego effect

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that adopting an alter ego can help you to bypass insecurities

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by allowing you to kind of borrow the traits of somebody who already embodies the qualities

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that you're aiming for

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so let's look at beyonce early in her career she struggled with stage fright

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so she created an alter ego named sasha fierce sasha fierce was bold

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and confident and fearless everything that beyonce wanted to bring to her performances

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but didn't always feel

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that she could by channeling sasha fierce on stage she could embody these these traits and silence her insecurities.

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So step number five is an optional step, but if it helps you, this is about stepping into your alter ego.

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Think of qualities that you want to embody.

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Do you want to be more assertive or confident or resilient?

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Create an alter ego that brings out those qualities and give this version of yourself a name.

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When you need that extra boost, ask yourself, how would my alter ego show up in this situation?

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Over time, you'll find these traits becoming part of who you truly are.

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Okay, let's move on and talk about the final step that I have for you today.

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So one of the biggest challenges with transformation is trying to change

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while surrounded by people and influences that keep reinforcing your old identity.

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If you're serious about reinventing yourself, you need an environment that supports your new vision.

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With my own transformation, I knew the environment

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that I was in every day was not in alignment with where I wanted to be in the future.

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Most people in the medical community were enmeshed in conventional healthcare and just doing things the same way.

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And that was not where I wanted to be anymore.

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So I knew I needed to surround myself with new influences, with people and ideas, even routines that would support this new version of myself.

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So I began seeking out new communities and reading inspiring books and curating an environment that reflected where I wanted to go,

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not where I had been.

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This shift in my surroundings made an enormous difference and really supported me as I made this big shift in identity.

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So think about the people that you spend time with

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and the media that you consume and even the physical spaces that you inhabit.

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Are they aligned with the future that you're building?

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If not, it might be time to make some changes.

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Seek out relationships and content and resources that encourage

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and inspire you create a space that makes you feel like the person

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that you're becoming

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so to give it a name to this step step six

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is to curate a reinforcing environment you could start by creating a vision board

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that reflects your future self or curating a playlist that uplifts

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and motivates you surround yourself with books and podcasts or communities

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that align with your values and goals your environment should be a reflection of the life

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that you're building So be intentional with what and who you let in.

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Now, all of these steps are powerful on their own, but they will only work if you fully commit to this new identity.

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Reinventing yourself isn't something that just happens.

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It's a choice and a commitment that you make every day.

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And that choice begins now.

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As Aristotle said, we are what we repeatedly do.

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Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.

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Reinvention is not a one-time event.

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It's a journey.

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With each step and each choice and each tiny habit, you are building the future that you have always wanted.

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So here's my challenge to you.

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In the comments, share one step that you're taking today to start your journey.

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Commit to it and let this be the year that you rewrite your story.

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And if you want some more help with this, don't forget to download my free workbook.

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Again, the link is in the description.

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If you enjoyed this video, you might be interested in the video that I am going to share on the very next screen,

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which is where I go into a lot more detail about my own personal journey

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that led me to leaving my career in medicine.

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There were three key things that I learned on that journey

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and I think that you are going to find them pretty interesting.

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I will see you there.

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So let's dive right in.

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The secret...

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Oops, no. So that you can believe yourself to be the kind of...

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Does that make sense?

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So I can believe yourself?

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Yes, believe yourself to be.

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Okay.

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okay oh one percent battery i made it

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Learn English with Videos: Reinvent Your Skills While Reinventing Yourself

Ever watched a video and thought, “I wish I could speak like that?” The video “The Ultimate Guide to Reinventing Yourself” isn’t just about personal growth—it’s a goldmine for English learners. Dr. Kim Foster’s conversational tone, clear explanations, and relatable stories make it perfect for practicing listening and speaking. Plus, the topic of reinvention? It’s a great way to connect language learning to your own life goals. Let’s dive into how to use this video to boost your English, with a focus on shadowspeak (yes, that’s the practice of repeating phrases aloud as you hear them!).

Top 5 Phrases to Master from the Video

“stuck in a loop” – Use this to describe feeling trapped in a routine (e.g., “I’m stuck in a loop of watching TV after work”).
“fresh start” – Ideal for talking about new beginnings (e.g., “Moving to a new city gave me a fresh start”).
“behavior follows identity” – A key concept from the video, great for discussions about habits (e.g., “If you see yourself as a reader, behavior follows identity—you’ll naturally pick up books”).
“self-fulfilling prophecy” – A fancy term for when beliefs shape reality (e.g., “Thinking I’d fail the test became a self-fulfilling prophecy”).
“align with” – Means to match or fit (e.g., “My actions now align with my goal to be healthier”).

Step-by-Step Shadowing Guide for This Video

Shadowing (or shadow speech) is all about mimicking the speaker’s tone, pace, and pronunciation. Here’s how to do it with this video:

Watch once for context: Focus on understanding the main idea—reinvention starts with identity. Don’t worry about every word.
Pick short segments: Choose 30-second clips (like the part where Dr. Foster explains “behavior follows identity”). Pause, then repeat aloud, trying to match her rhythm. Notice how she stresses words like “root” and “fruit” to emphasize her point.
Record yourself: Compare your version to the video. Are you pausing in the same places? Is your intonation rising and falling like hers? This helps you spot areas to improve.
Practice daily: Spend 10 minutes a day on shadowspeaks with this video. Over time, you’ll sound more natural and gain confidence in your speaking.

Remember, learning English with videos isn’t just about words—it’s about connecting with ideas and expressing yourself. As you practice shadowing, you’re not just improving your language skills—you’re also embracing the mindset of reinvention. So hit play, repeat, and let your English (and your self) transform!

Grammar in this video

The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:

Structure	In the video
Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters now	you've watched · have seen · have learned
Relative clauses who / which + clause — extra information about a person or thing	someone who is · someone who identifies · someone who prioritizes
Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it	is disorganized · are aligned · is disciplined

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →

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