We often hide parts of ourselves that we've been told are "too much," but reclaiming these disowned aspects is key to wholeness and freedom. I share my personal journey of hiding my intelligence because it made others uncomfortable, creating compensatory behaviours and identity fragmentation.

• Intelligence became something I downplayed despite teaching myself to read and finding school came easily
• Developed hypervigilance about how my achievements might make others feel
• Created unhealthy patterns like making things harder than necessary to "prove" I earned success
• Recognized that running from these shadow parts only increases shame and proving behaviours
• True freedom comes from claiming and integrating all parts of yourself
• When you accept yourself fully, these aspects become just one thread in your identity tapestry
• Question to consider: what part of yourself have you been hiding because it didn't feel safe?

Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it today, and don't forget to subscribe to Balance and Beyond for full episodes and more of these bite-sized breakthroughs.

Send a text message to Jo

The Balance & Beyond Podcast Hosted by Jo Stone, founder of The Balance Institute

For women who are already succeeding, but beginning to wonder if they're willing to keep losing themselves in the process.

We know high achievers, because we are one. This podcast draws on Jo's 20 years in global leadership and thousands of hours coaching executives and ambitious women: the patterns she sees, how to untangle them, and what it actually takes to keep your success without paying for it with yourself.

If something landed today, there's more where that came from.

And if you know a woman this would resonate with, send it her way.

🎙️https://www.balanceinstitute.com/podcast
🔗 www.balanceinstitute.com
💼https://au.linkedin.com/in/stonejoanne
📷 @therealjostone

Tired of working harder only to feel less confident? You're not broken – you've just been following a broken model. 

Most ambitious women have been caught in a vicious cycle, believing that if they just work harder, polish their presence, gain more credentials, or wait until they've conquered self-doubt, then they'll finally feel confident. But the truth is shocking: these very strategies are what's killing your confidence.

In this revealing episode, we unpack the six hidden traps draining your confidence and fueling burnout. We explore why perfectionism is on overdrive, why external validation becomes more toxic as you climb the career ladder, and why waiting until you feel "ready" is keeping you stuck. You'll discover why confidence isn't about conquering imposter syndrome (even the most successful people experience doubt), but learning to move forward despite it.

The most liberating truth? Confidence isn't something you chase – it's a decision you make today. By rejecting these false narratives and embracing your authentic self, you can escape the prove-polish-perfect cycle that's stealing your freedom, peace, and fulfillment.

Ready to reclaim your confidence and create success without burnout? Join our free five-day Confidence Kickstart challenge. Your journey toward sustainable confidence and true balance starts with recognizing these traps – and deciding you're ready to break free.

Register for FREE here: https://www.balanceinstitute.com/kickstart 

Send a text message to Jo

The Balance & Beyond Podcast Hosted by Jo Stone, founder of The Balance Institute

For women who are already succeeding, but beginning to wonder if they're willing to keep losing themselves in the process.

We know high achievers, because we are one. This podcast draws on Jo's 20 years in global leadership and thousands of hours coaching executives and ambitious women: the patterns she sees, how to untangle them, and what it actually takes to keep your success without paying for it with yourself.

If something landed today, there's more where that came from.

And if you know a woman this would resonate with, send it her way.

🎙️https://www.balanceinstitute.com/podcast
🔗 www.balanceinstitute.com
💼https://au.linkedin.com/in/stonejoanne
📷 @therealjostone

The journey from proud perfectionist to recovering perfectionist is crucial for career advancement and personal wellbeing. Perfectionism acts as a ceiling that limits growth, creativity, and influence when left unchecked.

• Perfectionism often stems from early career mistakes that damage confidence
• Common signs include excessive time spent on details, procrastination, and fear of making decisions without complete information
• Perfectionism and procrastination always come together, both driven by underlying fear
• Perfectionists hit a career ceiling because senior roles require faster decision-making with less information
• Micromanagement often accompanies perfectionism as leaders fear their team's mistakes will reflect poorly on them
• The mantra "done is better than perfect" is transformative when truly embraced
• Following the 80/20 rule helps focus on the 20% of work that creates 80% of impact
• Women of influence learn when to let their perfectionist tendencies go and maintain perspective

Subscribe to Balance and Beyond for full episodes and more of these bite-sized breakthroughs. If this resonated, share it with a friend who needs to hear it today.

Send a text message to Jo

The Balance & Beyond Podcast Hosted by Jo Stone, founder of The Balance Institute

For women who are already succeeding, but beginning to wonder if they're willing to keep losing themselves in the process.

We know high achievers, because we are one. This podcast draws on Jo's 20 years in global leadership and thousands of hours coaching executives and ambitious women: the patterns she sees, how to untangle them, and what it actually takes to keep your success without paying for it with yourself.

If something landed today, there's more where that came from.

And if you know a woman this would resonate with, send it her way.

🎙️https://www.balanceinstitute.com/podcast
🔗 www.balanceinstitute.com
💼https://au.linkedin.com/in/stonejoanne
📷 @therealjostone

Ever wondered why that headache appears right when you finally sit down after a hectic day? Or why your back pain intensifies during stressful periods despite no physical injury? The answer lies in the profound mind-body connection that many of us have lost touch with.

Dr. Evette Rose joins us from Bali to unravel this mysterious relationship between our emotions and physical wellbeing. She explains how many women become "numb from the neck down," disconnected from bodily sensations until pain or illness forces awareness. This dissociation isn't random—it's often a coping mechanism developed early in life that creates the illusion we can handle more stress than we actually can.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn when exploring how midlife transitions amplify this dynamic. As hormones shift in our forties, emotions we've successfully suppressed for decades—particularly anger—suddenly demand attention. Rather than fearing this anger, Dr. Rose offers practical strategies for channelling it constructively through physical movement, transforming what might be viewed as a crisis into an opportunity for profound reawakening.

Perhaps most revealing is Dr. Rose's insight into why so many women take excessive responsibility for others' emotions and wellbeing. This pattern, often rooted in childhood experiences, creates a perfect storm when combined with bodily disconnection, leading to burnout and psychosomatic illness. The path forward? Self-compassion—approaching ourselves with the same kindness we've readily offered others.

Whether you're navigating midlife changes, experiencing unexplained physical symptoms, or simply feeling overwhelmed by responsibility, this conversation offers both validation and practical wisdom. Your body isn't betraying you—it's communicating. Maybe it's time we started listening.

Ready to transform your relationship with your body and emotions? Subscribe now and share this episode with someone who needs to hear they're not alone in their experience.

Want to dive deeper into Dr. Evette Rose's world? You can find her right here: 

• Website: https://metaphysicalanatomy.com/ 
• Instagram: @dr.evetteroseofficial
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGkoVX_JnMTvGGH3Q5LJIWw 

Send a text message to Jo

The Balance & Beyond Podcast Hosted by Jo Stone, founder of The Balance Institute

For women who are already succeeding, but beginning to wonder if they're willing to keep losing themselves in the process.

We know high achievers, because we are one. This podcast draws on Jo's 20 years in global leadership and thousands of hours coaching executives and ambitious women: the patterns she sees, how to untangle them, and what it actually takes to keep your success without paying for it with yourself.

If something landed today, there's more where that came from.

And if you know a woman this would resonate with, send it her way.

🎙️https://www.balanceinstitute.com/podcast
🔗 www.balanceinstitute.com
💼https://au.linkedin.com/in/stonejoanne
📷 @therealjostone

The transformation of logical, high-achieving women who discover the power of intuition is becoming increasingly common. This shift represents not an abandonment of intelligence but an expansion of it—combining analytical thinking with deeper knowing for a more fulfilling life.

• Even the most logical, no-nonsense women are beginning to trust their intuition
• Many discover this path after burnout or exhaustion from constant pushing and striving
• Women are questioning if there's an easier way beyond micromanaging everything
• Ancient wisdom practices are filling the void once occupied by religious traditions
• Evidence builds as women take intuitive leaps and watch the right opportunities appear
• The integration creates powerful leadership—wearing the suit while honouring inner wisdom
• What we jokingly call "woo-woo" may be the intelligence we were always meant to access

If this resonated, share it with a friend who needs to hear it today, and don't forget to subscribe to Balance and Beyond for full episodes and more of these bite-sized breakthroughs.

Send a text message to Jo

The Balance & Beyond Podcast Hosted by Jo Stone, founder of The Balance Institute

For women who are already succeeding, but beginning to wonder if they're willing to keep losing themselves in the process.

We know high achievers, because we are one. This podcast draws on Jo's 20 years in global leadership and thousands of hours coaching executives and ambitious women: the patterns she sees, how to untangle them, and what it actually takes to keep your success without paying for it with yourself.

If something landed today, there's more where that came from.

And if you know a woman this would resonate with, send it her way.

🎙️https://www.balanceinstitute.com/podcast
🔗 www.balanceinstitute.com
💼https://au.linkedin.com/in/stonejoanne
📷 @therealjostone

There's a silent career killer lurking in your daily life, consuming your energy and holding you back professionally—the mental load. That invisible project manager in your head with 50,000 tabs open is doing far more damage than you realize.

The mental load creates a devastating double burden where you're essentially working two full-time jobs—one that pays and another where you labor endlessly without compensation. Research shows that up to 80% of women report home responsibilities prevent them from performing their best professionally. This burden often intensifies at crucial career advancement stages, creating a perfect storm where professional growth opportunities coincide with increased family demands from both children's activities and aging parents' needs.

The consequences are profound. Talented professionals decline promotions, avoid new projects, and step back from advancement opportunities because they're already overwhelmed. As you maintain lists for everyone except yourself, your health, joy, friendships, and peace of mind become casualties. This self-neglect breeds resentment that manifests as impatience, irritability, and emotional exhaustion—until you inevitably reach a breaking point.

Breaking free starts with understanding that household responsibilities exist in never-ending cycles without true completion points. Once you accept this reality, you can step away without guilt and prioritize yourself. Learn to fully delegate tasks—including the conceptualizing and planning aspects, not just execution—and genuinely let go. Allow natural consequences to occur and accept that "done" is good enough, even when it doesn't match your standards.

Your career shouldn't have to be sacrificed on the altar of mental overload. Take the first step today by identifying what you can drop, delegate, or dial back without guilt. What could you accomplish professionally if you weren't carrying everyone else's mental load?

To view the Transcript from this week's episode, visit our Balance & Beyond Podcast webpage: https://www.balanceinstitute.com/podcast/2025/114

Send a text message to Jo

The Balance & Beyond Podcast Hosted by Jo Stone, founder of The Balance Institute

For women who are already succeeding, but beginning to wonder if they're willing to keep losing themselves in the process.

We know high achievers, because we are one. This podcast draws on Jo's 20 years in global leadership and thousands of hours coaching executives and ambitious women: the patterns she sees, how to untangle them, and what it actually takes to keep your success without paying for it with yourself.

If something landed today, there's more where that came from.

And if you know a woman this would resonate with, send it her way.

🎙️https://www.balanceinstitute.com/podcast
🔗 www.balanceinstitute.com
💼https://au.linkedin.com/in/stonejoanne
📷 @therealjostone

The "Get Shit Done" identity that once propelled your career may now be causing burnout and limiting your potential. This episode explores why being efficient, reliable, and productive is no longer enough in today's workplace, and offers strategies to transition from being someone who "gets things done" to someone who "makes things happen."

• Three characteristics of GSD people: high achiever tendencies, efficiency obsession, and external validation dependency
• Warning signs your GSD approach has hit a plateau: chronic overwhelm, being passed over for promotion, resentment, and burnout
• Why AI makes the GSD identity increasingly obsolete as technology can now perform tasks faster than humans
• The alternative: becoming a Woman of Influence who leads others, challenges the status quo, and maintains healthy boundaries
• How shifting your identity from doer to influencer leads to working less while achieving more meaningful results

If this resonated with you, share it with a friend who needs to hear it today, and don't forget to subscribe to Balance and Beyond for full episodes and more of these bite-sized breakthroughs.

Send a text message to Jo

The Balance & Beyond Podcast Hosted by Jo Stone, founder of The Balance Institute

For women who are already succeeding, but beginning to wonder if they're willing to keep losing themselves in the process.

We know high achievers, because we are one. This podcast draws on Jo's 20 years in global leadership and thousands of hours coaching executives and ambitious women: the patterns she sees, how to untangle them, and what it actually takes to keep your success without paying for it with yourself.

If something landed today, there's more where that came from.

And if you know a woman this would resonate with, send it her way.

🎙️https://www.balanceinstitute.com/podcast
🔗 www.balanceinstitute.com
💼https://au.linkedin.com/in/stonejoanne
📷 @therealjostone

What happens when a corporate CEO dares to embrace her spiritual side? In this soul-stirring conversation, Sara shares her extraordinary journey from buttoned-up business leader to what she calls a "soul explorer" – without abandoning her executive responsibilities or strategic mindset.

The catalyst? A profound encounter following her stepfather's death when Frank Sinatra's "My Way" mysteriously played through her car speakers while her display showed a completely different song. This unexplainable moment cracked open her perception of reality and possibility, launching her into a spiritual awakening that would transform how she approached both business and life.

Sara reveals her gradual emergence from the "spiritual closet," first sharing her experiences with trusted colleagues, then eventually reading her poetry (which she describes as "transmissions" received in the night) at corporate board meetings where she serves as chair. The surprising result? Rather than facing ridicule, she discovered that approximately 95% of CEOs and philanthropists resonated with spiritual concepts in some way.

This revelation challenges our assumptions about the business world: "We're all in the closet. Everyone's in the closet," Sara observes. Perhaps most powerfully, she shares how shifting from constantly proving her worth to simply trusting her purpose freed her from impostor syndrome: "I may never feel worthy... But what I have learned to do is just trust. I trust that I am there for something bigger."

For ambitious women navigating their own balance between professional demands and deeper meaning, this conversation offers both validation and practical wisdom. The journey doesn't require dramatic spiritual experiences or leaving the corporate world behind—it simply begins with creating space to listen to yourself more deeply and trusting the intuitive nudges that often contradict your logical mind.

Ready to explore how bringing your whole self to work might transform your leadership and life? Listen now, and discover what might be possible when you open your own spiritual closet.

Send a text message to Jo

The Balance & Beyond Podcast Hosted by Jo Stone, founder of The Balance Institute

For women who are already succeeding, but beginning to wonder if they're willing to keep losing themselves in the process.

We know high achievers, because we are one. This podcast draws on Jo's 20 years in global leadership and thousands of hours coaching executives and ambitious women: the patterns she sees, how to untangle them, and what it actually takes to keep your success without paying for it with yourself.

If something landed today, there's more where that came from.

And if you know a woman this would resonate with, send it her way.

🎙️https://www.balanceinstitute.com/podcast
🔗 www.balanceinstitute.com
💼https://au.linkedin.com/in/stonejoanne
📷 @therealjostone

Embracing the word "selfish" as a compliment rather than an insult marks a revolutionary shift in how we approach self-care and personal boundaries.

• Breaking free from constant permission-seeking behaviours like asking to take a shower or go out for dinner
• Letting go of mental calculations that track who "deserves" free time based on previous activities
• Redefining selfishness as a positive trait rather than something to avoid at all costs
• Understanding that women today spend 50% more time in "intense parenting" than in the 1970s despite equal workforce participation
• Recognising that a depleted, resentful version of yourself is the truly selfish offering to loved ones
• Creating an "and" rather than "either/or" approach to self-care—taking care of yourself not at others' expense but for everyone's benefit
• Embracing small acts of self-care as personal revolutions: taking vitamins, eating breakfast, getting proper sleep

If this resonated, share it with a friend who needs to hear it today, and don't forget to subscribe to Balance and Beyond for full episodes and more of these bite-sized breakthroughs.

Send a text message to Jo

The Balance & Beyond Podcast Hosted by Jo Stone, founder of The Balance Institute

For women who are already succeeding, but beginning to wonder if they're willing to keep losing themselves in the process.

We know high achievers, because we are one. This podcast draws on Jo's 20 years in global leadership and thousands of hours coaching executives and ambitious women: the patterns she sees, how to untangle them, and what it actually takes to keep your success without paying for it with yourself.

If something landed today, there's more where that came from.

And if you know a woman this would resonate with, send it her way.

🎙️https://www.balanceinstitute.com/podcast
🔗 www.balanceinstitute.com
💼https://au.linkedin.com/in/stonejoanne
📷 @therealjostone

Barbara Gustafson didn't set out to become a brain health educator. Her journey began with leadership development, but everything changed when she witnessed firsthand how Huntington's disease devastated her family. After losing her mother to a stroke, Barbara and her siblings became caregivers for their father, uncovering a genetic condition that would later claim her sister's life as well.

The experience ignited a passionate mission: making brain health an essential part of every leadership conversation. As Barbara eloquently explains, our brain is "the supercomputer that runs the software of our mind." This distinction helps explain why some high-functioning, seemingly successful people struggle internally with burnout or overwhelm – their physical brain needs attention beyond just positive thinking or stress management techniques.

Through her work with clinicians, caregivers, and community leaders, Barbara introduces a transformative four-circle approach to brain health. The physical circle addresses biological functioning influenced by sleep and nutrition. The psychological circle encompasses thoughts and emotional intelligence. The social circle relates to relationships and team dynamics. The spiritual circle connects to purpose and meaning. This holistic framework creates a new language for discussing wellbeing without the stigma sometimes attached to mental health conversations.

What happens when ambitious women face chronic stress? Barbara describes a fascinating "baseball diamond pattern" of brain activity where the limbic system and basal ganglia become overactive, effectively taking the thinking prefrontal cortex offline. This explains why during moments of high stress, our decision-making abilities diminish dramatically. Her practical REGROUP framework offers accessible strategies for examining automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) and creating new neural pathways through consistent, small changes.

Ready to transform your relationship with your brain? Visit discovernextstep.com to download Barbara's simple tips for regrouping and improving your brain health. Remember: "Listen to the whisper, don't wait for the two by four."

To view the Transcript from this week's episode, visit our Balance & Beyond Podcast webpage: https://www.balanceinstitute.com/podcast/2025/112

Send a text message to Jo

The Balance & Beyond Podcast Hosted by Jo Stone, founder of The Balance Institute

For women who are already succeeding, but beginning to wonder if they're willing to keep losing themselves in the process.

We know high achievers, because we are one. This podcast draws on Jo's 20 years in global leadership and thousands of hours coaching executives and ambitious women: the patterns she sees, how to untangle them, and what it actually takes to keep your success without paying for it with yourself.

If something landed today, there's more where that came from.

And if you know a woman this would resonate with, send it her way.

🎙️https://www.balanceinstitute.com/podcast
🔗 www.balanceinstitute.com
💼https://au.linkedin.com/in/stonejoanne
📷 @therealjostone