Becoming a Better YOU with Monica Brooks

Ever said something in the heat of the moment and immediately regretted it? Same. 🙋🏻‍♀️ 

In this episode, I'm talking about knee-jerk reactions: those moments where we snap, send the text we shouldn't have, or say something we can't take back, and why they happen so fast.

I'm no scientist, but I've learned a little about how our brains work in these moments, and it's honestly kind of cool to understand. There's a part of your brain wired to react before you even think, and another part that's supposed to help you pause and respond with more care, but it doesn't always keep up. Once you see that pattern, it's a lot easier to catch yourself.

I share some simple things that have helped me create a little space before reacting. Even just a few seconds can change how a conversation goes. We also get into the difference between personality and character, and why character is the thing worth actually working on.

And since this comes up so much in real life, I also talk about what to do when someone else is having a knee-jerk moment at you: how to not get pulled into it, and how to respond in a way that actually helps instead of making things worse.

If you've ever wanted to react less and think more before you speak, this one's for you. 😉

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Hire Monica to speak: www.monicabrooks.com
Say hi on Instagram: @motivational_monica

In this episode of Becoming a Better YOU, Monica sits down with workplace culture expert Zoe Allerding to unpack the powerful leadership and workplace lessons hidden inside the TV show The Pitt. From psychological safety to team dynamics to managing highly skilled but difficult employees, this conversation goes far beyond entertainment.

Monica and Zoe explore what organizations can learn from the show’s portrayal of workplace culture, including how leaders build trust and how teams create safe environments. They also talk about conflict, coaching, people skills, and what happens when trust is broken in a professional setting.

If you care about workplace culture, leadership development, team communication, employee engagement, or creating a healthier work environment, this episode offers practical takeaways you can apply right away.

Connect with Zoe: https://www.zoeallerding.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-allerding/

Topics include: workplace culture, psychological safety, leadership, communication at work, team dynamics, conflict in the workplace, coaching employees, and trust in leadership.

Liked this episode? Follow the show, tap 5 stars, and share it with one person who would love it.
Hire Monica to speak: www.monicabrooks.com
Say hi on Instagram: @motivational_monica

In this episode of Becoming a Better YOU, Monica Brooks dives into the cost of disliking someone and how holding onto resentment can quietly steal your peace, energy, and joy. Not liking everyone is normal, but staying stuck in those feelings is where the real cost shows up. Monica shares a personal story, reflects on the weight of grudges, and talks about why life is too short to spend so much of your emotional energy on someone else. If you’ve been replaying hurt, frustration, or anger, this episode will help you think about what it may be costing you and what it might look like to let it go.

Liked this episode? Follow the show, tap 5 stars, and share it with one person who would love it.
Hire Monica to speak: www.monicabrooks.com
Say hi on Instagram: @motivational_monica

So many of us put up with pain longer than we should, assuming it’s just part of life. You don’t have to live that way. The right physical therapy care can bring real hope back into your mind and body, helping you move with more confidence and build lasting resilience.

Physical therapist Dr. Stephanie Duffey joins me to break down why we tolerate discomfort and what a PT notices that we often overlook. We talk about muscle tension, mobility limitations, trigger points, and the mind–body connection, and how these signals shape the way we move and show up every day. You’ll get an inside look at how PT uncovers tension patterns, what your body may be trying to tell you, and why feeling your best starts with awareness. If you’ve been ignoring discomfort or settling for “fine,” this conversation offers a new way to think about caring for your body.

Learn more about Dr. Steph: https://www.empowerphysioandwellness.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerphysioandwellness/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empowerphysioandwellness

Find a PT: https://ptonice.com/

Liked this episode? Follow the show, tap 5 stars, and share it with one person who would love it.
Hire Monica to speak: www.monicabrooks.com
Say hi on Instagram: @motivational_monica

Friendships aren’t always meant to look the same forever. In this episode, I sit down with my friend Kara for an honest conversation about friendship and impermanence.

We talk about why the idea of a “BFF” can create unrealistic expectations and how being open to the natural ebb and flow of friendships allows us to grow. Together, we explore what it means to step away, press pause, or move on from friendships without guilt, and we reflect on how our own friendship has shifted over time.

This episode is an invitation to rethink the way we see connection and to embrace the fluidity that makes relationships meaningful.

Liked this episode? Follow the show, tap 5 stars, and share it with one person who would love it.
Hire Monica to speak: www.monicabrooks.com
Say hi on Instagram: @motivational_monica

Death does not have to be dark or off limits. In this conversation with hospice and palliative care provider, Dr. Sarah Wittry, Monica explores how awareness can be a gift and how befriending mortality helps us live more intentionally. We talk about starting these conversations before a crisis, why our culture often avoids them, and simple ways to feel empowered when it comes to making decisions.

Learn more about Dr. Sarah Wittry: https://www.vibranthumanssarahwittry.com/ and her podcast: The Vibrant Humans Podcast

Liked this episode? Follow the show, tap 5 stars, and share it with one person who would love it.
Hire Monica to speak: www.monicabrooks.com
Say hi on Instagram: @motivational_monica

If a goal starts costing you your peace, it’s time to rethink it. In this episode, Monica reframes goals as tools, not identities, and shows how to spot the moment a goal shifts from helpful to heavy. She shares a personal story about a goal that triggered guilt and tension, then offers clear ways to shift, pivot, or release it. Letting go isn’t quitting on yourself. It’s choosing a smarter path to the same purpose.

Liked this episode? Follow the show, tap 5 stars, and share it with one person who would love it.
Hire Monica to speak: www.monicabrooks.com
Say hi on Instagram: @motivational_monica

How often do you think about your pelvic floor? If you’re like most of us—probably not much. In this conversation, Monica Brooks talks with Dr. Allison Ingley, a pelvic floor physical therapist, about the vital connection between your pelvic floor, your body, and your emotions. You’ll learn what the pelvic floor really is, why tension and stress can show up in unexpected ways, and how tuning into your body can help you feel more empowered in your health. Whether you’re curious about common pelvic issues or how emotions manifest physically, this is an episode packed with eye-opening insights for both women and men.

Connect with Dr. Allison Ingley at Core Strong Physical Therapy:

Website: https://www.corestrongphysicaltherapy.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoreStrongPT

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/core.strong.pt

Liked this episode? Follow the show, tap 5 stars, and share it with one person who would love it.
Hire Monica to speak: www.monicabrooks.com
Say hi on Instagram: @motivational_monica

In this episode, I’m sharing something deeply personal—a keynote I delivered at the Thriving Beyond Breast Cancer Gala, an event dedicated to supporting women diagnosed with breast cancer in their 20s and 30s. As a survivor myself, this moment was emotional, meaningful, and powerful. The organization’s mission—offering medical stipends, peer support, and community—is a reminder that we all have the capacity to make someone else’s journey just a little bit lighter.

This talk, titled "Nobody Told Me," reflects on the things no one prepares you for when you're facing a life-altering diagnosis. It’s about the things you learn the hard way—and the grace, grit, and growth that come with them. But more than that, it’s a message about the ripple effect we can create when we choose to lift others up. Whether you’ve faced cancer, supported someone through it, or just want to show up in the world with more intention—this episode is for you.

If you're moved by this message and want to help make a difference, I’ve included a link in the show notes where you can support a woman navigating breast cancer today. Sometimes it’s the small, quiet acts of support that leave the loudest impact. Thank you for listening—and for showing up.

One-time donation: https://thrivingbeyondbreastcancer.org/donate

Donate $5 a month: https://thrivingbeyondbreastcancer.org/5-for-thrive

Liked this episode? Follow the show, tap 5 stars, and share it with one person who would love it.
Hire Monica to speak: www.monicabrooks.com
Say hi on Instagram: @motivational_monica

If you’ve never heard of EMDR therapy before, you’re not alone. It might sound like alphabet soup, but EMDR—short for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing—is a unique and effective approach to therapy that helps people work through trauma, anxiety, emotional challenges, and more— in a way that’s very different from traditional talk therapy.

In this episode, I’m joined by Erin Pritchard, an EMDRIA-certified EMDR Therapist, and consultant with Sea Glass, where she helps both clients and clinicians navigate this powerful method of healing. Erin breaks down what EMDR actually is, how it works, and what you can expect if you're curious about trying it. Erin will even share her own person

Whether you're exploring therapy options for yourself, supporting someone you love, or simply interested in how the brain processes emotions and experiences, this episode is a great introduction to a tool that’s helping people across the world heal in a whole new way.

Links:

Work with Erin at Sea Glass Counseling:

https://www.seaglassohio.com/

Find a certified EMDR Therapist:

https://www.emdria.org/

Liked this episode? Follow the show, tap 5 stars, and share it with one person who would love it.
Hire Monica to speak: www.monicabrooks.com
Say hi on Instagram: @motivational_monica