In this episode, I wanted to start the year gently.
Not with pressure to fix yourself or push harder — but with a deeper, more compassionate look at anxiety and worry.

At the beginning of my pregnancy, and in many coaching conversations, I noticed how loud anxiety can become when life feels uncertain. New beginnings don’t always bring clarity. Often, they bring questions, responsibility, and a quiet sense of pressure we don’t talk about enough.

In this episode, I explore why anxiety shows up, what often sits beneath it at a deeper level, and why taking care of yourself doesn’t make you weaker — it actually strengthens your capacity to face life. We talk about trust, safety, self-care, and how anxiety may be less of an enemy and more of a signal asking for support.

5 reflections you’ll walk away with

• A new way to understand anxiety — not as failure, but as a form of intelligence shaped by care and responsibility.
• Why worry often feels productive, even when it quietly drains the system.
• How trust (in life, in yourself, and in others) influences the intensity of anxiety.
• Why self-care isn’t optional when anxiety is present, but foundational to emotional intelligence.
• What it really takes to help the nervous system soften — without forcing positivity or control.

Anxiety isn’t asking you to fight harder.
It may be asking you to feel safer.

So here’s the question I invite you to sit with:
What would change if you stopped seeing anxiety as something to eliminate — and started listening to what it’s been trying to protect?

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Connect with me on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallymahamdeh

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

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Send me an email with ideas for future episodes: [email protected]

Music Credit:
This episode features ''Je n'y suis jamais allé'' by Yann Tiersen.

In this episode of Big Meaningful Life, I sit down with Shawn Brumfield to explore mental fitness and positive intelligence — and what it really means to perform, grow, and stay aligned without burning out.

We talk about the quiet emptiness many high achievers feel even when everything looks “right” on the outside, how small shifts in thinking can unlock motivation and resilience, and why mental fitness isn’t about being positive all the time — but about learning to respond instead of react.

This conversation weaves together lived experience, coaching insights, and practical perspectives on how to build a life and career fueled by clarity, purpose, and inner steadiness.

5 reflections you’ll walk away with:

• A clearer understanding of what mental fitness really is — beyond motivation or “good vibes.”
• Why burnout isn’t always about workload, but often about misalignment.
• How tiny shifts in curiosity and attention can create lasting momentum.
• The difference between the voice of wisdom and the voice driven by fear or pressure.
• What it looks like to pursue meaningful goals without relying on brute force or constant stress.

A question to sit with:
If performance could be fueled by clarity and alignment instead of pressure, what would you start doing differently this week?

Connect with Shawn Brumfield:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-brumfield/

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Connect with me on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallymahamdeh

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

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Send me an email with ideas for future episodes: [email protected]

Music Credit:
This episode features ''Je n'y suis jamais allé'' by Yann Tiersen.

In this episode, I sit down with Billy Keels — someone I deeply admire for the way he has built a life rooted in ambition and family. Our conversation moves through the many chapters of his story: growing up with limited resources, rising through corporate leadership, building multiple businesses, facing personal and professional challenges, and ultimately choosing a life designed around freedom, presence, and intentionality.

What inspires me most is how openly Billy shares the moments that broke him open and the mindset shifts that helped him rebuild on his own terms.

Together, we explore what it really looks like to redefine success — especially for men in high-pressure roles who feel responsible for everyone and everything around them.

5 reflections you’ll walk away with:

• How financial autonomy can shift your entire sense of agency — not just your income.
• Why asking for what you need at work isn't a risk, but a skill most high achievers never learned.
• The hidden cost of doing everything alone, and what happens when you finally allow support.
• Why resilience is built through adversity — not avoided by perfection.
• What it truly means to design a career around your values instead of your fears.

Billy’s story is a powerful reminder that freedom isn’t something you wait for — it’s something you create, one honest decision at a time.

If you removed the pressure to be everything for everyone, what kind of life would you finally give yourself permission to build?

Connect with Billy Keels:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/billykeels/

https://www.instagram.com/billykeels/

https://www.billykeels.com/

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Book your discovery call.

Connect with me on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallymahamdeh

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

Join the newsletter here.

Send me an email with ideas for future episodes: [email protected]

Music Credit:
This episode features ''Je n'y suis jamais allé'' by Yann Tiersen.

In this episode of Big Meaningful Life, I open up a conversation most of us avoid: jealousy — the emotion we’re taught to hide, suppress, and feel ashamed of.
I share why this emotion matters, what it reveals about our deepest desires, and how we can transform it into clarity and direction instead of silence and self-judgment.

This conversation comes from real coaching sessions and my own lived experience, and I hope it invites you to soften, reflect, and reclaim jealousy as a powerful form of emotional intelligence. 

5 reflections you’ll walk away with

• A different way to understand jealousy — not as a flaw, but as information about what matters most to you.
• Why naming an emotion reduces its intensity and expands emotional capacity.
• How to transform comparison into clarity and action instead of shame and withdrawal.
• Why jealousy often points toward direction, desire, and identity, not insecurity.
• How emotional honesty can dissolve isolation and strengthen connection.

Jealousy isn’t proof that you’re behind. It’s proof that you’re awake — and paying attention.
So here’s a question: If jealousy is pointing to something you deeply want, what might it be trying to show you about who you’re becoming next?

Book your discovery call.

Connect with me on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-mahamdeh-emotional-intelligence/

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

Join the newsletter here.

Send me an email with ideas for future episodes: [email protected]

Music Credit:
This episode features ''Je n'y suis jamais allé'' by Yann Tiersen.

In this episode, I share what burnout can quietly do to our relationships — how emotional exhaustion affects our capacity to connect, communicate, and stay present. I talk about the moment I realized I could no longer show up the way I always had, and what healing taught me about boundaries, friendship, and the difference between relationships that grow with us and ones that fall away.

This is a conversation about choosing honesty over performance, protection over pleasing, and connection rooted in truth rather than obligation.

5 reflections you’ll walk away with

• How burnout changes the way we relate and why it’s not a character flaw.
• What boundaries actually protect — and why they’re an act of respect.
• Why healing shifts relationship dynamics and what that reveals.
• The difference between emotional availability and emotional pressure.
• How to rebuild connection from clarity, not fatigue.

Burnout doesn’t destroy real connection. It reveals it.

So here’s the question I invite you to sit with:
What relationships in your life feel like they honor your energy today—and which ones are asking you to be someone you no longer are?

Book your discovery call.

Connect with me on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallymahamdeh

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

Join the newsletter here.

Send me an email with ideas for future episodes: [email protected]

Music Credit:
This episode features ''Je n'y suis jamais allé'' by Yann Tiersen.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier to explore a question many of us are quietly asking: How can we stay emotionally resilient in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence?

We talk about the intersection of resilience, emotional intelligence, and AI, and what it really means to stay human as technology becomes more present in our personal and professional lives. Together, we reflect on how AI can both support and challenge our well-being, the role of critical thinking, and how we can nurture authentic connections in a digital age.

This conversation invites you to look beyond the hype — to rethink how we use technology not just intelligently, but wisely.

5 Things You’ll Take Away

• A new perspective on how AI is reshaping our emotional landscape.
• A deeper understanding of the link between resilience and emotional intelligence.
• Insights into how technology can support — or subtly undermine — human well-being.
• Fresh ways to think about teaching resilience to the next generation.
• Practical reflections on staying grounded and connected in an AI-driven world.

 As AI becomes more capable, will we remember what makes us human — or will we let convenience slowly replace connection?

Connect with Dr. Marie-Helene Pelletier:

www.drmarie-helene.com

theresilienceplan.com

www.linkedin.com/drmhpelletier/

https://www.instagram.com/drmhpelletier/

Free Book Worksheets: https://drmarie-helene.com/free-resources-sign-up/

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Book your discovery call.

Connect with me on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallymahamdeh

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

Join the newsletter here.

Send me an email with ideas for future episodes: [email protected]

Music Credit:
This episode features ''Je n'y suis jamais allé'' by Yann Tiersen.

In this episode, I dive into a topic that affects so many of us: burnout. I explore what burnout really is, how it shows up in our brains and bodies, and why recognizing it early is so important. I also share practical, evidence-based strategies to prevent burnout and recover—tools that focus on self-awareness, emotional regulation, and self-compassion.

Whether you’re feeling exhausted, overworked, or just noticing your energy dip more than usual, this episode is for you. We’ll unpack the science behind burnout, why it often sneaks up on high achievers, and what you can do to regain clarity, balance, and motivation.

Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode:

• How chronic stress affects your brain and why even small decisions can feel overwhelming.
• Why burnout often shows up as productivity, not just fatigue, and what that means for you.
• Practical ways to restore mental clarity and emotional balance through short, intentional breaks.
• How aligning your actions with your values and practicing self-compassion can protect your energy.
• Simple habits and strategies that help you sustain your energy, focus, and motivation over the long term.

When was the last time you paused to check in with your energy and priorities? I’d love to hear your thoughts—leave a comment wherever you listen.

Book your discovery call.

Connect with me on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallymahamdeh

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

Join the newsletter here.

Send me an email with ideas for future episodes: [email protected]

Music Credit:
This episode features ''Je n'y suis jamais allé'' by Yann Tiersen.

In this episode of Big Meaningful Life, I open up about those seasons when motivation feels out of reach—when even the simplest tasks feel heavy. If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Why can’t I just push through like I used to?”, this conversation is for you.

I share my own experiences of navigating low-energy days as a sensitive, high-achieving person, and what I’ve learned about listening to my body and honoring its signals instead of fighting them. This isn’t about quick fixes—it’s about sustainable ways to move through resistance with compassion and clarity.

Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode:

• Why motivation dips aren’t failures, but signals from your brain and body.
• How rest and micro-pauses can actually sharpen your focus and creativity.
• The difference between being “lazy” and being depleted—and why language matters.
• Simple tools I use to reset when I feel stuck, from rituals to reframing.
• How giving yourself permission to pause can help you return stronger.

What would shift if, instead of pushing harder, you chose to honor what your body is telling you?

Connect with me on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallymahamdeh

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

Join the newsletter here.

Send me an email with ideas for future episodes: [email protected]

Music Credit:
This episode features ''Je n'y suis jamais allé'' by Yann Tiersen.

In this episode of Big Meaningful Life, I share a deeply personal conversation recorded during a season of transition in my own life. We dive into what it really means to navigate change, hold space for sensitivity, and redefine balance when life feels both beautiful and heavy.

For years, I thought balance meant keeping everything “in check.” But I’ve learned it’s less about holding still and more about learning to recalibrate—again and again. In this conversation, I open up about the challenges of being a highly sensitive person in a noisy world, the cost of ignoring inner signals, and the surprising freedom that comes when we let go of the need to do it all.

Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode:

• Balance isn’t static—it’s a practice of continuous recalibration.
• Change often feels heavy and joyful at the same time—and that’s normal biology, not failure.
•  Sensitivity, when honored, becomes a form of intelligence and strength.
•  Boundaries aren’t barriers—they’re anchors that protect your energy and relationships.
•  Redefining success means measuring it by alignment, not by achievement alone.

If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, caught between gratitude and overwhelm, this episode is your invitation to pause and ask: What does balance mean for me, right now?

Connect with me on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallymahamdeh

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

Join the newsletter here.

Send me an email with ideas for future episodes: [email protected]

Music Credit:
This episode features ''Je n'y suis jamais allé'' by Yann Tiersen.

A year ago, I joined Denise Eckert on her Calm Your Daily Stress podcast to have a deeply honest conversation about what it really takes to protect our mental and emotional well-being in a world that rarely slows down.

We spoke about my transition from a high-stress career in the tech industry to becoming an emotional intelligence coach—a change that wasn’t just a career pivot, but a personal necessity. I opened up about the subtle but dangerous signs of burnout I ignored for too long, and how the pandemic forced me, like so many others, to pause and reassess what I truly wanted my life to look like.

Today, I’m bringing that conversation to Big Meaningful Life so even more of you can hear it. This conversation is just as relevant today as it was when we recorded it. If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, struggling to set boundaries, or giving more than you have to give, I hope my story and insights remind you that you have the power to choose a different pace.

Key Takeaways:

• Misalignment in work and life isn’t just uncomfortable—it can lead to chronic overwhelm if left unchecked.
• Setting clear boundaries isn’t selfish; it’s essential for protecting your mental health and energy.
• Empathy is powerful, but without limits, it can accelerate burnout.
• Recognizing the early signs of burnout can help you intervene before hitting full exhaustion.
• Trust—in yourself and in your relationships—makes boundary-setting feel safer and more sustainable.

Looking back, this conversation was a turning point for me. It’s a reminder that sometimes, slowing down isn’t about losing momentum—it’s about preserving the energy you need to live and lead well.

So let me ask you—where in your life do you need to pause before you burn out?

Connect with Denise Eckert:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deniseeckert/

Connect with me on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallymahamdeh

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

Join the newsletter here.

Send me an email with ideas for future episodes: [email protected]

Music Credit:
This episode features ''Je n'y suis jamais allé'' by Yann Tiersen.