Ever feel like you’re living in a real-life Groundhog Day—stuck in the same toxic relationships, dead-end jobs, or self-sabotaging habits? Yeah, same. But here’s the truth: Those patterns aren’t just bad luck—they’re learned behaviors. And the good news? You can break them.

In this episode of Sundays in the Shadows, we’re getting raw and real about how to break the cycles that keep you stuck. From saying yes to shit you don’t want to do, to dealing with toxic bosses, to realizing YOU are the common denominator—it’s time to wake up, take back your power, and rewrite your story.

We’ll cover:
🔥 What toxic patterns really are (and why you keep repeating them)
🔥 My personal breaking point with a toxic boss and how I walked away
🔥 The 4 biggest lessons I’ve learned about breaking free
🔥 A 4-step process to start dismantling toxic cycles today

[00:00] Welcome to the Fuckery

• Mark opens up about the episode’s theme: breaking toxic patterns that keep us stuck.
• Toxic cycles exist in work, relationships, and even our own self-sabotaging habits.

[04:15] What Are Toxic Patterns?

• Toxic patterns are cycles that drain your energy and keep you from moving forward.
• Most of these patterns come from childhood conditioning and beliefs we picked up early in life.
• Mark shares his struggle with people-pleasing and saying yes to things he didn’t want to do.

[10:30] Story Time: How I Broke My Own Toxic Cycle

• Mark shares the moment he snapped at his toxic boss and refused to take his bullshit anymore.
• The fear of speaking up vs. the realization that staying silent was betraying himself.
• How walking away from that situation became the turning point for setting boundaries.

[17:45] 4 Hard Truths About Breaking Toxic Cycles

1. Awareness is everything. You can’t change what you don’t see. Start noticing your patterns.
2. Take accountability. The same toxic situations keep happening? You’re the common denominator.
3. Small changes lead to big shifts. Saying no one time is the first step to rewriting your habits.
4. Rewrite your beliefs with support. Books, mentors, and real talk can help shift your mindset.

[26:30] The 4-Step Process to Break Free from Toxic Patterns

1. Identify the pattern. What’s one toxic cycle you keep repeating? Write it down.
2. Dig deeper. Where did this come from? Is it from your upbringing, culture, or past experiences?
3. Take one small action. Say no, set a boundary, or choose differently—one small step at a time.
4. Celebrate progress, not perfection. You won’t get it right every time, but any progress is a win.

[35:15] Final Reflection & Call to Action

• Toxic patterns don’t disappear overnight, but every small shift moves you toward freedom.
• What’s one small action you can take this week to break a toxic cycle in your life?
• Reflect on it, write it down, and start reclaiming your power.

[40:00] Join the Movement

• If this episode hit home, share it with someone who needs to hear it.
• Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join Mark next Sunday for another real, raw, and transformative conversation.

Until then, laugh when it’s ridiculous, cry when it’s real, and heal—because you’re worth it. And remember: Nobody’s coming to save you. It’s up to you to fish yourself out of the fuckery.

Resources & Links:

Follow Mark Sanchez on Instagram for free content and updates:⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mark_my_magnificence/⁠⁠⁠

Join the No More Fuckery Community : [Coming Soon]

Book a call with Mark ⁠⁠⁠lightbrations.launchware.ai/lightbrations/social-page/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rted⁠⁠

Call to Action:If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who might benefit from it too. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review so we can keep building this community.

🔥 Let’s get real. Let’s get uncomfortable. And let’s break free from the fear cycle. 🔥

toxic patterns, self-sabotage, personal growth, breaking cycles, accountability, awareness, boundaries, transformation