BREAKTHROUGH

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In this episode, we dive into the fascinating psychology behind our favorite empty promise. 

We break down the social anxiety, human behavior quirks, and hidden psychological reasons behind why we feel the urge to tick the "good friend" or "good person" box, even when we secretly hope nobody will actually ever take us up on it.

If you have ever struggled with communication breakdowns, struggled to say "no", felt the heavy pressure of trying to support loved ones, or wondered how to be a better friend without burning yourself out, this episode is your ultimate guide.

Discover how to stop making vague promises of rescue, bypass the fear of being a burden, and master the art of holding space through tiny, high-impact acts of showing up.

Stop auto-replying and learn how to offer practical support, that actually makes a difference - one small, light-weight step at a time.

Thank you for listening to The Breakthrough Podcast. 

Remember to hit Subscribe to get notified the minute new episodes are released.

Please leave a rating and a review as well if you find this content helpful - it helps more people to find the channel and get closer to their breakthrough. 

I love hearing from and connecting with you, the very people that I create this content for with much love and care.

For more information on The Breakthrough Podcast's host, Connect with Coach Mickey Roothman Here

or Connect with Mickey Roothman on LinkedIn

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Have you ever noticed that just as life starts to feel stable, peaceful or good, like maybe a relationship is finally going well, or you’re inches away from a career breakthrough — a quiet unease starts to itch under your skin? Suddenly, you’re picking a fight over nothing, "forgetting" an important deadline, or talking yourself out of the very dream you spent years chasing.

It’s like you’re running a race, the finish line’s right there, and out of nowhere, you trip yourself. Most of us call this "bad luck," "poor discipline," or just "being a mess". But psychology tells a much more interesting story. That invisible force pulling the plug isn't a flaw in your character; it’s the ghost of your own survival instinct wearing the mask of protection.

In this episode of Breakthrough, we look at the psychology behind why we self-sabotage — how our brains confuse safety with suffering, and how you can finally tell that inner "bodyguard" that it’s okay to stand down and let you enjoy it.

 Because every time you run from happiness, success or peace, you're not avoiding danger, you're avoiding an amazing life that's finally ready to begin. 

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Thank you for listening to The Breakthrough Podcast. 

Remember to hit Subscribe to get notified the minute new episodes are released.

Please leave a rating and a review as well if you find this content helpful - it helps more people to find the channel and get closer to their breakthrough. 

I love hearing from and connecting with you, the very people that I create this content for with much love and care.

For more information on The Breakthrough Podcast's host, Connect with Coach Mickey Roothman Here

or Connect with Mickey Roothman on LinkedIn

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Mental Health is something I'm extremely passionate about. Not just because of my life’s work as a coach and CBT practitioner, but because of my own experience, and the experiences of those close to me when it comes to Mental Health and Wellbeing. Today, the 10th of October 2025, is also International World Mental Health Day,

This year’s objective is to increase global awareness of mental health issues and advocate for better support, especially in times of crisis. The theme for this year puts the focus on Mental health in humanitarian emergencies, while the campaign aims to raise awareness, mobilize efforts, and ensure mental health care is accessible to everyone. - Emphasizing it’s a lifeline, not a luxury. 

And that’s all great and very necessary. But, are the statistics, theoretical jargon and awareness days or campaigns, really helping the everyday person to cope with the increased demands, and real-life stressors that continue to elevate our anxiety, depression and stress levels (even short term ones)? Do they support us in protecting and maintaining our overall mental health from a standpoint of being active instead of re-active, and to drive prevention of mental health disorders, rather than to focus on just the cure for the medically classified ones?

In today’s episode of The Breakthrough Podcast, we get real about mental health. I have a very honest, vulnerable and real conversation with my friend Toni Botha in this episode (Please note this is Part 1 of a 4 part series), about what mental health really is outside of just the boxes that the medical industry puts them in. 

In this episode, I’m not only speaking from my experience and knowledge as a coach and CBT Practitioner, but as someone who had a very real, very personal mental health breakdown, not too long ago.

• TRIGGER WARNING: Because we really care about you, please note that this episode carries a Trigger Warning. We do cover some very sensitive topics like addiction, substance abuse and self-harm, - so listener discretion is advised. 
• DISCLAIMER:  The information, advice and views shared in this episode are not medical advice. They are just our own experiences, views and advice that we share. So if you or someone you know is struggling with mental or physical health symptoms, please enlist the services, advice and assistance of a professional, certified medical healthcare practitioner.
• Please note that the statistics shared in this episode were drawn from publicly available resources on the internet and may not be 100% accurate. So please ensure that you do your own research and form your own opinions.

Thank you for tuning in. And remember to hit that subscribe button to get notified of Parts 2 to 4 of our chat, as soon as they're uploaded right here on the Breakthrough Podcast.

Connect With Toni Botha On Instagram Here.

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Thank you for listening to The Breakthrough Podcast.

Remember to hit Subscribe to get notified the minute new episodes are released.

Please leave a rating and a review as well if you find this content helpful - it helps more people to find the channel and get closer to their breakthrough.

I love hearing from and connecting with you, the very people that I create this content for with much love and care.

For more information on The Breakthrough Podcast's host, Connect with Coach Mickey Roothman Here

or Connect with Mickey Roothman on LinkedIn

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Lets talk about identity. And by that I don't mean your title, social status or the labels you have - I mean at your core. Beneath all of the labels, expectations and noise from the outside. In this episode we talk about why we lose our true, authentic-selves, and how to find it again. I share a step-by-step process to help you integrate that into your own life and situation as well. Identity is something everyone struggles with, especially these days. And its one of the 25 core universal human, psychological and emotional blocks that I cover in my signature Ultimate Breakthrough System as well (you can check that out over here).  Enjoy this episode and - Thank you for tuning in.

Thank you for listening to The Breakthrough Podcast. 

Remember to hit Subscribe to get notified the minute new episodes are released.

Please leave a rating and a review as well if you find this content helpful - it helps more people to find the channel and get closer to their breakthrough. 

I love hearing from and connecting with you, the very people that I create this content for with much love and care.

For more information on The Breakthrough Podcast's host, Connect with Coach Mickey Roothman Here

or Connect with Mickey Roothman on LinkedIn

Send us Fan Mail

What happens when you've ticked all the boxes society told you would bring fulfillment, yet find yourself feeling empty and exhausted? What would become possible if you stopped living from society's checklist and started listening to your own inner wisdom?

Lawyer-turned-Mindset Mentor Afsheen Shah joins me for a soul-stirring conversation about breaking free from prescribed paths to discover authentic living.

Afsheen's journey will make you rethink what really matters. It mirrors what many high-achievers experience—pushing through illness and burnout until her body literally prevented her from continuing. That physical breakdown became the catalyst for profound transformation, leading her to question the very foundation of success she'd built her life upon. With raw honesty, she shares how realizing she'd neglected her needs for growth and contribution opened the door to a more meaningful existence. 

We dive deep into what true balance actually means (hint: it's not giving equal attention to everything simultaneously). Afsheen offers a refreshing perspective that honors the natural ebb and flow of life, suggesting that balance comes from responding to what your body, mind and soul need in each moment, rather than forcing yourself into rigid structures. Her critique of hustle culture particularly resonates—highlighting how it often shames those whose natural design requires more stillness and intentional pacing. 

For listeners feeling trapped in their own version of society's box, Afsheen provides simple yet powerful first steps toward transformation. These practices create space for awareness to emerge naturally without overwhelming an already taxed system which perfectly embodies her philosophy of gentle yet consistent growth.

Ready to break free from external expectations and create a life aligned with your authentic self? This conversation offers both the inspiration and practical tools to begin that journey today.

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CONNECT WITH COACH MICKEY ROOTHMAN HERE

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST AFSHEEN SHAH HERE

Thank you for listening to The Breakthrough Podcast. 

Remember to hit Subscribe to get notified the minute new episodes are released.

Please leave a rating and a review as well if you find this content helpful - it helps more people to find the channel and get closer to their breakthrough. 

I love hearing from and connecting with you, the very people that I create this content for with much love and care.

For more information on The Breakthrough Podcast's host, Connect with Coach Mickey Roothman Here

or Connect with Mickey Roothman on LinkedIn

Send us Fan Mail

Thank you for listening to The Breakthrough Podcast. 

Remember to hit Subscribe to get notified the minute new episodes are released.

Please leave a rating and a review as well if you find this content helpful - it helps more people to find the channel and get closer to their breakthrough. 

I love hearing from and connecting with you, the very people that I create this content for with much love and care.

For more information on The Breakthrough Podcast's host, Connect with Coach Mickey Roothman Here

or Connect with Mickey Roothman on LinkedIn

Send us Fan Mail

Thank you for listening to The Breakthrough Podcast. 

Remember to hit Subscribe to get notified the minute new episodes are released.

Please leave a rating and a review as well if you find this content helpful - it helps more people to find the channel and get closer to their breakthrough. 

I love hearing from and connecting with you, the very people that I create this content for with much love and care.

For more information on The Breakthrough Podcast's host, Connect with Coach Mickey Roothman Here

or Connect with Mickey Roothman on LinkedIn