Hey there, friends! Today, we’re diving into how high-achieving women can learn to be intentional on vacation. Spoiler alert: it’s about letting go of strict agendas, which is not just great for your mental health but also your relationships. We’ll talk about some practical steps to being more intentional and the amazing benefits it brings to your life.

• Being intentional while on vacation is crucial for high-achieving women.
• Let go of perfectionism and the need to control every aspect of the vacation.
• Set clear intentions and focus on relaxation, connection, and fun.
• Practice mindfulness and be fully present in the moment.
• Communicate openly with your family about your intentions and desires.
• Create flexible plans and allow for spontaneity and downtime.
• Prioritize self-care and engage in activities that rejuvenate you.
• Being intentional on vacation reduces stress, improves mental health, strengthens relationships, and creates lasting memories.

When was the last time you looked in the mirror after a shower and said, “Hey sexy mama”? For most of us, probably never, or maybe years ago. Do you remember thinking you were overweight in high school? Now you look back and think, “How is a size two overweight?” It’s a feeling many of us share, especially now that summer is here. We feel pressured to look a certain way, compare ourselves to others, and often feel inadequate. This insecurity comes from societal expectations, media portrayals, and internalized beliefs about beauty and worth.

In this episode, I talk about body image and the pressure to have the perfect summer body. I share my own struggles with food and learning how to eat, and emphasize the importance of prioritizing self-care and fitness. 

I encourage my listeners to:

• Change Mindset: Focus on health and well-being rather than appearance. Set realistic goals and celebrate small victories.
• Create a Routine: Establish a consistent workout and meal plan that fits your lifestyle. Start with manageable steps and gradually increase intensity.
• Find Enjoyable Activities: Choose physical activities that you enjoy to make exercise fun.
• Seek Support: Surround yourself with supportive friends or join groups with similar fitness goals. Having a support system can boost motivation and accountability.
• Consider Professional Help: Therapy can provide valuable insights and strategies to overcome challenges related to body image and self-care.

By starting small, staying consistent, and being kind to oneself, you can improve your mental and physical health and lead a more fulfilling life.

• Body image issues are a significant concern for many women, especially during the summer, due to societal expectations and comparisons to others.
• Learning how to eat and developing a healthy relationship with food is crucial for overall well-being.
• Prioritizing self-care and fitness can be challenging, but setting realistic goals and celebrating small victories can help maintain motivation.
• Surrounding oneself with supportive friends or joining groups with similar fitness goals can boost accountability and motivation.
• Considering therapy can provide valuable insight and strategies to overcome underlying issues that may hinder self-care efforts.
• Starting small, staying consistent, and being kind to oneself throughout the process are key to improving mental and physical health and leading a fulfilling life.

Summer offers the perfect opportunity to create lasting memories with your family. But how do you ensure these moments are both fun and meaningful? In this episode, I share some effective strategies to help you plan memorable family days, emphasizing the importance of quality time, creativity, and budget-friendly activities. By involving everyone in the planning process, rotating responsibilities, and teaching financial responsibility, you can make every family day special. These activities not only strengthen family bonds and create cherished memories but also provide valuable opportunities for meaningful conversations and understanding. Additionally, we’ll discuss the importance of seeking help and support to overcome challenges and address mental health concerns within the family. So, let’s dive into some ultimate summer family tips that will make your family days unforgettable.

• Collaborative planning involves giving everyone a post-it note to write down their own ideas for family activities.
• Rotating family activity planning among family members fosters a sense of ownership and inclusivity.
• Budget management and logistics teach children about financial responsibility and planning.
• Family days create lasting memories, strengthen family bonds, and provide opportunities for meaningful conversations and understanding.
• Seeking help and support is important for overcoming challenges and addressing mental health concerns within the family.

Memorial Day isn’t just about BBQs and an extra day off; it’s a meaningful federal holiday where we pause to honor the brave souls who gave everything for our country. In this podcast episode, I am so excited to have Willie, my veteran husband, on the podcast. Join us as we talk about what Memorial Day really means and why taking care of our veterans’ mental health is so important. Willie shares some tips and tricks that helped him along his journey after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, including his recovery from near-death experiences.

People often mistakenly thank living veterans on this day, but it’s crucial to understand and educate others about its true purpose. Memorial Day specifically honors those who have fallen in service.

“For some, like myself, Memorial Day is a remembrance of an alive day. What's an alive day? It's the anniversary of a day that a veteran almost died in combat. Or the day that they survived a near-death event that had a major impact on their life. For me, my alive days are November 23rd, 2011 and February 3rd, 2012. Those are days that I was hit by an IED in Afghanistan, conducting combat operations. I came back and things just weren’t the same. Re-adaptation into society was different. It was tough.” (Willie Cisneros)

• Memorial Day is a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by military personnel and pay tribute to their bravery and dedication.
• Mental health issues are common among veterans, and finding the right mental health provider is crucial for effective treatment.
• Effective stress management tools include mindfulness, meditation, physical activity, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
• Military families face unique stressors, and mental health issues can exacerbate these challenges.
• Support and resources, such as therapy and community organizations, are available to help military families navigate these difficulties.

Memorial Day goes beyond just another long weekend; it’s essential to take a moment to pause and reflect on the freedoms we enjoy, made possible by the bravery and selflessness of these fallen heroes. Their sacrifices, often made far from home and loved ones, deserve our utmost respect and gratitude.

Visiting local National Cemeteries and participating in activities like placing flags on graves are meaningful ways to pay tribute to these heroes. Additionally, taking the time to learn about the lives of those who have given everything for their country helps ensure that their legacies are not forgotten. Through stories and shared memories, we keep their spirit alive and honor their contributions to our nation’s history.

Picture this: you're a high achieving woman with big dreams. You've worked tirelessly, to get where you are, overcoming obstacles and pushing boundaries. Your dreams are as vivid as they are ambitious. Perhaps it's launching your own business, climbing the corporate ladder or making a significant impact in your field. But amidst these dreams lies a longing for understanding, for a support system that truly gets your drive and passion.

In this episode, we dive into the delicate balance between ambition, relationships, and personal growth for high-achieving women. It’s a journey filled with challenges and triumphs, often marked by the loneliness that comes with chasing big dreams. Even when surrounded by friends and loved ones, the unique pressures of ambitious goals can make us feel isolated. That’s why having a support system of like-minded individuals is so crucial.

“I'm going to be honest when I have conversations with women and they're sharing with me about their dreams, their goals, about some of their frustration, some of their fears, I'm all about challenging them and providing some level of motivation to help them go after it. I'm about celebrating them. I'm about encouraging them." (Veronica Cisneros)

Imagine talking to a friend who wants to write a book but doesn’t know where to start. Instead of just offering a pat on the back, you connect her directly with someone who can help—a friend who runs a group for aspiring authors. That’s the kind of immediate, practical support we all need. It’s about more than just encouragement; it’s about real, tangible help that propels us forward.

But what happens when your partner doesn’t share your level of ambition? That’s another layer of complexity. This episode tackles that issue head-on, offering tips on how to foster a more supportive environment at home. Honest conversations and mutual understanding are key to bridging the gap between different ambitions, making sure both partners feel valued and understood.

And then there’s Empower X, a mastermind for high-achieving women that I’ve been building. It came from a realization that many of us, despite our success, feel incredibly lonely. We need a space to connect, share, and support each other. Through Empower X, women can find the camaraderie and encouragement they need to turn their dreams into reality while maintaining balance in their personal and professional lives.

So join us as we explore these themes and share stories and strategies to help ambitious women thrive.

• High-achieving women often feel lonely in their pursuit of ambitious dreams and goals.
• Having a support system of like-minded individuals can make a significant difference in achieving success.
• It can be challenging when a partner does not share the same level of ambition, but fostering understanding and open communication can help create a more supportive environment.
• Empower X is a community for high-achieving women to connect, support each other, and grow together.

Picture this: growing up in an environment where being true to yourself felt like stepping into a lion's den. Laura Carthcart Robbins, best-selling author of "Stash: My Life in Hiding," learned the art of adapting and blending in, even if it meant sacrificing her own identity to fit the mold. Fast forward to her adult years, where she's juggling a high-profile life like a pro, but secretly wrestling with her own demons – addiction. It's like living a double life, with one side polished and public, and the other shadowed by secrecy and shame. But hey, life has this funny way of pushing us to our limits, and Laura hit hers. That breaking point led her to seek treatment and, spoiler alert, it was a game-changer.

Now, let's talk walls – not the ones you see in your house, but the emotional and psychological barriers that we build around ourselves. Laura's been there, done that, and got the T-shirt. She knows firsthand how these walls can hold us back from living authentically. But here's the kicker: she's not just preaching from a pedestal; she's walking the walk. Laura's journey of tearing down those walls is like a masterclass in self-awareness and vulnerability. She's all about ditching the autopilot reactions and embracing intentional responses, paving the way for true authenticity and connection.

Laura's story isn't just inspiring – it's a wake-up call. It's about saying, "Hey, it's okay not to have it all figured out," and giving yourself permission to prioritize your own well-being and happiness. She's like your personal cheerleader, urging you to embrace imperfection and rewrite your own rulebook. With her down-to-earth wisdom and relatable insights, Laura's empowering high-achieving women everywhere to join her on this journey of self-discovery and fulfillment. So, grab your metaphorical toolbox and get ready to break down those walls – because your best life is waiting on the other side.

In this episode, Laura talks about prioritizing well-being and happiness, and breaking down your walls to live authentically.

• Choose the possibility of happiness when faced with choices.
• Break down the walls that prevent you from living authentically.
• Celebrate your personal wins and accomplishments.
• Overcoming addiction and internalized racism is a journey worth sharing.
• Prioritize your own well-being and happiness.

Do you ever feel like you're in a race against yourself? Moving the goalposts, constantly striving for more? Yet struggling to celebrate yourself?

As working moms, we find ourselves consumed with tasks, our minds racing even in moments of quiet. Why do we wake up to work? Why do we feel the need to solve problems constantly? Let's talk about the chaos we create in our lives, the never-ending to-do lists, and the constant drive for perfection and the pressure to excel in every role we take on.

In this episode, we talk about the roots of this chaos and uncover the unresolved traumas from our past that contribute to our relentless pursuit of perfection. You know the drill: the constant pressure to excel in every role we take on. But why do we put ourselves through this relentless cycle?

It's like we're in a race against ourselves, constantly moving the goalposts and striving for more. But in the midst of all this hustle, we often forget to celebrate ourselves and acknowledge our own worth. So let's peel back the layers and explore why we're so hard on ourselves.

• Struggle with constant self-pressure and the pursuit of perfection.
• Recognize the root causes of chaos and unresolved past traumas.
• Choose self-compassion over self-blame and perfectionism.
• Embrace imperfection and authenticity in motherhood.
• Celebrate oneself and other moms, shining bright despite struggles.

It's time to break free from those myths that hold us back. In this episode, I'm laying out some simple steps to help us all ditch the perfectionism and embrace a little thing called self-compassion. We're talking setting realistic expectations, celebrating what makes us unique, and surrounding ourselves with a tribe of badass women who lift us up. Because here's the truth—motherhood isn't about being flawless. It's messy, it's chaotic, and yeah, sometimes we mess up. And you know what? That's perfectly okay. So let's rewrite the narrative, let's redefine what it means to be a mom, and let's do it all with a whole lot of authenticity, self-love, and acceptance. Ready to join me on this journey? Let's do this.

What we talk about in this episode:

• Embrace imperfection in motherhood and release the myth of perfection.
• Practice self-compassion and establish realistic expectations for yourself.
• Celebrate your unique strengths, quirks, and imperfections—they make you who you are.
• Surround yourself with supportive friends, family, and communities for empowerment.
• Reframe guilt and shame with positive affirmations and self-validations.

High achieving women often experience immense pressure to excel in their current careers while fulfilling responsibilities as mother and a partner. The expectations placed on them both internally and externally can create a delicate balancing act that requires understanding and support.

High-achieving women like me often feel this crazy pressure to nail it in every area. It’s like walking a tightrope, needing support and understanding. Willie, reflecting on his own experiences, totally gets it.

In this podcast episode, Willie and I discuss the pressures faced by high-achieving women and how husbands can support their wives. We emphasize the importance of understanding and validating these struggles and not adding more pressure. We also address common questions husbands may have and the insecurities that may arise.

• Balancing marriage, motherhood, and a career can be challenging for high-achieving women
• Husbands can support their wives by understanding their pressures and not adding more pressure
• Addressing insecurities and working on personal growth is important for husbands
• Empower X is a platform that offers resources and support for high-achieving women

Have you ever experienced challenges in your relationship because you and your partner express love differently? How do you currently communicate your emotional needs to your partner? Do you notice how differences in love languages impact other areas of your life, such as parenting or your professional career?

In this episode, Veronica talks about the challenges faced by high-achieving women when their partners express love differently. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding and communicating emotional needs, highlighting the necessity of finding common ground and seeking professional help when needed. Love language disparities not only impact relationships but also ripple into other areas of life, such as parenting and professional careers. The episode provides a practical roadmap with five steps to navigate these differences and strengthen bonds between partners. Key points include acknowledging and expressing emotional needs, managing partner expectations while seeking validation, recognizing the impact of love language disparities on relationship dynamics, building common ground through collaborative efforts, and seeking professional guidance through therapy or coaching sessions to enhance communication and intimacy.