This episode opens a new series of real coaching conversations, where you are invited into an unfiltered coaching session with Katie as she navigates burnout, identity, guilt, and the pressure of balancing work, motherhood and personal needs.

Rather than theory or advice, this is a live coaching conversation that explores what happens when someone is given space to slow down, reflect, and question the patterns that keep them stuck in over-functioning and self-criticism.

Together, we explore:

• The invisible mental load carried alongside work and parenting 
• Why rest often triggers guilt instead of recovery 
• The link between productivity, worth, and self pressure 
• Decision fatigue and the exhaustion of constant choice making 
• How small structural shifts can create more ease and clarity 
• What changes when rest is reframed as necessary rather than earned 

You will hear how insights unfold in real time and how awareness, not perfection, becomes the starting point for change.

This episode is part of a series of genuine coaching sessions designed to give you a direct experience of what coaching can actually feel like. If you would like to explore options for coaching with Claudia please book a call here:

To follow Katie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snoozie_wonderland/

Support the show

Support the Empowered By Claudia Podcast

Thank you for listening, if you loved the show please Rate, Review, Subscribe and Share with your friends. It means the world to me.

Here are my links if you would like to follow me:
💕 Website
💕 Leading Lady Self Love Academy
💕 Instagram
💕 Facebook Page
💕 Facebook Group
💕 111 Free Affirmations to increase Self love & Confidence 
💕 Buy me a hot chocolate 💕

In this episode, I am sharing a realisation that has been building inside me for years. A moment where everything finally clicked into place and the weight I had been carrying made sense.

For so long, I tried to fit myself into labels and boxes that other people told me I needed. I was encouraged to narrow myself, define myself, choose one type of person to support. But every time I tried, it felt wrong. It felt restrictive. It felt like I was excluding people I knew I could help.

After 23 years in the NHS, I have never believed in gatekeeping care. I have never believed in telling someone they do not qualify for support because they do not fit a category. And yet, without meaning to, that is exactly what I was doing by trying to label myself.

In this episode I explore:

• why labels and boxes never aligned with my values
• how my lived experience, nursing background and trauma‑informed approach naturally lead to whole‑human coaching
• why humans are multifaceted and deserve support that honours all of them
• how guilt, rest and self‑prioritisation connect to this bigger conversation
• the moment I realised I was allowed to coach in a way that feels true to me
• why you do not need to fit a label to get support

This is an episode about inclusion, compassion and coming home to your true north. It is about giving yourself permission to be a whole human, not a category.

If this resonates, you are welcome to book a free 30 minute call and explore how coaching could support you.

Book your call: claudiasabinawellness.com/call

Less guilt. Less pressure. Truly you.

Support the show

Support the Empowered By Claudia Podcast

Thank you for listening, if you loved the show please Rate, Review, Subscribe and Share with your friends. It means the world to me.

Here are my links if you would like to follow me:
💕 Website
💕 Leading Lady Self Love Academy
💕 Instagram
💕 Facebook Page
💕 Facebook Group
💕 111 Free Affirmations to increase Self love & Confidence 
💕 Buy me a hot chocolate 💕

We often think reflection is something we only do when things go wrong. A difficult conversation. A mistake. A missed opportunity. Something we'd rather not repeat.

But what if reflection could also help you recognise what's going right?

In this episode, Claudia explores why our brains naturally focus on the negative, how that can quietly erode our confidence over time, and why intentionally reflecting on your successes is just as important as learning from your challenges.

Drawing on experiences from nursing, coaching, and everyday life, Claudia shares practical ways to build a healthier reflection habit, strengthen your self belief, and stop allowing one difficult moment to overshadow everything you've done well.

In This Episode We Explore:

•  Why reflection shouldn't only happen after mistakes 
•  How negativity bias influences the way we see ourselves 
•  The importance of celebrating progress, effort and growth 
•  Using reflection to build confidence and resilience 
•  How keeping a reflective journal can support learning and development 
•  Why recording your wins matters on difficult days 
•  The role of your Reticular Activating System (RAS) in helping you notice opportunities 
•  Simple reflective questions you can use at the end of each day 

A Simple Reflection Exercise

Take five minutes at the end of your day and ask yourself:

• What went well today?
• What did I learn?
• What would I do differently next time?
• What am I proud of?
• What are five positive things that happened today, no matter how small?

Remember, growth doesn't only come from analysing what went wrong. It also comes from recognising what is already working and building on it.

Resources Mentioned

• Download Claudia's free Win List resource to help you capture your achievements and successes. 
•  If you're a nurse or healthcare professional looking for support with reflective discussions as part of your revalidation, Claudia offers Professional Nurse Advocate reflective discussion sessions, email: [email protected] for further information or book a free call

Connect with Claudia

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend, colleague, or fellow mum who could benefit from a reminder that one difficult moment does not define their abilities.

You can connect with Claudia and explore coaching, resources, and support at:

Claudia Sabina Wellness

If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Win List

Support the show

Support the Empowered By Claudia Podcast

Thank you for listening, if you loved the show please Rate, Review, Subscribe and Share with your friends. It means the world to me.

Here are my links if you would like to follow me:
💕 Website
💕 Leading Lady Self Love Academy
💕 Instagram
💕 Facebook Page
💕 Facebook Group
💕 111 Free Affirmations to increase Self love & Confidence 
💕 Buy me a hot chocolate 💕

Many people find it surprisingly difficult to rest, even when they are exhausted. Instead of feeling restored, slowing down can trigger guilt, discomfort, or a sense that something still needs to be done.

In this episode, we explore why rest can feel so uncomfortable and why the mind often pulls you back towards productivity the moment you try to stop. This is not about lack of discipline or poor time management. It is about deeper patterns that link your sense of worth to what you do, rather than who you are.

We look at how everyday thoughts like “I should be doing something” or “I’ll rest after I finish this” keep you in a cycle where rest is always delayed. Over time, this can make it feel unsafe or even wrong to stop, even when your body is asking for recovery.

You will also hear how experiences from work culture, caregiving roles, and earlier conditioning can shape this internal pressure. For many, rest becomes something that has to be earned, rather than something that is needed.

This episode also touches on the impact of pushing through exhaustion, including how it can lead to burnout and longer recovery periods. Rest is not framed as indulgent, but as essential for recovery, clarity, and sustainable wellbeing.

Finally, we reflect on the idea that guilt is not evidence you are doing something wrong. Often, it is a sign that you care deeply and have learned rules that no longer serve you.

If you notice guilt when you try to rest, this episode will help you understand what might be driving it and begin to gently question those patterns.

If you want support in shifting these patterns, this is something we explore in depth through 1:1 coaching, helping you rebuild internal self-worth and create a healthier relationship with rest and productivity. Book a free 30 minute call to find out more now

Support the show

Support the Empowered By Claudia Podcast

Thank you for listening, if you loved the show please Rate, Review, Subscribe and Share with your friends. It means the world to me.

Here are my links if you would like to follow me:
💕 Website
💕 Leading Lady Self Love Academy
💕 Instagram
💕 Facebook Page
💕 Facebook Group
💕 111 Free Affirmations to increase Self love & Confidence 
💕 Buy me a hot chocolate 💕

Do you end most days feeling exhausted but still like you are behind, no matter how much you have done?

In this episode, Claudia explores the mental load, conditioning and constant “shoulds” that leave so many women feeling like they are never quite catching up, even when they are doing more than enough.

Inside this episode:

•  Why productivity still feels like “not enough” 
•  The pressure of constant mental switching between roles 
•  Conditioning around rest, worth and busyness 
•  Why rest can feel difficult or unsafe 
•  Boundaries, delegation and redefining success 

If this resonates, Claudia’s Transition Tapes offer short, supportive audio practices designed to help you regulate, reset and create small moments of calm in the middle of overwhelm.

You can book a free call to see if 1:1 coaching is the right fit for you here

Please follow, rate and share if this episode supports you.

Support the show

Support the Empowered By Claudia Podcast

Thank you for listening, if you loved the show please Rate, Review, Subscribe and Share with your friends. It means the world to me.

Here are my links if you would like to follow me:
💕 Website
💕 Leading Lady Self Love Academy
💕 Instagram
💕 Facebook Page
💕 Facebook Group
💕 111 Free Affirmations to increase Self love & Confidence 
💕 Buy me a hot chocolate 💕

In this episode, I’m joined once again by returning guest Rachel Teeling for a really honest and eye opening conversation about the subconscious relationship patterns that can keep us stuck in unhealthy dating cycles or struggling to find the healthy love we truly want.

Rachel shares the inspiration behind her new “Why Am I Still Single?” quiz and introduces the five love blocking archetypes that may be quietly shaping the way we show up in relationships:

• The Fixer
 • The Ice Queen
 • The Overachiever
 • The Love Addict
 • The Lone Wolf

Together, we explore how past heartbreak, betrayal, low self worth, people pleasing and fear of vulnerability can influence our relationships without us even realising it. We also talk about self love, feminine energy, emotional safety, rebuilding trust after difficult experiences and why healing your relationship with yourself changes everything.

This episode is full of honest reflections, humour, relatable stories and gentle reminders that you are not broken and your patterns are not permanent.

If you’ve ever found yourself asking:
 “Why do I keep attracting the same relationships?”
 “Why does healthy love feel uncomfortable?”
 “Why do I struggle to let people in?”
 …this conversation is for you.

Next Steps:

1. You can take Rachel’s “Why Am I Still Single?” quiz here: https://www.rachelteeling.com/why-am-i-still-single-quiz
2. Book a Free Empowerment Session:                            https://www.rachelteeling.com/book-an-empowerment-session
3. Connect with Rachel on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rachelteelingcoaching/ 

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with someone who might need to hear it and don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review the podcast.

Rachel's other episodes are:

• Episode 3: If You Want Something You've Never Had Before You Need To Do Something You've Never Done
• Episode 30: Are You Ready for Love? Avoid Dating Disasters with Rachel's Top Tips
• Episode 34: Cyclical Wisdom: Embracing Menstrual, Lunar and Seasonal Cycles to Prevent Burnout & Harness Your Inner Power

Support the show

Support the Empowered By Claudia Podcast

Thank you for listening, if you loved the show please Rate, Review, Subscribe and Share with your friends. It means the world to me.

Here are my links if you would like to follow me:
💕 Website
💕 Leading Lady Self Love Academy
💕 Instagram
💕 Facebook Page
💕 Facebook Group
💕 111 Free Affirmations to increase Self love & Confidence 
💕 Buy me a hot chocolate 💕

Caring for others is at the heart of nursing and healthcare, but over time it can quietly lead to self-neglect, emotional fatigue, and the habit of putting your own needs last.

In this episode, Claudia explores what it means to care for others without losing yourself in the process. She reflects on the emotional impact of healthcare work, the tendency to postpone self-care until life feels easier, and how easily rest and recovery get deprioritised in busy clinical environments.

Rather than focusing on doing more, this episode invites you to notice what has been delayed, and begin including yourself in your own care in small, realistic ways that fit within the reality of shift work and responsibility.

This is a reflection on permission, awareness, and starting where you are.

Key reflection questions

•  What does being a good nurse mean to me, beyond external expectations or validation? 
•  What am I putting off doing that would genuinely support my wellbeing and recovery? 
•  What is my personal care plan for my emotional wellbeing and health, and am I actively using it? 

Closing thoughts

Remember that caring for others does not need to come at the cost of caring for yourself.

The Transition Tapes

Stop carrying the stress of your shift into your home life. Use these 5-minute professional audio resets to transition with intention. Get them here.

Support the show

Support the Empowered By Claudia Podcast

Thank you for listening, if you loved the show please Rate, Review, Subscribe and Share with your friends. It means the world to me.

Here are my links if you would like to follow me:
💕 Website
💕 Leading Lady Self Love Academy
💕 Instagram
💕 Facebook Page
💕 Facebook Group
💕 111 Free Affirmations to increase Self love & Confidence 
💕 Buy me a hot chocolate 💕

In this episode, I share a very real moment from my own life where I was not feeling “okay” and had no energy to force positivity. Instead of pushing through, I explore what it looks like to actually work with your emotions rather than against them.

We often feel pressure to “stay positive” or quickly shift out of uncomfortable feelings. But this episode challenges that idea and introduces a gentler, more realistic approach to emotional wellbeing.

In this episode, I cover:

•  Why forced positivity can be unhelpful and even counterproductive 
•  The emotional guidance scale and why emotions are not “good” or “bad” 
•  Why you don’t need to jump from low emotions straight to happiness 
•  How to move through emotions in smaller, more manageable steps 
•  The importance of self compassion when you are feeling low or overwhelmed 
•  Listening to your body instead of pushing productivity 
•  Practical ways to support yourself on low energy days 
•  Why rest, movement, and emotional release all have a role in wellbeing 

I also share how a simple shift in my own day helped me move from feeling low and disconnected to feeling more energised and able to re-engage with life and work, without forcing it.

Key reminder from this episode:

You are not meant to stay stuck in difficult emotions, but you also do not need to rush out of them. Emotional wellbeing is about allowing space, not forcing a shortcut.

Work with me

If this episode resonated with you and you want to build a more grounded, sustainable approach to your wellbeing, you are warmly invited to my Foundations for Wellbeing masterclasses.

These sessions are designed to help you:

•  Understand your mind body connection 
•  Build emotional resilience 
•  Explore mindset tools in a simple, practical way 
•  Create your own personalised wellbeing roadmap 

Sessions are available live online with a recording and workbook included, so you can go at your own pace.

You can find all details here

Support the show

Support the Empowered By Claudia Podcast

Thank you for listening, if you loved the show please Rate, Review, Subscribe and Share with your friends. It means the world to me.

Here are my links if you would like to follow me:
💕 Website
💕 Leading Lady Self Love Academy
💕 Instagram
💕 Facebook Page
💕 Facebook Group
💕 111 Free Affirmations to increase Self love & Confidence 
💕 Buy me a hot chocolate 💕

When life feels overwhelming, it can be easy to assume everything is going wrong or out of control. In this episode, I explore how to navigate those moments without forcing positivity or ignoring how you feel.

Instead of pushing through or shutting emotions down, this episode focuses on how to respond in a more grounded and constructive way when everything feels hard.

I share practical ways to help you move through overwhelm and regain perspective, especially when life feels full.

In this episode, we explore:

•  How to acknowledge what you are feeling without getting stuck in it, and move from overwhelm into more grounded, practical next steps 
•  How to shift perspective and energy using simple tools, including reframing situations, focusing attention more intentionally, and building awareness of what is within your control 
•  How to create balance when life feels heavy, through connection, small resets (like movement or environment change), and practices such as a win list and the 5:1 positives approach 
•  How to reduce pressure by adapting expectations, grounding yourself in the present moment, and letting go of perfection in favour of “done is enough” 

Key takeaway

You do not need to fix everything or feel positive all the time. When life feels overwhelming, small and simple actions can help you regain perspective, reduce pressure, and feel more grounded in what is actually within your control.

Mentioned in this episode

•  Win list practice (free download here)
•  Circle of control, influence, and concern framework 

If this episode resonates, start noticing small wins each day and gently redirect your focus towards what is within your control, rather than carrying everything at once.

Free download: Win List

Support the show

Support the Empowered By Claudia Podcast

Thank you for listening, if you loved the show please Rate, Review, Subscribe and Share with your friends. It means the world to me.

Here are my links if you would like to follow me:
💕 Website
💕 Leading Lady Self Love Academy
💕 Instagram
💕 Facebook Page
💕 Facebook Group
💕 111 Free Affirmations to increase Self love & Confidence 
💕 Buy me a hot chocolate 💕

Introduction: In this episode, Claudia is joined by Lisa, a Band 7 leader and clinical research nurse, to discuss the findings of her Master’s research into the barriers to staff accessing wellbeing services. They explore the gap between organisational strategy and the practical realities of nursing, looking at why "resilience" is often the wrong word for a systemic problem.

What We Explore:

• The "Access" Gap: Why having a service hidden on an intranet isn't the same as having meaningful support.
• Structural Barriers: Lisa reveals the real reasons staff don't reach out... from fear of gossip to the weaponisation of unpaid breaks.
• The Autonomy Argument: A look at the decades-long research into self-rostering and how giving staff agency can prevent burnout.
• Just Culture & Safety: Moving from punishment to learning, featuring a discussion on drug errors and psychological safety.
• The PNA Approach: The role of the Professional Nurse Advocate (PNA) in providing a thinking space to process clinical and emotional pressures.

A Final Thought: If you are currently feeling burnt out or undervalued, please remember: it is not a personal lack of resilience, but the environment you are in. This episode is an invitation to stop apologising for systemic failings and to start prioritising your health and peace.

Resources & Links:

• Find more resources or book a quiet peer-to-peer chat at: claudiasabinawellness.com/call
• Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn

Support the show

Support the Empowered By Claudia Podcast

Thank you for listening, if you loved the show please Rate, Review, Subscribe and Share with your friends. It means the world to me.

Here are my links if you would like to follow me:
💕 Website
💕 Leading Lady Self Love Academy
💕 Instagram
💕 Facebook Page
💕 Facebook Group
💕 111 Free Affirmations to increase Self love & Confidence 
💕 Buy me a hot chocolate 💕