In this episode of Her Unshakeable Confidence, hosts Simone and Olivia Knego and guest Kathy Washburn, a life coach, cancer survivor, and expert in positive psychology and emotional health, explore self-worth, personal growth, and the transformative power of life experiences. Kathy shares how her own cancer diagnosis led her to create *Carved by Cancer*, a supportive community dedicated to emotional well-being.
Throughout the conversation, Simone, Olivia, and Kathy discuss the impact of emotional suppression, the generational shift in self-advocacy, and the importance of self-discovery. They tackle the struggles of finding one’s true self, embracing vulnerability, and learning to receive support.This episode is filled with powerful takeaways on authenticity, self-worth, and confidence—reminding us that embracing imperfection and setting boundaries are essential for living a fulfilling life.
Actionable Takeaways
1. Focus on Strengths. Instead of dwelling on weaknesses, recognize and embrace the good within yourself.
2. Emotional Health Impacts Physical Health Suppressing emotions can contribute to serious health issues.
3. Transformation Through Experience Major life events—like cancer, divorce, or career shifts—can serve as opportunities for deep personal growth.
4.Self-Worth is an Inside Job Your value isn't based on external validation—true fulfillment comes from within.
5. Suppressing Emotions Leads to Codependency Ignoring your feelings can result in unhealthy relationships where your self-worth is tied to others.
6. Self-Discovery is Key Many professionals are realizing they’ve pursued careers that don’t align with who they truly are.
7. Hard Conversations Build Trust Avoiding difficult discussions creates unresolved conflicts—addressing them fosters authenticity and connection.
8. We Don’t Need Permission to Be Ourselves Stop waiting for approval—show up as yourself, unapologetically.
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Kathy Washburn and Her Work 01:29 – The Power of Positive Psychology
03:28 – “Carved by Cancer”: A Community for Survivors 05:57 – Transformative Experiences and Emotional Health 13:32 – The Importance of Self-Worth and Authenticity 17:27 – Self-Discovery and Personal Strengths
27:17 – Education, Individuality, and Creativity
29:00 – Navigating Career Choices and Changing Paths 31:57 – The Role of Authenticity in Building Confidence 36:05 – The Importance of Receiving and Setting Boundaries
42:03 – Embracing Imperfection and Learning to Accept Help
47:57 – Confidence, Self-Expression, and Taking Action
About Kathy Washburn
Kathy Washburn is a life coach, speaker, and cancer survivor who specializes in positive psychology, emotional health, and post-traumatic growth. She is the founder of “Carved by Cancer”, a community designed to help cancer survivors and individuals navigate emotional well-being. With a background in finance and 25 years of investment experience, Kathy made a career pivot to focus on coaching and helping people rediscover their strengths and authenticity.
Her TEDx talk, *What Investing Taught Me About Emotional Health*, delves into the connection between emotional well-being and overall health. Kathy is passionate about teaching people to set boundaries, receive support, and build confidence through self-awareness and resilience.
Connect with Kathy Washburn
Website
Instagram
TEDx Talk: *What Investing Taught Me About Emotional Health
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