In this episode of the Leading With Heart podcast, Christina Mattison explores the connection between boundaries, communication, and self-respect, and why so many of us struggle to clearly express what we need. From people pleasing and overexplaining to shutting down, fixing, and passive-aggressive communication, Christina breaks down the protective patterns many women develop to stay safe, accepted, or avoid conflict. She shares how these behaviors are often rooted in deeper unmet needs and nervous system responses rather than personal flaws.

Throughout the episode, Christina offers practical tools for healthier communication, including a simple framework for expressing observations, emotions, and needs with more honesty and clarity. She also dives into the discomfort that can come with setting boundaries, the guilt that often follows, and why holding boundaries is an essential part of self-leadership. This conversation is a powerful reminder that healthy communication is not about controlling how others respond, it’s about honoring yourself, advocating for your needs, and building relationships that no longer require self-abandonment.

Key Takeaways:

• Why communication patterns are often learned survival strategies
• How people pleasing, overexplaining, avoiding, and fixing can stem from unmet emotional needs
• The importance of identifying the need underneath your emotions
• A practical communication formula to express yourself more clearly
• Why boundaries are an act of self-respect, not punishment
• How guilt and discomfort can show up when you begin setting boundaries
• The connection between self-leadership, nervous system regulation, and communication
• How growth can shift relationship dynamics and reveal where you’ve been abandoning yourself
• Questions to reflect on when examining your own communication patterns

RESOURCES:

SIGN UP FOR THE APP:
https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-app

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilitaryyogi

Podcast Website: www.leadingwithheartpodcast.com

SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode94

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi

More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast
Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way.

I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide.

Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life.

**The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

What if the thing you’ve been calling “resilience”… is actually what’s burning you out?

In this powerful conversation, Christina and Liz chat about the hidden patterns keeping high-achieving women stuck in exhaustion, from people-pleasing and perfectionism to the belief that pushing through is the only way forward. We talk about my story of burnout and recovery, and I share an honest look at what resilience actually means. This episode goes beyond surface-level advice and dives into the deeper work of self-awareness, nervous system regulation, and learning how to meet your needs without guilt. If you’ve been carrying the mental load for everyone else and wondering why you still feel depleted, this conversation will feel like a breath of fresh air.

In This Episode:

• Why what we call “resilience” is often just people-pleasing and overfunctioning
• The biggest myths that keep women stuck in burnout and exhaustion
• How to shift from survival mode into sustainable energy and recovery
• Why self-care is not indulgent — it’s essential maintenance
• The role of the nervous system in burnout, anxiety, and feeling “on edge”
• How small, consistent habits (not big overhauls) create lasting change

RESOURCES:

Connect with Dr. Liz Moyer

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drlizmoyer/videos

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-elizabeth-vaughan-moyer-pmp-558343157 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mistylmoreno/

SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode93

Thanks for listening! Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @t

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi

More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast
Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way.

I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide.

Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life.

**The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

What actually happens when women are given the space to slow down, soften, and truly be seen?

In this deeply personal episode, Christina shares a heartfelt recap of her recent retreat at Milk and Honey Ranch, a powerful experience filled with connection, vulnerability, healing, and growth. From creating intentional space for stillness, to moving through emotional blocks, to practicing one of the most underrated leadership skills, deep listening, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at what transformation really looks like in real time.

You’ll hear stories of women letting their guards down, forming lasting friendships, and reconnecting with themselves in a way that’s often impossible in the day-to-day pace of life. 

In This Episode:

• What actually happens inside a transformational retreat experience
• The power of white space and why slowing down is so uncomfortable (and necessary)
• How emotional release, breathwork, and vulnerability create lasting change
• Why deep, meaningful connection is often what we’re truly craving
• The difference between active listening and deep listening, and why it matters in leadership
• How practicing presence (instead of fixing or rescuing) can transform your relationships
• Real reflections and breakthroughs from women who attended the retreat

RESOURCES:

2026 Lead Your Life Asheville Retreat:

https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-retreat-asheville

SIGN UP FOR THE APP:
https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-app

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilitaryyogi

Podcast Website: www.leadingwithheartpodcast.com

SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode92

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi

More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast
Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way.

I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide.

Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life.

**The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

Are you getting everything done… but internally you feel fried?

If you’re productive on the outside but operating in survival mode on the inside, snapping more easily, feeling scattered, exhausted, or quietly burned out, this episode is for you. Christina gets real about energy management in the middle of real life (including a week of solo parenting) and unpacks why so many high-functioning women push through their body’s warning signs until they crash.

In this conversation, you’ll learn how to recognize your personal energy patterns, stop overriding your nervous system, and build simple recovery rhythms into your daily life, not just your annual vacation. This isn’t about doing less. It’s about sustaining your performance without sacrificing yourself in the process.

In This Episode:

• The 4 Energy Zones (Performance, Survival, Burnout, and Recovery) and how to identify where you’re living
• Why military and leadership culture conditions us to override our bodies
• The difference between pushing through when it’s necessary vs. when it’s harmful
• How to recognize your personal warning signs before burnout hits
• Why recovery isn’t weakness, it’s part of the performance cycle
• Simple 2–5 minute “downshift rituals” you can start today

If you’ve been operating in high-functioning survival mode for too long, this episode will help you tune back in, rebuild self-trust, and create small, sustainable rhythms that protect your energy.

RESOURCES:

High-Yield Self Care Guide:

https://fabulous-pioneer-9504.kit.com/e83556732b

SIGN UP FOR THE APP:
https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-app

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilitaryyogi

Podcast Website: www.leadingwithheartpodcast.com

SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode91

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi

More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast
Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way.

I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide.

Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life.

**The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

Have you ever done all the “right” self-care things, taken the bath, bought a planner, scheduled the massage, and still felt completely exhausted?

In this episode, we’re unpacking why that happens. Most women aren’t bad at self-care. We’re just investing in practices that don’t actually restore us. In a culture that praises hustle, sacrifice, and pushing through (hello, military life), it’s easy to lose touch with our own needs. Over time, we forget how to answer the question: What do I actually need right now?

I introduce the concept of low-yield vs. high-yield self-care, and why high-yield practices are deeply personal, discovered through reflection and experimentation, not copied from the internet. When you learn to identify your unmet needs and choose practices that truly replenish you, everything shifts. You regain capacity. You regain energy. You regain hope.

In This Episode:

• Why popular self-care trends often leave you feeling the same
  
  
• The difference between low-yield and high-yield self-care
  
  
• How military culture and life experiences disconnect you from your needs
  
  
• Why meeting your needs is not selfish, it’s essential
  
  
• A simple way to evaluate your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual buckets
  
  
• How to approach self-care with curiosity instead of judgment

RESOURCES:

High-Yield Self Care Guide:

https://fabulous-pioneer-9504.kit.com/e83556732b

SIGN UP FOR THE APP:
https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-app

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilitaryyogi

Podcast Website: www.leadingwithheartpodcast.com

SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode90

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi

More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast
Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way.

I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide.

Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life.

**The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

Hey friend, in today’s episode, we’re talking about something I see all the time (and yes, I do it too): white knuckling change. You know the drill, forcing new habits with pressure, discipline, rigid rules, and a whole lot of self-criticism… and then wondering why it never seems to stick.

If you’re capable, driven, committed to growth, and maybe just a little Type A (hello, same), this episode is for you. We’re unpacking why trying to force yourself into change often backfires, especially when your nervous system is already stressed and overwhelmed. I share why force doesn’t feel motivating to many of us, it feels like pressure, and how that pressure actually creates resistance instead of consistency.

We’ll talk about a different approach to change, one rooted in softness, nervous system regulation, and self-support instead of shame and intensity. This doesn’t mean lowering your standards or giving up on growth. It means learning how to work with yourself instead of against yourself, so change becomes sustainable and supportive rather than exhausting.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in the cycle of starting over, beating yourself up, and trying again “on Monday,” this episode offers a kinder, more effective way forward.

In This Episode:

• What it really means to “white knuckle” change, and why so many of us default to it
• Why discipline and pressure can actually dysregulate your nervous system
• How force creates resistance instead of motivation
• What softness is (and what it is not) when it comes to growth
• The difference between intensity and sustainability

RESOURCES:

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen)

SIGN UP FOR THE APP:
https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-app

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilitaryyogi

Podcast Website: www.leadingwithheartpodcast.com

SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode89

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi

More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast
Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way.

I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide.

Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life.

**The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

In this episode of Leading With Heart, Christina shares a personal life update and invites you into a quieter, more reflective conversation about transition, identity, and what it means to lead yourself well in demanding seasons. After a major move, a new role, and a full family transition, she opens up about resisting the urge to rush, hustle, or “figure everything out” and instead choosing to listen inward, soften her approach, and let herself truly land where she is.

This episode isn’t about big goals or dramatic overhauls. It’s about asking different questions. Christina reflects on the words that surfaced for her this year, soft and settled, and how they’re shaping the way she shows up as a leader, a parent, and a human navigating change. If you’re in a season of transition, feeling stretched, or craving a slower, more grounded way forward, this conversation offers permission to pause, reflect, and realign with who you’re becoming.

In This Episode:

• Why “service before self” eventually becomes service at the detriment of self
• Moving through leadership, work, and life with softness instead of tension and white-knuckling
• What it looks like to regulate your nervous system instead of rushing to prove yourself
• Parenting and leading others through change without fixing or minimizing their emotions
• The difference between setting goals and choosing an identity-based approach to growth
• Why it’s never too late in the year to reflect, reset, and realign

RESOURCES:

Identity Statement Resource:

https://fabulous-pioneer-9504.kit.com/de6f72ebb6

SIGN UP FOR THE APP:
https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-app

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilitaryyogi

Podcast Website: www.leadingwithheartpodcast.com

SHOW NOTES: https://www.christ

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi

More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast
Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way.

I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide.

Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life.

**The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

How many times have you declared a New Year’s resolution, only for it to collect dust by the end of January? Many of us are guilty of this - me included! In fact, only about 9% of people who create a resolution follow through with it. The problem? We often set unrealistic goals for ourselves that ultimately set us up for failure. 

In this episode I am sharing why I no longer set resolutions, and what I do instead. We are talking about embracing identity-based change inspired by the book "Atomic Habits" written by James Clear.

For real change to happen, understanding your motivation for change is crucial. What’s your WHY? Shifting your identity and pursuing an “Inside-Out” approach to change will help you not just accomplish your goals, but create long-lasting beliefs about who you are. 

Tune in for some tips and strategies to make 2024 your best year yet, and become the person that you truly want to be! Want some extra support? Join my

“Atomic Habits” Book Club that launches at the beginning of January! We’ll hold each other accountable, and crush our goals together.

RESOURCES:

Download the app!

https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-app

https://leadyourlife.passion.io/checkout/e22ff9a1-506c-4c95-ad22-2a548f1d4dcc

SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode87

Atomic Habits - James Clear

North Start Meditation & Craft a Personalized Identity Statement Worksheet: https://fabulous-pioneer-9504.ck.page/de6f72ebb6

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen)

www.leadingwithheartpodcast.com (https://www.leadingwithheartpodcast.com/)

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi

More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast
Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way.

I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide.

Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life.

**The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

In this rich and heartfelt conversation, I’m joined by the incredible Misty Moreno, 20-year Air Force veteran, marketing manager at Vets2PM, podcast host, instructor, author, and a woman who has mastered the art of designing a life on her own terms.

Misty’s story is one of courage, clarity, and deep self-awareness. After a powerful turning point in her military career, she made the bold decision to retire with just one year’s notice, and that moment reshaped her entire philosophy on success, identity, and purpose.

In this episode:

• Why “one-year-at-a-time” living may be the most grounding approach you’ve never tried
• How to define a lifestyle you actually want, not the one the military or society tells you to want
• What it takes to transition with confidence, both logistically and mentally
• The mindset shifts that allow you to choose purpose over pressure
• Her five powerful life lessons from the military that still hold true today
• How to make your career a part of your life, not your whole identity
• The unexpected gift of contentment, and why striving isn’t always the answer

RESOURCES:

Connect with Misty:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/misty-moreno?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Website: vets2pm.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mistylmoreno/

SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode86

Thanks for listening! Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi

More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast
Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way.

I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide.

Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life.

**The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

Today I am joined by MY coach Chrissy Marie! Chrissy is an embodiment coach who helps high achievers let go of people-pleasing and perfectionism and find joy in their lives. Her coaching incorporates inner child healing and the Internal Family Systems model to foster trust and communication among different aspects of oneself. 

Today Chrissy dives into common parts that her clients often struggle with: the fixer, the perfectionist, the protector, the pleaser. Chrissy believes that when we get to know and understand our inner community, we are able to come home to our inner, wise Self - where we embody curiosity, compassion, contentment, confidence, and clarity. 

Chrissy will encourage you to look inward and appreciate each part of yourself. She leads us through a powerful exercise on how to do this called “Airing Out the House.” This exercise will help to promote self-compassion, eliminate shame, and connect to your higher self.

RESOURCES:

Connect with Coach Chrissy:

Website: Theartofaliveness.com (https://www.theartofaliveness.com/)

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @Comealivewithchrissy (https://www.instagram.com/comealivewithchrissy/)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cmtucciarone

Find more of Coach Chrissy’s links over on the shownotes page! 

SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode19

Thanks for listening! Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi

More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast
Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way.

I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide.

Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life.

**The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.