Are you exhausted from constantly striving, pushing, and trying to be perfect? In this vulnerable and intimate episode of Masks Off for People Pleasers & Perfectionists, I’m sharing the truth about my complicated relationship with my inner perfectionist—who I lovingly call Perfectionistic Paula.

For decades, Paula ran the show. She kept me hustling, grinding, striving, and pushing past my limits… all in the name of safety, approval, and control. But as I’ve moved deeper into my own healing, something surprising happened: I no longer wanted to push. I no longer felt that constant drive. I didn’t even recognize myself without her.

This episode is an honest look at what happens after you put the sword down, slow down, and start reclaiming the parts of you that perfectionism silenced. I talk about:

✨ How perfectionism shows up as a survival strategy ✨ The emotional and physical costs of letting Paula run the show ✨ My struggles with chronic health symptoms and deep exhaustion ✨ The strange “void” that comes when you finally stop striving ✨ How to find the middle ground between burnout and balance ✨ Why your 20s can feel so overwhelming and confusing — and how perfectionism makes it worse ✨ How to soften, surrender, and listen to your inner wisdom instead of the pressure to "figure it all out"

If you’re a young woman in your twenties navigating identity, burnout, pressure, or perfectionism — this episode will speak directly to your soul.

🌱 You are not meant to hustle your way to worthiness. 🌱 You’re allowed to rest. 🌱 You’re allowed to be imperfect. 🌱 You’re allowed to find YOUR path, at YOUR pace.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Introduction and Episode Overview 01:27 – Meet Perfectionistic Paula 04:05 – The Cost of Perfectionism 09:33 – A Personal Breakthrough 14:41 – Navigating the Transition 19:35 – Embracing a New Ambition 22:34 – Lessons from the Valley 27:48 – Invitation to Connect and Support 31:15 – Conclusion and Call to Action

💬 Connect With MeJoin the Real & Unfiltered Community for Young Women (20s) — a space to feel seen, supported, and free to be your true self. Follow me on Instagram: @kimgrosscoaching

Feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and like you’re running on fumes? You’re not alone—and you’re definitely not failing. In this powerful episode, Kim Gross breaks down the truth about burnout in your twenties and why it hits so hard for young women who are trying to do everything and be everything.

Kim helps you understand the difference between normal tiredness and the deep, unhealthy drain of burnout—the kind that affects your body, mind, emotions, and identity. She walks you through the key warning signs most people miss, and the hidden beliefs that keep you pushing past your limits.

You’ll also learn simple but game-changing tools you can use today, like creating a Joy Jar to reconnect with what lights you up and writing Permission Slips that help you release unrealistic pressure and expectations.

If you’re craving balance, breathing room, and more joy in your life, this episode is your reset button.

✨ Ready to unhook from burnout and step into freedom? Join Kim’s Real & Unfiltered Community for Young Women for ongoing support, real conversations, and tools that actually help.

🌿 Connect with Kim:  👉 New Book: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/free-to-be.php 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimgrosscoaching 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimgrosscoaching/ 👉 Website: www.kimgrosscoaching.com 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.gross.104 👉 Facebook Masks Off Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/masksoffcommunity 👉 YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCaWJfO7ZFd4aYBX3e-clj9Q 👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Et9BMqdFriIQ9bUxcfQeg 👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/masks-off/id1513846583 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/notifications/?filter=all 👉 Unmasked Newsletter: http://subscribepage.io/masksoffnewsletter 👉 People-Pleasing Quiz: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/quiz.php

Do the holidays leave you stressed about food, body image, or saying no to that second helping (or that draining family event)? You’re not alone. 💛

In this episode of Masks Off for People Pleasers and Perfectionists, host Kim Gross sits down with Lauren Francesconi, a nutritionist in training to become a registered dietitian, to unpack the emotional and mental pressures around holiday eating. Together, they explore how perfectionism and people-pleasing show up at the table — and how to create a healthier, more joyful relationship with food and yourself this season.

✨ You’ll learn how to:

• Let go of holiday guilt and anxiety around food
  

• Practice mindful eating without restriction or obsession
  

• Find balance between indulgence and nourishment
  

• Set boundaries with family and social expectations
  

• Cultivate body acceptance and self-compassion
  

🎧 Tune in for empowering stories, practical nutrition advice, and mindset shifts to help you navigate the holidays with freedom, confidence, and peace.

💬 Join the Conversation: Share one way you’re giving yourself grace this holiday season in the comments below. 👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes that help you drop the mask and step into your authentic self.

💫 About Kim Gross Kim Gross is the author of Free to Be: A Pathway to Inner Liberation and host of the Masks Off Podcast. Through her 5-Step POWER Pathway, Kim helps people-pleasers and perfectionists break free from fear, guilt, and self-judgment so they can live with authenticity, balance, and inner peace.

🌿 Connect with Kim:  👉 New Book: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/free-to-be.php 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimgrosscoaching 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimgrosscoaching/ 👉 Website: www.kimgrosscoaching.com 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.gross.104 👉 Facebook Masks Off Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/masksoffcommunity 👉 YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCaWJfO7ZFd4aYBX3e-clj9Q 👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Et9BMqdFriIQ9bUxcfQeg 👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/masks-off/id1513846583 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/notifications/?filter=all 👉 Unmasked Newsletter: http://subscribepage.io/masksoffnewsletter 👉 People-Pleasing Quiz: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/quiz.php

About Lauren: 

Lauren Francesconi is a registered dietitian in training and the founder of Losowell, a personalized nutrition practice helping women optimize their gut, hormone, and metabolic health through a functional, evidence-based approach. With a background in nutrition and health promotion, Lauren combines science with lifestyle to empower clients to “unlock their potential” — reaching their goals without restriction.

She’s passionate about translating complex nutrition science into practical, sustainable habits that fit real life. Through her content, counseling, and programs, Lauren helps others reconnect with their bodies, build balanced plates, and create confidence around food.

Outside of her work with Losowell, Lauren is completing her dietetic internship, collaborating with leading functional medicine practices, and building a thriving online community centered on holistic health, mindset, and modern wellness.

Connect with Lauren:

Instagram: losowell

Email: [email protected]

#HolidayEating #MindfulEating #BodyImageHealing #PeoplePleasers #Perfectionism #MasksOffPodcast #KimGross #FoodFreedom #IntuitiveEating #HolidayAnxiety #SelfCompassion #Boundaries #EatingDisorderRecovery #WellnessPodcast #HolidayStress #NutritionTips #AuthenticLiving

Are you tired of feeling stuck, resentful, or like life keeps happening to you instead of for you? In this episode of Masks Off for People Pleasers and Perfectionists, host Kim Gross, author of Free to Be: A Pathway to Inner Liberation, breaks down what it really means to take ownership and personal responsibility — and why it’s the key to breaking free from the victim mindset.

If you’ve ever caught yourself blaming your ex, your parents, your job, or your friends for how you feel, this episode will hit home. Kim shares her own journey from blaming others for her unhappiness to realizing that freedom begins when you stop giving your power away. You’ll learn how to recognize when you’re in victim mode, how to reclaim your agency, and how to take radical responsibility for your peace, joy, and growth.

This episode is especially for women in their twenties who are learning to navigate adulthood, relationships, and self-discovery without losing themselves in perfectionism or people-pleasing.

🎙️ What You’ll Learn:

• How to spot the signs of victim mentality and break free from blame
  

• What true ownership looks like (and why it’s not about shame or guilt)
  

• Simple mindset shifts that help you take your power back
  

• How personal responsibility leads to emotional freedom and self-trust
  

💫 Tune in to learn how taking ownership can transform your relationships, confidence, and inner peace.

👉 Follow Kim on Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/kimgrosscoaching/ and join the Real & Unfiltered Community — a safe space for young women ready to grow, heal, and step into their authentic power.

Are you constantly saying yes when your heart is screaming no? Do you find yourself seeking approval, even at the cost of your own peace? And have you ever wondered what your life might look like if you finally took off the mask and started living for you?

In this episode of Masks Off, host Kim Gross opens up about her personal struggle with people-pleasing and the fear of rejection that once controlled her choices. From the pressure to start a family to the quiet suffering of always putting others first, Kim shares her raw and honest journey toward finding freedom and authenticity.

You’ll learn: 💫 Why people-pleasing is rooted in fear and unhealed wounds 💫 How perfectionism keeps you disconnected from your truth 💫 Practical steps to break free and start honoring your authentic desires 💫 How to reclaim your worth and set boundaries without guilt

Kim also shares insights from her book Free to Be: A Pathway to Inner Liberation and introduces her online course, where you can dive deeper into the tools and practices that helped her transform her life.

🎧 Tune in and reflect:

• When was the last time you said yes when you wanted to say no?
  

• What are you afraid might happen if you stop trying to please everyone?
  

• Who might you become if you allowed yourself to live authentically?
  

⏱️ Episode Breakdown 00:00 Introduction: The Struggle to Say No 00:53 Personal Story: Pressured into Motherhood 03:53 The Consequences of Ignoring Your Truth 07:08 Reflecting on Fear and Loneliness 09:40 The Masks of People Pleasing and Perfectionism 12:24 The Epidemic of Saying Yes 18:04 Reclaiming Your Worth and Learning to Say No 21:07 Practical Steps to Break the Pattern 29:24 Final Thoughts and Resources

🌿 Connect with Kim: 📘 Free to Be: A Pathway to Inner Liberation → link

 💻 Take the “Free to Be” Online Course → [link to course] 🎙️ Listen to more episodes → [podcast link] 💌 Subscribe to The Unmasked Newsletter → [newsletter link]

#MasksOff #PeoplePleaserRecovery #Perfectionism #AuthenticLiving #KimGross #SelfWorth #FreeToBe #PersonalGrowth #InnerHealing #Boundaries #SelfLoveJourney #Podcast

Are you the strong one who’s always there for everyone else—but secretly struggling inside? In this episode of Masks Off for People Pleasers and Perfectionists, host Kim Gross gets real about what it costs to hide your own pain behind perfection, control, and endless giving.

From her high school years to adulthood, Kim shares powerful personal stories about how suppressing emotions and striving to appear “put together” can lead to burnout, anxiety, and disconnection from your true self. Through raw honesty and compassion, she reveals how vulnerability becomes the bridge to freedom—and how learning to feel your feelings is the first step toward wholeness.

You’ll learn how to: 💫 Recognize and release perfectionist patterns 💫 Embrace vulnerability as strength 💫 Reconnect with your authentic self 💫 Take practical steps toward inner liberation and peace

If you’ve been stuck in the cycle of pleasing, fixing, or performing, this episode will inspire you to finally take off the mask and live freely.

🎧 Listen now and begin your journey to freedom. 👉 Visit www.kimgrosscoaching.com to learn more, explore resources, or work one-on-one with Kim.

Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction: Supporting Others While Struggling 01:38 Personal High School Experience 02:28 The Burden of Perfectionism 03:46 Emotional Struggles and Suppression 04:15 The Impact of Suppressing Feelings 07:37 The Role of Vulnerability 13:28 The Importance of Feeling Your Feelings 17:29 Pathway to Inner Liberation 21:26 Encouragement and Support 30:07 Conclusion and Call to Action

#PeoplePleasers #PerfectionismRecovery #InnerFreedom #SelfHealing #EmotionalAwareness #PersonalGrowth #AuthenticLiving #WomenEmpowerment #HealingJourney #MasksOffPodcast #KimGross #MindBodySpirit #SelfWorth #FreedomToBe

💬 What mask are you ready to take off today? Share your reflections or biggest “aha” moment from this episode below 👇 — your story might just inspire someone else to begin their journey to freedom.

Are you tired of feeling burned out, overwhelmed, and never “good enough”? In this episode of Masks Off for People Pleasers and Perfectionists, host Kim Gross dives deep into the mental prison of perfectionism — the exhausting cycle that keeps women, especially those in their 20s, chasing impossible standards.

💭 Kim shares her own experiences and powerful insights to help you: ✨ Recognize perfectionistic thinking and self-criticism ✨ Break free from the toxic hustle culture ✨ Find balance, joy, and emotional freedom ✨ Embrace imperfection and self-acceptance

Whether you’re a recovering people-pleaser or a high-achiever struggling with burnout, this episode will guide you toward healing, self-compassion, and wholeness.

🎧 Tune in to reclaim your power and start living a more peaceful, authentic life.

⏰ Episode Breakdown: 00:00 – Introduction: The Struggle of Modern Women 03:05 – The Mental Prison of Perfectionism 03:41 – Societal Pressures and Materialism 08:08 – The Inner Critic and Perfectionism 17:39 – Personal Anecdotes and Self-Care 22:44 – Strategies for Overcoming Perfectionism 26:40 – Embracing Wholeness and Self-Acceptance 32:56 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts 35:51 – Outro and Additional Resources

💬 Let’s Connect: 👉 Website: www.kimgrosscoaching.com 👉 Instagram: @kimgrosscoaching 👉 Take the People-Pleasing Quiz: Click Here 👉 Subscribe to the Unmasked Newsletter: Join Here

Are you done living by everyone else’s expectations? 💔 In this powerful episode of Masks Off for People Pleasers and Perfectionists, host Kim Gross opens up about her personal transformation—from decades of people-pleasing and perfectionism to finally embracing authenticity, freedom, and peace. 💫

Whether you’re a young woman struggling to fit in, or a woman in midlife longing to feel alive again, this conversation will help you release old patterns and reconnect with your truest self.

✨ You’ll Learn: 🌸 Why women lose themselves in roles, relationships, and responsibilities

💫 How people-pleasing creates emotional and physical burnout

🌿 The power of somatic healing and emotional awareness

💖 Tools to begin your journey toward freedom and authenticity

-Kim's Book 📘 Free to Be: A Pathway to Inner Liberation

— Kim’s transformational memoir 💻 Free to Be Digital Course — Your roadmap to authentic living 🤝 1:1 Coaching with Kim — Personalized support for your healing journey

💡 If you’ve ever felt invisible, unheard, or afraid to be your true self — this episode is for you.

Hit ❤️ LIKE,

💬 COMMENT to share your story, and

🔔 SUBSCRIBE for weekly inspiration on healing, self-discovery, and authentic empowerment.

#PeoplePleasing #AuthenticSelf #PersonalFreedom #EmotionalHealing #SomaticHealing #WomenEmpowerment #SelfLove #SelfWorth #KimGross #MasksOffPodcast #InnerHealing #FreeToBe #HealingJourney #AuthenticLiving

🔗 Explore More with Kim:

👉 Connect with Kim: 👉 New Book: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/free-to-be.php 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimgrosscoaching 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimgrosscoaching/ 👉 Website: www.kimgrosscoaching.com 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.gross.104 👉 Facebook Masks Off Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/masksoffcommunity 👉 YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCaWJfO7ZFd4aYBX3e-clj9Q 👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Et9BMqdFriIQ9bUxcfQeg 👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/masks-off/id1513846583 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/notifications/?filter=all 👉 Unmasked Newsletter: http://subscribepage.io/masksoffnewsletter 👉 People-Pleasing Quiz: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/quiz.php

In this heartfelt episode of Masks Off for People Pleasers and Perfectionists, Kim Gross, opens up about the realities of aging and how perfectionism can make this transition even harder. 🎙️

From navigating menopause to changes in physical appearance and the weight of societal expectations, Kim shares her personal journey of learning to let go, surrender control, and embrace the present moment with self-compassion. 💕

This episode is especially for women in their 50s and beyond who may be struggling with the pressures of aging while still battling the perfectionist’s inner critic. Together, we’ll explore how to shift old patterns, quiet the illusion of control, and move toward peace, joy, and authenticity. 🌿

Plus, Kim introduced her six-lesson digital course designed to help you peel away the masks, reconnect with your true self, and live more fully and freely.

✨ Don’t miss this empowering conversation about acceptance, aging with grace, and reclaiming your inner liberation.

Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Personal Struggles 01:02 Physical Changes and Aging 02:34 The Perfectionist's Inner Critic 03:37 Embracing Change and Letting Go 05:29 The Primitive Brain and Fear of Uncertainty 07:43 The Illusion of Control 12:45 Surrendering to the Present Moment 16:57 The Inner Controller and Nervous System 24:01 Pathway to Inner Liberation 25:53 Conclusion and Call to Action

👉 Ready to start your own journey? Explore my 6-Lesson Digital Course here: Link

 📘 Grab my book Free to Be: A Pathway to Inner Liberation: Link

 🎧 Listen to more episodes:link

#Perfectionism #AgingWithGrace #MasksOffPodcast #WomenOver50 #SelfCompassion #FreeToBe

👉 Connect with Kim: 👉 New Book: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/free-to-be.php 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimgrosscoaching 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimgrosscoaching/ 👉 Website: www.kimgrosscoaching.com 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.gross.104 👉 Facebook Masks Off Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/masksoffcommunity 👉 YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCaWJfO7ZFd4aYBX3e-clj9Q 👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Et9BMqdFriIQ9bUxcfQeg 👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/masks-off/id1513846583 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/notifications/?filter=all 👉 Unmasked Newsletter: http://subscribepage.io/masksoffnewsletter 👉 People-Pleasing Quiz: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/quiz.php

🌟 In this episode of Masks Off for People Pleasers and Perfectionists, Kim Gross talks with Rocio Aquino & Angel Orengo about reclaiming inner power, overcoming fear and judgment, and living with abundance and authenticity. Discover tools for healing, forgiveness, and conscious leadership from their debut book The Orchid: The Secret Code of Modern Goddesses. Their mission is to inspire personal growth and empowerment—and in this conversation, they share powerful insights on reclaiming inner power, achieving abundance, and overcoming the hurdles of fear and judgment.

Rocio and Angel open up about their own journeys of transformation, as well as their debut book The Orchid: The Secret Code of Modern Goddesses. This inspiring novel explores themes of awareness, gratitude, forgiveness, acceptance, and intention—offering valuable life lessons for authentic living.

💡 If you’re ready to release old patterns, embrace your inner strength, and step into conscious leadership, this episode is for you!

🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How to reclaim your inner power and harmony
  

• Rocio’s and Angel’s personal transformations
  

• The role of forgiveness and self-belief in healing
  

• Tools for manifesting abundance and fulfillment
  

• Key lessons from The Orchid
  

• Kim’s 5-Step POWER Pathway for deeper self-discovery
  

📖 The Orchid: The Secret Code of Modern Goddesses – by Rocio Aquino & Angel Orengo 👉 http://www.theorchidbook.com/

🎧 Tune in and join us on this journey of healing, empowerment, and authentic living!

⏱ Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:15 Meet Rocio and Angel 04:31 Achievements and Exciting News 05:42 Kim's Personal Journey 07:26 Inner Wellbeing and Harmony 07:59 Rocio's Transformation 12:03 Angel's Perspective on Purpose 12:47 The Power of Forgiveness 18:29 Manifesting Abundance 21:29 Key Lessons from the Book 30:06 Introduction to the Five-Step Power Pathway 30:40 Overcoming Victimhood and Embracing Vulnerability 31:07 The Importance of Healing and Integration 32:05 Taking Responsibility and Setting Boundaries 32:33 Addressing Self-Doubt and Encouraging Self-Belief 33:19 Personal Stories of Transformation 36:04 The Power of Sharing and Learning from Others 38:20 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Healing 41:02 The Concept and Structure of the Book 43:56 Practical Tools for Personal Growth 48:57 Final Thoughts and Encouragement 52:06 Conclusion and Call to Action

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations on living free from masks and stepping into your true power. 💙

#PersonalGrowth #AuthenticLiving #MasksOffPodcast #Empowerment

Get your copy at www.theorchidbook.com or follow us on social media: 

@theorchidbook

https://linktr.ee/theorchidbook