Masks Off: Inner Freedom For People-Pleasers and Perfectionists

This was an incredible conversation with 18 year old Meeka Kruisman. She was so raw and vulnerable and quite honestly, so brave to share her story. She shared how she went from a world of pain because she did not feel that she belonged anywhere and that she never felt loved most of her life. In fact, life felt so unbearable that she considered suicide. She just felt that she would be better off if she didn’t live. At the age of 16 things finally began to change for Meeka. Through the help of a program called Impact, she had a major breakthrough and was able to see the goodness in herself and she began a journey of loving herself. She finally remembered who she was and that her true self was enough. She no longer felt the need to wear a mask to try and fit in the world. She now is on a mission to spread a message to help people to choose themselves. 

Takeaways:

“Remember god said with a smile, I have sent you nothing but angels”

About Meeka:

Currently I am 18 years old. I just graduated high school 2 weeks ago. I am here to share my story. The story of the things I have been through and what I know now. I know who I am and I know why I am here. I have been a life coach for two beautiful adult women. I was a student body officer, I was a leader in school. That was a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. I recently moved out and I am living with some of my close friends. I will start at the University of Utah in August. I am getting my major in criminology and my PHD in psychology. My plan is to open child psychology clinics. I have been in and out of therapy for many years. I am bringing something new, instead of focusing on the past, we will focus on what they are choosing to create. I will share what I am doing so that the change ripples out. I have a passion and love for children and youth. I will also start a couple nonprofit organizations. I have always wanted to go on a humanitarian mission, but I never knew how. This will give many the opportunity to serve inside and outside of their community. We will go and clean up places all over, and just bring a little bit of light to the world. I am in love with life. 

I changed my life by my choices. Each and every moment I have a choice. I am so incredibly grateful that I know this as I start my life. I am excited to share with you who I am.

Connect with Meeka:

[email protected]

Facebook: @Meeka Kruisman

Insta: @meekakruisman

Little Soul in the Sand by Neale Donald Walsch

Connect with Kim Gross

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimgross24

Masks Off Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masksoffcommunity/

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

Facebook Masks Off Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/masksoffcommunity

Masks Off email: [email protected]

YouTube: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

Anchor:  https://anchor.fm/masksoff   

Take Kim’s people-pleasing and perfectionist quiz at https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com

In this episode, we delve deep into the ways our own self-imposed limitations hold us back from unlocking our full potential. Join us as we uncover the roots of these limiting beliefs and share practical strategies to break free from their grip. Discover how embracing authenticity and aligning with your true self can catalyze profound transformation and open doors to abundance, fulfillment, and joy. Get ready to tap into your innate power and manifest the life you've always envisioned. Tune in and embark on a life-changing journey of self-discovery and empowerment."

Takeaways:

“Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our greatest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us” - Marianne Williamson

About Abi: 

From an unloved, homeless foster child to a money manifesting Queen, Abi has not only built a significant income for herself as a single mom, but also helped her clients make over $1.4 Billion in four years (when most of them started at less than $5K a month). She specializes in money mindset and manifestation, hanging out in the sweet spot between science and magic. 

Connect with Abi:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abi.caruthers/

Divine Money Manifesting: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Millionairemindsetclass

IG: https://www.instagram.com/abilevine3/

Become A Money Magnet Journal: https://bit.ly/MoneyMagnetJournals 

Connect with Kim Gross

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimgross24

Masks Off Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masksoffcommunity/

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

Facebook Masks Off Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/masksoffcommunity

Masks Off email: [email protected]

YouTube: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

Anchor:  https://anchor.fm/masksoff   

Take Kim’s people-pleasing and perfectionist quiz at https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com

In this episode I have a conversation with Cari Fund about the profound impact of toxic parenting on individuals and families, and we discuss strategies to break free from these patterns. Toxic parenting can manifest in various forms, including the start of wearing the perfection mask. Other ways that toxic parenting can show up include emotional abuse, neglect, or controlling behavior. It often results from generational cycles, where harmful patterns are passed down from one generation to the next. However, it is possible to break these cycles and create a healthier future for ourselves and our children. 

“Be the parent you wish you had.” ~ Cari Fund

About Cari:

I’m breaking the cycle of Toxic Parenting and talking all things on Toxic Parenting Awareness.

I’m navigating my struggles with what I call "Trophy Mom" syndrome with my two kids and two dogs in Miami. I love living at the beach, but not a huge fan of sand. When I’m not mothering or writing, you can find me reading, traveling, making a restaurant reservation or experimenting with some kind of beauty treatment or wellness class. I’ll try anything once!

I’m currently writing my third book, but this book in progress is a very different project for me. It’s nonfiction. It’s my story. I believe it’s the book I was born to write.

I hope to inspire you by shining a spotlight on it's just the way that it was and that’s what my parents did, and help rid unhealthy feelings and relearn a better way for future generations.

To know that even one person was inspired to break the cycle of their own generational trauma, shed their pain and shame and become the mother or woman they were born to be, keeps me sharing. I want her to win! I want you to win! I want kids to win!

Just like my book, I’m a work in progress. I’m continuing to turn my pain into power and unpack my suitcase of my own toxic upbringing. Sometimes the most helpful thing is to just be seen or heard. I see you. I hear you. I am you.

Through learning the value of self-love, I became the woman and now mother that my kids deserve. I’m raising strong, compassionate and passionate human beings to change the world in their way. That’s my legacy.

Connect with Cari:

Instagram: @cari.fund, 

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

Connect with Kim Gross

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimgross24

Masks Off Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masksoffcommunity/

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

Facebook Masks Off Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/masksoffcommunity

Masks Off email: [email protected]

YouTube: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

Anchor:  https://anchor.fm/masksoff   

Take Kim’s people-pleasing and perfectionist quiz at https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com

Takeaways:

I encourage you to reflect on the masks that you wear and how those masks are impacting your life. Consider taking steps towards greater authenticity and self-acceptance. Remember that I can help and I am a coach. 

Thank you for joining this thought-provoking journey into the psychology of why we wear masks. 

Remember to subscribe to Masks Off for more engaging discussions on understanding how and why we wear masks and how to live more authentically. 

Stay true to yourself, and I will catch you in the next episode!!

Connect with Kim Gross

TikTok: @kimgross24

Masks Off Instagram: @masksoffcommunity

Facebook: Kim.gross.104

Facebook Masks Off Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/masksoffcommunity

Masks Off email: [email protected]

YouTube: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

Anchor:  https://anchor.fm/masksoff   

Take Kim’s people-pleasing and perfectionist quiz at https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com

Do you ever feel like you are utterly exhausted from life? Do you feel like all you do is survive your days and just rinse and repeat? If you answered yes, it is possible that you are exhausted because you are wearing masks. Wearing masks is so tiring because it is exhausting to keep up a front and not be our true selves in the world. When we come from presence and we allow ourselves to be our true selves, we end up riding a wave of energy that seems limitless. We are meant to live from wholeness and show up as our true selves. To hear more about this topic tune in and listen to this very inspiring episode with Lauri Smith. 

About Lauri: 

Lauri Smith is an intuitive public speaking and leadership coach. She helps visionaries on a soul-driven mission to stand in their power, speak their truth and Lead. Lauri is the CVO (Caring Visionary Officer) of Voice Matters and the author of Your Voice Matters: A Guide to Speaking Soulfully When It Counts. Her mission is to call forth more open-hearted leaders so they can do their part to change the world with authenticity, creativity and courage. She envisions a world in which everyone shares the vibration of their soul’s purpose with the world through their voices and together, we reach global harmony.

Lauri can always see the soul underneath the static - which makes her really good at motivating people to fight their inner demons and find tremendous inner power.

Connect with Lauri: 

Speaker Alter Ego Quiz: https://voice-matters.com/speaker-alter-ego-quiz/

Website: https://voice-matters.com/

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-smith-voice-matters/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/voice_matters_llc/

Connect with Kim Gross

TikTok: @kimgross24

Masks Off Instagram: @masksoffcommunity

Facebook: Kim.gross.104

Facebook Masks Off Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/masksoffcommunity

Masks Off email: [email protected]

YouTube:YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCaWJfO7ZFd4aYBX3e-clj9Q

Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/2Et9BMqdFriIQ9bUxcfQeg

How often have you put on a mask and showed up inauthentically with other people? We have all done this at some point in our lives and it is so normal. We are just trying to protect ourselves from being hurt or rejected by others. Here is the problem if you have kids, your kids are watching you and they are learning to do the same thing. Why is this a problem? When we wear masks and we don’t feel safe to show up as our true selves we are not living from wholeness. When we are not living from wholeness we are split off from parts of ourselves. We don’t have joy and peace when we show up this way. We don’t have meaningful relationships because we don’t feel safe to let our whole selves be seen and this can be lonely. If you want to live fully then it is crucial to be aware of the masks that you wear and do the inner work to unmask and heal enough so that you are willing to let yourself be seen little by little. 

About Tracy:

Tracy Nolin Beerman is a certified Life Mastery Consultant who has passionately bundled her experience with decades of yoga, meditation, mind/body work, life transformation coaching and her own "experiment" with life as an ADHD mom. 

She helps moms with ADHD declutter their minds and forge an empowered path forward through her powerful workshops, courses, programs and the Vision Driven Mom With ADHD podcast, even if they have a million other things in their brilliant, unique minds. 

She whole-heartedly believes that it’s possible to have ADHD without ADHD having you.   

Connect with Tracy: 

Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vision-driven-mom-with-adhd/id1540806660

Website www.visiondrivenmom.com

IG https://www.instagram.com/visiondrivenmom/

FB https://www.facebook.com/visiondrivenmomwithadhd

Connect with Kim Gross

TikTok: @kimgross24

Masks Off Instagram: @masksoffcommunity

Facebook: Kim.gross.104

Facebook Masks Off Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/masksoffcommunity

Masks Off email: [email protected]

YouTube: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

Anchor:  https://anchor.fm/masksoff   

Take Kim’s people-pleasing and perfectionist quiz at https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com

No matter what we have going on in our lives there will always be pain. The key is how we respond to that pain. One thing that can cause a lot of pain for us is that we wear masks and do not show up as our true selves. It can be very painful and cause so much suffering in our lives when we choose to hide who we truly are. It is not easy to unmask and to do the healing work especially with the busy lives we live. The truth is though that when we are on our deathbeds I can guarantee you that you will not want to look back on your life and wish that you were not so afraid to be your true self and to show up fully as you are. In this episode Melissa and I share how the perfection mask can still show up for us in our lives, but the difference is that we now know from doing so much inner work that we catch ourselves wearing the mask and we have compassion for ourselves to remove the mask again, one layer at a time. 

About Melissa: 

Melissa is a purpose and mindset coach, mindfulness teacher, lawyer, podcaster. She uses deep inquiry, mindfulness, and principles of somatics to move beyond imposterism and perfectionism to create space in the mind, and uncover our true, whole, integrated selves. 

As a lawyer for over 20 years, she has witnessed many who work and live out of alignment with their values and purpose—often because they don’t know their worth, regardless of their successes. Many feel like imposters waiting to get exposed, and afraid that who they really are isn’t enough. 

 As a person with 23 years in recovery from alcohol use disorder and a life-long ADHD-er, Melissa is all too familiar with what the experience of imposterism can do. After years of living behind the mask of imposterism, she now lives authentically and regularly shares her story to destigmatize both alcohol use disorder and ADHD. She leads meditation and mindfulness practices, leads workshops on overcoming imposterism and destigmatizing addiction and neurodivergence, offering hope and resilience tools to everyone who might want them.

 Melissa has been a mindfulness practitioner for over 25 years, learning at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, and later certifying through Dallas Yoga Center. She is a certified coach in life design and trained in somatics and Reiki, and has been leading mindfulness practices for several years. Her podcast, The Fully Mindful, explores mindfulness, purpose, and what it is to be a human among humans. 

Connect with Melissa:

 You can find her at TheFullyMindful.com, where you will also find her podcast of the same name.

Www.TheFullyMindful.com

Instagram: @thefullymindful or link here: https://instagram.com/the_fully_mindful?igshid=ZWIzMWE5ZmU3Zg==

Tiktok:@melissachureau

Connect with Kim:

TikTok: @kimgross24

Masks Off Instagram: @masksoffcommunity

Facebook: Kim.gross.104

Facebook Masks Off Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/masksoffcommunity

Masks Off email: [email protected]

YouTube: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

Anchor:  https://anchor.fm/masksoff

Take Kim's people-pleaser & perfectionist quiz at www.kimgrosscoaching.com.

One of the most important ways to shift the parenting paradigm is to take ownership for how you are impacting your children. When you are triggered and you project your shit onto them, it is imperative that you go back and repair with your child. Before being able to repair, one must go inward and work through the emotions that are rising within you. There is a reason that you are being triggered and your child is a mirror to you to see what you need to heal and grow from. Once you are in a place of being calm and centered then you are able to repair and own your behavior with your child. You can’t  imagine how impactful this is on your child as well as future generations. You are modeling healthy behaviors in a relationship and one that your child can take forward in his/her future relationships. 

“So often children are punished for being human. Children are not allowed to have grumpy moods, bad days, disrespectful tones, or bad attitudes. Yet, us adults have them all the time. None of us are perfect. We must stop holding our children to a higher standard of perfection than we can attain ourselves.” – Rebecca Eanes

About Meagan:

Meagan is an inspiring early childhood educator, therapist, a positive discipline parenting coach, a devoted foster and bio mom, and the founder of the Connected Kids Thrive and Connected Kids Thrive Community. 

For over 16 years, she has been helping parents equip themselves with proven-effective parenting tools so their young children can listen and cooperate without resorting to yelling, threatening, or punishing. She strives to live by and model the philosophy of being curious and actively turning Oopsies into Opportunities, so parents can positively connect with their children even when giving direction and correction.Connect with Meagan:

Facebook Community- Connected Kids Thrive Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/parentchildcommunication

Website: https://connectedkidsthrive.com/

IG- https://www.instagram.com/meagan_connected.kids.thrive/

Connect with Kim:

TikTok: @kimgross24

Masks Off Instagram: @masksoffcommunity

Facebook: Kim.gross.104

Facebook Masks Off Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/masksoffcommunity

Masks Off email: [email protected]

YouTube: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

Anchor:  https://anchor.fm/masksoff

Take my people-pleaser & perfectionist quiz at www.kimgrosscoaching.com

In this episode Kim talks with guest Meagan Duncan about the hard truth that loving your child is not enough. What does this mean? We are very well-intentioned parents but the truth is that we are constantly projecting our shit onto our children and we create feelings of unworthiness in them. Even the littlest things that we yell at them for or get upset about can leave a negative impact on them. It is imperative that we do our own inner work to reparent ourselves so that we can communicate and connect with our children in a healthier way. This episode is filled with practical takeaways that you can implement right away. 

About Meagan:

Meagan is an inspiring early childhood educator, therapist, a positive discipline parenting coach, a devoted foster and bio mom, and the founder of the Connected Kids Thrive and Connected Kids Thrive Community. 

For over 16 years, she has been helping parents equip themselves with proven-effective parenting tools so their young children can listen and cooperate without resorting to yelling, threatening, or punishing. She strives to live by and model the philosophy of being curious and actively turning Oopsies into Opportunities, so parents can positively connect with their children even when giving direction and correction.Connect with Meagan:

Facebook Community- Connected Kids Thrive Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/parentchildcommunication

Website: https://connectedkidsthrive.com/

IG- https://www.instagram.com/meagan_connected.kids.thrive/

Connect with Kim:

TikTok: @kimgross24

Masks Off Instagram: @masksoffcommunity

Facebook: Kim.gross.104

Facebook Masks Off Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/masksoffcommunity

Masks Off email: [email protected]

YouTube: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

Anchor:  https://anchor.fm/masksoff

Do you ever feel like you shouldn’t share certain things with others because you fear that you might be judged for what you think or how you feel? In this episode, I speak with guest Jamie Thurber and we each share certain experiences where we had some particular feelings about certain experiences in our lives, and some might think that we are wrong or bad for saying what we said. Here is the thing, chances are many people are probably feeling similar feelings and were told in their lives that they were wrong or bad for feeling a certain way. So many of us were conditioned when we were growing up not to speak up or not to be a certain way. In fact, many of us were told that we too big or too much for the world and that we should not shine our light so brightly. The antidote to this way of being and the antidote to healing from this conditioning is to have compassion for ourselves and for others. 

“Honoring the space between”

About Jamie: 

I'm an Intentional Living and Business expert that helps individuals and business owners to use strategic, aligned action to start living life on their terms. We work to create shifts in their world so they can not only be successful, but also happy, healthy, and available to enjoy whatever "joy" looks like to them. 

Connect with Jamie:

www.jamiethurber.com,  facebook.com/jamiethurber, facebook.com/jamiethurber.biz, instagram.com/jamie.thurber, youtube.com/jamiethurber, twitter.com/jamiethurber_ , tiktok.com/@jamie.thurber

Connect with Kim:

TikTok: @kimgross24

Masks Off Instagram: @masksoffcommunity

Facebook: Kim.gross.104

Facebook Masks Off Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/masksoffcommunity

Masks Off email: [email protected]

YouTube: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

Anchor:  https://anchor.fm/masksoff