Unlocking Joy: How to Cultivate Excitement in Your Everyday Life

Creating a life that excites you begins with understanding your core values and identifying what truly makes you feel alive. This foundational work is essential for living a fulfilling and joyful life. Tonya Leigh explores the transformative power of mindset and how it shapes our experiences in life. She emphasizes that excitement and fulfillment come not from luck or perfect circumstances, but from the mindset we choose each day.

Tonya shares her personal joy as she celebrates her mom's 80th birthday and reflects on the importance of simple moments with loved ones. Additionally, she announces an upcoming free class titled "The Identity Code," aimed at helping women shift from merely taking action to embodying the mindset of success.

Tune in to discover how to become the person who naturally attracts and creates the life you desire.

Talking Points:

00:13 - The Power of Mindset 01:23 - Upcoming Free Class: The Identity Code 02:28 - How to Be Excited About Your Day 04:25 - Clarify Your Values 06:12 - Discover What Makes You Feel Alive 08:39 - Evaluate What You Are Tolerating 09:24 - Stop Complaining 11:31 - Set Exciting Goals 14:03 - Surround Yourself with Positive People 18:01 - Embrace Curiosity and Adventure 22:58 - Balance Vision and Presence 23:39 - Change Up Your Environment 25:06 - Start Your Day with Intention 26:20 - Be the Source of Your Own Excitement

Quotes:

"The secret isn't in doing more, it's in becoming the woman who naturally creates and attracts what it is that she wants."

"So many people are just living lives on default."

"You don't get what you want, you get what you tolerate."

"Excitement and complaining don't coexist together."

"What surrounds you seeps into you."

"Wake up. This is our one life. Don't be stagnant."

"I want to see myself as a woman who really loved life, who loved all of it, even the hard parts, because she knew that that grew her."

"I realized I get to be the excitement."

Useful  Resources:

Click HERE to join the Membership 

Click HERE for the FREE Identity Code class

Click HERE for a FREE download 

Click HERE to sign up for our newsletter, The Edit

Connect with Self-Image Coach Tonya Leigh:

Click HERE to follow our Instagram

Click HERE to visit our website

Click HERE to visit our Facebook group

Click HERE to follow our TikTok

Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel

Unmasking Your True Self: Discovering Freedom Beyond the Faux Self

When we operate from our faux self, we may find ourselves making choices based on what we think we should want or what will garner approval from others. This can manifest in various ways, such as pursuing a career that looks good on paper but does not fulfill us, or acquiring material possessions to impress others rather than to satisfy our own desires. Tanya shares the story of a client who felt trapped in a high-paying job that brought her no joy, illustrating how the faux self can lead to a life that feels suffocating and unfulfilling.

Tonya explores the profound question, "Who are you really?" She shares her morning routine and the productivity that comes with starting the day early. She introduces a life-changing concept she learned from Martha Beck during her coach training: the distinction between the social self and the essential self. This episode delves into how understanding this concept can empower listeners to shift from feeling like victims of their circumstances to becoming creators of their own lives, our own true identities and explores the origins of their self-perceptions, prompting a deeper exploration of personal authenticity. Tune in for insights that could transform your understanding of yourself and your potential.

Talking Points:

00:52 -Social Self vs. Essential Self 04:06 - Defining the Worldly Woman 08:47 - The Role of the Faux Self in Success 10:20 - True Desires vs. Faux Desires 14:05 - True Desires and Money 18:04 - Childhood Memories and True Self 22:02 - True Self and the Win-Win Approach 25:03 - The Challenge of Sudden Change 27:00 - The Work of Getting Back to Your Authentic Self

Quotes:

"I felt like I was at the effect of my life versus being the creator of my life."

"There is no freedom when the faux self is in control."

"To find someone who is fully in their true self is such a rarity because it takes so much courage and a lot of people won't like you."

"You will know your truth because it will taste like freedom."

"Would you rather be judged for being real or praised for being fake?"

00:28:49 - "Who am I really at my core? Who am I beyond my roles as a mother, as a daughter, as a wife, as a business owner?"

Useful  Resources:

Click HERE for the Live Like an Editor Workshop

Click HERE to join the Membership 

Click HERE for a FREE download 

Click HERE to sign up for our newsletter, The Edit

Connect with Self-Image Coach Tonya Leigh:

Click HERE to follow our Instagram

Click HERE to visit our website

Click HERE to visit our Facebook group

Click HERE to follow our TikTok

Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel

From Burnout to Empowerment: How One Woman Took Control of Her Story

In the journey of personal growth, particularly when grappling with feelings of isolation and burnout, the significance of surrounding oneself with supportive individuals cannot be overstated. Caroline Lacaille-Gaudy's experience, as shared in the podcast episode, underscores the importance of having a network that fosters growth and provides a sense of belonging.

In this episode of the School of Self-Image, host Tonya Leigh welcomes Caroline, who shares her transformative journey after leaving a successful corporate career in late 2021. Caroline discusses how she learned to become the editor in chief of her own life, empowering herself to create meaningful changes. Since embracing this mindset, she has launched two purpose-driven businesses, published a book on Amazon, and enhanced her relationships as a mother and wife. Caroline’s inspiring story highlights the importance of living intentionally and provides insights on how to stop reacting to life’s twists and instead, start creating your own narrative.

Join Tonya andd Caroline as they explore the tools and mindset shifts that can help you stop living life by default and start creating it intentionally. Plus, learn more about the upcoming Live Like an Editor workshop.

Talking Points:

00:22 - Caroline's Achievements Post-Corporate Career 01:21 -  Corporatte Burnout 02:57 - Feeling Unfulfilled Despite Success 04:06 - Realization of Misalignment with Motherhood 06:22 - Living Life by Default 08:45 - Shifting Perspectives and Addressing Objections 11:44 - Becoming a Coach and Finding Purpose 15:02 - Being the Editor-in-Chief of Your Life 18:15 - Caroline's Word for the Year: Expansive 21:07 - Learning Through Stories 24:06 - Unpacking Past Experiences 27:43 - Realization of Isolation 30:07 - Managing Spousal Stress 34:00 - Impact of Learning Tools on Parenting 37:56 - Belief in Possibility and Daily Habits 43:30 - Teaching Gratitude to Daughter 46:11 - Advice for Burnt Out Women

Quotes:

"I had been following this path of success, ticking the boxes, having the wonderful office with the view and the title and the car... and yet it felt like there was always something missing."

"Knowing that I'm in control of my emotional state of being is the most liberating news ever."

"How would bold me, how would worthy me, how would discipline me... behave right now?"

"It's OK to have certain standards. It's OK to ask for certain things. It's OK to behave such a way."

"It's the books on your bookshelf. It's the music you listen to. It's the clutter or not clutter, depending on how you keep your home, all of it is sending a message to you about who you think you are."

"I switched from fixing to, I get to create, I get to create myself. It's a very different energy."

"A well-lived life is nothing more than a collection of well-lived days."

"There is no hurry. My favorite mantra."

Useful  Resources:

Click HERE for the Live Like an Editor Workshop

Click HERE to join the Membership 

Click HERE for a FREE download 

Click HERE to sign up for our newsletter, The Edit

Connect with Self-Image Coach Tonya Leigh:

Click HERE to follow our Instagram

Click HERE to visit our website

Click HERE to visit our Facebook group

Click HERE to follow our TikTok

Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel

Connect with Caroline:

Click HERE for Caroline’s Website

Click HERE for Bliss by Caroline

Live Like an Editor: Transforming Your Life with Vision and Creativity

In the journey of personal development, one of the most transformative shifts you can make is to curate your life by focusing on potential rather than flaws. This perspective not only empowers you but also allows you to see the beauty and possibilities in your current circumstances. Here’s how you can implement this mindset in your life.

Tonya Leigh invites listeners to reimagine their lives through a designer's lens. Inspired by the idea of viewing life as a fixer-upper, she encourages embracing one's potential rather than focusing on flaws. Tonya shares her recent experiences, including a snowy morning and a revitalizing Pilates class, setting a positive tone for the discussion. She also announces her beloved annual workshop, "Live Like an Editor," a transformative five-day experience designed to help participants gain a fresh perspective on their lives. This workshop emphasizes creativity, possibility, and joy, rather than fixing perceived flaws, empowering women to curate their lives with intention. Tune in to discover how to approach personal development with style and creativity!

Talking Points:

00:39 - Morning Routine and Excitement 01:22 - Live Like an Editor Workshop 02:05 - Possibility, Creativity, and Joy 04:24 - Curate Your Life Like a Designer 05:05 - Perspective Shift: See Potential, Not Flaws 07:10 - Thoughtfully Select and Organize 07:54 - Transform Possibilities into Reality 11:09 - Create a Vision and Anchor It 14:00 -Work with What You Have 17:48 - Focus Room by Room 21:10 - Cultivate a Figure-Outable Mindset 26:11 - Perspectives to Curate Your Life

Quotes:

"When you curate your life like a designer, you look at possibility."

"Being a designer means seeing potential where others see limitations."

"You're afraid of choosing the wrong thing to work towards, and so therefore it's just easier to pretend that you don't know and you're confused about it because then you don't have to take action."

"You've got to start with where you are and with what you have."

"If you could choose one area of your life to focus on this year that would have the biggest impact on the rest of your life, where would you focus?"

"When you think like a designer, you know that every challenge has a solution."

"The quality of your life really does depend on the quality of your questions."

Useful  Resources:

Click HERE for the Live Like an Editor Workshop

Click HERE to join the Membership 

Click HERE for a FREE download 

Click HERE to sign up for our newsletter, The Edit

Connect with Self-Image Coach Tonya Leigh:

Click HERE to follow our Instagram

Click HERE to visit our website

Click HERE to visit our Facebook group

Click HERE to follow our TikTok

Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel

Transforming 'Should' into 'Desire': A Journey to Self-Discovery

The word "should" carries significant weight in our lives, often representing obligation and criticism. In this podcast episode, Tonya Leigh explores the profound impact that this single word can have on our mental and emotional well-being. When we use "should," it typically conveys a sense of duty or correctness, suggesting that there is a right way to do things. This inherent judgment can lead to feelings of shame and guilt, ultimately hindering our personal growth and fulfillment.

She shares a relatable story about a listener named Jeanette, who eagerly anticipates Tonya's annual Live Like an Editor workshop as a tool for success. Tonya emphasizes the importance of breaking free from the cycle of "shoulds" that keep us playing small and reflects on her decision to take January for deep reflection before diving into the new year.

Tune in to discover strategies for overcoming the pressure of expectations and embracing your true desires.

Talking Points: 

00:32 - Breaking Free from "Shoulds" 01:56 - Reflecting on the New Year 03:31 - The Concept of "Should Season" 05:09 - Definition of "Should" and Its Implications 08:00 - The Harm of "Should" in Personal Growth 10:24 - Internal "Shoulds" and Self-Criticism 13:31 - The Pressure of Societal Expectations 16:14 - The Paradox of Self-Acceptance 19:25 - The Body Test for True Desires 23:32 - Building a Life Based on True Desires 24:56 - Conclusion: Embracing True Desires

Quotes:

"It's when shame and guilt becomes your compass instead of desire being your guide."

"To argue with reality is to argue with God and you only lose 100% of the time."

"The curious paradox is when I accept myself as I am, then I can change."

"It's only when I've gotten in touch with my true desires and made those the goals that I have had years where I felt excited, where I felt aligned, where I felt like I was moving towards my own North Star."

"If you are building a life off of fear and shame shoulds, you are going to be building a prison for yourself."

"Your desires are never wrong. They're simply showing you the way home to yourself."

Useful  Resources:

Click HERE for Five Essential Quesions

Click HERE for the FREE Shake-Up List

Click HERE to join the Membership 

Click HERE for a FREE download 

Click HERE to sign up for our newsletter, The Edit

Connect with Self-Image Coach Tonya Leigh:

Click HERE to follow our Instagram

Click HERE to visit our website

Click HERE to visit our Facebook group

Click HERE to follow our TikTok

Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel

The Shake Up List: 99 Daring Ways to Live Life Differently

To break free from monotony and stagnation, it is essential to engage in new experiences, meet new people, and expose ourselves to different ideas and activities. This concept is central to the discussion in the podcast episode, where Tonya Leigh emphasizes the importance of shaking things up in our lives to foster personal growth and transformation.

Tonya explores the theme of breaking free from the monotony of everyday life. She acknowledges the feelings of being in a rut that many women experience, even when life seems perfectly fine on the surface. She emphasizes the importance of shaking things up to step into new possibilities and change and discusses how repetitive routines can solidify a self-image that keeps us stuck.

Join Tonya as she invites you to embrace change and discover new ways to invigorate your life.

Talking Points:

00:42 - Embracing Change and Possibilities 03:01 - Balancing Routine with New Challenges 04:15 -The Shake Up List 08:00 - The Benefits of Unplugged Time 11:03 - Experimenting with New Approaches 14:08 - Following Curiosity  20:26 - Creative Momentum  22:45 - Empowering Yourself to Shake Things Up

Quotes:

"Shaking up your life is doing things differently."

"I've realized that my best ideas and biggest breakthroughs often come when I'm not actively pursuing them."

"Follow your curiosity. Follow what lights you up. Follow those little glimmers."

"Something within me, my intuition spoke to me and said, yes, this is the next step for you."

"There's nothing like a party to shake up your life."

"The truth is we all have the power to shake up our lives at any moment."

Useful  Resources:

Click HERE to join the Membership 

Click HERE for a FREE download 

Click HERE to sign up for our newsletter, The Edit

Click HERE for the FREE Shake Up List

Connect with Self-Image Coach Tonya Leigh:

Click HERE to follow our Instagram

Click HERE to visit our website

Click HERE to visit our Facebook group

Click HERE to follow our TikTok

Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel

Transform Your Year with Intentional Living

Choosing a "Word of the Year" is a powerful practice that can significantly enhance personal development and focus intentions throughout the year. This concept, as discussed in the podcast episode, revolves around selecting a single word that embodies the qualities and aspirations one wishes to cultivate in their life. 

Host Tonya Leigh reflects on the transformative power of simplifying life to create more meaningful experiences. After feeling overwhelmed by a packed schedule and material possessions, she poses a pivotal question: "What if I could do less but better?" This introspection leads her to select a guiding word for the year that embodies elegance, intentionality, and refined living. Tonya shares her journey of unplugging from work during the holidays, highlighting the importance of renewal and self-care.

Join her as she explores the art of pursuing a beautiful life through intentional choices and a focus on quality over quantity.

Talking Points:

00:31 - The Transformative Question 02:09 - Reflecting on Last Year 03:03 - Choosing the Word of the Year 04:08 - Importance of Deep Reflection 07:07 - Turning Frustrations into Opportunities 08:02 - The Concept of Essentialism 10:10 - Greg McCowan's Book on Essentialism 12:08 - The Impact of Too Many Choices 15:00 - Behind the Scenes of a Successful Business 17:01 - Applying Essentialism to All Areas of Life 17:55 - Questions for Exploring Essentialism

Quotes:

"What if I could do less but better?"

"I made all of those decisions that led to me being in this moment with a lot of things to get done today."

"Last year's frustrations are this year's opportunities."

"It isn't about deprivation. It's about elevation. It's the art of elegant elimination."

"Luxury is different for all of us. It does not mean designer handbags. It's a feeling."

"There's something about this word that has convicted me at the deepest, deepest level."

Useful  Resources:

Click HERE to join the Membership 

Click HERE for a FREE download 

Click HERE to sign up for our newsletter, The Edit

Click HERE for 2025 Essential Questions

Connect with Self-Image Coach Tonya Leigh:

Click HERE to follow our Instagram

Click HERE to visit our website

Click HERE to visit our Facebook group

Click HERE to follow our TikTok

Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel

Looking Back, Living Now, and Celebrating the Future: A New Year’s Practice

The "champagne mindset" is a transformative approach to life that encourages individuals to celebrate not only their successes but also the challenges they face. This mindset is rooted in the understanding that both victories and obstacles are essential components of personal growth and resilience.

As we welcome the year 2025, Tonya shares her personal New Year's tradition of celebrating intentionally, emphasizing the importance of rewiring our brains to focus on positivity and possibility. She explains how our thoughts shape our focus and, ultimately, our lives. By embracing the champagne mindset, which combines celebration with resilience, listeners are encouraged to seek out extraordinary moments in everyday life and to celebrate both challenges and victories.

Tune in to discover how this mindset can shift your perspective and enhance your journey towards your biggest goals.

Talking Points:

00:41 - Reflecting on the Past Year 02:06 - Defining the Champagne Mindset 04:14 - Growth Through Challenges 06:00 - Authentic Goals and Self-Image 07:04 - Celebrating the Past 08:09 - Celebrating the Present 09:40 - The Science of Focus and Abundance 12:23 - The Be-Do-Have Model 14:09 - Taking Control of Your Story 15:03 - Celebrating the Future 19:00 - Aligning Actions with Future Success 20:06 - The Champagne Mindset in Practice 21:40 - Writing and Editing Your Life Story

Quotes:

"I call this the champagne mindset. It is an approach to life that combines celebration with resilience."

"To create something you've never had, you have to become someone you've never been."

"The more you celebrate life, the more life celebrates you."

"You have to take control of your story. You have to take control of your narrative."

"The brain has a difficulty distinguishing between vivid imagination and reality."

Useful  Resources:

Click HERE to join the Membership 

Click HERE for a FREE download 

Click HERE to sign up for our newsletter, The Edit

Connect with Self-Image Coach Tonya Leigh:

Click HERE to follow our Instagram

Click HERE to visit our website

Click HERE to visit our Facebook group

Click HERE to follow our TikTok

Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel

Embracing Enoughness: Transforming Your Mindset This Holiday Season

An abundant self-image is fundamentally rooted in the belief that one's worth is expansive, regenerative, and independent of external validation or accomplishments. This perspective shifts the focus from a scarcity mindset—where individuals often feel inadequate or insufficient—to an empowering understanding of self-worth that is inherent and limitless.

In this special Christmas Day episode of the School of Self-Image, host Tonya Leigh shares her heartfelt reflections on abundance and gratitude. After a morning of journaling, Tonya expresses her desire for every woman to experience the overwhelming joy she felt while making her morning coffee. Instead of a tangible gift, she emphasizes the importance of a mindset shift, proposing that the greatest gift she can offer is an abundant self-image. Join Tonya as she dives into the transformative power of self-perception and how it can lead to a more fulfilling life.

Happy holidays!

Talking Points:

00:32 - Christmas Day Reflections 01:26 - The Gift of an Abundant Self-Image 02:08 - Understanding Scarcity Mindset 03:01 - Shifting Focus to Abundance 05:57 - Physical Presence and Self-Image 07:02 - Relationships and Boundaries 09:29 - Expressing Needs  11:21 - Holding Multiple Truths 13:27 - Trusting Intuition  14:12 - Taking Risks Without Guarantees 16:09 - Aligning Opportunities with Values 18:38 - Spending with an Abundant Mindset 19:09 - Generosity Without Depletion 20:04 - New Year Wishes

Quotes:

"If I could walk up to your door, knock on it and give you a box and you open it, this year I would want that gift to be an abundant self image."

"To me, they are proving the enoughness that I am wanting, that I am looking for."

"An abundant self-image is you having the understanding of what you need and articulating that in a way that others then understand it."

"Choosing based on what lights you up. That's such an abundant energy."

"To me, it's also about investing in your personal growth without needing to justify every penny."

"An abundant self-image is a woman who sees herself as enough, who sees the world as having enough, and who shows up in that state of enoughness."

Useful  Resources:

Click HERE to join the Membership 

Click HERE for a FREE download 

Click HERE to sign up for our newsletter, The Edit

Connect with Self-Image Coach Tonya Leigh:

Click HERE to follow our Instagram

Click HERE to visit our website

Click HERE to visit our Facebook group

Click HERE to follow our TikTok

Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel

From Postpartum Struggles to Unstoppable Confidence: A Conversation with Ellison Ward

The significance of setting small, achievable goals emerges as a vital strategy for fostering confidence and momentum in personal development in this candid coversation with Ellison Ward. Ellison shares her transformative journey from feeling overwhelmed and trapped in a cycle of inactivity to embracing incremental changes that reshaped her life.

Tonya Leigh welcomes Ellison Ward to discuss the transformative power of reinvention. Ellison shares her personal journey of overcoming postpartum depression and the struggles she faced in rediscovering herself. Tonya and Ellison explore the importance of community and support during times of change, highlighting how the School of Self-Image has played a pivotal role in Ellison's transformation. This episode offers inspiration and practical insights for women looking to embrace their own journeys of self-reinvention. Tune in to hear Ellison's remarkable story and learn how you too can embark on the path to rediscovery and empowerment.

Talking Points:

00:31 - Ellison Ward's After Story 01:02 - Meeting Ellison in London 01:22 - Ellison's Background and Struggles 04:09 - The Challenge of Taking the First Step 04:47 - Overwhelmed and Anxious Feelings 07:48 - Advice for Women Feeling Stuck 10:12 - Building Confidence Through Small Wins 11:06 - The Importance of Community 13:08 - Identifying Limiting Beliefs 14:02 - Overcoming People-Pleasing 16:19 - Influence of Ellison's Grandmother 17:01 - Shifting Focus from Past to Future 19:34 - Echo Effect of Achieving One Goal 23:07 - Focusing on Energy and Health 24:58 - Enjoying Life's Pleasures 25:47 - Mastering Your Day 26:33 - Gratitude and Future Plans

Quotes:

"I thought, sink or swim, I gotta do this. There's no excuse."

"I set small goals... those small goals get you to the big, and then you don't feel overwhelmed."

"You just need one person in your life that offers you a possibility that you never thought would be possible."

"Sometimes they want to fight with me on it. And I'm like, listen, you're going to thank me later."

"If you want to master your life, master your day."

Useful  Resources:

Click HERE to join the Membership 

Click HERE for a FREE download 

Click HERE to sign up for our newsletter, The Edit

Connect with Self-Image Coach Tonya Leigh:

Click HERE to follow our Instagram

Click HERE to visit our website

Click HERE to visit our Facebook group

Click HERE to follow our TikTok

Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel