Episode 1: I Don’t Want to Survive Anymore: The Woman Behind the Microphone
For most of my life, I was really good at surviving.
I was the dependable one. The responsible one. The helper. The fixer. The woman who could figure it out.
The “strong” one.
But somewhere along the way, I started asking myself:
What if I don’t want to be strong like this anymore? What if I actually want to live?
In the very first episode of The Empowered Exhale, I’m taking you behind the microphone and introducing you to the real me, not the Instagram bio, the degrees, the certifications, or the polished version.
Just Stephany.
I’m sharing pieces of my story, from experiencing trauma at a young age, struggling with anxiety, depression, PTSD and my mental health, to achievement, partying, searching for belonging, and eventually finding my way into the healing work I now do.
But this isn’t a story about reaching some magical finish line where everything is healed and life is easy.
Because I’m still becoming, too.
I still go to therapy. I still overthink. I still have hard days. I still catch myself falling into old patterns.
The difference is that I’m learning to meet those parts of myself with curiosity instead of judgment.
I’m learning that the versions of me I once wanted to “fix” were often the very versions that learned how to keep me safe.
And maybe you have a version of yourself like that, too.
The woman who learned to hold everything together.
The woman who became incredibly good at functioning while quietly carrying more than anyone realized.
The woman who survived.
Maybe she doesn’t need your judgment anymore.
Maybe she deserves your gratitude.
And maybe she doesn’t have to carry everything into this next chapter with you.
That’s what The Empowered Exhale is about.
Not becoming someone new.
Coming home to yourself.
In this episode, we talk about:
• The difference between being strong and being stuck in survival mode
• The parts of my story that led me to healing work
• Mental health, trauma, anxiety and the search to understand myself
• Why healing isn’t a finish line
• Learning to ask “What do I need?” instead of “What’s wrong with me?”
• Honoring the version of yourself who learned how to survive
• Rest, joy, self-trust and learning to actually experience the life you’ve built
• Why I created The Empowered Exhale and what you can expect here every Wednesday
Before you go, sit with this:
What have you been carrying that was never yours to hold?
Maybe it’s someone else’s expectations.
Maybe it’s guilt or shame.
Maybe it’s the pressure to always be the strong one.
Maybe it’s a story about yourself you’ve believed for so long that you’ve forgotten you’re allowed to question it.
You don’t have to figure it all out today.
Just get curious.
Because you don’t have to spend the rest of your life surviving.
You’re allowed to live it. 🤍
If this episode resonates with you, follow The Empowered Exhale so we can meet back here every Wednesday.
And if someone came to mind while you were listening, the friend, sister, coworker, or woman who always seems strong but might be carrying more than anyone realizes, send this episode to her. 🤍
Connect with me
Want to stay connected, learn more about me, explore ways to work together, or find my latest resources and offerings?
👉 https://linktr.ee/stephdmitchellcoaching
The Empowered Exhale with Stephany D. Mitchell
Come as you are. Leave a little lighter. 🎙️🤍
Send us Fan Mail
If this episode resonates with you, follow The Empowered Exhale so we can meet back here every Wednesday.
And if someone came to mind while you were listening, the friend, sister, coworker, or woman who always seems strong but might be carrying more than anyone realizes, send this episode to her. 🤍
Connect with me
Want to stay connected, learn more about me, explore ways to work together, or find my latest resources and offerings?
👉 https://linktr.ee/stephdmitchellcoaching
The Empowered Exhale with Stephany D. Mitchell
Come as you are. Leave a little lighter. 🎙️🤍
