This week on Don't Shrink to Fit, I had the privilege of sitting down with the incredible Lori Pappas—a woman who has shattered expectations, defied societal norms, and lived life entirely on her own terms.

Lori’s story is a testament to resilience, choice, and the magic of saying YES—not just to opportunities, but to yourself. She shares her journey from overcoming a challenging childhood to building a successful business in a male-dominated industry, redefining success on her own terms, and eventually embracing love and purpose in ways she never expected.

Here are some of the powerful takeaways from this episode:

✨ You always have a choice – No matter where you come from or what life throws at you, you have the power to shape your future. Lori reminds us that even in the most difficult circumstances, we can choose to rise above.

✨ Mistakes are not failures – Lori believes in making as many mistakes as possible, as quickly as possible—because that’s how we learn, grow, and build resilience. Her perspective on mistakes will change the way you see setbacks forever.

✨ Success is yours to define – What if success isn’t about fitting into a mold but about crafting a life that aligns with your deepest values? Lori shares how she has redefined success at every stage of her life and encourages us to do the same.

✨ Saying YES opens doors you never imagined – Lori’s book, The Magic of Yes, dives deep into how embracing new opportunities, even when they’re scary, can lead to incredible transformations.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, afraid to take risks, or unsure of your next step, this episode is for you. It’s a powerful reminder that your life is yours to create. https://www.loripappas.com/

Here is your link for your FREE Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Abundance Workbook:

https://mailchi.mp/claudianoriegabernstein.com/signup_for_free_workbook

Get it now!!

Have you ever felt like you’re living a life that doesn’t truly belong to you? Maybe you’ve shaped yourself to fit the expectations of your family, your community, or the roles you thought you had to play—only to realize that, in doing so, you’ve lost touch with the real you.

I want to invite you to The art Of Unbecoming retreat coming this April 5th! Spaces are limited. https://claudianoriegabernstein.com/events/one-day-retreat-the-art-of-unbecoming/

You can connect with me at @Claudia_Noriega_Bersntein or at ClaudiaNoriegaBernstein.com to learn about my 1:1 coaching, retretas and training.

If you liked this episode please leave me a comment, share it, subscribe and give me a good review. Thank you!

Hi,
My name is Claudia Noriega-Bernstein. I am an author and I have been an inner- abundance coach for over 15 years, I help overwhelmed moms who feel lost in the daily grind break free from burnout by setting healthy boundaries, reclaiming their identity, and prioritizing themselves without guilt—so they can stop merely surviving and start thriving in a balanced, joyful life.

I...