Last week we talked about one of the biggest mindset shifts around boundaries: "I don't want to" is a perfectly good reason to say no.

But that leaves a very practical question...

How do you actually say no without feeling like a jerk?

In this episode, I'm sharing the surprisingly simple formula for saying no with confidence, without apologizing, overexplaining, making excuses, or accidentally inviting people to argue with you.

We'll talk about:

• Why a short, direct no is often the kindest response
• What to do when someone won't accept your answer
• Why letting other people have their feelings is one of the greatest gifts you can give them.

If saying no makes your stomach flip, this episode will help you protect your time and energy without carrying around a suitcase full of guilt.

SARAH'S INSTAGRAM

Coach With Sarah

Sarah offers a 6-month nervous system coaching program for humans who are neurodivergent, sensitive, and highly creative. Learn to rewire your brain for calm, load up your stress toolkit, and address the root causes of overwhelm . To learn more and get started, schedule your free consult or email sarah@sarahmaurercoaching.com.

Have you ever noticed that you feel like you need a really, really good reason to say no?

Like donating-a-kidney-level good.

Because somehow, "I don't want to" doesn't seem like enough.

In this episode, we're talking about why so many of us treat other people's wants like they're our obligations, and why that habit is quietly draining our time, energy, and nervous system.

In this episode of Climb Your Mountain, I'll share four mindset shifts that will help you stop people pleasing, say no without making up elaborate excuses, and finally believe that protecting your time isn't selfish. It's part of being the person you're here to be.

If you've ever said yes with resentment, rehearsed fake excuses in the shower, or spent way too much energy worrying that someone might think you're mean... this one's for you.

Coach With Sarah

Sarah offers a 6-month nervous system coaching program for humans who are neurodivergent, sensitive, and highly creative. Learn to rewire your brain for calm, load up your stress toolkit, and address the root causes of overwhelm . To learn more and get started, schedule your free consult or email sarah@sarahmaurercoaching.com.

Should you invest in therapy, coaching, or both? And why does this question somehow feel more stressful than picking a health insurance plan? (Which, admittedly, is a very low bar.)

In this episode, I'm answering some of the most common questions I hear about coaching and therapy. We talk about whether a degree automatically makes someone better at helping people, why insurance-covered therapy isn't always the bargain it seems, how to choose the right person to support your growth, and why fit matters more than most people realize. Along the way, I share a few stories from my own experiences, including a truly unforgettable 15-minute mental health appointment that left me wondering if I needed therapy for the therapy.

Most importantly, we're talking about the return on investment of working on yourself. Because while a bigger house, a fancy car, or a dream vacation can be lovely, you're still bringing the same brain along for the ride. The skills that help you process emotions, set boundaries, challenge old beliefs, and stay calm when life gets messy? Those are gifts you get to keep forever. If you've been wondering whether investing in your emotional well-being is worth it, this episode is for you.

Coach With Sarah

Sarah offers a 6-month nervous system coaching program for humans who are neurodivergent, sensitive, and highly creative. Learn to rewire your brain for calm, load up your stress toolkit, and address the root causes of overwhelm . To learn more and get started, schedule your free consult or email sarah@sarahmaurercoaching.com.

How do you choose the right therapist or coach when there are so many options... and the stakes feel pretty high?

In this episode, we're talking about one of the most overlooked factors in personal growth: the relationship between you and your helper. Yes, training, credentials, and methods matter. But whether you're looking for a therapist, coach, or some other kind of support, research consistently shows that the connection itself is often what creates the biggest shifts. I'll share what I've learned from working with a lot of coaches, seeing several therapists, and investing many thousands of dollars in my own growth. We'll talk about why the most qualified person on paper isn't always the best fit, how to tell if someone's style works for you, and what to look for before investing.

We'll also cover how to do your homework when coaching is largely unregulated, why consuming someone's free content can tell you more than a page full of testimonials, and the questions you should ask before signing a contract.

If you're wondering whether coaching, therapy, or a particular practitioner is right for you, this episode will help you make a more informed decision, and hopefully save you some time, money, and awkward Zoom calls.

CONTACT SARAH

Instagram: @missadventurepants

Email: sarah@missadventurepants.com

Coach With Sarah

Sarah offers a 6-month nervous system coaching program for humans who are neurodivergent, sensitive, and highly creative. Learn to rewire your brain for calm, load up your stress toolkit, and address the root causes of overwhelm . To learn more and get started, schedule your free consult or email sarah@sarahmaurercoaching.com.

If you’re struggling with your mental health, feeling stuck in life, or wondering whether life coaching or therapy is the better investment, this episode is for you. As someone who has worked as both a therapist and a coach, I’m breaking down the real differences between the two — without the black-and-white internet hot takes. We’ll talk about when therapy is the smartest place to start, when coaching can help you grow faster, and why some people benefit from both.

We’re diving into everything from anxiety, trauma, and depression to stress, burnout, boundaries, habits, career transitions, and personal development. Plus, I’ll share some surprising exceptions to the “rules,” including why some coaches can be incredibly effective for deeper emotional work — and why finding the right practitioner matters more than the title on their website. If you’ve ever wondered where to invest your time, energy, and money to actually feel better and move forward, this conversation will help you make a more informed decision.

Coach With Sarah

Sarah offers a 6-month nervous system coaching program for humans who are neurodivergent, sensitive, and highly creative. Learn to rewire your brain for calm, load up your stress toolkit, and address the root causes of overwhelm . To learn more and get started, schedule your free consult or email sarah@sarahmaurercoaching.com.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you need a therapist or a coach — or why the internet seems so divided about it — this episode breaks it all down without the black-and-white thinking. We explore the real differences between therapy and coaching, where they overlap, and what most people misunderstand about both professions. From licensing, ethics, and evidence-based treatment to personal growth, goal setting, and modern coaching culture, you’ll learn what each role is actually designed to do — and how to decide what kind of support is right for you.

WORK WITH SARAH

• Click here to schedule a free coaching consult

Ever mess up — and feel like everyone saw?

In this episode of the Climb Your Mountain Podcast, life coach Sarah Maurer dives into what to do when you’re feeling judged. Maybe you missed a meeting at work. Yelled at your kid in Target. Snapped at your aging parent. Got dumped and now dread showing up solo to your cousin’s wedding.

Sometimes people really are judging. But here’s the deeper truth: it only burns when you’re judging yourself too.

We explore why shame hits hardest when you secretly believe you should be better, more perfect, more put-together. Often that harsh inner voice isn’t even yours — it’s an old parent, teacher, coach, or middle school bully living rent-free in your head.

This episode covers:

• Why imagined judgment feels so real
• The two common protection patterns: ruthless perfectionism or freezing and playing small
• Tall poppy syndrome and the fear of visibility
• Why failure is proof you’re in the arena

Inspired by Theodore Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” quote, this conversation is about choosing courage over criticism.

You’ll learn practical life coaching tools to build real self love and self compassion:

• How to talk to yourself like a supportive coach (not a drill sergeant)
• Making mistakes an exception, not your identity
• Normalizing failure as part of growth
• Building emotional strength to handle shame, disappointment, and embarrassment without numbing out

When you stop joining in on your own judgment, everything changes. You can make mistakes at work and still believe in your value. Parent imperfectly and still see yourself as a great mom. Ask for what you want in dating. Take the big swing.

Everything you desire lives on the other side of fear and failure.

Enjoy ❤️

WORK WITH SARAH

Curious about how life coaching can help you? You can schedule a free consultation by:

• Clicking here and grabbing some time on my calendar
• Emailing me at sarah@missadventurepants.com

FOLLOW SARAH ON INSTAGRAM

• @missadventurepants

Raise your hand if you want to feel more love in your life.

In this episode of the Climb Your Mountain Podcast, life coach Sarah Maurer explores a belief many of us carry: that love comes from other people. If you’re single and worried you’re missing out… if you’re in a relationship but don’t feel fully loved… or if you secretly believe you’re just “not lovable enough,” this conversation is for you.

We unpack the hidden “love manuals” we create — the unspoken rules about how someone must behave for us to feel loved (they must say “I love you,” remember birthdays, help around the house, respond sexually, get us completely). When those rules aren’t followed, we feel rejected, unseen, or alone.

But here’s the shift: other people don’t create your feelings. They don’t beam love into you. The emotion of love is created by your thoughts, your beliefs, and the stories you tell yourself.

This episode dives into:

• Why trying to control others to feel loved never works
• How people-pleasing and relationship anxiety are rooted in fear of being unloved
• Why “they hurt my feelings” misses the deeper truth
• The powerful reframe: all love is self love

Sarah shares practical life coaching tools to help you build real self love and self compassion, including:

• Noticing harsh self-talk
• Challenging the story that you’re “lazy,” “too much,” or “not enough”
• Learning to validate yourself
• Celebrating small wins and personal growth

When you become your own source of love, everything changes. You can enjoy being single. You can speak honestly in relationships. You can stop trying to control your partner’s behavior. You can feel steady and connected — even in lonely seasons.

If you’re ready to feel more loving, lovable, and secure from the inside out, this episode is your starting point.

Enjoy ❤️

WORK WITH SARAH

Curious about how life coaching can help you? You can schedule a free consultation by:

• Clicking here and grabbing some time on my calendar
• Emailing me at sarah@missadventurepants.com