What if success wasn’t about fitting into hustle culture, but about shaping your life around your energy, values, and needs?

In this conversation, I’m joined by Annie Hoogendoorn, Lifestyle Design Coach and founder of Bloem, who supports highly sensitive and neurodivergent high achievers to transition out of draining careers and into rhythms that truly honor their energy, purpose, and well-being.

Annie’s story is one of courage and reinvention — from the creative hustle of Amsterdam, to the fast-paced corporate tech world in Portland, to the deep burnout that finally led her to slow down, listen inward, and reimagine how life could feel. Today, she helps others do the same: decondition from hustle culture, reconnect with the body’s wisdom, and design lives that feel not just successful, but truly sustainable.

Together, we explore:
🌿 Why “deconditioning” is the first step toward an aligned life
🌿 How to reconnect with your intuition and body’s guidance when it feels foreign
🌿 The unique challenges highly sensitive and neurodivergent high achievers face in work and business
🌿 How to create systems and structures that support your energy instead of draining it
🌿 The hidden cost of productivity culture — and what becomes possible when you uncouple self-worth from constant achievement
🌿 Gentle, practical practices Annie uses to reconnect with herself on difficult days

Annie’s perspective is both deeply compassionate and practical, reminding us that reconnection isn’t about perfection — it’s about softening, creating space, and returning to ourselves, over and over again.

Practical Steps to Try

✅ Time blocks with intention: Schedule work in 60–90 minute chunks, followed by short breaks for movement, breath, or rest.

✅ Energy mapping: Notice when your focus and creativity are highest during the day, and align your most demanding tasks with those windows.

✅ Build restorative rituals: Pair your work with small nourishing practices — a walk, yin yoga, or mindful tea — so that energy is replenished, not depleted.

✅ Simplify your systems: Use a daily check-in to name your top 1–2 priorities instead of scattering energy across endless to-dos.

Journal Prompts for Reflection

🖊️ What systems or routines in my life currently drain me more than they support me?
🖊️ When during the day do I feel most alive, creative, or focused? How can I honor that?
🖊️ What belief ties my sense of worth to productivity — and is it really true?
🖊️ If I trusted my body as my guide, what one change would I make in how I structure my day?

Resources & Links

✨ Learn more about Annie’s work here
✨ Download her free Life Audit Workbook here
✨ Connect with Annie on Instagram

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Sometimes it’s not your mind that’s exhausted — it’s your body holding the day’s story.
We talk a lot about our emotions, name them, analyze them… but feeling them fully — all the way through — is a completely different experience.

In this episode, I share a gentle but powerful practice I call the Emotional Exhale — a way to release what you’ve been carrying in under five minutes, so you can arrive back home in yourself.

We explore:

• Why we often stop short of feeling big emotions to completion, and how this leaves residue in the body.

• How subtle, everyday emotions pile up when we skip over them — creating a dull, heavy in-between state.

• The emotional “mixed-bag fog” and why it can leave you confused about what you’re really feeling.

• How the Emotional Exhale can act like opening a window in a stale room — bringing in fresh space for clarity, softness, and presence.

This episode also includes a guided practice to help you:

• Create an inner space to welcome what’s truly there

• Offer presence to the residue you’ve been carrying

• Ride the full wave of sensation until it naturally completes

• Make space inside you for whatever newness wants to come in

Whether you’re moving through a big life wave or simply want to end your day feeling lighter, this practice is here to help you pause, reset, and reconnect.

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

Q: What exactly is an “emotional exhale”?
It’s a short, intentional pause where you let your body and nervous system release what’s been building up — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Think of it as the moment you finally open a window in a stuffy room.

Q: Do I have to feel all my emotions to benefit from this practice?
Not at all. The beauty of the emotional exhale is that it’s gentle. You’re simply creating space for whatever is here right now — whether that’s a tidal wave of feeling or just a subtle ripple. You’re not forcing anything, just allowing.

Q: What if I’m not sure what I’m feeling?
That’s actually really common. Many of us live in a kind of “emotional mixed bag” — a bit of sadness, a hint of frustration, maybe even some joy — all blended together. You don’t need to name it to feel it. The practice works even when all you sense is a vague heaviness or restlessness.

Q: How often should I do an emotional exhale?
You can use it anytime — as a midday reset, after a stressful moment, or at the end of your workday to clear the slate before your evening. Even a couple of minutes can make a difference.

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What if we didn’t have to choose between being deeply connected to others or being true to ourselves?

In this episode of Embodied Living, I’m joined by Jessica JJ Lutz — author, speaker, and creator of the We-Mind vs Me-Mind framework — to explore how we can move beyond binary thinking and inhabit a more integrated, embodied way of relating to life, work, and ourselves.

Whether you find yourself constantly giving to others or fiercely protecting your autonomy, this conversation invites you to soften the divide — and discover what it means to live from alignment rather than opposition.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The difference between the We-Mind and the Me-Mind — and how both can coexist

• How to recognize when we’re acting from one or the other

• Cultural influences on how we relate to connection and autonomy

• How to balance empathy with boundaries

  Key Takeaways

• You don’t have to choose between being kind and being true to yourself

• The We-Mind can lead to connection and harmony, but also self-abandonment if unconscious

• The Me-Mind supports self-trust and agency, but can isolate when overused

• Awareness is the bridge — learning to recognize where you're operating from allows more freedom and choice

• Integration is the goal: honoring both your individuality and your need for connection

Journal Prompts for Reflection

💭 When do I feel most “me”? When do I feel most “we”?

💭 How can I create space for both — without sacrificing one?

💭 What moments recently gave me the feeling of “yes — this is enough”?

💭 How can I celebrate those moments in my body more consciously?

Practical Steps to try here

📥 Get My Free Guide!
Want simple ways to reconnect to yourself daily? Download my free guide: 5 Easy Ways to Reconnect to Yourself Daily

Do you ever feel like work is taking over your life? Between back-to-back meetings, deadlines, and responsibilities, finding time for yourself can feel impossible. Stress, tension, and burnout often creep in unnoticed—but what if well-being didn’t have to be an afterthought?

In this episode, I sit down with Irina Oshchepkova, a well-being guide, corporate wellness strategist, and retreat leader, who helps busy professionals integrate movement, mindfulness, and meditation into their daily routines. With over 12 years of corporate experience in high-pressure environments and 1,400+ hours of yoga teaching, Irina offers practical, science-backed strategies to help professionals feel more energized, focused, and at ease—even on the busiest days.

💡 Her mission? To make well-being a natural part of daily life—helping professionals manage stress, reconnect with their bodies, and create sustainable habits that support both their work and personal lives.

In this episode, we dive into:

🧘‍♀️ How Irina transitioned from the corporate world to wellness coaching
📌 The biggest stressors professionals face—and how to counter them
⏳ The myth of "I don't have time" & how to embed well-being into your workday
🧠 The impact of stress on your body & mind—and simple shifts to reset
🌟 The Shape Method: A 5-step framework for stress-proofing your life
🏢 How companies can prioritize employee well-being & foster a healthier workplace
🏕️ The power of wellness retreats & why even a weekend getaway can transform your mindset

Key Takeaways

🎯 Stress management doesn’t have to take hours. Small, strategic micro-practices can make a huge difference.
🚀 Well-being is a leadership skill. Leaders who prioritize their own well-being set the tone for a healthier, more productive work culture.
⏸️ Mindful pauses reset your energy. A 60-second breathing exercise can shift your state before responding to stressful situations.
🌱 You can’t pour from an empty cup. Prioritizing your well-being isn’t selfish—it’s essential.

Practical Steps to Manage Stress Daily

✅ Take micro-breaks: Stand, stretch, or walk for 5 minutes every hour.
✅ Breathe with awareness: Try a simple deep-breathing exercise before meetings.
✅ Incorporate movement: Even small stretches at your desk can relieve tension.
✅ Pause before reacting: Take a deep breath before responding to emails or conflicts.
✅ Set an intention daily: Start your morning with clarity on how you want to feel.

Journal Prompts for Reflection

💭 What small shift can I make today to feel more at ease?
💭 When do I feel most stressed, and how can I proactively manage that moment?
💭 How can I bring more presence into my workday?

Resources & Links:

🌐 Visit Irina’s website: Yoga Shape
📲 Follow Irina on Instagram: @yoga.shape
🔗 Connect with Irina on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/irinaoshchepkova
🧘‍♀️ Join a retreat: Check out upcoming Yoga & Hiking Retreats in Italy, Portugal, and Greece

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Ever feel like you’re running on fumes, trying to balance work, life, and everything in between?
In this episode of Embodied Living, we’re diving into the subtle art of staying connected to yourself while showing up fully for your work. Because let's be real—hustle culture tells us to go harder, faster, longer… but where does that leave us? Tired. Disconnected. Wondering if we’re doing it wrong.

This episode is an invitation to pause. To rethink what success and balance mean to you. To discover how you can nurture your ambition while tending to your body’s need for rest, presence, and satisfaction.

💡 In This Episode, We Explore:

✔️ Why the hustle mindset feels so addictive—and how to step out of it.
✔️ The hidden cost of seeing productivity as your worth.
✔️ How redefining success can open the door to more ease and clarity.
✔️ Three practical ways to stay connected to yourself during your busiest days.
✔️ The surprising power of celebrating “enough” to break free from the endless chase.

🌱 Key Takeaways: How to Stay Grounded While Staying Ambitious

💡 The Hustle Mindset Is a Trap:
We’ve been conditioned to link our self-worth with how much we achieve. But the truth? Productivity doesn’t define your value. Learn why slowing down isn’t laziness—it’s wisdom.

💡 Balance Isn’t Perfect Time Management:
Forget the perfectly color-coded schedule. Balance is about feeling into your needs throughout the day—recognizing when you're energized, when you're drained, and when it's time to pause.

💡 Satisfaction Is the Missing Piece:
What if instead of endlessly chasing more, you defined what’s “enough” for today? Celebrating small wins helps your nervous system feel safe and your mind stay present.

💡 Your Body Holds the Key:
Simple practices like deep exhales, grounding your feet, or tuning into your body’s sensations can shift you out of stress mode and into a state of clarity and calm.

💡 Success Isn’t Just External:
Success isn't measured by your to-do list. It's measured by how alive and fulfilled you feel along the way.

🛠️ 3 Simple Practices to Stay Connected (Even on Busy Days)

🔹 The 30-Second Exhale
Pause during your workday for three deep exhales. Exhale with sound if possible—letting go of tension and inviting your mind back into your body.

🔹 Embodied Goal-Setting
When setting a goal, ask: What feeling am I chasing? Instead of focusing solely on deadlines, tune into the sensations you want to experience along the way.

🔹 Reevaluating Movement & Stillness
Movement fuels creativity and momentum—but so does stillness. Take a moment to ask yourself: Am I moving because it feels good or because I feel I should? Some days, a brisk walk or a stretch will energize you; other days, sitting quietly with a hand on your heart will do more to restore your balance. Let your body, not your to-do list, guide the choice.

✏️ Journal Prompts to Bring This Into Your Life

💭 When was the last time I felt deeply restored? What supported that feeling?
💭 How can I tell when I'm pushing too hard—and what helps me pause?
💭 What would it look like to feel satisfied today?

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Why does food feel so complicated? Why do so many of us struggle to trust our hunger, feel guilty for eating, or second-guess what our bodies need?

In this special episode—my first-ever guest episode!—I sit down withKimberly Giesin, a trained chef and embodiment coach, to unpack the journey ofreconnecting with your body through food—without guilt, rules, or restriction.

Kimberly shares her powerful story ofrecovering from an eating disorder and how shehealed her relationship with food through mindfulness, self-compassion, and embodiment. Her journey is a testament to what’s possible when we step away fromcontrol and restriction and intoa space of gentle awareness and self-trust.

Becauseyour body is not the enemy, and you deserve to feel at home in it.

🌟 In This Episode, We Explore:

✔️ Why so many women feel disconnected from their hunger and fullness cues
✔️ How dieting and food rules impact your body’s natural signals
✔️ What it means to truly listen to and trust your body again
✔️ The role of embodiment & pleasure in healing food struggles
✔️ Small, doable steps to shift from food anxiety to body trust

💡 Key Takeaways from Kimberly

💡Your body is wise—learning to listen to it is key.
Kimberly explains that many women are taught to ignore their hunger cues and rely on external rules. The first step toward healing is tuning back into your own body’s signals.

💡Diet culture disconnects us from our intuition.
Constant dieting and food rules create fear and confusion around eating. Instead of following rigid plans, ask yourself what truly nourishes and satisfies you.

💡Emotions and eating are deeply connected.
Food is not just fuel—it’s tied to comfort, memory, and emotions. Instead of judging emotional eating, get curious about what your body is actually asking for.

💡Control isn’t the answer—trust is.
The more we try to control our eating, the more disconnected we become from our bodies. Healing is about trusting that your body knows what it needs when given the chance.

💡Healing your relationship with food is a process.
It won’t happen overnight, but small, daily shifts can bring moreease, peace, and pleasure into your eating habits.

For Practical tips and Journaling prompts, gohere

Find out more about Kimberly Giesin

📍Website:kimberlygiesin.com
📍Instagram:@kimberly.giesin
📍Email: hello@kimberlygiesin.com
✨Grab Kimberly’s Free Gift! ✨
Want to cultivategratitude & body trust in a simple, daily way? Kimberly is offering afree guided Gratitude Practice—get it here:Gratitude Freebie

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