What if your life changed the moment you stopped trying to make everyone else happy?

In today's episode, I sit down with Amy Hager — messaging and marketing mentor, speaker, and overall incredible human — for a conversation that goes far beyond business.

Amy shares how racing go-karts at nine years old taught her about visibility, resilience, relationship building, and showing up even when you don't win. From there, we dive into people pleasing, perfectionism, authenticity, boundaries, vulnerability, and learning how to stop carrying responsibility for everyone else's emotions.

This episode is full of honest reflections, mindset shifts, and reminders that you do not have to be perfect to be impactful.

We also talk about:

• Why no one "bats 1,000" and why that's okay
• Learning to focus on what you can control
• The emotional and physical cost of living out of alignment
• How to know what's yours to carry — and what isn't
• Setting boundaries with family and difficult relationships
• Why your message should attract and repel
• The power of "I am" statements and asking yourself: "What do I stand for?"
• Showing up authentically in business and life
• Why vulnerability doesn't mean being an open book
• The importance of reflection, self-awareness, and self-trust

One of my favorite takeaways from this conversation is the reminder that authenticity is not about being perfect — it's about being honest with yourself and allowing yourself to evolve.

Amy brings such a grounded, refreshing perspective to this conversation, and I know so many of you are going to feel seen by what she shares.

Connect with Amy:
Facebook: Amy Hager
LinkedIn: Amy Hager, CAE-IOM

Connect with me, Ariel Vaughan:

Instagram: @beyoutifulchick

Instagram: @itstimetobeyoupodcast

For more, visit: itstimetobeyou.com

This is a deeply vulnerable and important conversation.

Before listening, please note that this episode includes discussions of trauma, abuse, and human trafficking.

In today's episode, I'm joined by Gwen Cassady, who shares parts of her story in an effort to raise awareness, advocate for change, and help others feel less alone in their own experiences.

This conversation explores what it means to survive, to rebuild, and to find purpose after experiencing unimaginable hardship. We talk about how people pleasing can develop as a survival response, the impact trauma can have on self-worth and identity, and what it looks like to begin choosing yourself after years of putting others first.

We cover some heavy topics in this episode, but they are important to discuss for awareness, change and moving forward.

Inside this episode:

• How people pleasing can begin as a survival pattern
• The long-term impact of trauma on self-worth and identity
• What it means to rebuild your life after loss and instability
• The role of resilience and perseverance in healing
• Learning to use your voice after being silenced
• Turning pain into purpose and advocacy

Learn more about Gwen Cassady's work and advocacy:

• Blue Mosiac
• https://www.facebook.com/gwen.cassady/
• www.instagram.com/gwen.cassady/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwen-cassady-14944124/

Connect with me, Ariel Vaughan:

Instagram: @beyoutifulchick

Instagram: @itstimetobeyoupodcast

For more, visit: itstimetobeyou.com

In this episode, I'm joined by Kay Ford, who I've known since we were kids, and we dive into what it really looks like to trust yourself, take a leap, and build a life that feels aligned, even when it's uncomfortable.

From walking away from expectations, to moving across the world, to pursuing her dreams, Kay shares her journey of learning to quiet outside noise and finally listen to herself.

We talk about the fear that comes with making big decisions, the pressure to do what's expected, and how easy it is to lose trust in yourself. We explore self confidence, choosing yourself and following your passions.

If you've been feeling stuck, unsure, or afraid of making the "wrong" move… this conversation will meet you there.

Connect with Kay:

Instagram: @kayfordva

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KayFordVA/

Website: www.kayfordva.com

Connect with me, Ariel Vaughan:

Instagram: @beyoutifulchick

Instagram: @itstimetobeyoupodcast

For more, visit: itstimetobeyou.com

If you've ever thought, "I just want everyone to be okay"… this episode is for you.

Because what we don't always realize is that people pleasing isn't just about being nice or going with the flow. Sometimes, it's tied to control, safety, and the ways we've learned to navigate the world.

In this conversation, I'm joined by Elysia Buss, a Transformative Confidence Coach and Founder of Playful Pivot, and we go deeper into what's really underneath people pleasing.

We talk about how control can show up in ways we don't expect, why overthinking keeps us stuck, and what it actually looks like to start choosing yourself—without making yourself wrong for where you've been.

This is one of those conversations that invites you to slow down, reflect, and get a little more honest with yourself.

Not from a place of judgment, but from a place of curiosity.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The connection between people pleasing and control
• Why people pleasing can feel like safety
• How overthinking keeps you stuck (and what to do instead)
• The discomfort of setting boundaries—and why that doesn't mean you're doing it wrong
• Learning to trust yourself and your needs
• Letting go of the need to be liked by everyone
• Reconnecting with your authentic self through curiosity and play

Connect with Elysia Buss:

playfulpivot.com

Instagram: @playfulpivot

Connect with me, Ariel Vaughan:

Instagram: @beyoutifulchick

Instagram: @itstimetobeyoupodcast

For more, visit: itstimetobeyou.com

This is my 100th episode… and it's not what I thought it would be.

I felt pressure for this to be something big and impactful, and instead I found myself overthinking, procrastinating, and getting in my own way. So this episode isn't perfect—but it is honest.

In this episode, I'm sharing what this journey has really looked like, how perfectionism and people pleasing have shown up, and what it means to keep going anyway.

We talk about redefining your "best self," and how choosing yourself can feel uncomfortable and unfamiliar at first. But hard doesn't mean wrong.

Being yourself isn't something you always just know—it's something you uncover. And that process will feel messy and imperfect.

This is your reminder to stop waiting, get out of your head, and take the next step… even if it's not perfect.

Connect with me, Ariel Vaughan:

Instagram: @beyoutifulchick

Instagram: @itstimetobeyoupodcast

For more, visit: itstimetobeyou.com

This episode is a real and honest conversation about something a lot of us avoid—admitting what we actually want.

When you've spent years people pleasing, following expectations, and doing what keeps you accepted, it can feel really uncomfortable to pause and ask yourself, what do I want? And even more uncomfortable to answer it honestly.

In this episode, I'm sharing my own struggle with setting goals, because the truth is, owning what you want comes with risk. It means you might not get it. It means you might have to wait. It might even mean being alone or giving things up.

But avoiding what you want doesn't protect you—it just keeps you stuck.

This episode discusses:

• Why people pleasers struggle to name what they want
• The fear of setting goals and not reaching them
• Letting go of the idea that there's a "right" path
• How to start building self-trust through honest, small steps

This episode is your reminder that you don't need to have it all figured out to start being honest with yourself.

You just need to be willing to tell yourself the truth—and take one step from there.

Connect with me, Ariel Vaughan:

Instagram: @beyoutifulchick

Instagram: @itstimetobeyoupodcast

For more, visit: itstimetobeyou.com

As people pleasers, we're often incredibly reliable for everyone else — but not for ourselves. In this episode, we talk about why keeping promises to yourself matters more than you think, how self-trust is built through follow-through, and why the smallest commitments are often the most powerful. This isn't about discipline for productivity. It's about honoring your needs, rebuilding trust with yourself, and learning that choosing yourself is safe.

• Self-trust is built by keeping your word to yourself

• Small promises matter more than big goals

• Motivation fades, but discipline is built through follow-through

• Breaking promises creates an identity story — and so does keeping them

• Choosing yourself may feel uncomfortable, but it builds self-respect

• One kept promise is enough to start changing the narrative

Connect with me, Ariel Vaughan:

Instagram: @beyoutifulchick

Instagram: @itstimetobeyoupodcast

For more, visit: itstimetobeyou.com

New Year's Eve can feel heavy. Or meaningful. Or like nothing at all. But for a lot of high achievers and people pleasers, this time of year brings pressure, comparison, and the quiet question of "Did I do enough?"

In this episode, I talk about reflecting on the year in a way that feels supportive instead of performative. Not through highlight reels, productivity metrics, or goals you should have—but by honoring your real life. The small moments. The hard seasons. The ways you survived, rested, and chose yourself, even when no one else saw it.

This is an invitation to move into the next season of your life without forcing a "new you," without guilt, and without rushing yourself. You don't owe anyone a self-improvement project. You get to decide what matters, when you begin, and how you move forward.

• Your life doesn't need to look impressive to be meaningful

• Progress can look like rest, survival, and quiet boundaries

• Reflection doesn't have to be public or productive—it's for you

• You don't owe anyone goals just because it's January

• Feelings and intuition are valid guides for what comes next

• You are not behind, late, or missing your chance

• You get to decide what matters and when you begin

Connect with me, Ariel Vaughan:

Instagram: @beyoutifulchick

Instagram: @itstimetobeyoupodcast

For more, visit: itstimetobeyou.com