In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna gets deeply honest about success, squashing, and the invisible pressure to chase goals that don’t actually belong to us.

Off the back of last week’s conversation with Trisha Lewis, Anna reflects on her own journey of un-squashing - from grief, burnout, and doing what she thought she should, to building a business (and life) that actually fits her.

She explores what it really means to define success and wealth on your terms, and why so many founders get caught up chasing someone else’s idea of growth, even when it costs them time, joy, and freedom.

Whether you’re building your first offer or ten years into your business, this episode invites you to pause, reflect, and ask:

• Is your business giving you what you need now?

• Are you chasing what you truly want, or just what you think you should want?

• And what does “success” even look like if you strip away your preconceptions?

Includes practical reflection tips, journal prompts, and encouragement to rebuild your business around what matters most.

Feel like you're hiding in plain sight? You're not alone. In this episode, Anna is joined by the marvellous Trisha Lewis, communication coach, speaker, and author of The Mystery of the Squashed Self, to talk about why so many brilliant people (especially those in business) are afraid to truly show up as themselves.

We dive into the idea of “self-squashing” - a term Trisha coined for the way we shrink back and filter ourselves for fear of being judged, seen as a show-off, or not fitting in.

From squirmy networking intros to navigating LinkedIn with personality (instead of panic), we talk about how to get more comfortable with visibility, authenticity, and sharing your wins - without feeling like you need to wrap yourself in disclaimers, self-deprecating humour, or someone else’s idea of professionalism.

Whether you’re quietly brilliant, a bit too bubbly, or just tired of second-guessing yourself, this is a chat full of warmth, wisdom, and permission to take up space.

You’ll learn:

• Why “You’re not a show-off unless you’re showing off” should be your new mantra

• How to spot the signs of self-squashing (and why it’s different from imposter syndrome)

• Ways to show up online and in-person without needing a fake “personal brand”

• How a detective mindset and curiosity can help you un-squash yourself one step at a time

Running a business can feel like spinning a hundred plates with one hand… especially when you're doing it alone.

In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna gets honest about the real blockers founders face, from avoiding the hard stuff to thinking one more app, tool, or course will finally solve everything.

She shares the real reason she’s launching her free STEM founder community, why support is critical (even for people who are the support), and how surrounding yourself with the right people can make business feel lighter, clearer, and more possible.

Expect stories, laughter, and a reminder that you don’t have to do this on your own.

Find out more about Creating the Curve or join our community here: https://creatingthecurve.co.uk/