Some weeks the calendar wins. Last week Vanessa was up until 3am two nights in a row, not scrolling, actually working, and she woke up the next morning running on empty.

In this episode she gets honest about the inherited blueprint that kept her going, and the hard podcast decision she made about before something broke.

What You'll Learn:

✅ How to identify the inherited blueprint running in the background that keeps us pushing past our limit, even when we know better

✅ Why being deliberate isn't only about what we remove from our plates, but whether our minds are actually present for what remains

✅ How to give ourselves permission to make the hard call before something breaks, not after

Chapters:

00:00 When Everything Matters
00:40 Welcome to the Show
01:36 My Word for 2026
02:16 Burnout Warning Signs
02:58 The Overachiever Blueprint
03:58 Culture and Rest Stories
05:07 Choosing Presence
06:07 Podcast Schedule Change
07:27 Three Takeaways to Apply
09:32 Reflect and Choose Deliberately
10:48 Reviews and Farewell

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Support the show

NJ RESIDENTS, WORK WITH VANESSA Book a free 15-minute therapy consultation https://www.freetobemindful.com/contact

LET’S STAY CONNECTED
🎧 Podcast: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast

🎁 Free Resource — 120 Coping Skills: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselorvdejesus/

💛 Coaching for Moms: https://www.amigamoms.com

🎤 Speaking & Workshops: https://www.freetobemindful.com/speaking

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/counselorvdejesus/

DISCLAIMER:
Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional help from a licensed clinician.

The strongest woman in the room is often the last one to let support in. Not because no one's offering, but because managing has been her strategy for so long she doesn't always notice when something is available. This episode is about that cost, and Ollie the goldendoodle is our way in.

What You'll Learn:

✅ The real difference between service animals, emotional support animals, and therapy dogs, and why it matters more than most people realize

✅ What the science actually says about what animals do to your nervous system, including why oxytocin rises up to 300% during eye contact with your dog

✅ Why being capable at managing everything is not the same as being okay, and what it quietly costs over time

✅ How to pause before the next reflexive "I'm fine" and actually answer the question honestly

✅ Three practical ways to start building the muscle of receiving support in low-stakes moments so it's available when the stakes are high

Chapters

00:00 Who Is Really There
01:19 Meet Ollie Birthday
02:34 Ollie Therapy Work
04:20 Service Animal vs ESA vs Therapy Dog
07:04 Science Of Support
09:20 Why We Resist Help
11:26 Three Support Tips
14:21 Guided Reflection Pause
17:14 Share And Work With Me
18:36 Happy Birthday Ollie

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

NJ RESIDENTS, WORK WITH VANESSA Book a free 15-minute therapy consultation https://www.freetobemindful.com/contact

LET’S STAY CONNECTED
🎧 Podcast: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast

🎁 Free Resource — 120 Coping Skills: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselorvdejesus/

💛 Coaching for Moms: https://www.amigamoms.com

🎤 Speaking & Workshops: https://www.freetobemindful.com/speaking

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/counselorvdejesus/

DISCLAIMER:
Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional help from a licensed clinician.

What if the loudest critic in your kid's life isn't in the bleachers... it's in their own head? Dr. Peter Economou, licensed psychologist, Zen teacher, and Olympic-level competitive swimmer, joined us for a conversation that's equal parts practical and profound, and it applies to every mom who's ever wondered whether she's helping or accidentally adding to the pressure.

What You'll Learn

✅ Why mindfulness isn't about slowing down, it's about training your brain on purpose, and why that distinction changes everything for high performers

✅ What the "demons on the boat" metaphor from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy teaches us about bully thoughts, and why trying to push them down is exactly what keeps kids stuck

✅ The middle path between "nothing is ever good enough" and burnout — and how parents can help kids find it without living out their own unfinished stories through them

✅ Three simple, practical ways to bring mindfulness into everyday life without a meditation cushion or a free hour

Website: https://www.officialdrpete.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialdrpete/

Chapters

00:00 Hamster Wheel Hook
00:18 Podcast Intro
00:49 Meet Dr Pete
02:07 Fun Fact Olympic Swimmer
03:28 Belonging Beyond Titles
04:32 Mindfulness Meets Sports
06:18 What Mindfulness Is
08:08 Mindfulness for Busy Moms
09:13 Three Everyday Practices
11:01 Quieting Bully Thoughts
14:51 Middle Path Parenting
17:47 Motivation and Self Care
19:50 Balance and Perspective
22:23 Legacy and Genuineness
24:00 Where to Find Dr Pete
24:32 Host Wrap and Reflection

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

NJ RESIDENTS, WORK WITH VANESSA Book a free 15-minute therapy consultation https://www.freetobemindful.com/contact

LET’S STAY CONNECTED
🎧 Podcast: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast

🎁 Free Resource — 120 Coping Skills: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselorvdejesus/

💛 Coaching for Moms: https://www.amigamoms.com

🎤 Speaking & Workshops: https://www.freetobemindful.com/speaking

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/counselorvdejesus/

DISCLAIMER:
Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional help from a licensed clinician.