“Choose your hard”

“Choose your hard”

Welcome back to The Rabbit Hole, where Jacqui and Megan tear into the gooey middle of self-growth clichés faster than you can say, “Pick your poison.” On the docket this week: “Choose Your Hard”. So what’s the deal – is this just hustle culture camouflaged, or is there a deeper magic to owning the hard stuff in life? Grab your headphones—a friendly roasting of toxic positivity awaits. In This Episode: - The science of beliefs and how “choose your hard” is more than an Instagram quote—backed by research, not wishful thinking [07:21] - Ways to counterbalance “choose your hard” with “let it be easy” without getting stuck in self-improvement overwhelm [18:44] - A closer look at envy, comparison, and why everyone’s “hard” looks different on the outside [20:17] Key Takeaways: - The “hard” you choose today—waking up for a 5am gym session, making that tough decision—often means a softer landing for *future you* [16:56] - It’s not about going full drill sergeant on yourself. Pair discipline with ease for personal growth that lasts [19:03] - You can change deep-rooted beliefs, but it’s about shifting probability, not instant miracles [22:34] - “Choose your hard” isn’t one-size-fits-all. [20:12] Resources Mentioned: - Book: *The Power of Beliefs* [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/235699995-the-power-of-beliefs] by Shawn Achor [07:24] Subscribe, review, and dive deeper into The Rabbit Hole with us. Each episode is a passport to self-help clichés, real life stories, and personal growth that fits more than just your Instagram feed. Dive in even deeper with us! Try a free 10 minute EFT tapping session with Jacqui: https://jacquiacree.com/experience [https://jacquiacree.com/experience]  Pull your Human Design Chart with Megan: https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart [https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart] We’d love to hear from you! Jacqui’s instagram: @jacqui.acree Megan’s instagram: @meganjohnstoncoaching

“Let it be easy”

Donut drama, cinnamon roll cravings, AND a takedown of the “let it be easy” self-help cliché? Oh, you’re in for a treat. Join Megan and Jacqui as they tunnel into: - The universal search for the *perfect* donut (from Canadian bakeries to UK supermarkets) - The subtle but crucial difference between “easy” and “ease”  - How to “let it be easy” without rebelling by clenching your butt cheeks   - Real-life examples of finding ease in grief, business burnout, and big (or little) transitions Key Timestamps:  - Mini Donut Rabbit Hole — global donut obsession, local bakery recommendations, fights over sprinkles [00:00:00]   - Cinnamon Roll vs. Bun — plus the great raisin debate [00:04:38]   - The National Donut Day Debacle: When social holidays are made up (but still delicious) [00:07:47]   - Deep Dive: Is “Let it Be Easy” helpful or annoying? [00:10:22]   - Real Life Examples: Grief and finding small pockets of ease [00:15:14]   - Business Burnout: Letting go of pressure, comparison, and the “shoulds” [00:21:53]   - Does every goal need a timeline? [00:24:01]   - Your turn: Share your own associations, reactions, and clenchy moments with us! [00:28:06] Links etc - Ratio Bakery [https://www.instagram.com/ratiobakery/], Vernon BC (for Friday donuts!) - Ginger and Pickle, Nantwich UK (find that legendary cinnamon roll!) Subscribe, review, and dive deeper into The Rabbit Hole with us. Each episode is a passport to self-help clichés, real life stories, and personal growth that fits more than just your Instagram feed. Dive in even deeper with us! Try a free 10 minute EFT tapping session with Jacqui: https://jacquiacree.com/experience [https://jacquiacree.com/experience]  Pull your Human Design Chart with Megan: https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart [https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart] We’d love to hear from you! Jacqui’s instagram: @jacqui.acree Megan’s instagram: @meganjohnstoncoaching

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”

You've heard it a thousand times (especially if you’re a fan of Kelly Clarkson). Maybe you've said it to yourself. Maybe someone said it to you at exactly the wrong moment and you had to work very hard not to throw something. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." In this episode, Jacqui and Megan (who is currently sweaty, living on a boat, and very much in a life transition) dissect this classic motivational quote, and you won’t be surprised to hear: there’s nuance inside. They talk about resilience — why it builds through difficulty, and why being told you have it is sometimes the least comforting thing anyone can say. They get into the difference between hard things you choose (the gym, moving onto a boat with no boating experience) and hard things that just happen to you — and why that distinction matters more than the quote accounts for. Plus: Love Trapped podcast, word-of-the-year regret, Megan sings Kelly Clarkson alone, Jacqui abandons her, and the science of why we bond over mutual dislike. This week’s mini Rabbit Holes 🎧 Love Trapped [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/love-trapped/id1878220033] podcast — a twisty, can't-look-away story involving The Bachelor's most disliked lead  ⛵ Megan's current obsession: tiny coastal US towns, discovered one boat stop at a time Dive in even deeper with us! Try a free 10 minute EFT tapping session with Jacqui: https://jacquiacree.com/experience [https://jacquiacree.com/experience]  Pull your Human Design Chart with Megan: https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart [https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart] We’d love to hear from you! Jacqui’s instagram: @jacqui.acree Megan’s instagram: @meganjohnstoncoaching

“Everything is figureoutable”

Welcome to another high-energy deep dive down The Rabbit Hole! In this episode, we tackle the self-help juggernaut: “Everything is figureoutable.” Get ready for an unfiltered, story-driven examination of this classic self-improvement cliché — context, nuance, and all. What’s Inside This Episode - The Origin Story: Did Marie Forleo invent “Everything is figureoutable”? Turns out, it's actually a quote from her mom. Cue wholesome mom energy at [00:00:20]. - Mini Rabbit Holes: Before the main event, we can’t help but obsess over recent reads and listens. Find out why “Yesteryear” left us feeling equal parts captivated and uncomfortable, and how “Beth’s Dead” took our expectations and flipped them (multiple times!) on their heads at [00:01:05]. - What’s a Parasocial Relationship Anyway? We go full meta on fandom, online culture, and why some rabbit holes are just impossible to escape at [00:07:14]. - Unpacking “Everything is figureoutable”:     - Is it possible (or even healthy) to try and solve *everything*? (Spoiler: Nope.)     - The power—and the pressure—of being “solutions-oriented” at [00:16:03].     - Why sometimes *giving up* is the wisest thing you can do (see: “conscious quitting”) at [00:12:03].       - The culture of self-blame: Why relentless optimism can go wrong at [00:18:05].     - Hope, belief, and the neuroscience behind why certain motivational quotes stick, while others just make us groan at [00:26:13].     - Context, always: When is “Everything is figureoutable” genuinely useful — and when does it need a giant asterisk attached? at [00:20:35]. Dive Deeper!   - Loved our discussions on “Yesteryear” or “Beth’s Dead”? Got your own rabbit hole to share? We’re dying to hear from you—flood our inboxes, DMs, and comment sections with your thoughts, wild tangents, and side quests. - Want more story-driven breakdowns of self-help culture and personal growth? Become a Tunnel Buddy and subscribe to The Rabbit Hole! Dive in even deeper with us! Try a free 10 minute EFT tapping session with Jacqui: https://jacquiacree.com/experience [https://jacquiacree.com/experience]  Pull your Human Design Chart with Megan: https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart [https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart] We’d love to hear from you!b Jacqui’s instagram: @jacqui.acree Megan’s instagram: @meganjohnstoncoaching

“No one is coming to save you”

This week on The Rabbit Hole, Megan and Jacqui plunge headfirst into the self-help cliché that hits a little too close to home: “No one is coming to save you.* Unpacking this viral quote, the duo explore everything from questionable motivational advice, to collective responsibility, to the moments when you really do just need a helping hand – or three. Expect a bit of vulnerability, a healthy dose of skepticism, and their signature high-energy banter. Plus, mini rabbit holes galore: trademark drama, binge-worthy TV smut, and why boat puns will always float their boat. What You'll Hear in This Episode - Mini Rabbit Hole: Off-Campus Obsessed! Discover the college-hockey-themed series lighting up algorithms everywhere, and why male characters written by women hit different (hint: consent and respect actually exist). [00:05:00] - The Big Idea: Is “No One Is Coming to Save You” empowering or just plain isolating? Megan and Jacqui don’t hold back: the pitfalls of rugged individualism, the collective safety of community, and when that tough love advice just falls flat. [00:09:24] - Personal Stories: From single-mom struggles, to birth-room “nobody can do this but you” energy, the hosts get real about times when *they* needed support – and what truly made a difference. [00:17:29] - Red Flags in Coaching & Advice: Why sometimes “no one's coming to save you” comes from a place of power, not actual wisdom. [00:23:14] - Takeaways You Can Use: How to unsubscribe from advice that doesn’t serve you, reclaim your right to community support, and check in with your own gut feeling – no matter who’s talking. [00:24:19] If you’re tired of self-help soundbites that leave you feeling more alone than inspired, this episode is your hype-crew and reality check rolled into one. You’ll leave with practical ways to question the advice you take, rely on your community (yes, even for grocery carts), and remember you don’t have to save yourself solo. Like What You Heard? Here’s What to Do Next: - DM the hosts: if you’re in your own binge-watching spiral or want to vent about self-help clichés – seriously, they want to hear about it! - Subscribe so you never miss a new deep-dive into the personal growth rabbit hole.  - Share this episode with that friend who needs a reminder: asking for help isn’t a weakness. It’s human. Dive in deeper with us! Try a free 10 minute EFT tapping session with Jacqui: https://jacquiacree.com/experience [https://jacquiacree.com/experience]  Pull your Human Design Chart with Megan: https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart [https://meganjohnstoncoaching.com/get-hd-chart] We’d love to hear from you! Jacqui’s instagram: @jacqui.acree Megan’s instagram: @meganjohnstoncoaching