Embracing Imperfection: Marissa on Ambition, Burnout & Redefining Success

Embracing Imperfection: Marissa on Ambition, Burnout & Redefining Success

Content Warning: This episode includes a brief mention of suicidal ideation and mental health struggles.  Beyond achievements, Marissa describes herself as ambitious, empathetic, and resilient. Marissa unpacks how women are often punished for ambition, how perfectionism created a “go and crash” cycle, and how learning to create her own box has been both scary and liberating. She shares practices that keep her grounded, especially a daily gratitude list and meditation, and argues that empathy is a powerful leadership strength that drives team performance. Marissa recounts leaving a 15-year corporate career after the pandemic triggered depression and a spiritual awakening, leading to travel, yoga teacher training in Sri Lanka, and eventually Columbia’s Spirit Mind Body Psychology Master’s program as a bridge into entrepreneurship. She also clarifies yoga concepts like asana and prana and shares where to find her work on Instagram and Substack. Instagram: @marissatheyogini Substack: https://substack.com/@marissatheyogini?r=44ed60&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=stories&shareImageVariant=blur [https://substack.com/@marissatheyogini?r=44ed60&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=stories&shareImageVariant=blur]  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2600831/support]

Who Heals the Healer?: Kristin on Voice, Identity & Self-Discovery

Beyond achievements, Kristin describes herself as a poetess, healer, and “girlosopher.” A fellow master's student in Columbia University's Spirit Mind Body Psychology program, she reflects on identity, voice, and the process of unmasking who we are beneath labels others place on us.  Kristin shares how writing and poetry became a bridge between her rich inner world and a public self that often felt masked. She opens up about moving from Texas to Louisiana at a young age, navigating rigid cultural expectations, the pressure to adapt herself to fit in, and the experience of being judged for her ethnically ambiguous appearance. Together, we explore the many forms of voice, from breath and language to movement and self-expression, and discuss the challenges that can come with being labeled “strong” or a “leader.” Kristin also reflects on changing her path from pre-med to creative arts therapy, caring for her mother through a breast cancer diagnosis, and the question: who heals the healer? This conversation is an invitation to look beyond labels, reconnect with your authentic voice, and embrace the gifts you are meant to share with the world. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2600831/support]

What's the Worst That Can Happen?: Shirley on Risk-Taking, Adventure & Truly Living

Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of suicidal ideation and mental health struggles. Rachel Peck welcomes Shirley Stack to 'Unmasked - a Beyond Worthy Podcast' and shares how they met through Shirley’s granddaughter, Erika, during a rainy visit in Avila Beach. Shirley describes herself as adventuresome, fearless, and loving life, tracing this mindset to a cerebral hemorrhage in her early 30s that led to an out-of-body experience, emergency surgery at UCLA, and what she calls her “rebirth.” After recovering, she divorced, returned to school, and became a clinical psychologist, later working in private practice and at a prison. Shirley emphasizes taking responsibility for yourself, making sensible emotional risks, and asking “what’s the worst that can happen?” She recounts solo and shared adventures—Mexico, Africa, and extensive world travel—reflects on aging and physical decline, and says family and friends matter most, urging listeners to use time wisely and truly live. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2600831/support]

Relationships as Mirrors: Jamie on Perspective, Self-Discovery & Learning Without Limits

Beyond achievements, Jamie is accepting, passionate, and curious. She is currently pursuing her master's degree in Psychology with a focus on Spirituality, Mind, and Body at Teachers College, Columbia University. In this episode, Jamie shares how growing up in a self-directed, Sudbury-style school shaped their love of learning, openness to different perspectives, and fascination with people's stories. Together, we explore the power of curiosity, how perspective can help us navigate anxiety and uncertainty, and why relationships often serve as mirrors for self-discovery and growth. Jamie reflects on the role of conflict in deepening connection, questions the labels we place on ourselves and our relationships, and shares why acceptance and nonjudgment are essential to truly knowing another person. This conversation is an invitation to stay curious, embrace different perspectives, and approach both yourself and others with greater openness and understanding. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2600831/support]

Trusting Your Intuition: Onima on Self-Trust, Awareness & Letting Go of Labels

Beyond achievements, Onima considers herself curious, orderly, and sensual. She is currently pursuing her master's degree in Psychology with a focus in Spirituality, Mind, and Body at Teachers College, Columbia University. In this episode, she starts by sharing how she needs both external and internal order to feel at peace and how structure helps her hold spirituality’s “gray” areas. Rachel and Onima unpack identity and language, including Onima’s guiding quote, “When you define yourself, you limit yourself,” and how labels like being “the smart one” once created pressure around school and career choices. Onima defines intuition as awareness and explains different ways people receive intuitive information through the “claires,” plus tools like synchronicities, oracle cards, and a simple body-based choice exercise. They also discuss social media and AI as distractions that can weaken self-trust, and Onima shares why fashion feels like sensual, intuitive creative expression and encourages listeners to drop limiting labels and follow what they’re drawn to. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2600831/support]