Muse Yourself: Empowering conversations on reinvention, healing & self-love

“The universe will never give you peace in something you’re not meant to settle in.” This week’s Monday Muse is a reminder to check in with yourself as we step into the final months of 2025… If you’ve been feeling uneasy, restless, or out of alignment, consider this an invitation to start listening to your own voice, honouring your own needs, and taking back your time and energy before the year ends. Change isn’t easy…but staying stuck in a life that doesn’t feel like yours is so much harder. Happy Monday, Muses X RESOURCES: * Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss Season 3 launching next month, with powerful guest conversations you absolutely won’t want to miss! Subscribe on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/whats-your-story/id1725984271] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6crrBEwJRMHt5k5YvYFhNn] * Join my free Substack community HERE [https://gemmaj.substack.com/] for first access to new episodes, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes updates. * WORK WITH ME: If you’d like to explore how we can work together, you can contact me ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠ [https://forms.gle/hsowx27UFe4eo1pC6] Get full access to Muse Yourself Podcast at gemmaj.substack.com/subscribe [https://gemmaj.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

If you’re feeling stuck in that “in-between” stage of life where things feel a little messy, uncertain, or completely out of your control, you’re not alone. In this episode of Muse Yourself, I’m getting into what it really means to trust the journey when the next step isn’t clear. If you’re navigating uncertainty, waiting for clarity, or wondering how to keep moving forward when nothing feels certain, I hope this conversation will help you find peace in the process. You’ll learn: * What “trust the process” really means (and why it’s so hard to do). * Why going into ‘figuring it out’ mode only creates more noise and fear * Practical ways to stay grounded when life feels uncertain. * How to embrace the messy middle as part of your transformation. * Mindset shifts that help you stop resisting and start trusting. This episode is for anyone who’s in a transition, feels lost or behind, or simply wants to remember that uncertainty can still lead to growth, clarity, and purpose. If this resonates, I created my private five-part podcast series, Becoming Her, to help you go even deeper. It’s designed for women navigating major life transitions — whether you’re releasing an old identity, stepping into a new chapter, or learning to feel safe in the unknown. 🎧 Find out more HERE [https://gemmaj.substack.com/p/becoming-her-when-youve-outgrown] Until next time X RESOURCES: * Make sure you’re subscribed wherever you get your podcasts so you don’t miss an episode: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/whats-your-story/id1725984271] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6crrBEwJRMHt5k5YvYFhNn] * JOIN MY SUBSTACK COMMUNITY HERE [https://gemmaj.substack.com/] * FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM HERE [https://www.instagram.com/museyourselfpodcast/] * WORK WITH ME: If you’d like to explore how we can work together, you can contact me ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠ [https://forms.gle/hsowx27UFe4eo1pC6] Get full access to Muse Yourself Podcast at gemmaj.substack.com/subscribe [https://gemmaj.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

What if you walked away from it all? The job, the salary, the prestige…to chase a life that actually felt like your own? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Maddy Reynolds, a professional trail runner who left her high-flying career at Goldman Sachs in Sydney and moved to the French Alps to pursue her athletic dreams. We dive into her journey of walking away from a life that looked perfect on paper, overcoming societal expectations, and building a radically different life rooted in purpose, presence, and passion. TOPICS WE COVER: * Why Maddy left a “dream job” in finance to chase something more meaningful * The identity crisis that comes with starting over abroad * The challenges (and gifts) of living in a new country and culture * Her near-death rafting accident and how it reshaped her perspective * Reclaiming your narrative around success, purpose, and identity * The power of following your intuition—even when it makes no sense on paper * What it really means to build a life that truly feels like yours And SO much more! This episode is for anyone who’s ever asked: Is this it? If you’ve felt the nudge to start over, crave more freedom, or you’ve been looking for permission to completely reinvent your life, and your definition of success, this conversation is for you. Until next time X PS: It would mean the absolute world to me if you would share this episode with one other person you think would love it! Resources & Links: * Read Maddy’s Substack HERE [https://substack.com/@maddyreynolds] * Connect with Maddy on Instagram HERE [https://www.instagram.com/maddyreynolds98/] * SUBSCRIBE to Muse Yourself [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/whats-your-story/id1725984271] wherever you get your podcasts! Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/whats-your-story/id1725984271] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6crrBEwJRMHt5k5YvYFhNn] * JOIN MY SUBSTACK COMMUNITY: HERE⁠⁠ [https://gemmaj.substack.com/] * WORK WITH ME: If you’d like to explore how we can work together, you can contact me ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠ [https://forms.gle/hsowx27UFe4eo1pC6] Get full access to Muse Yourself Podcast at gemmaj.substack.com/subscribe [https://gemmaj.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Have you been waiting for clarity before taking your next step? What if waiting to feel ‘ready’ is actually the thing holding you back from the life you’re meant to create…? In this episode, I break down why clarity isn’t the starting point and why waiting to feel ready could be the very thing holding you back… You’ll learn: * How to take action even when you don’t have everything figured out * Why waiting for clarity can keep you stuck in fear and indecision * Practical strategies to move forward confidently, no matter how uncertain things feel This is your permission slip to let go of the pressure to have it all mapped out, start trusting that whisper, and evolve your vision as you evolve. PS. I’d love to hear what came up for you after listening to this episode - You can always find me over on Substack [https://gemmaj.substack.com/], where I share more behind the scenes, bonus episodes, and musings I don’t post anywhere else. Until next time X If you’d like to support the show but you’re not in a position to commit to a paid subscription you can buy me a coffee just by clicking HERE [https://buymeacoffee.com/gemmajames]! RESOURCES: * Make sure you’re subscribed wherever you get your podcasts so you don’t miss an episode: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/whats-your-story/id1725984271] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6crrBEwJRMHt5k5YvYFhNn] * JOIN MY SUBSTACK COMMUNITY HERE [https://gemmaj.substack.com/] * WORK WITH ME: If you’d like to explore how we can work together, you can contact me ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠ [https://forms.gle/hsowx27UFe4eo1pC6] Get full access to Muse Yourself Podcast at gemmaj.substack.com/subscribe [https://gemmaj.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Morning, Muses… Welcome back to the ‘Monday Muse,’ my brand new mini, mini, podcast series! I know so many of us have mixed feelings going into a new week - or maybe you just straight up dread it - especially if you’re not where you want to be right now. I get it. So every Monday morning you’re now going to wake up to a little voice note, just from me to you. Think of it as a mini, mini podcast - or the voice note you get from your best friend that puts a smile on your face even on the shittiest of days. A 5-minute reminder, from me to you, of just how powerful you are. How capable you are. Of how much power you have to create change in your life. And to remind you that you’re not on your own, whatever this week throws at you. These episodes were previously only available as an exclusive for my e-mail subscribers but I loved recording them so much I wanted to publish them on the podcast too - make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss any! Thank you so much for being here… PS. If you enjoyed this please remember to send it to someone! REFLECTIONS FROM THIS EPISODE: * Where have I not been prioritising, or protecting, my own peace? * What do I need to stop carrying that was never mine to carry? * What would I give myself permission to do - or stop doing - if I truly believed that my peace is worth protecting, and not something I have to earn? MANTRA FOR THIS WEEK: “My peace is non-negotiable. I no longer trade it for approval or acceptance.” If you’d like to support the show but you’re not in a position to commit to a paid subscription you can buy me a coffee just by clicking HERE [https://buymeacoffee.com/gemmajames]! RESOURCES: * Make sure you’re subscribed wherever you get your podcasts so you don’t miss an episode: Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/whats-your-story/id1725984271] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/6crrBEwJRMHt5k5YvYFhNn] * JOIN MY SUBSTACK COMMUNITY HERE [https://gemmaj.substack.com/] * WORK WITH ME: If you’d like to explore how we can work together, you can contact me ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠ [https://forms.gle/hsowx27UFe4eo1pC6] Get full access to Muse Yourself Podcast at gemmaj.substack.com/subscribe [https://gemmaj.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]