In this empowering episode of The Hidden Pages Podcast, I sit down with Mary Ruiz, a provisionally licensed counselor with an incredible story of transformation. Mary shares how she went from helping manage a multimillion-dollar company to completely pivoting her life and career in her 30s, all while prioritizing her mental health and well-being.

Together, we peel back the layers of societal expectations to get real about what it takes to uncover your dream life. This episode is for anyone who feels stuck or unable to pivot toward a more authentic and fulfilling existence. We discuss the importance of self-compassion, letting go of what no longer serves you, and the courage it takes to embrace who you truly are.

If you’re ready to stop feeling trapped by societal pressures and start living authentically, this episode will leave you inspired and encouraged to take that first step.

✨ Visit The Hidden Pages Podcast website for detailed show notes, more episodes, and ways to connect.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Introduction to the Hidden Pages Podcast
02:15 - The weight of societal expectations and peeling back the layers
06:30 - Mary Ruiz’s story: Leaving corporate success to prioritize well-being
12:45 - Dr. Kristin Neff’s approach to self-compassion and discovering your true self
18:00 - How societal roles shape our identity and create feelings of being stuck
24:30 - The fear of pivoting in life and how to overcome it
31:15 - Redefining success: Living authentically and letting go of external pressures
38:00 - The power of self-compassion in creating your dream life
45:20 - Building self-awareness and identifying what truly makes you happy
51:40 - Practical steps to begin living authentically
56:00 - Final reflections and encouragement to take the first step toward change

Episode Resources & Links:

• It Didn’t Start with You by Mark Wolynn
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• Self-Compassion by Dr. Kristin Neff
• The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook
• Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power, and Thrive

• Learn about Dr. Kristin Neff’s self-compassion work: Self-Compassion.org
• Weighted Blanket for Stress Relief

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discovering purpose, societal expectations, redefining success, personal growth, self-compassion, Dr. Kristin Neff, mental health, career pivot, embracing change, Hidden Pages Podcast, Mary Ruiz interview, Vanessa Saleh