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

Follow me for updates, challenges, and healing tips!
📸 Instagram: @hiddenpagespodcast
🎥 TikTok: @thehiddenpagespodcast

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

In this raw and vulnerable episode of The Hidden Pages Podcast, I share my experience navigating what I call the “purgatory phase” of personal growth. This messy, in-between stage—where you’ve outgrown who you once were but haven’t yet become who you’re meant to be—can feel isolating and uncertain, but it’s also where transformation takes root.

I dive into why personal growth often feels lonely, the cost of losing old relationships, and the joy of discovering new, aligned connections. I also reflect on my own journey, from questioning everything to finding my "gold friends," while anchoring myself in the "why" behind my healing journey.

If you’re feeling stuck or unsure during your growth journey, this episode reminds you that you’re not alone. The messy middle is part of the process—and it’s preparing you for the person you’re becoming.

🔖 Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Introduction to the "purgatory phase" of personal growth
01:00 - Understanding the loneliness of this in-between stage
02:15 - Why growth feels isolating and staying connected to your "why"
04:06 - The cost of growth: losing relationships and mourning change
05:28 - Personal story: Finding "gold friends" who support your journey
09:00 - How to stay motivated in a journey that feels endless

Take a moment this week to reflect and write down your "whys"—the unshakable reasons behind your growth journey. What keeps you going when the path feels uncertain? Let this clarity guide you through the messy middle.

📌 One-Week Challenge: Take a moment this week to reflect and write down your "whys"—the unshakable reasons behind your growth journey. What keeps you going when the path feels uncertain? Let this clarity guide you through the messy middle.

💬 Let’s Connect:

Follow me for updates, challenges, and healing tips!
📸 Instagram: @hiddenpagespodcast
🎥 TikTok: @thehiddenpagespodcast

personal growth, self-discovery, loneliness in growth, purgatory phase, emotional healing, finding your why, self-care, breaking generational cycles, gold friends, navigating change

📚 Keywords for Your Journey: personal growth, self-discovery, loneliness in growth, purgatory phase, emotional healing, finding your why, self-care, breaking generational cycles, gold friends, navigating change

In this episode of The Hidden Pages Podcast, I, Vanessa Saleh, tackle the profound and deeply personal topic of breaking generational trauma. Inspired by a powerful quote from Terry Real, I reflect on what it means to be a generational trauma breaker—the person who decides to stop the cycle of pain and dysfunction.

I share my own journey of recognizing and addressing these inherited patterns, exploring how trauma can affect not only our lives but even our DNA. Together, we’ll navigate the incredible weight of carrying this responsibility, the courage it takes to face these challenges, and the grace needed to allow healing to unfold. This is a heartfelt exploration of why healing is vital—not just for us but for the generations that follow.