School of Self-Image is the go-to podcast for women who desire to transform their self-image so that they can create mind-blowing results in their lives. Join ...
427: Becoming the Editor of Your Life with Caroline Lacaille-Gaudy
From Burnout to Empowerment: How One Woman Took Control of Her Story In the journey of personal growth, particularly when grappling with feelings of isolation and burnout, the significance of surrounding oneself with supportive individuals cannot be overstated. Caroline Lacaille-Gaudy's experience, as shared in the podcast episode, underscores the importance of having a network that fosters growth and provides a sense of belonging. In this episode of the School of Self-Image, host Tonya Leigh welcomes Caroline, who shares her transformative journey after leaving a successful corporate career in late 2021. Caroline discusses how she learned to become the editor in chief of her own life, empowering herself to create meaningful changes. Since embracing this mindset, she has launched two purpose-driven businesses, published a book on Amazon, and enhanced her relationships as a mother and wife. Caroline’s inspiring story highlights the importance of living intentionally and provides insights on how to stop reacting to life’s twists and instead, start creating your own narrative. Join Tonya andd Caroline as they explore the tools and mindset shifts that can help you stop living life by default and start creating it intentionally. Plus, learn more about the upcoming Live Like an Editor workshop. Talking Points: 00:22 - Caroline's Achievements Post-Corporate Career 01:21 - Corporatte Burnout 02:57 - Feeling Unfulfilled Despite Success 04:06 - Realization of Misalignment with Motherhood 06:22 - Living Life by Default 08:45 - Shifting Perspectives and Addressing Objections 11:44 - Becoming a Coach and Finding Purpose 15:02 - Being the Editor-in-Chief of Your Life 18:15 - Caroline's Word for the Year: Expansive 21:07 - Learning Through Stories 24:06 - Unpacking Past Experiences 27:43 - Realization of Isolation 30:07 - Managing Spousal Stress 34:00 - Impact of Learning Tools on Parenting 37:56 - Belief in Possibility and Daily Habits 43:30 - Teaching Gratitude to Daughter 46:11 - Advice for Burnt Out Women Quotes: "I had been following this path of success, ticking the boxes, having the wonderful office with the view and the title and the car... and yet it felt like there was always something missing." "Knowing that I'm in control of my emotional state of being is the most liberating news ever." "How would bold me, how would worthy me, how would discipline me... behave right now?" "It's OK to have certain standards. It's OK to ask for certain things. It's OK to behave such a way." "It's the books on your bookshelf. It's the music you listen to. It's the clutter or not clutter, depending on how you keep your home, all of it is sending a message to you about who you think you are." "I switched from fixing to, I get to create, I get to create myself. It's a very different energy." "A well-lived life is nothing more than a collection of well-lived days." "There is no hurry. My favorite mantra." Useful Resources: Click HERE for the Live Like an Editor Workshop Click HERE to join the Membership Click HERE for a FREE download Click HERE to sign up for our newsletter, The Edit Connect with Self-Image Coach Tonya Leigh: Click HERE to follow our Instagram Click HERE to visit our website Click HERE to visit our Facebook group Click HERE to follow our TikTok Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel Connect with Caroline: Click HERE for Caroline’s Website Click HERE for Bliss by Caroline
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426: How to Curate Your Life Like a Designer
Live Like an Editor: Transforming Your Life with Vision and Creativity In the journey of personal development, one of the most transformative shifts you can make is to curate your life by focusing on potential rather than flaws. This perspective not only empowers you but also allows you to see the beauty and possibilities in your current circumstances. Here’s how you can implement this mindset in your life. Tonya Leigh invites listeners to reimagine their lives through a designer's lens. Inspired by the idea of viewing life as a fixer-upper, she encourages embracing one's potential rather than focusing on flaws. Tonya shares her recent experiences, including a snowy morning and a revitalizing Pilates class, setting a positive tone for the discussion. She also announces her beloved annual workshop, "Live Like an Editor," a transformative five-day experience designed to help participants gain a fresh perspective on their lives. This workshop emphasizes creativity, possibility, and joy, rather than fixing perceived flaws, empowering women to curate their lives with intention. Tune in to discover how to approach personal development with style and creativity! Talking Points: 00:39 - Morning Routine and Excitement 01:22 - Live Like an Editor Workshop 02:05 - Possibility, Creativity, and Joy 04:24 - Curate Your Life Like a Designer 05:05 - Perspective Shift: See Potential, Not Flaws 07:10 - Thoughtfully Select and Organize 07:54 - Transform Possibilities into Reality 11:09 - Create a Vision and Anchor It 14:00 -Work with What You Have 17:48 - Focus Room by Room 21:10 - Cultivate a Figure-Outable Mindset 26:11 - Perspectives to Curate Your Life Quotes: "When you curate your life like a designer, you look at possibility." "Being a designer means seeing potential where others see limitations." "You're afraid of choosing the wrong thing to work towards, and so therefore it's just easier to pretend that you don't know and you're confused about it because then you don't have to take action." "You've got to start with where you are and with what you have." "If you could choose one area of your life to focus on this year that would have the biggest impact on the rest of your life, where would you focus?" "When you think like a designer, you know that every challenge has a solution." "The quality of your life really does depend on the quality of your questions." Useful Resources: Click HERE for the Live Like an Editor Workshop Click HERE to join the Membership Click HERE for a FREE download Click HERE to sign up for our newsletter, The Edit Connect with Self-Image Coach Tonya Leigh: Click HERE to follow our Instagram Click HERE to visit our website Click HERE to visit our Facebook group Click HERE to follow our TikTok Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel
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27:17
425: “Should” Season is Out
Transforming 'Should' into 'Desire': A Journey to Self-Discovery The word "should" carries significant weight in our lives, often representing obligation and criticism. In this podcast episode, Tonya Leigh explores the profound impact that this single word can have on our mental and emotional well-being. When we use "should," it typically conveys a sense of duty or correctness, suggesting that there is a right way to do things. This inherent judgment can lead to feelings of shame and guilt, ultimately hindering our personal growth and fulfillment. She shares a relatable story about a listener named Jeanette, who eagerly anticipates Tonya's annual Live Like an Editor workshop as a tool for success. Tonya emphasizes the importance of breaking free from the cycle of "shoulds" that keep us playing small and reflects on her decision to take January for deep reflection before diving into the new year. Tune in to discover strategies for overcoming the pressure of expectations and embracing your true desires. Talking Points: 00:32 - Breaking Free from "Shoulds" 01:56 - Reflecting on the New Year 03:31 - The Concept of "Should Season" 05:09 - Definition of "Should" and Its Implications 08:00 - The Harm of "Should" in Personal Growth 10:24 - Internal "Shoulds" and Self-Criticism 13:31 - The Pressure of Societal Expectations 16:14 - The Paradox of Self-Acceptance 19:25 - The Body Test for True Desires 23:32 - Building a Life Based on True Desires 24:56 - Conclusion: Embracing True Desires Quotes: "It's when shame and guilt becomes your compass instead of desire being your guide." "To argue with reality is to argue with God and you only lose 100% of the time." "The curious paradox is when I accept myself as I am, then I can change." "It's only when I've gotten in touch with my true desires and made those the goals that I have had years where I felt excited, where I felt aligned, where I felt like I was moving towards my own North Star." "If you are building a life off of fear and shame shoulds, you are going to be building a prison for yourself." "Your desires are never wrong. They're simply showing you the way home to yourself." Useful Resources: Click HERE for Five Essential Quesions Click HERE for the FREE Shake-Up List Click HERE to join the Membership Click HERE for a FREE download Click HERE to sign up for our newsletter, The Edit Connect with Self-Image Coach Tonya Leigh: Click HERE to follow our Instagram Click HERE to visit our website Click HERE to visit our Facebook group Click HERE to follow our TikTok Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel
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25:53
424: 3 Ways I’m Shaking up my Life This Year
The Shake Up List: 99 Daring Ways to Live Life Differently To break free from monotony and stagnation, it is essential to engage in new experiences, meet new people, and expose ourselves to different ideas and activities. This concept is central to the discussion in the podcast episode, where Tonya Leigh emphasizes the importance of shaking things up in our lives to foster personal growth and transformation. Tonya explores the theme of breaking free from the monotony of everyday life. She acknowledges the feelings of being in a rut that many women experience, even when life seems perfectly fine on the surface. She emphasizes the importance of shaking things up to step into new possibilities and change and discusses how repetitive routines can solidify a self-image that keeps us stuck. Join Tonya as she invites you to embrace change and discover new ways to invigorate your life. Talking Points: 00:42 - Embracing Change and Possibilities 03:01 - Balancing Routine with New Challenges 04:15 -The Shake Up List 08:00 - The Benefits of Unplugged Time 11:03 - Experimenting with New Approaches 14:08 - Following Curiosity 20:26 - Creative Momentum 22:45 - Empowering Yourself to Shake Things Up Quotes: "Shaking up your life is doing things differently." "I've realized that my best ideas and biggest breakthroughs often come when I'm not actively pursuing them." "Follow your curiosity. Follow what lights you up. Follow those little glimmers." "Something within me, my intuition spoke to me and said, yes, this is the next step for you." "There's nothing like a party to shake up your life." "The truth is we all have the power to shake up our lives at any moment." Useful Resources: Click HERE to join the Membership Click HERE for a FREE download Click HERE to sign up for our newsletter, The Edit Click HERE for the FREE Shake Up List Connect with Self-Image Coach Tonya Leigh: Click HERE to follow our Instagram Click HERE to visit our website Click HERE to visit our Facebook group Click HERE to follow our TikTok Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel
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23:29
423: My 2025 Word of the Year
Transform Your Year with Intentional Living Choosing a "Word of the Year" is a powerful practice that can significantly enhance personal development and focus intentions throughout the year. This concept, as discussed in the podcast episode, revolves around selecting a single word that embodies the qualities and aspirations one wishes to cultivate in their life. Host Tonya Leigh reflects on the transformative power of simplifying life to create more meaningful experiences. After feeling overwhelmed by a packed schedule and material possessions, she poses a pivotal question: "What if I could do less but better?" This introspection leads her to select a guiding word for the year that embodies elegance, intentionality, and refined living. Tonya shares her journey of unplugging from work during the holidays, highlighting the importance of renewal and self-care. Join her as she explores the art of pursuing a beautiful life through intentional choices and a focus on quality over quantity. Talking Points: 00:31 - The Transformative Question 02:09 - Reflecting on Last Year 03:03 - Choosing the Word of the Year 04:08 - Importance of Deep Reflection 07:07 - Turning Frustrations into Opportunities 08:02 - The Concept of Essentialism 10:10 - Greg McCowan's Book on Essentialism 12:08 - The Impact of Too Many Choices 15:00 - Behind the Scenes of a Successful Business 17:01 - Applying Essentialism to All Areas of Life 17:55 - Questions for Exploring Essentialism Quotes: "What if I could do less but better?" "I made all of those decisions that led to me being in this moment with a lot of things to get done today." "Last year's frustrations are this year's opportunities." "It isn't about deprivation. It's about elevation. It's the art of elegant elimination." "Luxury is different for all of us. It does not mean designer handbags. It's a feeling." "There's something about this word that has convicted me at the deepest, deepest level." Useful Resources: Click HERE to join the Membership Click HERE for a FREE download Click HERE to sign up for our newsletter, The Edit Click HERE for 2025 Essential Questions Connect with Self-Image Coach Tonya Leigh: Click HERE to follow our Instagram Click HERE to visit our website Click HERE to visit our Facebook group Click HERE to follow our TikTok Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channel
School of Self-Image is the go-to podcast for women who desire to transform their self-image so that they can create mind-blowing results in their lives. Join Master Life Coach, Tonya Leigh, as she shares tips, ideas, and inspiring conversations around elevating your mindset, style, and surroundings to create an extraordinary self-image. Episodes are released each Wednesday.
Download the School of Self-Image Manifesto at schoolofselfimage.com/podcastmanifesto
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