Is your need for control blocking your manifestations?
In this episode of Avoiding Average, host Susan Gates gets raw and real about one of the most overlooked (and uncomfortable) parts of the manifestation journey: letting go.

Through a personal story of unexpected tech failures, Susan unpacks how our urge to control everything—rooted in fear and perfectionism—can quietly sabotage our dreams. She explores how true manifestation isn’t about forcing outcomes, but about relaxation, self-awareness, and allowing life to unfold with trust.

You’ll learn:

• Why fear of failure fuels control

• How emotional health improves when we stop pushing

• Why letting go is a power move, not a weakness

• How to balance self-care with inspired action

• How stress impacts manifestation and personal growth

If you’ve ever felt stuck, stressed, or like you're doing “all the right things” but still not seeing results—this episode will shift your perspective.

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Susan Gates is a Travel Astrologer and Transformation Coach who empowers others to reconnect with their authentic selves through the power of astrocartography and destination-based healing. With certifications in life and soul coaching, breathwork, and hypnotherapy, she merges ancient wisdom and modern tools to facilitate deep transformation.

As the host of the Avoiding Average: Living Life Beyond the Ordinary podcast, she inspires others to rewrite the rules and live from soul, not script. Her signature program, The Soulo Pilgrimage, takes clients on a guided coaching and travel journey to a personally aligned location—chosen through astrological insight—to unlock healing, clarity, and inner wholeness.

Known for her grounded presence, intuitive clarity, and ability to translate complex ideas into simple, powerful guidance, she’s supported clients from around the world. When not coaching or exploring new places, she’s a devoted mom of two, passionate about baking, outdoor adventures, and chasing life’s most meaningful moments.

You can find more at www.avoiding-average.com

Follow Susan on Instagram at www.instagram.com/soulcoachsusan

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What happens when a nurse practitioner trades prescriptions for plant medicine? In this powerful episode of Avoiding Average, host Susan Gates sits down with her cousin, Nelofer Hussain, to explore her remarkable journey from traditional nursing into the world of holistic healing, ayahuasca, and nervous system regulation.

Together, they dive deep into Nelofer’s experiences with spiritual journeys, plant medicine ceremonies, and healing ancestral trauma in sacred locations like Peru and India—including a profound moment with the Dalai Lama.

Listeners will gain insight into:

• The role of ayahuasca and Kambo in trauma healing

• How nervous system work amplifies spiritual growth

• The power of trusting intuition on the path of self-discovery

• The emotional impact of ancestral patterns and how to release them

• Differences between master plant medicines and their unique purposes

Whether you're exploring meditation, curious about psychedelic healing, or walking your own path of personal growth, this episode offers real, grounded wisdom on the courage it takes to heal—and what it means to truly trust your soul’s evolution.

Nelofer can be reached on Instagram at www.instagram.com/ne11ie.09

If you liked this episode, please rate, share, comment, or follow the podcast!

You weren’t born to play small — and deep down, you know it.
Avoiding Average is your invitation to finally stop ignoring your inner calling and start living the wildly aligned, soul-expanding life you came here for.

Hosted by Susan Gates — soul coach, astrologer, certified breathwork & hypnotherapy guide, and ex-engineer who walked away from the safe path — this podcast is for women who are done shrinking to fit into lives that don’t fit them.

Each episode blends practical transformation tools with spiritual depth — from astrocartography and subconscious healing to intuition-strengthening, energy work, inner child integration, and soul-led travel. We’re not here to chase more, we’re here to feel more alive.

Expect unfiltered conversations, potent solo episodes, and intuitive guidance that will shake your soul awake — and help you take bold, aligned action in your life, career, relationships, and beyond.

If you're craving freedom, depth, and meaning — this is your portal.
No more playing it safe. No more waiting for “someday.”
This is your sign. Press play — and start avoiding average, for good.

Susan Gates can be found at www.avoiding-average.com or on Instagram/Threads at www.instagram.com/soulcoachsusan

Happy Birthday to Me!

In this episode of the Avoiding Average podcast, I reflect on my journey as I turn 36, and share valuable lessons learned over the past year. From embracing change and trusting intuition to navigating emotions and understanding self-worth, I offer insights that resonate with personal growth and self-discovery, plus some interesting ah-ha's and surprises from the experiences in the year. My goal with this episode is to provide a reminder that each year, whether they feel productive or not, holds so many opportunities for growth and gaining valuable wisdom.

Which of these resonate most with you? I'd love for you to share any in the comments!

Susan Gates is a Travel Astrologer and Transformation Coach helping soul-led individuals align with their true selves through astrocartography and guided travel. She’s the host of the Avoiding Average podcast and creator of the Soulo Pilgrimage experience. You can find more information at www.avoiding-average.com