In this episode I share how listening to Grant Cardone’s The 10X Rule reminded me that normal effort creates a normal, average life, and that if I want an extraordinary life I need to take extraordinary action instead of coasting.

I reflect on how staying in my comfort zone kept me stuck for years, including patterns from my upbringing around addiction and alcohol, and how fear of being seen and fear of failure can stop us from even starting.

I talk about building self-trust through small daily actions, from saying yes to simple self-care choices to committing to bigger identity shifts like becoming a runner. I explain how habits and neural pathways make change uncomfortable

AndI leave action steps: name one area where I’m being mediocre, imagine going 10% harder, choose one small daily habit, and commit fully (more at the bottom)

00:00 10X Rule Spark

01:32 Normal Effort Trap

02:54 Breaking Old Patterns

03:56 Fear of Failing

06:39 Stop Waiting Start

08:29 Comfortable Conditioning

10:12 Self Trust Micro Wins

15:06 Choose Your Identity

16:52 Habits and Neural Paths

18:55 10 Percent Action Plan

21:51 Bigger Why and Wrap

If you were game enough to accept my challenge here are the reflection questions:

- What one area of your life are you currently doing “enough” in?

- What would happen if you went 10% harder this week?

- Which small daily habit could you increase to push beyond average?

Write down one thing you will commit to doing fully, no shortcuts, this week.

And if you would like to dive deeper on your own healing journey and want to hear more about how I can support you - book in here:

https://calendar.app.google/3g2wMaQsMuN9WXvM7

Connect soon xo

In this episode I’m talking about frustration.... ironically while re-recording after my laptop didn’t save the first take LOL. I share where I’ve been over the past couple of years with starting and stopping the podcast, and why I took a three-month pause from my business (and a month off social media) to let my nervous system settle, be present with my kids as a single mum, and support my uncle after his quadruple bypass. I reflect on how growing and grieving can coexist, and how building from dysregulation can bleed into what we create. I unpack why frustration isn’t weakness, failure, or a sign to quit. it’s a signal of misalignment, crossed boundaries, unmet needs, value violations, or being right on the edge of growth. I also share a simple way to work with frustration instead of reacting: pause, breathe, zoom out, and ask what it’s trying to show you (including where the expectation vs reality gap is, what boundaries you’ve ignored, and whether you’re tired or misaligned). Wrapping it up with a bow and choosing vs chasing, moving with intention, and taking action even when it’s uncomfortable. Stay connected for more kōrero on topics like this xx

00:00 Laptop Fail and Frustration

01:10 Who I Am and Hiatus

03:57 Rest Seasons and Grief

05:52 Regulation Before Building

09:34 Frustration as a Signal

11:53 Fear and the Growth Edge

13:43 Pause and Ask Questions

16:32 Choosing Expansion This Year

18:58 Wrap Up and Stay Connected

In this episode, I share the deeply personal and transformative story of my first pregnancy and birth at the age of 16. From attending high school while dealing with severe morning sickness to navigating labour and a challenging emergency C-section, I describe how this experience not only made me a mother but also instilled a fierce determination and resilience in me. I discuss the emotional highs and lows, the incredible support system around me, and the life-changing lessons I learned. Join me as I open up about this sacred and often untalked-about journey, aiming to spark similar conversations and connections among listeners who have been through their own unique pregnancy and birthing experiences.

To dive deeper into these conversations, stay tuned and check out what I have got going on over at https://beacons.ai/gaylemoanajohnson

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene

00:17 The Importance of Birth Stories

02:16 First Pregnancy Challenges

07:21 Labour and Delivery

15:30 Post-Birth Reflections

18:21 Conclusion and Invitation for Future Conversations