Unlock Your Blocks with Elyssa

Motherhood can be one of the most rewarding — and overwhelming — journeys we ever take. In this heartfelt conversation, Rose opens up about the pressures moms face, especially in a world shaped by social media perfection. Together, we explore how those “highlight reels” online can shape our expectations and why true peace comes from embracing imperfection, listening to our own needs, and extending...

Have you ever achieved something amazing… and still felt like a fraud? In this powerful episode of Unlock Your Blocks, trauma-informed life strategist Elyssa Smith unpacks imposter syndrome from a nervous system perspective. She explains how feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy are not simply mindset issues—they’re deeply rooted survival mechanisms shaped by early life experiences. Elyssa reveals...

What happens when life falls apart—but you still have to show up for work? In this moving episode of Unlock Your Blocks, Elyssa Smith sits down with workplace empathy expert Liesl Mertes, founder of Handle with Care. Liesl opens up about her own journey through loss and how it inspired her mission to help organizations better support employees navigating grief, trauma, and major life transitions....

Are you an overachiever, a procrastinator, or an avoider? In this episode of Unlock Your Blocks, trauma-informed life strategist Elyssa Smith breaks down the hidden faces of perfectionism—and how each one keeps you stuck in survival mode. She unpacks how these patterns often begin in childhood, where self-worth becomes tied to performance or praise, and explains how they evolve into anxiety, burno...

High-achieving women are often seen as strong, capable, and unstoppable—but behind the success, many are silently carrying the weight of unhealed trauma. In this powerful episode of Unlock Your Blocks, Elyssa Smith is joined by Krystal Williams to unpack the realities of healing for women who have learned to perform, lead, and hold it all together—often at the expense of their own well-being. Krys...

Have you ever wondered why you procrastinate, freeze, or hesitate just as you’re about to step into something bigger? In this episode of Unlock Your Blocks, Elyssa Smith unpacks the hidden reasons behind self-sabotage and how survival mode—often rooted in childhood experiences—can shape the way we approach success as adults. Elyssa shares how fear of visibility, anxiety, and inner criticism often...

Life can pivot in an instant, and sometimes those challenges reveal your true purpose. In this episode of Unlock Your Blocks, Elyssa Smith sits down with Missy Shopshire to explore her transition from a high-powered corporate sales career to becoming a life and business coach. Missy shares her personal story, including facing her daughter’s illness and a near-death experience of her own, which pro...

Ever feel like you’re your own worst enemy? That harsh inner voice might not be laziness or weakness—it’s actually a protective mechanism your brain learned long ago. In this episode of Unlock Your Blocks, trauma-informed life strategist Elyssa Smith unpacks the roots of self-criticism and negative self-talk. She explains how these patterns often come from childhood experiences and societal pressu...

Making a career pivot can feel intimidating—especially when self-doubt and imposter syndrome creep in. In this episode of Unlock Your Blocks, Elyssa Smith sits down with Kristen Weeden to talk about trusting your instincts, embracing authenticity, and navigating the challenges women face in leadership. Kristen shares her journey from sports management to corporate HR, offering a candid look at the...

Not all “self-care” is actually caring for yourself. Sometimes it’s survival mode in disguise. In this episode of Unlock Your Blocks, trauma-informed life strategist Elyssa Smith breaks down the subtle differences between restorative self-care and sneaky self-sabotage. She reveals how childhood messages shape the way we treat ourselves as adults, especially when it comes to productivity, fear, and...

Can high-achieving women actually slow down, heal, and thrive—without burning out or giving up their ambition? In this transformative episode of Unlock Your Blocks, Elyssa Smith interviews Lauren Prasek, an integrative psychiatry expert and women’s wellness educator who went from finance to functional medicine. Together, they explore the powerful link between trauma, chronic health issues, and the...

If you’ve been working so hard for your next breakthrough but it feels like it never comes, your nervous system may be holding the brakes. In this episode of Unlock Your Blocks, trauma-informed life strategist Elyssa Smith unpacks the hidden patterns that keep high-achieving women stuck—especially the “hero daughter” identity. This role, often formed in childhood, teaches you to earn love, safety,...

What if the key to your next breakthrough isn’t doing more—but becoming more of who you really are? In this empowering episode of Unlock Your Blocks, Elyssa Smith sits down with Mapuana Reed—photographer turned podcast host and founder of Malama Rituals. Mapuana shares her brave journey of pivoting from a successful career in photography to creating a life that honors her intuition, creativity, an...

Do you overthink everything, aim for perfection, and still feel like it's never enough? You’re not broken—you’re protecting yourself. In this episode of Unlock Your Blocks, trauma-informed life strategist Elyssa Smith (not Alissa 😅) breaks down the perfectionism-overthinking loop that keeps so many high-achieving women stuck. She unpacks how these patterns often originate from childhood environme...

Is your clutter more than just “stuff”? It might be a trauma response. In this transformative episode of Unlock Your Blocks, Elyssa Smith sits down with Valerie Huard, a trauma-informed decluttering expert and creator of the Do Well method. Valerie opens up about her personal journey with clutter and how unhealed trauma shaped her environment—and her stress. Together, they explore how clutter goes...

Ever feel like you're running on empty… even when you're trying your best? In this episode of Unlock Your Blocks, trauma-informed life strategist Elyssa Smith dives deep into the idea of capacity problems—what they are, where they come from, and how they can quietly sabotage your productivity and motivation. Hint: It's not that you're lazy—it's that your nervous system might be maxed out. Elyssa s...

What’s the real reason you’re still playing small? In this empowering episode of Unlock Your Blocks, Elyssa sits down with Munira Zahabi—better known as the Niche Navigator—to explore how visibility, storytelling, and self-worth are deeply connected in business and life. Munira shares her personal journey of feeling invisible for years before finally stepping into her power as a marketing strategi...

What if your procrastination was trying to protect you? In this eye-opening episode of Unlock Your Blocks, trauma-informed life strategist Elyssa Smith explores the deep roots of self-sabotage, especially for high achievers and perfectionists. She explains how self-doubt, shaped by early life experiences and trauma, fuels cycles of procrastination, overthinking, and burnout. Elyssa introduces self...

What if procrastination, perfectionism, and people-pleasing weren’t personal flaws—but trauma responses? In this powerful solo episode of Unlock Your Blocks, trauma-informed life strategist Elyssa Smith explores the hidden roots of self-sabotage. She breaks down how big T, little t, and what she calls “tiny t” trauma shape our behaviors and belief systems—especially when those emotional needs go u...

Struggling to stick with healthy habits? You’re not broken—your nervous system just needs a new approach. In this uplifting solo episode of Unlock Your Blocks, Elyssa Smith breaks down what it really takes to create lasting lifestyle changes. From battling perfectionism to finding your deeper “why,” she shares simple, science-backed strategies to help you build habits that actually stick. Whether...

Are you burned out—or just out of alignment? In this empowering solo episode of Unlock Your Blocks, Elyssa Smith takes a deep dive into the root causes of burnout for high-achieving women. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about doing too much—it’s about abandoning yourself. Elyssa explores how ignoring your own desires in favor of perfectionism, people-pleasing, or obligation leads to chronic exhausti...

What if feeling lost is exactly where you're meant to start? In this episode of Unlock Your Blocks, Elyssa Smith sits down with Hilary Spiritos, a pathfinding coach who specializes in helping young adults navigate major life transitions. Together, they explore how self-sabotage, inner child work, and societal expectations shape the post-high school journey. Hilary shares how courage, safety, and d...

Is your to-do list silently running the show—and running you into the ground? In this solo episode of Unlock Your Blocks, host Elyssa Smith dives into the emotional and psychological weight of to-do lists. She explores how the freeze survival response, perfectionism, and childhood conditioning contribute to chronic overwhelm. More than just a time management issue, Elyssa reveals how our nervous s...

Is your sleep a nightly struggle? You're not alone. In this heartfelt episode of Unlock Your Blocks, Elyssa Smith sits down with Tracy Hannigan, a sleep therapist who brings both personal experience and professional insight into the complex world of insomnia. Together, they explore how perfectionism, emotional regulation, and the drive for control can disrupt sleep—and how self-compassion and joy...

Do you feel stuck in your own head, second-guessing every move? In this eye-opening solo episode of Unlock Your Blocks, Elyssa Smith tackles the hidden drivers behind imposter syndrome, analysis paralysis, and self-doubt—and how they stem from deep-rooted childhood programming. She explains how the survival brain keeps us small in the name of safety, and why even the most capable women can feel pa...