Choosing Happy

Intro Action is the name of the game, and this week, I’m diving deep into why moving your body is the secret sauce to feeling more alive and kicking those brain fog blues to the curb! I learned the hard way that just being busy doesn’t cut it; it’s all about intentional action, and let me tell you, I’ve had my fair share of “throwing mud at the wall” moments. We’re chatting about how taking a prop...

Ever feel like your dreams are on a different planet than your everyday reality? Well, grab your cuppa and settle in, because today we’re diving deep into the whirlwind of transformation that comes when life shakes things up! I’m chatting about how to keep your eyes on the prize when everything around you seems to scream “be realistic!” It’s all about navigating the naysayers—both external and tha...

Welcome to a new series - Hobknobs and Happiness Got a dusty piece of equipment lurking in your house, just waiting for the day you decide to give it a whirl? Well, you’re not alone! This week, we're diving into the hilarious and oh-so-relatable world of pandemic purchases that have turned into glorified furniture. Heather shares her own saga with a rebounder that sat in its box for five long year...

Feeling like life just doesn’t fit anymore? Well, Heather Masters is here to sprinkle some wisdom on that! In this episode of the Choosing Happy Podcast, we dive into the idea that maybe, just maybe, the life that feels too snug is actually a sign that you’re ready for a fabulous upgrade! Heather shares her journey through a world of monumental changes—like the time we all had to figure out what a...

So, let me spill the tea! Today’s chat is all about that sneaky feeling of being “done” with life—yep, I’ve been there too! I’m Heather Masters, and I’ll be sharing my personal journey of rediscovering my zest for life, inspired by a heart-to-heart with my son and some lightbulb moments while diving back into my NLP roots. We’ll explore how grief can quietly steal your spark, but more importantly,...

Ever found yourself waiting for the perfect moment to dive into something, only to be told by a total stranger that you’re already more than ready? Yup, that’s what happened to me! This episode dives into the hilarious yet oh-so-relatable dilemma of feeling like we need to be "more" before we can just show up and be ourselves. I chat about how we often stack up courses and certifications like trop...

What if I told you that you might already be living parts of the life you keep dreaming about, and you just haven't noticed? Yup, that’s the juicy nugget we’re diving into today! I’m Heather Masters, and we're going to chat about how we often get so caught up in the hustle and grind that we forget to celebrate the wins we’ve already bagged. I mean, I’ve been living in the most remote village in En...

Stop Proving You’re Enough and Start Being You Summary What if 2026 wasn’t about doing more, but finally being who you really are? In this episode, Heather Masters shares how shame at identity level quietly drives us to collect qualifications, achievements, and approval in an endless attempt to “earn” our worth. From Christmas romance novels to three coaching certifications and a November burnout...

By the end of January, many of us hit a quiet wall. The adrenaline of getting through Christmas has worn off. The promise of “new year motivation” has faded. The days are still dark, cold, and heavy. And suddenly… the pushing doesn’t work anymore. In this episode of the Choosing Happy Podcast , Heather explores what happens when survival — the very thing that once kept you going — begins to feel e...

Why Your Resilience Might Be Costing You Your Happiness Episode Description There's a particular kind of loneliness that comes from being "the strong one." Not the loneliness of being alone—but the loneliness of being surrounded by people who've stopped asking how you are. In this episode, I explore what happens when strength stops being a tool and becomes a cage. When you've rebuilt your life so...

Episode 157: When You Believe You're Unforgivable First Episode After Pause | January 2026 EPISODE DESCRIPTION After a pause for deep reflection and transformation, Heather returns with a vulnerable confession: she's spent most of her life believing she was unforgivable. In this powerful relaunch episode, Heather shares what she couldn't say before—that for over a decade, she carried a belief so d...

Hey, wonderful humans! Buckle up because we’re diving right into a cheeky little pause for the Choosing Happy Podcast! I’m your host, Heather Masters, and today I’m spilling the tea on what’s next for our little corner of happiness in 2026. We’re hitting the reset button—yup, you heard that right! I’m taking a breather to ensure we come back with deeper, braver chats that tackle those pesky midlif...

It’s Boxing Day — the day we break down boxes, throw away the wrapping, and quietly assess the gifts that missed the mark. But what if the wrong gift isn’t the problem? In this Boxing Day Fail Forward Friday , Heather explores how the very things we judge, hide, or downplay in ourselves are often our greatest gifts — just misunderstood, badly packaged, or feared. From famous voices that were once...

The Christmas I Chose Happy Christmas can be magical. It can also be painfully loud, lonely, emotional, and heavy with expectation. In this very special Christmas Eve episode , Heather shares a quiet, honest story about the Christmas she spent completely on her own — and why it became one of the most meaningful Christmases of her life. This isn’t a story about pretending loneliness doesn’t hurt. I...

Have you ever had something good show up in your life — a compliment, an opportunity, a purchase, a moment of ease — and instead of enjoying it, you quietly wondered if you were actually worth it? This week on Myth Busting Monday , Heather explores one of the most subtle and limiting beliefs many of us carry: “I’m allowed to attract good things… I’m just not allowed to get comfortable with them.”...

Intro: Success can feel like a double-edged sword, right? Today, I’m diving into a personal tale of how I accidentally blew up a perfectly awesome part of my life because, deep down, success felt as safe as a porcupine in a balloon factory! Join me as I share the wild ride of my freelance contract that was going swimmingly until life threw me a curveball—my dog broke his leg, and bam! My brain wen...

INTRO: Sometimes, life throws us into an enforced pause, and trust me, it’s not the end of the world! In this episode, I'm diving headfirst into my recent experience of feeling utterly unproductive and guilty for not recording. But hold onto your hats, because I discovered that this so-called “void” is actually a magical space where clarity and growth blossom. Yep, you heard me right! I’ll share t...

Intro: So, here’s the scoop: this week on Choosing Happy, I felt like I’d just walked through a self-help funhouse—twists, turns, and a few shocking reflections that left me gasping! Picture me, your host, Heather Masters, knee-deep in an audit of my life, and trust me, it wasn’t a pretty sight. I realised I was juggling a gazillion projects—my podcast, newsletters, and a creative writing group, a...

Intro Why does knowing your "why" feel like trying to bake a soufflé without a recipe? Because simply having that big ol' why isn’t enough to get your life puffed up and soaring! Join me, Heather Masters, as we dive into the myth-busting world of self-development this week. We’ll explore why your identity really needs to come first, or else your why is just a pretty motivational poster on your wal...

Get ready for a heart-to-heart that might just make you grab a tissue and a cup of tea! This week, I'm diving into the nitty-gritty of my relationship with my dad – a rollercoaster ride of expectations, sarcasm, and a whole bucket load of love. We’re chatting about how growing up with a dominant figure can twist your view of yourself, always chasing that elusive “enough-ness.” But wait, plot twist...

Episode Summary What happens when there’s no safety net—no Plan B, no escape hatch, no “maybe next time”? In this raw, unfiltered episode of the Choosing Happy podcast, Heather gets brutally honest about the moments in life where quitting simply wasn’t possible. Through two powerful stories—caring for her parents during the darkest hours, and pushing through make-or-break feedback in an unforgivin...

Summary: In this heartfelt episode, Heather shares the inspiring story of David Holmes, Daniel Radcliffe’s stunt double in the Harry Potter films, who was left paralysed following a tragic accident. More than just surviving, David rebuilt his life by borrowing strength and resilience, showing us how we too can model the qualities we admire when facing adversity. Heather reflects on her personal mo...

This Monday on Choosing Happy , Heather busts open a gratitude myth few dare to speak about: that being grateful sometimes comes with hidden costs, like lowering your standards or tolerating less than you deserve. Drawing from personal experience, she shares how gratitude journals and “just be thankful” messaging nearly trapped her in survival mode, dimming her confidence and stifling her true cal...

When Things Fall Apart: Courage, Intuition, and the Power of New Beginnings What if the moments when everything crumbles are actually the doorway to something better? In this week’s episode, Heather shares the raw truth behind those times life fell apart—and how intuition, courage, and unpopular choices led to growth she could never have planned. Through real-life stories, you’ll explore: How the...

Today, we're diving headfirst into the delightful myth that unless your purpose is grand and booming, it’s not worth pursuing. Spoiler alert: that’s a big ol’ pile of poppycock! Your purpose doesn’t need to be the loudest voice in the room; sometimes, it just needs to make a gentle ripple. We’re chatting about how those little acts of kindness and presence can change the world in ways we might not...