Living with Purpose

Have you ever felt like you know exactly what you need to do... but you just can't seem to move forward? Maybe you've tried changing your mindset, finding more motivation or becoming more disciplined, yet you keep falling back into the same patterns. What if you're not actually stuck? What if your nervous system is simply trying to protect you? In this episode, I explore why feeling stuck is often...

Most of us live as though we have time. Time to start the thing. Time to rest. Time to repair the relationship. Time to prioritise our health. Time to create the life we dream about. But what if the awareness that our time is finite wasn't depressing, but liberating? In this episode, I explore the Buddhist teaching of impermanence and how contemplating our own mortality can help us wake up to what...

Are you feeling flat, unmotivated or like your old drive has simply disappeared? You're not alone and it's not laziness, weakness or a lack of discipline. In this episode, Simone shares the four real reasons so many people are quietly quitting right now - at work, in relationships and in life itself. Drawing on Polyvagal Theory and a decade of coaching people to find purpose, she explores what's a...

There’s a pattern I see in so many women I work with - and one I know well in myself. We say yes when we’re already full. We go above and beyond what’s needed. We hold everything together for everyone else. And most of the time, we don’t even recognise we’re doing it. In this episode, I explore the pattern of over-delivering - why it’s so common, what drives it beneath the surface, and the cost it...

In this episode, Simone explores the psychological and neurological experience of identity transition in midlife — the space between who you have been and who you are becoming. Many people reach a point where familiar roles, ambitions, and motivations no longer feel aligned. Drive shifts. Ambition softens. Output slows. The structures that once defined success begin to feel heavy or outdated. This...

In this episode, Simone explores how living by our shoulds and shouldn’ts quietly shapes the way we experience our lives - especially in midlife. She names the cultural moment we’re in: uncertainty, saturation, post-pandemic fatigue, and a nervous system that’s often hovering between fight, flight and freeze. From there, she unpacks how gripping tightly to what feels “safe” - our money, our work,...

Have you ever gone to bed feeling full, not just from what you’ve eaten, but from everything you’ve taken in throughout the day? From the constant stimulation, the emotions you’ve absorbed, and the never-ending to-do list running through your mind? In this episode, Simone explores what it really means to digest your day, emotionally, mentally, and energetically. She shares how the things we consum...

“Never mistake movement for achievement.” — Tony Robbins We’ve all had those days where we’re flat out - emails, errands, perfecting our logo or website, even throwing on a load of washing - and it looks like productivity. But if the needle isn’t moving on what truly matters, it’s not progress… it’s fake productivity. In this episode, I unpack: - Why fake productivity is the most sophisticated for...

When you hear the term men’s work, what comes to mind? A bootcamp for “toughening up”? A place to talk about feelings? Something mysterious that happens behind closed doors? In this episode, I sit down with Skott Taylor - facilitator, men's work leader, husband, father, and passionate advocate for creating safe spaces where men can be real, vulnerable, and deeply connected. Skott shares his journe...

One year ago, I never imagined I'd be someone who swims in the ocean year-round. I’ve always hated the cold — and yet, here I am, dipping into the sea every Friday morning at 7am, rain, wind or winter chill. It all started with a simple WhatsApp message to a few women on Waiheke Island… and now we’re a pod of more than 30 mermaids showing up every week. Some days there are just two of us, some day...

Why I Don’t Tell Clients to Quit Their Jobs and Follow Their Purpose This might surprise you—but I rarely tell my clients to quit their jobs in the name of purpose. Even though I guide women through life transitions and help them reconnect with their sense of purpose, I'm not in the business of promoting impulsive leaps. Why? Because purpose isn’t always about walking away—it’s about walking towar...

In this episode, I share my reflections on turning 50 and the five most important lessons I've learned along the way. Recording on the eve of my 50th birthday, I discuss how this milestone feels different - bringing joy rather than the emotional difficulty I've experienced with past birthdays. My word for the year is "receive," and I share how I celebrated with my soul tribe through a meaningful t...

Episode: How to SLIP into Your Week with Intention and Ease In this episode, we explore a powerful framework for starting your week with clarity, focus, and alignment. Learn how to break free from the reactive Monday morning email trap and instead create a week that flows with purpose. What You'll Learn: Why most of us jump straight into "doing mode" on Mondays (and how it sabotages our week) The...

Are you feeling stuck, overthinking, or unsure about your next steps? In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of Internal Family Systems (IFS) and discover how different parts of ourselves can block our path to clarity. Drawing from years of experience working with clients, Simone reveals the three most common internal parts that keep us from moving forward: The Overthinking Protector Th...

In this episode, we dive into the subtle ways self-abandonment shows up in our lives and how it can leave us feeling disconnected and unfulfilled. Self-abandonment occurs when we ignore our true needs in favour of pleasing others or meeting societal expectations, often leading to emotional exhaustion, burnout, and physical neglect. Key Patterns of Self-Abandonment: People-Pleasing: Prioritising ot...

Welcome back to the podcast! Today’s episode is all about setting up your week for success with clarity, focus, and momentum. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or find it challenging to prioritize what's most important, this episode is for you. Episode Highlights: The importance of intentional planning for gaining weekly clarity and focus. How I use a “primer” approach in my membership program for bra...

In this episode, we dive into the challenges faced by those who feel too restless for traditional meditation practices. Inspired by a recent question from a workshop attendee, I explore how high-energy personalities and those who struggle with restlessness can still cultivate mindfulness and self-awareness without having to sit in stillness. We often think meditation is the only way to build resil...

In this deeply reflective episode, we explore the profound power of discomfort and how leaning into it can lead to significant personal growth. Inspired by my own journey of sharing vulnerable truths in a previous episode, I delve into the surprising lessons I learned about discomfort, especially in how we receive care and support from others. I discuss the practice of embracing small discomforts...

In this episode, I dive deep into my personal journey through one of the most challenging periods of my life—navigating perimenopause while dealing with various stressors. This episode is raw, real, and a bit vulnerable as I share stories I've never spoken about publicly before. But I believe in the power of storytelling to heal, connect, and offer hope. So, join me as I take you through a transfo...

In this episode, we explore the four main reasons people resist deeper healing work, even when they recognize its importance. We discuss the discomfort of confronting past pain, the allure of staying in familiar patterns, the subtle payoffs of avoiding change, and the deep-seated belief of unworthiness that often hinders self-investment. Through my experiences and insights, I'll guide you on how t...

Episode Highlights: Welcome back to the podcast! Today is an exciting day because the doors to my Living with Purpose group coaching program are open. This program only opens once a year, so if you've been curious, now is the time to join. The doors close this weekend, and I can't wait to work with an intimate group of women on their journey to finding and living their purpose. In the Living with...

In this episode, we dive into the common yet often overlooked feeling of ennui—the sense of listlessness and dissatisfaction that can creep into our lives, leaving us feeling tired, bored, and unmotivated. Inspired by the new character in Inside Out 2, we'll explore practical strategies to help you overcome this "meh" feeling and reignite your passion for life. Highlights from the Episode: • Insid...

Episode Summary: We’re just past the halfway point of the year. This is the perfect moment to decide: do we let our goals slide, or do we reset our energy and realign with what truly matters to us? Why a Mid-Year Review Matters: A mid-year review allows us to pause and reflect on the journey so far. It’s about recognizing both the hard parts and the successes, holding ourselves with the same compa...

In today's show, I share my own personal ritual I do using Internal Family Systems (IFS) work. If you are looking for rituals to connect with yourself and gain greater self-awareness, self-compassion and self-connection, tune in and take a listen. www.simonedenny.me facebook.com/simonedennycoaching instagram.com/simonedennycoaching simone@simonedenny.me

Have you ever noticed how some weeks you’re in a flow state, effortlessly getting things done, while other weeks your mind is constantly task-switching like a clown with too many balls in the air? As a coach, I'm passionate about helping people be intentional about where they put their energy and attention each day, week, and beyond. Personally, I've noticed a big difference when I don’t do my pla...