The Best Self Podcast

We are surrounded by promises of quick fixes, instant breakthroughs and effortless transformation. But real growth rarely looks like a polished before-and-after. In this episode, I’m talking about why the inner work can feel slow, messy, painful and exhausting, and why that does not mean you are doing it wrong. I share what I have learned about stuck periods, emotional integration and staying with...

Do you find yourself scanning other people’s moods, replaying conversations and wondering whether someone is upset with you? In this episode, I’m talking about over-giving, over-functioning and fawning, and how these patterns can quietly leave you burnt out, resentful and disconnected from your own needs. I explore why being the capable one can become tied to your self-worth, how empathy turns int...

If getting dressed has started to feel frustrating, flat or strangely emotional, this episode is for you. I’m talking about why so many capable women end up with wardrobes full of clothes and still feel as though they have nothing to wear. This is not about fashion trends or buying more. It is about identity, self-worth and creating a wardrobe that reflects the woman you are now. I share why pract...

For years, I felt as though I was living inside a tiny box, one built from other people’s opinions, expectations and comfort. In this episode, I’m talking about what shrinking really looks like, from hiding your achievements to keeping your dreams quiet because you are afraid of being judged. I explore the difference between humility and betraying who you are, why silence from others can feel so p...

I nearly skipped a 20-minute workout because my brain had built a very convincing case for why everything else mattered more. Sound familiar? In this episode, I’m looking at the way we show up reliably for everyone else, while quietly treating our own needs as optional. I share how I moved through the overwhelm, why motivation is not always the real issue, and what changed when I stopped trying to...

I’m back, and honestly, it feels so good to say that. After life got big, messy, heartbreaking and properly challenging, I had to step away for a while. But the inner work didn’t stop, even when the podcast did. In fact, it carried on quietly under the surface. This new chapter is for the capable woman who looks like she’s holding it all together, but is quietly exhausted by the performance of it....

After three years away, I’m back behind the microphone, not because I have everything figured out, but because I’m finally learning to trust myself again. I’m sharing what happened when life became overwhelming, I kept putting everyone else first, and slowly disappeared from my own life. I talk honestly about burnout, frightening vertigo attacks and the moment I realised my body was forcing me to...

Have you ever created the perfect plan, felt completely fired up, then watched it fall apart before the day had properly begun? In this episode, I’m talking about the all-or-nothing trap, and why unrealistic plans can leave us feeling incapable when the real problem is the strategy, not us. I share how I’m learning to build flexibility into my goals, reduce promises until they feel impossible to f...

Back at school, September was always a time for fresh starts. It meant a new school year, new pencil cases, new uniforms..  In this episode I question why did we ever stop seeing September as a fresh start?  September is a great time of year to renew yourself and your business!    Here are the highlights:   (03:06) Fresh start affect  (07:29) Take a step back  (1...

Had a bit of a rollercoaster week? Then you'll relate to this one. Today, I'm sharing lessons from Calvin D. Banyan's book "The Secret Language of Feelings" and trust me, it's a game-changer. We'll chat about 10 emotions, from fear to guilt, frustration to disappointment, and I'll share some tips on how to handle these feelings without letting them boss you around. So, get comfy, grab a drink and...

Ever found yourself fighting boredom or feeling guilty for not keeping every minute of your child's day filled with activities? Well, this episode is for you. Let's rethink boredom and see it from a different perspective. We'll explore how a slower pace and even boredom can be beneficial for our mental and physical wellbeing, especially in our digital age where we are constantly "switched on." I'l...

In today's episode, I'm gonna take you on a bit of a journey. It's all about ditching the safe zone and daring to dream big, really big! It’s easy to get caught up in mum life and forget about our dreams. I'll be sharing some raw, real moments, especially those around parenting a child with additional needs. So, if you've ever found yourself playing it small, lost in the everyday grind, or simply...

In this week’s episode, I am taking a deep dive into mum guilt, sharing my own struggle with balancing parenthood and self-care. The instinct to protect our children, the lack of time, and the sacrifice of personal freedom all feed into the guilt we bear as mothers. My goal is to change the narrative around mum guilt, not just for you, but for myself too. It's time for some real talk. Let’s dive i...

In this episode, we dive into the paradox of feeling unhappy despite seeming to "have it all." We discuss the transformative power of asking ourselves better questions and how they can lead us out of our feelings of despair. I'll also share my top 10 questions that have guided me towards a happier self. Plus, we'll explore the therapeutic benefits of journaling, and how it can help us gain clarity...

Summer is here! As exciting as this is, it can sometimes mean that you end up slacking on your goals. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with taking a break. You definitely deserve it! However, I want you to enjoy this time without taking several steps back from all the achievements you've made so far. I'm here to provide you with practical tips so that we can design our summers and still...

Nicola Episode 24 Show Notes Fancy a fresh spin on summer? In this episode we talk all about ditching the 'perfect summer' pressure and just soaking up the now.  We chat about juggling work and family, and dreaming of a summer that's nourishing, restoring, and all about connection. It's a game changer you don’t want to miss! Here are the highlights: (1:46) The importance of being realistic ab...

I recently met up with a Mum friend of mine, and she did something that really irritated me...  She spent the whole time we were talking on her phone. But as mad as I was about it, I know that I do it too sometimes!  Our lives have become over-reliant on technology, on social media, and on smart phones. Life has become so urgent, and if we’re not constantly checking our devices we fear o...

When I was younger I used to enjoy a cheeky drink on a Friday evening. Or when I met up with friends. Or when we celebrated, well, anything. Or just because it was the weekend. You get the idea... Well today my relationship with alcohol is completely different. I no longer associate it with having a good time. I get to enjoy my life without the hangovers, and it feels great! Now when I go on holid...

Many clients that I work with in life coaching also come to me because they're not feeling comfortable about their body or health. This is often due to a lack of confidence and progress, so they feel very stagnant and stuck. One thing that many people don't know about me is that I'm a qualified fitness instructor and a qualified level three personal trainer. In this episode, I wanted to share how...

We all know that feeling where we say we’re going to work on this thing and then at the end of the week, we’ve not actually done it. Recently I was at a networking event and the topic of conversation kept coming up: the lack of focus. So, in this episode, I explore what not focusing looks like and share my top tips on things you can try to regain focus and increase your productivity. Here are the...

Fresh from doing a wardrobe consultation, which I've been doing since 2007, I wanted to share my tips for those of you stuck in a style rut. For those people who find it a chore to get dressed and are almost happy day to day just sticking on leggings and a baggy jumper, this episode will hopefully get you out of your rut and breathe some life into your wardrobe. Here are the highlights: (2:36) The...

I am here today to reach out to all of you who are ripping your hair out because you just can't get anything done. You don't appear to be able to make progress, you're not tracking towards your results, you're not having productive days and you seem to just be flitting from one thing to the other and not achieving any actual results. So, in this episode, I want to share my top tips on how you can...

I am notoriously indecisive and it's often because I can see the good in things along with the bad. So I end up not knowing how to proceed. So, in this episode, we explore how to make a better decision or, how to make any decision if you're in a place where you're just overthinking everything. Here are the highlights: (1:52) The power of journaling. (6:07) Clarity is important when making a decisi...

I believe that to do the best business, you have to operate and work on your best self. I've recently been working with many female entrepreneurs and career women who want to increase results in their small businesses. A lot of them have asked me what are my top tips so in this episode, I thought I would share them with you. Here are the highlights: (6:44) My top 10 tips for growing your business....

In this episode, I am talking to all of you out there who are feeling stuck, stagnant and cannot get out of a situation. Specifically those of you who can't seem to get any momentum or move forward. You feel like you are just spinning around in circles. You are absolutely capable of taking a small step in any other direction than the one you're used to. So in this episode, I share my top tips on h...