The Happy Achiever Podcast

At some point, you have to ask yourself a hard question: Is the life I’m building actually the life I want? In this episode of The Happy Achiever Podcast , Amal sits down with Korey Cournoyer to talk about what it looks like to stop chasing what’s comfortable… and start choosing what matters. Korey had momentum. He helped scale a company, was speaking all over the country, and had built something...

We spend so much time thinking about how to say something, but almost no one talks about what it actually feels like once you do. In this episode of The Happy Achiever Podcast , Amal follows up with Gabby after she had a difficult conversation with one of her closest friends - someone she’s known for nearly 20 years.  And while the conversation went well, it didn’t go exactly how she expected. Her...

Most people don’t struggle with difficult conversations because they don’t know what to say. They struggle because they’re afraid of how it will go.  - So they avoid it.  - They overthink it.  - They say nothing… and let it build.  And over time, that turns into frustration, resentment, and stress. In this episode of The Happy Achiever Podcast , Amal and Gabby walk through a simple, practical proc...

In this episode of The Happy Achiever Podcast , Mike Cully turns the tables and interviews Amal about what she’s learned after years of coaching high achievers. What actually separates the people who build extraordinary careers from everyone else? The answer isn’t talent, or even confidence. Amal shares the patterns she sees again and again in the insurance leaders and producers she works with - t...

Most people see top performers and assume their success comes from talent or confidence. But behind sustained success are simple habits, discipline, and a mindset built through rejection, and consistency.  In this episode of The Happy Achiever Podcast , Amal sits down with top insurance producer Mike Cully , who has been the #1 sales performer in every role he’s held for more than a decade.  From...

Most high achievers don’t struggle because they’re lazy or unmotivated. They struggle because, without realizing it, the way they speak to themselves is quietly undermining their confidence and follow-through. In this episode of The Happy Achiever Podcast , Amal and Gabby explore how the language you use, internally and externally, shapes your self-trust, your stress levels, and your results. You’...

In the last episode, we talked about Your Driving Purpose, what actually fuels you beyond money and pressure. In this conversation, we take the next step: turning that purpose into a clear, focused plan for the next 12 months. I’m continuing the conversation with Joe Moran , breaking down how high achievers decide what to focus on, what to let go of, and how to stop overwhelming themselves with to...

Most high achievers don’t struggle because they lack discipline or drive. They struggle because they’re chasing outcomes: money, validation, approval, and over time, that drains the energy out of their work. In this episode, I’m joined by Joe Moran , a leader in the insurance industry and someone I coached early on in my business. We talk about the concept that changed everything for both of us: y...

There’s a moment in sales when effort stays high… but confidence starts slipping. In this episode, insurance industry leader Jennifer Borislow turns the tables and puts Amal in the hot seat to unpack what really gets in the way of consistent performance, especially in long, competitive sales cycles.  We talk about: Why confidence erodes when results take longer than expected How focusing on outcom...

Most people don’t fail in insurance because they’re not capable. They fail because they underestimate how much discipline, and tenacity this business requires. In this episode, I’m joined by someone near and dear to my heart. Jennifer Borislow , Founder + CEO of Borislow Insurance. Jen started in sales over 40 years ago “dialing for dollars” out of the yellow pages…(do you even know what those are...

Most high achievers have no problem showing up when there’s a boss, a quota, or a client depending on them. But what about the commitments you make to yourself - your health, your energy, and your own personal goals? In this episode, Amal and HR leader Gabby Peabody dig into why so many driven professionals follow through for everyone else, but struggle to follow through for themselves. We talk ab...

In this episode, I’m joined by Gabby Peabody , who will be an occasional co-host on The Happy Achiever Podcast .  Gabby brings a grounded, thoughtful perspective from years of working directly with leaders and teams.  Together, we dig into something many high achievers struggle with but rarely talk about: You’re disciplined, driven, and consistent at work. But when it comes to your physical health...

In today’s episode of The Happy Achiever Podcast , I’m breaking down the mental shifts that allow you to stay confident, and focused—especially when something goes wrong externally . We’ve all been there. You’re having a great week, you’re dialed in, and then one phone call changes everything. A client leaves. A deal falls through. Suddenly your confidence evaporates and your mind jumps straight t...

If you’ve ever felt yourself chasing big goals… but feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or stuck in your head along the way—this episode is for you. Today John Flaherty steps in as guest host and asks me two powerful questions that so many high achievers wrestle with: Why does continual growth matter if you want to feel your best? What’s the real key to achieving big goals while actually enjoying the p...

If you’re in the insurance industry and you want to build a huge book of business without waking up stressed, exhausted, or running on adrenaline… this episode is for you. Today I’m joined by John Flaherty —a respected leader in the Boston insurance market who’s known for something rare: he’s wildly successful and genuinely happy. John brings a level of energy, and humility that you can feel the m...

If you’ve ever felt anxious while trying to achieve more in your career, relationships, or life—this episode will help you understand what’s happening inside you and give you tools you can use to feel more peace. In this conversation, entrepreneur Bryan Wells interviews me about something I’ve struggled with for most of my life: anxiety .  For years, anxiety made me question my abilities, and pull...

In this episode of The Happy Achiever Podcast, I sit down with Bryan Wells , a successful entrepreneur who has spent the last 15 years building businesses, taking risks, and, most importantly, transforming himself from the inside out. Bryan opens up about something so many high achievers quietly battle: the voice that whispers “You’re not good enough.”   Bryan shares openly about: Growing up in a...

This episode is part of a new format for The Happy Achiever Podcast . On weeks when I bring on a guest, you’ll get two episodes : one where I interview them, and another where they ask me the questions . It’s a more personal conversation—an opportunity for you to hear the insights and stories I usually share behind the scenes with my clients. And it’s fitting that Joe Moran is the first person to...

If you’ve ever found yourself giving too much, saying yes when you’re exhausted, or carrying stress that no one else sees, this conversation is going to speak directly to your heart. In this episode of The Happy Achiever Podcast , I sit down with Joe Moran , a respected leader in the insurance industry and one of my longtime clients, someone who has done the deep inner work most high achievers avo...

Welcome to The Happy Achiever Podcast , a space for driven, big-hearted achievers who are ready to reach their biggest goals without losing themselves in the process. If you want to achieve big goals and you’re willing to put in the work to make them happen, but the process is leaving you feeling more stress, anxiety, fear, or self-doubt than you’d like, then you’re in the right place. I’m Amal Gr...

As a new manager or leader, you may be feeling more self-doubt and stress than you’re used to feeling. New leaders shouldn’t have to struggle alone to become great leaders!   In today's episode, we're diving into the art of setting boundaries with your boss—starting with how to confidently say no without burning bridges. If you've ever found yourself overwhelmed by unrealistic deman...

Setting boundaries isn’t about saying no to everything; it’s about saying yes to what’s most important. When you set clear boundaries, you’ll feel less stressed, more confident, and you'll create a more engaged and motivated team environment. In this video, you'll learn: 1. The underlying reasons why you haven't been setting boundaries - whether that's wanting to be liked, disc...

You're always busy, and you feel stressed out and overwhelmed as a new leader.  The first step to feeling less stressed and more confident as a new or emerging leader is to prioritize what matters most. In this episode, you'll learn: 1. The underlying reasons why you haven't been prioritizing as much as you should - whether that's people pleasing, perfectionism or confusion.  2...

You've just been promoted to your first management role.  You're super excited and you know you can do well. But then, this little voice comes into your head and says, "You don't know what the hell you're doing!  You're going to be found out.  Your team won't like you; you'll get a bad review and then you'll get demoted." It's normal for new m...

In this episode of The Happy Leader Podcast, Amal speaks with Jason Lavender, Co-Founder & CEO of Electives, and MIT grad about the "Sweet Spot of Purpose" - Feeling good inside yourself while making others feel good.  In this episode you'll learn: The lessons Jason learned in how to create a high level of delight with your customers no matter what you do for a living. The secre...