Unlock Your Blocks with Elyssa

If slowing down makes you feel guilty, anxious, or like you’re falling behind, it’s not because you lack discipline — it’s because your nervous system learned that rest was unsafe. In this episode of Unlock Your Blocks, trauma-informed executive coach Elyssa Smith unpacks how productivity quietly becomes a survival pattern for high-achieving women. When your worth, safety, or emotional approval we...

If you’ve ever sat staring at a decision — unable to choose, unable to move, stuck in a fog of “I don’t know” — this episode is going to feel like a breath of relief. In this episode of Unlock Your Blocks, trauma-informed executive coach Elyssa Smith breaks down the freeze response and reveals why so many high-achieving women mistake it for overthinking, procrastination, or indecision. You’ll lear...

If you’ve ever wondered how someone rebuilds their life after devastating loss — not just surviving, but truly thriving — this episode will deeply move you. In this episode of Unlock Your Blocks, trauma-informed executive coach Elyssa Smith sits down with Rochelle Gilbert, UK-based property investor and founder of a hands-free property investment company helping business owners build passive incom...

If you’re the one keeping everyone else steady — managing emotions, smoothing conflict, carrying the weight of keeping the family or team “okay” — it’s not because you should just be stronger. It’s because you’re carrying unprocessed grief and hidden emotional burdens you were never given space to name. In this episode of Unlock Your Blocks, trauma-informed executive coach Elyssa Smith uncovers ho...

Do you ever notice yourself gravitating toward chaos the moment life finally gets quiet? Maybe you overschedule, stay busy, worry nonstop, or feel restless the moment peace arrives. You’re not alone — and you’re not doing anything wrong. In this episode of Unlock Your Blocks, Elyssa breaks down why ease can feel unsafe for high-achieving women and how your nervous system pulls you back toward stre...

Have you ever asked yourself, “Why am I not moving forward when I know exactly what I want?” You’re not broken — you’re human. In this episode of Unlock Your Blocks, Elyssa uncovers the deeper reason so many high-achieving women feel resistance when they get close to success. It’s not laziness or a lack of motivation — it’s your nervous system trying to keep you safe. Elyssa breaks down how past e...

Do you replay conversations in your head… overanalyze every decision… or worry you said or did the “wrong thing”? You’re not alone — and there’s nothing wrong with you. In this episode of Unlock Your Blocks, Elyssa breaks down the real reason overthinking happens (hint: it’s not a mindset issue). Instead, she explains how second-guessing is a nervous system response rooted in childhood patterns, p...

In this short but powerful episode of Unlock Your Blocks, trauma-informed life strategist Elyssa Smith reminds us that rest isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for healing, creativity, and sustainable success. She explores how small, intentional moments of rest can regulate the nervous system, prevent burnout, and reignite productivity. If you’ve ever felt guilty for slowing down or struggled to find...

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...