Unlock Your Blocks with Elyssa

Navigating Burnout: A Path to Self-Discovery

Are you burned out—or just out of alignment?
In this empowering solo episode of Unlock Your Blocks, Elyssa Smith takes a deep dive into the root causes of burnout for high-achieving women. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about doing too much—it’s about abandoning yourself. Elyssa explores how ignoring your own desires in favor of perfectionism, people-pleasing, or obligation leads to chronic exhaustion and disconnection.
She walks you through how to reconnect with your zone of genius, the importance of intrinsic motivation, and how small shifts can lead to big transformations in both your energy and your life.
✅ What You’ll Learn:
Why burnout often stems from self-abandonment, not just overworking
How to identify the disconnect between action and alignment
What your zone of genius is—and how to find it
Why perfectionism and people-pleasing amplify emotional fatigue
The importance of evaluating what drains vs. excites you
Why saying no is essential for self-preservation
How to reignite motivation through inspiration, not obligation
The power of tiny, joyful actions to build long-term resilience
🕒 Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Understanding Burnout and Self-Abandonment 02:58 – The Zone of Genius: Finding What Lights You Up 05:42 – Overcoming Procrastination and Perfectionism
Get a free call with Elyssa:​​Ladies - book your FREE 15-minute Unlock Your Blocks focus call with Elyssa to get to the root of why you are stuck playing small and help you discover your next steps. You are just 15 minutes from the clarity that will set you free!
Book here: https://elyssasmith.com/focus
📌 Follow Elyssa for More:📸 Instagram📘 Facebook Group – The Stressless Lounge
 

Unlocking Your Potential: Navigating Life Transitions with Hilary Spiritos

What if feeling lost is exactly where you're meant to start?
In this episode of Unlock Your Blocks, Elyssa Smith sits down with Hilary Spiritos, a pathfinding coach who specializes in helping young adults navigate major life transitions. Together, they explore how self-sabotage, inner child work, and societal expectations shape the post-high school journey. Hilary shares how courage, safety, and deep self-awareness can help young people discover their authentic direction—and why it’s okay not to have it all figured out.
If you're in a season of change or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers wisdom, warmth, and grounded guidance.
✅ What You’ll Learn:
Why life transitions can trigger fear, self-doubt, and resistance
The power of coaching in helping young adults find clarity
How external expectations and inner beliefs fuel self-sabotage
Why connecting with the inner child is key to growth
The importance of building internal safety before making big decisions
How small acts of courage create momentum
Ways to honor your desires in the face of societal pressure
Why you’re not alone in feeling uncertain
🕒 Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Navigating Life Transitions 02:25 – The Role of a Pathfinding Coach 07:42 – Overcoming Self-Sabotage and Limiting Beliefs 11:45 – Finding Your Authentic Path 16:34 – Understanding the Inner Child 22:02 – Building Safety and Courage 30:12 – First Steps Towards Freedom
 
📲 Connect with Elyssa for More Inspiration: 📸 Instagram: @elyssacsmith 👥 Facebook Group: The Stressless Lounge
 
Connect with Hilary:
Website: https://batouttahell.net/
TikTok/Instagram: @bat.outta_hell
Calendly: https://calendly.com/batouttahell
 

Unlocking Productivity: Overcoming To-Do List Overwhelm

Is your to-do list silently running the show—and running you into the ground?
In this solo episode of Unlock Your Blocks, host Elyssa Smith dives into the emotional and psychological weight of to-do lists. She explores how the freeze survival response, perfectionism, and childhood conditioning contribute to chronic overwhelm. More than just a time management issue, Elyssa reveals how our nervous systems react to productivity pressure—and offers compassionate, practical tools for reclaiming calm and control.
This is a must-listen for high achievers, people-pleasers, and perfectionists ready to step off the hamster wheel and back into self-leadership.
✅ What You’ll Learn:
Why to-do list overwhelm activates a freeze response
How childhood programming contributes to perfectionism and procrastination
The danger of treating your to-do list like a controlling entity
How to break tasks into manageable categories
The role of self-care and nervous system regulation in productivity
Practical tips for outsourcing, simplifying, and softening the pressure
The “Three S’s” approach for stress and overwhelm
How to shift from all-or-nothing thinking to graceful action
🕒 Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to Overwhelm and Productivity 03:05 – Understanding To-Do List Overwhelm 05:47 – The Impact of Childhood Conditioning 09:00 – The Freeze Response and Its Consequences 12:06 – Steps to Overcome Overwhelm 17:07 – Practical Strategies for Managing Your To-Do List
Get a free call with Elyssa:​​Ladies - book your FREE 15-minute Unlock Your Blocks focus call with Elyssa to get to the root of why you are stuck playing small and help you discover your next steps. You are just 15 minutes from the clarity that will set you free!
Book here: https://elyssasmith.com/focus
📌 Follow Elyssa for More:📸 Instagram📘 Facebook Group – The Stressless Lounge
 

The Journey to Resilient Sleep with Tracy Hannigan

Is your sleep a nightly struggle? You're not alone.
In this heartfelt episode of Unlock Your Blocks, Elyssa Smith sits down with Tracy Hannigan, a sleep therapist who brings both personal experience and professional insight into the complex world of insomnia. Together, they explore how perfectionism, emotional regulation, and the drive for control can disrupt sleep—and how self-compassion and joy can be the surprising keys to healing.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling stuck in the cycle of sleepless nights, mental fatigue, and frustration. Tracy’s empowering approach redefines sleep not as a battle to win, but as a part of a fulfilling, joyful life.
✅ What You’ll Learn:
How mental health and sleep are deeply connected
Why perfectionism and control worsen insomnia
Why sleep hygiene alone isn't enough
How isolation and self-criticism affect recovery
The importance of daily actions over outcome-focused thinking
How to incorporate joyful experiences to soothe the nervous system
Why emotional regulation is a hidden pillar of restful sleep
Tools to create a safe, nurturing environment for your healing
🕒 Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to Sleep Struggles 02:05 – Tracy's Journey into Sleep Therapy 04:05 – Personal Experiences with Insomnia 09:35 – Understanding Sleep Cycles and Control 14:14 – The Paradox of Control in Sleep 16:31 – Self-Sabotage and Perfectionism in Sleep 20:41 – Overcoming Isolation and Perfectionism 24:25 – The Gray Area of Healing and Trusting Yourself 26:50 – Measuring Progress with Self-Compassion 29:04 – The Role of Joy in Healing 31:28 – Maintaining Life While Recovering from Insomnia 35:39 – Redefining Sleep and Life Fulfillment 39:37 – Creating a Safe Environment for Healing 42:54 – Practical Steps for Self-Compassion 45:46 – Nurturing Self-Care Practices
Get a free call with Elyssa:​​Ladies - book your FREE 15-minute Unlock Your Blocks focus call with Elyssa to get to the root of why you are stuck playing small and help you discover your next steps. You are just 15 minutes from the clarity that will set you free!
Book here: https://elyssasmith.com/focus
📌 Follow Elyssa for More:📸 Instagram📘 Facebook Group – The Stressless Lounge
 
 

Breaking the Cycle: Imposter Syndrome & Analysis Paralysis

Do you feel stuck in your own head, second-guessing every move?
In this eye-opening solo episode of Unlock Your Blocks, Elyssa Smith tackles the hidden drivers behind imposter syndrome, analysis paralysis, and self-doubt—and how they stem from deep-rooted childhood programming. She explains how the survival brain keeps us small in the name of safety, and why even the most capable women can feel paralyzed by fear of rejection or failure.
Elyssa doesn’t just unpack the “why”—she shares practical pattern interrupts and mindset shifts to help you reclaim your confidence and move forward. If you’re ready to stop spinning in circles and start showing up fully, this one’s for you.
✅ What You’ll Learn:
Why imposter syndrome is more than just insecurity
How childhood programming creates subconscious barriers
The connection between fear of rejection and survival mode
What “should” statements reveal about hidden self-judgments
Why we can’t access creativity and strategy while in survival mode
How pattern interrupts can shift your emotional state
Joy as a tool for mental clarity and resilience
The importance of support and self-exploration in rewiring beliefs
🕒 Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Understanding Imposter Syndrome 06:05 – The Cycle of Analysis Paralysis 11:55 – Practical Hacks for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Get a free call with Elyssa:​​Ladies - book your FREE 15-minute Unlock Your Blocks focus call with Elyssa to get to the root of why you are stuck playing small and help you discover your next steps. You are just 15 minutes from the clarity that will set you free!
Book here: https://elyssasmith.com/focus
📌 Follow Elyssa for More:📸 Instagram📘 Facebook Group – The Stressless Lounge
 
 

Navigating Vulnerability: A Journey to Healing with Caitlin LoCascio King

What happens when high achievement collides with unresolved trauma?
In this powerful episode of Unlock Your Blocks, Elyssa Smith sits down with Caitlin LoCascio King—a business attorney turned social media strategist—to unpack a deeply personal and transformative journey. From her unexpected pivot out of Navy ROTC to building a successful career in branding and marketing, Caitlin shares her raw, real experience navigating trauma, perfectionism, and self-sabotage.
Together, they explore how medical trauma, imposter syndrome, and an unrelenting inner critic can derail even the most driven women—and how self-compassion, support systems, and tiny acts of self-care can help rebuild from the inside out. This conversation is a beautiful reminder that healing is not linear, and that vulnerability can be your greatest strength.
✅ What You’ll Learn:
How Caitlin’s career path shifted from Navy ROTC to law to social media strategy
Why perfectionism and high achievement can become coping mechanisms
The role of trauma in shaping our beliefs, behaviors, and boundaries
The hidden toll of self-sabotage and how to break the cycle
Why having a support system is critical to both healing and business growth
The power of acknowledging “I can’t keep doing this” as a turning point
How joy, hobbies, and rest are essential—not optional—for recovery
Practical ways to begin showing compassion to yourself right now
🕒 Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to Caitlin LoCascio King 02:19 – Caitlin's Journey: From Navy ROTC to Law School 07:33 – Transitioning to Social Media Marketing 10:06 – Overcoming Trauma and the Importance of Support 13:27 – The Struggles of Perfectionism and Self-Sabotage 20:19 – Navigating Imposter Syndrome and Procrastination 21:36 – Caitlin's Medical Journey and Its Impact on Life 29:26 – Reflections on Self-Care and Replenishment 30:38 – Navigating Vulnerability and Coping Mechanisms 33:54 – The Impact of Trauma on Daily Life 39:44 – Finding the Path to Healing 45:03 – Taking the First Steps Towards Self-Care 51:29 – Embracing Joy and Self-Care in Everyday Life
Get a free call with Elyssa:​​Ladies - book your FREE 15-minute Unlock Your Blocks focus call with Elyssa to get to the root of why you are stuck playing small and help you discover your next steps. You are just 15 minutes from the clarity that will set you free!
Book here: https://elyssasmith.com/focus
📌 Follow Elyssa for More:📸 Instagram📘 Facebook Group – The Stressless Lounge

Unlocking the Anxiety Trap: The Perfectionism Connection

Is your drive for perfection keeping you in survival mode?
In this solo episode of Unlock Your Blocks, Elyssa Smith breaks down the powerful and often painful link between perfectionism, anxiety, and childhood messaging—especially for high-achieving women. Drawing from trauma-informed insights, Elyssa explains how the need to “perform perfectly” for love, validation, or safety in early life can evolve into a deep-rooted belief that self-worth equals achievement.
She invites listeners to challenge this narrative and begin the process of rewiring old beliefs, offering a compassionate reminder: You are already worthy. If you’ve ever felt like your value depends on getting it all right, this episode will offer clarity, relief, and next steps toward emotional safety and self-acceptance.
✅ What You’ll Learn:
How childhood conditioning wires women to link perfection with worth
Why high achievers are especially prone to anxiety and burnout
The impact of living in constant survival mode
Why emotional safety is the foundation of true growth
How to start separating your identity from your performance
The role of unconditional love in healing perfectionist patterns
Practical strategies for rewiring limiting beliefs
Get a free call with Elyssa:​​Ladies - book your FREE 15-minute Unlock Your Blocks focus call with Elyssa to get to the root of why you are stuck playing small and help you discover your next steps. You are just 15 minutes from the clarity that will set you free!
Book here: https://elyssasmith.com/focus
📌 Follow Elyssa for More:📸 Instagram📘 Facebook Group – The Stressless Lounge

Unlocking the Connection Between Self-Sabotage and Health with Inna Topiler

Can perfectionism, shame, and stress actually make you sick?
In this deeply insightful episode of Unlock Your Blocks, Elyssa Smith is joined by Inna Topiler, clinical nutritionist and expert in autoimmune wellness, to explore the powerful—and often overlooked—link between self-sabotage and physical health. From her personal experience living with Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism to her professional journey in functional medicine, Ina shares a heartfelt and science-backed perspective on what it truly takes to heal.
Together, they explore how unresolved emotional patterns, chronic stress, and a dysregulated nervous system can act as hidden barriers to healing. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating autoimmune issues or on a holistic wellness journey that includes both body and mind.
✅ What You’ll Learn:
How self-sabotage can show up in physical symptoms like fatigue and inflammation
Why shame, perfectionism, and overdoing it can stall healing
The role of functional medicine in uncovering root causes of illness
How Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism can be supported through nutrition and lifestyle
Why nervous system regulation is foundational to recovery
The connection between mental, emotional, and physical health
Practical self-care tools for managing autoimmunity and reducing stress
The underestimated healing power of rest, joy, and self-awareness
🕒 Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to Inna Topiler 02:15 – Ina’s Personal Health Journey 06:38 – Understanding Autoimmunity and Hashimoto’s 11:27 – Self-Sabotage and Emotional Triggers 16:40 – Nervous System Regulation and Healing 22:02 – The Role of Nutrition and Functional Medicine 27:18 – Joy, Rest, and Sustainable Wellness 33:10 – Final Insights on Holistic Healing
Connect with Ina: 🌐 Inna’s Website 📸 Instagram
📌 Follow Elyssa for More: 🌐 www.elyssasmith.com/focus 📸 Instagram 📘 Facebook Group – The Stressless Lounge

The Sexist Programming that Leads to People Pleasing in Women

Why do so many women feel responsible for everyone else’s comfort—often at the cost of their own?
In this revealing solo episode of Unlock Your Blocks, Elyssa Smith digs deep into the roots of people pleasing and how it’s tied to sexist societal programming that starts in childhood. From the pressure to "be nice" to the hidden toll it takes on women’s mental health, Elyssa unpacks why so many women find themselves stuck in cycles of overgiving, anxiety, and self-abandonment.
She offers empowering insights on how to identify these ingrained behaviors, regulate your nervous system, and reclaim your right to take up space. This is a must-listen for any woman ready to choose authenticity over approval—and learn the life-changing power of setting boundaries.
✅ What You’ll Learn:
Why people pleasing is more than just a personality trait—it's a learned survival strategy
How childhood messages around “being nice” shape adult behavior
The link between people pleasing and anxiety, burnout, and self-neglect
Why authenticity often feels unsafe for women—and how to reclaim it
Tools for nervous system regulation to break reactive patterns
How to set healthy boundaries without guilt
The importance of understanding societal conditioning in order to break free
🕒 Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to People Pleasing and Sexist Programming 03:06 – The Roots of People Pleasing in Childhood 06:11 – The Consequences of People Pleasing 09:00 – Breaking the Cycle of People Pleasing 11:46 – Nervous System Regulation and Self-Discovery 15:00 – Empowerment and Setting Boundaries
Get a free call with Elyssa:​​Ladies - book your FREE 15-minute Unlock Your Blocks focus call with Elyssa to get to the root of why you are stuck playing small and help you discover your next steps. You are just 15 minutes from the clarity that will set you free!
Book here: https://elyssasmith.com/focus

Breaking Cycles to Create Something New with Christiana Garza

What does it take to leave the familiar behind and step fully into alignment?
In this inspiring episode of Unlock Your Blocks, Elyssa sits down with Christiana Garza, visionary entrepreneur and co-founder of Her Society Solutions. From humble beginnings as a virtual assistant in 2014 to creating a platform that supports female founders in building systems and scaling with soul, Christiana's story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we lead with courage and intention.
They dive deep into what it really means to pivot—not just in business, but in life. From battling self-sabotage and burnout to embracing community and the wisdom of the nervous system, this conversation is rich with actionable insights and vulnerable truths. If you’ve been craving alignment and a legacy that lasts, this episode is for you.
✅ What You’ll Learn:
Why overworking is often a sneaky form of self-sabotage
How understanding your nervous system supports better decision-making
The strength in asking for help—and why it’s essential
How to create systems that nurture both your business and your wellbeing
Why community is the key to sustainable growth
The role of reflection and rest in building a lasting legacy
What it truly means to find peace and purpose in your entrepreneurial path
🕒 Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to Christiana Garza 02:18 – Christiana's Entrepreneurial Journey 06:24 – The Courage to Pivot 12:48 – Understanding Self-Sabotage 17:26 – Asking for Help and Building Community 22:15 – The Shift in Mindset and Systems 28:05 – Helping Clients Overcome Procrastination 33:00 – The Importance of Pausing and Reflection
Connect with Christiana: 🔗 Her Society Solutions 📸 Instagram
Get a free call with Elyssa:​​Ladies - book your FREE 15-minute Unlock Your Blocks focus call with Elyssa to get to the root of why you are stuck playing small and help you discover your next steps. You are just 15 minutes from the clarity that will set you free!
Book here: https://elyssasmith.com/focus
📌 Follow Elyssa for More:📸 Instagram📘 Facebook Group – The Stressless Lounge