Somewhere along the way, many of us learned that being loved meant being less. We said “it’s okay” when it wasn’t. We smiled through things that hurt. We made ourselves small to keep things smooth. I know I did. I used to believe I had to accept sarcastic digs to feel close to someone. I […]
Stop Shrinking. You Were Never Meant to Be Less. Read More »
What’s for dinner?It’s such a simple question.And yet… it drives me crazy. I hate this topic. Before I had kids, dinner was just something you ate and maybe even enjoyed.It wasn’t complicated.It certainly wasn’t something I obsessed about or dreaded. Now, after 21 years of parenting, and 21 years of meal planning, it feels like
The One Question That Drives Me Crazy Read More »
I once had a friendship that, on the surface, seemed great. Our families spent time together, we shared laughs, and there were moments that felt like real connection. But underneath, there were also patterns that hurt—subtle dismissals, times when my feelings didn’t seem to matter, moments when I went along with things just to keep
Are You Settling for Emotional Breadcrumbs? Read More »
Many coaches are great at coaching but have no idea how to build a business. They feel confused about where to start finding clients. That said, if you’re a coach and you’re wondering where to get started, here’s a few tips on how to find clients. Green, Yellow, Red Lists First, make a green, yellow,
How to Find Clients – Lead Generation Read More »
Are your secrets holding you back from living your best life? Many of us carry the weight of shame, regret, and lies from our past, creating a false self that keeps us stuck in patterns of pain and self-sabotage. As unappealing as this may sound, speaking your truth is the key to shedding this burden
The Power of Speaking Your Truth Read More »
My latest newsletter is live—read it here: https://gretchenhydo.com/blog/
This one hits deep.
It’s about the ways we shrink ourselves to stay liked, keep the peace, or avoid conflictand how to start unlearning the patterns that are keeping you stuck.
If you’ve ever said yes when you meant no…
Held your tongue to avoid being “too much”…
Or made yourself smaller to make others comfortable…
You’re not alone.
And you’re allowed to take up space again.
I’m sharing my story, the truth about what shrinking really looks like, and a powerful journaling prompt to help you reconnect with your voice.
Go give it a read. And if it speaks to you, share it with someone who needs it.
#breakfreetoBOLD #reclaimyourpower #stopshrinking #womensvoices #boldAF #liveunfiltered
She didn’t yell.
She snapped.
In the middle of a team meeting—when someone questioned her pitch—
it was like a switch flipped.
Her chest got hot.
Her voice tightened.
And before she could think, she was defending herself like the room was a battlefield.
Later, she couldn’t stop replaying it.
Why did that one comment trigger that big of a reaction?
Here’s the truth:
If it’s hysterical, it’s historical.
That spike of emotion?
It likely wasn’t about the meeting at all.
It was about that time in college when she got shut down for “speaking too much.”
Or the moment in 8th grade when her teacher laughed at her answer.
Or the childhood pattern of being told she was “too intense.”
What she felt was real.
But the volume?
That came from a story that started a long time ago.
This is what I call a Tripwire Emotion—
an emotional overreaction that’s rooted in the past, not the present.
And if you’re a high-achieving woman who’s built her career on composure, control, and performance…
those outbursts can feel confusing.
Even shameful.
But they don’t make you “unprofessional.”
They make you human.
And they’re pointing you toward something that needs your attention.
Not your punishment.
Want to stop being blindsided by your reactions?
I created “The Emotions Cycle” Guide just for you.
It’ll help you spot the triggers,
name what’s actually happening beneath the surface,
and begin to shift your response with compassion and clarity.
Click the link in the comments to get your complementary guide.
#emotionalintelligence #executivecoaching #womeninleadership #highachievingwomen #selfawareness
Just 3 Spots Available – Focused Coaching for Coaches (June Only)
If you’re a coach who’s clear on your next move but just can’t seem to gain traction, this is for you.
Whether you want to:
Refine your message
Create more clients
Raise your rates
Get out of your own way
I’m opening up 3 exclusive spots for a short-term, high-impact coaching sprint this June.
Here’s what you get:
4 private sessions (45 minutes each)
Goal-focused and results-driven
No long-term commitment
Just real coaching, real clarity, real momentum
I don’t usually offer short-term work like this. But if you’re ready to move, I’m making an exception.
Claim your spot now: https://buy.stripe.com/5kA2884mx8XvaWY4gg
All sessions must be booked in June and used by the end of July 2025.
Let’s get you some traction.
#coachingforcoaches #businesscoaching #coachgrowth #momentummatters #highimpactcoaching
On paper, my life looked great.
Inside, I was overwhelmed and anxious.
I smiled. I showed up. I handled it all.
But no one saw what it cost me.
The overthinking.
The pressure.
The slow, silent unraveling.
I didn’t need a new strategy.
I needed a place to be real.
So I built one.
That’s how the BOLD AF Workshop came to life.
For the woman who’s been carrying it all…
and is finally ready to put some of it down.
Swipe through.
And if you see yourself in these words, drop a “ME” below.
Let’s stop pretending and start unlearning—together.
.
.
#womenwholead #personaldevelopment #leadership #BOLDAF #activatedandfree #womenleaders
That was my story for a long time.
“I’m too much.”
“I scare people off.”
“People don’t stick around.”
It sounded like the truth—but it wasn’t.
It was a survival narrative.
One I learned early and wore like armor.
And here’s the thing:
Most high-achieving women are walking around with stories like this, stories that feel like facts because they’ve been repeated for years.
So how do you start breaking free?
Here’s what I walk my clients through:
1. Name the script.
What’s the thing you always say about yourself?
“I always have to be the strong one.”
“If I speak up, people won’t like me.”
“I’m too sensitive / intense / driven / [fill in the blank].”
2. Ask: Where did this come from?
Was it a parent? A role you had to play? A moment that hurt?
You didn’t make it up out of nowhere. But that doesn’t mean it belongs to you.
3. Hold it up to the truth.
Does this story still serve you?
Or is it keeping you quiet, over-functioning, second-guessing, or stuck?
It’s not about fixing what’s broken.
It’s about freeing what’s buried.
You don’t have to carry that old story forever.
And you sure as hell don’t have to keep living by it.
Drop your story below if you’re ready to challenge it.
Or share what you’ve been unlearning lately.
Let’s talk about it.
#theunmasking #reclaimyourpower #highachievingwomen #mindsetreset #coachingtruth #unlearntorebuild
