There was a period in my life where I was playing the role of the enlightened teacher—meditating for hours, preaching non-attachment, pretending I had transcended suffering. On the outside, I looked serene. Inside, I was miserable. Anxious. Depressed. Struggling. Drowning in perfectionism.   But I couldn’t let anyone know, because I was “the spiritual one.” The persona became a prison.   The day I finally admitted the truth—“I’m not enlightened. I’m a mess. And I’m tired of pretending”—everything cracked open. The relief, the honesty, and the freedom that followed changed my life.   In this episode, we explore the shadow most spiritual entrepreneurs secretly battle:   The Fake Guru Persona — the performance of perfection that disconnects you from yourself and from the people you’re meant to serve.   You’ll discover why trying to be flawless actually blocks your gifts, kills your joy, and stops you from connecting deeply with your audience. And you’ll learn the real path of a true teacher: being human, honest, and just a few steps ahead.   We’ll dive into: The emotional cost of pretending you have everything figured out Why perfectionism keeps you stuck and insecure How the “guru costume” prevents real connection The moment every teacher must face their shadow The freedom that comes from being imperfectly real   You’ll also experience a guided moment of self-compassion where you gently take off the mask, speak to it with love, and return home to your real self.   If you’ve ever felt pressure to be the polished, perfect teacher — this episode will make you cry, breathe, and finally exhale.   Because your people don’t need the persona. They need YOU.