Welcome to the first episode of Authentic by Design, a transformative series about discovering your true self, reclaiming your life, and stepping off autopilot. If you’ve ever felt like you’re watching life happen to someone else, like life isn’t really yours, or like you’re aged-ahead while still waiting to feel alive, you’re in the right place.In this episode, I share a moment of awakening — sitting in my car in a Tampa parking garage, realizing the job, marriage, and identity I’d built wasn’t mine. I explore how we abandon ourselves to fit in, perform, succeed, and survive — and why that creates misalignment even at the height of achievement.👉 If you’ve ever thought, “On paper my life looks great — but I don’t feel it inside” — this episode is for you.🧠 In This Episode You’ll Learn:✔ What it feels like when you’re living someone else’s life✔ How childhood, culture, school, and social systems shape inauthentic paths✔ The myth of success = happiness✔ Why the “Sunday Scaries” may actually be your body telling you something is off✔ How your nervous system signals misalignment✔ A powerful invitation to listen to your body & inner knowing✔ A roadmap for the rest of this 4-part series on authentic living📍 Chapters / Timestamps0:00 — Episode Intro: Awakening in Tampa2:15 — What It Feels Like to Live a Life That’s Not Yours5:40 — Why Achievement Doesn’t Always Equal Alignment9:20 — Authenticity vs Performance (Therapy, Career, Culture)12:55 — The Sunday Scaries: A Hidden Alarm System15:42 — Invitation: Listening to Your Body18:10 — Where Inauthenticity Begins — Childhood & Conditioning23:00 — Systems That Teach Us to Abandon Ourselves26:35 — People Most Susceptible to Losing Themselves29:50 — The Four Pathways to Awakening34:15 — Physical & Emotional Signs You’re Off-Course39:40 — How to Know You’re Ready to Come Back42:10 — Your First Invitation Toward Alignment45:00 — Closing + What’s Coming Next in the Series❤️ If This Resonated With You✨ Subscribe so you don’t miss Episode 2 — where we dig into nervous system science + practical steps for returning to YOUR voice.💬 Comment: What did you feel when you asked your body if you’re living your life?👍 Like & Share with someone who needs to hear this.🔗 Connect With Me👉 Subscribe for all episodes & updates👉 Follow on IG/TikTok for clips & reflections👉 Join the conversation in the comments