Love Your Life on Purpose

Michelle Vande Hey
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As mission-driven leaders, it's easy for you to prioritize the never-ending needs of your work and family over your own needs. After a lifetime of self-sacrifice, as you move into this next phase of your life you're asking yourself "who am I?" and "what do I want?" Listen as Michelle Vande Hey, International Life Coach & Compassion Fatigue, Vicarious Trauma, and Burnout Specialist helps you rediscover who you are outside of what you do. You ARE Worth It!!

  1. 12/23/2025

    When Being the Default Leads to Burnout (and How to Protect Your Mission)

    Send us a text Are you the default person in your family, business, or community—and quietly burning out because of it? In this deeply honest episode, Michelle Vande Hey shares what she’s navigating right now as a business owner, caregiver, and mission-driven leader—and the powerful reminder it brought about self-care, sustainability, and capacity. If you love what you do but feel exhausted, disconnected, or on the edge of burnout, this episode is for you. Michelle explores why passion doesn’t replace rest, how being the “default human” creates a hidden burden for leaders, and why self-care that actually works must be systemic—not reactive. You’ll walk away with practical, realistic steps to protect your energy, support your nervous system, and care for yourself in ways that sustain both you and your mission. In This Episode, We Cover: Why being the “default” person is a major (often invisible) contributor to burnoutThe early signs of burnout mission-driven leaders often ignoreWhy loving your work doesn’t mean you have unlimited capacityThe difference between reactive self-care and systemic self-careHow pre-scheduled care can support you during hard weeksWhy five-minute habits matter more than you thinkHow to build self-care systems that hold you when life gets heavy Practical Takeaways: Identify where you are the default—and the cost of carrying that roleSchedule self-care like survival, because it isBuild your self-care systems for the hard weeks, not the easy ones Thoughtful Three Reflection Questions: Where in my life am I the default—and what is that costing me right now?What is one small act of care I can schedule this week (not someday)?What support does future me need that I can plan for today? Resources Mentioned: Free Self-Care Cheat Sheet:  20 self-care habits that take 5 minutes or less—designed for busy, overwhelmed leaders https://www.michellevandehey.com/offers/DXtKeqHP/checkout If this episode resonated, share it with someone who’s carrying a lot and say, “I thought of you.”  Your mission is worth it—and you are worth it too. Download the Self-Care Cheat Sheet Join the community: Love Your Life on Purpose Prefer to watch on YouTube (be sure to subscribe!) Connect with me and DM me your aha moment, question, or to say hi! IG: @michellevandehey FB: Michelle Vande Hey LI: Michelle Vande Hey

    10 min

  2. 12/02/2025

    The Power of Small Pockets of Joy: How 5 Minutes Can Reset Your Whole Day

    Send us a text Have you ever had one of those tiny moments — so brief, so unexpected — that completely shifted your mood or your day? In this episode, I share a story from a cold, cloudy walk where a quick flash of sunshine reminded me of the incredible power of small, intentional moments of joy. For mission-driven leaders and changemakers, it’s easy to believe that you “don’t have time” for self-care or that meaningful rest must be big, long, or perfectly planned. But the truth? Small doesn’t mean insignificant. Small can be powerful — and sustainable. In this episode, you’ll learn:  • How a 30-second moment of warmth shifted my entire emotional state  • Why micro-moments of joy help regulate your nervous system  • How tiny resets support burnout prevention and creative energy  • The simple 5-Minute Joy Moment you can use anytime  • The compounding effect of small practices over time  • How these moments help you reconnect with yourself and your mission At the end, I share my Thoughtful Three — three reflective questions to help you explore, embody, and elevate these practices so you can create sustainable impact without losing yourself. If you’re ready to reignite your inner light, join the Reignite Your Inner Light Challenge: 7 minutes a day for 7 days to cultivate mindfulness, joy, and inner peace.   👉 Link https://www.michellevandehey.com/store Remember: you are worth the five minutes. Download the Self-Care Cheat Sheet Join the community: Love Your Life on Purpose Prefer to watch on YouTube (be sure to subscribe!) Connect with me and DM me your aha moment, question, or to say hi! IG: @michellevandehey FB: Michelle Vande Hey LI: Michelle Vande Hey

    11 min

  3. 11/18/2025

    From Burnout to Harmony: The Lesson I Learned in the NICU

    Send us a text Have you ever questioned if you’re truly qualified to do the work you’re doing? In this episode, Michelle Vande Hey shares a deeply personal story about her time in the NICU with her son—and how that experience revealed the foundation of everything she teaches about burnout, harmony, and self-leadership today. You’ll hear how intentional breaks, community support, and mindful structure helped her navigate an incredibly challenging time without burning out—and how those same tools can help you show up fully for your mission while honoring your own needs. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why “balance” isn’t the goal—and what to focus on insteadHow to lean on your community without guiltSimple ways to create harmony and prevent burnoutThe truth about what makes you qualified The Thoughtful Three + 1 Bonus: Schedule your breaks (even short ones count!)Lean on your community—let others carry what they canFocus on harmony, not balance Bonus: Be intentional with your time Download the Self-Care Cheat Sheet Join the community: Love Your Life on Purpose Prefer to watch on YouTube (be sure to subscribe!) Connect with me and DM me your aha moment, question, or to say hi! IG: @michellevandehey FB: Michelle Vande Hey LI: Michelle Vande Hey

    14 min

  4. 11/04/2025

    Owning Your Power (Even When Others Don’t Understand It)

    Send us a text Have you ever had a comment land so deeply it knocked the wind out of you? Recently Michelle was accused of being inauthentic and only asking her community to show up for her. In the past, a message like that would have sent her spiraling — apologizing, shrinking, defending.  This time she noticed the body’s reaction, paused, reflected, and chose curiosity over collapse. In this episode Michelle unpacks that experience and explains how trauma-sensitive yoga, mindful embodiment, and small grounded practices can rebuild self-trust so other people’s judgments lose their power. You’ll hear: What it felt like in the body when the accusation arrived (tightness, heat, urge to defend)The exact pause-and-reflect process Michelle used to avoid reactivityWhy leadership rooted in self-trust is more sustainable than leadership rooted in self-sacrificeHow trauma-sensitive yoga and embodiment practices help you notice, name, and choose your responseThree reflective questions (The Thoughtful Three) to use when you’re triggered Key takeaways: You can’t think your way into confidence — you have to feel your way back to it.Being in service doesn’t require self-sacrifice; anchoring in your worth makes your service sustainable.Not everyone will understand your power — that’s okay. The work is to remember your worth for yourself.Resources mentioned: Join the 7 Days to Reignite Your Inner Light Challenge: https://www.michellevandehey.com/store Join the Love Your Life On Purpose Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/187015119071559 Thoughtful Three — Reflection Questions: When was the last time you felt the urge to shrink or apologize for your power?What would it look like to respond instead of react in that moment?What helps you reconnect to your inner sense of worth when others don’t see it?Subscribe / Review: If this episode landed for you, please subscribe, rate, or leave a review — it helps more changemakers find this work. Share this episode with someone who needs permission to take up space. Download the Self-Care Cheat Sheet Join the community: Love Your Life on Purpose Prefer to watch on YouTube (be sure to subscribe!) Connect with me and DM me your aha moment, question, or to say hi! IG: @michellevandehey FB: Michelle Vande Hey LI: Michelle Vande Hey

    9 min

  5. 10/21/2025

    How to Recover from Burnout (What Finally Worked For Me!)

    Send us a text Burnout isn’t just about being tired — it’s about losing touch with who you are. In this heartfelt episode, host Michelle Vande Hey shares her personal story of burnout and the practices that helped her (and her clients) come back home to themselves. You’ll discover how slowing down, finding joy, and building authentic community can help you recover from burnout — not by doing more, but by being more of yourself. You’ll hear about: The real cost of pushing through: emotional, physical, and spiritual depletionWhy joy isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity for healing and creativityHow community can remind you of your worth when you’ve forgotten itThe mindset shift that helps you reclaim peace, freedom, and joyWhat happens when you combine slowing down, joy, and community together Mentioned in this episode: 👉 The Rediscovery RESET — Nichelle’s 5-step framework to help you release what’s not serving you and open yourself to renewal and joy. [Insert link] ✨ Connect with Michelle: https://www.instagram.com/michellevandehey/  https://www.facebook.com/lightoflovemichelle/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-vandehey  https://www.youtube.com/@michellevandehey  Download the Self-Care Cheat Sheet Join the community: Love Your Life on Purpose Prefer to watch on YouTube (be sure to subscribe!) Connect with me and DM me your aha moment, question, or to say hi! IG: @michellevandehey FB: Michelle Vande Hey LI: Michelle Vande Hey

    9 min

  6. 10/14/2025

    Burnout Recovery for Leaders: When Passion Isn’t Enough Anymore

    Send us a text You’ve given everything to your mission — but now you’re the one running on empty. What happens when the work that once inspired you starts to leave you numb? In this heartfelt episode, Michelle shares her personal story of grief, burnout, and rebuilding from the ground up. She reveals what most leaders never learn about sustaining impact: your passion is only the ignition — not the engine. Through reflection, storytelling, and practical guidance, Michelle helps you explore how to reconnect to your deeper “why,” build systems of support, and lead from a place of peace, freedom, and joy — not depletion. 🌿 In This Episode: The hidden emotional and financial cost of burnoutHow to tell when your passion has become your pressureWhy your “why” needs to go five layers deeperWhat a 10K race taught Michelle about resilience and renewalHow to shift from surviving to sustainable leadership 💬 Quote from Michelle: “Rediscovering your why isn’t about going back — it’s about going deeper and bringing others with you.” 🔗 Resources: Watch Michelle’s When Stories Talk: https://youtu.be/iZlTc2xFRf0?si=vnXpoB4Zx4Oe8YKOPrevious episode: How to Set Boundaries Without Guilt — includes 3 ready-to-use scripts✨ Connect with Michelle: https://www.instagram.com/michellevandehey/  https://www.facebook.com/lightoflovemichelle/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-vandehey  https://www.youtube.com/@michellevandehey  Download the Self-Care Cheat Sheet Join the community: Love Your Life on Purpose Prefer to watch on YouTube (be sure to subscribe!) Connect with me and DM me your aha moment, question, or to say hi! IG: @michellevandehey FB: Michelle Vande Hey LI: Michelle Vande Hey

    6 min

  7. 10/07/2025

    Burnout Recovery for Leaders (3 Scripts To Say “No” Without Guilt)

    Send us a text Have you ever said “yes” and instantly regretted it? You wanted to protect your time, but the guilt hit you like a truck. Setting boundaries can feel selfish or uncaring—but the truth is, they’re the very thing that allows you to stay in love with your mission instead of burning out. In this episode, I share 3 simple, word-for-word scripts you can use to say no without guilt. These scripts will help you: Protect your energy and focusStay present with family, work, and yourselfTie your boundaries to your values so others respect themLead by example, whether you’re at home or at workI also share a personal story about how a simple “stoplight” system transformed how my family respected my work boundaries—and how it helped me show up more fully in both places. ✨ Takeaway: Boundaries aren’t selfish. They’re the key to protecting your peace, honoring your values, and showing up as your best self for the people who matter most. If you’ve ever struggled with the guilt of saying no, this episode will give you the words—and the mindset shift—you need. 💌 Connect with Michelle: https://www.instagram.com/michellevandehey/  https://www.facebook.com/lightoflovemichelle/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-vandehey  https://www.youtube.com/@michellevandehey  Download the Self-Care Cheat Sheet Join the community: Love Your Life on Purpose Prefer to watch on YouTube (be sure to subscribe!) Connect with me and DM me your aha moment, question, or to say hi! IG: @michellevandehey FB: Michelle Vande Hey LI: Michelle Vande Hey

    8 min

  8. 09/30/2025

    The Real Reason You Can’t Say No (Even When You Know You Should)

    Send us a text Have you ever felt like you’re disappearing under the weight of everyone else’s needs—like no matter how much you give, it’s never enough? In today’s episode of Love Your Life On Purpose, I dive into the deeper reason why saying no feels impossible, even when you know it’s costing you your joy, energy, and sense of self. Spoiler: it’s not just about kindness or time management. It’s about the beliefs we’ve been conditioned to carry—beliefs that say your worth comes from how much you sacrifice. I’ll share: Why helping others can feel addictive (and why you keep saying yes)How overgiving slowly erodes your spark and identityWhy boundaries alone aren’t enough unless you heal the deeper beliefsThe paradox of generosity: the more you sacrifice yourself, the less you actually have to giveHow to say no without being selfish—and finally reclaim your time, energy, and selfIf you’ve been struggling with people-pleasing, burnout, or feeling guilty every time you set a boundary, this conversation will help you see that saying no isn’t the end of your generosity. It’s the start of your real, sustainable impact. 👉 Share this episode with a friend who needs the reminder that their worth is not measured by how much they give. ✨ Subscribe to Love Your Life On Purpose for weekly inspiration on burnout prevention, boundaries, compassion fatigue, and living a life filled with peace, freedom, and joy. 💌 Connect with Michelle: https://www.instagram.com/michellevandehey/  https://www.facebook.com/lightoflovemichelle/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-vandehey  https://www.youtube.com/@michellevandehey  Download the Self-Care Cheat Sheet Join the community: Love Your Life on Purpose Prefer to watch on YouTube (be sure to subscribe!) Connect with me and DM me your aha moment, question, or to say hi! IG: @michellevandehey FB: Michelle Vande Hey LI: Michelle Vande Hey

    8 min
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About

As mission-driven leaders, it's easy for you to prioritize the never-ending needs of your work and family over your own needs. After a lifetime of self-sacrifice, as you move into this next phase of your life you're asking yourself "who am I?" and "what do I want?" Listen as Michelle Vande Hey, International Life Coach & Compassion Fatigue, Vicarious Trauma, and Burnout Specialist helps you rediscover who you are outside of what you do. You ARE Worth It!!

Information

  • Creator
    Michelle Vande Hey
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Love Your Life on Purpose
  • Show Website
    Love Your Life on Purpose