Ambition Without Compromise

Monique R. Shields
  • 5.0 (70)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Ambition Without Compromise is the space where powerhouse women of color — with a special heart for Black mothers and future mothers — come to redefine success on their own terms. Hosted by Monique R. Shields, executive coach, entrepreneur, and mentor to women at the highest levels of leadership, this podcast dives into the real challenges women face when juggling bold professional pursuits with the responsibilities of being present partners, mothers, and whole, healthy individuals. Through honest conversations and powerful stories, you’ll gain insights on: Balancing ambition and freedom without burnoutCrafting sustainable work-life integrationProtecting your mental and emotional well-beingBuilding intentional communities and seeking mentorship for growthWhether you're scaling your business, stepping into a higher leadership role, or simply seeking clarity about what success means now, this show offers the tools and stories to help you thrive without compromise. Follow Monique wherever you listen to podcasts and step into a world where ambition and joy can coexist.

  1. 2D AGO

    81 | The Myth of Your Former Self

    In this episode, Monique examines the struggle many women face when longing to reconnect with a former version of themselves. She addresses the common longing of wanting to "get back" to who they used to be, exploring the nuances of this desire in the context of new life chapters.  Through an insightful coaching conversation with a woman who feels lost after stepping back from her career to raise her child, Monique highlights the challenges of balancing motherhood with personal aspirations. Tune in to hear the full conversation and gain practical steps to reignite your creativity and confidence while walking through your individual journey. LINKS YouTube channel  Join Monique’s Newsletter GEMS DROPPED “In ​retrospect, ​when ​you ​get ​to ​this ​stage ​of ​life ​and ​you ​have ​children ​and ​your ​priorities ​change, ​your ​rhythms ​change, you ​sometimes ​miss ​parts ​of ​yourself ​​that ​felt ​less ​​encumbered, ​that ​felt ​like ​you ​had ​less ​constraints.” “You're ​never ​going ​​to ​be ​unencumbered ​the ​way ​that ​you ​were ​10, ​15, ​20 ​years ​ago. ​Wherever ​that ​version ​of ​you ​is ​that ​you're ​looking ​back ​to, ​she's ​not ​coming ​back. She's ​never ​going ​to ​come ​to the present ​day ​to ​rescue ​you ​from ​this, ​your ​current ​context ​and ​the ​current ​place ​that ​you ​feel ​stuck ​in.” “​It's ​not ​that ​we ​necessarily ​have ​to ​resent ​where ​we're ​at ​today, ​but ​when ​we ​want ​to ​go ​forward ​and ​we ​don't ​feel ​like ​we ​have ​the ​tools ​that ​we ​need ​today, ​we'll ​reach ​backward ​to ​a ​version ​of ​ourselves ​that ​cannot ​help ​us ​in ​our ​new ​context. ​I ​do ​love ​connecting ​with ​former ​versions ​of ​ourselves ​in ​some ​instances, ​but ​she ​can't ​be ​the ​captain ​of ​this ​ship. ​You're ​the ​captain ​now. ​She ​was ​equipped ​for ​the ​season ​that ​she ​came ​through. ​She’s ​obviously ​laid ​some ​groundwork ​for ​you ​to ​be ​who ​you ​are ​today. ​​But ​we ​can't ​go ​back ​searching ​for ​that ​version ​of ​ourselves ​to ​fully ​direct ​where ​we're ​going ​next.” “We cannot ​compare ​our ​capacity ​or ​our ​experience ​or ​our ​own ​energy ​to ​that ​of ​other ​people. We ​all ​have ​different ​boundaries ​and ​limitations ​and ​you ​should ​be ​assessing ​that ​on ​an ​individual ​basis. ​If ​you ​want ​to ​push ​through, it's ​an ​individual ​assessment and ​you ​understand ​how ​you ​want ​to ​define ​the ​bounds ​of ​limitation ​for ​yourself.”  “You ​can ​​at ​the ​end ​of ​the ​day, ​write ​down ​one ​thing ​that ​you ​found ​beautiful ​or ​inspiring ​or ​unique ​or ​curious. ​What's ​one ​little ​thing ​to ​begin ​to ​train ​your ​brain ​​to ​focus ​on ​a ​little ​bit ​more, ​to ​begin ​to ​grow ​that ​relationship, ​to ​begin ​to ​feel a connection to creativity ​again. ​It ​can ​be ​small. ​These ​things ​don't ​have ​to ​be ​grand. Oftentimes ​it ​is ​just ​these ​little ​small ​commitments, ​these ​very ​simple ​revelations ​that ​we ​just ​have ​to ​respond ​to ​that ​will ​make ​all ​the ​difference. ​It's ​those ​incremental ​things ​over ​time. That ​is ​how ​people ​win.” STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields or YouTube and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

    27 min

  2. FEB 25

    80 | Community Is About Precision, Not Proximity

    In today’s fast-paced world, the conversation about community matters more than ever, especially in a time when isolation is one of the biggest challenges many women are facing. In this episode, Monique breaks down the huge difference between simply being in a room with people and being in a space where someone can truly say, “I’m in the right place. This is where I belong.” She explores why so many women leave group programs, masterminds, and memberships feeling underwhelmed, not because the space was “bad,” but because it wasn’t curated with the depth, specificity, and psychological safety needed for real transformation. Monique unpacks what aligned community actually means, why group size and curation matter, and how to stop settling for spaces that force women back into survival when they are seeking spaces that support thriving. Tune in for a deeper conversation on discernment, alignment, and how to find a space that truly supports growth, belonging, and becoming more of who you are. LINKS YouTube channel  Join Monique’s Newsletter Apply for her upcoming Retreat March 1-4, 2026 in Palm Springs, CA GEMS DROPPED “There ​is ​a ​huge ​difference ​between ​finding ​community ​and being ​in ​a ​room ​where ​you ​can ​look ​to ​your ​left, ​you ​can ​look ​to ​your ​right ​and ​say, ​”I'm ​in ​the ​right ​place. ​This ​is ​where ​I ​belong. ​I'm ​so ​glad ​I'm ​here. This ​is ​making ​sense.” “Aligned community has ​to ​be ​one ​of ​the ​most ​overused ​phrases ​and ​I ​think ​that ​we ​don't ​really ​know ​what ​alignment ​is ​and ​what ​it ​actually ​requires.” “​Group ​size ​matters when ​you ​are ​trying ​to ​actually ​grow ​your ​network, when ​you ​are ​actually ​trying ​to ​grow ​yourself,  ​not ​just ​up ​level ​your ​skills, ​but ​you ​are ​trying ​to ​see ​yourself ​evolve, ​move ​past ​a ​lot ​of ​those ​internal ​barriers, ​the ​things ​that ​are ​scaring ​you. ​Like ​the ​extremely ​vulnerable, ​interpersonal, ​internal ​work. ​So ​who's ​in ​the ​room ​and ​what ​connection ​you ​feel ​to ​those ​folks ​really ​matters.” “You ​have ​to ​know ​what ​your ​goals ​are. ​If ​your ​goals ​are ​things ​like ​exposure ​or ​inspiration ​or ​like ​broad ​networking, ​larger ​rooms ​can ​work ​beautifully. ​But ​if ​your ​goal ​is ​actually ​identity ​transformation, ​​you ​want ​to ​become ​different. ​If ​your ​goal ​is ​depth ​and ​community, y​ou ​want ​to ​feel ​connected, ​begin ​to ​establish ​new ​bonds ​with ​people, size ​matters. ​ ​No ​one's ​going ​to ​tell ​you ​that. ​But ​I'm ​telling ​you ​that ​today.” “​​High ​quality ​rooms ​create ​transferable ​insights.​That ​is ​the ​goal.” STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields or YouTube and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

    39 min

  3. FEB 11

    79 | You Can’t Create From Exhaustion

    If you’ve been telling yourself you’re “just not disciplined enough,” this episode is your permission slip to stop weaponizing that story. Because the truth is you’re trying to create from a body that’s depleted. In this episode, Monique names what so many high-achieving women experience: you can hold a crystal-clear creative vision for years… and still shut down the moment you finally have time to work on it. Not because you’re lazy. Not because you don’t want it badly enough. But because pressure and creativity don’t thrive in the same conditions. Tune in as Monique breaks down why execution can happen under adrenaline, urgency, and cortisol, but creation requires something else and offers a grounded shift that changes everything. LINKS YouTube channel  Join Monique’s Newsletter Apply for her upcoming Retreat March 1-4, 2026 in Palm Springs, CA GEMS DROPPED “You ​don't ​actually ​lack ​discipline. ​You're ​just ​trying ​to ​create ​from ​a ​body ​that ​is ​truly, ​completely ​depleted.” “​Rest ​is ​not ​a ​reward ​that ​you ​get ​after ​you ​create. ​It's ​the ​requirement ​before ​you ​do.” “You ​can't ​solve ​for ​your ​dream ​from ​the ​same ​place ​you ​produce ​from ​for ​your ​job. ​​That ​place ​​is ​pressure. The kind ​of ​pressure ​that ​has ​depleted ​you.”  “There ​is ​a ​middle ​space between ​burnout, ​which ​we ​have ​to ​acknowledge. And ​what ​I ​think ​is ​in ​that ​middle ​space ​is ​restoration.“ STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields or YouTube and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

    26 min

  4. JAN 28

    78 | Am I Enough? Releasing the Habit of Counting Yourself Out In Your Career Growth

    In this episode, Monique explores a moment so many high-achieving women experience. That moment an opportunity appears and you quietly start building a case for why you shouldn’t take it. Using the launch of her new YouTube channel as a real-time example, Monique shares what it looks like to move forward without waiting to feel “ready.” She unpacks the familiar fears that often surface when visibility increases, such as What if it flops? What if people judge me? What if I’m not enough? and offers a grounded reframe. For anyone sitting on a pivot, a transition, or a new chapter, Monique encourages you to shoot the shot, stop self-disqualifying and see what happens.  LINKS Join Monique’s Newsletter Apply for her upcoming Retreat March 1-4, 2026 in Palm Springs, CA GEMS DROPPED “​Don't ​count ​yourself ​out ​before ​​you ​give ​it ​a ​shot.” “We ​have ​this ​​very ​interesting ​relationship ​to ​our ​achievements ​as ​high ​achievers ​where ​it's ​like ​as ​soon ​as ​you ​achieve ​something, ​you ​write ​it ​off. ​It's ​just ​like, ​okay, ​on ​to ​the ​next.We ​have ​just ​been ​dismissing ​over ​and ​over ​and ​over ​again, ​not ​enoughing ​over ​and ​over ​and ​over ​again. ​Through ​every milestone, ​every ​point ​of ​new ​expansion, ​every ​big ​lesson ​learned, ​or every ​iInternal ​shift. These are huge ​things, but ​we ​discount ​​so ​much ​of ​it.” “​I ​don't ​know ​what ​it ​is ​that ​you ​might ​be ​facing. What it is ​that ​you're ​hesitating ​to ​go ​for,  ​to ​toss ​your ​hat ​in ​the ​ring ​for, ​to ​apply ​for, ​​to ​step ​into, ​a ​phone ​call ​that ​you ​have ​been ​holding ​off ​on ​making, ​there's ​a ​person ​that ​you ​want ​to ​mentor ​you, ​​someone ​that ​you ​want ​to ​connect ​with, ​anywhere ​you ​want ​to ​be. ​Shoot ​your ​shot. ​Shoot ​your ​shot.” “Whatever ​the ​thing ​is ​that ​you ​are ​holding ​yourself ​back ​on, ​​with ​intention,​ shoot ​your ​shot. ​Stop ​counting ​yourself ​out  ​and ​see ​what ​happens. ​​Know ​that ​you ​can ​cope ​and ​that ​you ​will ​grow. ​Guaranteed. ​In ​any ​case, ​you ​will ​grow. “ “​​We ​have ​to ​push ​ourselves ​into ​​new ​limits. ​And ​I ​think especially ​to take ​emotional ​risks. ​These ​are ​the ​things ​that ​make ​us ​feel ​very ​vulnerable. ​​Oftentimes ​we ​feel ​a ​lot ​more ​equipped ​to ​take professional ​risks, ​tactical ​risks, ​strategic ​risks. ​But we ​don't ​always ​want ​to ​take ​the ​emotional ​risk. And ​the ​emotional ​risk ​is ​​where ​it's ​at. ​That's ​where ​you're ​going ​to ​see ​yourself ​transform.” STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields or YouTube and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

    37 min

  5. JAN 14

    77 | Dreaming, Being, and Becoming: Why High-Achieving Women Struggle to Sit With the Dream

    In ​this ​day ​and ​age ​when ​​there ​are ​a ​lot ​of ​things ​that ​want ​to ​stifle ​our ​dreams ​and ​stifle ​our ​energy ​and our ​creativity ​about ​what ​it ​is ​that ​we ​can ​build ​or ​do ​or ​how ​we ​can ​exist ​in ​the ​world, we need support with dreaming.  In this episode, Monique shares what came up during a recent dream session she led with her clients, and why making space for self-reflection and imaginative play is such a powerful (and necessary) practice. You’ll hear her unpack our relationship with dreaming and the ongoing work of becoming, not the version of yourself that gets approval, but the version that feels true. She also offers a gentle but clear shift: instead of chasing external validation, start paying attention to what you actually desire, because those internal cues are often the most honest fuel for your ambition. If your dreams have been feeling distant, smaller, or harder to access lately, this conversation will help you reconnect. Tune in, explore what’s calling you forward, and take one small step toward reclaiming your dreams. GEMS DROPPED “​Dreaming ​can ​feel ​really ​tough, ​especially ​for ​women ​who ​are ​positioned ​to ​be ​the ​caretakers ​of ​this ​world ​in ​our ​communities, ​in ​our ​families, ​​in ​our ​offices, everywhere ​we ​go.  ​And ​so we ​get ​wrapped ​up ​in ​what ​everybody ​else ​needs.” “To ​have ​a ​relationship ​to ​the ​dream, ​which ​is ​like ​more ​of ​a ​destination ​positioning, ​as ​opposed ​to ​having ​a ​relationship ​to ​dreaming, ​which ​is ​the ​act ​​of ​creating, ​engaging ​with ​the ​dream. ​I ​think ​the ​line ​of ​delineation ​there ​is ​​one ​points ​to ​where ​am ​I ​supposed ​to ​go ​or ​and ​how ​am ​I ​supposed ​to ​go ​there. ​The ​other ​one ​points ​to ​who ​am ​I ​supposed ​to ​be and ​so ​that's ​the ​question ​​I'll ​pose ​to ​you, ​which is who ​it ​is ​that ​you're ​trying ​to ​be?” “The ​dream ​is ​really ​just ​a ​byproduct ​or ​a ​symptom ​of ​​you ​being ​who ​you ​are ​meant ​to ​be ​​expressed ​as here and ​now, ​right? ​Are ​you ​behaving ​as ​her? ​Are ​you ​existing ​as ​her? ​Are ​you ​at ​the ​energetic ​frequency? It's ​just ​what ​happens.” “Whether ​or ​not ​we ​know ​it, ​y', ​all, ​we ​have ​mantras ​running ​through ​our ​heads ​every ​day. ​Directing ​our ​beliefs, ​directing ​our ​actions, ​​all ​of ​our ​choices. You're ​already ​running ​off ​of ​a ​mantra, ​and ​it ​is ​your ​job ​to, as ​often ​as ​you ​can, ​examine ​what ​is ​the ​mantra ​that ​I'm ​living ​by ​right ​now. ​What ​is ​the ​track ​that ​is ​running ​through ​my ​mind ​that ​is ​directing ​my ​thoughts, ​my ​emotions, ​my ​behaviors, what's ​in ​there ​​and ​is ​it ​serving ​me? ​Because ​sometimes ​it ​is, ​and ​sometimes ​it ​isn't. ​Many ​times, ​especially ​in ​a ​season ​where ​you ​are ​triggered ​by ​fear ​and ​overwhelm, ​those ​kinds ​of ​things, they ​don't ​come ​from ​nowhere, ​and ​they ​don't ​have ​an ​impact. ​That's ​just ​external. ​It's ​like ​your ​mind ​is ​running ​on ​something. ​And ​so ​we’ve ​got ​to ​get ​a ​hold ​of ​our ​thoughts, ​and ​we ​have ​to ​replace ​our ​thoughts.” “Your ​dream ​is ​about ​who ​you ​wish ​to ​be. How ​you ​wish ​to ​be ​expressed ​in ​the ​world. ​It's ​not ​about ​the ​destination ​or ​the ​accomplishments. ​It's ​about ​how ​you ​want ​to ​feel ​about ​yourself. ​​The ​kind ​of ​woman ​who ​is. The ​kind ​of ​woman ​who ​does. ​The ​kind ​of ​woman ​who ​exists. Are ​you ​willing ​to ​put ​her ​at ​risk ​to ​make ​other ​people ​feel ​better?” STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields or YouTube and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

    43 min

  6. 12/31/2025

    76 | A Hard Reset on Money, Consumption, and Self-Trust [Dashboard Diaries]

    In this introspective episode, Monique shares her self-discovery journey and what it’s taught her about shifting her relationship with money and consumption. You’ll hear how she’s approaching better money management through a low-buy challenge, plus the real lessons she’s carrying forward from past accountability efforts in other parts of her life. This conversation is a reminder that financial wellness isn’t meant to be done alone. When we name what’s true, share the messy parts, and ask for support, we create a healthier, more fulfilling relationship with money. Tune in now. GEMS DROPPED “​I ​think ​that ​our ​relationship ​with ​money ​and ​finances ​is ​just ​like ​any ​other ​relationship ​in ​life ​where ​it ​is ​a ​continuous ​growth process, ​a ​continuous ​learning ​curve with  ​reevaluation ​and ​reinvestment ​and ​retesting ​and ​retrying.” ​ “When ​we ​say ​we ​want ​something, ​then ​we ​don't ​do ​it, ​It's ​because ​you ​didn't ​commit. ​You ​didn't ​really ​want ​it. ​You ​wanted ​to ​want ​it, but your ​behaviors do ​not ​demonstrate ​that ​commitment.” “One ​thing ​I ​know ​about ​myself ​is ​that ​if ​I ​have ​an ​accountability ​partner, ​an ​accountability ​group ​that's ​also ​serious, ​I ​am ​​golden. ​I ​am ​golden. ​I ​work ​out ​so ​many ​things ​in ​my ​life ​through ​relationships. It's ​a ​tool, ​​it's ​a leveraging ​piece ​that ​I ​use ​to ​help ​me ​meet ​my ​goals.” STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

    19 min

  7. 12/17/2025

    75 | You Can’t Do Big Things in Shallow Waters [Dashboard Diaries]

    In today's fast-paced world, women often find themselves at a crossroads, grappling with their professional identities and the desire for personal growth.  In this candid conversation, Monique discusses the societal pressures that often keep women tethered to outdated identities and the necessity of forging authentic connections that foster growth and transformation. Her message serves as a reminder that change is possible, and with the right support, women can achieve their dreams and redefine success on their own terms. Tune in to discover how to reclaim your worth, embrace your agency, and build meaningful relationships that support your growth. GEMS DROPPED “I ​do ​believe ​that ​we ​all ​should ​own ​something. ​​It ​does ​not ​matter ​if ​you ​work ​full ​time ​and ​you ​are ​a ​corporate ​baddie. ​You ​are ​busting ​down ​doors ​and ​climbing ​all ​the ​ladders… I ​do ​believe ​that ​we ​should ​all ​own ​something.” “You ​need ​to ​actually ​take ​the ​reins ​of ​your ​own ​story ​and be ​able ​to ​not ​only ​build ​it, ​​but ​speak ​about ​it ​and ​move ​in ​it. To ​actually ​exist ​in ​this ​new ​identity.” “Transformation ​is ​a ​choice, ​but ​it's ​also ​a ​result ​of ​relationships. ​You're ​not ​going ​to ​find ​transformation ​by ​reading ​a ​book. ​You're ​not. ​You ​might ​find ​a ​spark ​that ​leads ​you ​down ​a ​path ​towards ​​growth ​and ​development ​and ​transformation, but information ​is ​not ​transformation. ​Information ​in and ​of ​itself, ​does ​not ​mean ​that ​you ​have ​actually ​made ​meaning ​of ​it. ​And ​I ​know ​that ​as ​we ​endeavor ​to ​make ​big ​changes ​in ​our ​world ​and ​big ​changes ​in ​our ​life ​that ​if ​we ​continue ​to ​exist ​only ​in shallow ​spaces, ​then ​we ​are ​missing ​out on ​the ​transformation.” “I ​know ​when ​I ​feel ​like ​I'm ​down ​in ​the ​dumps ​about ​something ​and I'm ​doing ​that ​thing ​where ​it's ​like, ​well, ​I ​just ​need ​to ​do ​better. ​I'm ​just ​not ​enough. ​I'm ​not ​doing ​enough ​of ​the ​things. I ​gotta ​push ​harder. ​I ​just ​need ​to ​pull ​myself ​up ​by ​my ​bootstraps. ​All ​that ​bs. ​We ​self ​isolate ​as ​well. ​It ​puts ​you ​in ​this ​sort ​of ​self ​fulfilling ​cycle ​of ​the ​thing ​that ​you ​need ​most, ​which ​is ​the ​degree ​of ​support ​that ​you ​are ​not ​getting ​from ​the ​outside ​through ​an ​aligned ​community. ​When ​you ​don't ​do ​it, ​it ​just ​leads ​you ​to ​further ​and ​further ​self ​isolation ​and ​shame.” “Depth [in relationships]  ​is ​about ​alignment ​and ​a ​mutual ​willingness ​to ​continuously ​reach ​for ​realignment ​and ​overlap ​and ​ways ​in ​which ​to ​know ​each ​other ​more ​and ​to ​create ​more ​and ​more ​permission ​to ​know ​each ​other.” "When you've ​got ​the ​passion, ​​the ​ideas, ​the ​access ​and ​the ​networks, ​but ​you ​still ​won't ​move. ​ ​That's ​your ​signal. ​It's ​not ​you. ​There's ​nothing ​else ​that ​you're ​lacking…​​Stop ​blaming ​yourself. … ​There ​is ​something ​about ​your ​environment, ​your ​community, ​the ​systems ​that ​exist ​around ​you, ​or ​don't ​exist ​around ​you. ​That ​is ​what ​is ​lacking. ​And ​so you ​have ​to ​solve ​for ​those ​things ​with ​the ​resources ​that you ​have.” “​’I’ve ​shouted ​from ​the ​rooftops ​that ​this ​is ​how ​we ​have ​to ​move ​in ​the ​society ​that ​exists ​around ​us. ​This ​is ​how ​we ​have ​to ​move. ​You ​cannot ​be ​passive ​with ​this. ​You ​cannot ​be ​wishing ​upon ​a ​star ​and ​hoping. ​This ​is ​not ​a ​time ​for ​just ​being ​hopeful. ​You ​gotta ​take ​action ​and ​use ​what ​you ​have ​to ​get ​what ​you ​want.” STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

    42 min

  8. 12/03/2025

    74 | [Rewind] The Right Time Is Not Coming

    This week on Ambition Without Compromise, we’re revisiting a pivotal episode that resonates deeply with our ongoing theme of embracing change.  Join Monique as she tackles the elusive concept of the "right time" and how it often keeps us stuck in a cycle of waiting for the perfect moment to pursue our dreams. She dives straight into the heart of the matter, sharing powerful insights on how we often cling to familiar paths, fearing the unknown, and how this can lead to stagnation. She encourages us to challenge the narratives that keep us from embracing our true passions and desires.  It's time to give ourselves permission to dream big and take action!  GEMS DROPPED “This ​magical ​right ​time, ​​the ​time ​when ​you ​feel  ​ready, ​when ​things ​are ​in ​place, ​when ​you ​have ​done ​enough, ​when ​you ​have ​prepared ​enough, ​and ​you ​know ​that ​this ​is ​up ​for ​you, ​that ​this ​is ​a ​challenge ​for ​you ​right ​now… ​The ​whole ​thing ​is ​a ​trick.” “When ​you ​keep ​saying ​stuff ​like, ​well, ​I ​just ​have ​to ​think ​about, ​or ​I ​just ​have ​to ​decide, ​or ​​I've ​got ​to ​give ​some ​more ​thought ​to … ​I ​need ​to ​do ​some ​preparation… ​I ​just. ​I ​just. ​I ​just. ​I ​just. y'all. ​This ​is ​all ​danger language. ​Danger, ​danger, ​danger, ​danger, ​language. ​We ​start ​backing ​ourselves ​into ​deep ​limitation ​​because ​we ​are ​fearful ​of ​giving ​ourselves ​permission ​to ​be ​specific ​about ​what ​it ​is ​that ​we ​truly ​want.” “Leading ​with ​our ​wants ​feels reckless ​when ​we ​have ​always ​led ​with ​what ​we ​think ​we ​need/​what ​is ​required, ​for ​so, ​so, ​so, ​so ​long.” “You ​can't ​cut ​something ​off ​from nourishment ​and ​expect ​it ​to ​survive.” “​I ​recognize ​that ​in ​order ​for ​this ​next ​part ​of ​me, ​this ​next ​phase ​to ​come ​to ​fruition, ​for ​that ​to ​happen, ​I'm ​gonna ​have ​to ​relinquish ​the ​reins. ​I'm ​gonna ​have ​to ​let ​this ​other ​part ​of ​me, ​this ​free ​and ​creative ​and ​open, ​this ​vulnerable ​part ​of ​me, come ​up ​to ​the ​driver's ​seat ​​and ​I ​might ​have ​to ​get ​in ​the ​back, ​I ​might ​have ​to ​get ​in ​the ​trunk ​at ​some ​point. ​That ​feels ​so ​risky. ​It ​feels ​so, ​so ​risky ​internally.” “We ​disconnect ​from ​that ​part ​of ​ourselves. ​We ​leave ​those, ​air ​quote, ‘​childish ​things’ ​behind ​and ​we ​get ​serious ​about ​life ​and ​we ​put ​on ​new ​coping ​skills ​and ​different ​things ​toughen ​us ​up ​and ​rough ​us ​up, ​and ​we ​forget ​that ​that ​wild ​and ​free ​little ​version ​of ​us, ​has ​so ​much ​power.” “​I ​hope ​that ​if ​you ​are ​sitting ​in ​stagnation ​and ​not ​realizing, ​I ​hope ​that ​if ​you ​are ​sitting ​in, ​‘I ​need ​to ​wait ​for ​the ​right ​time’, ​or ‘​I ​just ​need ​to ​think ​through. ​I ​just ​need ​to ​figure ​out,’ ​or ‘​I ​just ​need ​to, ​you ​know, ​shore ​up ​x, ​y ​and ​z,’ ​that ​you ​bust ​down ​those ​walls ​and ​get ​real ​with ​the ​truth ​of ​what's ​going ​on ​here, ​which ​is ​​knowing ​that ​you ​don't ​have ​to ​cling ​to ​what's ​familiar ​and ​that ​you're ​not ​going ​to ​find ​your ​freedom. ​Your ​salvation ​will ​not ​come ​from ​this ​place.  ​You ​have ​everything ​you ​need ​to ​make ​the ​move ​if ​you ​give ​yourself ​permission ​to ​let ​that ​part ​of ​you ​actually dream ​it ​up ​and ​connect ​you ​to ​the ​urgency ​of ​it ​all.” STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

    29 min
See All (82)

Trailer

5
out of 5
70 Ratings

About

Ambition Without Compromise is the space where powerhouse women of color — with a special heart for Black mothers and future mothers — come to redefine success on their own terms. Hosted by Monique R. Shields, executive coach, entrepreneur, and mentor to women at the highest levels of leadership, this podcast dives into the real challenges women face when juggling bold professional pursuits with the responsibilities of being present partners, mothers, and whole, healthy individuals. Through honest conversations and powerful stories, you’ll gain insights on: Balancing ambition and freedom without burnoutCrafting sustainable work-life integrationProtecting your mental and emotional well-beingBuilding intentional communities and seeking mentorship for growthWhether you're scaling your business, stepping into a higher leadership role, or simply seeking clarity about what success means now, this show offers the tools and stories to help you thrive without compromise. Follow Monique wherever you listen to podcasts and step into a world where ambition and joy can coexist.

Information

  • Creator
    Monique R. Shields
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    82
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ambition Without Compromise
  • Show Website
    Ambition Without Compromise

You Might Also Like