Ambition Without Compromise

Monique R. Shields

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. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 11/19/2025

    73 [Rewind] Being "Worthy" Of The Pivot

    We’re bringing back this powerful conversation as a replay because the message is still exactly what you need to hear if you’re feeling called to something more in your career or business.  Join Monique as she dives into the art of self-persuasion and the importance of recognizing your inherent worthiness. She challenges you to shift your mindset from external validations to embracing your internal power, urging you to ask yourself: Who do I need to be to make the changes I desire? By understanding the narratives you create around your ambitions and the social contracts you feel bound to, you can begin to dismantle the barriers that prevent you from stepping into your fullest potential. When you move with confidence in who you are and what you stand for, it’s magnetic. You are powerful. You are worthy. You can make that pivot and this replay is your reminder. GEMS DROPPED “Setting yourself up for success is either code for, “I want to make sure that I make a move that protects me from failure” or “how do I make sure I'm set up for it is what will finally make me worthy of the success?” So one is about,  I want to make sure that I have collected all of the Girl Scout badges, and the other is about I've put on enough armor to protect myself. Both of those buckets are a way of thinking that has been handed down to us through traditional career building in corporate structures and neither of those models is going to get you to your intrinsic vision” “The social contracts that you make with people, they do exist. When we build up different brands, or even just professional reputations in people's minds, they exist, …people need to be able to hold you in their imaginations as something, we need to make sense of each other. But those brands, those reputations are not built on the specific configuration of what you do and how you do it in the world. They're not built upon the specific titles that you carry, and the specific strengths and skills that you have and how those things specifically come together. That's not actually the bedrock, they're a part of it, for sure, but the bedrock of those social contracts, and the way that people are carrying us in their minds… is trust”. “People are not thinking about us as much as we think they are. we're caught up in our own stuff y'all, like the same way that you're just trying to stay on top of all the basic necessities of your life in all the big questions of your life. That's what everybody else is doing, too.”  “...things that you think you need to have… all of the shiny objects that you need to collect… all of the people, all of the authorities that need to approve of you before you can make this step, you don't have to be set up in that way for success. The way that we set ourselves up for these pivots. The ways that we prepare ourselves to make these kinds of pivots is by going internal into making some decisions and making some shifts around how we are relating to ourselves, which then carry out to how we move. When we move with that kind of energy, you become magnetic…’ 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
  7. 11/05/2025

    72 | Adhering To Your Dreams: The Secret to Doing What You Say You Want

    Are you feeling overwhelmed by the demands of life and struggling to prioritize your well-being? This struggle is not unique; countless high achieving women share similar experiences of knowing what they should do for their health and happiness, but finding it difficult to take action. In our latest episode, Monique offers insights that can help transform your approach to self-care and ambition. Join in to explore the systemic influences at play and discover four key pillars that can help you adhere to your personal goals. By understanding the systemic barriers we face and recognizing the importance of support systems, we can take meaningful steps toward a more fulfilling life. Tune in to learn more about how to align your actions with your highest goals and create the life you truly desire. GEMS DROPPED “​Thinking ​about ​what ​keeps ​us ​from ​prioritizing ​our ​priorities, ​I'm ​gonna ​say ​number ​one ​is ​capitalism. As ​we ​think ​about ​what ​are ​the ​things ​that ​hamper ​us? ​A lot ​of ​them ​are ​systemic. ​Which ​is ​why ​I ​point ​to ​capitalism, ​which ​means ​they're ​all ​around ​us. The ​pressures ​on ​our ​time, ​our ​mental ​energy, ​our ​ability ​to ​access ​things ​like ​clarity ​or ​confidence. ​It's ​all ​driven ​by ​these ​systemic ​influences and it's ​by  ​design.” “We ​have ​a ​whole ​​culture ​around ​career ​building ​in ​this ​country ​in ​particular ​that ​despises ​space, ​rest, and restoration ​for ​our ​body,​ ​mind, ​or ​spirit. So we ​know, ​but ​day ​by ​day, ​the ​lived ​experience ​of ​it ​is ​like we ​know ​better ​ ​and ​we ​have ​every ​reason ​to, ​and ​we ​have ​the ​urgency, but we ​still ​don't ​do ​it.​• “Routines, ​​they ​drive ​adherence. ​If ​you ​don't ​have ​somebody ​holding ​the ​routine ​for ​you, ​because ​I ​think ​that ​is ​the ​mistake ​we ​make. ​We ​just ​like, ​I ​just ​need ​to ​get ​more ​discipline. ​I ​just ​got ​to ​hunker ​down. ​Girl. ​If ​you ​ain't ​been ​hunkered ​down ​or ​grown ​this ​imaginary, ​you ​know, ​pool ​of ​discipline in ​these ​past ​five ​years, ​it's ​not, ​it's ​not ​coming. ​So ​make ​it ​happen. ​Invest ​in ​making ​sure ​that ​someone ​else ​​is ​holding ​it ​alongside ​you, ​holding ​it ​for ​you. ​Holding ​it ​with ​you. At ​a ​bare ​minimum, ​we've ​got ​to ​find ​ways ​for ​the ​routines ​to ​be ​held because ​life ​is ​life ​in ​life ​be ​lifeing.” “If ​you ​don't ​have ​space ​to ​actually ​move ​through ​what ​is ​your ​true ​emotional ​state ​or ​states ​of ​being, ​it ​makes ​it ​hard ​for ​you ​to ​also ​align ​your ​actions ​with ​moving ​toward ​what ​it ​is ​that ​you ​want.​Because ​your ​wanting ​becomes ​ ​tainted ​or ​complicated. It ​just ​taints ​your ​willingness ​if ​you, ​if ​you're ​feeling ​​a ​lot ​of ​suppressed ​emotions.” “If ​you ​are ​not ​doing ​the ​things ​to ​actually ​evolve ​yourself, that ​moment's ​not ​coming. ​It's ​not ​coming. ​The ​way ​it ​works ​is ​you ​invest ​ahead. ​You ​invest ​ahead ​so ​that ​you ​can ​fast ​track ​yourself ​to ​the ​things ​that ​you ​know ​you ​should ​be ​doing, ​but ​you're ​just ​not ​doing ​right ​now. ​​And ​then ​you ​get ​the ​payout.” STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

    46 min
  8. 10/22/2025

    71 | ​​You Can’t Outsmart Overwhelm - Leading Differently in Tight Seasons

    👉🏾 Interested in learning more about Monique's group coaching experience CLAIMED?  Click this link to join the interest list and we will email you the details ASAP. Are you feeling overwhelmed and underwhelmed at the same time? You're not alone! This paradox can be particularly pronounced for women and people of color, who often carry the weight of not just their own responsibilities, but also the expectations of their communities.  In this timely episode, Monique addresses the struggle of feeling squeezed while trying to maintain personal and professional aspirations and inspires us to rethink our approach to leadership, collaboration, and self-care. Tune in to discover how to reclaim your time and energy while still pursuing your dreams without sacrificing your well-being.  MENTIONED 70 | Inside Our Marriage: Navigating Ambition, Money, and Vision Together GEMS DROPPED “​Don't ​wait. ​Just ​offer ​what ​you ​have ​to ​offer ​when ​you ​have ​to ​offer ​it, ​where ​you ​have ​to ​offer ​it ​from. ​And ​so ​that's ​what ​we're ​doing ​right ​now. ​Sometimes ​it's ​not ​perfect, ​and ​​why ​does ​it ​need ​to ​be?” “​We ​have ​a ​lot ​on ​our ​side ​right ​now ​and ​maybe ​still ​feel ​pressured. ​And ​I ​want ​us ​to ​realize ​how ​much ​we ​still ​have to ​create ​with. ​All ​is ​absolutely ​not ​lost, ​y'all.” “It's ​important ​to ​note ​that ​it's ​not ​about figuring ​out ​how ​to ​squeeze ​more ​out ​or ​how ​to ​become ​more ​productive ​yourself. ​It's ​really ​about ​how ​to ​skillfully ​become ​​a ​producer ​who ​is ​not ​​doing ​direct ​producing. ​Like, ​how ​can ​you ​be  ​someone ​who's ​orchestrating ​while ​other ​people ​are ​producing ​on ​your ​behalf. ​I ​think ​that ​this ​is ​something ​that ​we ​really, ​really, ​really ​struggle ​with.” “If ​you ​are ​overwhelmed, the ​solution ​can't ​be to ​fill ​my ​brain ​with ​more ​stuff ​that ​cannot ​be the ​automatic ​solution, ​or ​it ​can't ​be ​the ​entire ​solution. Cognitive ​deficit ​is not the issue. We ​got ​to ​stop ​solving ​for ​the ​thing ​that ​is ​not ​the ​problem ​​or ​where ​we ​are ​actually ​missing support ​is ​in ​who ​we ​are ​showing ​up ​as ​who ​we ​are ​being.” “​We're ​attached ​to ​the ​identity ​of ​being ​the ​one ​who ​handles ​everything because ​that ​is ​how ​we ​are ​appreciated. ​That ​is ​how ​we ​are ​seen ​as ​valuable.​That ​is ​how ​we ​have ​connected ​with ​a ​sense ​of ​being ​loved ​and ​belonging. ​That's ​how ​we ​have ​had ​a ​sense ​of ​ourselves ​for ​so ​long. ​It's ​really ​hard ​to ​detach ​from ​that.” “You ​can ​and ​actually ​have ​to ​begin ​to ​learn ​to ​do ​less ​in ​order ​to ​experience ​more. ​​Period, ​point ​blank. ​Period.”  STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

    27 min
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.

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