Bounce Back Like A Badass! with Cat Coley Cat Coley

In this deeply personal and heartfelt episode, Cat, takes you on a journey through her own transformative experience. She courageously shares her story, from a place of shame and hiding to one of empowerment and authenticity. Join Cat as she recounts her emotional conversation with her daughter, where she finally opens up about a pivotal chapter in their lives.
Discover the power of vulnerability and how it can lead to healing and growth. Cat explores the importance of sharing our stories, even when they contain difficult truths, and how doing so can liberate us from hiding in plain sight. Through this touching conversation, Cat invites you to consider your own journey of owning your story and the impact it can have on your life and the lives of others.
Don't miss this episode that reminds us all that our stories matter, and that by embracing our authentic selves, we can create a profound impact on the world around us.

Ready to Transform Your Story into Impact? Join the "Story to Impact" Waitlist:
If you're eager to dive deeper into your personal narrative and turn it into an impact-driven empire, we invite you to join the waitlist for our signature program, "Story to Impact." Discover how to harness the power of your story and make a meaningful difference. Visit [waitlist HERE] to secure your spot and be the first to know when we launch!

Why fix what's not broken?

When I first started this podcast it was an outlet to share my story. I had spent nearly 3 years in silence - most of the time dealing with the aftermath of my consequences in my own head. A lot of it was due to the shame of what had transpired and the other part was that there were other people involved and sharing my story would mean that I partially shared theirs too.

I figured that the events that took place would eventually fade into the background and I could resume my life and try to get back to some sort of normalcy. But as we've all collectively seen in the last couple of years when we experience a big shift in our day to day - it's difficult to return back to "normal". Getting back to the subject of going back to basics, in the 40 episodes I've produced of this podcast, I can see how I've shifted the conversation away from my life and more into business. If you've listened to earlier episodes I often share that during the most difficult times in my life, I learned and became really good at compartmentalizing. This served me very well, as some of the events that happened would bring me to my knees each time I would dare to take the lid off. As time passed, it seemed best to just keep swimming ahead and not deal with the things I kept closed off.

But, as you may already know, what we don't deal with has a way of showing back up in the most unexpected ways and times. Putting our heads in the sand and pretending doesn't do us or those around us any favors. This became more and more apparent in my coaching business as a lot of my clients have dealt with their own setbacks - and were experiencing feeling stuck, overwhelmed, and unable to move past a stage in their business (and thus life) that they've wanted to get past for years. So, it was during the coaching calls that I began to share more details of my own experiences (beyond what I've shared publicly) and in sharing real and raw situations, my clients would experience one big "aha" moment after another...This was a lightbulb moment for me!

I realized once again (did I mention I'm a bit stubborn?), that a lot of what we go through in life and business are universal. It may not involve the same situations, but the feelings and emotions that we experience are usually very similar. So, just because my rock bottom was going to prison, going through a divorce, overwhelming guilt of missing a significant part of my daughter's early years, losing friends, jobs, trust, credibility, not to mention feeling shame, embarrassment, and so on (if you're new here you may want to listen to the first few episodes to get caught up :), doesn't mean that we didn't experience and share similar emotions while you were going through your own setback. Guilt is guilt. Shame is shame. Regret is regret...no matter how we arrived at those emotional gates.

In all of this, here's one thing I've learned about myself (and those I'm lucky enough to work with) is that I/we are RESILIENT. And so, this brings me back to the podcast and that although I want to talk about business (cause I'm just so damn passionate about what I get to do), I also want to share more about my experiences so that even if you're not a client of mine, that maybe just maybe, you'll also experience your own "aha" moments and it will help you in some way too!

Here's what one new listener sent me after recently finding my podcast:

"....I am deeply touched by your story and thank you for sharing such intimate details. What you went through was really not for you, it was for us. Your testimony has healed me more than any doctor's prescription could have."...

So while this podcast isn’t broken, I know in my heart that going back to why I started it is important, not necessarily for me but for those that I know, it will help. So get ready for more stories that need to be shared! xx Cat

This day (10/10) exactly 8 years ago was the end of one significant time of my life and the beginning of another. I’m reflecting on what’s happened since that time and I’m encouraged to celebrate where I am today and where I’m headed. Time stands still for no one is a reminder for you (and myself) that whatever you do with your time is your choice - we can spend it resentful or angry or full of regret or we can choose to look back in awe of where and what we’ve been thru and what lies ahead. As I witness what’s happening around the globe and right here in my own little corner of the world - I’m realizing more and more that time is promised to no one. And if I want to do the things I say I do and experience the things I want and have the all the things I desire - it’s up to me how I spend my time to make it happen. So, if you’re in a similar spot - give yourself some grace and then get moving in the direction you want your life to go. Time will continue to pass no matter what - you might as well enjoy where you’re going. Thanks for being here friends - I’ll see you inside the episode 🥰

Guess who’s back...yup! I am back everyone! I took a little (well, ok a lot) of time off! Honestly, I just wasn’t sure how to show up here (or really anywhere - my social media took a hiatus too) with so much happening all around us. I’m always mindful of what I put out in the world and what I share adds light and positivity to the conversation. So, I decided to just sit back and re-examine what the purpose of this podcast is and what I want to contribute to the conversation. I’m EXCITED to share with you inside this short episode what’s in store for the next chapter of this podcast and what ended up lighting the fire under my Badass (pun totally intended 😆) to breathe new life and purpose moving forward! Hope you join me inside to hear more and if you feel called to connect and share your thoughts, stories, triumph and failures with me on future episodes - please jump into my DM’s or send me an email at hello@catcoley.com!!

Hello friends! It's been a while since we were both here! This episode I'm talking to those of you out there who are on the fence about starting your own podcast and why I say "JUST DO IT!" Whether you think you don't have what it takes (you do!), that everything will be perfect (it won't) or that no one will ever listen to you (they will...I promise). You have nothing to lose here...and everything to gain. 
I belong to several podcast groups and a lot of the questions in those groups are all about the fears! Fear of being judged, of not having the right equipment, the right voice or even qualified to run a podcast - my answer to all of that is "who cares!". Here's the deal, everyone will have their own opinion - and that's their prerogative. Let them have it - it shouldn't effect what you do with your own business/life. 
So, if you've been on the fence and need a little encouragement - this episode is for you! Or if you've been on the fence about doing something other than podcasting - maybe writing a book, leaving a job you hate, leaving a relationship that's not good for you, moving to a different place...or maybe you're wanting to start a business of your own - this episode is for you too! Because taking scary action applies to all of it! 
Of course it's scary - because it' s new. But how many new experiences have you overcome in the past and you're still here today to talk about it! Do it love - with grit and with grace! See in you in the episode! xoxo Cat
Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcast!
“I love Cat and how she just puts it all out there!”

Checking in to make sure that you are all doing okay and doing what's best for you, your family and your business. I know that its been a while since I've uploaded an episode. But just like everyone else around the world - we've all had to pause and re-calibrate these past few months. I want to always be intentional with the things that I put out in the world and I want to always be a source of value to my audience. I've felt a heaviness in these past few months and needed some time to as I said before, pause and reflect. I think that we're all doing a little (or a lot) of that lately. Our day to day lives have been upended and our what was once our normal is no longer that. 
But I'm hopeful that throughout this ordeal, we can all come out on the other side, enlightened, changed and better than where we were before. It's going to of course take time to get to that place, so give be kind to yourself and others. This pandemic, social unrest and economic turmoil happening all at once is unprecedented. There is not one person out there that has gone through all three  all at the same time - so allow yourself some room to unpack all that's happening. Don't think that you have to have all your sh!t together all the time - because none of us do. 
Be mindful of where your thoughts go - as the title of this episode says, 'Watch the road, not the potholes'. Focusing solely on the potholes will only lead you to more potholes - look out at the vast landscape ahead of you. Focus your thoughts and energy on what is possible. Find the good in your situation even if it's faint. I promise to upload more episodes - but I too am being mindful of what I put out into the world. 
Be safe, stay healthy, be kind to yourself and others and please wear a mask. xo Cat