Choosing Happy

Heather Masters
  • 5.0 (2)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Ready to break free from old patterns and choose joy in a noisy, demanding world? You’re in the right place. The Choosing Happy Podcast is where techies, entrepreneurs, transformational practitioners and creative souls come to reclaim happiness, shake up their mindset, and unlock more meaningful wins—no toxic positivity, just real stories, honest wisdom, and practical tools. Hosted by Heather V Masters, certified trainer, coach, NLP master practitioner, and ex-corporate burnout survivor turned joy champion, every episode blends bold myth-busting, brutally honest moments, and uplifting insights. Here, you’ll hear everyday tales about messing up, getting back up, and finding clarity in chaos. This isn’t polished perfection—it’s raw, relatable, and relentlessly positive. Whether you’re stuck in a rut, ready for a pattern break, or craving authenticity in your business and life, you’ll find strategies, experiments, and support to help you thrive. Expect weekly bite-sized wisdom, longer deep-dives, and monthly guests who aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo. What You’ll Get: Real stories & hard-won lessons: The truth behind success—failures, pivots, and tiny happy experiments. Mindset shifts for real life: Ditching the fluff and finding joy in the messy bits. Actionable tools: Live tests, wins jars, A–B experiments, reframes you’ll actually use. A vibrant, supportive community: Share your wins, get inspired, and rediscover what makes you happy. Join us and choose happy—one honest conversation at a time. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at www.choosinghappypodcast.com. Connect with Heather, join the community, and let’s thrive together! Coaching: Email heather@heathervmasters.com for personalised support. Newsletter: Get weekly tips at https://www.choosinghappy.online/realhappynews. Support Us Love the podcast? Like, share, and subscribe! Support us at www.buymeacoffee.com/heatherv or www.choosinghappypodcast.com/support. Disclaimer Content is for informational purposes only, not medical advice. Techniques may evoke strong emotions; engage at your discretion. If facing trauma or mental health challenges, consult a professional. Heather V Masters isn’t liable for outcomes from applying this content. See full disclaimer for details. © 2025 Heather V Masters. All rights reserved.

  1. Stop Proving You’re Enough and Start Being You

    FEB 4

    Stop Proving You’re Enough and Start Being You

    Stop Proving You’re Enough and Start Being YouSummaryWhat if 2026 wasn’t about doing more, but finally being who you really are? In this episode, Heather Masters shares how shame at identity level quietly drives us to collect qualifications, achievements, and approval in an endless attempt to “earn” our worth. From Christmas romance novels to three coaching certifications and a November burnout wall, she reveals why 95% commitment to yourself isn’t commitment at all – it’s self-deception dressed as responsibility. You’ll hear how to stop building a CV and start building a self, and what changes when you stop keeping your old life as an option.​ What’s InsideThe “girlie fiction” reading binge that revealed a deeper truth about women finally dropping the script and choosing who they really are.​Why so many of us live with one hand on the past – an old identity, story, or safety net – even while saying we want change.​The uncomfortable truth: “Ninety-five percent commitment is not commitment. It’s self-deception dressed as responsibility.”​Heather’s story of collecting qualifications “like oxygen” – three coaching certifications and countless trainings – in an attempt to feel legitimate and enough.​How identity-level shame (“I’m not enough”, “I am unforgivable”) fuels achievement addiction, perfectionism, over-functioning, and people-pleasing.The moment she hit “the wall of doom” with doing, and realised she was building a CV, not a self.​The 2026 question: Who would you be if you stopped keeping the old life – and the old story – as an option?​A gentle experiment to close the gap between 95% and 100% commitment to the life you actually want.​Invitation into a free 5-day email course, “Dismantling ‘I Am Not Enough’”, for women ready to start dismantling this belief at the root. Chapters:00:09 - Diving into Girly Fiction02:39 - Letting Go of the Old Life06:16 - The Journey to Wholeness08:54 - Breaking Free from Shame and Identity11:07 - Embracing Authenticity14:55 - Dismantling the Belief of Not Being Enough Three Core TruthsYou can’t achieve your way into wholeness.Qualifications, titles, and gold stars can’t fix an identity wound – they only distract you from it for a few weeks at a time.​Ninety-five percent commitment is not commitment.Keeping your old life and identity as...

    16 min
  2. When Survival Stops Working (And Why January Makes It Impossible to Ignore)

    JAN 28

    When Survival Stops Working (And Why January Makes It Impossible to Ignore)

    By the end of January, many of us hit a quiet wall. The adrenaline of getting through Christmas has worn off. The promise of “new year motivation” has faded. The days are still dark, cold, and heavy. And suddenly… the pushing doesn’t work anymore. In this episode of the Choosing Happy Podcast, Heather explores what happens when survival — the very thing that once kept you going — begins to feel exhausting, flat, or strangely empty. If you’ve been: Still achieving, but feeling emotionally thinQuestioning why your usual motivation has disappearedJudging yourself for not “coping better”Feeling unsettled by slowing down, even when life is flowing You’re not failing. You may simply be reaching the end of survival as your default setting. In this episode, we explore:Why January is such a psychologically challenging month (especially in the Northern Hemisphere)How pushing can quietly stop working without anything being “wrong”Why peace can feel like loss when you’re used to effort and struggleThe fear many strong women carry: “If I slow down, will I lose momentum?”Why flow can feel uncomfortable when your identity was built on resilienceHow to stop mislabelling rest and softness as failure This isn’t an episode about fixing yourself or forcing motivation. It’s about reinterpreting what’s happening, with kindness and honesty — and giving yourself permission to rest, soften, and let momentum take a new shape. Chapters:00:08 - Reflecting on January01:49 - The Struggle of January03:06 - Understanding Emotional Energy in January06:20 - Understanding the Calm After the Storm07:26 - Recognizing New Patterns in Healing08:24 - Embracing a New Perspective A gentle awareness invitation:Instead of asking “What’s wrong with me?”, try asking: “What’s actually working right now?” Sometimes noticing — without fixing — is the most powerful thing you can do. If this episode resonated, share it with someone who’s being hard on themselves for being human. Tag @ChoosingHappyPodcast and let Heather know what landed for you. And remember: You’re not behind. You’re not broken. You’re just listening to yourself more honestly. Until next time — Keep choosing happy. Not by pushing harder… but by listening more kindly. 🌿 ResourcesReady to explore more? Website: choosinghappy.spaceli...

    10 min
  3. Episode 158: The Unspoken Cost of Being "The Strong One"

    JAN 21

    Episode 158: The Unspoken Cost of Being "The Strong One"

    Why Your Resilience Might Be Costing You Your HappinessEpisode DescriptionThere's a particular kind of loneliness that comes from being "the strong one." Not the loneliness of being alone—but the loneliness of being surrounded by people who've stopped asking how you are. In this episode, I explore what happens when strength stops being a tool and becomes a cage. When you've rebuilt your life so many times that your nervous system starts craving predictability over happiness. When you realize 10 years have passed and the adventurous woman who said "yes" to everything hasn't travelled overnight since 2019. This is for the carers, the emotional containers, the women who didn't fall apart because they couldn't afford to. If you've ever wondered where your passion went, or why joy feels risky and hope feels naive—this episode is for you. What You'll LearnWhy resilience can become a protective cage that keeps you stuckThe hidden cost of making yourself "too strong to hurt"How trauma teaches us that feeling deeply means getting knocked down againThe difference between being safe and being aliveThree powerful reframes that shift you from armour to alivenessA simple daily practice to soften without blowing your life up Key MomentsChapters: 00:10 - Exploring Loneliness in Strength00:56 - The Cost of Resilience04:53 - The Danger of Dullness08:29 - The Softening Edge10:19 - The Courage to Feel: Embracing Aliveness Quotes from This Episode"When you're the one who always copes, who always bounces back, who always holds it together… people assume you've got it handled. And eventually? You stop asking yourself too." "Strength stops being a tool and starts becoming a cage. You don't choose it anymore. You live inside it." "It's realizing 10 years have passed and the adventurous woman who said 'yes' to every invitation hasn't travelled anywhere overnight since 2019. Now she would rather escape by reading about others' adventures than living one of her own." "Fear took over. Trauma held me frozen. I couldn't even see a different future—and then to wake up and notice all of those years had passed." "Your resilience might not be protecting you anymore. It might be keeping you stuck." "Real strength isn't shutting down your feelings. It's letting yourself feel again without assuming it means you're about to lose everything." "You don't avoid pain by staying low. You avoid living." "There is no moment where life rings a bell and says 'You're safe now, you can feel again.' The brave work isn't waiting until life feels safe again—it's choosing to feel anyway." "You don't need to survive anymore just because you once had to. You are allowed to want more than 'fine.'" The Awareness Experiment: "The Softening Edge"Once a day—maybe first thing in the morning, maybe just before bed—ask yourself: "Where am I bracing right...

    11 min
  4. Episode 157: When You Believe You're Unforgivable

    JAN 14

    Episode 157: When You Believe You're Unforgivable

    Episode 157: When You Believe You're UnforgivableFirst Episode After Pause | January 2026 EPISODE DESCRIPTIONAfter a pause for deep reflection and transformation, Heather returns with a vulnerable confession: she's spent most of her life believing she was unforgivable. In this powerful relaunch episode, Heather shares what she couldn't say before—that for over a decade, she carried a belief so deep it became her identity. Not "I carry shame," but "I AM unforgivable." If you've ever believed you're a bad person, that you've done something society can't forgive, or that you don't deserve happiness—this episode is for you. This is not your typical "release your shame" conversation. This is about dismantling the belief that shame IS who you are. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL DISCOVER:• Why "I am unforgivable" feels like truth, not belief—and what that actually means • The difference between carrying shame and shame becoming your identity • How impossible circumstances create "shame architecture" that feels permanent • Why traditional approaches to shame often fail when the belief is this deep • The specific work that separates WHO YOU ARE from WHAT YOU SURVIVED • What identity reclamation actually looks like (and why it's not about forgiving yourself) • How this podcast is changing to serve women carrying the deepest shame KEY QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODEOn Identity vs. Shame: "You don't say 'I made a mistake.' You say 'I AM a mistake.' You don't say 'I carry shame.' You say 'I am unforgivable.'" On Recognition: "When you believe you're a bad person, when you think you've done something society can't forgive—that's not just guilt or regret. That's shame that's become your IDENTITY." On The Work: "I help women see that 'I am unforgivable' isn't who they are—it's shame architecture. And once you see it's constructed, it can be dismantled." On Transformation: "Separate WHO YOU ARE from WHAT YOU SURVIVED. That's the work. That's the transformation." On This Podcast: "If you believe you're unforgivable, you're not. And I can show you why." WHO THIS EPISODE IS FORThis episode will resonate deeply if you: ✓ Believe you're fundamentally a bad person (not that you made mistakes, but that you ARE the mistake) ✓ Made a choice your family or community couldn't forgive ✓ Survived something and somehow became the one carrying the shame for it ✓ Lost someone and can't stop believing it was your fault ✓ Chose yourself when society said you had no right to ✓ Feel like you forfeited your right to happiness, success, or peace ✓ Have tried therapy, self-help, and "releasing shame" but the belief won't shift ✓ Experience shame not as something you carry but as who you ARE ✓ Think your shame is "too big" to heal or that you're "beyond help" ✓ Are exhausted from pretending you're fine while believing you're irredeemable Chapters:00:14 - Struggles of Self-Perception01:18 - Understanding Shame and Identity02:19 - The Weight of Shame04:34 - Understanding Shame Architecture05:30 - Dismantling Shame: A New Approach to Happiness06:17 - Dismantling Unforgivable Beliefs ABOUT THE HOSTHeather V Masters is a Master Coach and...

    8 min
  5. Hit Pause: What’s Next for Choosing Happy?

    JAN 2

    Hit Pause: What’s Next for Choosing Happy?

    Hey, wonderful humans! Buckle up because we’re diving right into a cheeky little pause for the Choosing Happy Podcast! I’m your host, Heather Masters, and today I’m spilling the tea on what’s next for our little corner of happiness in 2026. We’re hitting the reset button—yup, you heard that right! I’m taking a breather to ensure we come back with deeper, braver chats that tackle those pesky midlife identity crises and the shame that can tag along like an unwanted party guest. So whether you’re pondering if you’ve missed your chance or feeling a bit lost in the chaos of life, don’t fret—you’re not alone, and I’ve got some fab episodes lined up for you to keep the good vibes rolling while we’re on our little hiatus. Let’s make this journey together and get ready for a fresh start that’s all about embracing the authentic you! The Full Details:Heather takes a moment to pause and reflect in this special episode of the Choosing Happy Podcast, setting the stage for an exciting new chapter in 2026. With the energy of a New Year’s celebration, she candidly shares her experiences of feeling overwhelmed and the common theme of identity shame that many women face, especially in midlife. This episode isn’t just about taking a break; it’s about intentionally crafting a space that feels honest and supportive for those who may be questioning their paths. As she navigates through those heavy questions of “What’s next for me?” and “Is it too late?” Heather brings a touch of lightness to these serious discussions. She reminds us that it’s perfectly okay to feel lost at times and that our journeys are uniquely ours. Heather’s mission is to help us embrace our authentic selves, free from the shackles of guilt and fear. By sharing her personal insights and the lessons she’s learned, she encourages listeners to take a hard look at their own lives and consider what truly makes them happy. Looking ahead, Heather reveals exciting plans to revamp the podcast, focusing on the intersection of midlife identity and self-empowerment. She’s launching a coaching pilot aimed specifically at women seeking support in this transitional phase, all while ensuring the content remains relatable and actionable. Heather assures us that this isn’t a farewell, but rather a thoughtful pause that will lead to more enriching conversations in the future. So, as we gear up for a fresh start in the New Year, let’s embrace this journey together, ready to discover the vibrant possibilities that lie ahead! Takeaways:We're hitting the pause button for a bit to cook up something deeper and braver for you, so stay tuned!Feeling overwhelmed? You're not alone! Many of us are wrestling with midlife identity shame and wondering what's next.Choosing Happy is about real talk, not just rainbows and unicorns. We're diving deep into authentic you!This isn't a pod fade, it's a conscious pause for a clearer, more focused direction - we’ll be back soon!If you're a midlife woman feeling lost, I've got your back and some nifty resources to help guide you!Mark your calendars, as we'll be back around January 13th with fresh episodes that honour your journey! Links referenced in this episode: heathervmasters.com Chapters: li...

    8 min
  6. Friday Fail Forward — The Wrong Gift (And Why It Might Be the One That Sets You Free)

    12/26/2025

    Friday Fail Forward — The Wrong Gift (And Why It Might Be the One That Sets You Free)

    It’s Boxing Day — the day we break down boxes, throw away the wrapping, and quietly assess the gifts that missed the mark. But what if the wrong gift isn’t the problem? In this Boxing Day Fail Forward Friday, Heather explores how the very things we judge, hide, or downplay in ourselves are often our greatest gifts — just misunderstood, badly packaged, or feared. From famous voices that were once rejected to a childhood swimming lesson that changed everything, this episode is a powerful invitation to stop hiding, stop shrinking, and stop pretending your gifts are “too much” or “not enough”. As 2025 closes and 2026 approaches, this is your reminder that you don’t need a new gift — you need to unbox the one you already have. If you’ve ever felt like you were playing small, dimming your light, or waiting for permission to shine… this episode is for you. 📝 Show NotesIt’s Boxing Day. And somewhere in your house — or your life — there’s a gift that didn’t quite fit. In this Fail Forward Friday episode, Heather dives into the idea of wrong gifts — not just the ones we exchange at Christmas, but the parts of ourselves we’ve wrapped up, hidden away, or decided don’t belong. In this episode, Heather explores:Why we often mislabel our greatest strengths as weaknessesHow being “different” is often the very thing that makes you unforgettableWhat rejected voices can teach us about purpose and belongingA childhood story that reframed what it really means to honour a giftWhy hiding your gifts isn’t humility — it’s fear in disguiseHow the fear of success can be just as powerful as the fear of failureWhy Boxing Day is the perfect moment to unbox what you’ve been sitting on Heather also reflects honestly on her own journey — where she’s been hiding, resisting, or playing small — and why 2026 is the year that changes. You’ll hear reflections on:Arnold Schwarzenegger and how the voice he was told would never work became his signatureJulie Kavner, whose “wrong” voice became one of the most iconic in television historyA powerful reminder inspired by the words often attributed to Marianne Williamson — that our deepest fear isn’t inadequacy, but our own light This episode is an invitation to ask:What gift have I boxed up and put away?What part of me have I labelled “wrong” because it felt risky?What would change if I let this gift take up space? 🎁 This Week’s Fail Forward Challenge: Unbox the GiftChoose one thing you’ve been hiding — a talent, a truth, a strength, a voice. Do one small but visible thing with it this week. Not perfectly. Not loudly. Just honestly. 💛 Join the...

    7 min
  7. Wednesday Real Stories – Christmas Eve Special - The Christmas I Chose Happy

    12/24/2025

    Wednesday Real Stories – Christmas Eve Special - The Christmas I Chose Happy

    The Christmas I Chose HappyChristmas can be magical. It can also be painfully loud, lonely, emotional, and heavy with expectation. In this very special Christmas Eve episode, Heather shares a quiet, honest story about the Christmas she spent completely on her own — and why it became one of the most meaningful Christmases of her life. This isn’t a story about pretending loneliness doesn’t hurt. It’s a story about choice. Heather explores how consciously choosing peace over pressure, presence over performance, and self-kindness over “shoulds” transformed a day that could have felt empty into a genuine gift. Through simple, sensory moments — long baths, dogs, books, favourite films, unplugging from the world — this episode gently challenges the belief that being alone at Christmas is something to be feared or fixed. Whether you’re spending Christmas on your own, surrounded by people, or somewhere in between, this episode offers permission to slow down, soften, and choose what truly feels nourishing. ✨ In this episode, you’ll hear about:Why loneliness doesn’t automatically mean sadnessHow choice can transform even the most emotionally loaded daysLetting go of Christmas pressure, expectation, and comparisonCreating peace without needing anyone else to changeWhy choosing happy is often quiet, intentional, and deeply personal Chapters: 00:19 - A Real Christmas Story00:50 - Choosing Happiness at Christmas02:26 - Finding Peace in Solitude03:15 - Rewriting the Narrative of Christmas04:05 - A Gentle Christmas Invitation04:57 - Reflections on Christmas and Choosing Happiness 🎧 A gentle Christmas Eve invitation:Choose one thing tomorrow purely because it feels good in your body. Not because you should. Not because it’s tradition. Just because it’s kind. Sometimes, that single choice changes everything. 💛 This episode is for:Anyone spending Christmas aloneAnyone feeling lonely in a room full of peopleAnyone craving permission to make Christmas simpler, softer, and more peaceful 🔗 Connect & Continue the Conversation:Share your reflections or tag someone who might need this message 👉 @ChoosingHappyPodcast Visit www.choosinghappy.space for resources, events, and support If this episode resonated, please subscribe, leave a review, and share — it truly helps this message reach the people who need it most. From my heart to yours — Wishing you peace, love, and a very Merry Christmas. And as always… keep choosing happy. 🎄✨ How You...

    6 min
  8. Monday Myth Busting: The Myth — If It’s Good, I Must Not Deserve It

    12/22/2025

    Monday Myth Busting: The Myth — If It’s Good, I Must Not Deserve It

    Have you ever had something good show up in your life — a compliment, an opportunity, a purchase, a moment of ease — and instead of enjoying it, you quietly wondered if you were actually worth it? This week on Myth Busting Monday, Heather explores one of the most subtle and limiting beliefs many of us carry: “I’m allowed to attract good things… I’m just not allowed to get comfortable with them.” Using a simple but revealing real-life moment — Christmas shopping and discovering the true cost of an everyday perfume — Heather unpacks how unworthiness often disguises itself as being sensible, practical, or modest. In this episode, you’ll explore: Why unworthiness isn’t loud — it’s quiet and habitualHow we minimise, justify, or ration joy without realising itThe difference between being grounded and playing smallWhy receiving is just as important as creatingA gentle awareness experiment to help you let the good stuff land This isn’t about money, luxury, or indulgence. It’s about whether you allow what you consciously create to stay in your life. Chapters: 00:09 - Exploring Self-Worth01:01 - Embracing Abundance: The Myth of Unworthiness03:45 - Questioning Self-Worth and Rituals06:16 - Embracing Enjoyment and Abundance07:18 - Embracing Goodness: The Journey of Receiving This Week’s Awareness Experiment: “Let It Land”When something good shows up this week, pause. Don’t explain it away. Don’t minimise it. Simply say: “I allow this to land.” Notice what comes up — that’s where the work is. If this episode resonated, share it with someone who struggles to receive, and tag @ChoosingHappyPodcast to let us know what you’ve been saving for “someday.” For more support as you step into the next version of yourself, visit 👉 www.choosinghappy.space Until next time — Keep choosing happy. And let the good stuff stay. 💛 How You Can Connect with Heather and Support This Independent Podcast:Please like, share with someone who may need to hear this today, and/or leave a review and support the podcast. I really appreciate it. Tired of the same patterns keeping you stuck? Check out the Pattern Breaker Coaching Program: www.choosinghappy.co.uk/pattern-breaker Want to dive deeper? Drop me an email: heather@heathervmasters.com Join the conversation: Community | https://buymeacoffee.com/choosinghappy More :Feeling like your mind’s been running ahead of your soul? Join Heather for The Power Pause Weekend—a two-part online retreat to rest, reset, and rebuild your...

    8 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Ready to break free from old patterns and choose joy in a noisy, demanding world? You’re in the right place. The Choosing Happy Podcast is where techies, entrepreneurs, transformational practitioners and creative souls come to reclaim happiness, shake up their mindset, and unlock more meaningful wins—no toxic positivity, just real stories, honest wisdom, and practical tools. Hosted by Heather V Masters, certified trainer, coach, NLP master practitioner, and ex-corporate burnout survivor turned joy champion, every episode blends bold myth-busting, brutally honest moments, and uplifting insights. Here, you’ll hear everyday tales about messing up, getting back up, and finding clarity in chaos. This isn’t polished perfection—it’s raw, relatable, and relentlessly positive. Whether you’re stuck in a rut, ready for a pattern break, or craving authenticity in your business and life, you’ll find strategies, experiments, and support to help you thrive. Expect weekly bite-sized wisdom, longer deep-dives, and monthly guests who aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo. What You’ll Get: Real stories & hard-won lessons: The truth behind success—failures, pivots, and tiny happy experiments. Mindset shifts for real life: Ditching the fluff and finding joy in the messy bits. Actionable tools: Live tests, wins jars, A–B experiments, reframes you’ll actually use. A vibrant, supportive community: Share your wins, get inspired, and rediscover what makes you happy. Join us and choose happy—one honest conversation at a time. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at www.choosinghappypodcast.com. Connect with Heather, join the community, and let’s thrive together! Coaching: Email heather@heathervmasters.com for personalised support. Newsletter: Get weekly tips at https://www.choosinghappy.online/realhappynews. Support Us Love the podcast? Like, share, and subscribe! Support us at www.buymeacoffee.com/heatherv or www.choosinghappypodcast.com/support. Disclaimer Content is for informational purposes only, not medical advice. Techniques may evoke strong emotions; engage at your discretion. If facing trauma or mental health challenges, consult a professional. Heather V Masters isn’t liable for outcomes from applying this content. See full disclaimer for details. © 2025 Heather V Masters. All rights reserved.

Information

  • Creator
    Heather Masters
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    300
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Heather Masters
  • Show Website
    Choosing Happy