Masks Off For People-Pleasers & Perfectionists

Kim Gross
  • 4.9 (34)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A podcast for people-pleasers and perfectionists who are ready to unhook from their patterns so they can finally feel free to be their true selves and be confident. Through solo episodes and interviews, Host Kim Gross, shares tools and techniques to help listeners develop self-awareness and transform unhealthy patterns. Join us each week as we explore topics such as overcoming fear of judgement, cultivating self-compassion, and the skills for doing the healing work to create the life that you desire. www.kimgrosscoaching.com

  1. 4D AGO

    Re-Released by Popular Demand — Our #1 Episode of 2025

    ✨ Re-Released by Popular Demand — Our #1 Episode of 2025 ✨ This episode was the most listened-to and shared episode of 2025, and for good reason. I’m bringing it back because the message is timeless — and so many of you said it shifted how you see yourself and your relationships. In this powerful conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Charleanea Arellano as we explore how unresolved past trauma quietly shapes our current relationships — often without us realizing it. Together, we unpack the concepts of “prison” and “paradise” in relationships, and how unhealed wounds can keep us stuck in cycles of self-abandonment, people-pleasing, and emotional disconnection. Dr. Charleanea shares both her professional expertise and personal lived experience, offering deep insight into what it truly takes to move from victimhood into freedom. In this episode, we talk about: How past trauma shows up in adult relationships Why ownership (not blame) is the gateway to healing The role of self-compassion in building intimacy How to stop recreating old patterns and start choosing differently Practical tools you can begin using today to unhook from the past If you’ve ever felt stuck between longing for connection and protecting yourself from pain, this conversation will meet you right where you are. 🎧 Press play — and listen again, or for the first time, to the episode that resonated with thousands.#MasksOffPodcast #PeoplePleasers #PerfectionismHealing #TraumaHealing #InnerFreedom #HealthyRelationships #EmotionalHealing #SelfCompassion #BreakingPatterns #VictimToFreedom Website: ⁠www.drcharleanea.com⁠www.linkedin/com/drcharleaneaarellano/⁠www.facebook.com/CharleaneaMArellanoPhD⁠⁠youtube.com/@sheismotherpodcast⁠⁠creators.spotify.com/pod/show/she-is-mother⁠tiktok: ⁠@drcharleanea⁠ Connect with Kim Gross 👉 Connect with Kim: 👉 New Book:⁠ https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/free-to-be.php⁠ 👉 TikTok:⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@kimgrosscoaching⁠ 👉 Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/kimgrosscoaching/⁠ 👉 Website:⁠ www.kimgrosscoaching.com⁠ 👉 Facebook:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/kim.gross.104⁠ 👉 Facebook Masks Off Community:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/groups/masksoffcommunity⁠ 👉 YouTube:⁠ https://youtube.com/channel/UCaWJfO7ZFd4aYBX3e-clj9Q⁠ 👉 Spotify:⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/2Et9BMqdFriIQ9bUxcfQeg⁠ 👉 Apple Podcast:⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/masks-off/id1513846583⁠ 👉 LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/notifications/?filter=all⁠ 👉 Unmasked Newsletter:⁠ http://subscribepage.io/masksoffnewsletter⁠ 👉 People-Pleasing Quiz:⁠ https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/quiz.php⁠

    40 min

  2. 12/25/2025

    Healthy Motivation or Perfectionist Overdrive? How to Stop Burning Out

    Merry Christmas 💛 In today’s special holiday episode of Masks Off for People Pleasers and Perfectionists, I’m having an honest, heart-centered conversation about motivation, discipline, ambition, and perfectionism — and how easy it is for these traits to quietly turn into pressure and burnout. If you’re someone who’s driven, goal-oriented, and used to pushing yourself… this episode is for you. I’m sharing personal reflections on my own relationship with discipline and identity, how perfectionistic overdrive once felt protective but eventually became exhausting, and what it’s looked like to slow down without losing my sense of purpose. We’ll talk about the signs you may be pushing too hard, the confusing season that can come after burnout, and how to find a more balanced, intuitive way of living and creating. This is especially meaningful during the holidays, when rest can feel uncomfortable and productivity can sneak in through the back door. My hope is that this episode helps you soften, breathe, and reconnect with what truly matters — without giving up your dreams or your desire to grow. If you’re learning how to unhook from perfectionism, rebuild your relationship with motivation, or create a life that includes both ambition and joy, I think this conversation will meet you right where you are. 🎄 Grab a cup of something warm, take a deep breath, and let this be a gentle reminder that you don’t have to earn rest — you’re allowed to enjoy it. If this episode resonates, I’d love for you to follow the show, leave a review, or share it with someone who needs permission to slow down. 🌿 Connect with Kim:  👉 New Book: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/free-to-be.php 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimgrosscoaching 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimgrosscoaching/ 👉 Website: www.kimgrosscoaching.com 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.gross.104 👉 Facebook Masks Off Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/masksoffcommunity 👉 YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCaWJfO7ZFd4aYBX3e-clj9Q 👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Et9BMqdFriIQ9bUxcfQeg 👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/masks-off/id1513846583 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/notifications/?filter=all 👉 Unmasked Newsletter: http://subscribepage.io/masksoffnewsletter 👉 People-Pleasing Quiz: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/quiz.php

    41 min

  3. 12/18/2025

    The Truth About Restlessness: A Survival Pattern You Can Heal

    Do you ever feel restless the moment life slows down? Like your mind and body just won’t let you be still? You’re not alone — and your restlessness is trying to tell you something. Welcome back to Masks Off! I’m Kim Gross, and today we’re diving deep into a feeling so many perfectionists and people pleasers struggle with: restlessness. If you find yourself pacing, fidgeting, overthinking, or immediately reaching for your to-do list the second things get quiet… this episode is for you. Restlessness isn’t random — it’s a protective strategy, a signal from your nervous system that something deeper is asking to be felt. In this raw and honest conversation, I open up about my own battle with restlessness, including a recent injury that forced me to slow down and face the emotions I’d been avoiding. I explore how childhood conditioning, perfectionism, and fear of feeling all contribute to that uncomfortable inner buzz we’re so quick to escape. Most importantly, I walk you through my 5-Step POWER Pathway — a practical, compassionate framework to help you move through restlessness instead of fighting it. You’ll learn how to recognize the pattern, take ownership, feel what’s underneath, support your inner child, and make grounded choices that honor your true needs. Restlessness is not a flaw. It’s a messenger. And when you learn to listen, you reconnect to yourself in the most powerful way. ✨ Free to Be: A Pathway to Inner Liberation — my book on breaking patterns and reclaiming your authentic self ✨ Real & Unfiltered Community for young women — a space to heal, connect, and grow together ✨ Online course for perfectionists & people pleasers — dive deeper into the POWER Pathway and inner liberation ✨ Subscribe for more conversations on authenticity, healing, and inner liberation🌿 Connect with Kim:  👉 New Book: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/free-to-be.php 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimgrosscoaching 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimgrosscoaching/ 👉 Website: www.kimgrosscoaching.com 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.gross.104 👉 Facebook Masks Off Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/masksoffcommunity 👉 YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCaWJfO7ZFd4aYBX3e-clj9Q 👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Et9BMqdFriIQ9bUxcfQeg 👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/masks-off/id1513846583 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/notifications/?filter=all 👉 Unmasked Newsletter: http://subscribepage.io/masksoffnewsletter 👉 People-Pleasing Quiz: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/quiz.php 🌿 Resources Mentioned:⭐ If You Loved This Episode…💬 If you struggle with restlessness, you are not alone. Share your story in the comments — I’d love to hear from you.

    41 min

  4. 12/11/2025

    The Moment I Realized Productivity Was My Trauma Response

    In this deeply vulnerable episode of Masks Off for People Pleasers and Perfectionists, host Kim Gross shares a raw, honest, behind-the-scenes look at what real healing looks like. If you’ve ever used staying busy, being productive, or constantly “doing” as a way to avoid your emotions — this episode will feel like a mirror. Kim opens up about: How she recognized productivity as a coping mechanism The moment she realized she was distracting herself from deeper emotional needs The discomfort of slowing down when perfectionism has been your identity How healing can feel like losing your ambition — and why that’s actually normal The powerful framework she teaches: The Five Step POWER Pathway You’ll learn how to use the 5 Step POWER Pathway to break cycles of people-pleasing, overwhelm, self-criticism, and the pressure to be perfect: 1️⃣ Pattern Awareness 2️⃣ Ownership 3️⃣ Willingness to Feel 4️⃣ Embrace Your Wounded Parts 5️⃣ Radical Responsibility Whether you’re in your twenties trying to figure out who you are, or you’ve spent decades living behind masks of perfection and self-protection — this episode will guide you back home to yourself. ✨ This is your permission to slow down, feel your feelings, ditch perfectionism, and start your journey to inner liberation. ✨ Thank you for being here. If this episode resonated with you — especially the part about using productivity to avoid feeling your deeper emotions — know this: You’re not alone, and nothing is wrong with you. This is part of the healing journey. If you’re in your 20s and navigating people-pleasing, perfectionism, burnout, or feeling lost, join my Real & Unfiltered Community for Young Women. It’s the safe space I wish I had at your age. 💛 Join here → kim@kimgrosscoaching.com 💛 Subscribe for more weekly episodes on healing + inner liberation Let me know in the comments: Which POWER Pathway step are YOU working on right now? #SelfAwarenessJourney #ShadowWork #HealingYourInnerChild #WomenInTheir20s #MentalHealthForWomen #AuthenticLiving #PersonalGrowthTips #GirlInHer20s #NavigatingYour20s #HealingInYour20s

    31 min

  5. 12/04/2025

    Break the Hustle Cycle: How Alignment Beats Perfectionism

    Are you stuck in the grind, pushing, striving, and hustling—yet still feeling out of alignment? In this episode of Masks Off for People Pleasers and Perfectionists, I sit down with Reuven Shelef to unpack the deeper layers of perfectionism, burnout, and what it really takes to build a life (and business) that feels aligned instead of overwhelming. Reuven gets real about his journey—from a high-stress childhood and military service to navigating business ownership and personal development. Together, we explore what so many perfectionists struggle with: the pressure to perform, the fear of disappointing others, and the belief that you must constantly “do more” to be worthy. If you're craving more balance, more peace, and more truth in how you live and work, this conversation will hit home. The hidden survival strategies behind perfectionism How hustle culture disconnects us from purpose Why alignment matters more than constant productivity The difference between passion and responsibility How to break overwhelming goals into simple, actionable steps What commitments really mean—and how to keep them The power of undelivered communication How to navigate work, well-being, and expectations more gracefullyThis episode is a powerful reminder that you don’t have to grind your way to fulfillment. You can choose alignment, truth, and integrity with yourself instead. ✨ Subscribe for more conversations on authenticity, healing, and inner liberation🌿 Connect with Kim:  👉 New Book: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/free-to-be.php 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimgrosscoaching 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimgrosscoaching/ 👉 Website: www.kimgrosscoaching.com 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.gross.104 👉 Facebook Masks Off Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/masksoffcommunity 👉 YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCaWJfO7ZFd4aYBX3e-clj9Q 👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Et9BMqdFriIQ9bUxcfQeg 👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/masks-off/id1513846583 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/notifications/?filter=all 👉 Unmasked Newsletter: http://subscribepage.io/masksoffnewsletter 👉 People-Pleasing Quiz: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/quiz.php About Reuven:  Reuven Shelef, Founder and CEO of OUT OF THE BOX Consulting, is a strategic engineer with a coach’s heart, renowned for his groundbreaking Untangling Complex Challenges® methodology. With over three decades of experience in engineering, technology, business transformation, and human dynamics, he has helped Fortune 500 companies, startups, and executives solve intricate challenges, refine business processes, facilitate cross-functional collaboration, and coach leaders. Reuven blends sharp logic with a deep understanding of human behavior, creating transformative outcomes that go beyond business to personal growth. Through his own life challenges, Reuven developed a methodology that combines tools from engineering, business, and personal development, empowering individuals and teams to break free from roadblocks and move forward with clarity and purpose. His passion is helping people and organizations unlock their full potential, and his reputation as a trusted advisor is built on his meticulous approach, authentic leadership, and commitment to client success. Reuven and OUT OF THE BOX Consulting also have 20+ years of experience with Salesforce.com, as a Certified Salesforce Consulting Partner. Outside of work, Reuven enjoys traveling and exploring the world. SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: Website: www.ReuvenShelef.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reuvenshelef/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reuvenshelef

    44 min

  6. 11/27/2025

    I Stopped Hustling for Worthiness… and Everything Changed

    Are you exhausted from constantly striving, pushing, and trying to be perfect? In this vulnerable and intimate episode of Masks Off for People Pleasers & Perfectionists, I’m sharing the truth about my complicated relationship with my inner perfectionist—who I lovingly call Perfectionistic Paula. For decades, Paula ran the show. She kept me hustling, grinding, striving, and pushing past my limits… all in the name of safety, approval, and control. But as I’ve moved deeper into my own healing, something surprising happened: I no longer wanted to push. I no longer felt that constant drive. I didn’t even recognize myself without her. This episode is an honest look at what happens after you put the sword down, slow down, and start reclaiming the parts of you that perfectionism silenced. I talk about: ✨ How perfectionism shows up as a survival strategy ✨ The emotional and physical costs of letting Paula run the show ✨ My struggles with chronic health symptoms and deep exhaustion ✨ The strange “void” that comes when you finally stop striving ✨ How to find the middle ground between burnout and balance ✨ Why your 20s can feel so overwhelming and confusing — and how perfectionism makes it worse ✨ How to soften, surrender, and listen to your inner wisdom instead of the pressure to "figure it all out" If you’re a young woman in your twenties navigating identity, burnout, pressure, or perfectionism — this episode will speak directly to your soul. 🌱 You are not meant to hustle your way to worthiness. 🌱 You’re allowed to rest. 🌱 You’re allowed to be imperfect. 🌱 You’re allowed to find YOUR path, at YOUR pace. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Introduction and Episode Overview 01:27 – Meet Perfectionistic Paula 04:05 – The Cost of Perfectionism 09:33 – A Personal Breakthrough 14:41 – Navigating the Transition 19:35 – Embracing a New Ambition 22:34 – Lessons from the Valley 27:48 – Invitation to Connect and Support 31:15 – Conclusion and Call to Action 💬 Connect With MeJoin the Real & Unfiltered Community for Young Women (20s) — a space to feel seen, supported, and free to be your true self. Follow me on Instagram: @kimgrosscoaching

    32 min

  7. 11/20/2025

    Escape the Overwhelm: Real Talk on Burnout for 20-Somethings

    Feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and like you’re running on fumes? You’re not alone—and you’re definitely not failing. In this powerful episode, Kim Gross breaks down the truth about burnout in your twenties and why it hits so hard for young women who are trying to do everything and be everything. Kim helps you understand the difference between normal tiredness and the deep, unhealthy drain of burnout—the kind that affects your body, mind, emotions, and identity. She walks you through the key warning signs most people miss, and the hidden beliefs that keep you pushing past your limits. You’ll also learn simple but game-changing tools you can use today, like creating a Joy Jar to reconnect with what lights you up and writing Permission Slips that help you release unrealistic pressure and expectations. If you’re craving balance, breathing room, and more joy in your life, this episode is your reset button. ✨ Ready to unhook from burnout and step into freedom? Join Kim’s Real & Unfiltered Community for Young Women for ongoing support, real conversations, and tools that actually help. 🌿 Connect with Kim:  👉 New Book: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/free-to-be.php 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimgrosscoaching 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimgrosscoaching/ 👉 Website: www.kimgrosscoaching.com 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.gross.104 👉 Facebook Masks Off Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/masksoffcommunity 👉 YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCaWJfO7ZFd4aYBX3e-clj9Q 👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Et9BMqdFriIQ9bUxcfQeg 👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/masks-off/id1513846583 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/notifications/?filter=all 👉 Unmasked Newsletter: http://subscribepage.io/masksoffnewsletter 👉 People-Pleasing Quiz: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/quiz.php

    17 min

  8. 11/13/2025

    Eat the Cookie, Say No to the Drama: How to Ditch Holiday Guilt for Good

    Do the holidays leave you stressed about food, body image, or saying no to that second helping (or that draining family event)? You’re not alone. 💛 In this episode of Masks Off for People Pleasers and Perfectionists, host Kim Gross sits down with Lauren Francesconi, a nutritionist in training to become a registered dietitian, to unpack the emotional and mental pressures around holiday eating. Together, they explore how perfectionism and people-pleasing show up at the table — and how to create a healthier, more joyful relationship with food and yourself this season. ✨ You’ll learn how to: Let go of holiday guilt and anxiety around food Practice mindful eating without restriction or obsession Find balance between indulgence and nourishment Set boundaries with family and social expectations Cultivate body acceptance and self-compassion 🎧 Tune in for empowering stories, practical nutrition advice, and mindset shifts to help you navigate the holidays with freedom, confidence, and peace. 💬 Join the Conversation: Share one way you’re giving yourself grace this holiday season in the comments below. 👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes that help you drop the mask and step into your authentic self. 💫 About Kim Gross Kim Gross is the author of Free to Be: A Pathway to Inner Liberation and host of the Masks Off Podcast. Through her 5-Step POWER Pathway, Kim helps people-pleasers and perfectionists break free from fear, guilt, and self-judgment so they can live with authenticity, balance, and inner peace. 🌿 Connect with Kim:  👉 New Book: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/free-to-be.php 👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimgrosscoaching 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimgrosscoaching/ 👉 Website: www.kimgrosscoaching.com 👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.gross.104 👉 Facebook Masks Off Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/masksoffcommunity 👉 YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCaWJfO7ZFd4aYBX3e-clj9Q 👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Et9BMqdFriIQ9bUxcfQeg 👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/masks-off/id1513846583 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/notifications/?filter=all 👉 Unmasked Newsletter: http://subscribepage.io/masksoffnewsletter 👉 People-Pleasing Quiz: https://www.kimgrosscoaching.com/quiz.php About Lauren:  Lauren Francesconi is a registered dietitian in training and the founder of Losowell, a personalized nutrition practice helping women optimize their gut, hormone, and metabolic health through a functional, evidence-based approach. With a background in nutrition and health promotion, Lauren combines science with lifestyle to empower clients to “unlock their potential” — reaching their goals without restriction. She’s passionate about translating complex nutrition science into practical, sustainable habits that fit real life. Through her content, counseling, and programs, Lauren helps others reconnect with their bodies, build balanced plates, and create confidence around food. Outside of her work with Losowell, Lauren is completing her dietetic internship, collaborating with leading functional medicine practices, and building a thriving online community centered on holistic health, mindset, and modern wellness. Connect with Lauren: Instagram: losowell Email: lauren@loswell.com #HolidayEating #MindfulEating #BodyImageHealing #PeoplePleasers #Perfectionism #MasksOffPodcast #KimGross #FoodFreedom #IntuitiveEating #HolidayAnxiety #SelfCompassion #Boundaries #EatingDisorderRecovery #WellnessPodcast #HolidayStress #NutritionTips #AuthenticLiving

    35 min
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4.9
out of 5
34 Ratings

About

A podcast for people-pleasers and perfectionists who are ready to unhook from their patterns so they can finally feel free to be their true selves and be confident. Through solo episodes and interviews, Host Kim Gross, shares tools and techniques to help listeners develop self-awareness and transform unhealthy patterns. Join us each week as we explore topics such as overcoming fear of judgement, cultivating self-compassion, and the skills for doing the healing work to create the life that you desire. www.kimgrosscoaching.com

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