What happens when your entire sense of self becomes tied to what you achieve rather than who you are? And Still We Rise invites therapist, Madison Reed, to explore the hidden dangers of performance-based identity – a phenomenon affecting people of all ages and backgrounds, not just high-achievers.

Madison reveals how this identity crisis manifests when we derive our worth primarily from external validation, achievements, and roles rather than intrinsic qualities. Whether it's through academic success, career advancement, or even family roles, performance-based identity creates a fragile foundation that can collapse when we inevitably face setbacks.

This episode examines how the achievement mindset often begins in childhood through well-intentioned praise focused on achievements rather than character, then amplified through society's expectations and social media's highlight reels. Madison shares insights from her clinical work, noting approximately 75% of her clients struggle with some form of this issue, from "gifted kid burnout" to full-blown midlife crises.

We explore practical strategies for rediscovering authentic identity, including grounding techniques, finding "comfort people" who see beyond your achievements, and reconnecting with core values through meaningful self-reflection and exploration. Madison emphasizes that overcoming performance-based identity isn't about abandoning ambition, but rather finding purpose aligned with your authentic self.

The most powerful revelation? What most people truly desire isn't achievement itself, but the feelings of peace, love, and freedom they believe achievement will bring. By focusing directly on these core needs through authenticity rather than performance, we can create lives that feel meaningful regardless of external metrics of success.

Enjoy this episode and check out Madison at

https://www.risetherapycenter.com/madison

If you would like to work with Madison, email us at

info@risetherapycenter.com

Thank you for tuning into And Still WE Rise! If you would like to learn more about me or the work our practice is doing, feel free to follow us on Instagram at:

@atltherapygirl and @risetherapycenter

Or check us out at www.risetherapycenter.com

Disclaimer: And Still We Rise is meant to provide perspective and meaningful conversations around mental health topics. It is not meant to provide specific therapeutic advise to individuals. If anything in these podcasts resonates, ASWR recommends consulting with your individual therapist or seeking a referral from your primary care physician.

And Still We Rise is a Podcast hosted by Cristine Seidell, a licensed psychotherapist, group practice owner and mental health advocate. This podcast is a place for all to come and learn about past patterns, be inspired to new ways of navigating life and becoming their most authentic selves!

Thank you for tuning into And Still WE Rise! If you would like to learn more about me or the work our practice is doing, feel free to follow us on Instagram at:

@atltherapygirl and @risetherapycenter

Or check us out at www.risetherapycenter.com

Disclaimer: And Still We Rise is meant to provide perspective and meaningful conversations around mental health topics. It is not meant to provide specific therapeutic advise to individuals. If anything in these podcasts resonates, ASWR recommends consulting with your individual therapist or seeking a referral from your primary care physician.

Healing has become such a buzzword in our conscious, awakening world—but what actually is it? In this deeply reflective exploration, we unpack the true nature of healing as an ongoing process rather than a destination.

The healing journey follows a distinct cycle that begins with awareness—that moment when our bodies alert us something isn't right, whether through relationship patterns, self-destructive behaviors, or somatic responses like unexplained physical symptoms and panic attacks. Your body is the alarm system trying to bring unconscious patterns into the light. We examine how to identify these patterns and trace them back to their childhood origins, where they likely formed as survival mechanisms.

Then comes the challenging threshold of acceptance, where many of us get stuck yearning for justice while struggling to accept we can only control our own healing path. This pivotal moment requires us to acknowledge that while we didn't create these patterns, we're responsible for how we continue them today. The journey culminates in inspired action—that beautiful space where authenticity, purpose, and joy become possible again as we reconnect with who we truly are beneath the layers of wounding.

Perhaps most importantly, we explore the shadow side of healing—how the language of transformation can be manipulated and weaponized. True healing is quiet, embodied rather than proclaimed. It creates a presence that feels grounding and kind without judgment or superiority. Whether you're beginning your healing journey or supporting someone else's, remember that genuine healing always returns us to love, both for ourselves and others. You're good, you're worthy, and you're valuable exactly as you are.

Thank you for tuning into And Still WE Rise! If you would like to learn more about me or the work our practice is doing, feel free to follow us on Instagram at:

@atltherapygirl and @risetherapycenter

Or check us out at www.risetherapycenter.com

Disclaimer: And Still We Rise is meant to provide perspective and meaningful conversations around mental health topics. It is not meant to provide specific therapeutic advise to individuals. If anything in these podcasts resonates, ASWR recommends consulting with your individual therapist or seeking a referral from your primary care physician.