In this deeply honest and thought‑provoking conversation, Kristen sits down with entrepreneur, teacher, and innovator Pedro Adao to explore what it really means to pursue success without losing yourself in the process.

As a new year begins and goals feel bigger than ever, Kristen and Pedro challenge the idea that clarity comes from striving harder. Instead, they unpack the unseen forces that drive ambition—desperation, identity, fear of loss, and the addiction to validation—and how these can quietly sabotage both business and life.

Pedro shares his powerful personal story of crashing, burning, and rebuilding after losing everything—his money, reputation, and sense of self—and how wisdom, not hustle, became the foundation of his success. Together, they explore concepts like sober success, the “orphan mindset,” why fear of loss creates the very outcomes we’re trying to avoid, and why many entrepreneurs are unknowingly using success as a substitute for worth.

This episode is an invitation to let old versions of yourself die, release what no longer serves you, and step into the new year freer, clearer, and more grounded than ever before.

1. Why desperation and scarcity often masquerade as ambition
2. How success can become an addiction—and how to pursue it sober‑minded
3. The hidden cost of tying identity to achievement, money, or reputation
4. Why fear of loss causes people to make their worst decisions
5. What it means to “die to self” in entrepreneurship and leadership
6. How losing everything can become the greatest gift
7. Why loving people and using business—not the other way around—creates lasting success
8. How wisdom, not tactics, leads to peace, clarity, and sustainable growth

Pedro Adao is an eight‑figure entrepreneur, teacher, and creator known for pioneering the modern online challenge model used by some of the biggest names in marketing today. His work blends timeless wisdom, spiritual principles, and practical business strategy, impacting millions of entrepreneurs worldwide.

The 31‑Day Wisdom Challenge (FREE)

A live, daily experience exploring timeless wisdom from the Book of Proverbs, designed to help entrepreneurs start the year with clarity, perspective, and purpose.

👉 CLICK HERE to join

If this conversation resonated with you:

1. Leave a quick rating and review to help the show reach more listeners
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3. Explore more resources and ways to work with Kristen at www.kristenboss.com

In this heartfelt and deeply insightful episode, Kristen introduces listeners to a few of the powerhouse coaches behind Sondera — Chuck, Dan, Karen, and Nina — some of the real MVPs walking clients through life-altering transformation work every single day.

These aren’t just any coaches. They’re trauma-informed, certified in many modalities, and deeply aligned with Sondera’s core mission: helping clients step out of a life lived on autopilot and into a life of conscious design. Kristen and the team peel back the curtain on what coaching really looks like, why it's different from therapy or friendship, and how true transformation happens when safety, trust, and the right tools are in place.

Whether you're curious about coaching, struggling to break old patterns, or wondering how to finally make real change stick — this episode is your behind-the-scenes look into the soul of Sondera’s approach and the humans guiding it.

• Meet four of Sondera’s expert coaches and hear their unique coaching philosophies
• What coaching is not — and why it’s often misunderstood
• The role of adaptive personality types and nervous system responses in personal growth
• Why time management issues are often deeper than just “poor planning”
• The critical difference between reflection vs. rumination
• What makes the Sondera process radically different (and wildly effective)
• Client transformation stories that will give you chills

• Coaching isn’t about “fixing” you — it’s about uncovering the truth of who you already are
• Your survival patterns aren’t your personality — they’re just habits your nervous system learned to stay safe
• Sustainable change isn’t about willpower — it’s about awareness, safety, and support
• Men benefit from coaching just as deeply as women, even if the starting point looks different
• You’re not “bad at follow-through” — you’re likely stuck in a subconscious survival response
• Change doesn’t come from shame. It starts with self-compassion.

“We’re not here to fix people — we help them realize they’re both the problem and the solution.” – Karen

“If you’re waiting for your circumstances to get better, you’ll wait your whole life. Coaching helps you get better.” – Kristen

“Your adaptive personality is not who you are. It’s just how you learned to stay safe.” – Nina

“Leadership coaching isn’t just about work. If you’re wonky at home, you’ll bring that to work — and vice versa.” – Chuck

“Coaches aren’t your friends. We’re not here to co-sign your comfort. We’re here to protect the story you’re writing with your life.” – Kristen

0:00 – Welcome + why this episode is extra special

2:00 – Kristen introduces the vision behind Sondera and its team

3:00 – Meet Karen: executive coach on confidence, clarity, and showing up

6:45 – Meet Chuck: fighting the “default life” and coaching for design

12:30 – Meet Nina: trauma-informed coach bridging mindset and nervous system work

18:40 – Meet Dan: military background, leadership coaching, and redefining resilience

24:00 – Common misconceptions about coaching (especially for men)

33:00 – Why shame never leads to transformation

38:00 – Coaching vs. friendship: why your coach won’t tell you what you want to hear

44:00 – Why you don’t need to “get your ducks in a row” to start coaching

51:00 – The power of assessments, self-awareness, and seeing your growth

1:00:00 – Real client transformation stories from each coach

1:11:00 – Coaching as your “brain trust” to help you write a better story

1:15:00 – Final thoughts + how to explore coaching with Sondera

If you're tired of repeating...

Description:

In this raw and relatable episode, Kristen invites listeners into an honest conversation about one of the most overlooked—but essential—parts of any transformation: the messy middle. From career pivots to personal growth, Kristen shares why this unglamorous phase is where true change actually happens.

Using stories from her own life—unexpected setbacks, frustrating gym reps, snow days without WiFi, and even a drooping houseplant—Kristen makes a powerful case for why resilience, self-compassion, and showing up when it’s boring and hard are the keys to sustainable success.

Whether you're building something new, working through a tough season, or just tired of not seeing quick results, this episode is a must-listen. Kristen gives practical mindset shifts to help you stick with your goals after the excitement wears off—and before the big wins arrive.

• Why most people quit in the messy middle—and how you can be different
• How boredom, frustration, and slow progress are actually signs you're on the right track
• The importance of building "frustration tolerance"
• How to retrain your brain to spot micro-wins and signs of life
• Why downsizing your goals can help you actually follow through
• How to find purpose and pride, even when the results aren’t visible (yet)

• Progress is often quiet, slow, and unsexy—but it's still progress.
• The “messy middle” isn’t a problem; it’s the process that transforms you.
• You don’t need motivation to stay committed—you need consistency.
• Building something meaningful requires boring, repetitive reps over time.
• Boredom is a gateway to creativity, not something to run from.

0:58 – Recording from the basement: Life without internet

2:45 – Why we love beginnings and endings—but struggle with the middle

4:44 – What Kristen’s “skyscraper year” taught her about digging deep foundations

7:34 – Lessons from her daughter’s piano practice (and adult frustration tolerance)

10:13 – Why high achievers struggle when they’re not good at something right away

13:18 – Training your brain to look for signs of life

15:21 – How to stay in the game when results are slow

17:23 – 5 ways to thrive in the messy middle

20:03 – Reflecting on 2025: Measuring internal wins, not just external results

Visit www.kristenboss.com for coaching, courses, and more resources.

• Screenshot and share it on Instagram—tag @thekristenboss so she can shout you out!
• Leave a rating and review to help others discover the show.
• Send it to a friend who’s stuck in the messy middle and needs a dose of real talk