Episode 77: Feelings Help Defrost Your Heart [featuring Montoyia McGowan]

Vulnerability can be both frightening and liberating as a business owner and just as a person in general. When we are real and honest with who we are, we attract more of the people who lift us up and support us and our business. At the same time, others get to see sides of you that not everyone will agree with or like. However, being vulnerable also allows you to speak your truth and live in a way where you can be more honest and open about your feelings, wants, and needs. If you feel like you've been holding yourself back and worrying about how others perceive you to a point where you aren't living your best life, then this episode is for you. In this episode, I talk with my good friend, Montoyia McGowan, owner of Stopping the Chase Counseling and Consulting, a therapist, a speaker, and host of the Bougie Black Therapist Podcast. Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode: Learn what it truly means to be vulnerable and what the not-so-obvious benefits can come from it. Identify ways to combat overthinking and people-pleasing habits. Understand the importance of surrounding yourself with people who support you as your authentic self. Embracing vulnerability as a business owner and as a person, in general, can be a scary yet freeing experience. While it may attract those who support and lift you up, it also means opening up to potential criticism or rejection. But vulnerability is worth it and enables you to live more authentically, speak your truth, and express your emotions more openly. More about Montoyia: Montoyia McGowan, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, is the owner and Chief mental wellness therapist of Stopping the Chase Counseling and Consulting in Memphis, TN. She helps empower creatives and the working well to stop the mentally exhausting cycle of chasing people, places, things, and relationships we often feel would contribute to our happiness. Montoyia helps clients consider perspectives that empower them to learn to be more intentional with their thought life and their outside relationships by learning more effective ways to manage past traumatic experiences. She enjoys working with clients who struggle with people-pleasing while helping them learn lasting ways to implement bougie boundaries mentally, physically, and emotionally. Montoyia is also the host of the Bougie Black Therapist Podcast and Youtube channel where she interviews entrepreneurs and other clinicians to help inspire therapists during the process of starting and maintaining their own private practice. She desires to help make therapy an important aspect of self-care. Learn more about the "Field Trip" to Ghana here happening from October 2–9, 2023. Montoyia's Website: stoppingthechase.com ------------------------------------------------------- 🎙️ Listen to more episodes of the All Things Private Practice Podcast here: www.allthingspractice.com/all-things-private-practice-podcast 🎙️Spotify: atppod.com/spotify 🎙️Apple Podcasts: atppod.com/apple 🎙️Google Podcasts: atppod.com/google 🗨️ Join the All Things Private Practice FB Community:  www.facebook.com/groups/privatepracticebuilding ---------------------------- Mentioned in this episode: A Thanks to Our Sponsor, Owl Practice! Visit the website for Owl Practice here! A Thanks to Our Sponsor, The Receptionist for iPad! Visit the website for The Receptionist for iPad here!