In this episode, I explore the concept of desiring change and the realization that to truly experience change, we must be willing to be changed ourselves. I share insights from coaching conversations and my personal experiences, emphasizing the importance of creating rituals and safe spaces for courageous conversations. Join me on this journey of self-discovery and transformation, where we confront the discomfort of change, embrace the power of courageous vulnerability and uncover the keys...

Picture yourself playing at a new professional level; the stakes are higher, your scope of responsibility is broader, and the pressure is palpable. It's a unique blend of excitement and nerves, especially for people of color, who are navigating spaces that might not always feel welcoming. This is fear and it can be paralyzing. The conventional response in this situation is fighting back or getting curious. But here's the thing: I've got a different approach for you—an unexplored option...

In this episode, I explore a powerful and often overlooked aspect of achieving success and finding peace while working hard. Drawing on my own experiences and insights, I highlight the complex dynamics that women, particularly women of color, face in their professional journeys. I challenge the conventional wisdom that peace is primarily linked to self-esteem or confidence and propose a different perspective: peace equals presence. To maintain that presence and peace, I stress the...

In this episode, we dive deep into the experiences and wisdom of Sabia Wade, a remarkable Black Queer CEO, Investor, Educator, and Author who's been making waves in the world of birthing and beyond. We reminisce about her childhood and her early concept of "Black luxury." From there, we journey through Sabia's path, from a small business owner to an audacious visionary, embracing her creativity and her resolute belief in the power of asking, "Why not me?" Sabia's journey is an inspiration...

In this episode, I share a profound conversation that I had with my amazing mindset coach, where she dropped a bombshell: "Pregnancy is a trauma." This left me truly shaken and I couldn't help but resonate with this statement deeply.  In this first year with my second baby, I had to hold back from screaming in agreement.  The truth is, for most of us, pregnancy is far from the glowing, joyful experience often portrayed. It's a complex journey, often fraught with pain, fear, and challenges....

Do you have an idea, a concept, a product, or a business that you are drawn to? Do it! Someone is waiting for you and your unique perspective. Today's episode is all about inspiration. I had past clients reach out to me to share the amazing success they are living right now. Not only does it take me aback that my coaching has impacted my unbelievable clients, but I know their stories will resonate with so many of you. Like so many women, I used to view myself in such a small way. At the...

How do you let go of the version of yourself that is all about producing and achieving? In today’s episode, I discuss why it is so terrifying for high-achievers to refrain from valuing themselves outside their ability to produce. This season of fear is a core experience of exceptionally high achievers—that strong attachment to needing to identify as an achiever links to our sense of worthiness. For so many of us, we leveraged that drive to succeed as a means to survival, but what happens...

Who do you desire to be, and have you created the space to dream her up? There is a big difference between a goal and a dream. As a high achiever, fundamentals, planning, and logistics are second nature. Instead of prioritizing your dreams, you focus on goals and to-do lists. You end up in a space where you are doing all this hard work but don’t feel connected to the amazing thing you are building. Today, I invite you to dream. Our dreams are the North Star against which we can set our...

Today’s episode includes a special guest! My friend and fellow coach, Josie, is a former therapist who serves as a performance coach for entrepreneurs and teams. She is a disruptive thought leader whose unique mind shifts perspectives for high-performing, successful women. I am excited to share a dialogue between two high-level female executive coaches. Listen in as we touch on the topics of ambition and motivation and how they come together in our lives.   Tune in as Josie, and I talk about...

Mothering is strongly connected to ambition because it is a core part of the undercurrent of what we are experiencing as women building and creating in the world. I am choosing to open up this conversation because it is difficult, but we all have these personal experiences, and it is crucial to acknowledge that we are not alone in them. This can feel like a particularly challenging topic for those of us who are people of color or first and second generation because it’s typically seen as...

I am excited to welcome Jereshia Hawk to the podcast. She is a highly sought-after business coach whose mission is to narrow the racial wealth gap by helping industry professionals leverage their expertise to chart new career paths with strategic online sales. Jereshia grew her business to multi-millions (creating $1MM in PROFIT during one of those years) in less than four years! I know her story will inspire you.  This episode is about uncovering how Jereshia's ambition unfolded. Not only is...

Today I'm talking about relationships and the imbalance that so many of us are experiencing and tolerating in our relationships with other people. When I say people, I mean EVERYONE - your friends, family, investors, employees, and clients.  This topic matters so much because too many of us are in lopsided relationships. We are giving more than we are receiving. Women, especially, can be so willing to give, and give, and give. But we have to choose something different. Our money, missions,...

Let's discuss what it means to teach people how to treat you. You can't go out into the world expecting people to understand how you specifically need to be treated. This especially holds true when you are in a leadership position because your time and energy have to be optimized. In this episode, I challenge you to answer this question: "How do you want to be treated?" I want you to identify what matters to you regarding your treatment as a leader.  It's okay to feel hesitation or confusion...

It’s lonely at the top. I want to talk about creating something from something instead of the narrative we hear most prominently, which is creating something from nothing. There is merit in taking what you’ve been given and making something of those blessings. This conversation is important because I want you to see how exceptional you are for taking anything, even one step further than what you saw in your house or community. We are experiencing all of this isolation out in the world by...

Today’s conversation is about deserving and the spaces we deserve to be in. This topic has me fired up because as women, until we begin to move through the world with a filter, a level of standards that defines a mutually beneficial criteria to our personal and business relationships, we are going to continue to end up in situations that we don’t deserve. I share my experiences where this set of criteria for my time and energy has served me. Don’t put yourself in a situation where there is...

Today I am taking away our excuses. If you are tuned into this episode, you are attracted to the notion of self-directed ambition. There is something calling to you that is bigger than what you are doing now. But these changes we want to make in our careers and businesses are pivots that trigger our worthy button. No matter how much anyone tells you that you’re worthy of success, you will not truly embody that feeling until you persuade yourself of your own worthiness. To grow, expand, and...

This episode is about reframing generosity. As high achievers, the temptation to help everyone looking for mentorship is strong. Many of us get trapped in this version of generosity that has us spread thin, trying to do the best we can for everyone. All of these mentorships take up time and energy that could have been spent on our core vision - the passion that has propelled us to the top of our fields. I know how tempting it is to say yes to everyone asking for help. But if we want to...

How are you navigating and managing your path to success? The biggest challenge high-achieving women face is isolation. You are wired to be self-sufficient and have an overwhelming feeling of responsibility and ownership. Those qualities propelled you into a powerful leadership position, but is being alone sustainable? In this episode, I share a story from my young adult life that was a turning point for me. At that moment, I realized how disconnected I felt from other women. That is also...

This episode is for everyone who is being pulled toward a new way forward. You are someone who has built something to be proud of, something people are taking notice of. After years of hard work and proving yourself, success is rolling in. It’s all you’ve ever wanted, but suddenly it doesn’t feel as exciting. Instead of rushing into the next opportunity, you’re asking yourself “What’s next?” This is another type of crossroads. One where we are called to pause and step away. I’ve dedicated...

If you have been questioning whether your current business or career is fulfilling or meaningful, that may be a sign that you’re at a crossroads. This is a common stage on our journeys where we think to ourselves, “how did I come this far, build up this business, build up this professional identity, and all of a sudden, I don't know what I want or where I’m going?”  I think the question beneath all of this is, what am I playing for? And so I wanted to have this whole episode to be a...

Does this sound familiar? You have done all the things, and now you've earned independence. You're at a point in your career where you might have a business or some other sort of organization, or department or Institute or whatever it is that you're running, where you're the big boss. You're at the top, and you get to make the rules, still – you don't feel deserving, you don't feel like you're supposed to be where you are, You don't know what to do with all that power. What's happening is...

In this episode, I reveal what it has looked like for both me and my clients to move through the challenging experience of needing to shed either what no longer serves us or no longer matters most - even during the “gray” uncertain seasons of our lives. I am excited to invite you into what becomes possible when we identify the beliefs, identities, and behaviors that have begun to hold us back and shift our focus toward a more singular and intense way of existing.  You’ll hear about how I...

Hi and welcome to my corner of the podcast sphere! My name is Monique Shields. I'm an executive coach, a career strategist, a Black woman, a wife, a mom, and an entrepreneur. I help ambitious women leaders move through fear and distraction to clarify, communicate and act on their unique definition of success without compromising what matters most. For me, Ambition Without Compromise is based on internal rather than external metrics that we never built. And so in this space, I want us to...