Ambition Without Compromise

In this episode, Monique talks directly to women of color about how to stop just getting by and start actually moving forward. When everything feels messy and unpredictable, it is hard to find the headspace to think about growth. Monique gets real about why you need to know where you stand in your own healing and how to handle the nerves that pop up when you start betting on yourself. Listen in for some real-world steps to help you plan for what is next and build the grit you need to handle whatever life throws at you. MENTIONED Tressi (Tressie McMillan Cottom) LINKS YouTube channel Join Monique’s Newsletter GEMS DROPPED “The ​fact ​of ​the ​matter ​is ​that ​investing ​is ​a ​future ​oriented ​opportunity, ​A ​​future ​oriented ​exercise. ​You ​have ​to ​be ​focused ​on ​what ​is ​here ​and ​what ​is ​available ​to ​me ​going ​forward. ​If ​you ​are ​trapped ​in ​the ​never ​again, ​you ​can't ​properly ​assess ​and ​attach ​yourself ​to ​the ​return ​on ​a ​future ​investment. ​Like ​you ​won't ​take ​the ​time ​to ​plant ​the ​seeds ​because ​you ​are ​not ​familiar ​with ​or ​you're ​not ​engaging ​with ​the ​sweetness ​of ​that ​future ​fruit.” “The ​first ​thing ​I ​want ​to ​acknowledge ​is ​that ​​it's ​really ​hard ​to ​leap ​into ​a ​season ​of ​​thriving, ​a ​season ​of ​acceleration. ​​It's ​hard ​to ​accelerate ​when ​you're ​still ​recovering. ​​And ​I ​think ​we ​have ​to ​be ​honest ​with ​ourselves ​about ​that ​because you ​can't ​shortcut a ​recovery ​process. ​​You ​can't ​skip ​past ​or ​circumvent ​a ​​wound ​that ​is ​still ​healing.” “It's ​still ​hard ​to ​believe ​ ​and ​rest ​in ​our ​​seasons ​of ​abundance ​when ​our ​hearts, ​our ​spirits ​are ​still ​trapped ​in the ​story ​of ​recovery ​or ​actual ​recovery.” “What we gained through our challenges is just as important as the pain we experienced. Both are true.” STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields or YouTube and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

Starting a business is often sold as an exciting path to success. But for many women of color, the reality of entrepreneurship is usually a lot messier. This week, Monique gets real about the unglamorous side of building a multi six-figure business and shares the personal experiences that helped her handle the hard parts of the journey. She also talks about the stuff that actually matters, like setting your prices, knowing what your work is worth, and how to deal with those feelings of being a "fraud" that show up when it is time to sell your services. Tune in to learn how to get into the right headspace, feel good about your pricing, and build the confidence you need to actually grow your business. LINKS YouTube channel Join Monique’s Newsletter GEMS DROPPED “To ​build ​a ​multi ​six ​figure ​business ​and ​to ​sell ​what ​it ​is ​that ​you ​do ​for ​five ​and ​six ​figures ​sustainably, it ​is ​not ​magic, it ​is ​about ​having ​the ​patience ​to ​learn ​what ​your ​value ​is. ​It ​is ​about ​finding ​peace ​with ​the ​discomfort ​in ​the ​process ​and ​it ​is ​about ​releasing ​your ​attachment ​to ​asking ​reasonable ​questions. ​This ​is ​not ​a ​science, ​it's ​a ​practice.” “Just ​based ​on ​the ​research that shows as ​a ​woman, we ​deeply ​undersell ​ourselves ​or ​​discount ​ourselves, ​I ​think ​you ​should ​just ​lean ​towards ​overcharging ​because ​that's ​probably ​what's ​going ​to ​just ​even ​get ​you ​within ​the ​band ​of ​what's ​reasonable.” “Pricing ​and ​what ​people ​pay ​for ​things ​and ​buyer ​psychology ​is ​so ​subjective. ​​The ​longer ​that ​I ​have ​been ​running ​a ​business ​or ​I ​guess ​the ​more ​confidence ​I've ​grown ​in ​believing ​that ​you ​can ​charge ​anything ​for ​anything.” “​I ​also ​just ​generally ​think ​that ​entrepreneurial ​skills ​are ​beautiful ​life ​skills ​to ​build. ​I ​think ​I ​feel ​so ​much ​more ​connected ​to ​myself ​as ​someone ​who ​works ​for ​myself ​because ​soup ​to ​nuts, ​like, ​I ​have ​to ​imagine ​a ​future ​that ​I ​just ​create ​out ​of ​my ​head ​and ​then ​I've ​got ​to ​figure ​out ​how ​to ​make ​it ​happen. ​I ​think ​that ​that ​is ​an ​incredible ​skill ​set ​to ​have.” “I ​don't ​necessarily ​believe ​that ​we ​need ​to ​be ​doing ​free ​work ​all ​over ​the ​place. ​This ​is ​a ​capitalist ​society. ​And ​I ​think ​that ​if ​you're ​delivering ​value, ​even ​if ​you're ​new ​at ​doing ​a ​thing, ​value ​is ​value. ​So ​when ​there ​are ​opportunities ​for ​you ​to ​get ​paid, ​ask ​to ​be ​paid, ​and ​if ​somebody ​doesn't ​have ​the ​budget ​for ​it, ​then ​you ​can ​have ​that ​conversation.” STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields or YouTube and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

Ladies, it's time to embrace our mess! Because our mess has the most to offer us. In our latest episode, Monique shares her transformative experience with a group of women who bravely confronted their struggles and emotions. Each woman, while successful in her own right, expressed feelings of falling short in various aspects of life—be it motherhood, relationships, or career. This candid discussion highlights a common theme: the burden of perfectionism and the unrealistic standards that high achieving women often impose on themselves. Join in to find out how accepting your mess can give you real clarity and a better way to connect with who you really are. LINKS YouTube channel Join Monique’s Newsletter GEMS DROPPED “I ​think ​this ​is ​the ​nature ​of ​high ​achievement, ​where ​we ​feel ​we're ​coming ​up ​short ​because ​the ​bar ​is ​way, ​way, ​way ​too ​high. ​And ​that, ​way, ​way, ​way, ​way ​too ​high ​bar ​serves ​us ​in ​many ​ways ​throughout ​our ​life. ​And ​so ​it's ​tricky ​when ​that ​same ​strength ​becomes ​your ​greatest ​weakness. Having ​an ​extremely ​high ​bar ​in ​life, ​​when ​you ​don't ​wield ​it ​with ​intention, ​with ​thoughtfulness, ​is a ​lot ​of ​suffering.” “If ​you ​allow ​it, ​if ​you submit ​to ​yourself, ​​you ​get ​to ​find ​that ​the ​message ​​is ​not ​actually ​too ​much ​for ​anybody.“ “Many ​people ​won't ​take ​that ​step, ​won't ​move ​past ​that ​threshold, ​that ​marker ​of ​control, ​​that ​line ​of ​demarcation, ​because ​they ​believe ​if ​they ​start ​crying, ​ ​if ​they ​start ​raging, ​if ​they ​let ​the ​sadness ​out, ​the ​confusion ​out, ​that ​they'll ​never ​stop. ​That ​it ​feels ​so ​vast ​and ​so ​deep ​that ​no ​one ​can ​contain ​it. ​No ​one ​would ​be ​able ​to ​hold ​the ​space ​for ​it. ​And ​it ​feels ​unending. be. ​It's ​never ​as ​scary ​as ​you ​think ​it's going ​to ​be. ​And ​when ​you ​allow ​yourself ​to ​let ​some ​of ​that ​steam ​out ​of ​the ​pot, ​you ​allow ​yourself ​to ​be ​out ​loud ​in ​your ​mess, ​like ​you ​just ​kind ​of ​relinquish ​control, ​again ​in ​safe ​held ​space, ​that ​you ​get ​to ​meet ​the ​side ​of ​yourself ​that ​you've ​been ​dying ​to ​meet.” “Our ​mess ​has ​the ​most ​to ​offer ​us, ​our ​mess ​has ​​the ​peace ​that ​we're ​craving, ​our ​mess ​has ​the ​creativity ​that ​we ​can't ​access, ​​our ​mess ​is ​where ​our ​compass ​lies ​in ​seasons ​of ​life, ​where ​we ​feel ​so ​lost.” “Just ​because ​somebody ​is ​feeling ​fragile ​in ​a ​moment, ​somebody ​is ​breaking ​and ​cracking ​in ​a ​moment, ​doesn't ​mean ​that ​that ​is ​who ​they ​are. ​That ​fragility ​is ​something ​that ​we ​experience ​sometimes, ​that ​we ​move ​through, ​that ​we ​learn ​from, ​that ​we ​need ​to ​just ​be ​with. ​And ​then ​you ​find ​your ​way. ​We ​are ​all ​whole.” “​It ​is ​a ​practice. It ​is ​a ​skill. ​It ​is ​a ​capacity ​to ​build ​within ​yourself. ​And ​it ​takes ​a ​lot ​of ​strength ​and ​willingness ​and ​just ​faith ​​that ​you ​can ​allow ​yourself ​to ​be ​seen ​by ​yourself ​and ​by ​others, ​to ​be ​witnessed ​as ​well, ​at ​your ​most ​honest, ​​at ​your ​most ​real ​and ​raw.” STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields or YouTube and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

In this episode, Monique examines the struggle many women face when longing to reconnect with a former version of themselves. She addresses the common longing of wanting to "get back" to who they used to be, exploring the nuances of this desire in the context of new life chapters. Through an insightful coaching conversation with a woman who feels lost after stepping back from her career to raise her child, Monique highlights the challenges of balancing motherhood with personal aspirations. Tune in to hear the full conversation and gain practical steps to reignite your creativity and confidence while walking through your individual journey. LINKS YouTube channel Join Monique’s Newsletter GEMS DROPPED “In ​retrospect, ​when ​you ​get ​to ​this ​stage ​of ​life ​and ​you ​have ​children ​and ​your ​priorities ​change, ​your ​rhythms ​change, you ​sometimes ​miss ​parts ​of ​yourself ​​that ​felt ​less ​​encumbered, ​that ​felt ​like ​you ​had ​less ​constraints.” “You're ​never ​going ​​to ​be ​unencumbered ​the ​way ​that ​you ​were ​10, ​15, ​20 ​years ​ago. ​Wherever ​that ​version ​of ​you ​is ​that ​you're ​looking ​back ​to, ​she's ​not ​coming ​back. She's ​never ​going ​to ​come ​to the present ​day ​to ​rescue ​you ​from ​this, ​your ​current ​context ​and ​the ​current ​place ​that ​you ​feel ​stuck ​in.” “​It's ​not ​that ​we ​necessarily ​have ​to ​resent ​where ​we're ​at ​today, ​but ​when ​we ​want ​to ​go ​forward ​and ​we ​don't ​feel ​like ​we ​have ​the ​tools ​that ​we ​need ​today, ​we'll ​reach ​backward ​to ​a ​version ​of ​ourselves ​that ​cannot ​help ​us ​in ​our ​new ​context. ​I ​do ​love ​connecting ​with ​former ​versions ​of ​ourselves ​in ​some ​instances, ​but ​she ​can't ​be ​the ​captain ​of ​this ​ship. ​You're ​the ​captain ​now. ​She ​was ​equipped ​for ​the ​season ​that ​she ​came ​through. ​She’s ​obviously ​laid ​some ​groundwork ​for ​you ​to ​be ​who ​you ​are ​today. ​​But ​we ​can't ​go ​back ​searching ​for ​that ​version ​of ​ourselves ​to ​fully ​direct ​where ​we're ​going ​next.” “We cannot ​compare ​our ​capacity ​or ​our ​experience ​or ​our ​own ​energy ​to ​that ​of ​other ​people. We ​all ​have ​different ​boundaries ​and ​limitations ​and ​you ​should ​be ​assessing ​that ​on ​an ​individual ​basis. ​If ​you ​want ​to ​push ​through, it's ​an ​individual ​assessment and ​you ​understand ​how ​you ​want ​to ​define ​the ​bounds ​of ​limitation ​for ​yourself.” “You ​can ​​at ​the ​end ​of ​the ​day, ​write ​down ​one ​thing ​that ​you ​found ​beautiful ​or ​inspiring ​or ​unique ​or ​curious. ​What's ​one ​little ​thing ​to ​begin ​to ​train ​your ​brain ​​to ​focus ​on ​a ​little ​bit ​more, ​to ​begin ​to ​grow ​that ​relationship, ​to ​begin ​to ​feel a connection to creativity ​again. ​It ​can ​be ​small. ​These ​things ​don't ​have ​to ​be ​grand. Oftentimes ​it ​is ​just ​these ​little ​small ​commitments, ​these ​very ​simple ​revelations ​that ​we ​just ​have ​to ​respond ​to ​that ​will ​make ​all ​the ​difference. ​It's ​those ​incremental ​things ​over ​time. That ​is ​how ​people ​win.” STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields or YouTube and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

In today’s fast-paced world, the conversation about community matters more than ever, especially in a time when isolation is one of the biggest challenges many women are facing. In this episode, Monique breaks down the huge difference between simply being in a room with people and being in a space where someone can truly say, “I’m in the right place. This is where I belong.” She explores why so many women leave group programs, masterminds, and memberships feeling underwhelmed, not because the space was “bad,” but because it wasn’t curated with the depth, specificity, and psychological safety needed for real transformation. Monique unpacks what aligned community actually means, why group size and curation matter, and how to stop settling for spaces that force women back into survival when they are seeking spaces that support thriving. Tune in for a deeper conversation on discernment, alignment, and how to find a space that truly supports growth, belonging, and becoming more of who you are. LINKS YouTube channel Join Monique’s Newsletter Apply for her upcoming Retreat March 1-4, 2026 in Palm Springs, CA GEMS DROPPED “There ​is ​a ​huge ​difference ​between ​finding ​community ​and being ​in ​a ​room ​where ​you ​can ​look ​to ​your ​left, ​you ​can ​look ​to ​your ​right ​and ​say, ​”I'm ​in ​the ​right ​place. ​This ​is ​where ​I ​belong. ​I'm ​so ​glad ​I'm ​here. This ​is ​making ​sense.” “Aligned community has ​to ​be ​one ​of ​the ​most ​overused ​phrases ​and ​I ​think ​that ​we ​don't ​really ​know ​what ​alignment ​is ​and ​what ​it ​actually ​requires.” “​Group ​size ​matters when ​you ​are ​trying ​to ​actually ​grow ​your ​network, when ​you ​are ​actually ​trying ​to ​grow ​yourself, ​not ​just ​up ​level ​your ​skills, ​but ​you ​are ​trying ​to ​see ​yourself ​evolve, ​move ​past ​a ​lot ​of ​those ​internal ​barriers, ​the ​things ​that ​are ​scaring ​you. ​Like ​the ​extremely ​vulnerable, ​interpersonal, ​internal ​work. ​So ​who's ​in ​the ​room ​and ​what ​connection ​you ​feel ​to ​those ​folks ​really ​matters.” “You ​have ​to ​know ​what ​your ​goals ​are. ​If ​your ​goals ​are ​things ​like ​exposure ​or ​inspiration ​or ​like ​broad ​networking, ​larger ​rooms ​can ​work ​beautifully. ​But ​if ​your ​goal ​is ​actually ​identity ​transformation, ​​you ​want ​to ​become ​different. ​If ​your ​goal ​is ​depth ​and ​community, y​ou ​want ​to ​feel ​connected, ​begin ​to ​establish ​new ​bonds ​with ​people, size ​matters. ​ ​No ​one's ​going ​to ​tell ​you ​that. ​But ​I'm ​telling ​you ​that ​today.” “​​High ​quality ​rooms ​create ​transferable ​insights.​That ​is ​the ​goal.” STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields or YouTube and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

If you’ve been telling yourself you’re “just not disciplined enough,” this episode is your permission slip to stop weaponizing that story. Because the truth is you’re trying to create from a body that’s depleted. In this episode, Monique names what so many high-achieving women experience: you can hold a crystal-clear creative vision for years… and still shut down the moment you finally have time to work on it. Not because you’re lazy. Not because you don’t want it badly enough. But because pressure and creativity don’t thrive in the same conditions. Tune in as Monique breaks down why execution can happen under adrenaline, urgency, and cortisol, but creation requires something else and offers a grounded shift that changes everything. LINKS YouTube channel Join Monique’s Newsletter Apply for her upcoming Retreat March 1-4, 2026 in Palm Springs, CA GEMS DROPPED “You ​don't ​actually ​lack ​discipline. ​You're ​just ​trying ​to ​create ​from ​a ​body ​that ​is ​truly, ​completely ​depleted.” “​Rest ​is ​not ​a ​reward ​that ​you ​get ​after ​you ​create. ​It's ​the ​requirement ​before ​you ​do.” “You ​can't ​solve ​for ​your ​dream ​from ​the ​same ​place ​you ​produce ​from ​for ​your ​job. ​​That ​place ​​is ​pressure. The kind ​of ​pressure ​that ​has ​depleted ​you.” “There ​is ​a ​middle ​space between ​burnout, ​which ​we ​have ​to ​acknowledge. And ​what ​I ​think ​is ​in ​that ​middle ​space ​is ​restoration.“ STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields or YouTube and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

In this episode, Monique explores a moment so many high-achieving women experience. That moment an opportunity appears and you quietly start building a case for why you shouldn’t take it. Using the launch of her new YouTube channel as a real-time example, Monique shares what it looks like to move forward without waiting to feel “ready.” She unpacks the familiar fears that often surface when visibility increases, such as What if it flops? What if people judge me? What if I’m not enough? and offers a grounded reframe. For anyone sitting on a pivot, a transition, or a new chapter, Monique encourages you to shoot the shot, stop self-disqualifying and see what happens. LINKS Join Monique’s Newsletter Apply for her upcoming Retreat March 1-4, 2026 in Palm Springs, CA GEMS DROPPED “​Don't ​count ​yourself ​out ​before ​​you ​give ​it ​a ​shot.” “We ​have ​this ​​very ​interesting ​relationship ​to ​our ​achievements ​as ​high ​achievers ​where ​it's ​like ​as ​soon ​as ​you ​achieve ​something, ​you ​write ​it ​off. ​It's ​just ​like, ​okay, ​on ​to ​the ​next.We ​have ​just ​been ​dismissing ​over ​and ​over ​and ​over ​again, ​not ​enoughing ​over ​and ​over ​and ​over ​again. ​Through ​every milestone, ​every ​point ​of ​new ​expansion, ​every ​big ​lesson ​learned, ​or every ​iInternal ​shift. These are huge ​things, but ​we ​discount ​​so ​much ​of ​it.” “​I ​don't ​know ​what ​it ​is ​that ​you ​might ​be ​facing. What it is ​that ​you're ​hesitating ​to ​go ​for, ​to ​toss ​your ​hat ​in ​the ​ring ​for, ​to ​apply ​for, ​​to ​step ​into, ​a ​phone ​call ​that ​you ​have ​been ​holding ​off ​on ​making, ​there's ​a ​person ​that ​you ​want ​to ​mentor ​you, ​​someone ​that ​you ​want ​to ​connect ​with, ​anywhere ​you ​want ​to ​be. ​Shoot ​your ​shot. ​Shoot ​your ​shot.” “Whatever ​the ​thing ​is ​that ​you ​are ​holding ​yourself ​back ​on, ​​with ​intention,​ shoot ​your ​shot. ​Stop ​counting ​yourself ​out ​and ​see ​what ​happens. ​​Know ​that ​you ​can ​cope ​and ​that ​you ​will ​grow. ​Guaranteed. ​In ​any ​case, ​you ​will ​grow. “ “​​We ​have ​to ​push ​ourselves ​into ​​new ​limits. ​And ​I ​think especially ​to take ​emotional ​risks. ​These ​are ​the ​things ​that ​make ​us ​feel ​very ​vulnerable. ​​Oftentimes ​we ​feel ​a ​lot ​more ​equipped ​to ​take professional ​risks, ​tactical ​risks, ​strategic ​risks. ​But we ​don't ​always ​want ​to ​take ​the ​emotional ​risk. And ​the ​emotional ​risk ​is ​​where ​it's ​at. ​That's ​where ​you're ​going ​to ​see ​yourself ​transform.” STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields or YouTube and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

In ​this ​day ​and ​age ​when ​​there ​are ​a ​lot ​of ​things ​that ​want ​to ​stifle ​our ​dreams ​and ​stifle ​our ​energy ​and our ​creativity ​about ​what ​it ​is ​that ​we ​can ​build ​or ​do ​or ​how ​we ​can ​exist ​in ​the ​world, we need support with dreaming. In this episode, Monique shares what came up during a recent dream session she led with her clients, and why making space for self-reflection and imaginative play is such a powerful (and necessary) practice. You’ll hear her unpack our relationship with dreaming and the ongoing work of becoming, not the version of yourself that gets approval, but the version that feels true. She also offers a gentle but clear shift: instead of chasing external validation, start paying attention to what you actually desire, because those internal cues are often the most honest fuel for your ambition. If your dreams have been feeling distant, smaller, or harder to access lately, this conversation will help you reconnect. Tune in, explore what’s calling you forward, and take one small step toward reclaiming your dreams. GEMS DROPPED “​Dreaming ​can ​feel ​really ​tough, ​especially ​for ​women ​who ​are ​positioned ​to ​be ​the ​caretakers ​of ​this ​world ​in ​our ​communities, ​in ​our ​families, ​​in ​our ​offices, everywhere ​we ​go. ​And ​so we ​get ​wrapped ​up ​in ​what ​everybody ​else ​needs.” “To ​have ​a ​relationship ​to ​the ​dream, ​which ​is ​like ​more ​of ​a ​destination ​positioning, ​as ​opposed ​to ​having ​a ​relationship ​to ​dreaming, ​which ​is ​the ​act ​​of ​creating, ​engaging ​with ​the ​dream. ​I ​think ​the ​line ​of ​delineation ​there ​is ​​one ​points ​to ​where ​am ​I ​supposed ​to ​go ​or ​and ​how ​am ​I ​supposed ​to ​go ​there. ​The ​other ​one ​points ​to ​who ​am ​I ​supposed ​to ​be and ​so ​that's ​the ​question ​​I'll ​pose ​to ​you, ​which is who ​it ​is ​that ​you're ​trying ​to ​be?” “The ​dream ​is ​really ​just ​a ​byproduct ​or ​a ​symptom ​of ​​you ​being ​who ​you ​are ​meant ​to ​be ​​expressed ​as here and ​now, ​right? ​Are ​you ​behaving ​as ​her? ​Are ​you ​existing ​as ​her? ​Are ​you ​at ​the ​energetic ​frequency? It's ​just ​what ​happens.” “Whether ​or ​not ​we ​know ​it, ​y', ​all, ​we ​have ​mantras ​running ​through ​our ​heads ​every ​day. ​Directing ​our ​beliefs, ​directing ​our ​actions, ​​all ​of ​our ​choices. You're ​already ​running ​off ​of ​a ​mantra, ​and ​it ​is ​your ​job ​to, as ​often ​as ​you ​can, ​examine ​what ​is ​the ​mantra ​that ​I'm ​living ​by ​right ​now. ​What ​is ​the ​track ​that ​is ​running ​through ​my ​mind ​that ​is ​directing ​my ​thoughts, ​my ​emotions, ​my ​behaviors, what's ​in ​there ​​and ​is ​it ​serving ​me? ​Because ​sometimes ​it ​is, ​and ​sometimes ​it ​isn't. ​Many ​times, ​especially ​in ​a ​season ​where ​you ​are ​triggered ​by ​fear ​and ​overwhelm, ​those ​kinds ​of ​things, they ​don't ​come ​from ​nowhere, ​and ​they ​don't ​have ​an ​impact. ​That's ​just ​external. ​It's ​like ​your ​mind ​is ​running ​on ​something. ​And ​so ​we’ve ​got ​to ​get ​a ​hold ​of ​our ​thoughts, ​and ​we ​have ​to ​replace ​our ​thoughts.” “Your ​dream ​is ​about ​who ​you ​wish ​to ​be. How ​you ​wish ​to ​be ​expressed ​in ​the ​world. ​It's ​not ​about ​the ​destination ​or ​the ​accomplishments. ​It's ​about ​how ​you ​want ​to ​feel ​about ​yourself. ​​The ​kind ​of ​woman ​who ​is. The ​kind ​of ​woman ​who ​does. ​The ​kind ​of ​woman ​who ​exists. Are ​you ​willing ​to ​put ​her ​at ​risk ​to ​make ​other ​people ​feel ​better?” STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields or YouTube and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

In this introspective episode, Monique shares her self-discovery journey and what it’s taught her about shifting her relationship with money and consumption. You’ll hear how she’s approaching better money management through a low-buy challenge, plus the real lessons she’s carrying forward from past accountability efforts in other parts of her life. This conversation is a reminder that financial wellness isn’t meant to be done alone. When we name what’s true, share the messy parts, and ask for support, we create a healthier, more fulfilling relationship with money. Tune in now. GEMS DROPPED “​I ​think ​that ​our ​relationship ​with ​money ​and ​finances ​is ​just ​like ​any ​other ​relationship ​in ​life ​where ​it ​is ​a ​continuous ​growth process, ​a ​continuous ​learning ​curve with ​reevaluation ​and ​reinvestment ​and ​retesting ​and ​retrying.” ​ “When ​we ​say ​we ​want ​something, ​then ​we ​don't ​do ​it, ​It's ​because ​you ​didn't ​commit. ​You ​didn't ​really ​want ​it. ​You ​wanted ​to ​want ​it, but your ​behaviors do ​not ​demonstrate ​that ​commitment.” “One ​thing ​I ​know ​about ​myself ​is ​that ​if ​I ​have ​an ​accountability ​partner, ​an ​accountability ​group ​that's ​also ​serious, ​I ​am ​​golden. ​I ​am ​golden. ​I ​work ​out ​so ​many ​things ​in ​my ​life ​through ​relationships. It's ​a ​tool, ​​it's ​a leveraging ​piece ​that ​I ​use ​to ​help ​me ​meet ​my ​goals.” STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

In today's fast-paced world, women often find themselves at a crossroads, grappling with their professional identities and the desire for personal growth. In this candid conversation, Monique discusses the societal pressures that often keep women tethered to outdated identities and the necessity of forging authentic connections that foster growth and transformation. Her message serves as a reminder that change is possible, and with the right support, women can achieve their dreams and redefine success on their own terms. Tune in to discover how to reclaim your worth, embrace your agency, and build meaningful relationships that support your growth. GEMS DROPPED “I ​do ​believe ​that ​we ​all ​should ​own ​something. ​​It ​does ​not ​matter ​if ​you ​work ​full ​time ​and ​you ​are ​a ​corporate ​baddie. ​You ​are ​busting ​down ​doors ​and ​climbing ​all ​the ​ladders… I ​do ​believe ​that ​we ​should ​all ​own ​something.” “You ​need ​to ​actually ​take ​the ​reins ​of ​your ​own ​story ​and be ​able ​to ​not ​only ​build ​it, ​​but ​speak ​about ​it ​and ​move ​in ​it. To ​actually ​exist ​in ​this ​new ​identity.” “Transformation ​is ​a ​choice, ​but ​it's ​also ​a ​result ​of ​relationships. ​You're ​not ​going ​to ​find ​transformation ​by ​reading ​a ​book. ​You're ​not. ​You ​might ​find ​a ​spark ​that ​leads ​you ​down ​a ​path ​towards ​​growth ​and ​development ​and ​transformation, but information ​is ​not ​transformation. ​Information ​in and ​of ​itself, ​does ​not ​mean ​that ​you ​have ​actually ​made ​meaning ​of ​it. ​And ​I ​know ​that ​as ​we ​endeavor ​to ​make ​big ​changes ​in ​our ​world ​and ​big ​changes ​in ​our ​life ​that ​if ​we ​continue ​to ​exist ​only ​in shallow ​spaces, ​then ​we ​are ​missing ​out on ​the ​transformation.” “I ​know ​when ​I ​feel ​like ​I'm ​down ​in ​the ​dumps ​about ​something ​and I'm ​doing ​that ​thing ​where ​it's ​like, ​well, ​I ​just ​need ​to ​do ​better. ​I'm ​just ​not ​enough. ​I'm ​not ​doing ​enough ​of ​the ​things. I ​gotta ​push ​harder. ​I ​just ​need ​to ​pull ​myself ​up ​by ​my ​bootstraps. ​All ​that ​bs. ​We ​self ​isolate ​as ​well. ​It ​puts ​you ​in ​this ​sort ​of ​self ​fulfilling ​cycle ​of ​the ​thing ​that ​you ​need ​most, ​which ​is ​the ​degree ​of ​support ​that ​you ​are ​not ​getting ​from ​the ​outside ​through ​an ​aligned ​community. ​When ​you ​don't ​do ​it, ​it ​just ​leads ​you ​to ​further ​and ​further ​self ​isolation ​and ​shame.” “Depth [in relationships] ​is ​about ​alignment ​and ​a ​mutual ​willingness ​to ​continuously ​reach ​for ​realignment ​and ​overlap ​and ​ways ​in ​which ​to ​know ​each ​other ​more ​and ​to ​create ​more ​and ​more ​permission ​to ​know ​each ​other.” "When you've ​got ​the ​passion, ​​the ​ideas, ​the ​access ​and ​the ​networks, ​but ​you ​still ​won't ​move. ​ ​That's ​your ​signal. ​It's ​not ​you. ​There's ​nothing ​else ​that ​you're ​lacking…​​Stop ​blaming ​yourself. … ​There ​is ​something ​about ​your ​environment, ​your ​community, ​the ​systems ​that ​exist ​around ​you, ​or ​don't ​exist ​around ​you. ​That ​is ​what ​is ​lacking. ​And ​so you ​have ​to ​solve ​for ​those ​things ​with ​the ​resources ​that you ​have.” “​’I’ve ​shouted ​from ​the ​rooftops ​that ​this ​is ​how ​we ​have ​to ​move ​in ​the ​society ​that ​exists ​around ​us. ​This ​is ​how ​we ​have ​to ​move. ​You ​cannot ​be ​passive ​with ​this. ​You ​cannot ​be ​wishing ​upon ​a ​star ​and ​hoping. ​This ​is ​not ​a ​time ​for ​just ​being ​hopeful. ​You ​gotta ​take ​action ​and ​use ​what ​you ​have ​to ​get ​what ​you ​want.” STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

This week on Ambition Without Compromise, we’re revisiting a pivotal episode that resonates deeply with our ongoing theme of embracing change. Join Monique as she tackles the elusive concept of the "right time" and how it often keeps us stuck in a cycle of waiting for the perfect moment to pursue our dreams. She dives straight into the heart of the matter, sharing powerful insights on how we often cling to familiar paths, fearing the unknown, and how this can lead to stagnation. She encourages us to challenge the narratives that keep us from embracing our true passions and desires. It's time to give ourselves permission to dream big and take action! GEMS DROPPED “This ​magical ​right ​time, ​​the ​time ​when ​you ​feel ​ready, ​when ​things ​are ​in ​place, ​when ​you ​have ​done ​enough, ​when ​you ​have ​prepared ​enough, ​and ​you ​know ​that ​this ​is ​up ​for ​you, ​that ​this ​is ​a ​challenge ​for ​you ​right ​now… ​The ​whole ​thing ​is ​a ​trick.” “When ​you ​keep ​saying ​stuff ​like, ​well, ​I ​just ​have ​to ​think ​about, ​or ​I ​just ​have ​to ​decide, ​or ​​I've ​got ​to ​give ​some ​more ​thought ​to … ​I ​need ​to ​do ​some ​preparation… ​I ​just. ​I ​just. ​I ​just. ​I ​just. y'all. ​This ​is ​all ​danger language. ​Danger, ​danger, ​danger, ​danger, ​language. ​We ​start ​backing ​ourselves ​into ​deep ​limitation ​​because ​we ​are ​fearful ​of ​giving ​ourselves ​permission ​to ​be ​specific ​about ​what ​it ​is ​that ​we ​truly ​want.” “Leading ​with ​our ​wants ​feels reckless ​when ​we ​have ​always ​led ​with ​what ​we ​think ​we ​need/​what ​is ​required, ​for ​so, ​so, ​so, ​so ​long.” “You ​can't ​cut ​something ​off ​from nourishment ​and ​expect ​it ​to ​survive.” “​I ​recognize ​that ​in ​order ​for ​this ​next ​part ​of ​me, ​this ​next ​phase ​to ​come ​to ​fruition, ​for ​that ​to ​happen, ​I'm ​gonna ​have ​to ​relinquish ​the ​reins. ​I'm ​gonna ​have ​to ​let ​this ​other ​part ​of ​me, ​this ​free ​and ​creative ​and ​open, ​this ​vulnerable ​part ​of ​me, come ​up ​to ​the ​driver's ​seat ​​and ​I ​might ​have ​to ​get ​in ​the ​back, ​I ​might ​have ​to ​get ​in ​the ​trunk ​at ​some ​point. ​That ​feels ​so ​risky. ​It ​feels ​so, ​so ​risky ​internally.” “We ​disconnect ​from ​that ​part ​of ​ourselves. ​We ​leave ​those, ​air ​quote, ‘​childish ​things’ ​behind ​and ​we ​get ​serious ​about ​life ​and ​we ​put ​on ​new ​coping ​skills ​and ​different ​things ​toughen ​us ​up ​and ​rough ​us ​up, ​and ​we ​forget ​that ​that ​wild ​and ​free ​little ​version ​of ​us, ​has ​so ​much ​power.” “​I ​hope ​that ​if ​you ​are ​sitting ​in ​stagnation ​and ​not ​realizing, ​I ​hope ​that ​if ​you ​are ​sitting ​in, ​‘I ​need ​to ​wait ​for ​the ​right ​time’, ​or ‘​I ​just ​need ​to ​think ​through. ​I ​just ​need ​to ​figure ​out,’ ​or ‘​I ​just ​need ​to, ​you ​know, ​shore ​up ​x, ​y ​and ​z,’ ​that ​you ​bust ​down ​those ​walls ​and ​get ​real ​with ​the ​truth ​of ​what's ​going ​on ​here, ​which ​is ​​knowing ​that ​you ​don't ​have ​to ​cling ​to ​what's ​familiar ​and ​that ​you're ​not ​going ​to ​find ​your ​freedom. ​Your ​salvation ​will ​not ​come ​from ​this ​place. ​You ​have ​everything ​you ​need ​to ​make ​the ​move ​if ​you ​give ​yourself ​permission ​to ​let ​that ​part ​of ​you ​actually dream ​it ​up ​and ​connect ​you ​to ​the ​urgency ​of ​it ​all.” STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

We’re bringing back this powerful conversation as a replay because the message is still exactly what you need to hear if you’re feeling called to something more in your career or business. Join Monique as she dives into the art of self-persuasion and the importance of recognizing your inherent worthiness. She challenges you to shift your mindset from external validations to embracing your internal power, urging you to ask yourself: Who do I need to be to make the changes I desire? By understanding the narratives you create around your ambitions and the social contracts you feel bound to, you can begin to dismantle the barriers that prevent you from stepping into your fullest potential. When you move with confidence in who you are and what you stand for, it’s magnetic. You are powerful. You are worthy. You can make that pivot and this replay is your reminder. GEMS DROPPED “Setting yourself up for success is either code for, “I want to make sure that I make a move that protects me from failure” or “how do I make sure I'm set up for it is what will finally make me worthy of the success?” So one is about, I want to make sure that I have collected all of the Girl Scout badges, and the other is about I've put on enough armor to protect myself. Both of those buckets are a way of thinking that has been handed down to us through traditional career building in corporate structures and neither of those models is going to get you to your intrinsic vision” “The social contracts that you make with people, they do exist. When we build up different brands, or even just professional reputations in people's minds, they exist, …people need to be able to hold you in their imaginations as something, we need to make sense of each other. But those brands, those reputations are not built on the specific configuration of what you do and how you do it in the world. They're not built upon the specific titles that you carry, and the specific strengths and skills that you have and how those things specifically come together. That's not actually the bedrock, they're a part of it, for sure, but the bedrock of those social contracts, and the way that people are carrying us in their minds… is trust”. “People are not thinking about us as much as we think they are. we're caught up in our own stuff y'all, like the same way that you're just trying to stay on top of all the basic necessities of your life in all the big questions of your life. That's what everybody else is doing, too.” “...things that you think you need to have… all of the shiny objects that you need to collect… all of the people, all of the authorities that need to approve of you before you can make this step, you don't have to be set up in that way for success. The way that we set ourselves up for these pivots. The ways that we prepare ourselves to make these kinds of pivots is by going internal into making some decisions and making some shifts around how we are relating to ourselves, which then carry out to how we move. When we move with that kind of energy, you become magnetic…’ STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the demands of life and struggling to prioritize your well-being? This struggle is not unique; countless high achieving women share similar experiences of knowing what they should do for their health and happiness, but finding it difficult to take action. In our latest episode, Monique offers insights that can help transform your approach to self-care and ambition. Join in to explore the systemic influences at play and discover four key pillars that can help you adhere to your personal goals. By understanding the systemic barriers we face and recognizing the importance of support systems, we can take meaningful steps toward a more fulfilling life. Tune in to learn more about how to align your actions with your highest goals and create the life you truly desire. GEMS DROPPED “​Thinking ​about ​what ​keeps ​us ​from ​prioritizing ​our ​priorities, ​I'm ​gonna ​say ​number ​one ​is ​capitalism. As ​we ​think ​about ​what ​are ​the ​things ​that ​hamper ​us? ​A lot ​of ​them ​are ​systemic. ​Which ​is ​why ​I ​point ​to ​capitalism, ​which ​means ​they're ​all ​around ​us. The ​pressures ​on ​our ​time, ​our ​mental ​energy, ​our ​ability ​to ​access ​things ​like ​clarity ​or ​confidence. ​It's ​all ​driven ​by ​these ​systemic ​influences and it's ​by ​design.” “We ​have ​a ​whole ​​culture ​around ​career ​building ​in ​this ​country ​in ​particular ​that ​despises ​space, ​rest, and restoration ​for ​our ​body,​ ​mind, ​or ​spirit. So we ​know, ​but ​day ​by ​day, ​the ​lived ​experience ​of ​it ​is ​like we ​know ​better ​ ​and ​we ​have ​every ​reason ​to, ​and ​we ​have ​the ​urgency, but we ​still ​don't ​do ​it.​• “Routines, ​​they ​drive ​adherence. ​If ​you ​don't ​have ​somebody ​holding ​the ​routine ​for ​you, ​because ​I ​think ​that ​is ​the ​mistake ​we ​make. ​We ​just ​like, ​I ​just ​need ​to ​get ​more ​discipline. ​I ​just ​got ​to ​hunker ​down. ​Girl. ​If ​you ​ain't ​been ​hunkered ​down ​or ​grown ​this ​imaginary, ​you ​know, ​pool ​of ​discipline in ​these ​past ​five ​years, ​it's ​not, ​it's ​not ​coming. ​So ​make ​it ​happen. ​Invest ​in ​making ​sure ​that ​someone ​else ​​is ​holding ​it ​alongside ​you, ​holding ​it ​for ​you. ​Holding ​it ​with ​you. At ​a ​bare ​minimum, ​we've ​got ​to ​find ​ways ​for ​the ​routines ​to ​be ​held because ​life ​is ​life ​in ​life ​be ​lifeing.” “If ​you ​don't ​have ​space ​to ​actually ​move ​through ​what ​is ​your ​true ​emotional ​state ​or ​states ​of ​being, ​it ​makes ​it ​hard ​for ​you ​to ​also ​align ​your ​actions ​with ​moving ​toward ​what ​it ​is ​that ​you ​want.​Because ​your ​wanting ​becomes ​ ​tainted ​or ​complicated. It ​just ​taints ​your ​willingness ​if ​you, ​if ​you're ​feeling ​​a ​lot ​of ​suppressed ​emotions.” “If ​you ​are ​not ​doing ​the ​things ​to ​actually ​evolve ​yourself, that ​moment's ​not ​coming. ​It's ​not ​coming. ​The ​way ​it ​works ​is ​you ​invest ​ahead. ​You ​invest ​ahead ​so ​that ​you ​can ​fast ​track ​yourself ​to ​the ​things ​that ​you ​know ​you ​should ​be ​doing, ​but ​you're ​just ​not ​doing ​right ​now. ​​And ​then ​you ​get ​the ​payout.” STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com. Interested in learning more about Monique's group coaching experience CLAIMED? Click this link to join the interest list and we will email you the details ASAP.

Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback! Interested in learning more about Monique's group coaching experience CLAIMED? Click this link to join the interest list and we will email you the details ASAP. Are you feeling overwhelmed and underwhelmed at the same time? You're not alone! This paradox can be particularly pronounced for women and people of color, who often carry the weight of not just their own responsibilities, but also the expectations of their communities. In this timely episode, Monique addresses the struggle of feeling squeezed while trying to maintain personal and professional aspirations and inspires us to rethink our approach to leadership, collaboration, and self-care. Tune in to discover how to reclaim your time and energy while still pursuing your dreams without sacrificing your well-being. MENTIONED 70 | Inside Our Marriage: Navigating Ambition, Money, and Vision Together GEMS DROPPED “​Don't ​wait. ​Just ​offer ​what ​you ​have ​to ​offer ​when ​you ​have ​to ​offer ​it, ​where ​you ​have ​to ​offer ​it ​from. ​And ​so ​that's ​what ​we're ​doing ​right ​now. ​Sometimes ​it's ​not ​perfect, ​and ​​why ​does ​it ​need ​to ​be?” “​We ​have ​a ​lot ​on ​our ​side ​right ​now ​and ​maybe ​still ​feel ​pressured. ​And ​I ​want ​us ​to ​realize ​how ​much ​we ​still ​have to ​create ​with. ​All ​is ​absolutely ​not ​lost, ​y'all.” “It's ​important ​to ​note ​that ​it's ​not ​about figuring ​out ​how ​to ​squeeze ​more ​out ​or ​how ​to ​become ​more ​productive ​yourself. ​It's ​really ​about ​how ​to ​skillfully ​become ​​a ​producer ​who ​is ​not ​​doing ​direct ​producing. ​Like, ​how ​can ​you ​be ​someone ​who's ​orchestrating ​while ​other ​people ​are ​producing ​on ​your ​behalf. ​I ​think ​that ​this ​is ​something ​that ​we ​really, ​really, ​really ​struggle ​with.” “If ​you ​are ​overwhelmed, the ​solution ​can't ​be to ​fill ​my ​brain ​with ​more ​stuff ​that ​cannot ​be the ​automatic ​solution, ​or ​it ​can't ​be ​the ​entire ​solution. Cognitive ​deficit ​is not the issue. We ​got ​to ​stop ​solving ​for ​the ​thing ​that ​is ​not ​the ​problem ​​or ​where ​we ​are ​actually ​missing support ​is ​in ​who ​we ​are ​showing ​up ​as ​who ​we ​are ​being.” “​We're ​attached ​to ​the ​identity ​of ​being ​the ​one ​who ​handles ​everything because ​that ​is ​how ​we ​are ​appreciated. ​That ​is ​how ​we ​are ​seen ​as ​valuable.​That ​is ​how ​we ​have ​connected ​with ​a ​sense ​of ​being ​loved ​and ​belonging. ​That's ​how ​we ​have ​had ​a ​sense ​of ​ourselves ​for ​so ​long. ​It's ​really ​hard ​to ​detach ​from ​that.” “You ​can ​and ​actually ​have ​to ​begin ​to ​learn ​to ​do ​less ​in ​order ​to ​experience ​more. ​​Period, ​point ​blank. ​Period.” STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com. Interested in learning more about Monique's group coaching experience CLAIMED? Click this link to join the interest list and we will email you the details ASAP.

Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback! How do you balance ambition with your partner? In our latest episode, Monique explores the delicate balance of managing personal and shared goals within a relationship. Drawing from her own experiences with her husband, she sheds light on the importance of mutual support, communication, and understanding in navigating shared and individual ambitions. Monique candidly discusses foundational elements that must be in place for a successful partnership, including respect, kindness, and the value of therapy. As the conversation unfolds, Monique introduces actionable tools and strategies, including the concept of "over owning" and the importance of articulating personal desires. She also shares her unique approach to regular "family off-sites," designed to foster alignment and communication about goals and aspirations. Plus, she’s sharing a FREE tool to help you get started. Tune in to learn more. MENTIONED Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less by Tiffany Dufu Grab my Family Offsite ​Workbook DM me the word OFFSITE on IG @moniquershields. GEMS DROPPED “​To ​ambition ​as ​a ​couple, ​to ​ambition ​with a ​spouse, requires some ​foundational ​things ​that ​you ​just ​got ​to ​have ​in ​place such as love, ​respect, ​kindness, mutual willingness. If these are missing ​then ​there's ​nothing ​else ​to ​talk ​about.” “​If ​you ​have ​a ​habit ​of ​feeling ​like ​you ​have ​to ​be ​on ​top ​of ​everything ​and ​own ​everything, ​it ​will ​bleed ​across ​multiple ​areas ​of ​your ​life ​and ​work, ​and ​it ​will ​get ​you ​into ​trouble ​in ​various ​ways.” “At ​some ​point ​you ​have ​to ​recognize ​like, ​okay, ​well, ​if ​I ​have ​a ​holistic ​view ​on ​all ​the ​things ​that ​I ​want ​to ​accomplish ​in ​life ​​and ​this ​piece ​of ​me ​over ​owning ​is ​keeping ​me ​from ​the ​things ​that ​I ​want ​for ​myself. It's ​basically ​pushing ​me ​out ​of ​the ​equation. The ​solve ​is ​simply. You ​may ​be ​setting ​up ​your ​partners ​to ​be ​​the ​intern. So ​step ​back ​​and ​let your ​partner, your ​spouse, ​exercise ​and ​build ​their ​competence. Because your ​co-​CEOs, ​your co-​leaders, your ​one, your ​a ​unit.” “We'll ​convince ​ourselves ​that ​things ​are ​scarce ​when ​we ​haven't ​directed ​ourselves ​towards ​​wanting ​what ​we ​want ​and ​asserting ​what ​we ​want. ​And ​then ​you ​move ​towards ​what ​you ​want ​and ​then ​you ​create ​what ​you ​want. ​Like ​that's ​kind ​of ​how ​it ​works. And ​we ​don't ​give ​ourselves ​space ​to ​do ​that. ​We ​don't ​take ​it ​seriously ​because ​​we ​just ​need ​to ​respond ​to ​the ​demands. ​We ​need ​to ​be ​reactionary. ​And ​I'm ​telling ​y', ​all, ​​if ​you ​don't ​give ​yourself ​this ​space, ​then ​no ​one ​can ​get into ​that ​space ​with ​you ​and ​help ​you ​build ​towards ​it.” STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback! This week's episode is all about confidence! After months of reflection, Monique shares her insights on why we must prioritize optimizing for confidence in a world that often undermines it. Through relatable scenarios from her coaching practice, Monique illustrates how fear and uncertainty can hold us back from pursuing our true potential. She emphasizes the importance of community and support in building confidence, highlighting how being witnessed in our struggles can lead to breakthroughs. From transitioning to full-time entrepreneurship to navigating family dynamics, Monique provides actionable insights for reclaiming our confidence and taking bold steps forward. If you’re looking to explore the intricacies of confidence and how to cultivate it in your life, this episode is a must-listen. GEMS DROPPED “​Confidence ​is ​that ​feeling ​you ​have ​when ​you ​feel ​on. ​When ​you ​feel maybe ​not ​ready, ​but ​ready ​enough. When ​you ​feel ​like, ​I'm ​gonna ​take ​this ​first ​step regardless ​of ​how ​I ​feel. That's ​what ​I ​like ​to ​think ​of ​as ​confidence. And ​I ​think ​sometimes ​we ​confuse ​confidence ​for ​certainty. ​They're ​not ​the ​same ​thing. ​And ​I ​think ​we're ​often ​waiting ​on ​certainty ​before ​we ​can ​tell ​ourselves ​that ​we ​are ​confident and ​it's ​really ​the ​illusion ​of ​certainty.” “I've ​just ​recognized ​​that ​the ​world ​the ​world ​is ​coming ​for ​me ​in ​a ​really ​specific ​way, ​especially ​as ​a ​woman ​of ​color. ​​And ​I ​have ​got ​to ​do ​everything ​in ​my ​power ​to ​optimize ​for ​my ​confidence. ​Not ​just ​because ​feeling ​confident ​feels ​good, ​but ​because ​it ​costs ​me ​to ​not ​feel ​confident. ​​There's ​a ​massive ​cost ​​to ​us ​feeling ​stuck, because ​what ​do ​we ​do ​when ​we're ​not ​confident? ​We ​stay ​where ​we ​are. ​Stagnation ​thrives ​off ​of ​our ​lack ​of ​confidence.” “We've ​lived ​life ​long ​enough ​to ​look ​back ​​and ​see ​sometimes ​we ​have ​this ​negativity ​bias ​where ​we ​only ​see ​the ​mistakes ​or ​the ​missteps ​that ​we ​feel ​like ​we've ​had ​or ​the ​lost ​opportunities. ​But ​when ​we're ​really ​honest ​with ​ourselves, ​we've ​done ​so ​many ​things well. ​We've ​done ​so ​many ​things ​with ​integrity ​​and ​with ​courage ​and ​with ​creativity. ​​So ​much ​creativity. ​And ​so ​to ​give ​ourselves ​that ​moment, ​to ​have ​it ​reflected ​back ​to ​us, ​again, a ​confident ​confidence ​booster.“ “What ​it ​means ​to ​have ​the ​support, ​​the ​vetted, skilled, ​appropriate support ​for ​where ​you ​are ​in ​life, ​​where ​you ​are ​in ​work, ​to ​have ​that ​support ​to ​bring ​you ​back ​into ​yourself, ​it's ​priceless. ​It's ​actually ​priceless.” “​We ​cannot ​afford ​to ​get ​stuck. Especially ​now, ​the ​world ​is ​really ​showing ​us, ​we ​cannot ​afford to ​get ​stuck. ​And ​I ​tell ​you, ​the ​fastest ​way ​to ​get ​stuck ​is ​to ​get ​isolated.” “Nothing ​is ​wrong ​with ​​you, ​meaning ​you ​yourself ​are ​not ​deficient, ​or ​that ​you ​are ​not ​lacking ​some ​special ​knowledge ​or ​skill ​that ​precludes ​you ​from ​having ​what ​you ​want ​next. It's ​just that you ​have ​not ​been ​optimizing ​for ​the ​root ​issue ​of ​confidence ​​and ​to ​then ​get ​into ​questioning, ​like, ​okay, ​well, ​how ​can ​I ​start ​to ​do ​that?” STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback! In this deeply personal episode, Monique opens up about her recent struggles with visibility, purpose, and the weight of societal turmoil. After a series of engaging guest interviews, she reflects on her own journey, feeling speechless and overwhelmed by the state of the world. Monique shares her experiences of grappling with inner turmoil while maintaining her coaching practice and supporting her family. As she confronts feelings of anxiety and the pressures of capitalism, Monique explores what it means to embrace change and vulnerability. She discusses the importance of community, the necessity of being honest about one’s struggles, and the transformative power of pain. Through her candid storytelling, Monique invites us to reflect on our own journeys and consider how we can show up authentically in times of uncertainty. Join in for an honest conversation about vulnerability, resilience, and the journey of self-discovery. Don't miss this opportunity to connect and find strength in our shared experiences. Tune in now! GEMS DROPPED “​I ​am ​loved. ​I ​am ​love. No ​matter ​what… No ​matter ​what.” “​I ​feel ​like, ​especially ​as ​someone ​from ​a ​marginalized ​community, ​​we ​keep ​talking ​about ​the ​unknown, ​the ​unknown. ​And ​I ​think ​what ​we're ​actually ​scared ​of ​is ​not ​the ​unknown, ​I ​think ​that ​we're ​scared ​of ​what ​we ​know ​is ​to ​come ​​and ​how ​we're ​gonna ​cope ​with ​it.” “Pain ​is ​a ​part ​of ​life, and you ​can ​handle ​pain. ​It's ​just ​pain. ​It ​comes ​and ​it ​goes, ​​and ​you're ​still ​here…​ you're ​fine. ​And ​for ​the ​things ​that ​are ​worth ​it… ​the ​pain ​required ​to ​get ​to ​the ​other ​side ​is ​not ​only ​okay, ​but ​can ​be ​really ​worth ​it.” “​I ​hope ​that ​this ​offers ​somebody ​who ​is ​listening ​and ​trying ​to ​keep ​it ​together, and ​also ​​recognizing ​that this ​season, ​or ​the ​seasons ​to ​come ​are ​asking ​you ​to ​submit ​to ​changes, ​ ​to ​submit ​to inevitabilities ​that ​feel ​like ​they're ​going ​to ​invite ​some ​painful ​things, ​​some ​scary ​things ​that ​​it ​doesn't ​serve ​us ​to ​focus ​on ​how ​fearful ​we ​are ​of ​the ​pain, ​that ​there ​is ​possibility in ​releasing ​that ​tension as ​best ​you ​can.” “You ​can ​show ​up ​honestly ​in ​the ​midst ​of ​the ​mess, ​fully ​admitting ​that ​you ​don't ​have ​the ​answers.” STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback! In this week's episode, join Monique as she shares her inspiring journey from side hustler to executive coach. Monique takes us on a journey through her recent conversation with Nicaila Matthews Okome on the Side Hustle Pro podcast. Together, they dive into Monique's career trajectory, from her time at Spelman College to her evolution as an executive coach, and the lessons learned along the way. Tune in to gain insights into the significance of resourcing oneself, the power of community, and the necessity of setting high standards for personal and professional growth. GUEST INFO Nicaila Matthews Okome, host of Side Hustle Pro Podcast | Website | Instagram | YouTube MENTIONED 59 | You Don’t Need More Time — You Need a New Identity GEMS DROPPED “ When ​we ​feel ​connected ​with ​the ​truth ​of ​who ​we ​are ​and ​how ​we ​actually ​feel, ​and ​then ​we ​get ​to ​know ​what ​we ​actually ​think ​and ​what ​our ​imaginations ​can ​bring ​us ​to, ​we ​get ​to ​dream ​forward.” - Monique R. Shields “Corporate ​spaces ​are ​not ​designed ​for ​anybody ​to ​be ​their ​full ​authentic ​selves. ​You ​have ​to ​decide ​what ​pieces ​of ​you ​are ​safe ​here, ​what ​pieces ​of ​you ​are ​advantageous ​to ​share ​here. ​You have ​to ​kind ​of ​design ​yourself ​a ​certain ​way. ​It's ​just ​what ​it ​is.” - Monique R. Shields “Instead ​of ​shaming ​ourselves ​for ​decisions ​we ​have ​made ​or ​are ​about ​to ​make, ​remember ​a ​lot ​of ​these ​decisions ​are ​rooted ​in ​survival. ​And ​you ​need ​to ​do ​what ​you ​need ​to ​do ​​in ​that ​moment ​or ​in ​this ​moment ​to ​put ​your ​survival ​first. ​Right. However, when ​you ​do ​have ​space ​and ​time ​to ​be ​able ​to ​think ​beyond ​surviving ​to ​thriving, ​ ​this ​is ​the ​conversation…”- Nicaila Matthews Okome “If ​you're ​still ​feeling ​on ​the ​fence ​about ​things, ​I ​think it's ​good ​to ​listen ​to ​that ​survival ​instinct ​in ​you, ​that ​gut ​check and remember ​that just ​because ​something's ​high ​ticket ​doesn't ​mean ​it's ​going ​to ​be ​valuable. You must vet ​the business and ​make ​sure ​it's ​what's ​really ​going ​to ​help ​you ​to ​move ​the ​needle ​in ​your ​business. ​Emphasis ​on ​your.”- Nicaila Matthews Okome “A ​lot ​of ​us ​​actually ​need ​to ​start ​to ​dismantle ​some ​of ​the ​identities ​we've ​taken ​on ​​unknowingly.” - Nicaila Matthews Okome “We’re walking ​around ​with ​a ​lot ​of ​invisible ​I ​ams ​and ​I'm ​nots​ and ​it's ​about ​doing ​the ​work ​to ​make ​those ​things ​a ​lot ​more ​visible ​to ​you ​so ​that ​you ​can see the one's ​holding you ​back or ​the ​one's keeping you ​stuck.” -Monique R. Shields “Whatever ​it ​is ​that ​you're ​facing ​down ​next, ​whatever ​challenge ​it ​is ​that ​you're ​trying ​to ​take ​on ​or ​figure ​out, you ​don't ​need ​more. ​You're ​not ​deficient ​in ​anything. ​There's ​no ​deficit ​within ​you. ​You ​don't ​need ​to ​take ​on ​anything ​new. ​Tack ​on ​anything ​new. ​Build ​yourself ​up ​more. ​Usually ​you ​need ​to ​release, ​so ​focus ​on ​what ​you ​need ​to ​let ​go and ​let ​that ​be ​your ​energy. ​Let ​yourself ​be released.” -Monique R. Shields STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an

Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback! In this week's episode, Monique welcomes Danielle Bayard Jackson, a relational health educator, to discuss the complexities of female friendships, particularly for ambitious women of color. Throughout the conversation, they unpack the three affinities that strengthen female friendships: symmetry, support, and secrecy. Danielle emphasizes the importance of reciprocity and vulnerability, encouraging listeners to embrace their needs and foster deeper connections. Monique and Danielle also address the impact of competition within friendships and how it can create barriers to intimacy. If you are an ambitious woman feeling isolated in your friendships, press play to discover how to cultivate deeper connections and break the cycle of loneliness. GUEST INFO Danielle Bayard Jackson, Women’s Relational Health Educator and Director of the Women’s Relational Health Institute | Website | Book | Podcast | TikTok | Instagram GEMS DROPPED “​I ​think ​a ​lot ​of ​people ​would ​be ​surprised ​to ​know ​that ​most ​of ​the ​women ​I ​work ​with ​are ​high ​achieving ​women. ​They're ​not ​women ​who ​don't ​have ​social ​skills ​or ​don't ​know ​how ​to ​have ​a ​conversation. ​These ​are ​women ​who ​are ​charismatic, ​​who ​are ​extroverted. ​They ​have ​no ​shortage ​of ​social ​connections, ​but ​it's ​just ​that ​they ​feel ​so ​deeply ​unsatisfied ​with ​the ​connections ​they ​have. ​And ​of ​course, ​this ​is ​something ​that ​they ​are ​harboring ​secretly ​because ​to ​publicly ​announce ​that ​you ​are ​having ​challenges ​with ​what ​other ​people ​think ​should ​come ​so ​naturally ​bring ​some ​sort ​of ​shame. ​And ​it ​also ​detracts ​from ​this ​image ​of ​self-​sufficiency ​that ​an ​ambitious ​woman ​would ​like ​to ​project.” - Danielle Bayard Jackson “On ​one ​hand, you ​feel ​the ​weight ​of the ​expectations ​that ​we ​place ​on ​each ​other. ​But ​on ​the ​other ​hand, ​it's ​like, ​yes. ​And ​it's ​partially ​for ​really ​good ​reason, ​because ​there's ​so ​much ​available ​when ​we ​can ​reach ​that ​depth ​with ​one ​another ​and ​then ​navigate ​the ​times ​where ​inevitably ​conflict ​strikes.“ - Monique R. Shields “There ​are ​so ​many ​things ​I ​think ​we ​overlook ​when ​it ​comes ​to ​building ​close ​relationships. ​I ​think ​we ​think ​of sharing ​secrets ​and ​being ​vulnerable. ​And ​that's ​all ​true, ​but ​it's ​other ​surprising ​things, ​like navigating ​healthy ​conflicts or ​receiving ​help. ​The ​research ​finds ​that ​that's ​a ​prerequisite ​to ​platonic ​intimacy.” - Danielle Bayard Jackson “You ​do ​have ​to ​shift ​your ​beliefs ​to ​shift ​your ​behaviors. ​And ​if ​you ​can ​get ​yourself ​into ​this ​practice ​of ​checking ​in ​on your ​values. ​We ​can ​all ​recall ​a ​time ​where ​​we ​had ​the ​good ​feels ​for ​being ​able ​to ​show ​up ​for ​somebody ​else, ​and ​it ​is ​robbing your friends ​of ​that ​experience. ​It's ​a ​gift ​to ​let ​somebody ​give ​to ​you.” - Monique R. Shields STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an email to ambition@moniquershields.com.

Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback! How do you dress for the life and legacy you actually want? In this powerful and personal episode, Monique is joined by costume designer, educator, and style visionary Pamela Shepherd, as they unpack what it really means to show up in your full presence. From dressing bodies to shaping identities, Pamela reveals how style becomes a strategy for visibility, authority, and self-reinvention, especially for Black women in leadership. Tune in to hear how Pamela navigated her leap from tech to fashion, what it takes to embrace your own definition of “executive presence,” and why asking for help is the real flex. Together, they explore fashion as liberation, style as storytelling, and the magic of taking up space without apology. If you’ve ever questioned your image, doubted your voice, or wrestled with how to be both authentic and visible, this episode is your call to reimagine what success looks like from the inside out. GUEST INFO Pamela Shepard, Costume ​Designer ​and ​Stylist | Website | Instagram | FlowWood Costumes (Launching soon!) GEMS DROPPED “For ​those ​of ​us ​who ​are ​designing ​our ​ambitions ​and ​creating ​futures ​that ​maybe ​we ​don't ​have ​an ​example ​for ​in ​our ​household. ​ ​Who ​are ​you ​not ​just ​asking? What ​doors ​are ​you ​not ​just ​knocking ​on?” - Monique R. Shields “Because ​​I ​work so ​collaboratively, ​I'm ​often ​working ​with ​different ​groups ​of ​people. ​And ​because ​the ​work ​requires ​your ​expertise ​and ​your ​expertise ​and your ​experience ​and ​your ​experience ​and ​your ​experience, I ​think ​that ​it further ​helps ​me ​to ​develop ​the ​muscle ​​when ​it ​comes ​to ​leaning ​on ​others ​for ​what I ​don't ​know. It's ​not ​indicative ​of ​weakness ​or ​lack ​of ​ability ​or ​​really ​anything. ​What ​it's ​indicative ​of ​is ​curiosity.” - Pamela Shepard “One ​way ​that ​you ​signal ​to ​yourself and ​to ​the ​world ​that ​you ​take ​yourself ​seriously ​is ​by ​asking ​for ​help, ​​by ​actually ​leveraging ​the ​relationships ​that ​you ​have ​poured ​into. ​And ​it ​doesn't ​take ​that ​many. ​You ​don't ​have ​to ​know ​the ​world. ​You ​start ​with ​who ​you ​know, ​and ​then ​you, again, ​you ​don't ​know ​who ​they ​know and ​who ​those ​people ​know.” - Monique R. Shields “If I were talking to someone about fashion, I ​think ​my ​first ​question would ​be, ​​where ​do ​you ​spend ​most ​of ​your ​time? Is ​it ​in ​an ​office? ​Is ​it ​at ​home? ​Is ​it ​in ​transit ​and ​traveling? ​Like, ​what ​does ​the ​look ​of ​your ​life ​look ​like? ​Because ​​I ​think ​that ​sometimes ​we ​feel compelled ​to ​have ​all ​the ​things. Our ​lives ​don't ​really ​call ​for ​all ​the ​things.” - Pamela Shepard “There ​is ​part ​of ​the ​work ​that ​is ​just listening ​to ​people, ​checking ​in ​with ​people, ​seeing ​how ​they're ​doing, and ​listening ​to ​what ​they're ​saying, ​because ​I ​think ​that ​can ​help ​inform, ​the ​decisions ​of ​the ​pieces we're ​choosing ​and ​moving ​forward. And ​so ​​just ​encouraging ​people ​to ​be ​brave ​and ​trying ​to ​put ​on ​the ​things ​that ​embody ​how ​they ​see ​themselves.” - Pamela Shepard “Your ​clothes ​are ​not ​going ​to ​give ​you ​executive ​presence. ​They ​can ​be ​a ​reflection ​of ​the ​presence ​that ​you ​already ​​carry, ​that ​you ​already ​exude, ​but ​the ​clothes ​can't ​give ​it ​to ​you .” - Monique R. Shields STAY IN TOUCH Come and follow me on Instagram @moniquershields and I would love your feedback so send an