Higher Vibes Coaching Blog
10 Truths About Recovery Every Coach and Client Should Know
Coaching someone in recovery—or doing the work yourself These 10 truths go far beyond ICF certification checklists. They speak to the real terrain of addiction, healing, and identity. If you’re a life coach, leadership coach, wellness practitioner, or trauma survivor learning to coach yourself back to wholeness—this is essential. Understand how harm reduction saves lives, why relapse isn’t failure, and how trauma, systemic oppression, and identity shifts shape the recovery process. Whether you’re holding space for someone else or reclaiming your own—this is the groundwork for coaching with clarity, care, and courage.
Hot Seat Therapy and 360° Reviews Are the Same Bullsh*t
Too many internal coaches and managers still measure growth by how well you conform to other people’s expectations—especially if you’re neurodivergent, BIPOC, queer, or disabled. The result? More masking. More burnout. Less truth. This post offers a radical reframe of feedback. We’ll also dig into why the beloved 360° review process often mirrors a shady group therapy tactic called hot seat therapy—and how both can go off the rails without care, consent, and context.
When “You Got This Feels” Like a Slap
Tired of hearing “You got this!” when you’re barely hanging on? Here are 15 phrases that sound supportive—but can actually leave you feeling alone—and what to say instead to get the real help you need.
BIPOC Managers: Lead Without Losing Yourself
Being a BIPOC manager means balancing leadership, mentorship, and unspoken expectations—often at the expense of your well-being. Here, we break down the unique challenges, burnout risks, and systemic barriers BIPOC leaders navigate, backed by data, with actionable insights on how to lead without sacrificing yourself.
When Trauma Pulls You Back, You’re Still Moving Forward
Growth means facing past wounds with new awareness, not starting over. When trauma resurfaces, it’s proof of progress—showing you can respond differently. Here’s how to keep moving forward.
From Invisible to Unstoppable: How to Be a Thought Leader Without Masking
Struggling to gain visibility despite being an expert in her field, Tara felt shut out on social media. This case study reveals how coaching helped her transform her approach, build influence on her own terms, and land industry recognition—without chasing validation. It also includes tips to help you reframe feeling too different as an advantage, not a liability.
5 Signs It’s Not Psychologically Safe (and You Should GTFO)
Navigating social interactions in today’s politically charged climate can feel exhausting. Learn how to quickly recognize unsafe conversations, set boundaries, and decide when to engage—or walk away—to protect your psychological well-being.
Marisol’s Story: Choosing Herself in a World That Won’t Stop Questioning Her
Marisol, a recent college grad, struggles with modern dating pressures, cultural misunderstandings, and so-called progressive men who don’t respect her boundaries. They even went as far as to call her racist for wanting to date within her culture. Through coaching, she learns to trust herself, set firm limits, and embrace dating on her own terms. Read her story.
Case Study: How Diana Managed Her Cortisol Rollercoaster
Diana is a high-achieving management consultant with a sharp mind who thrives on early morning deep thinking but also truggles with grogginess upon waking. Crowded public settings for too long can spike her stress levels, while excessive evening socializing or late-night work can push her into an overexcitable state, making it hard to wind down for restful sleep. We worked on a cortisol-balancing routine that supported her natural rhythms while preventing stress-induced energy crashes and sleepless nights.
Eating Disorders, ADHD & RSD…Oh My!
ADHD, rejection-sensitive dysphoria (RSD), and eating disorders often intertwine, creating a relentless cycle of perfectionism, emotional dysregulation, and distorted self-perception. Learn how these overlap and some actionable coaching strategies to start to break free from this cycle.
The Hidden Cycle: How Abused Mothers Harm Their Children
When abused mothers lose control of their own lives, they often reclaim it through strict parenting, emotional manipulation, or overprotection—continuing a cycle of trauma. Explore how domestic abuse impacts moms, the hidden costs on children, and how to start to break free from generational patterns of control.
When Social Media Feels Like Screaming Into the Void (And How to Keep Going)
Most social media users are lurkers, meaning low engagement doesn’t mean your content isn’t resonating—it just isn’t always visible in the numbers. Instead of chasing likes or virality, focus on consistency, psychological safety, and finding the right platform or community where your voice is truly valued.
Caregiving: The Unpaid Labor That Women Shoulder (And How to Set Boundaries and Reclaim Your Time)
Caregiving is unpaid, exhausting work that disproportionately impacts women, especially women of color, often forcing them to sacrifice their time, money, and well-being while society takes it for granted. Learn practical strategies to challenge this expectation, including how to set boundaries, push back against guilt, redistribute responsibilities, and reclaim your time—because caregivers deserve support, too.
Signs of a Fixed Mindset: How It Sneaks Up and Holds You Back
A fixed mindset isn’t just about resisting change—it’s sneaky. It disguises itself as logic, experience, and confidence, making you believe the problem isn’t you, but everyone else. If you consider yourself open-minded yet feel frustrated by constant change, this guide will help you recognize the hidden signs of a fixed mindset and how to shift toward growth.
ADHD Burnout: Signs, Causes, and How to Recover
Burnout isn’t just needing a break—it’s a full-body and mental shutdown that makes it hard to function at work, home, and beyond. For those with ADHD, burnout can hit even harder due to chronic overwhelm, emotional exhaustion, and executive dysfunction. Learn the key signs of ADHD burnout, why it happens, and actionable strategies to recover and prevent it from taking over your life.
How to Shut Down Unsolicited Advice and Micromanagement with Confidence
Some people believe they have the right to tell others what to do, but their need for control doesn’t mean you have to give in. Learn how to recognize and respond to unsolicited advice and micromanagement with direct, confident strategies that help you reclaim your autonomy and set clear boundaries—without unnecessary conflict.
Reclaiming Power: The Unlearning of Maya
Maya spent her life trying to be “good”—a good wife, a good daughter, a good survivor—until she realized that goodness was just another form of control, keeping her small and obedient. In breaking free, she unlearns the need for permission, silences the lingering voices of doubt, and steps fully into her power—not as a survivor, but as a woman who owns her own life.
Trauma-Informed Coaching: Language Matters
Effective coaching and leadership create a space of safety, trust, and empowerment—not pressure, dismissal, or forced healing. Certain phrases, even when well-intended, can come across as invalidating, triggering, or disempowering. This guide breaks down what NOT to say in coaching or leadership—and what to say instead to foster genuine growth, support, and confidence.
ADHD, Trauma, and the Struggle to Keep Up: You’re Not Broken
Living with ADHD can feel like juggling ten flaming swords on a unicycle in a storm—and when trauma enters the mix, it’s like doing it blindfolded. If this resonates, know this: you’re not broken, and you don’t have to navigate these challenges alone. Everyone deserves support, and with the right tools, you can find balance, healing, and a way forward.
The Lasting Impact of Domestic Abuse: How It Affects Survivors at Work and Beyond
The impact of domestic abuse is profound, reverberating across many lives. It affects survivors' presence and ability to advocate for themselves. At work, it undermines their relationships, performance, and career outlook. Survivors often feel haunted by their abusers, who creep into all aspects of their lives, like unrelenting zombies. Read this—it could change lives, perhaps even your own.