Still Becoming: Lessons from the Messy Middle of Healing and Leadership
Release Date: 09/23/2026
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Still Becoming: Lessons from the Messy Middle of Healing and Leadership
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Today on Notable Leaders Radio, host Belinda Pruyne turns the microphone on herself for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about growth, personal transformation, and what it really takes to lead through change. Recorded on the eve of her second knee replacement surgery, Belinda shares how what began as a physical journey to fix her knees unexpectedly transformed into one of the most profound personal development courses of her life. From managing severe post-surgery complications to confronting deeply ingrained Midwestern work ethics and limiting beliefs, she reflects on how physical...
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Today on Notable Leaders Radio, I sit down with Dr. Cristine Hull—Integrative Mental Health Expert and founder of Health, Healing & Wholeness, LLC. Cristine's journey into understanding the brain wasn't simply a career choice; it was a deeply personal search to better understand herself. Inspired at just nine years old by her uncle's pioneering work in biochemical research, she developed an early fascination with the connection between brain chemistry, emotions, and behavior. As someone who quietly lived with persistent low moods, she began journaling her thoughts and emotions long...
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Making Your Own Way
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Today on Notable Leaders Radio, I sit down with Damaris Melo-Gyasi, architect, entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, and author of Making My Way: A Story of Grit and Grace. Her story isn't simply about building a successful business. It's about learning to create a life that reflected who she truly was, rather than the limitations others expected her to accept. Growing up in São Paulo, Brazil, in a working-class Pentecostal family, Damaris was surrounded by love, discipline, and faith—but also by unspoken expectations about what was possible. At just seven years old, seeing a female architect for the...
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Stefoni Rossiter - Still Becoming ~ More Living with Openness, curiosity, and possibility
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Still Becoming: Beyond Achievement: What Happens When Success Stops Being The Point with Stephanie Baker
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Today, on Notable Leaders’ Radio, I speak with Stephanie Baker, Chief Experience Officer and artist. She highlights her journey of moving beyond achievement, sharing how embracing vulnerability, creativity, and leading with empathy has redefined what true success means, for herself, her teams, and those she mentors. In today’s episode, we discuss: Reimagine your definition of success. Step back from titles and checkboxes. Ask yourself whether your work aligns with your core values and your true impact. When your work is a reflection of who you are, fulfillment finds you, not the other...
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Today on Notable Leaders Radio, host Belinda Pruyne turns the microphone on herself for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about growth, personal transformation, and what it really takes to lead through change.
Recorded on the eve of her second knee replacement surgery, Belinda shares how what began as a physical journey to fix her knees unexpectedly transformed into one of the most profound personal development courses of her life. From managing severe post-surgery complications to confronting deeply ingrained Midwestern work ethics and limiting beliefs, she reflects on how physical healing unearthed old patterns that no longer served her leadership or well-being.
Throughout this episode, Belinda breaks down five powerful lessons about self-awareness, alignment, and receiving support. She explores why true success is directly linked to internal clarity and challenges leaders to stop simply pushing through difficulties and instead ask: What are you recovering for?
In This Episode, We Discuss
Recognize That Strength Doesn't Always Mean Pushing
Deeply ingrained habits often convince leaders to solve hard problems by simply digging deeper and working harder. Belinda distinguishes between true persistence, exploring every viable option—and pushing, which forces outcomes at the expense of well-being and clear decision-making.
Understand That Progress Doesn't Always Look Like Progress
Healing and growth are rarely linear, and forcing quick results often leads to burnout. Belinda shares her shift from expecting immediate recovery to committing to the action while letting go of the outcome, emphasizing that slowing down is an act of wisdom rather than failure.
Embrace Interdependence and Learn to Receive
Leaders accustomed to being the primary problem solver often struggle when forced to rely on others. Belinda reflects on the vulnerability of needing 24/7 care post-surgery, highlighting how strong leaders avoid creating codependency and instead embrace healthy interdependence.
Slow Down Enough to Notice What Body and Mind Are Telling You
Pushing past physical and emotional signals causes us to miss critical insights. Belinda discusses replacing rigid expectations with grace, curiosity, and presence to catch old narratives before they dictate our actions.
Shift Focus from Recovering From Something to Recovering For Something
True motivation comes from a clear vision for the future, not just escaping a current challenge. Belinda shares how framing her recovery around creating a bigger, more vibrant life for 2027 reframed her entire healing process.
A Final Reflection
Our circumstances may shape our story, but they don't have to determine the ending.
The fulfillment and success we achieve in life and leadership are directly connected to our level of self-awareness.
When we slow down, drop old narratives that no longer serve us, and extend ourselves grace, we transform our challenges into clarity and step fully into who we are still becoming.
Carry This Forward
Notice
Where in your life or leadership are you pushing harder when you really need to pause, breathe, and re-evaluate?
Reflect
What old story or inherited belief are you trying to carry down a new path?
Act
What is one area where you can allow yourself to receive support or extend yourself grace before tomorrow?
Resources
Recommended Reading & References
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Poem: Autobiography in Five Short Chapters by Portia Nelson
Belinda’s Bio:
Belinda is a sought-after Leadership Advisor, Coach, Consultant and Keynote speaker and a leading authority in guiding global executives, professionals and small business owners to become today’s highly respected leaders. As the Founder of BelindaPruyne.com, Belinda works with such organizations as IBM, Booz Allen Hamilton, BBDO, The BAM Connection, Hilton, Leidos, Yale School of Medicine, Landis, and the Discovery Channel. Most recently, she redesigned two global internal advertising agencies for Cella, a leader in creative staffing and consulting. She is a founding C-suite and executive management coach for Chief, the fastest-growing executive women's network. Since 2020, Belinda has delivered more than 72 interviews with top-level executives and business leaders who share their inner journey to success; letting you know the truth of what it took to achieve their success in her Notable Leaders Radio podcast.
She gained a wealth of expertise in the client services industry as Executive Vice President, Global Director of Creative Management at Grey Advertising, managing 500 people around the globe. With over 20+ years of leadership development experience, she brings industry-wide recognition to the executives and companies she works with. Whether a startup, turnaround, acquisition, or global corporation, executives and companies continue to turn to Pruyne for strategic and impactful solutions in a rapidly shifting economy and marketplace.
Website: Belindapruyne.com
Email Address: [email protected]
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