Why "Just Stay Motivated" Is BS: The Science of Actually Achieving A Goal
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Release Date: 01/07/2026
5 Strategies to Prevent Burnout Before It's Too Late
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Are you exhausted from doing all the things, checking all the boxes, and still feeling like you're drowning? You're not broken. You've just been sold the wrong version of resilience. In this episode, I'm breaking down why "staying positive" and "bouncing back" is actually heightening your stress—and what to do instead. What you'll learn: The #1 thing stealing your energy (and how to set boundaries with your own brain) Why that word "should" is keeping you trapped in burnout The difference between being fear-driven vs. value-driven (and why it matters) How to make progress when you're...
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If You Ever Think “What’s Wrong With Me?” - Listen to This
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Ever catch yourself thinking, "Why am I like this?" Too much. Too quiet. Too emotional. Too in your head. What if the thing you criticize yourself for most… isn't a flaw at all? In this episode, I unpack a powerful reframe that challenges the way we try to "fix" ourselves. Because what if your so-called weakness is actually a strength that's just been turned up too high? If you've ever called yourself an overthinker, a people-pleaser, disorganized, shy, or "too much"—and felt stuck in shame because of it—this one will hit close to home. No fluffy self-love. No personality overhaul....
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Self-Loathing vs. Self-Love: What Actually Gets Results
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
For the high achievers who think they need to be harder on themselves. You're holding yourself accountable, chasing your goals, refusing to waste time. But somewhere along the way, self-discipline turned into self-loathing. And now you're wondering: if I stop being so hard on myself, will I just... stop trying? This episode breaks down why hating yourself into change is like taking a 36-hour flight with unnecessary layovers. You'll eventually get there, but you'll be exhausted, depleted, and resentful. There's a direct flight available. In this episode: Why shame triggers your nervous...
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Why "Just Stay Motivated" Is BS: The Science of Actually Achieving A Goal
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
You're three weeks into your goal. The excitement's worn off. You're questioning everything. Your brain is screaming at you to quit. And then someone tells you to "just stay motivated." Here's the truth: motivation doesn't last. It's not supposed to. And the reason you keep quitting your goals has nothing to do with willpower, laziness, or not wanting it badly enough. There are five predictable emotional stages every single person goes through when making real change—and most people quit at Stage 3 because no one told them it was coming. In this episode, you'll discover: Why that...
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My New Year Wish For You..
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
After such a heartbreaking, life-shattering year, I wanted to record this little message for you as we head into 2026. ❤️ Ready to Stop Forcing Happiness and Actually Start Healing? You can know all the "right" things to say to yourself, all the strategies, all the steps—but if you're still trying to push through grief, anxiety, or life's hardest moments alone, nothing truly shifts. That's where coaching comes in. I help women navigate the messy, non-linear process of healing—not by forcing happiness or bypassing pain, but by figuring out what YOU actually need (not what others...
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Why My Mum Wouldn't "Want Me to Be Happy" Right Now - Happiness vs. Healing
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
If you've lost someone, you've probably heard people say "they would just want you to be happy." Well-meaning? Absolutely. Helpful? Not always. In this episode, I'm sharing why that phrase hasn't been landing for me—and what I wish people would say instead. Because grief isn't about forcing happiness. It's about something much more important. Whether you're navigating loss or supporting someone who is, this one's for you. You don’t owe anyone happiness. But you do deserve healing. Take this episode slowly. Pause when you need to. Let it meet you wherever you are today. Ready to Stop...
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Losing Both Parents Before You're 30 - Real Talk About Grief with Tara Accardo
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
There's a loneliness that comes with loss that's hard to describe until you've felt it. That moment when you realize the person you'd normally call isn't there to answer anymore. Tara Accardo knows this pain intimately. In December 2019, she lost her mom to cancer. Six months later, her dad. Then, her beloved dog of 19 years. Each loss compounding the one before, leaving her asking: "What am I going to do?" But this conversation isn't about finding silver linings or moving on. It's about the messy, visceral reality of grief—and the unexpected strength that emerges when you're forced to...
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How to Actually Validate Yourself (When No One Else Does)
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Ever find yourself waiting for someone to notice how hard you're struggling? Waiting for your partner to ask if you're okay, your doctor to take you seriously, or someone—anyone—to validate that yes, what you're going through really IS that hard? Here's the truth: you can't control if someone else gives you that validation. But you can give it to yourself. And no, that's not the same as toxic positivity or forcing yourself to "look on the bright side." It's about giving yourself the same compassion you'd give a friend going through the exact same thing. In this episode, I'm sharing a...
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How to Respond to Feedback Without Spiralling (The Pistachio Nut Method)
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
Ever gotten feedback at work that just... stung? Like, you worked your ass off on a project, pulled off what felt like a miracle given the circumstances, only to be told you "weren't enthusiastic enough" or "should have felt more excited"? Yeah, that's the kind of feedback that can send you spiraling. In this episode, I'm breaking down why feedback hits us so damn hard in the first place, and more importantly, what to do about it. I'll share my pistachio nut framework for figuring out what feedback is actually worth keeping versus what's just... someone else's baggage you don't need to carry....
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How to Prevent a Panic Attack With Your Exhale (Not Your Mind)
Okay, Now What? - With Kate Gladdin
After the hardest year of my life, I discovered something I'd been taking for granted—the one thing that held me when everything else fell apart. This isn't your typical gratitude episode. Because when you're barely holding it together, "just be thankful" doesn't cut it. In this episode, you'll discover: Why one deep breath does nothing (and what actually works) The science behind why your exhales matter more than your inhales The 60-second tool that can stop you from spiraling before a difficult conversation What happens in your nervous system when you sigh (hint: it's not dramatic,...
info_outlineYou're three weeks into your goal. The excitement's worn off. You're questioning everything. Your brain is screaming at you to quit.
And then someone tells you to "just stay motivated."
Here's the truth: motivation doesn't last. It's not supposed to. And the reason you keep quitting your goals has nothing to do with willpower, laziness, or not wanting it badly enough.
There are five predictable emotional stages every single person goes through when making real change—and most people quit at Stage 3 because no one told them it was coming.
In this episode, you'll discover:
- Why that initial excitement is designed to fade (and what happens when reality hits in Stage 2)
- The Valley of Despair—where dreams go to die and your only job is to not quit
- How to recognize when your brain is throwing a tantrum versus when something's actually wrong
- Why the struggle isn't evidence you're failing—it's evidence you're growing
- The one mindset shift that changes everything: seeing discomfort as proof it's working, not breaking
Here's what nobody tells you: every successful person you admire has stood exactly where you're standing right now—in the messy middle, doubting everything, wanting to quit. The difference isn't that they didn't experience the Valley of Despair. It's that they expected it, prepared for it, and pushed through it.
This episode gives you the framework to do the same. Whether you're building a fitness routine, launching a side hustle, or finally going after that goal you've been putting off—understanding these five stages will change how you approach change forever.
Because once you know Stage 3 is coming, you stop using it as a reason to quit.
Ready to stop quitting on yourself? If you're in Stage 2 or 3 right now and need someone to help you push through (not just give you another pep talk), I've got limited one-on-one coaching consult spots available each week. Visit https://www.kategladdin.com/coaching to book your call.
Remember: The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.