"I've been tuning into what feels right for me versus what I think I should be doing."

Melissa Costello is a transformational eating coach who has spent the last 15 years helping people who struggle with emotional eating (including me, which you can hear all about in my first interview with Melissa), but is now in the middle of what she calls “the messy middle” of a major career transition struggling to define the next stages in her career while managing an identity crisis along the way.

The conversation today is centered around the feelings of doubt, confusion, and uncertainty that come with major transitions (imposter syndrome, anyone?). Once you get past the excitement of pursuing a new path, you get thrust into the messy middle of trying to navigate the challenges that come with building a new identity and letting go of the safety & security of the old one. Melissa speaks openly and honestly about refocusing her coaching from emotional eating towards empowering women through Equine partnered therapy. Being a life coach does not make her exempt from the common feelings of imposter syndrome, perfectionism, doubt, and anxiety over whether she's following the right path.

In this conversation we discuss the tools, habits, strategies, and most importantly the mindsets we can use on ourselves to make sure we're staying aligned to our values and true to our deeper why's. If you find yourself struggling with a major life or career transition and thinking you’re not good enough, or you’re going to fail, or [insert 1000 other excuses for not taking a chance], this interview will inspire you to continue forging ahead with the confidence you can succeed…even in the middle of an identity crisis.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

How she manages and honors her personal needs and challenges while being a coach
The lessons Melissa has learned from being a coach who is struggling with anxiety
Why it's so important for coaches to show up as relatable.
The importance of building and creating communities so that the support system is strong.
The challenges in transitioning from one career path to another and how it's tied with your identity.
Saying no to job opportunities based on lifestyle needs.
Learning how to move towards new opportunities that feel scary but also feel right.
How to navigate changing identities within yourself and with others who see you in a different identity.
How to tap into your intuition when making decisions.
The difference between feeling nervous and feeling anxious.
The story of how I got invited to Tony Horton's workout for the first time.
The 'woo-woo' factor: What is it? How do we explain it?
Melissa's deeper why and how it is the thread that ties together all her different passions.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Your deeper why is your compass to guide you on the right path.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Internal Family Systems

Gestalt therapy

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Guest Bio:

melissa-costello-bio Melissa Costello

Melissa Costello has spent the last 15 years For the last 15 years empowering and coaching humans across the globe to end the on-going battle with yo-yo dieting and body shame, so they can reclaim their power and come back home to themselves.

Melissa's own personal struggles with her body image along with her in-depth training in Spiritual Psychology, Clinical Nutrition and holistic coaching provides the foundation for her clients to experience powerful breakthroughs and sustainable, profound transformation.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Ep179: Navigating The ‘Messy Middle’ of Life & Career Transitions | with Melissa Costello

The Zack Arnold Podcast