An Interview With Brooke Young & Yitzi Weiner
The key is to maintain empathy and compassion while also valuing one’s own needs and feelings. It’s about finding a balance between understanding others and asserting personal boundaries without sacrificing either.
In today’s society, the tendency to prioritize others’ needs and expectations over one’s own can lead to significant emotional and psychological challenges. In this series, we would like to explore the complex dynamics of people-pleasing behavior and its impact on individual well-being and relationships. We would like to discuss the root causes of people-pleasing behavior, its effects on personal and professional life, and practical steps for cultivating healthier relationships and self-esteem. We hope that this series can provide insights, strategies, and real-life experiences that can help individuals navigate and overcome the pitfalls of being a people pleaser. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Katy Morin is a Social Anxiety Coach and Hypnotherapist who brings personal experience and professional expertise to the realm of overcoming social anxiety. Having triumphed over social anxiety personally, Katy deeply understands the intricate interplay between people-pleasing tendencies and well-being. With a focus on reprogramming limiting beliefs and gently pushing boundaries, Katy guides individuals through a journey of self-discovery, nurturing self-compassion, and reclaiming personal empowerment. Her approach, blending hypnotherapy and coaching, has helped numerous clients reshape their lives, fostering healthier relationships and a stronger sense of self-worth.
Thank you so much for your time! I know that you are a very busy person. Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us your “Origin Story”? Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
Growing up, I often felt on the outskirts, observing rather than fully engaging. I had this desire to connect but struggled with social interactions. The fear of not being accepted or saying something wrong was a constant companion. It led me to adopt a people-pleasing persona, believing I could avoid rejection if I made everyone else happy.
This tendency became more pronounced as I navigated adolescence and adulthood. I found solace in helping others, but it came at the cost of neglecting my own needs and desires. The fear of disappointing someone or being judged held a tight grip on me.
It wasn’t until I hit a point of sheer exhaustion, feeling drained and disconnected from my true self, that I realized something needed to change. I sought help and began my journey of self-discovery and healing. Along the way, I stumbled upon various methods, including hypnotherapy, that profoundly impacted my life.
Through this process, I learned that my upbringing had instilled certain beliefs about worthiness and the need for external validation. Unravelling these profoundly ingrained beliefs was both challenging and liberating. It allowed me to tap into my authenticity and redefine my relationships with myself and others.
This journey wasn’t a quick fix but a series of small steps, setbacks, and breakthroughs. With each step, I gained clarity, resilience, and a renewed sense of self. Now, as a Social Anxiety Coach and Hypnotherapist, I draw from my personal experiences to guide others on similar paths toward healing and reclaiming their authenticity.
Can you tell us a bit about what you do professionally, and what brought you to this specific career path?
Certainly! I’m a Social Anxiety Coach and a Hypnotherapist. My journey into this career path was deeply rooted in my personal struggles with social anxiety and people-pleasing behaviors.
Having experienced the challenges firsthand, I became passionate about understanding the intricacies of these issues. I delved into various methods and therapies to overcome them, and that’s when I discovered the profound impact of hypnotherapy on reshaping subconscious beliefs.
This revelation sparked a fire within me. I realized I wanted to combine my personal experiences with professional expertise to help others navigate similar challenges. I underwent training in hypnotherapy, neuro-linguistic programming, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness and coaching. These tools help me guide individuals through their journeys of self-discovery and empowerment.
My approach is holistic, integrating hypnotherapy techniques to reprogram limiting beliefs and coaching methodologies to support individuals in setting boundaries, fostering self-compassion, and embracing authenticity. It’s incredibly fulfilling to witness clients reclaim their lives, break free from people-pleasing constraints, and cultivate healthier relationships with themselves and others.
The personal transformation I experienced and continue to witness in others solidifies my dedication to this career path. Walking alongside individuals as they embark on their journeys toward greater self-awareness, confidence, and well-being is a privilege.
Thank you for all that. Let’s now turn to the main focus of our discussion about People Pleasing. To make sure that we are all on the same page, let’s begin with a simple definition. What does “People Pleaser” mean to you?
For me, a “People Pleaser” prioritizes others’ needs, desires, and expectations over their own, often at the expense of their well-being and authenticity. They might have an overwhelming fear of disappointing or upsetting others, leading them to go to great lengths to gain approval, validation, or avoid conflict. This behavior can become a pattern, where saying “yes” becomes a default response, even when it doesn’t align with their own needs or values. Essentially, people pleasers tend to sacrifice their happiness and boundaries to maintain harmony or gain external validation from others.
On the surface, it seems like being a person who wants to please others is a good thing. Can you help articulate a few of the challenges that come with being a people pleaser?
While the intention to please others might seem altruistic, there are several challenges associated with being a people pleaser:
1. Neglecting Personal Needs: People pleasers often prioritize others’ needs at their own expense. This habit can lead to neglecting self-care, personal goals, and emotional well-being, causing burnout and resentment.
2. Difficulty Setting Boundaries: Saying “no” becomes a challenge for people-pleasers, resulting in over-commitment and stretching themselves thin. This lack of boundaries can lead to exhaustion and a sense of being taken advantage of.
3. Authenticity Takes a Backseat: Constantly seeking approval can erode one’s sense of authenticity. People pleasers might suppress their true feelings or opinions to avoid conflict or maintain harmony, which could result in a loss of self-identity.
4. Increased Stress and Anxiety: The fear of disappointing others or being rejected can cause heightened stress and anxiety. Constantly worrying about others’ perceptions can be mentally and emotionally taxing.
5. Impact on Relationships: People pleasing can strain relationships. It might create imbalanced dynamics where one person is always accommodating, potentially leading to resentment or misunderstanding in relationships. In extreme cases, people pleasers might find themselves trapped in toxic relationships or situations because of their reluctance to assert boundaries or say ‘no.’
6. Lack of Self-Validation: Relying on external validation for self-worth can be detrimental. People pleasers might struggle with self-validation, constantly seeking affirmation from others to feel validated.
While the intention might be positive, the consequences of habitual people-pleasing behavior can significantly impact one’s well-being and relationships.
Does being a people pleaser give you certain advantages? Can you explain?
There can be perceived advantages to being a people pleaser, though they come with caveats:
1. Harmonious Relationships: People pleasers often excel at maintaining harmony in their relationships. They prioritize avoiding conflicts and strive to keep interactions pleasant, which can foster smoother social interactions.
2. Perceived Likability: The tendency to accommodate others might make people pleasers more likable in certain social settings. Their willingness to go the extra mile can lead to positive perceptions from others.
3. Helping Others: Being attuned to others’ needs can make people pleasers empathetic and supportive. They often provide help and support readily, creating a nurturing environment for those around them.
4. Avoidance of Confrontation: People pleasers tend to avoid confrontation, which can sometimes diffuse tense situations or prevent unnecessary conflicts.
However, while these traits might seem advantageous, they come with potential downsides. Over time, these positives can turn into negatives as the constant focus on pleasing others can lead to neglecting one’s own needs and fostering a sense of inauthenticity. It’s essential to strike a balance between accommodating others and prioritizing self-care and authenticity.
Can you describe a moment in your life when you realized that your own people-pleasing behavior was more harmful than helpful?
There was a particular instance where I found myself utterly exhausted and emotionally drained. I juggled multiple commitments, saying “yes” to everyone and everything that came my way, driven by this insatiable need to please others.
I vividly remember reaching a breaking point when I realized I had completely neglected my well-being. I was running on empty, trying to meet everyone else’s expectations while disregarding my limits and needs. It was a moment of clarity where I understood that my people-pleasing behavior was detrimental to my mental and emotional health.
Being a Toastmasters Club President and trying to please everyone on my team made me realize something needed to change. No matter how hard I tried to please people around me, it was impossible to satisfy everyone’s expectations. The experience I had was a turning point in my life, as it allowed me to rediscover who I truly am and communicate with others using my authentic voice. It made me realize that there is no need to please everyone and that I can only please myself.
I learned to say “no” more often to reclaim my authentic self. I shifted my mindset from “pleaser” to a more assertive, empowered mindset, focused on being true to myself rather than meeting other people’s expectations.
As I slowly eased off from my busy schedule, I began to prioritize one thing at a time, learned to say no and — most importantly — took good care of myself. Ensuring I had enough time to rest, recharge, and spend quality time with loved ones without feeling guilty. As a result, my happiness levels increased tremendously within the year.
In your opinion, what are the common root causes of people-pleasing behavior?
From my personal experience and working with clients, people-pleasing behavior often finds its roots in various factors, and some common causes include:
1. Fear of Rejection: The fear of being disliked, rejected, or ostracized can drive people to please others to gain acceptance and avoid potential conflict or disapproval.
2. Low Self-Esteem: Individuals with low self-esteem might seek external validation to feel worthy or valued. Pleasing others becomes a way to compensate for their own perceived inadequacies.
3. Upbringing and Conditioning: Family dynamics and societal expectations play a significant role. Those raised in environments where meeting others’ needs were prioritized over theirs might develop a pattern of people-pleasing behaviour.
4. Need for Approval: Seeking approval and praise from others can become a habit, leading individuals to adapt their behavior to gain validation constantly.
5. Avoidance of Conflict: Some people pleasers go to great lengths to avoid conflict, believing that agreeing with others or accommodating their wishes is necessary to maintain peace.
6. Perfectionism: Striving for perfection or fearing making mistakes can lead individuals to people-please to avoid criticism or failure.
Recognizing these root causes can be the first step in understanding and addressing people-pleasing tendencies, allowing individuals to work towards healthier and more authentic behaviors and relationships.
How does people-pleasing behavior impact personal relationships?
People-pleasing behavior can significantly impact personal relationships in various ways:
1. Imbalanced Dynamics: People pleasers often prioritize others’ needs over their own, creating imbalanced relationships where one person constantly accommodates the other. This imbalance can lead to resentment or dependency.
2. Lack of Authenticity: Constantly adapting to meet others’ expectations can erode authenticity in relationships. People pleasers might suppress their true feelings or opinions, hindering genuine connection and intimacy.
3. Resentment and Burnout: Continuously sacrificing personal needs can lead to resentment or burnout. Over time, the strain of always prioritizing others can negatively impact emotional well-being and satisfaction in relationships.
4. Boundary Issues: People pleasers might struggle to set and maintain healthy boundaries, leading to a blurred line between where their responsibilities end and others’ begin. This can cause issues around personal space and individual autonomy.
5. Dependency and Enabling: In extreme cases, people-pleasing behavior can foster dependency in relationships. The constant accommodation of others’ needs might enable unhealthy behaviors or dependencies in both parties.
Overall, while the intention to please and maintain harmony is often positive, habitual people-pleasing behavior can strain relationships and hinder their potential for depth, authenticity, and mutual respect. Learning to strike a balance between accommodating others and honoring one’s own needs is crucial for fostering healthy, fulfilling relationships.
How does people-pleasing behavior impact professional relationships?
People-pleasing behavior can also significantly impact professional relationships:
1. Difficulty Saying ‘No’: People pleasers often find it challenging to decline additional tasks or requests at work, leading to over commitment and potential burnout. This can impact the quality of work and personal well-being.
2. Lack of Assertiveness: In professional settings, people pleasers may struggle to voice their opinions or stand up for themselves, fearing conflict or negative perceptions. This can hinder their ability to contribute ideas or address concerns effectively.
3. Difficulty Receiving Feedback: A strong desire for approval can make it challenging for people pleasers to handle constructive criticism. They might take feedback personally and feel an overwhelming need to please by immediately addressing any perceived shortcomings.
4. Stagnant Career Growth: The tendency to prioritize others’ needs over their professional advancement can hinder career growth. People pleasers might refrain from advocating for themselves or seeking opportunities that could benefit their careers due to fear of stepping out of their comfort zone or inconveniencing others.
5. Impact on Leadership: In leadership roles, excessive people-pleasing behavior might lead to indecisiveness, difficulties in making tough decisions, or creating blurred boundaries between being a leader and a friend to subordinates.
While wanting to maintain positive relationships at work is beneficial, constant people-pleasing behavior in a professional setting can limit career growth, hinder effective communication, and impact overall job satisfaction. Striking a balance between collaboration and asserting one’s needs is crucial for thriving in the workplace.
How can long-term people-pleasing behavior impact an individual’s mental health?
Long-term people-pleasing behavior can have profound effects on an individual’s mental health:
1. Increased Stress and Anxiety: Constantly striving to meet the expectations of others and fearing rejection or disapproval can lead to increased stress and anxiety levels. The pressure to constantly please can be mentally taxing.
2. Low Self-Esteem: Relying on external validation for self-worth can erode self-esteem over time. People pleasers might struggle with feelings of inadequacy or unworthiness if they believe they are only valuable when they please others.
3. Burnout and Exhaustion: The relentless effort to accommodate everyone else’s needs while neglecting their own can lead to burnout. This exhaustion can manifest physically, emotionally, and mentally, impacting overall well-being.
4. Depression and Resentment: Long-term people-pleasing behavior can lead to feelings of resentment towards oneself or others. Suppressing emotions and neglecting personal needs can contribute to feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or even depression.
5. Difficulty in Decision-Making: Over time, constantly seeking approval can lead to indecisiveness. People pleasers might struggle to make decisions without external reassurance, leading to further stress and anxiety.
6. Identity Loss: Habitual people-pleasing behavior can result in self-identity loss. Individuals may need to gain sight of their desires, opinions, and values as they consistently adapt to fit others’ expectations.
7. Relationship Strain: The strain from maintaining people-pleasing behavior can extend to relationships, leading to dissatisfaction, misunderstandings, or even isolation due to the inability to establish authentic connections.
Overall, the cumulative impact of long-term people-pleasing behavior on mental health can be profound. Individuals must recognize these patterns and seek support or strategies to prioritize their well-being and develop healthier coping mechanisms. Therapy, self-reflection, and assertiveness training can be beneficial in addressing these challenges.
In your experience, what is the role of self-awareness in overcoming people-pleasing tendencies, and how can individuals cultivate it?
In my journey, I’ve found that self-awareness plays a pivotal role in overcoming people-pleasing tendencies. Having personally navigated the complexities of social anxiety and people-pleasing, I’ve come to appreciate the transformative power of understanding oneself on a deeper level.
The first step in this transformative process is recognizing the patterns underlying people-pleasing behaviour. It was an eye-opening realization for me that I often defaulted to saying “yes” to others, even at the expense of my well-being. This awareness allowed me to delve into the automatic responses and reactions that fueled the tendency to prioritize others over myself.
Understanding the triggers that prompted my people-pleasing tendencies was equally crucial. Certain situations, individuals, or even particular emotions catalyzed my inclination to please others. Identifying these triggers gave me a roadmap for anticipating and navigating challenging scenarios more effectively.
Exploring the deep-seated beliefs that fueled my people-pleasing behavior became vital to my self-awareness journey. It became evident that my actions were often rooted in assumptions about seeking approval, fearing rejection, and questioning my self-worth. This self-awareness empowered me to challenge and reshape these underlying beliefs, paving the way for more authentic and empowering perspectives.
Connecting with my emotions and recognizing how people-pleasing impacted my emotional well-being became a cornerstone of my self-awareness journey. Tuning into the discomfort, anxiety, or unease associated with saying ‘yes’ when I meant ‘no’ allowed me to address these emotional challenges head-on.
Observing physical cues became another invaluable aspect of cultivating self-awareness. Tensions in my body, the unease in my gut, or the knot in my throat signaled my comfort level with certain behaviors. Through self-awareness, I learned to notice these cues and respond in ways that aligned with my authentic self.
In this personal exploration, mindfulness practices, journaling, and engaging in therapy and coaching played instrumental roles. As I cultivated self-awareness, I discovered the insights needed to make intentional choices that aligned with my authentic self, ultimately breaking free from the people-pleasing cycle.
Here is the primary question of our discussion. Based on your experience or research, what are the “Five Strategies Or Techniques That Can Help Individuals Break Free From The Cycle Of People-Pleasing”? If you can, please share a story or an example for each.
1 . Setting Boundaries
Strategy: Clearly define personal boundaries and practice asserting them respectfully.
Example: I had a client who constantly took on extra work to please colleagues, leading to burnout. Together, we worked on setting boundaries by learning to say “no” politely and prioritizing tasks. This helped them regain control over their workload and fostered a healthier work-life balance.
2 . Developing Assertiveness
Strategy: Practice assertive communication to express needs and opinions confidently without fear of conflict.
Example: In my role as a club leader in Toastmasters, I had to express my opinions during our team meetings and overcome my fears of disagreement. Being in this supportive and safe environment, I progressively began contributing ideas and discovered my voice within our group discussions.
3 . Self-Compassion and Self-Care
Strategy: Cultivate self-compassion and prioritize self-care to nurture one’s well-being.
Example: A client felt guilty whenever they took time for themselves. By incorporating self-compassion exercises like positive self-talk and scheduling self-care activities, they learned to value their own needs and reduce feelings of guilt.
4 . Mindfulness and Reflection
Strategy: Practice mindfulness to become more aware of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors associated with people-pleasing.
Example: Through mindfulness exercises, I was able to be more aware of my automatic “yes” response. This awareness allowed me to pause, reflect on my feelings, and respond in a way that honored my needs.
5 . Challenge Limiting Beliefs
Strategy: Challenge and reframe limiting beliefs about self-worth and approval.
Example: A client believed saying ‘no’ would make them unlikeable. Through cognitive reframing and affirmations focusing on self-worth, they gradually shifted their perspective, realizing that setting boundaries didn’t diminish their value.
When practiced consistently and tailored to individual needs, these strategies can empower individuals to break free from the cycle of people-pleasing, fostering self-confidence, healthier relationships, and greater authenticity in interactions.
What steps should people pleasers take to establish healthier boundaries?
Establishing healthier boundaries is crucial for people pleasers to prioritize their well-being. Here are steps they can take to set and maintain healthier boundaries:
1. Self-Reflection: Reflect on personal values, needs, and limits. Understanding what feels comfortable and where one’s boundaries lie is critical.
2. Identify Boundaries: Determine specific areas where boundaries need to be set, whether in relationships, work, or personal life. Recognize situations where over commitment or discomfort arises.
3. Communicate Clearly: Learn to communicate boundaries assertively and directly. Use “I” statements to express needs without blaming or accusing others.
4. Practice Saying ‘No’: Practice declining requests or offers politely and confidently. Saying ‘no’ doesn’t mean being rude; it’s about respecting personal limits.
5. Set Limits and Consequences: Clearly define limits and consequences for crossing those boundaries. Consistently enforcing consequences reinforces the importance of respecting boundaries.
6. Be Consistent: Maintain consistency in enforcing boundaries. People pleasers might face resistance or guilt initially, but consistency is crucial for establishing and maintaining boundaries.
7. Seek Support: Surround oneself with supportive individuals who respect boundaries. Seek guidance from a therapist or coach specializing in boundary setting if needed.
8. Prioritize Self-Care: Incorporate self-care practices to reinforce the importance of personal well-being. Prioritizing self-care helps support the need for boundaries.
9. Evaluate and Adjust: Regularly evaluate boundaries and adjust as needed. As circumstances change, boundaries need to be reassessed and modified.
Establishing boundaries is a gradual process that requires practice and self-compassion. People pleasers might initially feel uncomfortable or guilty setting boundaries, but over time, it becomes easier and fosters healthier relationships and personal well-being.
How can someone who is naturally empathetic maintain their compassion while becoming more assertive?
Maintaining empathy and compassion while becoming more assertive is possible and essential for healthy relationships. Here’s how someone naturally empathetic can strike that balance:
1. Recognize Empathy as a Strength: Understand that empathy is a valuable trait. It allows for understanding others’ feelings and perspectives, which can benefit communication and conflict resolution.
2. Separate Empathy from People-Pleasing: Recognize that empathy doesn’t equate to always saying ‘yes’ or accommodating others at the expense of personal well-being. It’s about understanding without necessarily agreeing or sacrificing one’s needs.
3. Practice Active Listening: Empathy involves listening actively and acknowledging others’ perspectives. This doesn’t mean always complying but understanding where others are coming from.
4. Assertive Communication with Empathy: Assertiveness doesn’t mean being aggressive or dismissive. It involves expressing thoughts and needs while considering others’ feelings. Use empathetic language to convey assertive messages.
5. Set Boundaries with Understanding: Communicate boundaries empathetically. Acknowledge the other person’s feelings while expressing personal limits. Emphasize that boundaries are crucial for maintaining a healthy relationship.
6. Balance Compassion for Others with Self-Compassion: Practice self-compassion while being empathetic towards others. Recognize and honor personal needs and feelings without feeling guilty or selfish.
7. Focus on Collaborative Solutions: In conflicts or negotiations, aim for win-win solutions. Assertive communication can involve finding compromises that honor both parties’ needs and feelings.
The key is to maintain empathy and compassion while also valuing one’s own needs and feelings. It’s about finding a balance between understanding others and asserting personal boundaries without sacrificing either.
What are the most common misconceptions about people pleasers, and how do these misconceptions affect their journey toward recovery?
One common misconception about people pleasers is that their accommodating nature implies willingness or agreement with everything asked of them. This misconception can lead to several misunderstandings. People often assume that if someone is a people pleaser, they inherently enjoy saying ‘yes’ to everything or cannot say ‘no.’ However, they might feel compelled to say ‘yes’ for various underlying reasons, not necessarily because they want to.
Another belief is that people pleasers lack their own opinions or preferences and agree with others. In reality, they might have strong opinions but suppress them to maintain harmony. Additionally, people might perceive people pleasers as indecisive or needing more initiative. However, their indecision often stems from weighing others’ needs against their own, not from an inability to make choices.
While it might seem that people pleasers don’t stand up for themselves, it’s often a result of fear of conflict or rejection rather than a lack of assertiveness or self-respect.
These misconceptions can affect their journey toward recovery by increasing self-doubt. People pleasers might internalize these misconceptions, leading to self-doubt or a belief that their accommodating nature is inherently flawed. Additionally, misconceptions can reinforce the belief that changing their behavior might be seen negatively or disrupt relationships, leading to reluctance in embracing recovery strategies. Furthermore, these misconceptions can undermine their ability to validate their feelings and needs, making it challenging to prioritize personal well-being over others’ expectations.
To overcome these challenges, people pleasers must understand that their accommodating nature doesn’t define their worth. Recognizing and addressing these misconceptions is essential for their journey toward recovery, empowering them to embrace change and prioritize their well-being without guilt or fear of judgment. Therapy or support groups can offer guidance in challenging and reframing these misconceptions.
What role can therapy or counseling play in helping individuals overcome people-pleasing behavior?
Therapy or counseling can help individuals overcome people-pleasing behaviors through various strategies. Therapists delve into the root causes, fostering self-awareness and addressing cognitive distortions. They teach assertiveness skills, build self-esteem, and explore relationship dynamics. Additionally, therapy or counseling provides a safe space for practicing and reinforcing boundaries. Co-occurring issues are addressed, and ongoing support ensures individuals have the tools to foster healthier relationships, prioritize well-being, and embrace authenticity.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
If I could start a movement, it would focus on promoting emotional intelligence and mental health awareness from an early age. This movement would integrate comprehensive dynamic education into school curriculums, workplaces, and communities worldwide.
The movement’s pillars would include:
1. Emotional Education in Schools: Implementing programs that teach emotional intelligence, empathy, resilience, and mental health coping skills from elementary school through higher education. This would provide children and young adults the tools to navigate emotions, build healthy relationships, and manage stress effectively.
2. Mental Health Support in Workplaces: Creating supportive workplace environments prioritizing mental health. Encouraging open discussions, providing resources, and normalizing seeking help for mental health challenges would be integral.
3. Community Support and Awareness: Establishing community-based initiatives, support groups, and accessible resources for individuals of all ages. Destigmatizing mental health discussions and offering inclusive spaces for dialogue and support would be a priority.
The goal would be to break the stigma surrounding mental health, equip individuals with emotional resilience and coping strategies, and create supportive environments where seeking help for mental health is as normalized as seeking help for physical health.
This movement would aim to foster a world where emotional well-being is valued as much as physical health, promoting empathy, understanding, and healthier societal relationships.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
You can find more about my work and insights on managing social anxiety by following my social media profiles and website. I regularly share tips, resources, and strategies to navigate social anxiety and improve mental well-being:
Website: https://www.socialanxietyantidote.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katymorincoach/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SocialAnxietyAntidoteAnxieteSociale
Medium: https://katymorincoaching.medium.com/
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!
About the Interviewers:
Brooke Young is a multipassionate publicist, public speaking mentor, and communication consulting. She works with a wide range of clients across the globe, and across a diverse range of industries, to help them create, develop, and promote powerful messages through heart-centered storytelling. She has formerly worked On-Air with FOX Sports, competed in the Miss America Organization, and is the Author of a Children’s Book. She frequently works with children as a professional speaker where she educates on Volunteering and Therapy Dogs. She has over a decade of professional performing background and finds joy in sparking creative passions for her clients.
Yitzi Weiner is a journalist, author, and the founder of Authority Magazine, one of Medium’s largest publications. Authority Magazine is devoted to sharing in depth “thought leadership interview series” featuring people who are authorities in Business, Tech, Entertainment, Wellness, and Social Impact.
At Authority Magazine, Yitzi has conducted or coordinated thousands of empowering interviews with prominent Authorities like Shaquille O’Neal, Peyton Manning, Floyd Mayweather, Paris Hilton, Baron Davis, Jewel, Flo Rida, Kelly Rowland, Kerry Washington, Bobbi Brown, Daymond John, Seth Godin, Guy Kawasaki, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Alicia Silverstone, Lindsay Lohan, Cal Ripkin Jr., David Wells, Jillian Michaels, Jenny Craig, John Sculley, Matt Sorum, Derek Hough, Mika Brzezinski, Blac Chyna, Perez Hilton, Joseph Abboud, Rachel Hollis, Daniel Pink, and Kevin Harrington
Yitzi is also the CEO of Authority Magazine’s Thought Leader Incubator which helps business leaders to become known as an authority in their field, by interviewing prominent CEOs, writing a daily syndicated column, writing a book, booking high level leaders on their podcast, and attending exclusive events.
Katy Morin of Social Anxiety Antidote On How to Recover From Being a People Pleaser was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.