Reflections on Story, Spirit and Ancestral Wisdom

Irish Ancestral Wisdom, Spirituality and the Creative Imagination

This week I had the privilege of speaking with Dr Ger Moane about her debut novel Keeper of Stones, a book rooted in Irish mythology, ancestral memory and the sacred landscapes of ancient Ireland. Our conversation invited a deeper reflection on how story, spirituality and psychology intertwine, and how ancestral wisdom continues to inform our personal journeys in the present.

Ger’s work bridges multiple worlds. As a former associate professor of psychology at University College Dublin, she specialised in human development, gender and sexuality. Today, as a writer and shamanic practitioner, she brings that academic depth together with mythic imagination, emotional intelligence and lived spiritual experience. Keeper of Stones has already resonated widely, earning a place on the Irish Times bestseller list and drawing readers into a story that feels both ancient and timely.

One of the themes that emerged during our conversation was the idea that ancestral knowledge is not merely historical or symbolic, it is embodied. It moves through our families, our choices, our identities and even through the creative imagination. Ger and I spoke about how change, transition and grief can become pathways into deeper awareness, and how the loss of loved ones can soften the heart enough to sense the unseen. Many people feel a longing to understand or feel the presence of those who have passed, to recognise that connection doesn’t end when a life does. It was beautiful to explore how psychology, spirituality and ancestral belief all meet here.

The landscapes surrounding Newgrange became another point of reflection. Ger described the land not as scenery, but as witness, holding memory, story and energy across thousands of years. Ancient sites, stone circles and earthworks are part of a continuity of wisdom that still speaks, if we take the time to listen. This way of seeing invites us back into relationship with the land itself, acknowledging that our ancestors understood this connection intuitively.

Our conversation also touched on how story becomes a form of activism, healing and social engagement. Ancestral wisdom becomes relevant when it guides the way we show up in the world. Speaking up for equality, dignity and human rights is not about being right, but about honouring the truth that our humanity is measured by how we treat one another. These are old teachings made new again.

What stayed with me long after we finished recording was the reminder that the worlds of story, spirit and psyche are far from separate. They braid together through lineage, imagination and lived experience. They accompany us through loss and growth, and they offer us a sense of belonging to ourselves, to our land, and to those who came before us.

Listen to the Full Episode

If you are drawn to Irish mythology, ancestral healing, spirituality, grief, psychology, this is a conversation that will nourish you.

🎧 Listen here

Sharon Fitzmaurice
Holistic Wellness Coach, Author & Podcast Host

Closing the Year with Gratitude, Compassion & Hope

As we move through December and towards a brand-new year, my heart is filled with deep gratitude for every one of you who has walked alongside me in 2025.

To my clients, thank you for trusting me to guide you in your healing, your vulnerable moments, and your courageous steps forward. Each session has been a reminder of the incredible strength of the human spirit.

To my retreat groups, Reiki students and practitioners, and all who gathered in shared intention, your openness created spaces where healing could unfold in the most beautiful ways. Every circle this year held its own magic.

To my beloved Soulful Journeys online community, thank you for showing up with honesty, humour, and heart. Your willingness to connect, learn, and grow together continues to inspire me.

To everyone who attended the Heart Space Gatherings, thank you for bringing your presence, your energy, and your wisdom. These moments of reflection and connection have woven a thread of unity through the year.

And to my podcast guests and listeners, thank you for your stories, your support, and your curiosity. Each conversation has been a celebration of resilience, and every listen has helped these stories reach the hearts that needed them most.

Honouring Where You Are This December

December carries its own rhythm, quiet reflection for some, emotional heaviness for others, joy and celebration for many. Wherever you find yourself, may you meet that place with compassion rather than expectation.

This month is an invitation to pause…
To soften…
To breathe…
And to honour what this year has asked of you.

You don’t need to be anything other than who you are in this moment.

Meeting Yourself with Kindness, Meeting Others with Patience

As the world speeds up with festivities and obligations, the inner world often needs something slower and gentler.

A few reminders that may help:

• Your energy is precious - protect it.

You are allowed to say no. You are allowed to rest. You are allowed to choose where you show up and where you don’t.

• Boundaries are acts of love.

They protect your wellbeing and allow your “yes” to be wholehearted. Choose the engagements, conversations, and spaces that feel aligned.

• Remember that everyone carries their own story.

Patience gives others the space to be human too.

• Pause often. Breathe deeply. Ground yourself.

A moment of presence can shift an entire day.

Caring for Your Wellbeing Over the Holidays

This season can be nourishing, but it can also be overwhelming. Consider these gentle practices:

• Create small rituals of stillness: a morning cup of tea in silence, a mindful walk, a few minutes of stillness or breathwork.

• Stay connected to what supports you: your journaling, your grounding practices, your community.

• Let joy in where it naturally flows not where you feel pressure to perform it.

• Balance giving with receiving: allow others to support you too.

• Choose simplicity whenever possible: you don’t need to do everything for this season to be meaningful.

• Please enjoy a guided meditation I recorded to support you through the holidays

Stepping Into the New Year

As 2026 approaches, I look forward to continuing this work with you, supporting your healing, growth, and inner awakening.

I’m delighted to share some of the upcoming offerings for the new year:

Upcoming Events for 2026

• Reiki Training & Share Circles — deepening your connection to your healing gifts.

• Retreat Days & Soulful Journeys Gatherings — spaces to reset, reconnect, and nourish the spirit.

• Heart Space Community Meet-Ups — continuing to build a compassionate, supportive circle.

• Online Program — to guide you into clarity, alignment, and wellbeing as the year begins.

• New Podcast Conversations — more stories of resilience, healing, and human courage.

I can’t wait to welcome you into whatever calls to your heart.

With Deep Gratitude

Thank you for being part of this beautiful year of healing, learning, and soulful connection. You have touched my life in ways I hold with great appreciation.

May this December bring you gentleness.
May the holidays offer you moments of true rest.
And may the coming year open with hope, intention, and the knowing that you are supported every step of the way.

With love,
Sharon

Finding the Courage to be Seen and Heard

I had the privilege of sitting down with the inspiring Dr. Caren Hession – a woman whose passion for voice, music, and personal transformation shines through everything she does.

Dr. Caren Hession is a vocal coach, choir leader, creator, director, and social entrepreneur, specialising in guiding others on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment through music. Drawing on over 15 years of education and experience in Music, Creative Arts, Philosophy, Neuroscience, NLP, and Special Needs, Caren brings together a rare and powerful blend of wisdom, science, and soul.

She is the creator of Born To Rise – Ireland’s first Self-Development Programme through Music, and is currently leading a 100-voice choir preparing for a live performance at the Town Hall Theatre. Alongside her one-to-one coaching, workshops, public speaking, and research, Caren’s work is a beacon for those ready to find their voice – both literally and spiritually.

In our heartfelt conversation, we explored the courage it takes to stand up, be seen, and be heard. Caren spoke about the profound connection between our voice and our sense of self, how when we use our voice authentically, we begin to reconnect with the deepest parts of who we are.

So many of us have been taught to stay quiet, to be seen but not heard. Over time, that conditioning creates distance between what we feel and what we express. Through music and song, Caren helps people to bridge that gap, to release the emotions that live within and allow them to flow freely. Singing becomes a beautiful way to transform vulnerability into strength, and to share that truth with others.

Caren reminded us that we are all born singing. From the moment we exist in our mother’s womb, we are immersed in rhythm, the sound of her heartbeat and her breath. This primal connection lays the foundation for how we experience our own voice. For some, life’s challenges lead to silence; for others, finding their voice again becomes the path to healing.

When we allow ourselves to express freely – not perfectly, but authentically – we give permission to others to do the same. As Caren beautifully said, finding our voice is not just about sound; it’s about feeling. It’s about reclaiming our right to show up in the world exactly as we are – whole, imperfect, and real.

Our voice is more than an instrument – it’s a bridge between our inner and outer worlds, a way to connect, to heal, and to rise.

✨ Tune in to this empowering episode with Dr. Caren Hession to reconnect with your own voice and remember the power that lives within it.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch the conversation on YouTube.

💬 I hope this conversation awakens something in you – share your reflections in the comments below, or connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

Sharon

Sharon Fitzmaurice is a Holistic Wellness Coach, Reiki Master Teacher & Practitioner, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Speaker, and Host of The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast. She is the author of Someone Please Help Me, So I Did and Awaken Your Wellbeing, and the founder of Soulful Journeys Online Community.

A passionate advocate for mental health awareness and survivors of childhood abuse, Sharon’s mission is to inspire others to heal, grow, and reconnect with their authentic selves. Through her work, writing, and conversations, she reminds us that within every story lies the power to transform and rise.

Reclaim Your Well-being

This week on the podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Elizabeth Gaines, a woman whose journey into functional health didn’t begin in the world of science, but in the world of survival.

For more than a decade, Elizabeth worked in non-profit trauma recovery, supporting victims of domestic minor sex trafficking. She poured her heart and energy into helping others heal from the unimaginable. But like so many who dedicate themselves to service, she did so at great personal cost. The emotional weight, urgency, and unrelenting pace led her into burnout and chronic illness, an experience far too many people quietly carry.

When conventional medicine dismissed her symptoms, she was left feeling unseen, unheard, and unwell. And this is where her turning point began.

Through Functional Diagnostic Nutrition (FDN), Elizabeth discovered a different way of understanding the body, not through labels or guesswork, but through deeper investigation. Functional lab testing opened a doorway into the true state of her health, revealing imbalances in hormones, immune function, digestion, detoxification, energy production, and diet. With this knowledge, she was finally able to create a personalised path to healing.

What began as a desperate search for answers evolved into purpose.

Today, Elizabeth is the Director of Education at FDN, leading curriculum design, live training and mentorship for one of the most respected health certification programmes in the world. She is living proof that when we understand what’s actually going on in the body, we can take back our power, our clarity, and our energy.

The Hidden Physiology of Burnout

In our conversation, we explored something many of us feel but rarely name:

Burnout isn’t just emotional. It’s physiological.

So often we believe we just need more rest, more motivation, or more willpower to “bounce back,” but the truth is that burnout changes the body. It shifts hormones, drains energy reserves, weakens digestion, disrupts immune function and creates inflammation long before symptoms show up on a standard medical report.

Which means many people are walking around unwell, and being told: “Nothing is wrong.”

Yet their body knows something is very wrong. And so do they.

The Lie We’ve Been Conditioned To Believe

We also reflected on the cultural programming so many of us have absorbed:

• Work harder.

• Move faster.

• Push through pain.

• Don’t slow down.

• Rest equals laziness.

At what point did we begin believing that exhaustion was normal and self-neglect was strength?

Like nature, we are designed to move through seasons: activity and rest, growth and stillness, expansion and retreat. But we’ve built a world that only rewards one season -productivity.

And when we finally collapse under the weight of it, we are left feeling broken or ashamed, when in truth, we are simply out of rhythm with the way we are meant to live.

The Four Rooms of Holistic Wellness

There is a beautiful metaphor that guides my own work:

We each live in a house with four rooms - emotional, mental, physical and spiritual.
Wellness comes from visiting each room every day.

But so often, we camp out in only one or two, usually the mental and physical - while the emotional and spiritual rooms gather dust and silence.

So I ask you:

• When was the last time you checked in with all four rooms?

• What needs clearing, tending, or listening?

• What part of you has been ignored because life is “too busy”?

When we ignore the imbalance long enough, the body will speak louder, through fatigue, inflammation, pain, brain fog, anxiety, or a sense of disconnect from ourselves. And when we are told “there’s nothing wrong,” we begin to feel invisible.

You Are Not Invisible – And You Are Not Meant to Do This Alone

If you are reading this and feel depleted, stretched thin or lost in symptoms you can’t explain, know this:

There is nothing lazy about needing rest.
There is nothing weak about breaking down.
There is nothing wrong with you for not being able to keep going the way you used to.

What is wrong is the belief that you must continue alone.

Elizabeth’s story is a reminder that when we finally understand what the body is trying to communicate, we create space for real healing. And when healing begins, purpose returns. Energy returns. Hope returns.

There is always support available.
There are always answers available.
And you deserve both.

Ready to Go Deeper? Listen to the Full Conversation

If this message speaks to something inside you, if you’re tired of feeling unwell, unheard, or uncertain about where to turn next — I invite you to listen to the full podcast episode with Elizabeth Gaines.

In our conversation, she shares:

• the real physiological roots of burnout

• why so many people are misdiagnosed or dismissed

• how functional lab testing can reveal what traditional testing often overlooks

• empowering next steps for anyone ready to reclaim their well-being

And as a gift to you, Elizabeth is offering a free resource to support your next steps on the healing journey.

🎧 Click here to listen to the episode and receive your free gift.

Join our Soulful Journeys Online Community for our upcoming 2026 Program -

Walking as Soul in Body with Mentor Sharon Fitzmaurice

Sharon Fitzmaurice is a Holistic Wellness Coach, Reiki Master Teacher & Practitioner, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Speaker, and Host of The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast. She is the author of Someone Please Help Me, So I Did and Awaken Your Wellbeing, and the founder of Soulful Journeys Online Community.

A passionate advocate for mental health awareness and survivors of childhood abuse, Sharon’s mission is to inspire others to heal, grow, and reconnect with their authentic selves. Through her work, writing, and conversations, she reminds us that within every story lies the power to transform and rise.

Adapting to Life's challenges

There are some stories that reach into the very core of your being, stories that don’t just move you, but awaken something inside. My recent podcast conversation with Tracy Martin was one of those moments.

By the age of fifteen, Tracy had already experienced profound loss, both her parents gone before she had even finished growing up. Just three years later, a life-altering car accident changed everything. At eighteen, she was left a paraplegic, grieving the loss of her then-boyfriend who died in the crash, and their unborn child.

To sit across from Tracy and listen to her speak with such honesty, strength, and grace was a humbling experience. Her story is not one of simple survival, it is one of continual adaptation. She had to learn to live in a body that no longer felt like her own, to rebuild a life after unimaginable pain, and to find purpose where only loss once existed.

As I listened, I found myself reflecting on my own younger self, the part of me who once lived in survival mode. When we face trauma, whether it’s the pain of abuse, loss, or any kind of deep suffering, our instinct is to protect ourselves. Our brains and bodies move into survival mode, doing whatever it takes to keep us safe. But survival, while necessary in the moment, isn’t a place we are meant to stay forever.

Living in survival becomes exhausting. It narrows our world and limits our capacity for joy, love, and connection. The real healing begins when we start to unlearn the coping mechanisms that once kept us safe but now hold us back. We begin to adapt in new ways - ways that invite in trust, surrender, and courage.

This journey isn’t easy. It requires us to do the very thing that once felt impossible, to let go of control and allow life to hold us again. To believe that we can be more than what happened to us.

Tracy’s story is a testament to that truth. Through immense loss, she found the strength not only to keep living but to use her voice and creativity to inspire others. Her debut book, So Not Me, is loosely based on her own experiences and delves deeply into the themes of trauma, healing, and the power of human connection. It’s a reminder that even through pain, we can create meaning, that adaptation can lead us to transformation.

Listening to Tracy reminded me that adapting isn’t about forgetting who we were before the pain, it’s about allowing life to reshape us into who we are meant to become.

May we all find the courage, like Tracy, to adapt, to grow, and to keep choosing life - even when it breaks us open.

Listen to the full conversation here: What keeps you going when you are told - You will never walk again.

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Holistic Wellness Coach, Author & Podcast Host

Finding our Creative Path

This week on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Leslie A. Rasmussen, a woman who truly understands what it means to start over and to keep rediscovering herself through the seasons of life.

Leslie’s journey is one of courage, creativity, and reinvention. From writing beloved sitcoms like Roseanne and The Wild Thornberrys in Hollywood, to running her own nutrition business, to becoming a novelist and speaker, Leslie has lived many creative lives - each chapter guided by a deeper sense of curiosity and authenticity.

Leslie’s honesty about how life’s transitions can be both daunting and defining. She began her career wanting to be an actress, but when the industry’s treatment of women dimmed her spark, she chose to pivot rather than lose herself. That decision led her to writing comedy - a space where her voice could flourish without compromise. Later, as a mother, she made another heartfelt shift, training as a nutritionist so she could nurture both her family and her own interests.

And then, as life gently nudged her once more, she returned to her first love - writing. With humility and determination, she began again: reading, learning, researching, and taking baby steps toward a dream that had never truly left her. Today, Leslie is the author of three novels, including her latest, When People Leave (May 2025), a moving exploration of family, forgiveness, and the quiet resilience of women navigating loss.

What I find so inspiring about Leslie’s story is that it reminds us creativity isn’t a straight path - it’s a living, breathing journey that evolves as we do. Every turn, every pause, every new beginning is part of finding the rhythm that feels most true to who we are.

Sometimes we think we’re moving away from our purpose, only to find that we were actually circling closer to it all along. The careers we choose, the roles we play, and the shifts we make are not detours - they are pathways toward self-discovery.

Leslie’s story is a beautiful reflection of how we learn who we are through the choices we make, and how we shine brightest when we align our lives with what we love.

We don’t have to have it all figured out. We just need to listen to the gentle callings of our soul, to the quiet excitement that comes when we do something that feels right, to the creative spark that asks us to begin again, no matter how many times we’ve already started over.

Because, in truth, starting over is not about beginning again from nothing. It’s about beginning again from wisdom.

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Holistic Wellness Coach, Author & Podcast Host

Opening to Love again

There are moments in life that change everything in an instant. A phone call, a diagnosis, a loss , they can shatter the world as we know it, leaving us standing in the debris of what once was.
My guest this week, Jenny Brandemuehl, knows this truth all too well. A single phone call changed the course of her life forever, and yet, it also led her toward a deeper understanding of healing after loss, resilience, and the power of love and hope.

Jenny’s husband, Mark, was an experienced pilot and her soulmate for more than three decades. On what should have been a routine flight, his plane crashed and burst into flames. Miraculously, he survived - but with burns over 80% of his body. In the aftermath, Jenny became his voice, his advocate, and his unwavering companion through countless surgeries, painful recoveries, small victories, and heart-breaking setbacks.

From this unimaginable experience came her deeply moving memoir,
Forever Fly Free: One Woman’s Story of Resilience and the Power of Hope and Love.
It is both a love story and a story of rebirth, one woman’s journey through grief recovery and personal transformation, finding purpose in her darkest moments, rebuilding her identity from the ground up, and learning to open once more to the fullness of life.

In our heartfelt conversation, Jenny spoke with warmth and authenticity about the healing process, the courage it takes to live and love again, and how grief can become a gateway to personal growth. Her story is a reminder that even in the depths of loss, there is always a spark of life waiting to be rekindled, if we are willing to open our hearts to it.

So much of what Jenny shared resonated deeply with me. We will all, at some point, experience profound loss - moments that shift our entire perspective and quietly transform us from within. In those moments of deep emotion, something within us awakens. We begin to see, feel, and sense the world differently - perhaps more tenderly, more truthfully. It’s as though we begin to truly wake up to life again.

Even though I did not experience the same trauma as Jenny, I felt an undeniable connection to her words, the recognition that love is constant and change is inevitable.
And when we can find acceptance in this truth, we begin to move through the hardest days with a little more grace, a little more softness, and a deeper appreciation for the love that still surrounds us.

Jenny’s story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, to the healing power of hope, faith, and love.
May her courage remind us all that no matter how life may change, love will always find a way to lead us home to ourselves.

🌷 Listen to the Full Conversation

Join me on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast as I sit down with Jenny Brandemuehl to explore her powerful journey of love, loss, and renewal.
Her wisdom will inspire anyone seeking emotional healing, self-discovery, and the courage to live again after heartbreak.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here

If Jenny’s story touches your heart, please share it with someone who may need a gentle reminder today that even through deep loss, hope and love can guide us back to ourselves.

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Holistic Wellness Coach, Author & Podcast Host

The Journey of Remembering

There was a time in my life when I thought I had lost everything - not in the physical sense, but in the way that leaves you hollow on the inside. What I call my darkest night of the soul. It was a place of despair, self-doubt, and disconnection. And yet, it was in that same darkness that a light began to flicker - a knowing that I was more than the pain I carried, more than my body, more than the roles I played in life.

That moment was my awakening. Not an instant transformation, but the beginning of a slow, tender journey of remembering. Remembering that I am soul in physical form. Remembering that there is a deeper wisdom always available to me when I dare to turn inward.

It’s why soul-led work isn’t just something I do now - it’s who I am. Every client I sit with, every group session, retreat or workshop I hold, every podcast conversation I share comes from this place of knowing. It is the compass that guides me back when I forget, when I stumble, when life feels heavy again.

This week on the podcast, I had the joy of sitting down with Suzanne Roberts, someone whose journey resonated so deeply with my own. Suzanne, Founder of Unifying Solutions and author of It’s Deeper Than That: A Pathway to a Vibrant, Purposeful Life, also walked through the fires of pain and self-hatred. Her childhood trauma led her into darkness, but her love of physics opened a doorway to something greater -the reality of polarity, of energy, of soul.

Listening to Suzanne describe her “inner laboratory” - the way she turned inward to explore and discover the truth of who she really is - felt like hearing my own story reflected back to me. That same turning inward is what saved me too.

In our conversation, we explored the science of magnetism and the current of life force that runs through us all, how meditation and mindfulness open the gateway to soul presence, and how healing is never about becoming someone new but about remembering the wholeness that was always there.

What touched me most was her reminder that being of service is at the heart of a purposeful life. That, I believe, is why so many of us who have walked through darkness feel called to guide others toward their own light.

As I sit with this episode, I feel an immense gratitude for my own journey - even the painful parts. Without that dark night, I might never have woken up to the truth of who I really am. Without it, I would not be living this soul-led path today.

My hope is that in listening to Suzanne’s story and hearing a little of my own, you will be reminded of your soul too. That quiet voice within that whispers: you are so much more than the physical, you are light, you are energy, you are soul.

✨ Listen here https://www.youtube.com/@sharonfitzmauricepodcast

An Invitation to You

If this conversation touched something within you, I’d love to invite you into my Soulful Journeys Online Community. It is a heart-centred space where like-minded souls gather to connect, share, and support one another on the path of healing, awakening, and purpose.

Inside, you’ll find monthly soul circles, guided practices, live teachings, and a community of people who truly understand the ups and downs of walking a soul-led path. It’s a place where you don’t have to pretend to be anything other than yourself - where your story, your light, and even your struggles are welcomed and honoured.

Together, we remind each other that we are never alone. Together, we walk each step more courageously and more lovingly than we might on our own.

If your soul feels called, you are so welcome to join us. 💜
👉 Join our Community — Sharon Fitzmaurice

Reawakening our Connection to the Unseen World

One of my favourite parts of hosting my podcast is sitting down with incredible guests who share their wisdom, stories, and insights about life’s deeper meaning. In my latest episode, I had the absolute joy of speaking with Caroline Conroy, a woman whose journey reminds us of the magic that happens when we reconnect with the unseen world – the realm of Spirit, the Divine, and our truest selves.

Caroline and I spoke about how, as children, we are naturally open to the world beyond the physical. We sense things others can’t see, we feel energies, we speak to loved ones who have passed. For Caroline, speaking with the “dead” was a daily part of her childhood, something as natural as breathing.

But as so many of us experience, the world gradually taught her to shut that part of herself down – to be “normal,” to fit in, to stop imagining or sensing what others could not.

This part of Caroline’s story deeply resonated with me because I, too, have been “seeing,” “hearing,” and “feeling” the energetic world since I was a child. Like Caroline, I learned to close that door for a time, to quiet what felt too big or too different. But when I began my own journey of spiritual development, I reawakened what I had once forgotten. I embraced the truth of being connected to everything – even the unseen. This connection is now a guiding light in my life, shaping how I see the world and supporting me in helping my clients awaken to their own inner wisdom and knowing.

Caroline eventually found her way back too – back to herself, back to Spirit, back to the unseen guidance that had always been with her. Through her healing journey and holistic practices, she reawakened her intuitive senses and began living in harmony with that deeper truth.

Today, she helps others do the same through Yoga Walks Ireland, guiding her clients to connect with nature through mindful movement, breathwork, and sensory awareness. As she beautifully shared, when we truly anchor ourselves in nature – hearing the wind, feeling the ground beneath our feet, breathing deeply – we don’t just calm our nervous systems, we open the door to the Divine.

This conversation was such a powerful reminder that:
✨ We are not separate from Spirit – we are part of it.
✨ Our intuition is always speaking – we just have to quiet the noise to hear it.
✨ Nature is one of our greatest teachers – showing us how to slow down, to listen, to reconnect.

If you’ve ever felt that whisper inside you, that longing to feel more connected to something greater, this episode is for you.

You can listen to my conversation with Caroline on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Holistic Wellness Coach, Author & Podcast Host

Giving a Voice to the Unseen

This week on the podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with the incredible Tracy Carroll, a woman whose strength, honesty, and love left me deeply moved.

With over 500,000 family carers in Ireland, Tracy is a leading voice for parents and carers of children with life-limiting disabilities. She is a passionate advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves - children who deserve to be seen, heard, and supported.

Tracy is Mum to two superheroes, Willow and Noah, and wife to John. Since Willow suffered a brain injury shortly after her birth in 2016, Tracy has been a full-time carer, devoting her life to her daughter’s needs. In our conversation, she opened up about the daily realities of caregiving - the exhaustion, the heartache, the endless appointments -but also the immense love and joy that fill her home.

Tracy’s story is not just one of courage and resilience, it is a call to action. We are all just one step away from becoming a carer ourselves - whether for a child, a parent, or a partner. If that day came for you, how would you want to be supported?

What struck me most in speaking with Tracy was her wisdom about grief — not grief in the loss of a person, but grief for the life you thought you and your child might have had. She spoke of how she has learned to hold space for that grief, while also finding peace in acceptance and celebrating her daughter for exactly who she is.

Her words resonated so deeply with me, as my own sister, Bonnie, was left physically and mentally disabled after contracting meningitis just three days after birth. She was the angel of our house, and my mother became her voice and her carer. Listening to Tracy brought me right back to those moments of watching my mother carry so much - the love, the fight, and the heartbreak of navigating a system that so often does not provide enough support.

Tracy’s story reminds us that carers are not just quietly coping in the background - they are holding families, and often entire lives, together. They need to be seen, heard, and supported by all of us.

I invite you to listen to this powerful episode, to sit with Tracy’s words, and to reflect on how we as a society can do better. Carers like Tracy should not have to shout to be heard - but until they are given the resources, respect, and recognition they deserve, voices like hers are essential.

This conversation is one that will stay with me, and I hope it stays with you too.

Watch on Youtube

Listen on Spotify / Apple

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Holistic Wellness Coach, Author & Podcast Host

Facing The Unknown - The journey through cancer and beyond

For many women, the journey begins with a moment of noticing something different - a lump, a change in texture, or perhaps nothing noticeable at all, only for a routine check to bring unexpected news. From that moment, life feels suspended. The waiting begins: waiting for tests, waiting for results, waiting for clarity. It is a time filled with questions that few dare to voice aloud - Is it cancer? If it is, what will happen to me? How will my family cope?

Karen Kruger is one of those women - a mother of three, coach, and breast cancer survivor who shares not only her story of survival, but also her wisdom on navigating the emotional and physical upheaval that comes with a cancer diagnosis.

Karen knows this waiting well. First diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2021, what doctors initially thought was stage 1 later revealed itself as stage 3. In a matter of weeks, her life turned upside down. The days of waiting in uncertainty, she recalls, were some of the hardest. It wasn’t just the unknown - it was the silence between appointments, the powerlessness, and the way fear can creep into every corner of your mind.

A cancer diagnosis affects far more than the body. It touches every layer of being- your mind, your emotions, your relationships, even your sense of identity. Suddenly, life’s certainty is gone, and you are faced with your mortality in ways you may never have imagined.

So how can you support yourself during this waiting period, when the medical plan has not yet been made and your body feels like it belongs to the unknown? Here are a few compassionate practices:

Nutrition as nourishment – Focus on gentle, balanced meals that support energy and calm. Eating regularly, staying hydrated, and avoiding extremes can provide your body with a sense of steadiness in uncertain times.

Movement with kindness – Whether it’s walking in nature, gentle yoga, or simple stretches, moving your body in ways that feel good can release tension and remind you that you are alive, present, and capable.

Rest and renewal – Sleep may feel elusive, but allowing yourself to rest—even short naps or quiet pauses—can help restore your nervous system. Giving yourself permission to slow down is an act of self-compassion.

Nurturing practices – Journaling, meditation, or even moments of mindful breathing can bring you back to the present moment. Lighting a candle, listening to music, or enjoying a warm bath are simple ways to soothe your spirit.

Here are some affirmations you might gently repeat during this time:

• I am safe in this moment, even if I don’t have all the answers yet.

• My body is doing the best it can, and I choose to support it with love.

• I allow myself to rest, to receive, and to be cared for.

• I am not defined by fear—I am guided by hope and courage.

• One step, one breath, one day at a time is enough.

Connection and community – Reaching out to trusted friends, family, or support services can ease the burden of carrying everything alone. Sometimes just having someone to listen is enough. For more information contact Breast Cancer - Cancer Ireland

Karen speaks with deep gratitude about the support she received from Purple House Cancer Support Centre in Wicklow, where she found comfort, connection, and reassurance that she was not alone. It was this web of support—family, friends and community that carried her through the darkest days.

Now, four years on, Karen has transformed her experience into a beacon of hope for others. With more than 20 years of coaching experience, she now supports women navigating life after cancer, particularly the unique challenges of menopause following treatment. Through her coaching, workshops, and Ireland’s first dedicated podcast for women with a cancer diagnosis who are experiencing menopause, Karen continues to inspire resilience, healing, and empowerment.

Her story is one of courage, vulnerability, and purpose. It reminds us that while cancer changes everything, it can also awaken a new way of living - one day at a time. You can listen to our conversation on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast

To anyone waiting for answers or walking this path: your feelings are valid. You do not have to be strong every moment. Be gentle with yourself, seek support where you can, and remember - you are not alone.

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Holistic Wellness Coach, Author & Podcast Host

Why Connection May Be the Antidote to Rising Anxiety

Anxiety is something many of us are feeling more of these days - not just adults, but children too. And while it’s natural to want to “fix” the anxious feelings, more control isn’t always the answer. In fact, as Dr. Mary O’Kane beautifully explores in our latest podcast conversation, the medicine for anxiety may lie in something much simpler, though often harder to access in the moment: Connection

In this episode, Dr. Mary and I explore the delicate dance between anxiety and connection -and how safe, attuned relationships help soothe our nervous systems in ways nothing else can.

Here are some of the key themes we touched on:

The roots of anxiety in children (and how adults can unintentionally add to it).
Sometimes, in our efforts to protect, guide, or control, we unknowingly fuel the very fears we want to ease.

Connection as true medicine.
Whether it’s with a parent, teacher, or peer, the feeling of being seen, understood, and held is what allows anxiety to soften.

What co-regulation looks like in real life.
When we’re able to ground ourselves, even a little, we give children permission to do the same. This isn’t about being perfect, but about being present.

Becoming a safe space, even when you’re struggling too.
It starts with self-compassion. The calmer and kinder we are with ourselves, the more room we create for others to feel safe with us.

But as we talked, another truth emerged: the very systems our children are growing up in often make connection harder.

When Education Becomes Pressure

Our schools, though full of dedicated and compassionate teachers, are largely results-driven. Success is measured in grades, exams, and test scores. For some children this works, but for many, it creates an atmosphere where anxiety thrives. Teachers, too, feel the weight of expectations, caught between nurturing young minds and meeting performance targets.

The truth is, academia is not the only pathway to a meaningful life. Creativity, empathy, imagination, and resilience are just as vital - and yet they’re often undervalued in a system that prizes results over relationships. When children feel they must perform rather than be themselves, their sense of safety and connection suffers.

Imagine instead an education system that celebrates diverse gifts, one that gives space for curiosity, creativity, and connection to flourish. What might it look like if schools placed as much value on emotional well-being and creative expression as they do on exam results? These are the questions worth asking as we consider the future of education.

A Call Back to Connection

This conversation with Dr. Mary O’Kane reminds us that anxiety doesn’t need more control. What it needs - in our families, classrooms, and communities - is more connection.

If you’re a parent, teacher, or someone simply trying to navigate your own nervous system, may this episode be a gentle invitation to pause, breathe, and remember: you don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to show up, as you are, and offer presence.

Tune in to the conversation on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast with Dr. Mary O’Kane and discover why the path forward isn’t more control, but more connection.

Reflective Questions

Here are a few prompts to sit with after listening:

• As a parent, teacher, or caregiver, when do I notice myself reaching for control instead of offering connection?

• What helps me feel calm and grounded, so I can co-regulate with the children in my care?

• How do I see the current education system affecting the children (or adults) around me? What alternative ways of learning might allow more creativity and well-being to flourish?

• In my own life, where could I allow more space for imagination, play, and curiosity - instead of focusing solely on results?

  Sharon Fitzmaurice

  Holistic Wellness Coach, Author and Podcast Host

September Sparks - Awakening the Energy of Excitement

September always feels like a turning of the page, doesn’t it? The light softens, the air shifts, and there’s a sense of fresh possibility all around. It’s as if life is inviting you to pause, breathe, and begin again.

This month, I’ve been tuning into a powerful energy: excitement. And I wonder, can you feel it too? That spark within you that reminds you of what’s possible, that lifts you up when you give it your attention.

Excitement isn’t just a fleeting emotion. It’s Spirit’s way of nudging you, showing you alignment. When you allow yourself to feel it deeply, your mind sharpens, your focus strengthens, and your body awakens with energy. That spark doesn’t just feel good, it guides you into movement, into inspired action.

The Sacred Connection: Thought – Emotion – Action

Your thoughts are not simply clouds drifting through your mind. They are seeds, carrying the power to shift your entire being. When you nurture a thought with intention, it blossoms into emotion, which then moves through your body as energy.

Think about it: a thought of joy or inspiration changes your posture, your breath, even the way you see the world. Your energy field expands, and suddenly opportunities seem clearer, more possible. This is how Spirit whispers to you, showing you the path forward.

In your own life - in love, work, and the quiet moments in between, the thoughts you choose become the lens through which you live:

✨ If you guide or support others, your energy ripples out and lifts them higher.
✨ If you are creating something new, your inner dialogue determines whether fear or faith leads the way.
✨ And when you wake in the morning, your very first thought can become a prayer -shaping how the day unfolds before you.

Wisdom Through Story

Last month on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast, I’ve been honoured to share conversations with incredible souls, each one reflecting this mind–body–spirit connection in their own way.

🌿 Yvonne Reddin — courageously reinventing her life in her 40s.
🌿 Rita Lussier — navigating the tender space of life after children.
🌿 Rebecca Galli — choosing fullness in a life that didn’t go as planned.
🌿 Ashleigh Tobin — reclaiming her authentic voice.

🌿 Andy Campbell — rising again after life’s deepest challenges.
🌿 James Sweetman - showing up for yourself

Each of these conversations is a reminder that you too hold the power to navigate change, reclaim your truth, and live more fully - even when life looks different than you imagined.

Celebrating Soulful Journeys

September also marks the third anniversary of Soulful Journeys, the online community I founded as a sanctuary of connection and compassion. What began as a small gathering has blossomed into a vibrant circle where hearts meet, stories are shared, and souls support one another.

Together, we’ve celebrated wins, held each other through challenges, and reminded one another that healing and growth are journeys we don’t have to walk alone. If you’re reading this, perhaps Spirit is nudging you to remember - you are part of this greater circle too.

A Sacred September Practice

I’d love for you to try this simple practice to harness September’s vibrant energy:

🌸 Ask yourself each morning: “What excites my soul today?”
🌸 Visualise it for one sacred minute: See it, feel it, and notice how your body responds to the joy of it.
🌸 Act while the spark is alive: Take one step - no matter how small - toward bringing it into being.

Remember, your thoughts are not just passing ideas. They are prayers, intentions, and seeds of creation. When you choose them with love, you invite your life to bloom in ways you may never have imagined.

Here is a free guided meditation to help you - Spark Your Joy

Blessings for a new month ahead

See my upcoming events for remainder of 2025 including:

Mindfulness Program in our online community Soulful Journeys

Reiki Healing and Group Meditation in person monthly events in Claregalway

Reiki Refresher Course in Co. Galway

Retreat Weekend in Delphi Resort, Co. Galway

Level 2 Reiki Energy Therapy Training in Co. Galway

Level 1 Reiki Energy Therapy Training in Co. Galway

One to One Appointments with Sharon in person or online

Sharon

Living fully in the Life you didn't plan

Life doesn't always unfold the way we imagined. Sometimes, it unravels. And in those unravelings, we are called to find a deeper strength, a more rooted grace, and a new way of living.

Recently, I had the honour of speaking with Rebecca Galli, an inspiring author and speaker from the United States whose life story is a remarkable testament to resilience, purpose, and the will to live fully in the face of unimaginable challenges.

Rebecca’s journey includes the sudden death of her 17-year-old brother when she was just 20, raising her children - two with special needs, and the devastating loss of her son at just 15. As if that weren’t enough, just nine days after her divorce, she was paralyzed by a rare spinal cord inflammation that began as the flu. In an instant, her life changed forever.

But this is not a story about tragedy.
This is a story about transformation.

Through all of this, Rebecca fostered an unexpected but deeply meaningful writing career, becoming a powerful voice for hope and healing. A phrase that helped anchor her in her darkest times came from a therapist many years ago:

“Live fully in the life you didn’t plan.”

These words became her mantra. They guided her through grief, uncertainty, and physical limitation. And today, they serve as a light for others walking through their own unexpected journeys.

What Does It Really Mean to Live Fully?

To live fully in a life you didn’t plan is:

• To accept what has happened without letting it define you.

• To seek out beauty, even when the heart is broken.

• To create new meaning, even when old dreams fade.

• To show up every day—not perfectly, but wholeheartedly.

• To fuel yourself with purpose, connection, and self-compassion.

Rebecca reminds us that healing is not a destination, but a way of being. And even when we lose what we thought our life would be, we can still choose to show up, to love, to give, and to live—fully, honestly, and courageously.

Her story is a beacon for anyone who has ever whispered, “This wasn’t supposed to happen.”
Because while the life we planned may be gone, the life we’re living now still holds extraordinary potential.

If you’re navigating unexpected change or loss, may Rebecca’s journey remind you that you’re not alone, and that your story, too, can become a source of strength for others.

You can listen to our heartfelt conversation on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast, where Rebecca shares her wisdom, and the practices that keep her soul fuelled daily.
You won’t want to miss this one.

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Holistic Wellness Coach, Author & Podcast Host

And Now, Back to Me

Embracing the Empty Nest with Grace, Laughter, and Love

This week, I had the joy of speaking with Rita Lussier on my podcast - an honest, funny, and deeply touching conversation about something that resonates with so many of us: the empty nest.

Rita, a long-time columnist for The Providence Journal, has recently published her beautiful and soul-stirring book, And Now, Back to Me. It’s a title that says it all. After dedicating decades to nurturing others - her children, her marriage, her career - Rita found herself standing at a new beginning when her youngest child left home for New York City.

And suddenly, the house was quiet. Familiar routines faded. And like many of us, she was faced with the question: Who am I now?

We laughed together during our chat - because there is laughter in this part of the journey. The awkwardness of getting to know our partners again (“Do I even like you still?”), rediscovering how much joy we can share when the distractions of parenting fall away. And perhaps most tenderly, we explored the inner journey of rediscovering ourselves.

This isn’t just a “chapter two” - it’s an entire new book.

For nearly 40% of women in their late 50s, the experience of empty nest syndrome is more than just a transition - it’s an identity shift. So much of our sense of purpose, rhythm, and even self-worth has been tied up in being the anchor for our children. And when they grow their own wings (as they should), we’re left not empty - but open.

Open to rediscovery.
Open to reawakening.
Open to reinvention.

Rita shares so beautifully the hidden challenges we don’t talk about enough - the emotional waves of grief, pride, loneliness, and relief. The bittersweetness of watching our children flourish while we tend to the spaces they once filled. She speaks openly of the “sandwich” role many women now hold - supporting grown children from afar while stepping into care for aging parents. It’s a delicate dance of holding space for others while trying to carve out space for ourselves.

And that’s what makes And Now, Back to Me so special - it’s not just about nostalgia, but about possibility.

This time of life invites us to rekindle not only our relationships with those we love, but with ourselves. What brings us joy? What dreams were placed on pause? What passions are stirring again? Whether it’s reconnecting with creativity, investing in our physical health, tending to our emotional wellbeing, or simply learning how to be again - this is sacred ground.

We are not losing ourselves.
We are returning to ourselves.

If you’re reading this and feeling the pangs of that empty chair at the kitchen table, know this: you’re not alone. And you’re not done. You are stepping into a vibrant, vital season of life - one that holds laughter, new love, deep reflection, and unexpected freedom.

I encourage you to explore Rita’s book, And Now, Back to Me. It’s a heartfelt guide, a companion, and a mirror for the millions of women walking this path.

And as always, I am here - walking alongside you.

Sharon 💛

Embrace the beauty of aging

Embracing the Beauty of Aging and the Power of Redefining Womanhood

A heartful conversation on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast with Ashleigh Tobin on navigating midlife, hormonal transitions, and rediscovering our dreams

There are moments in life when a conversation doesn’t just inspire you - it stirs something deep in your soul. My recent chat with Ashleigh Tobin was one of those moments. Ashleigh, a TEDx and international award-winning speaker, health and mind coach, and fierce advocate for women’s wellbeing, brings together decades of experience and a fresh, unapologetic voice that encourages women to step into their power, especially during life’s hormonal transitions.

With over thirty-five years in nursing, coaching, and holistic health, Ashleigh is a rare blend of science, soul, and storytelling. She has a gift for making complex health issues easy to understand and deeply human - things like perimenopause, menopause, brain fog, stress, and burnout - topics often spoken about in hushed tones or not at all. But Ashleigh brings them to the forefront with humour, clarity, and heartfelt wisdom.

Rediscovering Ourselves Through Life’s Transitions

One of the most resonant parts of our conversation was about the journey of aging - a path often fraught with fear and societal pressure to “stay young.” But what if we’ve been sold the wrong story?

As Ashleigh so beautifully puts it in her TEDx talk, we’ve long heard of the three stages of womanhood: Maiden, Mother, and Crone. But what about the space in between? The vibrant, transformative years where we’re no longer the maiden and not yet ready to wear the crown of crone? She redefines this space with terms that truly resonate: Creative, Enchantress, Sage. These words light something within - they speak of wisdom, passion, and purpose. They invite us to become cycle breakers, women who rewrite the narrative and reclaim their voice.

Listening to the Body, Honouring the Self

We spoke deeply about the importance of reconnecting with our bodies, especially during perimenopause and menopause. This time can feel isolating and confusing if we don’t understand what’s happening within us. But awareness is power - and self-knowledge is liberation.

Ashleigh’s work supports both individuals and organisations, helping people tune in to their inner wisdom and embrace practical tools for wellness. Whether she’s speaking in workplaces or offering personal coaching, her message is always clear: Your wellbeing matters. Your story matters. And now is the time to start listening - not just to the world, but to yourself.

Aging as a Sacred Rite, Not a Shame

Perhaps one of the most powerful truths Ashleigh shared was this: growing older is a privilege. It is not something to be feared or hidden, but something to be honoured and celebrated. As women, we have the opportunity to redefine what it means to age - not as a slow fading away, but as a deepening, a ripening, a blossoming of everything we are meant to be.

We are not just getting older; we are becoming more ourselves.

In a world that often tries to dim women’s light as they age, Ashleigh Tobin’s work is a luminous reminder that we are entering our most powerful chapters. These are the years where we reclaim our dreams, reset our values, and reignite our desires. The Enchantress within us is not a myth - she is real, wise, and waiting for us to notice her.

I’m so grateful for the insightful, soul-nourishing conversation we had. I invite you to explore more of Ashleigh’s work — watch her inspiring TEDx talk here. Let it be a spark that awakens the Enchantress in you.

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Holistic Wellness Coach, Author & Host of The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast

Remembering What Is Important

Reflections from the rugged coastline of Achill Island

Dear friends,

I’ve just returned from a soul-nourishing two-week holiday on the breath-taking shores of Achill Island, where the wild Atlantic winds reminded me to breathe more deeply, and the untamed coastline seemed to whisper truths I had almost forgotten.

Like many of you, I live a life of service - guiding others, creating space for healing, holding space for transformation and development. It’s a path I walk with deep love and purpose. But sometimes, in the busyness of giving, we forget to give to ourselves.

As I walked each day along the cliffs, watching the waves crash below and the sky stretch endlessly above, I began to reflect on how available we often make ourselves to others -through work, messages, care-giving, and constant productivity. And yet, how seldom we offer that same availability to our own soul.

A Quiet Realisation

In that stillness, I found myself asking:

“Why do I do what I do?”

The answer came softly but clearly:

To help others remember their own strength… but only if I first remember my own.

This moment of reconnection reminded me of a truth I often teach, but needed to re-learn for myself:
We cannot pour from an empty cup. We cannot lead from depletion. We cannot help others heal without honouring our own healing.

Your Gentle Invitation

So, this July, I invite you - lovingly and without pressure - to remember what is important. Not the deadlines. Not the unread messages. But the deep exhale. The silence between actions. The space where you can simply be.

Take a walk. Let the wind kiss your face. Turn your phone off for an hour. Ask yourself:

“Am I available to my own soul today?”

It doesn’t have to be a big retreat. Even a few quiet moments can bring you back to your centre.

This Is Why I Do What I Do

Returning from this holiday, I feel more grounded in my purpose:
To walk alongside others in their healing journeys - not as someone who has all the answers, but as someone who remembers what it means to come home to herself.

Let’s continue to remind each other.
To pause.
To reflect.
To nourish what truly matters.

Sharon Fitzmaurice
Holistic Wellness Coach | Soulful Journeys Founder | Author | The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast

Reflecting on Resilience, Leadership, and the Environments That Shape Us

This week on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast I had the absolute joy of speaking with the remarkable Sile Walsh - a woman whose journey from childhood challenges to powerful leadership is both inspiring and deeply affirming of the human spirit.

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As a curious and bright 11-year-old with dyslexia, Sile didn't learn the way traditional education expected her to. Rather than being discouraged, she found a different path, one that led her into a kitchen, a very different kind of classroom. There, surrounded by the clatter of pots and the rhythm of a team in motion, Sile began to learn in a way that made sense to her. By the age of 16, she was already leading a section of that kitchen, showing not only resilience but a natural ability to lead, to adapt, and to grow.

That early environment - though unconventional, nurtured her. It allowed her to thrive in ways that traditional systems hadn’t. And it reminds us of something so vital: our ability to thrive depends not just on our willpower or talents, but on the environments we are placed in.

When we are seen, valued, and supported, we grow. When our strengths are nurtured instead of suppressed, our true potential shines.

Sile’s journey led her to specialise in leadership, development, coaching, and psychology. Today, she is an award-winning international best-selling author, with her most recent book Inclusive Leadership: Navigating Organisational Complexity becoming both an Amazon and Irish Times bestseller. Her passion lies in co-creating inclusive, high-performing workplaces where people don't just survive - they thrive.

Her voice in the diversity and inclusion space is not only knowledgeable but lived. She understands, deeply, that leadership is not about control but about creating environments where others can flourish. Where different ways of thinking, learning, and being are not only accepted but celebrated.

In listening to Sile speak, I was reminded again that the spaces we move through, whether in childhood, in workplaces, or in our communities - have the power to either stifle or support our growth. When we are part of environments rooted in understanding, compassion, and inclusivity, we begin to blossom into who we were always meant to be.

May we all be inspired, as I was, by Sile’s story, to reflect on the spaces we create for ourselves and for others. Are they nourishing? Are they safe? Do they encourage authenticity and potential? Because in the end, it’s not just about being in the right place - it’s about being in a place that’s right for you.

And that, I believe, is where true leadership begins.

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Author, Speaker, Wellness Coach & Podcast Host

When life changes, so can you - Redefine Freedom and Balance

Through Chuzeday, Deborah is helping solo business owners reclaim their time, honour their wellbeing, and build a life that truly fits.

There are moments in life that change everything. For Deborah Jordan, that moment arrived in 2019 when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It brought her busy world to a standstill - and at the same time, opened the door to a more intentional way of living and working.

But Deborah’s story of strength and compassion began long before that. As a young girl, she cared for her father who had brain cancer. That experience taught her resilience in a way few childhoods do. It shaped her understanding of time, empathy, and the invisible strength it takes to hold space for others.

A third-generation hair stylist, Deborah had built and managed a thriving salon, doing everything herself - the appointments, the business, the care. But like so many solo business owners, the endless demands eventually took a toll. When illness came knocking, it forced a vital question to the surface: What if business could support your life, instead of consuming it?

In her healing, Deborah envisioned something new. A platform that would give her, and others like her - the flexibility and freedom to run a business in a healthier, more sustainable way. And so, Chuzeday was born.

But Chuzeday is more than just an app. It’s a lifeline. A sanctuary. A growing community built on the belief that your time is sacred, your wellbeing matters, and your business should work for you. It empowers solo entrepreneurs to set boundaries, manage time intuitively, and reconnect with the joy and purpose behind their work.

Deborah shared this powerful journey on her very first podcast appearance in The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast, and it was an honour to witness her passion shine through. Her voice is calm, but her message is bold: you can change, you can choose again, and you can rebuild a life that fits who you are now.

Chuzeday reflects that wisdom. It’s a platform born from personal transformation, and one that invites others to make space for theirs. In every feature, every conversation, and every client supported, there is Deborah’s quiet strength and deep respect for what it means to be human - especially when you're walking the entrepreneurial path alone.

Her story is a reminder to us all: when life changes, so can you. And sometimes, the most meaningful work we do is the kind that sets others free.

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Holistic Wellness Coach, Author, Speaker & Podcast Host

Why We Sabotage Our Success - A Reflection on Healing and Choosing Ourselves

After my powerful conversation with my guest, Carol Look on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast, I found myself deeply moved and reflective. We explored the ways in which we often sabotage our own success, whether in our careers, relationships, or simply in allowing ourselves to thrive. Carol spoke with such clarity and compassion about how unresolved trauma and limiting beliefs can keep us stuck in patterns of fear, self-doubt, and self-sabotage.

As I listened to her, I couldn't help but reflect on my own journey.

There were many moments in my past where I didn’t allow myself to even imagine what could be possible. I was so entrenched in survival mode - caught in the aftershocks of trauma, that I couldn’t see beyond the pain. It was as if I was living in a small, dimly lit room, unaware that there was a door leading out into the light. I see now that I wasn't broken; I was simply trying to stay safe in the only way I knew how.

But healing has taught me something beautiful: we are allowed to choose ourselves. In fact, that choice is the beginning of everything.

When we make the decision to no longer stay small, when we stop dimming our light to fit into places that no longer serve us - we begin to reclaim our power. That first step is often the hardest, because it requires us to believe in something we may not yet fully see: the possibility of transformation.

As Carol and I spoke, I felt an energy within me ignite - sparks of something familiar and sacred. It was that deep knowing, the quiet but powerful affirmation that this work - helping others to heal, to rise, and to reconnect with their truth - is not only purposeful, but vital.

We often get lost in trying to protect ourselves, constructing walls so high that no one, not even our true selves, can get in. And while those walls may have once felt like safety, over time, they become our cages. Instead of feeling secure, we feel more isolated, more disconnected from the world - and from our own potential.

But here’s the truth I want to share with you, from one soul to another:

There is hope.

You are not alone in feeling stuck or unsure. You are not the only one who has questioned your worth or shrunk yourself to fit into someone else's version of safety. But the beauty of this journey is that we can always choose again. We can choose to soften, to open, to trust. We can choose to remember who we are beneath the pain.

Healing isn’t about becoming someone new - it’s about coming home to yourself.

So, if you find yourself sabotaging the very things you desire, pause. Breathe. Be gentle with yourself. And know that every small act of self-love, every boundary you set, every time you say yes to your own growth, is a step toward the life you were always meant to live.

You are worthy. You are powerful. And you are never too far gone to begin again.

With love,

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Author, Holistic Wellness Coach & Podcast Host