Do you say “yes” when your body says “no”? This episode is a gentle guide to stop people-pleasing and start speaking your truth.

The speaker explores the fear of being seen and the habit of fawning—agreeing to keep the peace—even when it doesn’t feel right. You’ll learn a simple way to tell the difference between your authentic intuition and old people-pleasing patterns: pause, breathe, and ask clear yes/no questions like, “Do I want this?” “Will it be good for me?” The episode highlights Satya (truthfulness) from yoga philosophy and the practice of Ishvarapranidhana (surrender), reminding us we can offer our truth but cannot control how others receive it. There’s also a science lens: social fear can feel like physical pain, yet every small act of honest expression rewires the brain toward self-trust and resilience. You’ll finish with a short grounding practice—hand on throat and heart—and affirmations like “I am safe to be seen.” If you’re ready to move from external approval to inner anchoring, this conversation will help you begin—kindly, clearly, and now.

—-------—-------—-

Episode Chapters:

00:00:00 Introduction

00:01:42 Being Seen, Heard, Valued

00:02:34 Fear of Judgment vs. Truth

00:04:08 Naming Fawning (People-Pleasing)

00:04:46 Satya: Living in Truth

00:06:15 Intuition vs. Old Patterns

00:10:17 Body-Led Yes/No Questions

00:12:30 Collecting a Clearer Truth

00:14:21 Neuro Lens: Social Pain & Fear

00:15:58 Why Speak Your Truth

00:17:47 External Validation vs. Inner Anchor

00:21:05 Ishvarapranidhana: Surrender

00:21:56 Rewiring for Self-Trust

00:23:23 Conscious Boundaries & Choices

00:24:32 Grounding Questions

00:25:18 Hand-to-Throat/Heart Practice

00:29:11 Willing, Not Fearless

00:30:19 Authenticity over Perfection

00:33:05 Reflective Prompts & Close

—-------—-------—-

📚 Mentions & Resources:

• Yogic concepts: Satya (truthfulness), Ishvarapranidhana (surrender)
  

• Michael Henri’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelyoga.pt/

• Byron de Marse’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byronyoga/

• Going Pro Yoga’s Instagram: https://www.instagram/com/goingproyoga/

—-------—-------—-

Tags: authenticity, fawning, people-pleasing, boundaries, Satya, Ishvarapranidhana, visibility, self-trust, inner validation, external validation, nervous system, neuroplasticity, yoga philosophy, mindset, emotional resilience

Have you ever felt pressure to be the “perfect” teacher—or the “perfect” student?

In this honest and heartfelt conversation, Byron de Marse shares his personal experiences of becoming a teacher and the complex relationship that develops between teacher and student. He explores how stepping into the role of a teacher often brings up feelings of doubt, discomfort, and the fear of being seen. But rather than avoiding these feelings, Byron believes they are invitations to grow.

The episode touches on how students often project ideas onto their teachers—seeing them as more wise, perfect, or powerful than they really are. This can create tension on both sides. Byron speaks openly about the responsibility teachers hold, the need to keep learning, and how being a teacher is really about being in service—not in control.

He also dives into the importance of confidence, vulnerability, and humility in both teaching and learning. Whether you’re new to teaching or deep in your practice, this episode is a reminder that nobody has it all figured out—and that’s okay.

✨ This episode will leave you thinking deeply about the energy you bring into the spaces you hold, and how we can all honor the sacred exchange between student and teacher.

—-------—-------—-

Episode Chapters:

00:00:00 Introduction

00:04:10 Byron's Journey into Teaching

00:11:44 The Power Dynamic in Student-Teacher Relationships

00:16:30 Projecting Perfection and Receiving Projection

00:22:55 Teaching as a Mirror

00:29:35 Vulnerability and Confidence as a Teacher

00:35:58 Owning the Seat of the Teacher

00:41:02 When the Student Becomes the Teacher

00:47:19 Closing Reflections on Teaching with Integrity

—-------—-------—-

📚 Mentions & Resources:

• Michael Henri’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelyoga.pt/

• Byron de Marse’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byronyoga/

• Going Pro Yoga’s Instagram: https://www.instagram/com/goingproyoga/

  
  

—-------—-------—-

Tags: teacher-student dynamics, yoga teaching, imposter syndrome, vulnerability, comparison, personal growth, space holding, self-inquiry, yoga philosophy, emotional intelligence

Are you performing your life—or truly living it?

In this episode, the conversation explores the tension between performing for acceptance and the deep human desire for belonging. Many of us learn early on to shape-shift, hide parts of ourselves, or show up as who we think we should be—especially in relationships, careers, or community. But this constant performance comes at a cost: disconnection, anxiety, and a loss of authenticity.

The episode dives into the neuroscience behind people-pleasing and masking, linking it to survival responses like fawning and dissociation. Drawing from yogic wisdom and somatic awareness, it invites listeners to notice where they feel safe to be real—and where they don’t.

You’ll hear personal stories, reflection prompts, and key insights on how to shift from performing to belonging—through courage, boundaries, nervous system regulation, and community.

💭 Because real belonging doesn’t ask you to shrink. It asks you to show up, messy and whole.

—-------—-------—-

Episode Chapters:

00:00:00 Introduction

00:03:16 Performing vs. Belonging

00:06:27 People-pleasing & masking

00:09:44 The fawn response explained

00:12:36 Emotional masking in childhood

00:15:02 The nervous system and identity

00:17:55 Belonging vs. fitting in (Brené Brown)

00:20:41 When authenticity feels dangerous

00:24:08 Somatic cues for safety

00:26:33 Real belonging through truth

00:29:17 Boundaries and nervous system repair

00:31:54 Letting go of performance

00:33:48 Closing meditation & reflection

—-------—-------—-

📚 Mentions & Resources:

• Brené Brown: Belonging vs. fitting in

• Polyvagal theory: Fawn response, nervous system safety

• Concepts: Masking, emotional safety, dissociation, somatic awareness

• Practices: Grounding, reflection, inner child awareness
  

• Michael Henri’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelyoga.pt/

• Going Pro Yoga’s Instagram: https://www.instagram/com/goingproyoga/

  
  

—-------—-------—-

Tags: authenticity, people-pleasing, fawn response, nervous system, belonging vs fitting in, performance, self-worth, trauma healing, yoga and emotions, somatic healing, identity, boundaries