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EU 278: Why High-Achieving Women Struggle in Love (and What Breathwork Has to Do With It) with Francesca Sigma8 min read

June 17, 2025

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“We’ve been rewarded for being in control. But love, leadership, and joy don’t come from control—they come from presence.” – Francesca Sipma

Let me set the scene: I’m sitting down with Francesca Sipma, founder of HypnoBreathwork®, and about five minutes into the conversation, I’m already contemplating if I should move to Bali, toss my planner in the trash, and just breathe for a living.

Francesca doesn’t just teach breathwork—she lives it. She’s worked with CEOs, celebrities, and now, lucky us, she’s sharing how high-performing women like us can stop white-knuckling our way through life and start leading from a place of clarity, connection, and confidence. And before you roll your eyes thinking this is another “just relax, queen” moment, hold up. This woman brings science, strategy, and real talk.

What the Hell Is HypnoBreathwork Anyway?

HypnoBreathwork® is Francesca’s signature blend of breathwork, hypnosis, and visioning that helps people rewire their subconscious in as little as 20 minutes. It sounds like magic, but it’s deeply grounded in neuroscience.

“Breath is the bridge between the head and the heart. When we’re stuck in overdrive, breathwork resets us—and reminds us who we are.” – Francesca Sipma

Here’s the breakdown: You breathe in a cyclical pattern (inhale belly, inhale chest, exhale out), add in some guided hypnosis to root out limiting beliefs, and then visualize the version of yourself who isn’t spiraling over whether your kid’s shoes match. (That’s not just me, right?)

As a therapist, I’ve guided clients through panic attacks, grief, trauma—using every tool in the book. But this? This was different. It wasn’t about thinking your way into healing—it was about feeling your way there. And that, my friends, is where the gold is.

The Real Reason High Achievers Struggle in Love

I asked Francesca why so many of us—smart, successful women—crash and burn when it comes to connection. Her answer hit hard.

Because we’re living in our masculine energy. We hustle. We plan. We fix. But intimacy doesn’t respond to checklists. It responds to softness, trust, and presence.

“You can be a boss at work, but if you bring that energy into your relationships, there’s no room for polarity, for play, for love.” – Francesca Sipma

And she’s not saying we need to shrink or dim our light. Nope. What she’s saying is that we need to shift gears. When we walk through the doors of our homes, it’s time to let go of the hyper-control mode and lean into being human. Soft. Messy. Open.

That hit me like a ton of therapy bricks. Because if I’m being honest, there are days when I bring boardroom energy to my marriage and then wonder why I’m not feeling emotionally connected.

Francesca shared how trauma and childhood adversity often build the very traits that make us successful—hyper-independence, overachievement—but those same traits can become walls that keep love out.

Letting Go of the Illusion of Control

In our session, Francesca guided me through a mini breathwork practice and I felt things shift—quickly. Like, dizzy in the best way. The kind of clarity that hits you when you realize your real goal isn’t business expansion… it’s flopping onto the couch with your daughter and laughing until one of you taps out.

Yep. That was my goal. Not a bigger launch. Not more money. More couch flops with my porcupine.

What’s wild is how quickly breathwork helped me see that. It wasn’t hidden. It was just buried under hustle, noise, and a to-do list that doesn’t actually reflect my values.

So I had to ask myself: Does my calendar match the life I say I want?

And that question has lived in my brain ever since.

One Breath at a Time

This episode reminded me (and I hope it reminds you too) that healing doesn’t have to be a whole dramatic life overhaul. Sometimes it’s just a few minutes of breathing with intention. Getting out of your head and back into your body. Asking your intuition, what’s the next best step? And then trusting it.

So if you’re the woman who’s crushing it in her career but secretly feeling disconnected from joy, intimacy, or peace—you’re not alone. And you’re not broken.

You’re just overdue for a reset.

And maybe… just maybe… it starts with one inhale. Then another. Then a really honest exhale.

Want to Try It Yourself?
Download Francesca’s app Mastery—it’s like having a nervous system tune-up in your pocket. Seven-day free trial. Three-minute sessions. No excuses.

And if you’re really ready to dive deep? Book the damn ticket to Bali. Francesca’s hosting her next retreat in July and let me just say: this woman doesn’t do mediocre. Energy healers, luxury villas, and breakthroughs guaranteed.

Final Thoughts from Your Favorite LMFT

Breathe, beautiful.
You don’t need to fix everything. You just need to reconnect. And maybe that starts by asking: Does the life I’m building reflect the woman I want to be?

Let’s get you aligned—with your breath, your truth, and your badass self.

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Meet Francesca Sipma

Francesca Sipma is the author of Unblock Your Purpose: Breathwork, Intuition, and Flow State. She is the founder and CEO of Mastry and the creator of HypnoBreathwork®.

Francesca spent a decade at top ad agencies in New York City, leading global campaigns for brands like Google, Marriott, and Bacardi. After chasing an insatiable lifestyle, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery through Bali, India, and Peru, where she pioneered Hypnobreathwork® – a revolutionary method that blends breathwork, hypnosis, and visualization to help high performers break through subconscious blocks and access peak performance and purpose.

Today, Francesca works with C-suite executives, top producers, celebrities, artists, and athletes, guiding them to their intuitive edge and highest potential. She has led sessions for companies like Deloitte, Athletic Brewing, and Staples. Her work has been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Bloomberg, and Inc.

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Meet Veronica Cisneros

As a leading authority in women’s empowerment and a fierce advocate for building strong networks, Veronica is your go-to guru for turning fears into victories, struggles into strengths, and doubts into boundless opportunities.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist for 10 plus years; empowering high-achieving women in business to conquer both professional heights and personal fulfillment. She doesn’t do bandaids!
Veronica has a unique approach to overcoming obstacles and smashing through the glass ceilings that loom over ambitious women. With her arsenal of practical tools, actionable strategies, and unwavering support, Veronica doesn’t just help women succeed in their careers – she helps them thrive in every facet of their lives.

But Veronica’s expertise isn’t just theoretical – it’s personal. With over 24 years of marriage, three daughters, and a soaring career, Veronica embodies the resilience and determination needed to navigate life’s challenges. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Group Private Practice Owner, of Outside The Norm Counseling, Marriage Coach, and the voice behind the Empowered and Unapologetic podcast, Veronica effortlessly guides women to challenge themselves beyond their comfort zones.

Veronica is more than an expert – she’s a partner in transformation, turning mundane relationships into true connections. With her relatable charm and infectious humor, Veronica illuminates the path for women who refuse to settle for anything less than success in both business and relationships. Through practical tips, heartfelt anecdotes, and her trademark wit, Veronica empowers every woman to cultivate unbreakable bonds without sacrificing their ambitions.

Whether you listen to the podcast, join the free Facebook community, or do the Workshop,  you’re in the right place. Let’s do this together!

Thanks for listening!

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I’m Veronica, your new Boss MOM Mentor with no filter and no BS. 

I'm a licensed marriage and family therapist, women’s coach, course creator, and retreat host. Married for OVER 20 years, raising three girls, and the host of the Empowered and Unapologetic podcast. 

Enough about me… 

My jam? Helping high-achieving women thrive both at home and in the hustle of work.

I've been there.

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