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Raise your hand if you’ve ever been guilty of this: stacking your calendar like you have 48 hours in a day and then telling yourself, “I’ve got this.” Yeah, me too. And Kasey? Oh, she lived it.
If you’re a high-achieving woman juggling a career, a side hustle, family, and about a million other responsibilities, this episode is for you. I sat down with Kasey D’Amato—business advisor, executive life coach, serial entrepreneur, and all-around powerhouse. She built a global skincare brand, a multi-seven-figure real estate portfolio, and a thriving coaching business, all while balancing a fulfilling personal life. But don’t be fooled—it wasn’t always smooth sailing.
“I was sleeping four hours a night, arguing with my husband, barely seeing my family,” Kasey shared. “Meanwhile, everyone thought I was thriving because from the outside, it all looked perfect.”
The breaking point? A doctor telling her she might have a heart attack before 36.
“Success cannot mean burning out, destroying your mental health, and waking up dreading the day. That’s not success.”
In this episode, Kasey gets real about the illusion of success, hitting rock bottom, and how high-achieving women can build a business and a life they actually love.
The Rock Bottom Wake-Up Call
I don’t know about you, but sometimes we need a hard shove off the cliff before we realize we’re heading straight into burnout. Kasey hit that moment when she realized she was juggling way too much and something had to give.
“If you want life to be different, you have to change the way things are today,” she said.
That meant making some tough decisions. Kasey walked away from her W-2 job, sold her business, and took a full-on sabbatical to reset. Not because she failed, but because she had to save herself first.
Here’s the kicker—most of us see these stories and think, “Well, that sucks for her, but I can totally keep pushing through.” (Yeah, I called you out.) But let’s be real—how many warning signs do we ignore before we finally admit we’re on the verge of losing it all?
The Three Stages: Growing, Coasting, Contracting
One of Kasey’s biggest game-changers? Learning to categorize areas of her life into three buckets:
Growth: Where she actively invested time and energy (like a business or relationship that needed work).
Coasting: Areas that were stable and didn’t need extra effort (think: maintaining a strong marriage, not rebuilding one).
Contracting: Things she needed to cut out because they no longer served her.
“If you’re trying to grow everything at once, you’re setting yourself up for an implosion.”
The hardest part? Knowing when to stop saying yes to everything.
“Nothing will change unless you change how you spend your time and energy.”
Read that again. Let it sink in.
The Three Levels of Who
Kasey’s other golden nugget was about surrounding yourself with the right people. She broke it down into three groups:
- Mentors & Coaches: People who have been where you want to go and can guide you.
- Collaborators & Peers: Fellow entrepreneurs or professionals in the trenches with you.
- Team & Support System: People who work for you or help lighten your load (business and home life).
If you’re feeling stuck, Kasey suggests asking yourself: Which layer of my “who” is missing?
Corporate Mindset vs. Entrepreneurial Mindset
For those still climbing the corporate ladder but feeling unfulfilled, Kasey challenges you to think like an entrepreneur even if you’re not ready to leave your job.
“Entrepreneurs are obsessed with two things: awareness and impact,” she explained. “They’re not just clocking in; they’re thinking about how their work changes lives.”
If you don’t believe in the product or service you’re selling, that’s a red flag. Maybe it’s time to pivot.
Time Management Hacks from a Multi-Seven-Figure Entrepreneur
So how does Kasey keep everything in check? She broke it down for us:
- No meetings before 11 AM (mornings are for creative work).
- Emails and texts are only checked in blocks (no all-day distractions!).
- Social media? Only from 10-11 PM (so she doesn’t get sucked into the doom scroll).
- Friendships? Core relationships are prioritized, but she’s strict about her time.
This woman has boundaries like Fort Knox, and honestly? We should all take notes.
Final Words of Wisdom
When I asked Kasey what advice she wished she had received early on, she didn’t hesitate:
“You do not have to do this alone. You are not stuck. There are always options. But you have to make the decision to change.”
That’s it, ladies. We don’t have to drown in burnout just to prove we’re strong. We don’t have to juggle everything at once just to feel successful. And we sure as hell don’t have to wait until a doctor tells us we’re heading for a heart attack to finally slow down.
If this episode hit home for you, go check out Kasey’s free time-blocking tool and business growth checklist at KaseyDAmato.com.
Let’s start making decisions that actually serve us.
What’s one thing you can take off your plate today? Drop it in the comments and let’s start a conversation.
Kasey, thank you for bringing your wisdom and no-BS approach to this conversation. And to all my overachieving ladies out there—it’s time to redefine what success really looks like.
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- Join our FaceBook Page – Empowered and Unapologetic
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- Outside The Norm Counseling – 951 395 3288 call to schedule an appointment today!
- 5 Things that are Killing your Marriage Free Guide available at www.veronicacisneros.org
Meet Kasey D’Amato
Kasey began her career in pharmaceutical sales, later launching an aesthetic division of a dermatology practice as a board-certified Dermatology PA.
Despite major setbacks with her own emotional health and significant business challenges at times, Kasey has developed a deep understanding of what it takes to build a business, make strategic and difficult decisions, build effective teams both at work and at home, plan an exit, and achieve ultimate success, balance, and fulfillment.
She then founded a global skincare brand, launched and expanded her online coaching and consulting business, and later divided it into two independent companies. Simultaneously, she developed a multi-seven-figure real estate portfolio across the US all WHILE maintaining a happy marriage and traveling the world with her husband!
She is on a mission to impact 1 million entrepreneurs and high achievers by providing easy-to-implement mindset strategies, unique proprietary business tools, and clear road maps that intentionally align business and life to show people that building their dream lives is more achievable than they might think.
Download her Business Growth Cheat Sheet.
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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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