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Let’s be real… if willpower was enough, I’d be living in leggings with pockets and abs. But here we are, overwhelmed, overtired, and wondering how it’s possible to crush it at work and still feel like a failure by 8 p.m. That’s why I had to bring Dr. Priyanka Venugopal on the Empowered and Unapologetic podcast. She’s a board-certified OB-GYN turned stress and health coach for working moms, and she knows exactly how smart women end up in the Cool Ranch Dorito trap.

Because it’s not a willpower issue. It’s a stress issue. And as someone who teaches other people how to regulate their emotions for a living, let me just say… I needed this conversation.

When Stress Becomes Your Default Mode

Dr. Priyanka didn’t just study stress, she lived it. She shared how she went from being a brilliant physician to hitting 200 pounds, feeling disconnected from herself and her body, despite knowing all the science. And that’s when it clicked for her: being smart isn’t enough. If we don’t know how to deal with our emotions, like actually feel them, not snack through them, we end up medicating with food, Netflix, and mindless scrolling.

“If being smart was enough, we’d all be feeling amazing by now.” – Dr. Priyanka Venugopal

And listen, I felt called out. I’ve done the whole “hire the trainer, eat the salad, lose the weight, gain it back” cycle. I’ve tried Ozempic. I’ve convinced myself that being “fine” was enough. But what I hadn’t done? Stopped to ask: What am I really feeling right now? And more importantly, what am I avoiding by diving headfirst into that pint of ice cream or work project or Target run?

Know Your Stress Cycle Before You Judge Yourself

One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation? Stress responses aren’t just something we read about in textbooks. They’re real, wired-in patterns, and every high-achieving woman has them.

Dr. Priyanka broke them down like this:

• Fight: You’re angry, defensive, and maybe just a little righteous about your cheesecake.
• Flight: You’re ghosting your scale, your inbox, and that hard conversation with your partner.
• Freeze: You’re “procrastoworking” and planning your vacation instead of writing the damn proposal.
• Fawn: You said yes to the PTA event you swore you’d avoid because you didn’t want to upset Susan.

“These cycles aren’t flaws. They’re survival strategies. You’re not broken. You’re just stressed.” – Dr. Priyanka Venugopal

Knowing your stress response gives you power. It gives you a plan. Instead of beating yourself up for eating the cookies or skipping the gym, you get to understand why you did it and respond differently next time. That’s where the magic is.

Rest Isn’t Lazy—It’s Leadership

The core of Dr. Priyanka’s work is helping women burn stress so they can burn fat. But this isn’t a “drink lemon water and hustle harder” approach. It’s about learning how to rest without guilt. About recognizing that your cravings are often a sign your brain is looking for a break not another diet.

“You don’t need more motivation. You need emotional regulation and a game plan for when life gets messy.” – Dr. Priyanka Venugopal

What I love most? She makes it simple. Step one: put your hand on your heart. Name the emotion. Take a breath. That’s it. It might sound small, but this practice rewires your brain out of survival mode and into a state where you can respond instead of react. And trust me, your scale, your kids, and your nervous system will thank you.

So if you’re tired of being tired, hungry for peace, and ready to break up with the guilt-Dorito loop once and for all, start here. Stress doesn’t have to be your personality. Neither does burnout.

Useful links:

• Join our FaceBook Page – Empowered and Unapologetic
• Follow me on Instagram
• Check out the new website! https://veronicacisneros.org/
• 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 Priyank Venugopal

Priyanka Venugopal is a board certified ObGyn physician turned Stress and Health coach for professional working moms. As an overweight physician herself, she found she knew all the information to help improve her health, but was not having any results until she learned how to manage her stress and live a lifestyle that supported her through her stress. She founded Burn Stress, Lose Weight as a side project with no intentions of leaving the practice until she found the impact she was having with women to exceed her medical work and went full time as an entrepreneur.

Priyanka is the host of The Burn Stress, Lose Weight Podcast and founder of The Unstoppable Mom Group, an intimate small group coaching program, where she has cultivated a holistic experience for professional working moms who want to experience a change from the inside out. She teaches skills and mindset tools using science informed strategies to burn fat and stress at the root to help professional women live the life they have worked so hard for and to feel more Unstoppable.

As a mom to two young children, Priyanka understands and connects with women who are trying to manage it all, feel healthy and confident, and need the lifestyle skills and science to back it up.

Digital Coordinates:

• Body Reset Podcast: https://www.burnstressloseweight.com/bodyreset
• Burn Stress Lose Weight Website: https://www.burnstressloseweight.com
• Burn Stress Lose Weight Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/burnstressloseweight

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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