Your Authentic Self: The Only Way to Win at Life

In this heartfelt and humor-filled episode, The Stress Therapist dives deep into the concept of living as your authentic self. Through personal stories, client examples, and some unexpected Bachelor commentary, she explores what it really means to be yourself, why it matters for your happiness and connection with others, and how being fake can actually block you from true love and belonging. The episode closes with a meditation on the sacred sound Om, guiding listeners into stillness and self-acceptance.


~Authenticity is magnetic. When you show up as your real self—quirks, passions, weirdness and all—you attract the right people and create true connection.
~Faking it is exhausting and unsustainable. Pretending to be someone you’re not might win temporary approval, but it never leads to lasting love or fulfillment.
~Your gifts are part of your karmic path. Embracing your interests and natural tendencies is not only freeing but also aligned with your purpose.


~Meditation Music byhttp://sonicyogi.com
https://open.spotify.com/track/7lpLx4vtoQusvoqidRY6vN?si=0db8efd9082c40ebhttps://open.spotify.com/track/0Qotx90teY3iZ00PgUCwty?si=44a1c18c52e24e1f
Listen to Sonic Yogi on: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2xJT8mRbrqa7rTY6d4y5Fq?si=q2YYpPSzQOmu4R8-W4jkpw https://music.apple.com/us/artist/sonic-yogi/722350162https://amazon.com/music/player/artists/B00FQMVVIC/sonic-yogi?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_Y5q68A8LSQQGzl01PQC7Uaw6chttps://youtu.be/p2jtMEkdh6g?si=rVq-Q8o85mI75S4_
INTERESTING MENTIONS:
Shout-out to Jackie (her sister-in-law) for the Bachelor franchise t-shirt and for taking her to a Bachelor Live event.

The Bachelor (current season with Grant) – used to explore themes of love, hope, and being chosen.

Client story about pretending to like fishing to connect—a metaphor for the struggle with authenticity.

Jen the Animal Lover – a sweet story of someone unapologetically themselves (catios, pet mouse surgery, pool ladders for critters!).

Violet (her daughter) – praised for her early wisdom in not forcing friendships and understanding mutual dislike doesn’t need to be dramatic.

https://www.heartwood-retreats.com : location for Cheri’s Georgia Mountain Retreatshttps://www.jekyllisland.com: Location for Cheri’s seaside retreat
The Host for this podcast: Cheri Augustine Flake, LCSW The Stress Therapist and Author
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https://www.amazon.com/Honey-DONE-Productive-Household-Absolutely/dp/0997950919/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8: Honey Do To Honey DONE! A Simple System For A Productive And Happy Household With Absolutely No More Nagging!
A word from your host, Cheri Flake, LCSW: Feeling good a