In this episode, I share my journey of reuniting with my mother after 8 long years of being estranged. Through vulnerable conversations, I explore the powerful themes of grace, compassion, and forgiveness that played pivotal roles in bridging the gap and healing wounds. Discover the transformative potential of embracing these qualities as we navigate the complexities of rebuilding a fractured relationship.   I would love to hear your feedback on this episode and how it resonated with you. Follow me on instagram @thevanessamcneal and @crackedopenpodcast   If you resonate with my work and would like to work with me 1:1,  I offer a 10 week coaching program, apply here: https://calendly.com/vanessamcneal/connectioncall

In this episode I coached Carley, a women's health nutritionist and herbalist. We took a dip dive into stories she told herself around feeling stuck that held her back from fully being all of who she is. In one hour we were able to pin point exactly where her feeling of stuckness came from and worked  Carley was having an battle between wanting to be seen versus being afraid to put herself out there. We realized there was a thread that started at the age of 5 that projected onto most parts of her life until this session.  Carley walked away feeling freed from the stories of her past and inspired to show up with conviction.  If you resonate with my style of coaching and would like to take a deep dive into my 10 week coaching program, apply here: https://calendly.com/vanessamcneal/connectioncall  Follow me on instagram @thevanessamcneal and @crackedopenpodcast  Carley Instagram: https://instagram.com/carleynadine_

In this episode I coached Alissa Boyer HSP mentor and educator. Alissa is a new mother and she shared how she was struggling with perfectionism and comparison around parenting her daughter.    We took a deep dive into the source of her behavior and revealed that it stemmed from her own insecurities around not feeling good enough. We also determined that a lot of her shame around motherhood was a reflection of years of conditioning she received growing up.    We worked through how to reframe perfectionism, comparison, and shame so she could feel and show up differently as a mother. I walked her through inner child visualization and she left the session feeling relieved, clear, and refreshed.   If you resonate with my style of coaching and would like to take a deep dive into my 10 week coaching program, apply here: https://calendly.com/vanessamcneal/connectioncall   Follow me on instagram @thevanessamcneal and @crackedopenpodcast  Alissa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifebyalissa/  

Podcast Episode #9- Portia: Authenticity & Self Protection In this episode I coached Portia. She's the founder of the We Experience, a membership portal designed to help women heal, grow and connect. Portia and I took a deep dive into the source of discomfort she felt around fully expresing herself. She felt as though she was taming herself and had a hard time seeing herself the way other people saw her.  We dissected her core questions which are the questions she always asked herself yet couldn't find the answers to. We also worked together to reframe them bringing in alignment with her inner wisdom and knowing. Portia left the session feeling powerful, clear, and aligned. If you resonate with my style of coaching and would like to take a deep dive into my 10 week coaching program, apply here: https://calendly.com/vanessamcneal/connectioncall  Follow me on instagram @thevanessamcneal and @crackedopenpodcast  Portia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chambers_portia/

I'm sharing a very special episode today. It's much different from the usual format of Cracked Open- yet, it was so important I had to share.  I discuss my experience going through the void/ dark night of the soul/ crumbling. It was a time in my life where nothing felt like it was happening, (running in place) yet at the same time I was re-experiencing old wounds and trauma. It felt like I was going through an internal death.  Many people go through this in their life and sometimes multiple times! I discuss what my void looked like, how I survived it, and what it taught me.  I'm hoping this gives you insight, encouragement, and information that will help you on your path.  Book a free coaching consult call with me if you resonate with my style of coaching and would like to see how it would work for you. https://calendly.com/vanessamcneal/connectioncall Follow me on instagram @thevanessamcneal and @crackedopenpodcast

In this episode I coached Jami Alix, an actor and influencer who was most recently featured in Netflix’s Freeridge. Jami discussed how she is in a void period, almost like a waiting room in between two worlds with both her romantic relationship and her career.  She discussed the dance between not allowing herself to accept less than what she knew she desired while also being exhausted from the isolation that creates in both her career and love life.  She shared: “I’m desperate for this thing I haven’t been able to get yet, but not desperate enough to settle for I know is not that”  I coached Jami through deep heavy emotions that came up, helped her reframe the scarcity she felt, and created a plan on how to move forward in a surrendered peaceful way. Book a free consult call with me if you resonate with my style of coaching and would like to see how it would work for you. https://calendly.com/vanessamcneal/connectioncall Follow me on instagram @thevanessamcneal and @crackedopenpodcast  Jami Instagram: hhttps://www.instagram.com/jamialix/

In this episode I coached Wendy B, a pleasure expert, coach and pole instructor. Wendy shared how she struggled with being assertive in her life, particularly in her business. She felt a misalignment between the standards she wanted to set and pleasing other people.    We took a deep dive into the source of this behavior and revealed it stemmed from yearning for a sense of belonging that started as early as she can remember due to being adopted. We worked through how to reverse the beliefs that lead to the actions that frustrate her. We also discussed how her formative years have created the behaviors she wants to reverse.    She walked away feeling a sense of relief and understanding. She shared that she was now ready to open up her 23&Me test results that she has had for over a year that will reveal information about her origin. She was afraid to open them up until this session.   If you resonate with my style of coaching and would like to take a deep dive into my 10 week coaching program, schedule a free connection call here. https://calendly.com/vanessamcneal/connectioncall   Follow me on instagram @thevanessamcneal and @crackedopenpodcast  Wendy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsexcoachwendyb/?hl=en

In this podcast episode I spoke to Mattie a photographer based out of southern California. Mattie shared how she has created a highly successful multi 6 figure business yet still felt like she hadn’t worked hard enough to earn it. We took a deep dive into why she didn’t believe she deserved the success in her life and revealed it was an inner child wound.   We took a deep dive into what it means to “deserve” something and did inner child healing around that. We worked through an inner block she had while in the session and got clear about how to interrupt the pattern moving forward. We discussed how success, money, or outer validation don’t heal the wounds that are within.   Mattie walked away feeling lighter, clearer, and more accepting of all of the goodness in her life.   If you resonate with my style of coaching and would like to take a deep dive into my 10 week coaching program, apply here https://www.vanessamcneal.com/coachingapplication   Follow me on instagram @thevanessamcneal and @crackedopenpodcast  Mattie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattieoneillphotos/?hl=en

In this podcast episode I spoke to Lauren, a photographer from Iowa , who was struggling with the idea of making changes in her business that reflect her authentic identity. We took a deep dive into understanding why she feels out of alignment in her business and what her real desires are.    We talked in depth about the fears associated with making changes and what it takes to overcome them. We also talked about the fear of failing, starting over, and not being accepted for who we really are.   Lauren walked away feeling rejuvenated, energetic, and clear about the direction she wanted to take in her business moving forward.    If you resonate with my style of coaching and would like to take a deep dive into my 10 week coaching program, apply here https://www.vanessamcneal.com/coachingapplication   Follow me on instagram @thevanessamcneal and @crackedopenpodcast  Lauren Instagram: laurenmatysikphoto Rapid Planning Method link mentioned in podcast : https://www.tonyrobbins.com/pdfs/Workbook-Time-of-your-Life.pdf

In this podcast episode I spoke to Lavonda, a photographer in South Carolina, who was struggling with feeling like she could set boundaries with her family. We took a deep dive into understanding judgement she had for herself and what it means to reframe difficult situations.   We talked about how to overcome fears around setting boundaries and being accepted by others. LaVonda walked away feeling clear and relieved about how to move forward with her family and herself.    If you resonate with my style of coaching and would like to take a deep dive into my 10 week coaching program, apply here https://www.vanessamcneal.com/coachingapplication   Follow me on instagram @thevanessamcneal and @crackedopenpodcast  Lavonda Instagram: lavondadownardphotography