Ambition Without Compromise
Ambition Without Compromise is the space where powerhouse women of color — with a special heart for Black mothers and future mothers — come to redefine success on their own terms.
Hosted by Monique R. Shields, executive coach, entrepreneur, and mentor to women at the highest levels of leadership, this podcast dives into the real challenges women face when juggling bold professional pursuits with the responsibilities of being present partners, mothers, and whole, healthy individuals.
Through honest conversations and powerful stories, you’ll gain insights on:
- Balancing ambition and freedom without burnout
- Crafting sustainable work-life integration
- Protecting your mental and emotional well-being
- Building intentional communities and seeking mentorship for growth
Whether you're scaling your business, stepping into a higher leadership role, or simply seeking clarity about what success means now, this show offers the tools and stories to help you thrive without compromise.
Follow Monique wherever you listen to podcasts and step into a world where ambition and joy can coexist.
Ambition Without Compromise
64 | When the World Hurts, Is It OK to Keep Building?
Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback!
Reflecting on her time at the ROI Millionaire Summit, Monique shares the profound inspiration she gained from connecting with like-minded individuals dedicated to closing the wealth gap for marginalized communities. As she transitions from the empowering atmosphere of the summit back to the harsh realities of the world, Monique grapples with feelings of guilt and confusion about her role in the larger scheme of things.
Join in as she shares her journey of navigating these conflicting emotions and the grounding moment she had when she observed a trail of ants marching diligently across her driveway. The ants remind her to stay connected, support others, and remain focused on our collective goals.
Join in as she explores these themes and ways to find encouragement in our shared experiences.
GEMS DROPPED
“I think that's the thing that's so compelling to me about ants is that they lead these lives, each one of them has a role. There's a very specific, sort of caste system within, ant colonies where you have a specific role. Are you a soldier, protector, scouts, nurse, worker, forager? They play these very specific roles and it's like, play your role. It's like they know what lane they're in. They know what their mission is. They know what their purpose is. Like, I exist to do this, therefore I do it.”
“I hope that that's encouragement to anyone else who is feeling in any way destabilized emotionally, or otherwise by what is going on around us…to remind yourself in those moments that they are moments, they are fears, and they can come, they can pass through, but that doesn't mean you're confused about who you are. That does not mean you're confused about what you're here to do, what your purpose is, what you were literally built for. If you stop playing your role, then the colony fails, the community fails, the family fails.”
“It's such an illusion to believe that you are playing every role that you play, every position on whatever field you're trying to play, as we're out here building and, trying to advance ourselves in our communities, that you're ever supposed to do it alone and that you ever have it all covered. You don't, you don't. And that's a reason why our bodies start to suffer, our psyches start to suffer, because you were never meant to be everything, every person, playing every role for everyone. We were not actually built to do this.”
“I find so much peace and encouragement by observing nature when I feel lost in human nonsense…By observing these creatures, these animals who are still doing the same behavior, still exhibiting the same behaviors and instincts that their ancient ancestors were, because they're just being what they're supposed to be. And that helps me to be guided by an inner wiring, in a collective rhythm.”
“All this surrounds identity and who it is that every day we have to examine and decide who we are? Who are we being in every conversation and every time we show up and knowing that we're never going to get it “right”. We're never going to get it perfectly, but to stay in it. To stay in the examination of it. To stay in the curiosity around it and to do our damn best, y' all.”
STAY IN TOUCH
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