33. The Truth About Playing It Safe: How Releasing the Need to Be Liked Unlocked a Bigger Purpose (with Vicky Ryan)

"I used to try to be really palatable to everyone. And I still remember the moment I stopped. It felt scary… but also so right." – Vicky RyanIn this powerful conversation, Vicky a senior consultant in leadership and culture and founder of GirlsClub, a registered charity for girls with neuro and developmental differences, shares how the need to be liked and the fear of being a burden shaped her voice, her visibility, and her choices… until they didn’t.What started as a deeply personal parenting experience became the spark for a movement that now impacts hundreds of families across British Columbia. But behind that impact is a story of identity, internalised expectations, and what happens when women stop self-editing and start trusting their own voice.This episode is a must-listen for high-achieving women who feel called to more but find themselves holding back out of fear of rejection, judgment, or being “too much.”Today on Limitless:- Playing it Safe vs. Playing Small: Why Vicky’s fear of being a burden, not a lack of purpose, kept her hiding in plain sight- The Likeability Trap: How wanting to be palatable cost her authenticity, joy, and deeper connection- Turning Frustration into Purpose: The exact moment she realised if it doesn’t exist, I’ll create it- The Vulnerability Shift: From avoiding the spotlight to using her story to create systemic change- Healing the Fear of Asking: Rewiring a lifelong belief that “asking for help = being too much”- What Happens When You Show Up Real: How her unapologetic authenticity created deeper impact and unexpected supportIf you've ever held yourself back out of fear of being too much, asking for too much, or taking up too much space, this is your reminder: your story is medicine. Your voice is needed. And when you stop playing safe, you start creating real impact.Ready to stop shape-shifting and start showing up fully?Explore coaching with Fiona:Work with meConnect with Vicky Ryan:Learn more about Girls Club: http://www.ingirlsclub.com/Vicky's LinkedInConnect with Fiona:Private Coaching: Work with meInstagram: @fionawalshcoachingLinkedIn: Fiona Walsh Coaching