86. Achievement As A Coping Mechanism with Lena Fein

JOIN OUR ONLINE SECRETS CLUB. SIGN UP HERE FOR MORE INFO. https://powerfulwomenusa.com/online-clubWhat if your success wasn’t just ambition, but survival?In this episode of Secrets of Powerful Women, host Jill Conway sits down with Lena Fein, author of Shattering the Mirror, to explore a powerful and often hidden truth, that high achievement, perfectionism, and overperformance can be rooted in trauma.Lena shares her journey from a high-performing career in tech to a deeper understanding of how her drive was shaped by early life experiences. Raised in a difficult environment, she learned to excel as a way to gain control, validation, and safety.This conversation is especially important for women in business, midlife women, leaders, and high achievers who may not realize the emotional cost of constantly striving.We talk about what happens when success becomes a coping mechanism, why so many women struggle to slow down, and what it really takes to redefine success later in life.How perfectionism and high achievement can be survival strategiesThe hidden emotional cost of overperformanceWhy high-achieving women often feel pressure, even after successThe connection between trauma, control, and productivityHow to begin redefining success in midlifeWhat it means to reconnect with who you are beyond your accomplishmentsIf you are a woman who has always pushed yourself to succeed, this episode may change how you see your journey.Follow the podcast for me, Secrets of Powerful Women, on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Follow me here for more.high achieving women, perfectionism, trauma response, women in business, burnout women, overachiever mindset, midlife women, personal growth, emotional healing, redefining success, women empowerment, Secrets of Powerful Women