The Guilt of Prioritizing Yourself—And Why You NEED to Let Go of It
In this episode of the Get Sculpted podcast, learn how to prioritize yourself without guilt and why putting yourself first is essential for busy women.
"I feel like a shell of myself," confessed one of our clients, a successful executive and mother of three who hadn't taken a proper breath in years. Her story mirrors that of thousands of women who have mastered the art of prioritizing everyone but themselves. What if learning how to put yourself first wasn't selfish but the most generous gift you could give your family?
In this episode, we discuss the mindset shifts and practical steps needed to prioritize yourself without feeling guilty. We explore the social conditioning that makes women feel selfish for taking care of themselves, reveal the physical and emotional toll of chronic self-neglect, and share our personal journeys (therapy insights included!) of learning to put ourselves first. Whether you're a mom, career woman, or both, these strategies will help you transform your approach to self-care.
Here’s what we cover:
Why your "care meter" might be dialed too high and the surprising mindset shift that transforms guilt into empowerment when you prioritize yourself.
The hidden physical consequences of running on empty that nobody talks about (hint: your body will eventually force you to slow down).
Why being "a shell of a person" actually makes you a less effective mother, partner, and professional, and how to flip this narrative.
The practical "CEO of your life" strategy that successful women use to make self-care non-negotiable (even with packed family schedules).
How to train your "boundary-setting muscle" without feeling like you're letting everyone down.
Remember, prioritizing yourself isn't just a one-time decision; it's a daily practice that becomes easier with time, support, and the right mindset shifts. As we often tell our clients, you don't need a permission slip to claim your space at the top of your priority list—you're already worthy of that care.
The burn you're feeling is burnout. You're miserable, and you're getting little to no results. And that's because you don't need hours in the gym to transform your body.
-Coach Marilynn
What's one small way you could prioritize yourself in the next 24 hours? Join our conversation on Instagram at @GetSculpted.ca and share your self-care commitment—we'd love to celebrate your first steps toward putting yourself first and connect you with our community of women who are on a similar journey.
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This podcast is brought to you in partnership with Leah Bryant Co.
More about the Get Sculpted Podcast
Welcome to Get Sculpted, the podcast designed for women ready to transform their bodies and level up their lives with science-based strategies and actionable advice.
We dive into the essentials of fat loss, muscle building, and metabolism optimization by helping you work smarter, not harder.
This isn’t about quick fixes or fad diets; it’s about creating sustainable habits and stacking wins. We’ll help you fuel your body, strengthen your mindset, and build your 2.0 sculpted self from the inside out.
We’re your hosts, Jordanna, Marilynn, and Tijana. We have over 20 years of collective experience in the training, nutrition, and body transformation business, with over 1000 transformations and counting.
Ready to get stronger, more empowered, and embrace a healthier, more resilient you? Join us every week and start sculpting the life you deserve!
The unedited podcast transcript for this episode of the Get Sculpted podcast follows:
We’re flipping the script on what it means to take care of yourself—and why it’s not just a “nice to have,” it’s a need to have. Here's what we unpack:
Why We Feel Guilty Putting Ourselves First
From a young age, women are taught to be the nurturers.We're praised for how much we give to others—so it's no wonder we feel guilty when we try to give anything to ourselves.
But here's the truth: when you constantly put yourself last, you're sending a message (to yourself and others) that you don’t matter as much. And that builds over time.
The Real Cost of Burnout
Marilynn gets real about what burnout can feel like:You become a shell of who you were.
Resentment builds toward the people you love most.
You may feel like you’re just surviving your life, not living it.
Physical symptoms show up: brain fog, digestive issues, tension headaches. And if ignored, your body will eventually force you to slow down.
As Jordanna shared, prioritizing everything like it’s an “emergency” puts your health and mental clarity at serious risk. Your body will eventually call your bluff.
You’re Not a Bad Mom for Taking 20 Minutes for Yourself
From snacks before serving dinner to early morning workouts—putting your needs first isn’t neglectful. It’s a way of modeling self-respect, boundaries, and sustainable care to your family."Behaviors are caught, not taught." – Coach T
And as Marilynn says: “No one’s coming with a permission slip to tell you it’s time to take care of yourself. You have to claim it.”
How to Actually Start Putting Yourself First
Here are 4 practical ways to start prioritizing YOU:Start small.
Take 10–20 minutes each day for yourself. Go for a walk, do a workout, journal, or just sit in silence.
Put it in your calendar.
Treat your self-care like a meeting with your boss. It's non-negotiable. If it’s in the calendar, it happens.
Set boundaries—even if it’s uncomfortable.
Say “no” when needed. Protect your time. Remember: guilt is a signal, not a stop sign. It gets easier the more you practice.
Get support.
Whether it’s a coach, a best friend, or a therapist (shoutout to all the therapists shaping us!), having someone in your corner makes all the difference.
Our Biggest Takeaways
Marilynn: You don’t have to earn the right to take care of yourself. Prioritizing you makes everything else easier.Tijana: You’re the CEO of your life. Pay yourself first. Everything else benefits from that decision.
Jordanna: Putting yourself first isn’t selfish—it’s essential. The sooner you embrace that, the sooner guilt will fall away and progress can begin.
If this episode resonated with you, send us a DM and let us know your biggest takeaway. And if you’re ready to stop surviving and start thriving—we’re here to help you take that first step. 💪
Thanks for being with us. You are worth the time, the effort, and the space you take up.
We’ll see you next time on Get Sculpted. 💛