17. Unlearn Hustle Culture + Build a Life Rooted in Joy with Kate Lombardo

In this episode, Katie sits down with yoga teacher, studio owner, and entrepreneur Kate Lombardo for a conversation about redefining success and what it means to work hard. Kate shares her journey from being a traditional classroom teacher to building a life in the wellness space, while confronting the deeply ingrained scarcity mindset that once shaped her relationship to money. A major turning point came in 2008 when her lung unexpectedly collapsed in New York City, forcing her to slow down and reexamine the pace and pressure she had been living under. Drawing from positive psychology principles and her lived experience as both an entrepreneur and now mother, Kate reflects on the mindset shifts that helped her move from financial fear and perfectionism toward a life rooted in joy and meaningful connection. The conversation explores the power of awareness in unlearning inherited beliefs about productivity, the importance of pausing, and the idea that done is often better than perfect. They also discuss: Why joy can be a powerful form of resistance in a hustle-driven culture Kate experiencing a collapsed lung in New York City + what that led to Unlearning the belief that hard work must feel exhausting to be meaningful The role of subconscious work in shifting deeply ingrained patterns Why having basic needs met is foundational for creativity and expansion The difference between awareness and hypervigilance in personal growth work Moving past perfectionism and embracing the idea that done is better than perfect Reframing the mindset from “life happens to me” to “life happens for me” The importance of pausing in a culture that rewards constant motion Why community is a key driver of joy and long-term success A new perspective on leadership as service and collective growth The energetic power of giving back and participating in something larger than yourself Connect: Katie Healy’s Instagram: @katiehealywellness Katie Healy’s Website: katiehealywellness.com Kate Lombardo’s Instagram: @kate.lombardo Empowering Yoga Teachers to Make More Money + Create Sustainable, Long-Lasting Careers: With Rooted Resources: Listen to Pisces Season Playlist Book a birth chart reading with Katie by emailing katiehealywellness@gmail.com (Leave a review for the podcast & get 10% off your reading!) Breathe In, Scream Out is produced by Marielle Marlys.