In this episode of the I Am Self-ish podcast, host Will Wright explores the dynamics of compassion, validation, and the importance of setting boundaries in both relationships and personal life.

He examines how the energy we bring into our acts of service often determines whether we feel fulfilled or drained, and how easily empathy can turn into emotional exhaustion when it lacks boundaries.

Will breaks down Level Four Energy as the space where we finally feel like we are making a difference, but also where the need for validation can quietly take over. He explains that sometimes the reason we give so much isn’t just because we care, but because we want to feel seen or valued in return. When love depends on validation, service starts to cost us more than it gives.

The conversation invites listeners to notice the difference between caring and controlling, and how creating boundaries doesn’t push people away—it protects the heart behind your empathy. True compassion inspires, but compassion without boundaries leads to burnout. Love without limits eventually breaks the person who’s always giving it.

This episode is a reminder that self-care is not selfish. It’s how we sustain our ability to love, serve, and connect with others without losing ourselves in the process.

Memorable insights:“Sometimes the reason you give so much isn’t just because you care.”“When your love depends on validation, your service starts to cost you.”“Boundaries that you create aren’t rejections—they are respect.”“You are tired because you haven’t learned where caring ends and control begins.”

Produced and Edited by Will WrightHost | Certified Life Coach & Stress Management CoachCreator of the I AM SELF-ISH™ Method

📱 646-645-1509

📧 will@iamself-ish.com

🌐 iamself-ish.com

💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/selfish-will

📸 Instagram: @selfish.will

Less Stress, More Choice.

Episode 44 – Better After Baby – I Am Self-ish Podcast

Welcome back to the I AM SELF-ISH™ Podcast—your space to explore the connection between mindset, emotion, and personal growth. I’m your host, Will Wright, certified life coach and stress management expert, here to help you redefine what it means to put yourself first.

Each week, I sit down with thought leaders, change-makers, and everyday people doing extraordinary inner work. Together, we explore the real stories, lessons, and energy shifts that move us from fear and obligation to passion and choice.

In this episode, I’m joined by Tori Whitaker, founder of Better After Baby and a motherhood identity coach helping moms rediscover their strength, confidence, and sense of self at every phase postpartum. Together, we explore how motherhood transforms every aspect of life—and how rediscovery doesn’t mean losing yourself, but coming home to who you are now.

Tori shares her journey from collegiate gymnast and top-performing Equinox trainer to single mom and entrepreneur, blending her real-life experience with proven fitness, mindset, and nutrition strategies. The conversation highlights the power of community, the importance of self-care, and how redefining what “better” means after having children opens the door to true empowerment.

Will and Tori also unpack the mindset shifts that help mothers move beyond survival mode, the myth of “balance,” and how boundaries and vulnerability can deepen connection both at home and within ourselves. Together, they reframe motherhood as an evolution—not a limitation—and remind listeners that self-care is not selfish, it’s essential.

Tori shares her philosophy of AND, not OR, teaching moms they don’t have to choose between motherhood and personal fulfillment. Her approach focuses on building customized systems that fit each woman’s unique life and goals—because motherhood isn’t one-size-fits-all. With honesty and heart, she encourages every mother to embrace abundance, authenticity, and the belief that they can truly be better after baby.

Memorable insights:“Failure is not an option—the simple but profound line that got me through the rebuild, one day at a time.”
“Stick to the plan, not your mood. Habit formation is simple, not easy—but your mood will keep you stagnant.”
“You don’t have to choose between being a mom and being yourself. You can be both. Abundance over here.”

Connect with Tori WhitakerFitness, Nutrition & Mindset Coach | CEO, Better After Baby

📧 torikwhit@gmail.com

📲 203-610-7885

🌐 bebetterafterbaby.com

📸 Instagram: @torikwhit

💼 Facebook & LinkedIn: Tori Whitaker

Better After Baby, Not Instead of Being a Mom.”
Produced and Edited by Will WrightHost | Certified Life Coach & Stress Management CoachCreator of the I AM SELF-ISH™ Method

📱 646-645-1509

📧 will@iamself-ish.com

🌐 iamself-ish.com

💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/selfish-will

📸 Instagram: @selfish.will

Less stress, more choice.

Episode 42 – When I Cry – I Am Self-ish Podcast

In this episode of the I Am Self-ish podcast, host Will Wright explores the significance of crying as a powerful emotional release and a profound form of healing. He reminds listeners that crying is not a sign of weakness but a reflection of strength—an honest connection to our truest selves that allows for emotional clarity and peace.

Will shares personal insights on how tears have helped him process emotions he couldn’t always put into words, revealing how each tear carries a message of relief, truth, and renewal. Crying, he explains, is both spiritual and cleansing—a natural part of being human that restores balance and reconnects us to what matters most.

This episode is an invitation to see crying as a reset button for the soul. It’s emotional hygiene that clears away clutter, teaches compassion, and deepens self-acceptance. Will closes with a powerful reminder that vulnerability is courage, not shame—and that allowing yourself to cry is one of the most authentic expressions of growth and freedom.

Memorable insights:“Crying is not weakness—it’s proof that you still care.”“Every tear carries a message of truth and release.”“Vulnerability isn’t something to hide; it’s how we heal.”

Connect with Will WrightHost | Certified Life Coach & Stress Management CoachCreator of the I AM SELF-ISH™ Method

📱 646-645-1509📧 will@iamself-ish.com

🌐 iamself-ish.com

💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/selfish-will

📸 Instagram: @selfish.will

Episode 41 – Boundaries, Self-Love & Growth – I Am Self-ish Podcast

In this episode of the I Am Self-ish podcast, host Will Wright is joined by psychotherapist Kelly Zemer for a heartfelt and thought-provoking conversation about the deep connection between self-love, boundaries, and personal growth. Together, they explore Kelly’s journey as a therapist, the importance of understanding emotional landscapes, and how societal expectations—especially those surrounding masculinity—can limit authentic self-expression.

The discussion dives into the healing power of boundaries, the role of self-care in addiction recovery, and how open communication builds stronger, more honest relationships. Kelly and Will also reimagine classic fairy tales, such as Cinderella, to illustrate how stories can evolve to reflect self-empowerment and autonomy rather than dependency and rescue.

This episode is a powerful reminder that boundaries aren’t barriers—they’re bridges to deeper connection. True self-love begins with awareness, honesty, and the willingness to care for yourself first.

Memorable insights:“Boundaries can bring people closer together.”“Self-love is not selfish—it’s necessary for growth.”“Open communication is the foundation of emotional freedom.”

Connect with Kelly ZemerPsychotherapist | Coach | Speaker📧 kelly@kellyzemer.com

🌐 kellyzemer.com

📸 Instagram: @kellyzemer

Connect with Will WrightHost | Certified Life Coach & Stress Management CoachCreator of the I AM SELF-ISH™ Method📱 646-645-1509📧 will@iamself-ish.com

🌐 iamself-ish.com

💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/selfish-will

📸 Instagram: @selfish.will

Episode 40 – Level Two Energy: The Conflict Trap – I Am Self-ish Podcast

In this episode of the I Am Self-ish podcast, host Will Wright unpacks the concept of Level Two Energy—an energy state driven by conflict, competition, and a win-lose mindset. He explores how this energy shows up in our everyday lives, from the workplace to our closest relationships, and how it thrives on anger, resentment, and stress overload.

While Level Two Energy can produce short-term results, Will emphasizes the long-term costs: strained relationships, burnout, and a constant cycle of pressure. He explains why recognizing this energy is the first step to change and how shifting away from a win-lose approach opens the door to collaboration, growth, and healthier environments.

Through the lens of the Energy Leadership Index Assessment, listeners are invited to reflect on how much Level Two Energy influences their choices and how they can begin shifting into new possibilities. Will reminds us that while conflict may be common in our culture, it doesn’t have to define us. Living SELF-ISH™ means prioritizing your well-being, managing stress through awareness and choice, and embracing the freedom that comes with alignment.

Memorable insights:
“Level Two Energy fuels conflict but drains connection.”“A win-lose mindset might get results, but it costs you peace.”“Choosing differently creates the space for healthier relationships and growth.”

Connect with Will WrightHost | Certified Life Coach & Stress Management CoachCreator of the I AM SELF-ISH™ Method

646-645-1509📧 will@iamself-ish.com

🌐 iamself-ish.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/selfish-will

Instagram: @selfish.will

Episode 39 – Don’t Be a Bigot-In this episode of the I Am Self-ish podcast, host Will Wright explores the concept of bigotry, defining it as hate disguised as certainty. He unpacks how bigotry is learned through fear, intolerance, and inherited beliefs, and how it shows up in both subtle and overt ways.

Will challenges listeners to recognize bigotry not only in the world around them, but also in their own thoughts and behaviors. Through self-awareness, acceptance, and intentional choices, he offers strategies to dismantle prejudice and foster genuine connection.

The conversation highlights the destructive impact of bigotry on personal relationships, communities, and culture at large. At its core, this episode is a call to growth: to choose courage over fear, compassion over judgment, and connection over division.

Memorable insights:“Bigotry is hate disguised as certainty.”“Fear teaches intolerance, but awareness teaches freedom.”“Change begins when we choose connection over judgment.”

Connect with Will WrightHost | Certified Life Coach & Stress Management CoachCreator of the I AM SELF-ISH™ Method

📱 646-645-1509📧 will@iamself-ish.com

💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/selfish-will

📸 Instagram: @selfish.will

Episode 38 -In this episode of the I Am Self-ish podcast, host Will Wright unpacks the concept of Level One Energy—the mindset of victimhood and stress that quietly sabotages growth and choice.

He explains how this energy shows up in our lives, often disguised as exhaustion, self-doubt, or hopelessness, and how it can silently influence our relationships, health, and personal goals.

Will breaks down the ways Level One Energy keeps people stuck, and why awareness is the first step toward change. By understanding and reframing this energy, we can begin to reclaim our personal power, shift from survival mode into choice, and take meaningful action toward the lives we actually want to live.

This episode is a compassionate yet challenging reminder that you are not powerless—and that every moment offers a new opportunity to choose differently.

Memorable insights:“Level One Energy whispers that you can’t—until you start proving that you can.”“You can’t lead your life from a place where you’ve given up your power.”“Awareness is the first step out of victimhood.”

Connect with Will WrightHost | Certified Life Coach & Stress Management CoachCreator of the I AM SELF-ISH™ Method

📱 646-645-1509📧 will@iamself-ish.com

🌐 iamself-ish.com

💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/selfish-will

Instagram: @selfish.will

Episode 37 – The SELF-ISH Method – I Am Self-ish Podcast

In this episode of the I Am Self-ish podcast, host Will Wright unpacks the profound impact of stress on our lives and introduces his signature coaching framework: The SELF-ISH Method™.

This 12-week program is centered around the Energy Leadership Index (ELI) Assessment, a powerful tool designed to help individuals understand their unique stress patterns and transform their relationship with stress.

Will shares his own journey with stress and how discovering the ELI shifted his perspective from being controlled by stress to choosing how he responds to it. He breaks down the seven levels of energy, illustrating how each level influences our reactions, choices, and overall sense of well-being.

At its core, this episode highlights how the SELF-ISH Method™ helps people move out of survival mode and into intentional living. Will emphasizes that personal growth starts with awareness, and that the power of choice is always available when it comes to leading a life of clarity, freedom, and fulfillment.

Memorable insights:“Stress isn’t just about what happens to you—it’s about how you relate to it.”“Energy shifts everything: your choices, your perspective, your outcomes.”“Growth begins with self-awareness, but it’s sustained through choice.”

Connect with Will WrightHost | Certified Life Coach & Stress Management CoachCreator of the I AM SELF-ISH™ Method📱 646-645-1509📧 will@iamself-ish.com

🌐 iamself-ish.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/selfish-will

Instagram: @selfish.will