Show notes
* New * Valora - Your AI Business Coach Turn the wisdom from this episode into practical actions for your business in minutes. Click here now to access the tool How to Break Free from the Good Girl Cage Have you ever ticked all the boxes of success — career, family, achievements — yet felt a quiet voice inside whispering "this isn't really me"? That's the cage many ambitious women find themselves in: invisible, self-imposed, and often built from years of people-pleasing and perfectionism. In this episode of The Brilliant Business Book Festival, I'm excited to be joined by Katia Vlachos, reinvention coach and author of the book, Uncaged. Katia shares how she broke free from her own "good girl" conditioning and how you can begin dismantling your own bars … one choice at a time. This episode is a must-listen if you've ever felt stuck, small, or secretly craving a life that feels more like your own. Prefer to WATCH instead of read? https://www.youtube.com/@melittacampbell "Breaking free doesn't make life harder — it makes everything feel more natural, aligned, and effortless." – Katia Vlachos The Cage We Don't See For Katia, the "good girl" cage began in childhood: saying 'Yes' when really she wanted to say 'No!', striving for approval, and sacrificing her own needs to meet others' expectations. And yet, as she explains, cages aren't external — they live in our minds. The longer we stay inside them, the more natural they feel. Why We Stay Stuck Katia identifies three main fears that keep women caged: Fear of the unknown: "Do I really have what it takes?" Fear of failure: "What if I lose everything I've built?" "What will people think?" Fear of disappointing others: "What will people think?" But she reminds us that reinvention doesn't mean burning everything down. It's often about building a bridge from where you are now to where you long to be. "You don't have to be a 'good girl' or a 'bad girl' — you get to be your girl, living by your own rules and values." – Katia Vlachos The First Step Toward Freedom Awareness is always the beginning. Katia calls it "noticing the bars of your invisible cage." And the signs are there once you stop and tune into how you feel. For example, your clues might be the discomfort of agreeing to something that doesn't feel right, or the guilt that surfaces when you prioritise yourself. From there, the key question becomes: What do I want instead? Even if it feels hard to answer, that's where freedom begins. The Power of Support Breaking free isn't something you have to do alone. Katia encourages finding even one person who truly sees you and supports your reinvention. As she shares, being witnessed — whether in a coaching relationship, a women's circle, or a trusted friendship — is a powerful catalyst for transformation. Life Beyond the Cage Freedom doesn't look like rebellion. It looks like an alignment. Katia describes life beyond the cage as more natural and flowing. Decisions feel lighter. Visibility becomes less daunting. And self-compassion acts as the net that makes risk-taking possible, because even if you stumble, you know you'll have your own back. A Final Thought to Reflect On You don't need a dramatic turning point to step into your next chapter. Often, it starts with the smallest moments of awareness, followed by one brave choice. So ask yourself: Where might you already be holding the keys to your own cage? Want to explore what this could look like for you? Learn more about the ways you can work with Melitta Campbell to uncover your Value Sweet Spot to market, sell and grow your business confidently, and always on your terms. Working with Melitta About Katia Katia Vlachos is a reinvention coach and bestselling author of "Uncaged: A Good Girl's Journey to Reinvention," a memoir which explores the themes of breaking free from social conditioning, making bold choices, and reclaiming one's authentic self. Through her coaching, writing, and speaking, Katia is passionate about supporting women to identify and dismantle their mental "cages" and design fulfilling, uncaged lives that reflect who they are. Currently based in Zurich, Katia has spent 30 years as an expat and is a global mobility expert. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Financial Times, Harvard Business Review, The Telegraph, Forbes, BBC Radio and many media outlets globally. Read Katia's Book: Uncaged Listen to Katia's Audio Confessions: The Good girl Recovery Roadmap More About The Uncaged Mastermind: The Uncaged Method Connect with Katia Website LinkedIn About Your Host, Melitta Campbell Melitta Campbell is an award-winning business coach, TEDx speaker, author of A Shy Girl's Guide to Networking and founder of the Value Whispering Circle Through her Value WhisperingTM Blueprint, she helps introverted female entrepreneurs build quietly impactful businesses that grow through clarity, trust, and alignment. Learn more about working with Melitta here Loved this episode? Turn your Insight into Action with Valora Valora is the podcast's new AI Business Coach. Answer three short questions and she'll translate your responses into simple, practical actions you can take this week to grow your business. Click here now to access Valora You May Also Enjoy... The Business of Stories How to Raise Your Visibility on LinkedIn Get a PhD in You: A Course in Miraculous Self-Discovery The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea The Common Path To Uncommon Success The Introverted Leader: Building on Your Quiet Strength More Podcast Episodes