Hi guys! Welcome to episode 623 of the wildly successful lifestyle podcast! I’m Heidi, your host, and if you’re new here, twice a week I publish 10-15 minute episodes to remind us that life is supposed to be good and we control more than we think right in our very own head. It’s a good thing to know so keep hanging. I’m glad you’re here.
So, a dear friend sent Eric, my husband, this video the other day, it was so good. It was talking about how CEOs of big companies get all the credit when things go great, right? The stock soars, profits roll in, and everyone’s like, “Wow, that leader is a genius!” But flip the script: when the company tanks, who takes the heat? That same CEO. Because ultimately, they’re responsible for everything that happens under their watch—the hires, the decisions, the culture, all of it.
And then the video drops this gem: we don’t think about it this way, but each of us is the CEO of our own life. If someone’s on their deathbed and they can look back and say, “I’ve lived a good, happy, successful life,” that’s on them. They steered the ship. But the opposite is true too—if things feel off-track, unfulfilled, or just plain stuck, well, that’s on us as well. We’re in charge of the trajectory of our lives. Even if we veer off our ultimate path—and let’s be real, we all do at some point—it’s our job to course-correct in the best way we know how. That’s what it means to be the CEO of your own life.
I love this analogy because it flips the switch from victim mode to boss mode. No more blaming the economy, your boss, or that one bad breakup from five years ago. You’re the one calling the shots.
But here’s where society loves to trip us up. We’re bombarded with messages that say, “Oh, it’s not your fault.” It’s like a get-out-of-jail-free card for personal responsibility. I saw this video where Oprah was on a show—yeah, the Oprah, queen of inspiration—and she said something that made me hit rewind three times to make sure I heard it right. She was talking about her own struggles with weight, and she said it was such a relief to realize she wasn’t obese because she overate; no, she overate because she was obese. Basically, if you carry the “obesity gene,” it’s not your fault that you overeat.
My jaw dropped. I mean, Oprah’s got credibility for days—she’s built an empire on empowerment. But in that moment, I thought, “How many people out there, grinding away on their diets, counting macros, hitting the gym, just lost all their motivation?” Because here’s this icon telling them, “Hey, it’s genetic. Nothing you can do.” I couldn’t believe how disempowering that must have felt for so many folks. Like, why bother if it’s all predetermined?
Don’t get me wrong—I get that genetics play a role in everything from metabolism to mood. Science backs that up. But handing over the reins entirely? Nah. That’s like saying, “I’m not successful because I didn’t win the lottery gene.” We all have hurdles, but as CEOs, we decide how to jump them. Maybe you need extra support—a coach, a community, or tweaking your approach—but owning it? That’s where the magic happens.
I’m 52. I remember being in my 40’s and hearing doctors and women talking about menopause and saying “I’ve tried everything theres nothing I can do I just gain weight”. I have worried about that for a while. Seriously worried about it. But I don’t just roll into menopause saying well guess gaining weight is my lot in life. No, I am trying to get ahead of it by cleaning everything up and adding workouts and runs and being very careful about my nutrition and so far so good. I’ve actually lost weight. We don’t have to pay attention to what everyone else says. We have to take responsibility for what we do and what we think.
Think about your own life right now. Where are you playing the blame game? Is it your health? “I can’t lose weight because my job’s too stressful.” Or relationships? “I keep picking the wrong partners because of my childhood.” Or career? “I hate my job, but the market’s tough.” As CEO, you get to rewrite those narratives. Stressful job? Time to set boundaries or pivot. Bad relationship patterns? Maybe dig into working on yourself so that you know your worth. Maybe it’s a Tough market? Upskill or network like your future depends on it—because it does.
You aren’t alone. Most of us have these push and pulls of life on a regular basis and that’s ok and very normal. Why do you think mindset guys like Tony Robbin’s talks about them so much. They are so helpful when it comes to life’s ups and downs. I remember one of the first things Tony had us do years ago was a life audit. Jot down in a journal or your notes app, the key “departments” of your life: health, finances, relationships, career, personal growth. Rate them on a scale of 1-10. Where are things thriving? Celebrate that—you’re killing it as CEO there. Where’s it lagging? Brainstorm three actionable steps to turn it around. No vague stuff like “eat better.” Make it CEO-level: “Meal prep three healthy dinners a week starting Sunday.”
Another thing Tony and others like him talk about ALOT is peer group. Who you hang with matters. So when you’re CEO you want to surround yourself with a killer board of directors. That’s your inner circle—friends, mentors, even podcasts like this one—who challenge you and cheer you on. My little sister Molly is on the board and she’s awesome when it comes to encouraging gym time and yoga. Eric too—he’s my co-CEO in life. Dont let the naysayers who feed the “not your fault” theory, they mean well but they are crippling your power.
Finally view failure as simply feedback. CEOs don’t quit when a product flops; they iterate. Same could be with you. Bombed that presentation? What can you learn? Gained back those five pounds? Adjust the strategy, don’t ditch the goal. Remember, progress isn’t linear—it’s about consistent course corrections. We’re all gonna have them.
And look I know not everyone’s starting from the same place. Life trauma, health issues—they’re real barriers. But even there, being CEO means maximizing what you can control. I think of people like J.K. Rowling, who wrote Harry Potter on welfare as a single mom, or Oprah herself, who overcame massive odds but still owned her journey. It’s not about ignoring the headwinds; it’s about adjusting your sails.
One more thing on that Oprah clip—it’s a reminder to question even our heroes. Credibility doesn’t mean infallibility. I’ve learned that the hard way. Early in my wellness journey, I followed every guru out there, buying into quick fixes. But when I stepped up as CEO, I started vetting advice: Does this empower me or excuse me? If it’s the latter, swipe left.
For you listening, if you’re battling something like weight or any habit, know this: genes might load the gun, but lifestyle pulls the trigger. You’ve got more power than you think. Start small—celebrate your wins, forgive the slips, and keep moving forward.
Being the CEO of your life isn’t about perfection; it’s about purpose. It’s waking up knowing you’re in the driver’s seat, making choices that align with your vision. Whether that’s building a thriving family, crushing your fitness goals, or launching that side hustle, own it all—the highs, the lows, the pivots.
Share this with three people who you believe in. I love you guys, I’ll talk to you in a few days.
