NYT Bestselling Author Marie Forleo on Burnout, Taking a Break & Starting Over

Are you feeling stuck? Maria Sharapova sits down with New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur, and life coach Marie Forleo to discuss building a successful life and career on your own terms. Together they unpack what it takes to overcome self-doubt and how to navigate life's biggest transitions.

Maria and Marie explore the importance of trusting your intuition, managing distractions, and finding the courage to reinvent yourself at any stage of life. Marie also opens up about her nontraditional path to success and how personal challenges led to her taking a five-month sabbatical after 25 years in business.

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CHAPTERS:

• 00:00 — Introduction: Meet Marie Forleo

• 01:25 — "Clarity Comes from Engagement, Not Thought": The 10-Year Test

• 04:15 — Taking the First Step: Joining Broadway Dance Center in Her 20s

• 06:05 — Fear of Failure vs. Fear of Success: Overcoming Mindset Blocks

• 08:15 — Feedback as Freedom

• 09:30 — Starting Out at 23: From Wall Street to Life Coaching

• 11:45 — The Fork in the Road: Choosing Life Coaching Over Vogue

• 15:45 — Flipping the Script: Replacing Negative Self-Talk

• 19:25 — "I Can't" vs. "I Won't": Getting Honest with Yourself

• 22:00 — Hustling with Integrity: Side Gigs and Financial Independence

• 24:30 — Understanding Your Risk DNA: All-In vs. Day-Job Entrepreneurs

• 27:30 — Bootstrapping, Freedom, and Defining Success on Your Own Terms

• 29:45 — Finding the Right Support: When and How to Hire Help

• 31:40 — Red Flags to Watch Out for When Choosing a Coach

• 33:30 — Cutting Through the Noise: Stillness Practices and Social Media Limits

• 39:15 — Multi-Passionate Focus: Managing Seasons of Exploration vs. Execution

• 42:45 — Marie's 5-Month Sabbatical: Depletion, Healing, and Listening to Your Soul

46:30 — Pretty Tough Questions: Unlearning Growth at All Costs

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About Pretty Tough

Pretty Tough is the weekly interview podcast hosted by five-time Grand Slam champion, entrepreneur, and bestselling author Maria Sharapova. Each week, Maria sits down with founders, CEOs, athletes, creatives, investors, and other high achievers for candid conversations about leadership, ambition, decision-making, performance, entrepreneurship, wellness, and building exceptional careers.Drawing from her own experience at the highest levels of sport and business, Maria explores what it really takes to succeed—from navigating failure and reinvention to scaling companies, leading teams, and pursuing excellence over the long term.

About Maria Sharapova

Maria Sharapova is a five-time Grand Slam champion, former World No. 1 tennis player, entrepreneur, investor, bestselling author, and one of the most recognizable athletes of her generation. Since retiring from professional tennis, she has built businesses, invested in consumer, technology, and lifestyle companies, and become a respected voice on leadership, performance, and entrepreneurship.

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