Claim OwnershipAmbition Without Compromise
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© 2025 Ambition Without Compromise
Description
Ambition Without Compromise is the space where powerhouse women of color — with a special heart for Black mothers and future mothers — come to redefine success on their own terms.
Hosted by Monique R. Shields, executive coach, entrepreneur, and mentor to women at the highest levels of leadership, this podcast dives into the real challenges women face when juggling bold professional pursuits with the responsibilities of being present partners, mothers, and whole, healthy individuals.
Through honest conversations and powerful stories, you’ll gain insights on:
- Balancing ambition and freedom without burnout
- Crafting sustainable work-life integration
- Protecting your mental and emotional well-being
- Building intentional communities and seeking mentorship for growth
Whether you're scaling your business, stepping into a higher leadership role, or simply seeking clarity about what success means now, this show offers the tools and stories to help you thrive without compromise.
Follow Monique wherever you listen to podcasts and step into a world where ambition and joy can coexist.
70 Episodes
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Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback! This week's episode is all about confidence! After months of reflection, Monique shares her insights on why we must prioritize optimizing for confidence in a world that often undermines it. Through relatable scenarios from her coaching practice, Monique illustrates how fear and uncertainty can hold us back from pursuing our true potential. She emphasizes the importance of community and support in building confidence, highlighting how ...
Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback! In this deeply personal episode, Monique opens up about her recent struggles with visibility, purpose, and the weight of societal turmoil. After a series of engaging guest interviews, she reflects on her own journey, feeling speechless and overwhelmed by the state of the world. Monique shares her experiences of grappling with inner turmoil while maintaining her coaching practice and supporting her family. As she confronts feelings of ...
Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback! In this week's episode, join Monique as she shares her inspiring journey from side hustler to executive coach. Monique takes us on a journey through her recent conversation with Nicaila Matthews Okome on the Side Hustle Pro podcast. Together, they dive into Monique's career trajectory, from her time at Spelman College to her evolution as an executive coach, and the lessons learned along the way. Tune in to gain insights into th...
Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback! In this week's episode, Monique welcomes Danielle Bayard Jackson, a relational health educator, to discuss the complexities of female friendships, particularly for ambitious women of color. Throughout the conversation, they unpack the three affinities that strengthen female friendships: symmetry, support, and secrecy. Danielle emphasizes the importance of reciprocity and vulnerability, encouraging listeners to embrace their need...
Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback! How do you dress for the life and legacy you actually want? In this powerful and personal episode, Monique is joined by costume designer, educator, and style visionary Pamela Shepherd, as they unpack what it really means to show up in your full presence. From dressing bodies to shaping identities, Pamela reveals how style becomes a strategy for visibility, authority, and self-reinvention, especially for Black women in leadership. Tune...
Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback! Reflecting on her time at the ROI Millionaire Summit, Monique shares the profound inspiration she gained from connecting with like-minded individuals dedicated to closing the wealth gap for marginalized communities. As she transitions from the empowering atmosphere of the summit back to the harsh realities of the world, Monique grapples with feelings of guilt and confusion about her role in the larger scheme of things. Join in as she ...
Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback! Tune in as Dené Logan joins Monique to explore the dynamics of feminine and masculine energy and how they impact our relationships and personal growth. They explore how these dynamics shape our identities, relationships, and ambitions in a world that often demands we suppress our true selves. As high-achieving women, we often find ourselves caught between the demands of our professional lives and the yearning for personal fulfil...
Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback! What if the key to unlocking your future self lies in how you treat her today? In this inspiring episode, Monique introduces the transformative concept of embodying your future self right now. Drawing from a powerful talk by Hal Hirschfeld, she explores the importance of developing a relationship with your future self and how this connection can guide your actions today. Monique challenges the common notion of 'winning tomorrow ...
Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback! In this week's episode, Monique tackles the complex relationship between risk and ambition, especially for women of color. Through compelling stories she illustrates the emotional turmoil that can accompany the pursuit of dreams and the importance of acknowledging and processing those feelings. She also emphasizes the power of self-awareness and creativity in overcoming fear and finding clarity in uncertain times. Join in to dis...
Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback! What if the version of leadership that got you here is the very thing keeping you stuck? It’s time to grow and expand—not so you can carry more, but so you can finally live out your dream without the weight that’s been holding you back. Join Monique as she speaks directly to high-achieving women like you—navigating the tension between your professional obligations and your personal ambitions. This isn’t about finding another tactic or...
Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback! 👆🏾 TEXT ME for more on CLAIMED™ - Group Coaching Experience For Black Mothers in Leadership Feeling overwhelmed by your ambitions? It's time for a mindset shift! Join Monique as she dives into the struggles many ambitious women face as they juggle multiple responsibilities and aspirations. She explores the metaphor of spinning plates and overflowing buckets to illustrate the challenge of managing multiple identities—mothe...
Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback! In this deeply personal episode, Monique shares the behind-the-scenes story of her biggest self-investments—from surprise trips and $15K coaching programs to community spaces that changed everything. She walks us through the fears, mindset shifts, and identity upgrades that come with choosing yourself. As busy ambitious women, we don't have time to piece together every self-help book and DIY our way to transformation. You don’t have t...
Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback! Are you feeling overwhelmed and overworked? In our latest episode, Monique explores the transformative power of rest and how it can revolutionize your productivity. Drawing inspiration from a recent gathering of high-achieving Black women, she addresses the overwhelming exhaustion that often accompanies leadership roles, motherhood, and societal pressures. Monique also introduces seven actionable steps to help us combat overwhelm and ...
Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback! Motherhood is a transformative journey that ambitious women in leadership find themselves contemplating. For many, the thought of becoming a mother can evoke feelings of fear and uncertainty. How will this new role affect my professional impact? Will I lose my sense of self? These are common concerns, and in this episode, Monique addresses them head-on, offering insights and encouragement for those navigating this complex decision. &n...
Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback! This week's episode dives into self-love and transformation! Join Monique as she discusses the importance of recognizing your worth and embracing your true self. Inspired by a profound coaching conversation with a client, she explores the concept of being "low maintenance" and its detrimental effects on women, particularly women of color. Monique unpacks the societal pressures that lead us to minimize our needs and accomplishmen...
Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback! Is the pursuit of success weighing you down? In this episode, Monique uncovers how ambition can sometimes come at the cost of our deepest dreams. Listen in as she shares compelling stories of women balancing leadership, motherhood, and personal fulfillment. Through the lens of the 'Giver,' the 'Grinder,' and the 'Pleaser,' she reveals how these identities shape our paths—both fueling and restricting us. Tune in to learn how to break f...
Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback! In today's fast-paced world, the pressure to conform to a certain image of success can be overwhelming. Many of us are familiar with the archetype of the "4am CEO," a figure that embodies relentless ambition and productivity. But what happens when this pursuit of success starts to overshadow our true selves? In this week's episode, Monique dives into the journey of identity evolution and the fears that accompany significant life...
Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback! Are you standing at the edge of a new chapter, feeling the pull of transformation, yet held back by invisible barriers? Join Monique as she uncovers the secrets to navigating identity shifts and breaking free from the self-doubt that keeps us stuck. Explore the thought-provoking questions that often paralyze progress, like 'Am I truly capable?' and 'Is this the right moment?' Through fresh insights and actionable strategies, Mon...
Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback! In this episode, Monique shares her personal process for annual reflection, offering insights into how she evaluates the past year and sets intentions for the year ahead with clarity and purpose. Tune in to discover how embracing feminine energy and becoming more emotionally available can transform your approach to goal setting and personal growth. As you listen to this episode, you'll be inspired to reflect on your own journey ...
Text Monique directly! Share thoughts, feels or feedback! Welcome 2025 with us as we celebrate our 50th podcast episode! 🎉 Join Monique as she reflects on the top five episodes—ranked by downloads and impact—exploring themes like embracing change, prioritizing well-being, and balancing humanity with wealth. Monique also shares exciting news about her upcoming speaking engagement at Rachel Rogers' ROI Millionaire Summit, a conference aimed at empowering marginalized identities to achiev...
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I swear God and the ancestors be conspiring. The themes of belonging and thriving were part of my morning mediation. I was looking for a 30 minute podcast episode to do my afternoon walk. I started listening to another of my saved podcasts. My spirit said, "that's not it." This episode found me when I needed to hear it and spoke to my soul. #Thriving #GivingToTheRichMe #InMyself #Unleashed