I got to sit down with Jennifer Prendergast, LMHC, owner of Placid Soul Counseling, to talk about the messy middle of finding yourself in your 20s and what it really looks like to grow through it.

Jennifer shares her journey from navigating imposter syndrome and early career doubt to building a private practice that actually aligns with her life. We unpack how childhood experiences shape our core beliefs, why attachment styles play out so strongly in relationships, and how to create a more flexible, grace-filled plan for your life.

🔥 Spark Notes Version

• Failure is a sign of growth, not a setback.
• Attachment styles reveal where we still need healing.
• Imposter syndrome is normal — especially when you’re evolving.
• You can change your path without losing your purpose.

👥 Connect with the Guest

Jennifer Prendergast, LMHC

Website: placidsoulcounseling.com

🕓 Episode Chapters

00:00 — Embracing Failure in Your 20s

02:45 — The Journey to Becoming a Therapist

05:23 — Imposter Syndrome and Early Career Challenges

08:04 — Taking the Leap: Starting a Private Practice

10:57 — Navigating Fear and Uncertainty

13:37 — Understanding Clients in Their 20s

16:20 — The Impact of Comparison on Mental Health

19:14 — Identifying Core Beliefs and Patterns

21:55 — The Role of Childhood in Adult Relationships

24:56 — Curiosity Over Judgment in Therapy

27:27 — Attachment Styles and Their Influence

30:22 — The Importance of Self-Reflection

32:07 — Understanding Attachment Styles

34:47 — The Evolution of Attachment Styles

37:23 — Navigating Relationships in Your 20s

42:52 — Becoming More Secure in Relationships

46:40 — The Anxious-Avoidant Dynamic

51:59 — Communicating Needs Effectively

🌿 Work with Samantha

If you’re ready to begin your own healing journey or explore therapy visit:

👉 wellnesshubtherapy.com

Follow along for inspiration, wellness events, and community connection:

🌊 @thewellnesshub.ri

💬 @wellnesshubtherapy

⚠️ Disclaimer

This podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health services.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Ever feel like you’re falling behind in life? Like everyone else is running ahead while you’re stuck in the slow lane?
This episode is your permission slip to breathe. God is not in a rush with your story — and that’s actually really good news. 🕊

We’re unpacking why your waiting season isn’t wasted, how alignment is more powerful than acceleration, and why God might be writing a bestseller with your life.

Good stories take time. And so do the good ones God is writing. 💌

Verses from today's episode:

• Isaiah 30:21

• Ecclesiastes 3:11

• Isaiah 60:22

• Psalm 27:14

DO YOU WANT TO BE BESTIES?! 🎀✨
TikTok: @wellnesswithsam_

Join The Wellness Hub Community

The Biggest Thing Keeping You from Your Goals. Ever feel like you’re so close to reaching your goals, but something keeps holding you back? Spoiler alert: It’s not a lack of motivation, a fancy planner, or the latest wellness trend—it’s consistency. Small, intentional actions can lead to massive results.

I’ll be sharing 3 practical tips to help you build consistency in your daily habits so you can stop starting over and finally see the progress you’ve been craving. 

CAN WE BE BESTIES?! 🎀 ✨

TikTok:⁠ ⁠@wellnesswithsam_ ⁠⁠

Is “Wellness” just diet culture in disguise? If you’ve ever felt guilt around your weight, food, or exercise, this episode is for you. Diet culture can trap us in cycles of shame and restriction, keeping us from truly living our best lives—and for many, it’s the root of disordered eating. Tune in for practical steps to recognize and break free from the diet culture that surrounds you.

DID WE JUST BECOME BEST FRIENDS?! 🎀 ✨

TikTok:⁠ ⁠@wellnesswithsam_ ⁠⁠

5 Habits to cultivate if your goal is to become a Godly woman this year. We dive into what is a proverbs 31 woman, the key habits, as well as how we can apply those into our lives to develop this Godly character.

DID WE JUST BECOME BEST FRIENDS?! 🎀 ✨

TikTok:⁠ ⁠@wellnesswithsam_ ⁠⁠

Losing your spark feels like a big gray cloud is following you around. Nothing excites you anymore. You’re just going through the motions. You feel disconnected from yourself, like something’s missing.

But listen—your spark isn’t gone. It’s just buried. And you can get it back. This time you are going to shine even BRIGHTER.

And in this episode, we’re unpacking practical ways to find that missing piece and reignite your joy. 🔥💫

DID WE JUST BECOME BEST FRIENDS?! 🎀 ✨

TikTok:⁠ ⁠@wellnesswithsam_ ⁠⁠

"You don’t rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your systems.” – James Clear

Today’s episode pulls pointers from the #1 New York Times bestselling book Atomic Habits by James Clear—breaking down how habits are formed, why they stick (or don’t), and how you can create lasting change in your own life.

Healing, growth, and change all begin with small, daily actions. Whether it’s strengthening your faith, improving your mindset, or caring for your body, the habits you build will determine the life you live. If you’ve ever struggled with staying consistent, falling off track, or feeling like your goals are always just out of reach, this episode is for you.

DID WE JUST BECOME BEST FRIENDS?! 🎀 ✨
TikTok: ⁠@wellnesswithsam_ ⁠

Being in your twenties are messy, hard, and full of so many lessons. We are chatting heartbreak, comparison, optimizing your health, and so much more. This is the big sis episode that you need to hear this week 🫶

Your beginners guide to CRUSH your weight loss goals and keep the weight off! Let’s chat about habits to start right now if you want to step into the healthier & more vibrant version of you. No more excuses, we have goals to get after!!!

Habits & Healing Ep 11

About the Series: Habits & Healing is a mini series on the Get Out of Your Own Way show. When life shatters us, it creates the perfect opportunity to peer into the cracks of who we are and practice self-reflection. Habits give us the structure we need to heal because they shape our daily lives and lead us toward wholeness. Healing takes intention and consistency, which habits help us build. Together, habits and healing help us grow and rebuild into a stronger version of ourselves.

DID WE JUST BECOME BEST FRIENDS?! 🎀 ✨

TikTok: @wellnesswithsam_

How to be alone and feel OKAY. If being alone feels scary to you, THIS IS FOR YOU. Spending time by yourself doesn’t have to feel lonely—it can actually be empowering. Learning to enjoy your own company unlocks a whole new level of personal growth 🔓 Let’s turn what feels scary into an opportunity to connect with yourself on a deeper level 💛

New year, new you?! Will this finally be the year that you GET OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY?! Today we are not messing around, we are cutting right to the good stuff with the TOP 3 things you need to STOP doing if you want this to be YOUR YEARRRR! You deserve the best that God has to offer and you are so WORTHY of it!

LETS BE FRIENDS ON SOCIAL! 🎀🪄

TIKTOK: @wellnesswithsam_

IG: @wellnesswithsam_

JOIN THE FREE WOMEN'S WELLNESS COMMUNITY  HERE 🌿🤸🏾🥑🎧🩷🫧

https://www.twhonline.com/join

Are you ready for a breakthrough in 2025?! ✨ It's time to embrace new beginnings and let go of your old self. One of the biggest challenges we face is staying stuck in our past, holding onto the things that no longer serve us, and missing the beautiful opportunities waiting ahead.

You have the power to decide your future, step into your purpose, and release the weight of 2024. 💭📖🎇🕊️

Tune in to this episode of our new series Habits & Healing as we explore:

• Why letting go is essential for growth.
• Practical steps to release old habits, hurts, and beliefs.
• How to create space for the life you truly desire in 2025.

Break free from your past and welcome the breakthrough waiting for you.

#Healing #LettingGo #PersonalGrowth #Forgiveness #Gratitude #NewYear

hey heyyyy it’s my birthdayyyyy 🥳 🎂 grateful to take another lap around the sun, so in honor of that I thought it would be fitting to share my TOP 25 HABITS by 25 that make me an overall better human 🥹 thanks for being on this crazy ride that we call life my friends! Here’s to 26 🫶🏼

How to deal with disappointment, frustration and unmet expectations when life feels like it keeps throwing you curveballs. Growing and learning skills in the ability to heal from setbacks is one of the most courageous and brave things you can do.

Whether you are new to your faith or maybe you have been walking with the Lord for a while but your flame is dull, focusing on your habits can lead to a deeper relationship with God. Remember, when you are feeling far away from God– He isn’t the one who has moved. Share this episode with someone who is on your heart today 🫶🏼 ILY ALL

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! …right? Mental health, Body Image/Diet Culture, and experiencing hard seasons during the holidays is what we are talking about in this episode of Habits & Healing. I hope this blesses and encourages you to take on the month ahead 🎄🧣☃️

Today we are talking boundaries-- do they matter, where to begin, and even asking "are they biblical??" Boundaries can seem like an abstract concept with no roadmap to implementing them in our daily lives. If you feel like there are areas in your life that have gotten a bit chaotic, listen or add this to your library for later! 📌

Let's talk heartbreak ❤️‍🩹 we are exploring the relationship between healing from what hurt you while creating new habits to come out of the other side of this better than you could ever imagine. If you or someone you know is in this season of heartbreak and hurt, please don't pass this by today. GET YOUR POWER BACK!

We are diving into new series titled 'Habits in Healing.' We will discuss the intertwined themes of healing and habit formation, emphasizing the importance of addressing both in personal growth.

Takeaways

• Healing is a continuous journey that requires self-awareness.
• Investing in platonic relationships can foster healing.
• Building a routine that serves you is crucial for personal growth.
• Setting personal goals helps maintain focus during healing.
• Protecting your peace is essential for emotional well-being.
• Journaling can aid in processing emotions and tracking progress.
• Giving yourself grace is important during setbacks.
• Therapy and coaching can provide valuable support in healing.
• Surrendering control to a higher power can bring peace.
• Physical movement is vital for emotional processing and healing.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Habits in Healing

04:37 Launching Your Healing Journey

10:19 Building Healthy Relationships

16:27 Creating a Supportive Environment

19:28 Surrendering to Faith and Movement