What if I told you that hustle culture is actually keeping you from the very success you’re chasing?

We’ve been told that burning the midnight oil, sacrificing rest, and saying yes to everything is what it takes to “make it” in business. But in reality, that’s just toxic hustle culture talking - and it’s stealing your joy, your health, and your freedom.

In this episode, I’m sharing my personal story of how the “grind or die” rule shaped my identity as a business owner, why it doesn’t work (especially for women), and how I finally started working with my personal energy instead of against it. This isn’t about doing more, it’s about honoring your cycles, protecting your energy in business, and building something that feels like true sustainable work - not survival.

Here’s what you’ll hear inside this episode:

• Why hustle culture taught us to wear overwork like a badge - and the moment I realized I had just bought myself another job instead of building freedom.
• The hidden ways toxic hustle culture shows up in women-run businesses, and why it was never designed for us in the first place.
• How ignoring your personal energy leads to burnout, resentment, and exhaustion - and why tuning into your natural rhythms can change everything.
• A new rule for how to manage your energy in business daily, weekly, and even seasonally - so you stop forcing productivity and start creating flow.
• Practical shifts that turn constant grind into truly sustainable work, giving you back time, joy, and permission to actually rest.
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This episode is your reminder that you don’t have to prove yourself by running on empty. You can succeed by respecting your humanity, honoring your cycles, and letting your personal energy be the guide for how you show up in business.

This week’s reflection: What’s one new way you can work or rest to honor your personal energy in business this week? DM me on Instagram @katyripp and tell me.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Blog Post: Rule 1: The Grind or Die Rule – and Why We’re Quitting the Game

The Grove

Female Founders Collective Meetups - Join us for FREE!

CONNECT WITH KATY RIPP:

Website: www.katyripp.com

Instagram: @katyripp

Pinterest: @katyripp

Facebook: @katy.ripp

You know it as well as I do: hustle culture is toxic.

We’ve been told that if we just work harder, say yes to everything, and keep it “professional,” that’s how to build a business that lasts. But here’s the truth - I followed all those rules, and it left me exhausted, disconnected, and wondering if the problem was me. Spoiler: it wasn’t. The problem was the old playbook that was never designed for women run businesses.

In this week’s kickoff to Season 2 of #ActuallyICan, I’m breaking down exactly why the old rules don’t fit anymore and what it looks like to finally throw them out. If you’re ready to redefining success, stop playing small, and learn how to build a business on your own terms, this episode is going to feel like a breath of fresh air.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• The surprising origin of the “rules” we’ve been taught to follow in business - and why hustle culture is toxic when applied to women balancing creativity, caregiving, and leadership
• The moment I realized checking every box of the old playbook wasn’t how to build a business that felt fulfilling - and what I did instead
• Why trying to please everyone actually dulls your spark and keeps you from creating the women run business you’ve been dreaming of
• The sneaky rules you might still be carrying (like don’t talk about money, grind harder, or keep it shiny) and how they hold you back from truly redefining success
• What this new season is all about: supporting you to build your business in a way that finally feels like it was written for you

Now I want to hear from you: What outdated rule are YOU done following? Send me a DM on Instagram @katyripp and tell me, “Katy, the rule I’m ditching is…”

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

The Grove

Female Founders Collective Meetups - Join us for FREE!

Blog Post: Why the Old Playbook Doesn’t Work for Us

CONNECT WITH KATY RIPP:

Website: www.katyripp.com

Instagram: @katyripp

Pinterest: @katyripp

Facebook: @katy.ripp

Are you running your business like you still have a boss?

If you’re still clinging to a rigid 9-to-5 mindset, it’s time to break free. In this episode, I’m sharing flexible work schedule examples that can help you avoid entrepreneurial burnout and create real time freedom.

We’ll dig into why traditional time management for entrepreneurs can feel so exhausting, and how redefining your work rhythm can transform not just your business, but your entire life.

If you’ve been feeling the pull for more boundaries in business, less guilt, and a business that actually fits your lifestyle, this one’s for you.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

• The surprising history behind the 9-to-5 workday (and why it’s failing entrepreneurs who are craving time freedom)
• How to find your “prime brain time” and build a custom schedule that maximizes your creativity and focus (flexible work schedule examples you can try this week)
• Why time freedom isn’t just about working less, but working smarter – and why that’s key to avoiding entrepreneurial burnout
• The truth about boundaries in business – how to set them, enforce them, and stop apologizing for them
• Why time management for entrepreneurs is more about energy than hours, and how to track your natural work rhythms for better results

What is one “guilt-inducing” habit you secretly enjoy as an entrepreneur? (Naps in the middle of the day? Cutting out early for a long walk? Turning off your phone for hours at a time?) DM me on Instagram @katyripp and let me know. I’d love to hear it!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Do Not Disturb Sign

Actually, We Can Community

Female Founders Collective

CONNECT WITH KATY RIPP:

Website: www.katyripp.com

Instagram: @katyripp

Pinterest: @katyripp

Facebook: @katy.ripp