The Power of Oxygen 1st
When my son was little, I was a single mom who was doing it all alone. I was putting everyone else first and my own needs last. To everyone around me, I was successful but little did they know that my success was tied to pushing, stressing, sleepless nights and early morning workouts pushing my body and my limits to the extreme. Until one day I was flying alone and nearly crashed an airplane and I realized that I needed to take care of my own needs first before anyone else. You see, when you’re a pilot, if you have any issues in the plane, you put on your oxygen mask 1st, not your passengers. They need you to land the plane.
This podcast is all about this journey to healing, to getting clear on the desires of your heart… and stepping into them with courage while leaning into, asking for and receiving support. I hope you feel inspired to do less, to follow your passions and infuse them into your daily life and truly claim the life you were meant to live: a life filled to the brim with epic ADVENTURE.
The Power of Oxygen 1st
EP 111: When Your Body Keeps Score: Putting Your Oxygen Mask On First with Ruth Hirshberg
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
What happens when your body starts keeping score? When the life you've built, the career, the routines, the constant giving, suddenly doesn't fit anymore?
It can happen to any of us. This week, I am sitting down with Ruth Hirshberg, MSW, RSW—registered social worker, certified meditation and breathwork teacher, and founder of Grounding with Ruth. Ruth shares her powerful journey from social work burnout and chronic illness to creating a life that actually feels like hers.
This episode is a reminder that putting on your oxygen mask first isn't selfish. It's survival. And sometimes, it's the only way back to yourself.
In This Episode, You'll Hear:
- How Ruth went from investigating child abuse as a social worker to walking dogs—and why that pivot saved her life
- Why people-pleasing and overgiving often stem from childhood beliefs about not being enough
- How meditation and breathwork became Ruth's pathway to healing and self-discovery
- What it really means to give yourself compassion, empathy, and nurturing first—then show up for others
- The Self-Worth Solution: Ruth's program helping women reconnect with their inherent worth
- Why it's okay to change your mind, pivot a thousand times, and build a life that evolves with you
- Ruth's daily oxygen-first practice (hint: it's not in the morning, and that's perfectly fine)
- The power of community in healing and the gift of feeling less alone
Connect with Ruth:
Website: www.groundingwithruth.com
Instagram: Instagraminstagram.com
groundingwithruth/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61579052467890/mentions/
Facebook group The Enough Project: www.facebook.com/groups/theenoughproject/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ruthhirshberg
Podcast Inspired Questions: https://www.groundingwithruth.com/podcast
Ready to Breathe Easier?
Whether you’re navigating a difficult people decision, feeling buried in work that drains your energy, or ready to build support that actually fits.
Start With Oxygen 1st
https://www.dotrockconsulting.com/contact
You’ll be guided to the right next step — without pressure, urgency, or overwhelm.
Free Tool: Support + Breathe Calculator
https://dotrockconsulting.myflodesk.com/hiring-calculator
Connect with Dot
Instagram - www.instagram.com/dot_rock_
Remember: your energy is your greatest asset. Protect it, invest in it, and always put your oxygen mask on first.
