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EP 24. Breaking Oldest Daughter Burnout: How Laura Reclaimed Her Peace & Negotiated a 5-Figure Raise

Evie Prete Season 1 Episode 24

In this powerful episode, host Evie sits down with one of her clients and longtime friend, Laura Ashley Hernandez — a proud Chicana, environmental scientist, business owner, and podcast host. Together, they dive into Laura’s deeply personal and transformational journey from burnt-out overachiever to a confident, boundary-setting, five-figure-salary-negotiating powerhouse.

Laura shares what it was like growing up as the eldest daughter in a multigenerational line of eldest daughters, and how that shaped her identity and sense of responsibility. She opens up about the challenges of unlearning the need to prove herself — especially in the corporate world — and how stepping into the Self Worth Accelerator Mastermind helped her embrace self-compassion, reclaim her power, and negotiate her worth.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cycle of over-delivering, undervaluing yourself, or wondering if you're “allowed” to walk away from a job that doesn’t serve you — this episode is for you.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

  • How Laura broke generational patterns of “first-daughter overachiever” energy
  • The identity crisis that followed her decision to quit a “dream job” that drained her
  • Why walking away was the ultimate act of self-worth — even without a backup plan
  • How she transformed shame and burnout into confidence and clarity
  • The role community, coaching, and nervous system regulation played in her healing
  • What it looked like to negotiate her next role with a $32k salary increase

Timestamps:

02:00 – Navigating childhood, cultural duality, and the eldest daughter narrative

05:30 – Life before the Self Worth Accelerator: proving, grinding, and burning out

10:45 – The breaking point: when the “dream job” wasn’t so dreamy

14:30 – Healing the shame around quitting and stepping into radical self-trust

18:15 – How mindset and boundaries led to a 5-figure salary increase

22:00 – Final reflections: building a life rooted in peace, not pressure

About Laura:
Laura Hernandez is a Chicana scientist, podcaster, entrepreneur, and proud eldest daughter who’s passionate about helping her community reconnect with nature and their roots. 
Listen to Holistic Mija Podcast
Follow Laura on Instagram here

✨ Ready to rewrite your own story like Laura did?

Doors Are Open for Coaching:

Apply for the next round of the Self Worth Accelerator Mastermind and learn how to negotiate your worth, reclaim your peace, and stop settling for less. Doors to this transformational coaching program closing soon. Reserve your spot today. 

Until next time amigas ✨

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