Transforming Stress with Dr. Ash

The Courage to Look Within Self-Reflection for Resilience and Growth

Dr. Ashish Kumar Season 1 Episode 30

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In this deep and honest episode of Transforming Stress, Dr. Ash and Fionnuala Featherstone explore one of the most underutilized yet essential life skills: self-reflection.

Chapter 2 of The Boiling Frog’s Self-Management section takes listeners on a journey beyond surface-level awareness, into the realm of meta-awareness—watching ourselves, understanding our emotional landscape, and holding space for growth through honest feedback and daily reflection.

Together, they unpack why so few people reflect, how resistance to feedback holds us back, and how a coach or mentor can act as a mirror—gently helping us confront our blind spots while holding us in safety and support.


🔑 Topics Covered

  • Why self-reflection is rare, but powerful
  • The connection between self-awareness and emotional well-being
  • Learning to welcome feedback and criticism without ego
  • How coaching creates a safe space for personal transformation
  • The neuroscience and energy of positive vs. low-frequency emotions
  • Daily self-reflection practices: walking, journaling, mindfulness
  • The metaphor of the frog at the water’s edge—and the role of the coach
  • How self-reflection helps you regulate, grow, and thrive

💡 What You’ll Learn

  • Why self-reflection is the vehicle toward self-awareness
  • How to identify your emotional state and take empowered action
  • What holds people back from reflecting—and how to gently push through
  • Why a coach can help you evolve faster and more safely than going it alone
  • Tools to begin your own reflection journey—no matter where you’re starting from

✨ Memorable Quotes

🗣️ “Self-reflection is like having awareness of our self-awareness.”
 🗣️ “People will do anything—except take criticism.”
 🗣️ “Self-awareness is the destination. Self-reflection is the vehicle.”
 🗣️ “You haven’t come this far in life just to be average.”


📚 Related Tools & Resources

  • The Boiling Frog (Chapter 2 – Self-Management Section)
  • Reflection tools: journaling, mindful walks, feedback exercises
  • Illustration: “The Frog at the Water” — a coaching metaphor

🎯 Who This Episode Is For

  • Individuals striving to grow personally or professionally
  • Healthcare professionals and leaders seeking resilience tools
  • Coaches and mentors guiding others through change
  • Anyone navigating burnout, transition, or emotional overwhelm

🔗 Connect with Dr. Ash

Ready to transform stress into strength? The journey starts here.