Stephanie Ricardo shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Stephanie, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
SHAME — Shame is one of the most common and least discussed struggles people face. It shows up in the quiet messages we tell ourselves: I don’t measure up. I’m not good enough. I should weigh less. I should be further along in my career. I should have more money, a better title, a nicer home, a partner by now. We judge our flaws, our abilities, our progress—or the lack of it. And then we guard these thoughts fiercely, overcompensating so no one discovers the secret we’re terrified to admit: I’m not enough. I’m a fraud. And because of that, I’m not worthy.
Even well-adjusted people—especially women—wrestle with shame. Many don’t talk about it until therapy or personal growth work gives them language for it. It feels dangerous to reveal the self-criticism we carry, because the fear is always the same: What if someone agrees? What if they confirm that I am, in fact, unworthy and unlovable?
But sharing these hidden fears usually creates the opposite effect. More often than not, what we’re experiencing is deeply human and widely shared. The stories we tell ourselves aren’t true. And just like darkness, shame loses its power when exposed to light. When we shine awareness on these shadows, they shrink. The monster under the bed was never real—no matter how convincing it felt. And you are not “bad,” broken, or less than anyone else.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Stephanie Ricardo, formerly Stephanie Hamadto, and I offer growth coaching in a variety of formats. My program originally started as a business-building coaching program for hairdressers, but I quickly realized that the biggest impact came not from the technical steps, but from personal growth. Our success in any area—business, health, relationships, or habits—is directly tied to what’s happening internally. People don’t usually struggle with knowing what to do; they struggle with actually doing it. This is true across all areas of life.
During the pandemic, I was inspired to repackage my coaching program and open it up to anyone looking to grow and step into the best version of themselves. The group coaching programs that emerged were transformative, and I was eventually invited to coach a corporate team. Over time, the program continued to evolve, allowing me to work with hairdressers, non-hairdressers, corporate teams, and, with the help of my friend Jackie Brubaker, even host an in-person empowerment retreat last year.
I am passionate about sharing insights and tools that help people feel seen, supported, and empowered to step into their full potential. My approach isn’t about telling people what to do, but guiding them through open-ended exercises that put them in the driver’s seat of their own growth and life. While I do offer individual coaching, I have found group coaching to be especially powerful. When growth-minded people come together, a unique kind of magic happens. Participants realize they are not alone in their struggles, and that human experience—though challenging—is something we can navigate and support one another through.
Looking ahead, Jackie and I are developing a series of three-hour in-person workshops. These immersive events will focus on topics like self-love, body image, health and fitness, manifesting, confidence-building, and many other transformative areas. There’s nothing like the energy of gathering in person to inspire meaningful growth and change.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Gosh, this is a loaded question! The parts of me that served a purpose and now need to be released all circle back to boundaries. There was a time that I would work early and stay late and come in on days off and give my energy to friends and family members to my own detriment for the sake of others. I was always trying to do “more,” most likely to feel worthy.
It did serve a purpose. I built businesses and I experienced success. I learned how to hustle… hard. But that part of me no longer serves me. I now honor my own boundaries, I honor my time, and my well-being. I know how to hustle and I aim for excellence across all areas of my life, but I no longer feel the need to sacrifice myself in order to succeed at all costs in any area of my life.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I wish I had understood much earlier that I was never selfish, and I was never asking for too much. It is okay to want happiness, joy, and peace. Anyone who shamed me for having needs or desires wasn’t telling me the truth—they were manipulating me into believing I was a bad person. They were projecting their own selfishness onto me, and I wish I had recognized that sooner.
I remember asking a therapist years ago if I might be a narcissist because the narcissist in my life continually made me feel selfish. She explained that this is a very common tactic. People with empathy often feel bad for inconveniencing others, and that empathy can unfortunately become a tool others use against them. It took me a long time to fully grasp this, but once I did, I started noticing it everywhere.
When you say “no” simply because something doesn’t work for you, and someone pushes back as if you don’t have the right to set a boundary—that’s a red flag. No one is entitled to your time, your energy, or your emotional bandwidth. Giving your time is beautiful when it comes from genuine willingness, but never when it costs you your well-being. I truly wish I had learned that sooner.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say that the things that matter most to me are my relationships (my kids, husband, friends and family) as well as Yoga and my career. I always prioritize these three areas of my life. Sometimes one needs more attention and takes the front seat while the others take the back, but they all have their turn in the front seat.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel the most at peace when I’m doing yoga and/or out in nature. That could be a hike an ocean swim or a vacation somewhere serene. I try to incorporate these into my life as often as possible. There are so many stressors that come up all the time and it’s so important to find ways of letting go of the attachment to all the outcomes and just appreciating what is. Yoga makes me feel strong and centered and attuned to my higher self and nature reminds me that all of the stress is man-made anyway. Life is beautiful. We just forget that sometimes
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Elevatemypersonalpower.com
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