When High-Achievers Become Moms: The Identity Crisis No One Warned You About

Dr. Simone shares a reflective episode from Copenhagen about enjoying family time while navigating persistent mom guilt. She talks candidly about the tension that can arise with partners, the relief of moments when someone else cares for you (like a hairdresser appointment), and the struggle many mothers face to carve out personal time. She encourages mothers to be bold about claiming me-time, explaining that self-care is essential to restore energy and be able to give to others. Practical, empathetic, and calming, the episode centers on finding balance and permission to prioritize yourself.

Dr. Simone explores the identity shift high-performing women face after becoming mothers: the emotional strain of returning to work, the challenge of being mentally present, and how success and productivity must be redefined during early parenthood. She shares personal reflections and practical ideas—like taking a breather between work and pickup and setting priorities—to help ambitious parents take small steps toward a more balanced, fulfilling life.

Dr. Simone returns to Zurich after a women’s empowerment weekend in St. Moritz and shares her experience solo‑traveling with a nine‑month‑old—what worked, what was tiring, and how the trip ultimately went well. She challenges discouraging, old‑fashioned advice aimed at mothers, urging women to try travel their way, support each other, and build self‑esteem through positive reinforcement and bold choices. @drschwank @unesurcent

Dr. Simone explores unexplained infertility—when thorough testing shows no clear cause—discussing how common it can be and available treatments such as fertility medications, IUI, and IVF. She also covers practical steps couples can take: lifestyle changes (quit smoking, reduce alcohol and caffeine, maintain a healthy weight, balanced diet, daily exercise), stress reduction, and the importance of seeking support and treatment options at Optimal Performance Zurich. @drschwank @unesurcent

Dr. Simone explores how narcissistic personalities often gravitate to leadership roles and the ways their behavior can feel like psychological warfare in the workplace. This episode outlines common manipulative patterns and the impact on employees' emotional well-being. Practical guidance is offered on protecting your nervous system: keep a low profile, distance yourself when possible, document escalations, and seek HR or external support when needed. Surround yourself with supportive people and prioritize self-care to navigate toxic leadership.   @drschwank @unesurcent

Power, Pressure, and the Price of Constant Output: Dr. Simone's explores the psychological cost of relentless ambition and the imbalance between masculine drive and the suppressed feminine side. Through personal stories and observations, she highlights how constant output affects mental and physical well-being. Inspired by successful, feminine women she met in Shanghai, Dr. Simone's urges embracing softness, beauty, and connection as a path to greater success, balance, and nervous system recovery—especially for women navigating male-dominated environments. @drschwank @unesurcent

How early conditioning shapes adult ambition, burnout, and self-worth. Growing up under a never good enough parenting approach, pushed these women to over perform, yet as a consequence have an incredibly low self esteem, caused by an incredibly harsh self evaluation. The inner critic never stops until complete exhaustion.   @drschwank @unesurcent

The psychology of a high performing women, their history and childhood how they are the way they are, and then how that impacts relationships and marriages down the line.   Balancing your goals for the year, if someone has big dreams and a million things they want to do how to strategize and prioritize.   When you feel so overwhelmed you just freeze and do nothing instead?   @drschwank @unesurcent   How and when is a good time to tick off bucket lists thats been on your heart for years?

Today’s episode with an openminded global citizen that dares to wear a Birkin bag. Meet Niklas: A designer at heart, inspired by movement, people, and everyday moments. Discussing the feeling of constantly being overstimulated by today’s constant inputs, social media, podcasts, music, and the peace and quiet of phone free hours, such as mornings with his analog alarm clock, providing a post wake up hour of phone free bliss, the 45min ride class, completely in the moment of movement, and the post class phone and availability detox joy. Nikolas shared his love for food, cooking, baking, and childhood memories. When angels are baking in pre Christmas times. A shared childhood memory.   @drschwank @unesurecent @maisonbyniklas

Today’s conversation with Tanya. A passionate barre and yoga instructor, devoted mom, and sourdough baker turned small business owner, deeply interested in health and fitness —all while balancing the many hats of modern womanhood. We’ve discussed the drivenness and hyperdrive of millennials. The feeling of never being, pushing hard enough, even if we alway give at least 150%, still second guessing ourselves. Tanya shared her transforming practice of teaching restore classes, and how people come over and over and return to this peaceful 45min of calm and peace. What a great inspiration to incorporate it into our daily busy lives.   @drschwank @unesurecent @sourdough_at9  @tanyaponya