Stop Bending Over - Align Your Life For Radical Success

Hosted by Rita Marie Mendez

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Apr 2026

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Welcome to the Stop Bending Over Podcast with Rita Marie Mendez. I’m on a mission to support women to get unstuck, love themselves completely and live the life of their dreams.This podcast isn’t about your lower back pain - it’s about bending over forwards and backwards to either feel screwed or overdo and meet everyone else’s needs, including our businesses, and not fill up our own tanks and desires. For more than a decade in my work as a Transformational Life + Business Coach, I’ve coached women to manifest their dream life, from the inside out. On this show I'll do what I love best - coaching you to actionable strategies both divine and human that inspire and connect you to your authentic self that holds all the wisdom you need to unleash an extraordinary life.Each week I'll share new tools and skills to master this thing we call life!

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April 14, 2026Episode 5628 min

(#56) Part 4: The People Pleaser Identity: How to Stop Overgiving and Take Your Power Back

Episode SummaryIn this episode, Rita breaks down the People Pleaser Identity - a core codependent pattern that keeps you stuck in overgiving, burnout, and lack of self-trust. She explains how people pleasing is not kindness, but a learned survival strategy rooted in emotional management. This episode helps you recognize the behavior, understand its origin, and shift into healthier boundaries and self-leadership.(Part 4 of the 4-part Identity Series)Top 4 TakeawaysPeople pleasing is codependency, not kindness - it’s control disguised as being “nice.”Overgiving leads to resentment, burnout, and loss of self-respect.You are not responsible for other people’s emotions.Real freedom = “I can be okay even if you’re not.”Timestamps[00:00] Intro + Identity Series Recap[04:00] What People Pleasing Really Is (Codependency)[08:45] How It Shows Up (Overgiving, Overexplaining, Avoidance)[15:20] The Hidden Cost (Resentment + Losing Yourself)[22:10] The Shift: Boundaries + Self-ResponsibilityResources & LinksReflect: Where are you saying yes when you mean no?Practice: Stop overexplaining - say less, mean it.Action: Choose one boundary this week and hold it.Sign up for The Art of Aligned Living - Mindset, money, and nervous system wisdom → [Subscribe Here]Please be sure to tag me @RitaMarieMendez on Instagram and share this episode with your community to spread the word if you or someone you know has benefited from this episode! I'd love to hear about your experience!If you love the podcast please click below to rate, review and follow - thank you!Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple PodcastsLinks/Resources:Rita's Website: Go to the WebsiteContact us here: admin@ritamarieconsulting.com

April 11, 2026Episode 5536 min

(#55) Part 3: The Perfectionist Identity: The Hidden Identity Blocking High-Achieving Women from Success

If you struggle with perfectionism, overthinking, fear of judgment, or fear of failure, this episode is for you.In this episode, Rita breaks down the Perfectionist Identity - a powerful but limiting pattern many high-achieving women live in without realizing it. What looks like discipline, high standards, and productivity is actually rooted in control, codependency, and emotional over-functioning.You’ll learn how perfectionism forms in childhood, how it shows up as overthinking, procrastination, and avoidance, and how it directly impacts your confidence, income, business growth, and nervous system regulation.If you’re ready to overcome perfectionism, stop overthinking, take action, and build self-trust, this episode will shift how you see your patterns and help you step into aligned leadership.(Part 3 of the 4-part Identity Series)Top 4 TakeawaysPerfectionism is control, not excellenceOvercoming perfectionism requires self-trust, not more effortPerfectionism in high-achieving women leads to overthinking and procrastinationFear of judgment and fear of failure keep you stuckTimestamps[00:40–04:40] Perfectionism identity + intro for high-achieving women[04:40–08:40] Why patterns drive behavior (overcoming perfectionism starts here)[08:40–14:10] Perfectionism vs excellence (control and codependency)[14:10–22:40] Childhood roots of perfectionism and overthinking[22:40–30:40] How perfectionism shows up: procrastination, delay, avoidance[30:40–39:40] Perfectionism, nervous system, and burnout[39:40–45:40] How to overcome perfectionism and build self-trustResources & Links“Where am I overthinking instead of taking action?”“What am I trying to control that isn’t mine?”“What would I do if I trusted myself fully?”Sign up for The Art of Aligned Living - Weekly mindset, money, and nervous system wisdom → [Subscribe Here]Please be sure to tag me @RitaMarieMendez on Instagram and share this episode with your community to spread the word if you or someone you know has benefited from this episode! I'd love to hear about your experience!If you love the podcast please click below to rate, review and follow - thank you!Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple PodcastsLinks/Resources:Rita's Website: Go to the WebsiteContact us here: admin@ritamarieconsulting.com

December 9, 2025Episode 5438 min

(#54) Part 2: The Achiever Identity: How It’s Rooted in Codependency

If you’ve ever felt guilty resting or over-delivered, this episode will resonate. Today, Rita breaks down The Achiever Identity - the role so many high-performing women unconsciously step into when they learn their worth comes from productivity, perfection, and emotional over-responsibility.This identity isn’t just about being driven. It’s about survival patterns formed in childhood, where doing more, fixing more, and achieving more became a way to manage chaos, avoid conflict, and stabilize everyone else’s emotional world.In this episode, you’ll learn how the Achiever Identity forms, how it ties directly into codependent over-functioning, how it affects your nervous system, and what it truly costs you in adulthood. Rita also shares a hilarious yet powerful personal story from her Codependence Anonymous meeting - one that will help you see these patterns in yourself with compassion and humor.Unpack the parts of you that hustle for worthiness and step into aligned leadership and emotional freedom.(Part 2 of the 4-part Identity Series)Top 4 Takeaways Achievers aren’t needy - they over-function, stabilizing and managing everyone else.This identity forms in childhood when chaos forces a child into “adult mode.”“Never enoughness” defines both the Achiever and the Poverty Wound.Rewiring takes emotional and nervous system work, not more productivity hacks.Timestamps[01:40–04:40] How achievers confuse performance with worthiness[04:40–08:00] Over-functioning as codependency in disguise[08:00–14:30] Childhood roots: chaos, survival, responsibility too young[14:30–21:00] How the Achiever Identity plays out in adulthood[21:00–29:00] Why achievers feel empty even when successful[45:00–58:00] Deep identity work: discomfort, nervous system rewiring, boundariesResources & Links:“Whose discomfort am I managing right now?”“What emotional weight am I holding that was never mine?"“Is this action aligned… or is it fear?”Wealth & Wisdom 2026 + Wealth & Wisdom Leadership Collective Waitlist - For women ready to shift identity, build wealth, and stop over-functioning.→ Sign up here: [Wealth & Wisdom 2026 Waitlist]→ Sign up here: [Wealth & Wisdom Leadership Collective 2026 Waitlist]Sign up for The Art of Aligned Living - Weekly mindset, money, and nervous system wisdom → [Subscribe Here]Join the 30-Day Meditation Challenge - Daily grounding and emotional regulation → Sign up here [30-Day Meditation Challenge]Please be sure to tag me @RitaMarieMendez on Instagram and share this episode with your community to spread the word if you or someone you know has benefited from this episode! I'd love to hear about your experience!If you love the podcast please click below to rate, review and follow - thank you!Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple PodcastsLinks/Resources:Rita's Website: Go to the WebsiteContact us here: admin@ritamarieconsulting.com

November 16, 202546 min

(#53) Part 1: The Poverty Wound Identity: Why You Panic Around Money

Join the 30-Day Meditation Challenge - We start November 19th, 2025!15 minutes a day. Live with Rita.Release old patterns and create a new baseline of peace, clarity, and alignment.Sign up here → [30-Day Meditation Challenge]If you’ve ever felt constant money anxiety - even when you’re earning, saving, budgeting, or “doing the work” - this episode explains exactly why. In Part 1 of the Identity Series, Rita breaks down The Poverty Wound Identity: a deep unconscious pattern rooted in early scarcity, instability, and emotional survival.Most women think they have a money problem.They don’t.They have a nervous system pattern built in childhood - one that tells the body it’s unsafe, unsupported, or “not enough,” even when money is coming in.In this episode, you’ll learn how the Poverty Wound forms, why it bypasses logic, why high-achieving women still have money panic, and how it connects to codependency, over-functioning, fear-based decision-making, and self-abandonment.This episode starts the 4-part Identity Series and helps you understand your money story.Top 3 Takeaways:The Poverty Wound is about identity, not income.Childhood scarcity wiring shapes your money patterns and nervous system responses.Healing requires safety, emotional awareness, and identity shifts, not more grinding.Timestamps[01:30] What the Poverty Wound actually is[04:00] Why money feels unsafe (no matter how much you have)[07:45] Childhood origins of scarcity wiring[13:00] Nervous system patterns + survival-mode spending[17:20] How codependency shows up in your money life[22:00] Why high achievers still feel “not enough” financially[26:30] How to begin shifting the Poverty Wound identityResources & Links:“What does money ‘mean’ to me emotionally?”“Where in my body do I feel money fear?”“What did I learn about safety, stability, and survival growing up?”Sign up for The Art of Aligned Living - Weekly mindset, money, and nervous system wisdom → [Subscribe Here]Join the 30-Day Meditation Challenge - Daily grounding and emotional regulation → Sign up here [30-Day Meditation Challenge]Wealth & Wisdom 2026 + Wealth & Wisdom Leadership Collective Waitlist - For women ready to shift identity, build wealth, and stop over-functioning.→ Sign up here: [Wealth & Wisdom 2026 Waitlist] → Sign up here: [Wealth & Wisdom Leadership Collective 2026 Waitlist]Please be sure to tag me @RitaMarieMendez on Instagram and share this episode with your community to spread the word if you or someone you know has benefited from this episode! I'd love to hear about your experience!If you love the podcast please click below to rate, review and follow - thank you!Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple PodcastsLinks/Resources:Rita's Website: Go to the WebsiteContact us here: admin@ritamarieconsulting.com

October 4, 2025Episode 5241 min

(#52) The Sneaky Ways Codependency Runs Your Life (and How to Stop It)

Episode Summary:In this powerful episode, Rita dives deep into the sneaky ways codependent behaviors infiltrate every area of life - from business and money to relationships and self-worth. She shares her own story of awakening to the drama and chaos that kept her stuck, unpacks how language patterns like “can’t,” “have to,” “always,” and “never” reinforce victim energy, and guides you toward awareness, empowerment, and freedom.You’ll walk away with clarity, new awareness of hidden patterns, and practical exercises to reclaim your energy, boundaries, and voice.Top 5 Takeaways:Codependency is behavioral, not your identity. It’s a pattern you learned - and you can unlearn it.Language reveals your programming. Words like “can’t” or “have to” signal victimhood and keep you disempowered.The Drama Triangle runs unconsciously until you bring awareness to it - victim, rescuer, and persecutor roles all stem from the same root.Rescuing ≠ helping. True support empowers others; rescuing depletes you and reinforces dependency.Clarity is your superpower. Awareness + acceptance + aligned action = empowerment and freedom.Timestamps: [02:40] “How you do one thing is how you do everything” - the wake-up moment [07:30] Codependency in business: rescuing clients & over-responsibility [12:00] Money patterns: discounting yourself and overgiving [16:30] The rescuer archetype & burnout [21:00] The Drama Triangle explained: bully, victim, rescuer [26:30] The power of language & Rita’s “no-fly words” [33:40] Reflection questions & awareness practicesResources & Links:The Wealthy Woman Collective (8-Week Group Program ) → Learn MoreNewsletter:The Art of Aligned Living → Subscribe HereBook recommendation: Codependent No More by Melody Beattie Affirmations:I choose language that empowers me.Clarity is my power.I release fear and scarcity thinking.I honor my needs and trust others to handle theirs.Please be sure to tag me @RitaMarieMendez on Instagram and share this episode with your community to spread the word if you or someone you know has benefited from this episode! I'd love to hear about your experience!If you love the podcast please click below to rate, review and follow - thank you!Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple PodcastsLinks/Resources:Rita's Website: Go to the WebsiteContact us here: admin@ritamarieconsulting.com

September 5, 2025Episode 5141 min

(#51) Desire Is Divine: The Law of Attraction, Cause vs. Effect & Receiving More

Episode Summary:After a month-long pause, Rita returns with one of her most powerful episodes yet - centered on the Law of Attraction, Cause vs. Effect, and the power of receiving. She reads a heartfelt prayer for women stepping into new chapters, then dives deep into how beliefs shape reality, why “desire is divine,” and how to shift from waiting for life to change to actively co-creating with it. This episode is a reminder that you are not “too much,” your desires are sacred, and it’s okay to want more….even when life already feels good.Top 5 Takeaways:The Law of Attraction is exacting: you don’t attract what you want, you attract who you are being.Cause vs. Effect: living “at effect” keeps you in blame, excuses, and the Drama Triangle. Living “at cause” means owning your energy, choices, and results.Beliefs become limitations: most of us unconsciously run beliefs planted in childhood that block prosperity and joy. Question them.Receiving is active: stop shooing away compliments, opportunities, and abundance. Being open is an at-cause state.Desire is not greed, it’s Divine: your longings are your roadmap, proof that more is available to you.Timestamps:[00:00] Welcome back + prayer for women in new chapters[05:40] Why the Law of Attraction is as real as gravity[12:15] Cause vs. Effect: shifting out of the Drama Triangle[20:30] Client stories of staying at effect vs. moving to cause[28:45] Receiving as your divine feminine birthright[36:00] Desire is not greed: it’s okay to want more[42:15] Releasing the “I’m too much” belief + reclaiming worthResources & Links:Join the FREE Wealthy Woman Deep Dive on September 25, 2025 → Register HereThe Wealthy Woman Collective (8-Week Group Program ) → Learn MoreJoin me on 9/17/2025 for a LIVE Workshop in Bothel, WA → More InfoNewsletter:The Art of Aligned Living → Subscribe HerePlease be sure to tag me @RitaMarieMendez on Instagram and share this episode with your community to spread the word if you or someone you know has benefited from this episode! I'd love to hear about your experience!If you love the podcast please click below to rate, review and follow - thank you!Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple PodcastsLinks/Resources:Rita's Website: Go to the WebsiteContact us here: admin@ritamarieconsulting.com

August 2, 2025Episode 5047 min

(#50) How To Stop Looking Back & Start Becoming Who You’re Meant To Be

Episode Summary:“You’re not lost. You’re not behind. You’re in a sacred space. This is expansion"In this milestone 50th episode, Rita takes you on a deep-dive journey through the messy middle - that liminal space between the old identity you’re shedding and the future self you’re becoming. She shares her personal stories, universal truths, and powerful mindset and somatic tools for navigating emotional overwhelm, identity shifts, and internal chaos with grounded courage.This episode is spiritual and practical, fierce and compassionate, offering everything you need to move through transition with grace and momentum.Top 5 Takeaways:1. The Messy Middle is Sacred That in-between space isn't failure, it's transformation. You're not broken; you're becoming.2. Awareness is Power Emotional mastery starts with recognizing you’re in a loop, a trigger, or an identity shift and not letting it define you.3. You Are Not Your Emotions Instead of “I am sad,” shift to “I feel sad.” This small language tweak separates your identity from your experience.4. The Market Is Between Your Ears Your mindset, not external conditions, shapes your reality. 5. Action Is the Way OutYou can’t think your way into your next self. You must embody her/him now. Start with one grounded choice.Timestamps:[08:15] Why Familiarity Isn’t Safety—and Why We Stay Stuck[16:08] Emotional Flatlining, Grief & Looking Over Your Shoulder[20:10] Identity, Expansion, and the Drama Triangle[25:45] Emotional Mastery Defined (and Why It Changes Everything)[32:26] 3-Step Tool #1: Awareness & Identity Inquiry[38:04] 60-Second Reset – Somatic Tool #2: Box Breathing + Self-Soothing[43:00] Embodiment Tool #3: Grounded Future Self ActivationResources & Next Steps:Money Mastermind – September 2025: Join The Waitlist!Rita’s Real Talk Facebook Group – Join hereNewsletter: The Art of Aligned Living : Sign Up HerePlease be sure to tag me @RitaMarieMendez on Instagram and share this episode with your community to spread the word if you or someone you know has benefited from this episode! I'd love to hear about your experience!If you love the podcast please click below to rate, review and follow - thank you!Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple PodcastsLinks/Resources:Rita's Website: Go to the WebsiteContact us here: admin@ritamarieconsulting.com

July 2, 2025Episode 4939 min

(#49) How to Know You’re Ready for a Bigger Life

Episode Summary:In this powerful episode, Rita dives deep into what it really means to be ready for a bigger life. She shares the three signs that you’re ready (even if you’re scared), why fear is boring, and how to let go of limiting beliefs, old patterns, and the identity that no longer fits you. If you’re tired of choosing struggle over unknown joy, this episode is your green light.Top 5 Takeaways:1. Fear is boringFear keeps you in mediocrity, repeating the same patterns without growth.2. 3 signs you’re ready for a bigger life:You’re uncomfortable with the version of you that’s staying small.Your life feels “fine” but not fulfilling.You can’t unsee the bigger vision within you.3. Your beliefs shape your reality.Thoughts repeated become beliefs, and beliefs drive your decisions.4. You can’t hold onto the old and reach for the new.Like monkey bars, you have to let go to move forward.5. Make a move.Clarity comes from action, not overthinking. You won’t know if it’s a good move until you move.Timestamps:[03:30] – Love vs. fear: The A Course in Miracles perspective[08:50] – Dead Man’s Island vs. Fantasy Island analogy[19:00] – Identity shifts: How to say no without anger[28:15] – 3 signs you’re ready for a bigger life[35:00] – Letting go of limiting beliefs and making your moveResources & Next Steps:Money Mastermind – September 2025: Join The Waitlist!Rita’s Real Talk Facebook Group – Join hereNewsletter: The Art of Aligned Living : Sign Up HereA Course in Miracles – Book referenced about love and fearPlease be sure to tag me @RitaMarieMendez on Instagram and share this episode with your community to spread the word if you or someone you know has benefited from this episode! I'd love to hear about your experience!If you love the podcast please click below to rate, review and follow - thank you!Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple PodcastsLinks/Resources:Rita's Website: Go to the WebsiteContact us here: admin@ritamarieconsulting.com

June 17, 2025Episode 4842 min

(#48) Are Your Thoughts Holding You Hostage? (And What to Do About It)

Your brain isn’t broken—it’s just running old software. This episode will show you how to reprogram it and reclaim your power!Episode Summary:In this fierce and fire-filled solo episode, Rita dives deep into the science and spirituality of thoughts, beliefs, and how our subconscious programming is running the show, whether we like it or not. She unpacks the concept of neuroplasticity, the energetic frequency of thoughts, and why your thoughts aren't always true, even though they’re shaping your life. This is the episode for you if you're ready to rewire your inner dialogue, break free from outdated beliefs, and align with the version of you that's ready to receive more abundance, peace, and success.Top 5 Takeaways:Your brain is wired for survival, not successYou’ve got to train it with new programming—it won't do it on its own.Your thoughts aren’t facts Just because you think it doesn’t make it true. Choose better thoughts.Energy follows attention Whatever you focus on gets stronger. Start feeding thoughts that serve your vision.Your Word is Your Wand Your language is casting reality into form: ditch “should,” “always,” “never,” and negative “I am” statements.Repetition creates belief You become what you repeatedly think, speak, and feel. So, create new loops that support who you’re becoming.Time Stamps:[05:10] “What’s my DNA in this?” – self-inquiry to break blame patterns[07:30] Brain science + neural programming explained through floppy disks and AI[14:30] Frequency, vibration, and the power of subconscious language[24:10] “Your word is your wand” – why casual phrases are energetic commands[33:30] Rita’s story: Losing everything after making $1M—identity vs. capacity[42:00] Anchoring new beliefs through movement, mantras, and repetitionResources & Next Steps:Join the conversation inside my FREE Facebook Community - Rita’s Real Talk: Mindset, Money & ManifestationThis is where we go deeper on these topics, unpack mindset in real-time, and surround ourselves with women who are ready to rise.Your Word is Your Wand by Florence Scovel ShinnMentions of Dr. Joe Dispenza & Dr. Deepak Chopra on brain science and energyHo’oponopono practice for energetic clearingPlease be sure to tag me @RitaMarieMendez on Instagram and share this episode with your community to spread the word if you or someone you know has benefited from this episode! I'd love to hear about your experience!If you love the podcast please click below to rate, review and follow - thank you!Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple PodcastsLinks/Resources:Rita's Website: Go to the WebsiteContact us here: admin@ritamarieconsulting.com

May 13, 2025Episode 4741 min

(#47) The Messy Middle: Why You Feel Stuck (and How to Move Anyway)

👉 Ready to move out of the messy middle and into your next level? Join us inside Wealth & Wisdom dm me for an exclusive invite 💫Episode Summary:In this powerful episode, Rita unpacks the psychological and spiritual threshold we all face in the “messy middle” the in-between phase of desiring change but feeling frozen in fear. Drawing from real-life examples, nervous system science, and transformational coaching, she shares how to move from fear to aligned action using three life-changing tools.Whether you're standing in the doorway of your next chapter or circling your vision with doubt, this episode gives you the clarity and courage to take the next step forward—messy middle and all.Top 5 Takeaways:Liminality = The Messy MiddleIt’s the transitional space between your old self and your new selfFight, Flight, or Freeze Isn’t Just for GazellesHumans stay frozen in survival mode because our perception keeps our nervous system activated long after the threat is gone.Tool #1: The 90-Second RuleAllow yourself to feel fear fully for 90 seconds, then ask: “What would I do if I trusted myself right now?”Tool #2: Future Self Journaling Write daily as your future self—what you decide, think, and no longer tolerateTool #3: Flip Fear with a New QuestionWhen fear masquerades as logic, ask: “What if it works better than I imagined?” and choose faith over fearTime Stamps:03:10 The concept of liminality and standing in the threshold07:20 Nervous system dysregulation and how humans freeze10:00 Why you can’t “figure it out” from a fear-based mind12:40 External excuses (economy, market, etc.) and reclaiming agency21:30 Tool #1 – The 90-Second Rule for emotional release24:00 Tool #2 – Future Self Journaling + daily prompts29:10 Tool #3 – Fear masquerading as logic and how to flip it33:10 How we unconsciously justify playing small40:30 Reframing “I’m stuck” and rewriting your internal storyResources & Next Steps:✨ Wealth & Wisdom Coaching Program Starts May 14th!! DM @ritamariemendez or email admin@ritamarieconsulting.com to apply or schedule a clarity callFacebook Community – Real Talk with Rita Marie MendezPlease be sure to tag me @RitaMarieMendez on Instagram and share this episode with your community to spread the word if you or someone you know has benefited from this episode! I'd love to hear about your experience!If you love the podcast please click below to rate, review and follow - thank you!Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple PodcastsLinks/Resources:Rita's Website: Go to the WebsiteContact us here: admin@ritamarieconsulting.com