“Burnout Looked Like Success”—Why Angela Belford Cut Ties with Perfectionism

Cut The Tie Podcast with Thomas Helfrich
Episode 284

Angela Belford knows what it’s like to be unstoppable—and still feel like she’s falling short. In this honest and deeply relatable episode of Cut the Tie, Thomas Helfrich sits down with the speaker, coach, and marketing agency founder to talk about cutting ties with perfectionism, toxic productivity, and the lie that you have to earn your worth.

Angela shares how childhood trauma, undiagnosed ADHD, and a lifelong drive to be enough shaped her journey as an entrepreneur, parent, and leader. Through real healing—including raw emotional work, mindset rewiring, and giving herself radical grace—Angela rebuilt not just her business, but her identity.

About Angela Belford:
Angela is an executive coach, speaker, and the co-owner of a second-generation marketing and communications agency. She works closely with second-gen business owners and leaders navigating complex transitions and identity shifts. Angela is also the author of Traveling Light and co-host of the Be Freaking Awesome podcast. Her approach is grounded in lived experience, deep self-work, and a passion for helping others move through the messy middle of transformation.

In this episode, Thomas and Angela discuss:

• Why perfectionism was never the goal
  Angela opens up about how “I’m not enough” shaped her work ethic and made her success feel hollow, even as she built a thriving business and beautiful life.
• The cost of hustle culture
  Being rewarded for overachieving masked deeper emotional wounds. Angela explains how she broke the cycle of validation through exhaustion.
• ADHD, trauma, and identity
  Angela shares her journey of diagnosis and self-acceptance—and how she uses that insight to guide others with compassion and humor.
• How radical grace changes everything
  Angela discusses what it means to stop running, start feeling, and lead from wholeness, not hustle.
• Why vulnerability creates real leadership
  From crying in closets to public apologies, Angela shows how owning your truth builds trust and lasting impact.

Key Takeaways:

• “I’m not enough” is a lie worth unlearning
  Your drive might be rooted in pain. Healing begins when you stop running from it.
• Achievement won’t fix your identity
  Success is fleeting when it’s built on needing to prove your worth.
• Grace is a leadership superpower
  The more you accept yourself, the more powerful your impact on others.
• Feel your feelings—or stay stuck
  There’s no shortcut through emotional growth. You have to sit with it.
• Be proud of walking, not just sprinting
  Even slow progress counts. Especially when it’s intentional.
  
  

Connect with Angela Belford:
🎙 Podcast: Be Freaking Awesome
🌐 Website: www.angelabelford.com
💼 LinkedIn: Angela Belford

Connect with Thomas Helfrich:
🐦 Twitter: @thelfrich
📘 Facebook: Cut The Tie Community
💼 LinkedIn: Thomas Helfrich
🌐 Website: www.cutthetie.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
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