Episode 5 — The 3 Hidden Blocks Holding You Back
Episode Summary
Ever been excited to start something new — only to get completely in your own way?
In this solo episode, The Breakthrough Collective host Traci Swain shares the behind-the-scenes story of recording the show’s theme song — and how that creative moment uncovered three invisible blocks that hold so many of us back from launching, sharing, or finishing our ideas.
From perfection paralysis to unclear next steps to silent sabotage, this episode reveals how to recognize and move through the fears that quietly stall your momentum.
If you’ve been waiting for the “perfect” moment to begin, this one’s for you.
About Traci Swain
Traci Swain is the host of The Breakthrough Collective, where real stories spark transformation.
She’s a creative producer, speaker, and storyteller who helps people find clarity, create connections, and turn insights into action through authentic conversation and narrative-driven strategy.
Through The Breakthrough Collective, she explores the power of storytelling to move people toward purpose, courage, and breakthrough moments — one story at a time.
What You’ll Discover in This Episode
✨ How Perfection Paralysis tricks you into chasing flawless instead of finished
✨ The small-step strategy that cuts through overwhelm and builds momentum
✨ Why naming your inner saboteur is the fastest way to take back control
✨ How to shift from “not ready yet” to “good enough to share”
✨ A practical challenge to help you start before you feel ready
Breakthrough Lessons
- Perfection Paralysis — The voice that says, “It’s not ready yet.” Learn how to shift from chasing flawless to finishing what matters — and why “good enough and done” beats “perfect but unpublished.”
- Unclear Next Steps — Feeling stuck often means you’re zoomed out too far.
Focus on the next 10% of the problem and move forward one small, doable step at a time. - Silent Sabotage — The quiet self-doubt that whispers, “Who am I to do this?” Find out how to name that voice, reclaim your narrative, and return to service and purpose.
🧭 Takeaway: Your dream doesn’t need perfect conditions — it just needs you to hit “record.”
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” — Arthur Ashe
Episode Chapters
0:00 — Intro: The moment I hit record… and hit a wall
1:11 — Why I decided to write my own podcast intro song
4:13 — The roadblocks that stop us aren’t random—they have patterns
5:26 — Block #1: Perfection Paralysis—when “not ready yet” keeps you stuck
6:57 — Block #2: Unclear Next Steps—solve the next 10%, not the whole problem
9:13 — Block #3: Silent Sabotage—the quiet stories we tell ourselves
10:39 — How I pushed through all three blocks—and you can too
11:32 — Your challenge: Take the smallest possible next step today
12:35 — Quote from Arthur Ashe: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what
you can.”
12:58 — Outro
Resources & Links
Ready for Your Breakthrough?
🧭Take the Free 3 Hidden Blocks Quiz
Discover which hidden block is holding you back and get your personalized
breakthrough action plan.
👉 Take the Quiz: https://offers.thisistbc.com/the-breakthrough-Quiz
📖 The Story Reset Method Workbook
Rewrite the stories holding you back and design your next chapter.
👉 Learn More: https://offers.thisistbc.com/the-story-reset-method
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Sources: Guest bio and photo provided by Traci Swain; episode content from The Breakthrough Collective Episode 5.
