As ambitious women, we juggle a lot. Business, family, relationships, and the constant pursuit of personal and professional growth—it’s exhilarating, but let’s be honest, it can also be exhausting.
Sometimes, we don’t even stop to question the relentless pushing and striving. It becomes second nature. We hustle. We grind. And suddenly, we find ourselves on the edge of burnout, wondering how we got here.
Enter Thea Larsen, founder of Cowgirls Over Coffee—a working ranch wife, mom of two, former CEO, and community builder who knows what it’s like to be an overachiever who’s really, really tired.
“Add a little childhood trauma, and all of a sudden, you have an overachiever that’s really tired.”
She gets it because she’s been there. And through her work with Cowgirls Over Coffee, she’s helping women step out of the cycle of exhaustion and into a place of balance, accountability, and self-trust.
I had the honor of sitting down with Thea for The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth, and let me tell you—this episode delivers.
When Pushing the Rock Isn’t the Answer
For so many of us, we think the only way forward is to push harder. But what if the secret isn’t to keep grinding? What if the key to success isn’t pushing the rock uphill, but stepping six inches to the side so it doesn’t run you over?
“Like, why push on the rock if you could just step six inches to the side and not get run over by the rock? And that’s where Cowgirls Over Coffee really started coming together.”
Thea’s philosophy is about making small shifts that create big impact. It’s about finding clarity, creating consistency, and allowing yourself to adjust—without guilt.
Because the truth is? We’re not alone in this.
“It’s bananas to me that we don’t realize that we’re not alone in any of this.”
Whether you’re struggling with imposter syndrome, feeling overwhelmed, or just trying to figure out how to get through the next season of life—someone else has been there, too. And when we share our stories, we make space for new possibilities—for ourselves and for each other.
“You see a possibility for yourself you didn’t see before, or you give yourself a stinking break that you wouldn’t give yourself before. I don’t know, it’s amazing.”
The Hard Truth: You Already Know What to Do
Sometimes, we chase after strategies and secrets, thinking there’s a missing piece to our success. But Thea says the reality is much simpler:
“The hard truth is to swallow—you already know what to do. You already know how to do it.”
You’re already capable. You’re already on the right path. And if you’re trying this hard—if you care this much—you cannot fail.
“You can’t fail. If you’re trying this hard, if you care this much, if you’re looking for the answer, if you’re looking for the recipe, you’re doing great.”
Success isn’t about chasing someone else’s formula. It’s about trusting yourself enough to build your own.
Consistency: The Skill That Changes Everything
We love to talk about consistency, but actually practicing it? That’s where the real work comes in.
“The skill of consistency—it’s a cute thing to say, ‘Oh, I’m going to be more consistent.’ But actually doing it and maintaining consistency over time is a hell of a lot of work on your part. It takes so much grit and resilience and commitment—as well as flexibility and understanding.”
Consistency isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up, adjusting when necessary, and continuing forward. It’s about building a rhythm that fits your life, not just your calendar.
Romanticizing Your Life: The Ultimate Mindset Shift
One of Thea’s biggest mindset shifts? Romanticizing her own life.
“Romanticizing my own life—it’s like the ultimate limiting belief hack.”
Instead of waiting for big milestones to celebrate, what if you found joy in the small, everyday moments? What if you let yourself dream a little bigger? What if you built your life like your own personal Barbie dream house?
“It’s almost like giving yourself permission to be a child and build your Barbie dream life.”
This shift in perspective isn’t just about feeling good—it’s about seeing more possibilities and creating space for more joy and fulfillment.
“You just start seeing more possibility and taking the time to do that. And so now I’m challenging myself—what is the story around this?”
By shifting her mindset, Thea isn’t just thinking about a life she loves—she’s actively creating it.
Why This Matters
At the heart of this conversation is a powerful truth: we have the power to create a life that works for us.
We don’t have to be exhausted overachievers.
We don’t have to push the rock up the hill.
We don’t have to follow someone else’s path to success.
Instead, we can:
✅ Step aside and let the rock roll past us.
✅ Lean into community and let go of the belief that we’re alone.
✅ Trust that we already have what it takes.
✅ Build consistency through small, daily actions.
✅ Romanticize our lives and allow ourselves to dream.
And that? That changes everything.
Ready to Create Your Own Balance?
If you’re an ambitious woman trying to do all the things—running a business, raising a family, managing your personal well-being—this episode of The Found Podcast is for YOU.
🎧 Listen to the full conversation with Thea here:
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5YACTbRulN4NooX32NgzgV
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-found-podcast-with-molly-knuth/id1530616432
And catch my interview on Thea’s podcast by clicking here.
And remember: You already know what to do. Trust yourself, build your rhythm, and create the life you want.
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