11 | Monique Giroux – Surprising Joys, Powerful Pauses, and the Art of Slowing Down

Ever felt trapped by success, so busy you can’t breathe, but scared to slow down in case everything falls apart?

In this rich and vulnerable episode, Charles Achampong welcomes transformation coach and meditation leader Monique Giroux for an eye-opening exploration of the sacred pause, life-changing retreats, and what slowing down really unlocks. Together, they reveal unconventional secrets for finding joy, overcoming high-functioning anxiety, and alchemizing ambition into true clarity. Monique shares exclusive lessons from her global travels, deep Buddhist practice, and radical career pivots, and why trusting yourself is both rare and revolutionary.

If you’re craving less overwhelm and more meaning, you can’t afford to wait. This episode is your urgent invitation to step off autopilot now for exclusive, hard-won wisdom you won’t hear anywhere else. Hit play and reclaim time, self-trust, and joy.

Timestamped Highlights

[04:41] – How feeling lost and grieving led to unexpected healing and yoga

[07:59] – The Bali retreat epiphany: pain, anxiety, and the first full breath

[12:04] – “We spend our whole lives running—practice stopping.” The inside story

[15:13] – Slow travel vs. speed tourism: revolutionary secrets for true presence

[18:03] – Hungry ghosts, hidden drives, and the surprising roots of overachievement

[24:04] – Navigating the ‘messy middle’—trusting change before you see the map

[26:08] – The Happy List: a proven joy-hacking framework to reset your energy

Resources Mentioned

• Laurentian Universit
• Plum Village Sangha (Thich Nhat Hanh)
• Rainbow Roots Trail System
• CIBC
• The Book of Joy – Dalai Lama & Desmond Tutu
• Loving Kindness Meditation
• Vipassana Silent Retreat
• Yoga Nidra, Restorative Yoga, Reiki
• Lost Intentionally by Monique Giroux
• The Way Out Is In (podcast)

About the Guest

Monique Giroux is a transformation coach, meditation leader, and university lecturer at Laurentian University, known for guiding high-achievers from anxiety to intentional living. With nearly 20 years of executive experience in financial services and deep roots in Buddhist meditation and forest therapy, Monique fuses practical wisdom with soulful leadership. Her work helps professionals realign life with purpose, heal through pause, and sustain joy in high-performance careers.

🔗 LinkedIn | Linktree

Important Links

• Connect with Charles: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram
• Press Pause. Take a Leap. Change Everything - Get a copy of Charles book.
• Ready to spark change? Book Charles as keynote speaker for your event.

The Purpose-Driven Pause Mentor is an original production hosted by Charles Achampong. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.