Mental Freedom: Breaking Out of the Prison We Build in Our Minds

"More people mentally incarcerated in the free world than in prison." – Wallace Peeples aka Wallo

I was listening to the Mel Robbins podcast last week featuring Wallo, a man who spent 25 years in prison, had only $1,000 in his pocket when he was released, but was determined to change his life and is now a successful entrepreneur.

I replayed this quote a few times because the weight of the truth in it is so heavy.

We are consumed with pleasing others, being like others, staying in our box because of what others may think. Is that freedom? As women—especially working moms—the weight of this is threefold. We're constantly battling what we truly want to do against what we feel like society, our job, friends, and family want us to do. Studies show that 69% of female employees say society pressures them to put careers aside for family. Carrying all this mental load—is that truly freedom? Maybe on the outside, but on the inside it's a constant battle. It's a prison playground.

The "Let Them" Philosophy

I've yet to read it, but Mel Robbins' latest book Let Them really helps people focus on what they want to do and less on caring about what others expect. Now if you ask my husband, he'll tell you he thinks that's a selfish approach to life—and both things can be true.

I strongly believe we can't get so wrapped up in pleasing other people and putting ourselves last because of how it might make someone feel. I believe we should speak our truth and go after the things we want in life, and if it upsets someone, then that is a "them problem."

Where my husband was getting at is that we should still be courteous and respectful to those around us—which I agree with. There's a difference between putting your needs first and being inconsiderate of others. But when it comes to YOUR life, YOUR goals, YOUR happiness? That's where "Let Them" becomes freedom.

In life, we're going to upset people. We're going to lose friends. We're going to burn bridges. That is life. Perfection is not life—it doesn't exist. Life is about taking risks knowing you may fail, but the freedom of failing outweighs having regrets of never trying or never speaking up. The scenarios we play in our heads? That's prison. The reality is that the fake scenario is far worse than what truly plays out from taking the risk.

The Mirror Test

In the podcast, Wallo mentions using the mirror as your one point of truth—not for vanity, but to push yourself forward. If when you wake up and you look at yourself in the mirror, bare-faced in your rawest form, and you don't like what you see, then you know something needs to change in your life.

Don't look at the dressed-up version of yourself because that's you dressing for your job or the people you're going to be around at an occasion. You have to be comfortable and happy with the version that only you see. And until you are, you are not free.

The World Is Your Playground

We don't have an infinite amount of time on this earth, but there's so much we can do with the time we have.

"The world is your playground, go play." – Wallo

You ever stop and look at kids just in their own element? How free they are? How much joy they possess? They don't need a lot. They are probably the most free people on this earth. We were them, and then as we grow up we start to feel the shift—I believe the shift is happening earlier and earlier these days with social media.

It's important to protect the freedom our kids have so they can grow into young adults living in a free world. And for us adults? It's not too late. If you wake up tomorrow, it's another day to find your truth, your joy, your happiness.

Mind Over Matter: My Framework for Freedom

The first step in my framework, Mind Over Matter, helps exactly with this. When I went through it, I had to reflect back to when I was a kid and all the things that brought me joy—what was I doing, what were my friends like, what were my dreams and goals. I applied all these things to my adult life, which is when I started to prioritize working out, spending alone time in the mornings, being intentional with how I spend my time and with whom.

I've learned to say no to social events if I'm not feeling like going—I sometimes get pushback from my husband because he's big on following through when he says he's going to be somewhere. And that's okay for him, but for me it's not. For me, it's prison when I force myself to be somewhere I don't want to be. It's freeing the moment I say no and let the host know—and 9 times out of 10, the host is fine.

I've said no to extra work projects when I felt it wasn't what I needed or a form of development that I would benefit from (freedom!). I've lost friends who didn't agree with my choices—old me would've kept trying really hard to convince them why I made my choice. New me? Just lets them.

Is it hard at first? Absolutely. It can be mentally hard. But wow, the freedom that comes across your mind, body, and soul when you just let them—nothing can compare.

Seasons of Life

I believe we go through our seasons, and in those seasons friends will come and go, events will come and go, jobs will come and go. That's the beauty of life.

I want to be free. And my wish for all of you reading this is freedom of the mind—which is exactly why I'm hosting a free virtual workshop on Sunday, January 11, 2026 at 2-4 PM CST where we'll cover part of Step 1 in my LYV.on Blueprint, Mind Over Matter. You'll walk away with a clear roadmap for 2026 goals, tools to prioritize your needs, a vision board strategy that works, and practical frameworks you'll actually use. RSVP here

Here's to breaking free from the mental incarceration we've been living in. The door was never locked—we just convinced ourselves it was.

Live You. Love You,
Maria