Radical Self-Acceptance for High Achievers: Dr. Laura Gallaher’s Journey from NASA to Empowerment

In this week’s episode of Pivot to Profit, host Pam Jordan sat down with organizational psychologist and executive coach Dr. Laura Gallaher for a candid and powerful conversation on radical self-acceptance, stress, identity, and redefining success. Known for her work with NASA and Disney, Laura now helps high-achieving leaders transform their inner narratives and lead with more authenticity, peace, and purpose.

From Pilot's Daughter to PhD Psychologist

Laura’s journey started with humble roots and strong financial values. Raised by parents who lived modestly and taught her the value of frugality and self-sufficiency, she carried that mindset into early adulthood. But what began as prudent budgeting eventually evolved into a more holistic understanding of money as a form of energy — a realization that transformed her financial decisions and entrepreneurial path.

Driven by curiosity about human behavior, Laura pursued degrees in psychology, ultimately earning her PhD and landing a coveted position at NASA. But when a promotion brought less autonomy, she realized that working within rigid structures wasn't her path. The entrepreneurial itch led her to launch her own business, Gallaher Edge — first as a side hustle, and eventually, a full-time mission.

Embracing Radical Self-Acceptance

At the heart of Laura’s work is her framework around radical self-acceptance — the idea of being fully okay with who you are right now, flaws and all. In contrast to perfectionism and self-judgment, radical self-acceptance allows high achievers to continue growing without using shame as a motivator.

In her own leadership journey, Laura shares a vulnerable story about receiving 360° feedback at NASA that labeled her behavior as “intellectually bullying.” Rather than retreat into defensiveness, she used it as a wake-up call — recognizing it as a reflection of her internal insecurities. That pivotal moment helped her reframe the connection between self-talk and leadership effectiveness.

Stress Is a Choice (But Not How You Think)

One of Laura’s most provocative claims? Stress is a choice. Not in a blame-the-victim way, but as an invitation to look at the stories we tell ourselves. “You’re never actually reacting to the world,” she says. “You’re reacting to your narrative about the world.” When those narratives threaten your identity or perceived worth, the stress response kicks in. But by challenging those internal scripts, we can unwind stress without sacrificing ambition.

What’s Next for Gallaher Edge?

Laura is currently leading her Stress Detox for High Achievers workshop, with a self-paced version and an online community on the horizon. Her goal? To help founders, executives, and go-getters “let go of stress without letting go of their edge.”

Listeners can take her free Self-Acceptance Quiz to discover where they fall on the self-improvement vs. self-acceptance spectrum — and start their own journey toward lasting inner peace.

Want more from Dr. Laura Gallaher? Find her here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-gallaher-phd/ and https://www.gallaheredge.com/