Uncaged

A Good Girl’s Journey to Reinvention

Uncaged: A Good Girl’s Journey to Reinvention is a story about the choices we make, the cages we build for ourselves, and how we can break free.

From the quiet suburbs of Switzerland to the warm, familial settings of Greece and beyond, Uncaged takes readers inside a deeply personal journey from toxicity and heartbreak to self-discovery and transformation. Raised in a traditional Greek family, Katia enters the world with deeply ingrained beliefs about what it means to be a “good girl,” forced to put others’ needs and desires above her own, while checking all the boxes of societal approval—academic excellence, a promising career, a picture-perfect marriage. Yet, despite her many accomplishments, even strong-willed Katia struggles to fully love and accept herself, and progressively loses touch with her true essence, which deep down is playful, adventurous, and free-spirited.

As a result of the false labels (“selfish”) and other painful childhood baggage she carries, Katia often expresses the outrage of an adolescent who wasn’t permitted to feel her anger—or even her grief. But as her story unfolds, the hardworking defense analyst learns (the hard way) to take risks and make mistakes, and finally, to embrace her true calling and a more authentic life.

From rebelliously riding away on a lover’s Harley to overcoming an embittered divorce to grieving the loss of her beloved father to finally embracing healthy love—Katia’s story is raw, honest, vulnerable, and strong.

Uncaged proves that we can change, risk, forgive, and grow. We can find genuine meaning and purpose. We can carve out life on our own terms. We can create home and belonging—and even love—no matter where in the world we find ourselves.

$27.00
ISBN: 979-8-89138-284-8
SKU: 18-1303-01
Categories:Memorable Biographies and Memoirs, Amplify Publishing, Memoirs and Biographies

“Katia is a brilliant teacher and a transformational healer. Uncaged is a powerful road map for the emotional reset and rebirth we all have longed for. Katia’s journey is our journey, and the deep insights contained in each page help us navigate our own constrictions and blockages as she guides us to our most authentic and magnificent expression. In the process, this very personal story lovingly guides us and inspires us to step into our own power.”

—Davidji, author of Sacred Powers

Uncaged is a firestorm of truth—a call to arms for any woman who has ever felt trapped by her own life. This book isn’t just her story; it’s a manifesto for all of us who’ve built our own cages through the expectations we swallowed without questioning. Katia’s unapologetic narrative teaches us that reinvention isn’t about changing who we are; it’s about stripping away the nonsense until all that’s left is our pure, unbridled, magnificent self. Uncaged is not for the faint of heart—it’s for the brave of spirit. For anyone ready to stop pleasing and start living, this is THE guide.”

—Shivangi Walke, founder of Thrive with Mentoring and coauthor of Unstoppable: Inspiring Stories of Growth

“Using her own experience, Katia presents a vivid picture of the dilemmas so many women face when we look to pivot a career and relaunch back into the workforce, and regain control over our lives in the process. She dives deep into the connection between breadwinning and power in a marriage and her emotional journey navigating through a harrowing divorce to success on her own terms. Uncaged provides hard lessons learned and inspiration for those who find themselves similarly situated. If that’s you, Uncaged is a must-read.”

—Carol Fishman Cohen, CEO and cofounder, iRelaunch

“An absolute must-read for every woman! In her poignant narrative, Katia beautifully captures the universal experience of grappling with self-doubt and the nagging sensation of inadequacy. With grace and warmth, she invites readers to confront the cozy confines of their golden cages—where life appears perfect but stifles the soul. This book serves as a compelling reminder to embrace growth and self-discovery, and to seek and integrate the most authentic parts of ourselves.”

—Pragati Siddhanti, tech leader, lecturer, community builder, and founder of My Swiss Story

“Captivating! Uncaged feels like an intimate conversation with a dear friend. Every woman will find pieces of her own story reflected in this memoir, making it a profoundly relatable and empowering read.”

—Anna Stando, DEI trainer and consultant, and co-leader of Lean In Network Switzerland

Katia Vlachos

Reinvention Coach, Author, and Speaker

Katia Vlachos is a reinvention coach, author, and speaker committed to helping individuals navigate life transitions and break free from social conditioning. With a master’s from the Harvard Kennedy School and a PhD from the RAND Graduate School, Katia began her career as a policy analyst. Her own reinvention journey led to the publication of A Great Move: Surviving and Thriving in Your Expat Assignment, recognized as a Financial Times Business Book of the Month (June 2018). Featured in the New York Times, Harvard Business Review, and more, Katia’s insights on overcoming limitations, embracing bold choices, and reclaiming one’s authentic self have resonated on stages and

podcasts worldwide. Whether through her writing, transformative retreats, or one-on-one coaching, she empowers women to chart their own ambitious course toward a more fulfilling, uncaged life. Katia lives in Zurich, Switzerland, with her family.