281. The Light Within Us: Healing Identity, Grief, and Belonging with Michelle Madrid

In this deeply moving conversation, Yolanda welcomes Michelle Madrid — author, speaker, and midlife coach for women — to Girl, Take the Lead!.As a former foster child in the UK and an international adoptee, Michelle has spent a lifetime opening pathways toward her truest sense of identity and purpose. Today, she supports women navigating what she calls midlife grief — the quiet, often hidden grief that appears as life shifts: children leaving home, changing bodies, evolving relationships, and the question many women ask in midlife:Who am I now?Michelle believes midlife grief isn’t something to avoid or suppress. Instead, she describes it as:“Love colliding with change.”In this conversation, Yolanda and Michelle explore grief as a messenger — one that can guide us toward healing, identity, and reclaiming our voice.Michelle also shares the inspiration behind her powerful framework UNBOX, a process she created to help women unpack suppressed emotions and reconnect with their aliveness as they step into the next version of who they’re here to be.This episode is both deeply personal and universally relatable — touching on adoptee identity, people-pleasing, trauma responses, and the courage it takes to live from our authentic voice.And it leaves us with a beautiful reminder:“The light around us is great… but the light within us is greater.”Timestamps00:00 – Welcome & Michelle’s work supporting midlife women through hidden grief02:24 – Yolanda reflects on grief and joy as her daughter prepares to marry05:27 – Michelle’s definition of midlife grief: when love collides with change09:18 – The hidden grief many adoptees carry and why emotions were often suppressed20:19 – Limiting beliefs and the moment Michelle realized the baggage of others was never hers to carry31:17 – From ache to action: the small steps that begin healing36:04 – A powerful affirmation: “The light around us is great, but the light within us is greater.”More About MichelleMichelle Madrid is an author, speaker, and midlife coach for women. She also hosts the new podcast: Most MyselfHer work focuses on helping women navigate midlife grief — the quiet grief that accompanies life transitions such as empty nesting, changing bodies, shifting relationships, and identity changes.Through her UNBOX framework, Michelle guides women in uncovering the emotions they’ve suppressed and reconnecting with their truth, voice, and next chapter.She is the author of:Let Us Be Greater — a book for any woman in midlife navigating identity, grief, and the adoptee experience.Michelle also hosts the podcast:Unboxed, Unburdened, UnstoppableComing in 2026!Michelle recently launched a free monthly online group gathering called Midlife, Together. She has also launched a 4-week 1:1 coaching experience guiding women through her proven Ache to Action formula. Look for more ways to connect and work with Michelle, coming in 2026. Visit her website to stay informed. Websitethemichellemadrid.comFree tools available on her website.Other ways to Connect with Michelle:Instagram@themichellemadridConnect with GTTL:Websitehttps://girltaketheleadpod.comJoin the Girl, Take the Lead! Facebook Group for deeper conversations and insights.Visit the Heartfelt Cards & Gifts Shophttps://girltaketheleadpod.com/shop