Ep 115. It’s Never Too Late to Start Over, with Belinda Stark

In this episode, Ash sits down with Alcohol and Midlife Coach, Belinda Stark, who shows that it’s never too late to transform your life after making her own significant changes in her mid-50s. After running a successful fashion business for over a decade, Belinda made the bold decision to change careers, inspired by her own journey of overcoming depression, breast cancer, divorce, and a complex relationship with alcohol.Belinda shares her personal struggles, including postnatal depression and hospitalisation after the birth of her second son, the moment she realised alcohol was no longer serving her, and how she finally found the courage to step into sobriety. She reflects on the tools that helped her along the way, the challenges of reprogramming deep-seated beliefs, and the incredible shifts she has experienced in her relationships, self-esteem, and overall happiness.Ash and Belinda also discuss the importance of self-compassion, navigating midlife reinvention, and why it’s never too late to make a change.The episode highlights are:00:00 Introduction to Transformation and Resilience02:39 Belinda Stark: A Journey of Courage08:28 Hiding Behind the Smile: The Struggles Within18:02 Childhood Influences and Early Habits22:50 The Turning Point: Acknowledging Alcoholism26:36 Facing Breast Cancer: A Life-Altering Diagnosis30:09 Overcoming Health Challenges33:08 The Role of Mindset in Recovery35:16 The Journey to Sobriety Begins39:39 Tapering vs. Cold Turkey: Finding What Works40:59 Navigating Social Situations Sober47:27 Tools for Sustaining Sobriety49:02 Transforming Relationships Through Sobriety53:44 Empowering Change in Midlife55:53 Non-Negotiables for a Fulfilling LifeYou can connect with Belinda Stark on Instagram or through her website. To access your free guided meditations, head to the Freebie Page on Ash’s website ⁠https://www.ashbutterss.com/free-resources⁠Follow and connect with Ash on: ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠TikTok ⁠⁠Facebook Website⁠  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.