From Near-Death To New Life: Sarah Shoulak’s Journey Through Trauma, Sobriety, And Self-Discovery

Send us Fan MailSome lives seem to collect plot twists, and Sarah’s has a few you won’t see coming. From sudden near-death moments and a long wrestle with addiction to deep grief and a full-bodied reinvention, Sarah opens up about how she stopped performing for attention and started building a life rooted in boundaries, ritual, and self-respect. We go there—assault, cancer, mental health, and the hard truth that change usually starts when you’re tired of your own patterns.We dig into women’s health with honesty and heart. Maria shares her cervical cancer journey and the decision to take control of her health, only to be surprised by a clean report after a hysterectomy. Sarah talks about her mom’s breast cancer survival and the music festival nonprofit that sustains a tight-knit community of patients, survivors, and families. Together we highlight the gaps in awareness for rare cancers, the power of self-advocacy, and why prevention, nutrition, and movement matter more when they’re intentional.Then we get practical. Boundaries as the first act of self-respect. Rituals as “love letters” to your future self—overnight oats, folded laundry, morning movement, even a nightly three-word intention with a drop of oil. Sobriety as a streak of daily non-choices that compound into freedom. We also unpack the gap between confidence and self-esteem and how to choose yourself in small ways that eventually change everything. Sarah’s forthcoming memoir, Dead Serious: How Death Made Me Laugh at Life, isn’t about glossing over pain; it’s about letting grief and joy sit together and still picking joy on purpose.If this conversation gives you a spark, share it with someone who needs it, hit follow, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show. What small ritual will you create tonight for your future self?Connect with Sarah:Instagram: @kaluohsFacebook Page: @kaluohsSubstack: @sarahmarieshoulak Youtube: @KALUOHSNotable mentions: The Goddess Oil we spoke about was from https://www.instagram.com/goddessglo11.11Support the showLove Your LifeFollow Maria on Facebook HERE Follow Maria on Instagram HEREFollow Maria on YouTube HERE