TWR 333: Sarah Schmidt: How to Emotionally Grow into Purpose after Life's Biggest Midlife Interruptions

Have you ever felt like your true self got lost along the way while juggling life's many roles and challenges?   In this episode of the Wellness Revolution podcast, I chat with Sarah Schmidt about overcoming life's biggest challenges to find renewed meaning and joy. Sarah shares how at age 52, after two divorces and a battle with cancer, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery that involved getting out of her head and into her body to process difficult emotions.    We discuss the challenges of navigating divorce while prioritizing children's emotional well-being, the importance of vulnerability in parenting, the journey of finding purpose in midlife and much much more.    Sarah has her PsyD in Clinical Psychology, a Masters in Pastoral Counseling, and has a Health Coach Certification. She is a woman with no shortage of these life moments – from growing up in a small, Catholic town in Wisconsin with a mom who spent 12 years in a convent, to discovering she was in love with a woman to getting diagnosed with cancer, to adopting a son with sickle cell disease, to having her first natural birth at 44, to navigating a second divorce– and beyond. Many might experience some of these events in their lifetime, but few have experienced them all in one.    Thank you to our sponsors: First5 Workshop: https://ambershaw.samcart.com/products/first5   Find more from Sarah Schmidt: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wholeyschmidt  Instagram: @wholeyschmidt Podcast: Wholey Schmidt on Apple and Spotify   Find more from Amber: Instagram: @msambershaw TikTok: @msambershaw Website: ambershaw.com    What We Discuss: 03:01 The Power of Resilience: A Mother's Inspiration 05:55 Insights on Co-Parenting 09:10 Emotional Intelligence: The Importance of Vulnerability 14:58 The Path to Clarity 18:00 Creating Space for Self-Discovery 21:05 Aligning with Your True Self 26:37 Understanding Anger and Its Roots 28:02 Rediscovering Purpose in Midlife 29:30 The Importance of Self-Compassion 43:00 Rebuilding a Positive Body Image 44:58 Connecting with Your Inner Child   Key Takeaways:   Let go of what no longer serves you, build resilience through facing adversity, and find renewed purpose at any stage of life.  Sit with your feelings, develop self-compassion, connect with your inner child, and surround yourself with supportive people. Take cues from inspiring role models, establish a consistent exercise routine, focus on your desire to succeed rather than fear of failure, and view setbacks as learning opportunities.