In this episode, we sit down with the vibrant and inspiring Wendy Valentine, host of The Midlife Makeover Show and author of Women Waking Up: The Midlife Manifesto for Passion, Purpose, and Play. Join us as we talk about how midlife doesn't have to mean crisis—it can mean awakening. Wendy shares her deeply personal story of rebuilding her life from the ground up, and the radical self-love and resilience that fueled her transformation. We dive into the emotional truths of midlife, from grief and divorce to rediscovering joy and authenticity. Wendy doesn't just inspire, she equips you with tangible tools, mindset shifts, and her powerful FREEDOM framework to help you move from stuck to empowered.  Episode Highlights:[0:03] - Welcoming Wendy Valentine and introducing her book, Women Waking Up [2:32] - Wendy shares her rock-bottom moment and the events that triggered her transformation [6:24] - Reframing "crashing out" as a path to growth and renewal [8:25] - The lotus metaphor: finding beauty and strength in the mud of midlife [13:09] - You don’t need a crisis to change: How midlife malaise can be a call to action [14:51] - The most common limiting beliefs Wendy hears from women in midlife [17:37] - Stepping into the light: responsibility, courage, and becoming your own best friend [22:27] - Introducing the FREEDOM framework: 7 steps to rebuild and reclaim your life [27:27] - From "acting" like your future self to becoming her [29:44] - Small changes with big ripple effects [32:49] - Leaping into the unknown: Wendy’s journey into RV life and podcasting [36:22] - Meditation, journaling, and daily habits that shift your brain and your life [40:16] - Rewiring your beliefs through neuroplasticity and self-awareness [43:25] - Trusting yourself and embracing midlife as your time  Links and Resources:Pre-order Wendy’s book Women Waking Up: https://www.wendyvalentine.com ·         Wendy Valentine on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendy_valentine_/ Wendy's Substack: https://wendyvalentine.substack.com  If today's discussion resonated with you or sparked curiosity, please rate, follow, and share "Insights from the Couch" with others. Your support helps us reach more people and continue providing valuable insights. Here’s to finding our purposes and living a life full of meaning and joy. Stay tuned for more!Come hang out with us in The Chat, our free community for midlife women, where we keep theconversation going at insightsfromthecouch.org/the-chat. And don’t forget todownload our free guide 7 Skills to Master Midlife so you can stop living small, start taking action, andlive the life you really want at insightsfromthecouch.org/midlife-roadmap.