Divorce can be the best thing that ever happened to you.

In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy talks with Linda Stephens, a clinical nutritionist, IFBB Pro athlete, and nationally recognized women’s health expert, about how her 2017 divorce became the beginning of a powerful reinvention. What started as a painful life transition became an opportunity to get honest about what she wanted, step into her next chapter and help other women do the same.

Amy and Linda discuss what it means for women in midlife to stop accepting outdated messages about aging, hormones and menopause–and start advocating for themselves. This is a conversation about strength, clarity, health and why your 50s and beyond can be one of the most powerful seasons of your life.

In this episode, we cover:

• Linda’s divorce story and how it became a turning point
• Reinventing yourself in midlife
• How she got into fitness, nutrition, and women’s health
• Why women need to self-advocate in today’s medical system
• The problem with outdated standards of care around menopause
• How to see menopause as an opportunity, not just a struggle
• What’s possible for women in their 50s and beyond

If this episode speaks to you, share it with a woman who needs the reminder that it is not too late to become stronger, healthier, and more fully yourself.

If you’re navigating divorce or thinking about it, connect with Amy for a free 15-minute consultation at www.freedomwarrior.info

Find out more about Linda Stephens Health & Wellness here: www.lindamstephens.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindastephensfit/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindamstephens

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindastephensfit/

For many women, the family home feels like the heart of the family–the place tied to stability, memories and the future they imagined.

But in divorce, decisions about the house can quickly become complicated, emotional, and financially risky.

In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Divorce Coach Amy Polacko is joined by mortgage advisor and Certified Divorce Lending Professional John Marroni to talk about what divorcing women need to know before deciding whether to keep the home, sell it, or start over somewhere new. Because what looks good in a divorce agreement still has to work in real life.

This episode covers:

• Why keeping the house is not always as simple as being awarded it in divorce

• The difference between emotional attachment and financial reality

• How buyouts work and what women need to understand before agreeing to one

• Whether you can take over an existing mortgage• How HELOCs and other debts can complicate the picture

• When selling the family home may actually be the smartest move

• The importance of getting answers early, before a settlement is signed

If you’re navigating divorce and trying to make smart, strategic decisions, connect with Amy for a free 15-minute consultation at www.freedomwarrior.info

John's info:

Website: https://www.divorcelendingassociation.com/offices/john-marroni.cfm

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmarroni/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnmarronidkmc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marronijohn/

#girlwakeup #podcast #takeyourpowerback #divorcesupport #financialeducation

Too many women enter divorce believing family court will be the place where fairness finally shows up. Instead, many find a system that is expensive, exhausting, slow and often blind to power imbalances playing out behind closed doors.

In this episode of Girl, Wake Up!, Amy sits down with Chicago divorce attorney and mediator Kimberly Cook for a candid conversation about why family court so often does not feel fair-and what women need to understand before they enter it.

Kimberly shares what shifted for her after the pandemic, when she began moving away from litigation and toward mediation.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why so many women walk away from family court feeling shocked and disillusioned
• What Kimberly saw in litigation that led to her own professional wakeup call
• How the pandemic changed the way she viewed divorce and dispute resolution
• What mediation can do well — and where it can fall short
• When mediation is not safe, balanced or appropriate
• How women can better prepare themselves before stepping into divorce or family court

Learn more about Kimberly A. Cook:

Schiller DuCanto Fleck: https://sdflaw.com/team/detail/kimberly-a-cook

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlyjohnsoncook

Instagram: @growngirldivorce

Podcast: available on iTunes, Spotify, IHeartRadio, Audible

How to connect with Amy Polacko:

Book a free Divorce or Life Coaching Consultation with Amy Polacko here.

Follow Amy on Instagram: @freedomwarriortribe

Watch and Subscribe to Girl, Wake Up! On YouTube or on your favorite podcast platform: https://www.youtube.com/@amyfreedomwarrior/podcasts

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0:00 - 00:45 Podcast Intro: Girl Wake Up

00:45 - 02:43 Episode Overview: Family Court Realities | Introducing Kimberly Cook

2:44 - 6:36 The Disconnect Between TV and Reality | Expectations vs. Experience | The 5% Trial Myth

6:37 - 14:08 Litigation vs. Mediation

14:09 - 17:30 Navigating Power Imbalances | Financial Abuse and Mediation Concerns | Creating Balance with Attorney Assistance

17:31 - 21:41 Strategic Preparation for Divorce | Educating Yourself on Legal Basics | Uncovering Hidden Financial Knowledge | The Reality Show Timeline Strategy | Modern Trends in Divorce Settlements |

21:42 - 27:54 The High Cost of Legal Conflict High Conflict Case Options | The Reality of Legal Billing The Role of a Divorce Coach

27:55 - 37:37 Listener Advice: Truth, Traps, and Tactics | Truth or Trap: Flexibility in Court Letter: Feeling Scrutinized by the System | Reframing the Narrative for Judges | Battles vs. The Long Game Strategy

37:37 Conclusion and Resources