In this episode, Mardi Winder welcomes J. Lumen, a transformational trainer, certified master life coach, and bestselling author, for an honest and heartfelt conversation about moving forward when life throws you off course. J. opens up about her own story, which started with all the pieces in place. She had a long-term relationship, a “good” job, and a life that, from the outside, seemed just fine. But beneath the surface, things were far from okay. She describes feeling drained and trapped, responsible for everything, and convincing herself she had to tough it out until life magically improved.
Things took an unexpected and frightening turn after she ended her relationship, when her ex-boyfriend showed up out of the blue and held her hostage in her home. She shares how the situation quickly escalated to a traumatic, life-altering ordeal. J. talks candidly about how there were no classic warning signs, sharing her experience as a cautionary tale.
Rather than staying stuck in fear or regret, J. explains how she used the experience to hit reset on her life. She and Mardi discuss finding happiness by reconnecting with your core values, remembering what used to bring you joy, and realizing you’ve already made it through challenges before. They make it clear that no one has to have everything figured out before taking the first step. Instead, J. encourages exploring new interests, giving yourself space to mess up and learn, and trusting that confidence grows from action and curiosity, not perfection.
Throughout the conversation, J. brings warmth and humor, reminding listeners that big life changes don’t have to wait for a crisis. She also offers a free self-assessment tool to help people get started, showing that small steps and self-reflection can make a huge difference. This episode is full of supportive, practical advice for anyone feeling stuck or ready for a new chapter.
About the Guest:
J. Lumen is a Transformation Trainer, an International Speaker, Certified Master Life Coach and an International best-selling contributing author. J. knows first-hand how it feels to be silently dissatisfied with life. For her, this was feeling trapped in a relationship that was emotionally over and at a toxic job she hated but not seeing a way out or even what she wanted.
Eventually breaking free from the relationship, she convinced herself of all the reasons to keep the job and figure out what she wanted. But two months later, an unexpected knock at her door changed her life drastically as the night ended with an arrest for attempted murder. Of her. Using her own transformation, she's on a mission to empower others to stop waiting for a life-altering event of their own and start living a life they'd never imagine possible, full of authentic joy and one they don't regret.
For J.’s gift: https://resumeyourlife.com/
To connect with J:
Website: https://theunknownbucketlist.com/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/J.lumen8
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theunknownbucketlist/
About the Host:
Mardi Winder is an ICF and BCC Executive and Leadership Coach, Certified Divorce Transition Coach, Certified Divorce Specialist (CDS®) and a Credentialed Distinguished Mediator in Texas. She has worked with women in executive, entrepreneur, and leadership roles, navigating personal, life, and professional transitions. She is the founder of Positive Communication Systems, LLC, and host of Real Divorce Talks, a quarterly series designed to provide education and inspiration to women at all stages of divorce.
Are you interested in learning more about your divorce priorities? Take the quiz "The Divorce Stress Test".
Connect with Mardi on Social Media:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Divorcecoach4women
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mardiwinderadams/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divorcecoach4women/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@divorcecoach4women
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