In this unfiltered and personal episode, Kim invites us into the sacred, uncertain space between endings and new beginnings—the messy middle. With raw honesty, she shares why this episode arrived late, the emotional toll of trying to “keep up,” and the hard truth that healing doesn’t always follow a schedule.
Kim reflects on the transition from cancer treatment to closing a 30-year salon business, caring for her mother with Alzheimer’s, and trying to write a book that holds decades of unspoken truth. This isn’t a conversation about having the answers. It’s about what happens when you stop performing, start pausing, and finally allow yourself to be where you are.
You’ll hear Kim wrestle with comparison, burnout, people-pleasing, and the false urgency to “do it all”—and how she’s learning (slowly) that rest is not a setback, and stillness is a skill.
Whether you’re between life chapters, rebuilding after loss, or just trying to breathe, this episode is a gentle permission slip to be in the middle without needing to rush the ending.
Takeaways
The cancer journey is ongoing even after treatment ends.
Self-care is essential for mental and emotional well-being.
Social media can distort self-perception and create unrealistic comparisons.
It's okay to take a break and not have everything figured out.
Writing can be a therapeutic process for understanding trauma.
Life is messy, and it's important to embrace that messiness.
The importance of community support during difficult times.
Trauma can shape one's identity and perspective on life.
It's crucial to prioritize personal needs and boundaries.
Key words - trauma leadership, foster care, identity shift, life purpose, personal growth, authentic leadership, mentor support, healing journey, women’s resilience, redefining success
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