FREE DOWNLOAD! 14 Nuggets of Wisdom for a Better Life!

Have you ever found yourself—or perhaps you’re in that place right now—feeling trapped by overwhelm, anxiety, and fear, wondering if true happiness is only reserved for everyone else? If so, today’s episode is going to teach you science-backed strategies proving that genuine joy and happiness are not only possible, but well within your reach!

Do You Need a Mental Health & Happiness Boost?

If you're craving genuine joy, battling overwhelm, or yearning for a better you, get ready—this conversation unlocks the motivational secrets behind true, lasting happiness!

Your Happiness Resources:



An Inspiring Story of Finding Happiness

In this raw and empowering episode, Tamara Zoner—a survivor of a 15-year emotionally abusive marriage—reveals how she turned rock-bottom despair into a thriving career as a science-backed happiness coach.

You’ll hear how she:

  • Escaped financial and emotional captivity with three young children
  • Used the “Passion Test” to reclaim her identity
  • Teaches proven techniques to rewire negativity (backed by neuroscience!)
  • Discovered that happiness is a muscle—not a destination


From viral COVID-era senior center workshops to her upcoming Radiant Happiness Retreat, Tamara’s story proves joy isn’t just possible—it’s teachable.


Your Happiness Roadmap:

  • Happiness is a practice, not a personality trait: Learn daily habits to boost your “happiness set point.”
  • Break free from “stuck” mindset traps: How to spot limiting beliefs (like “I have to make this work”) and replace them with empowered action.
  • Fun is non-negotiable: Why silly walks, karaoke, and cat videos are secretly revolutionary acts of self-care.


Make Your Happiness a Priority!

Hit Play to unlock Tamara’s step-by-step framework for creating a life you love right now!


Today’s Inspiring Guest

Tamara Zoner is a certified happiness coach, speaker, and founder of A Life You Love Now. After escaping an abusive marriage and navigating single parenthood, she combines cutting-edge neuroscience with hard-won wisdom to help others cultivate unshakable joy. A recovering people-pleaser turned empowerment advocate, Tamara now leads retreats and workshops worldwide—proving that happiness isn’t just possible, but learnable.


Hey, it's Kevin!


I hope you enjoyed today's episode! If there is ever anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to reach out. Below, you will find ALL the places and ALL the ways to connect!


  • I would LOVE to hear from you! Send me a Voice Message
  • Want to be a guest on GRIT, GRACE, & INSPIRATION? Send Kevin Lowe a message on PodMatch!
  • Show Notes

    FREE DOWNLOAD! 14 Nuggets of Wisdom for a Better Life!

    Have you ever found yourself—or perhaps you’re in that place right now—feeling trapped by overwhelm, anxiety, and fear, wondering if true happiness is only reserved for everyone else? If so, today’s episode is going to teach you science-backed strategies proving that genuine joy and happiness are not only possible, but well within your reach!

    Do You Need a Mental Health & Happiness Boost?

    If you're craving genuine joy, battling overwhelm, or yearning for a better you, get ready—this conversation unlocks the motivational secrets behind true, lasting happiness!

    Your Happiness Resources:



    An Inspiring Story of Finding Happiness

    In this raw and empowering episode, Tamara Zoner—a survivor of a 15-year emotionally abusive marriage—reveals how she turned rock-bottom despair into a thriving career as a science-backed happiness coach.

    You’ll hear how she:

    • Escaped financial and emotional captivity with three young children
    • Used the “Passion Test” to reclaim her identity
    • Teaches proven techniques to rewire negativity (backed by neuroscience!)
    • Discovered that happiness is a muscle—not a destination


    From viral COVID-era senior center workshops to her upcoming Radiant Happiness Retreat, Tamara’s story proves joy isn’t just possible—it’s teachable.


    Your Happiness Roadmap:

    • Happiness is a practice, not a personality trait: Learn daily habits to boost your “happiness set point.”
    • Break free from “stuck” mindset traps: How to spot limiting beliefs (like “I have to make this work”) and replace them with empowered action.
    • Fun is non-negotiable: Why silly walks, karaoke, and cat videos are secretly revolutionary acts of self-care.


    Make Your Happiness a Priority!

    Hit Play to unlock Tamara’s step-by-step framework for creating a life you love right now!


    Today’s Inspiring Guest

    Tamara Zoner is a certified happiness coach, speaker, and founder of A Life You Love Now. After escaping an abusive marriage and navigating single parenthood, she combines cutting-edge neuroscience with hard-won wisdom to help others cultivate unshakable joy. A recovering people-pleaser turned empowerment advocate, Tamara now leads retreats and workshops worldwide—proving that happiness isn’t just possible, but learnable.


    Hey, it's Kevin!


    I hope you enjoyed today's episode! If there is ever anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to reach out. Below, you will find ALL the places and ALL the ways to connect!




    Stay Awesome! Live Inspired!

    © 2025 Grit, Grace, & Inspiration

    Show Transcript

    00:00:00.737 --> 00:00:06.897


    Kevin Lowe: If you've ever felt lost, overwhelmed, even frustrated at trying to regain your happiness,



    00:00:07.477 --> 00:00:12.557


    Kevin Lowe: Well, today's episode, today's conversation is going to give you the tools you



    00:00:12.557 --> 00:00:16.317


    Kevin Lowe: need to break free and create a life you truly love.



    00:00:16.577 --> 00:00:21.077


    Kevin Lowe: Our guest, Tamara's owner, she was trapped in an emotionally abusive marriage.



    00:00:21.377 --> 00:00:26.737


    Kevin Lowe: She was convinced she was stuck until, of course, she made one monumental decision



    00:00:26.737 --> 00:00:27.997


    Kevin Lowe: that would change everything.



    00:00:28.337 --> 00:00:33.537


    Kevin Lowe: Today, Tamara is a science-backed happiness coach, proving that pure joy,



    00:00:33.537 --> 00:00:39.377


    Kevin Lowe: it's not just possible, but rather it's a skill that can be learned and mastered.



    00:00:39.777 --> 00:00:44.937


    Kevin Lowe: If you, my friend, are in need of a little bit more joy in your life,



    00:00:45.097 --> 00:00:49.297


    Kevin Lowe: some happiness, you could benefit from a masterclass on happiness,



    00:00:49.697 --> 00:00:52.217


    Kevin Lowe: well, you're exactly where you're meant to be.



    00:00:52.397 --> 00:00:59.777


    Kevin Lowe: This, my friend, is episode 367. Now, as a quick reminder, if you would love



    00:00:59.777 --> 00:01:04.517


    Kevin Lowe: a little help in being sure that this year is indeed the best year of your life,



    00:01:04.697 --> 00:01:07.017


    Kevin Lowe: well, you got to go check out my free resource.



    00:01:07.197 --> 00:01:10.837


    Kevin Lowe: It's called 14 Nuggets of Wisdom for a Better Life.



    00:01:10.977 --> 00:01:16.557


    Kevin Lowe: I've created a free ebook plus an exclusive free podcast episode,



    00:01:16.777 --> 00:01:20.857


    Kevin Lowe: all designed to help you make this year the best year of your life.



    00:01:20.857 --> 00:01:25.537


    Kevin Lowe: A link is at the top of today's show notes where you can click to download,



    00:01:25.537 --> 00:01:32.437


    Kevin Lowe: or you can also head on over to gritgraceinspiration.com, the website for the podcast,



    00:01:32.757 --> 00:01:36.197


    Kevin Lowe: where you will also find a link to access that same resource.



    00:01:36.657 --> 00:01:41.957


    Kevin Lowe: It's just my way of trying to help you make today a little bit better than yesterday.



    00:01:41.957 --> 00:01:45.037


    Kevin Lowe: And of course, this year, the best year of your life.



    00:01:45.197 --> 00:01:47.897


    Kevin Lowe: With that said, I hope you enjoy today's episode.



    00:01:48.237 --> 00:01:53.017


    Kevin Lowe: Here's my interview with Tamara Zona. Hey, I'm your host, Kevin Lowe,



    00:01:53.137 --> 00:01:56.197


    Kevin Lowe: and you are listening to Grit, Grace, and Inspiration.



    00:01:57.347 --> 00:02:03.527


    Kevin Lowe: What has happened to my friends? Welcome back to the studios here at Great Grace and Inspiration.



    00:02:04.067 --> 00:02:08.927


    Kevin Lowe: Today, I have the pleasure of being joined by another amazing woman here in



    00:02:08.927 --> 00:02:12.087


    Kevin Lowe: the studio with me, Tamara. Welcome to the podcast.



    00:02:12.867 --> 00:02:14.807


    Tamara Zoner: Thank you. It's a joy to be here.



    00:02:15.027 --> 00:02:19.207


    Kevin Lowe: Oh my goodness. Well, Tamara, I've been super excited for us to get to talk



    00:02:19.207 --> 00:02:22.547


    Kevin Lowe: today and get to unpack really kind of,



    00:02:22.687 --> 00:02:26.687


    Kevin Lowe: I guess I would say it, both kind of like this personal journey and professional



    00:02:26.687 --> 00:02:32.247


    Kevin Lowe: journey that you've been on and all of this around this amazing topic of happiness.



    00:02:32.607 --> 00:02:35.887


    Kevin Lowe: I want to ask a question to kick things off today.



    00:02:36.327 --> 00:02:44.327


    Kevin Lowe: When we talk about happiness, do you think of happiness as a destination or



    00:02:44.327 --> 00:02:45.387


    Kevin Lowe: is it part of the journey?



    00:02:46.007 --> 00:02:47.567


    Tamara Zoner: It is the journey.



    00:02:50.287 --> 00:02:56.547


    Tamara Zoner: Yeah, I think there's a big problem if we think that it's the destination because



    00:02:56.547 --> 00:03:00.247


    Tamara Zoner: we're never going to get there. We're always here.



    00:03:00.647 --> 00:03:06.227


    Tamara Zoner: And so if we can just plant our feet and know that happiness is a moment to



    00:03:06.227 --> 00:03:09.667


    Tamara Zoner: moment practice, then we'll feel more of it.



    00:03:10.327 --> 00:03:16.687


    Kevin Lowe: Yeah. Yeah. I love that so much. Well, then talking about the journey is,



    00:03:16.927 --> 00:03:19.667


    Kevin Lowe: I always love to kind of go back a little bit. And so



    00:03:20.411 --> 00:03:24.131


    Kevin Lowe: I'll let you decide where we pick up your story at.



    00:03:24.311 --> 00:03:31.131


    Kevin Lowe: But what I'm curious is, is when you look back on this journey you've been on, was there any person,



    00:03:31.471 --> 00:03:37.071


    Kevin Lowe: an event, even maybe just a period of your life that you feel like was really



    00:03:37.071 --> 00:03:39.891


    Kevin Lowe: significant on getting you to where you are today?



    00:03:41.691 --> 00:03:44.751


    Tamara Zoner: Yes. Yes and yes.



    00:03:44.751 --> 00:03:52.911


    Tamara Zoner: The most significant point in my life where I feel like really where I am today



    00:03:52.911 --> 00:03:57.511


    Tamara Zoner: began is about 15 years ago,



    00:03:57.511 --> 00:04:04.111


    Tamara Zoner: where I really discovered and admitted to myself that I was not living for me.



    00:04:04.111 --> 00:04:07.571


    Tamara Zoner: I was trying to be someone for someone else.



    00:04:07.791 --> 00:04:14.091


    Tamara Zoner: And that was a glimmer. And then I continued for a few more years in this controlling,



    00:04:14.571 --> 00:04:20.291


    Tamara Zoner: emotionally abusive marriage because we had had a third child and I didn't want to be a single parent.



    00:04:20.291 --> 00:04:25.631


    Tamara Zoner: But as I had tried everything to fix the marriage, to make it better,



    00:04:25.871 --> 00:04:30.231


    Tamara Zoner: to be who we wanted, and none of it worked, I finally turned back to myself



    00:04:30.231 --> 00:04:32.611


    Tamara Zoner: and was like, well, I feel miserable.



    00:04:33.071 --> 00:04:37.051


    Tamara Zoner: This isn't working for me. I hate life.



    00:04:37.271 --> 00:04:41.391


    Tamara Zoner: I don't like me. and I'm supposed to be happy, right?



    00:04:41.551 --> 00:04:47.831


    Tamara Zoner: Because I've got children and a husband and I'm living in another country.



    00:04:48.051 --> 00:04:53.031


    Tamara Zoner: And like, ideally it should be a happy life, but it's not.



    00:04:53.431 --> 00:04:57.891


    Tamara Zoner: And so when I started to kind of dig into what would make me happy,



    00:04:58.211 --> 00:05:03.631


    Tamara Zoner: I stopped kind of the lying to myself of like, this will get better because



    00:05:03.631 --> 00:05:05.011


    Tamara Zoner: it wasn't getting better.



    00:05:05.911 --> 00:05:10.971


    Tamara Zoner: And I instead said, what do I need? now? What would make me feel happy?



    00:05:11.111 --> 00:05:13.031


    Tamara Zoner: And I happen to at the same time,



    00:05:13.840 --> 00:05:18.580


    Tamara Zoner: meet a woman who was a certified passion test facilitator.



    00:05:18.840 --> 00:05:22.800


    Tamara Zoner: And when we first exchanged business cards, I didn't know what that was.



    00:05:22.920 --> 00:05:25.620


    Tamara Zoner: I've never heard of it, but something in my whole body knew.



    00:05:25.960 --> 00:05:33.180


    Tamara Zoner: I felt like shivers and chills. Like when you just know something is about to change or happen.



    00:05:33.500 --> 00:05:38.020


    Tamara Zoner: That's how I felt when I read those words. And before I'd even taken what's



    00:05:38.020 --> 00:05:41.400


    Tamara Zoner: called the passion test, I had signed up to become a certified facilitator.



    00:05:41.960 --> 00:05:49.860


    Tamara Zoner: And it was really that process that helped me and still helps anybody I work



    00:05:49.860 --> 00:05:53.180


    Tamara Zoner: with to identify what I wanted life to look and feel like.



    00:05:53.740 --> 00:05:59.160


    Tamara Zoner: And the interesting thing for me at the time was that you make a list of 10



    00:05:59.160 --> 00:06:01.760


    Tamara Zoner: to 12 things that you want to be, do, feel, or have.



    00:06:01.940 --> 00:06:07.360


    Tamara Zoner: And my family was on that list, but the process is getting down to the top five.



    00:06:07.660 --> 00:06:10.900


    Tamara Zoner: And my family hit one of those.



    00:06:12.100 --> 00:06:16.980


    Tamara Zoner: And the rest was about me feeling authentic, about me having confidence,



    00:06:17.280 --> 00:06:22.860


    Tamara Zoner: about me having my own voice and friends because I had no friends because controlling husband.



    00:06:23.060 --> 00:06:28.460


    Tamara Zoner: And so it was really awakening for me. It was eye-opening. It was heart awakening.



    00:06:28.900 --> 00:06:34.720


    Tamara Zoner: Like, oh, I've been living this lie to try to make someone else happy who is



    00:06:34.720 --> 00:06:38.800


    Tamara Zoner: never happy and never going to be happy with me.



    00:06:39.260 --> 00:06:42.280


    Tamara Zoner: And now I get to choose something different.



    00:06:42.500 --> 00:06:48.800


    Tamara Zoner: And as, and it's a long story shortish, but as I opened to what made me feel



    00:06:48.800 --> 00:06:55.120


    Tamara Zoner: good and I stepped back into personal development and personal growth and really honoring myself,



    00:06:55.120 --> 00:07:00.340


    Tamara Zoner: I was able to gather the courage to walk away from that painful,



    00:07:00.460 --> 00:07:07.180


    Tamara Zoner: painful marriage and really step more fully into being who I am and reclaimed



    00:07:07.180 --> 00:07:12.120


    Tamara Zoner: or remembered the joyful person that I naturally am.



    00:07:12.320 --> 00:07:16.680


    Tamara Zoner: And so it was quite a process. But the reason I do this work is because I was



    00:07:16.680 --> 00:07:22.240


    Tamara Zoner: desperately unhappy, but I could remember a version of myself with some natural happiness.



    00:07:22.920 --> 00:07:25.680


    Tamara Zoner: And it was all about finding her again.



    00:07:26.520 --> 00:07:34.080


    Kevin Lowe: Yeah. Now, how long were you in this relationship before you really started



    00:07:34.080 --> 00:07:36.060


    Kevin Lowe: coming to this kind of awakening?



    00:07:36.520 --> 00:07:39.900


    Tamara Zoner: 12 years and I left at 15 years.



    00:07:39.900 --> 00:07:49.600


    Kevin Lowe: Wow. Now, how I don't even know how to frame the question of how were you able



    00:07:49.600 --> 00:07:52.940


    Kevin Lowe: to to get out of such a relationship?



    00:07:52.940 --> 00:07:59.480


    Kevin Lowe: Because obviously that takes extreme courage and strength on your part.



    00:07:59.700 --> 00:08:01.220


    Kevin Lowe: What was that like for you?



    00:08:02.056 --> 00:08:06.836


    Tamara Zoner: It was so hard, Kevin. It's so scary to be, especially as a parent, right?



    00:08:07.276 --> 00:08:11.416


    Tamara Zoner: To be a parent of three young children who I had worked on and off,



    00:08:11.536 --> 00:08:15.036


    Tamara Zoner: but we had moved from country to country. My ex-husband is French.



    00:08:15.376 --> 00:08:19.276


    Tamara Zoner: So we weren't like, he wasn't attached to the United States where I'm from.



    00:08:19.516 --> 00:08:25.416


    Tamara Zoner: And so we had lived in Asia. We had lived in the UK and I had this reoccurring



    00:08:25.416 --> 00:08:30.236


    Tamara Zoner: thought that I was just stuck because how was I supposed to support three kids



    00:08:30.236 --> 00:08:32.516


    Tamara Zoner: on my own? Where would we even live.



    00:08:32.916 --> 00:08:38.956


    Tamara Zoner: And as I just became clearer and clearer on what I needed to do,



    00:08:39.156 --> 00:08:43.516


    Tamara Zoner: which was to gather that courage to do something more for myself,



    00:08:43.936 --> 00:08:45.196


    Tamara Zoner: synchronicity played a part.



    00:08:45.416 --> 00:08:52.916


    Tamara Zoner: So I had gained enough confidence and courage to fight for coming home for a



    00:08:52.916 --> 00:08:56.136


    Tamara Zoner: visit with my three kids and me, just us, just the four of us.



    00:08:56.256 --> 00:09:01.376


    Tamara Zoner: My ex, still husband at the time, stayed in the UK where we were living because



    00:09:01.376 --> 00:09:03.236


    Tamara Zoner: he needed to work and couldn't take the time off.



    00:09:03.416 --> 00:09:08.356


    Tamara Zoner: And normally I didn't travel without him, but I've, I've fought for this one.



    00:09:08.356 --> 00:09:11.276


    Tamara Zoner: I was like, I need to go home. I need to see my family.



    00:09:11.496 --> 00:09:14.076


    Tamara Zoner: I need to see my friends. The kids need to see their family.



    00:09:14.536 --> 00:09:20.756


    Tamara Zoner: And so he agreed. So we came back to Michigan, August of 2014.



    00:09:22.456 --> 00:09:28.336


    Tamara Zoner: And after a few days, I noticed myself start to relax.



    00:09:28.476 --> 00:09:35.896


    Tamara Zoner: Like I wasn't constantly bracing for the next outburst or what I was going to be in trouble for.



    00:09:36.236 --> 00:09:41.156


    Tamara Zoner: And I started to relax and think, well, wow, here are these people around me



    00:09:41.156 --> 00:09:43.596


    Tamara Zoner: who say they love me and they act like it too.



    00:09:45.236 --> 00:09:49.516


    Tamara Zoner: And I was a brand new passion test facilitator at the time. So I had just gotten



    00:09:49.516 --> 00:09:52.436


    Tamara Zoner: certified as a life coach, as a passion test facilitator.



    00:09:52.576 --> 00:09:57.796


    Tamara Zoner: And so I wanted to practice my new skills on my family and friends who I hadn't seen in years.



    00:09:58.676 --> 00:10:03.976


    Tamara Zoner: And I was giving a workshop and like any good abused spouse,



    00:10:04.376 --> 00:10:08.616


    Tamara Zoner: I had informed my husband exactly what I'd be doing all day long, right?



    00:10:08.776 --> 00:10:13.656


    Tamara Zoner: I'm not going to be answering my phone for three hours because I will be doing this workshop.



    00:10:13.976 --> 00:10:19.756


    Tamara Zoner: So the unspoken words were, so please don't accuse me of things I'm not doing, but he did.



    00:10:20.016 --> 00:10:26.296


    Tamara Zoner: So during the workshop, he called 24 times, 24 times until one of my friends



    00:10:26.296 --> 00:10:30.056


    Tamara Zoner: picked up my phone and said, Tam, maybe it's an emergency. I think you might



    00:10:30.056 --> 00:10:31.176


    Tamara Zoner: want to call your husband.



    00:10:31.516 --> 00:10:36.056


    Tamara Zoner: And so I did. I went and I called him and I was like, is everything okay?



    00:10:36.716 --> 00:10:41.416


    Tamara Zoner: And he just went on this rampage. And I thought to myself, oh my gosh,



    00:10:42.656 --> 00:10:45.456


    Tamara Zoner: like here is the biggest sign.



    00:10:45.716 --> 00:10:54.296


    Tamara Zoner: And if I miss it now, there's no hope for me Because he is showing me exactly who he is.



    00:10:54.396 --> 00:10:59.196


    Tamara Zoner: And I am thousands of miles away and I don't ever have to go back to that.



    00:10:59.869 --> 00:11:00.349


    Kevin Lowe: Hmm.



    00:11:01.009 --> 00:11:06.969


    Tamara Zoner: And so, yeah, over the course of a few days, he demonstrated many ways why I



    00:11:06.969 --> 00:11:08.749


    Tamara Zoner: did not need to return to that relationship.



    00:11:08.969 --> 00:11:11.949


    Tamara Zoner: And I was so grateful, you know, as I look back and of course,



    00:11:12.009 --> 00:11:14.489


    Tamara Zoner: in the moment, it's all scary and it's like, what am I going to do?



    00:11:14.629 --> 00:11:16.369


    Tamara Zoner: And I don't want to go back to that.



    00:11:16.809 --> 00:11:20.029


    Tamara Zoner: And parents, could you please let me stay here for a while in your basement



    00:11:20.029 --> 00:11:27.189


    Tamara Zoner: with my three children? And so I am fortunate in the fact that I had family



    00:11:27.189 --> 00:11:30.589


    Tamara Zoner: that I could ask for support from.



    00:11:30.729 --> 00:11:34.789


    Tamara Zoner: And I recognize that not every person has that. And I feel very,



    00:11:34.909 --> 00:11:38.369


    Tamara Zoner: very grateful and fortunate that I was able to lean on them and have a safe



    00:11:38.369 --> 00:11:39.949


    Tamara Zoner: place for my children and I to stay.



    00:11:40.429 --> 00:11:46.609


    Tamara Zoner: And then, you know, suck up my ego and ask for state assistance for a time because



    00:11:46.609 --> 00:11:49.929


    Tamara Zoner: my ex, as soon as I decided to stay, cut me off from her bank accounts.



    00:11:50.229 --> 00:11:56.809


    Tamara Zoner: So I had no money, three kids. And I was not so proud that I wasn't willing



    00:11:56.809 --> 00:12:01.029


    Tamara Zoner: to ask for the social assistance that is available to a lot of us.



    00:12:01.129 --> 00:12:02.469


    Tamara Zoner: And sometimes we're too proud.



    00:12:02.629 --> 00:12:08.829


    Tamara Zoner: And so we keep ourselves stuck because we won't ask for help. But I did. And I got it.



    00:12:09.029 --> 00:12:12.429


    Tamara Zoner: And that helped me get back on my feet and be where I am today,



    00:12:12.469 --> 00:12:14.049


    Tamara Zoner: which is in a really amazing place.



    00:12:14.449 --> 00:12:20.989


    Kevin Lowe: Yeah. Wow. It's such a powerful story. and I hope for anyone,



    00:12:21.349 --> 00:12:27.409


    Kevin Lowe: man or woman listening to this today, who's in a relationship, as you have described,



    00:12:28.209 --> 00:12:34.109


    Kevin Lowe: I hope that this can be that little spark that they need to hear today,



    00:12:34.769 --> 00:12:36.749


    Kevin Lowe: that they don't have to stay.



    00:12:37.089 --> 00:12:40.449


    Tamara Zoner: Me too, because it's only a belief in our mind that we're stuck.



    00:12:40.449 --> 00:12:45.309


    Tamara Zoner: I held it for so long. I was so attached to the belief that I had to make that



    00:12:45.309 --> 00:12:48.829


    Tamara Zoner: marriage work, that I was stuck in it, that I could never leave.



    00:12:48.829 --> 00:12:52.429


    Tamara Zoner: My own parents will celebrate 60 years of marriage in December.



    00:12:52.789 --> 00:12:59.589


    Tamara Zoner: So I thought I had to make this work, that I just had to deal with life, but that's not living.



    00:13:00.929 --> 00:13:05.549


    Tamara Zoner: That's not living. And so if anybody listening is feeling stuck,



    00:13:05.729 --> 00:13:09.629


    Tamara Zoner: like you don't know what to do, you don't have to know how to do it.



    00:13:09.909 --> 00:13:13.429


    Tamara Zoner: You simply have to decide what you want.



    00:13:13.749 --> 00:13:14.189


    Kevin Lowe: Yeah.



    00:13:14.409 --> 00:13:15.609


    Tamara Zoner: I want to feel better.



    00:13:16.802 --> 00:13:25.262


    Kevin Lowe: Yeah. Wow. Now, after that part had ended and you, you separated,



    00:13:25.502 --> 00:13:28.722


    Kevin Lowe: you left your husband, you're back at home.



    00:13:28.942 --> 00:13:36.122


    Kevin Lowe: How do you kind of begin to create a new kind of chapter for you, for your kids?



    00:13:36.142 --> 00:13:38.722


    Kevin Lowe: How does that all pan out for you?



    00:13:39.242 --> 00:13:44.382


    Tamara Zoner: One day at a time. And I really got clear on what I wanted my life to look and



    00:13:44.382 --> 00:13:46.702


    Tamara Zoner: feel like. So I use the very process that I teach.



    00:13:47.042 --> 00:13:54.242


    Tamara Zoner: So, you know, when my life is ideal, I am able to easily support my children



    00:13:54.242 --> 00:13:56.242


    Tamara Zoner: in their emotional and physical growth.



    00:13:56.402 --> 00:14:03.222


    Tamara Zoner: When my life is ideal, I am working in a job or a career that I love that makes



    00:14:03.222 --> 00:14:07.422


    Tamara Zoner: me feel alive and step by step by step like that.



    00:14:07.622 --> 00:14:12.662


    Tamara Zoner: So I, of course, I had kids to feed. So I did go, I was a brand new coach.



    00:14:12.982 --> 00:14:17.402


    Tamara Zoner: So here I had just begun building my business in the UK. And now I was back



    00:14:17.402 --> 00:14:20.982


    Tamara Zoner: here in Michigan, starting over from scratch.



    00:14:21.402 --> 00:14:26.222


    Tamara Zoner: And eventually I was like, going to stay true to being a coach and not go get a J-O-B.



    00:14:26.582 --> 00:14:29.082


    Tamara Zoner: But then I needed to feed my kids. And my parents were like,



    00:14:29.242 --> 00:14:31.262


    Tamara Zoner: what are you doing, Tam, are you going to get a job?



    00:14:31.882 --> 00:14:37.282


    Tamara Zoner: And so I started looking for positions that felt good.



    00:14:37.442 --> 00:14:42.142


    Tamara Zoner: I didn't want to just do anything. I wanted to, for the first time in my life,



    00:14:42.242 --> 00:14:45.702


    Tamara Zoner: to stay true to me, to stay authentic to me, to stay in integrity,



    00:14:45.702 --> 00:14:48.762


    Tamara Zoner: because I had been out of it for so long.



    00:14:49.082 --> 00:14:54.862


    Tamara Zoner: And so by the time I got a call from a senior community, I didn't even remember



    00:14:54.862 --> 00:14:57.022


    Tamara Zoner: what I had applied for. It had been weeks.



    00:14:57.222 --> 00:15:01.942


    Tamara Zoner: I was living on, I had state assistance. I had a little bit of savings from a tax return.



    00:15:02.402 --> 00:15:08.502


    Tamara Zoner: And I finally got this call, went into a senior community to be interviewed



    00:15:08.502 --> 00:15:14.202


    Tamara Zoner: for whatever position they had open. And I ended up in life enrichment and activities,



    00:15:14.302 --> 00:15:16.242


    Tamara Zoner: which was a perfect fit for me.



    00:15:16.973 --> 00:15:22.773


    Tamara Zoner: The place was five minutes from my house. So I could still watch my kindergartner



    00:15:22.773 --> 00:15:27.413


    Tamara Zoner: get on the bus in the morning, go to work, be on time, even if I left late,



    00:15:27.453 --> 00:15:31.533


    Tamara Zoner: and then be home in time for him to get back off of that bus.



    00:15:32.413 --> 00:15:39.053


    Tamara Zoner: Or have my mother, who I was now living with my parents, meet him at the bus if I couldn't be there.



    00:15:39.173 --> 00:15:46.053


    Tamara Zoner: So it wasn't me working around the clock. It was me still being able to be a



    00:15:46.053 --> 00:15:50.973


    Tamara Zoner: present parent and have my children at home where I actually grew up,



    00:15:51.093 --> 00:15:51.953


    Tamara Zoner: which was pretty amazing.



    00:15:52.313 --> 00:15:57.113


    Tamara Zoner: So it's a big 10 acres of land so they could run and play and I'd have to watch



    00:15:57.113 --> 00:15:59.093


    Tamara Zoner: them every second. And that was amazing.



    00:15:59.973 --> 00:16:03.753


    Tamara Zoner: And then I still kept coaching and speaking on the side,



    00:16:04.153 --> 00:16:08.293


    Tamara Zoner: running workshops here and there, but having fun in senior communities until



    00:16:08.293 --> 00:16:12.773


    Tamara Zoner: finally I got another call from a friend who there was a full-time director



    00:16:12.773 --> 00:16:16.453


    Tamara Zoner: of life enrichment position available at another senior community,



    00:16:16.713 --> 00:16:18.493


    Tamara Zoner: an independent senior community,



    00:16:18.813 --> 00:16:20.573


    Tamara Zoner: pretty luxury too.



    00:16:20.933 --> 00:16:23.913


    Tamara Zoner: And so I interviewed for that job and had it within three days.



    00:16:24.093 --> 00:16:28.213


    Tamara Zoner: And that really, now I was fully on my own feet.



    00:16:28.353 --> 00:16:33.393


    Tamara Zoner: I was working more, but it was a fun job and it was definitely enriching.



    00:16:33.553 --> 00:16:37.593


    Tamara Zoner: So one of my rules of life is to do things that light me up.



    00:16:38.193 --> 00:16:43.913


    Tamara Zoner: I don't think any of us have to struggle through life. If we do,



    00:16:44.113 --> 00:16:46.633


    Tamara Zoner: that's just our mind lying to us.



    00:16:46.813 --> 00:16:51.993


    Tamara Zoner: And it's really actually so important that we do things that bring us light



    00:16:51.993 --> 00:16:57.213


    Tamara Zoner: and joy and love, because that opens up a world of possibilities for us when



    00:16:57.213 --> 00:16:58.753


    Tamara Zoner: we're in this energy of love.



    00:16:58.973 --> 00:17:03.733


    Tamara Zoner: Then I think from my personal perspective, like a spirit or source or whatever



    00:17:03.733 --> 00:17:07.593


    Tamara Zoner: you call that big guy in the sky or don't call, it doesn't matter to me.



    00:17:08.393 --> 00:17:14.353


    Tamara Zoner: Then that greater being responds like, oh, you're doing good stuff for you here.



    00:17:14.513 --> 00:17:15.653


    Tamara Zoner: I'll give you some more of it.



    00:17:15.913 --> 00:17:22.653


    Tamara Zoner: And so life just kept getting more fun and more rich and until COVID hit,



    00:17:22.853 --> 00:17:26.413


    Tamara Zoner: but that's a whole second segment of the story. Right.



    00:17:26.753 --> 00:17:31.193


    Tamara Zoner: So I just took one day at a time and really allowed my heart to guide me?



    00:17:31.493 --> 00:17:38.773


    Kevin Lowe: Yeah. Wow. Now, when I'm listening to you talk about this, the question I have



    00:17:38.773 --> 00:17:46.433


    Kevin Lowe: when you talk about almost like talking to the person listening today and you



    00:17:47.708 --> 00:17:51.188


    Kevin Lowe: So many times I think we get stuck in a rut.



    00:17:51.368 --> 00:17:54.748


    Kevin Lowe: Like when you talk about like following what you really like,



    00:17:54.908 --> 00:17:59.008


    Kevin Lowe: what you love, your passion is, what lights you up, what is fun.



    00:17:59.568 --> 00:18:05.888


    Kevin Lowe: I think so many times as adults, we get stuck in the thing of what's it's it's



    00:18:05.888 --> 00:18:09.888


    Kevin Lowe: the it's our job, whether we like it or not. we go to work, we do the job.



    00:18:10.348 --> 00:18:15.488


    Kevin Lowe: And there's probably not even anything that most people can say that they have



    00:18:15.488 --> 00:18:18.168


    Kevin Lowe: as even a hobby that they love or enjoy.



    00:18:18.708 --> 00:18:20.548


    Kevin Lowe: What do you say to that person?



    00:18:21.128 --> 00:18:24.748


    Tamara Zoner: Find that hobby. Like a lot of people have forgotten because you're right,



    00:18:24.928 --> 00:18:28.528


    Tamara Zoner: we're weighed down by all the shoulds of adulthood. We're supposed to do this.



    00:18:28.668 --> 00:18:32.628


    Tamara Zoner: We have this checklist that we're, you know, we have to get a degree or a good



    00:18:32.628 --> 00:18:35.868


    Tamara Zoner: job or a career and then a house and then a partner, and then a family.



    00:18:36.028 --> 00:18:40.408


    Tamara Zoner: And we think this is this prescribed way of being that we have to do the same.



    00:18:40.868 --> 00:18:45.628


    Tamara Zoner: And so many times, and this is typical of my clients, they get to this point



    00:18:45.628 --> 00:18:49.108


    Tamara Zoner: where they say, Tamara, I've checked all the boxes and I'm still not happy.



    00:18:49.648 --> 00:18:54.068


    Tamara Zoner: Well, what is something that used to make you happy? So here's what I encourage



    00:18:54.068 --> 00:18:57.408


    Tamara Zoner: people to tap into. What used to make you feel happy?



    00:18:58.088 --> 00:19:04.048


    Tamara Zoner: What lights you up? Maybe you love true crime. Who cares?



    00:19:

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