Translate

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Turning Pain Into Purpose: How Olivia Shears Built a Business—and a Movement—From Heartbreak

 


Turning Pain Into Purpose: How Olivia Shears Built a Business—and a Movement—From Heartbreak

By Rosabel Zohfeld | Life Unscripted Blog

In a world that often highlights only the polished moments of success, it’s refreshing—and powerful—to hear stories that honor the struggle, the grief, and the quiet resilience it takes to rebuild your life after loss. On a recent episode of The Life Unscripted Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Olivia Shears, founder of Social Bean, a thriving social media agency based in Miami.

But behind the branding strategy and digital success lies a deeper, more personal story—one rooted in loss, growth, and the unwavering courage to start over.

From Loss to Leadership

In 2017, Olivia lost one of her closest friends to suicide. At just 17 years old, the weight of such a tragedy could have easily silenced her. And for a while, it did. For three years, Olivia kept her grief tucked away, trying to navigate life without letting it show. But as she shared with me, “Those feelings didn’t go away—they just boiled over harder.”

Then in 2020, something shifted. Rather than carry the pain alone, she took her first steps toward healing by getting involved with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). What began as a walk participant role quickly evolved into something much larger. Olivia now serves as the Chair of the Miami AFSP Walk, helping organize events that not only raise awareness but build community around shared experiences of loss and hope.

"Using my voice to raise awareness, create community, and honor the people we’ve lost—that's been one of the most meaningful parts of my life," Olivia shared.

A New Path Through Entrepreneurship

At the same time her healing journey began, Olivia found herself reassessing her career. She had started a luxury picnic business during the pandemic—fun and creative at first, but physically exhausting and increasingly unfeasible. Then came a new opportunity: friends who had noticed her talent with marketing asked her to manage their social media accounts.

One thing led to another, and by 2023, Olivia launched Social Bean, helping brands and businesses connect with their audience through authentic, heart-led content. Whether she’s working with mental health professionals, nonprofits, or even DJs, Olivia brings a human-first approach to everything she touches.

"I believe social media is about building community. It’s not just about content—it’s about connection," she explained.

The Reality of Working Alone

Like many entrepreneurs, Olivia works from home—a dream for some, but also an incredibly isolating experience. “People think working from home is a luxury, but it can be lonely,” she said candidly. That’s why she’s made it a priority to get involved through AFSP, local co-working groups, and networking communities.

Even when anxiety kicks in, she pushes herself to show up.

“Ten out of ten times, it’s been worth it. I’ve never regretted going.”

A Message for Anyone Struggling

As we closed our conversation, I asked Olivia what message she would offer to someone facing a tough season.

“It’s okay to feel your feelings. Let yourself be sad. But know this: better days are coming. Even if you can’t see it yet.”

And if you're looking for a place to begin, Olivia encourages everyone to get involved in something that matters to them. Whether it's suicide prevention, mental health, or any cause close to your heart, “you might be surprised how much it helps you too.”

✨ Connect With Olivia

📣 Connect With Me, Rosabel

If Olivia’s story inspired you, I invite you to follow along and subscribe for more powerful, real conversations on The Life Unscripted Podcast.

🔗 Subscribe to The Life Unscripted Podcast with Rosabel on YouTube: Click here to subscribe

Your pain doesn’t have to be the end of your story. It can be the beginning of something new. Olivia’s journey is proof of that—and yours can be too.

at No comments:

Monday, May 5, 2025

The Hidden Secret to Healing: A Conversation with Bob Ross, EMT-D

 


The Hidden Secret to Healing: A Conversation with Bob Ross, EMT-D

By Rosabel Zohfeld | Life Unscripted Podcast

When science meets soul, and medicine collides with intuition, magic can happen. That’s exactly what unfolded in my latest episode of The Life Unscripted Podcast, where I had the privilege of sitting down with Bob Ross, EMT-D—a physicist, healer, trauma specialist, and medical trailblazer.

Bob’s story isn’t just one of accomplishments—it’s one of courage, controversy, compassion, and curiosity. From walking away from Harvard to volunteering with the Pasadena Fire Department for over 37 years, his journey challenges the status quo of modern medicine and invites us to rethink what healing really means.

From Physics to Healing: A Life Reimagined

Bob began his career studying nuclear physics, graduating with a 4.0 and being one of only three accepted into a prestigious Harvard doctoral program in medical physics. But instead of staying in the lab, he chose to pivot—toward people.

While working on innovative cancer research, Bob made a major discovery: heating cancer cells (a process known as hyperthermia) could weaken them, allowing for dramatically lower doses of chemotherapy and radiation. Despite being peer-reviewed and published, the findings were suppressed in the U.S.

“I got into medicine to help people,” Bob said. “But I was told—it’s not health care, it’s the business of medicine.”

Healing Through Stories, Laughter, and Brainwork

As a set medic on shows like American Ninja Warrior, SEAL Team, Jackass 4, and Star Wars, Bob applied emergency medicine with empathy and improvisation. But over the years, he noticed a recurring pattern in people—including himself: self-sabotage rooted in unresolved trauma.

This discovery led to the creation of his Hidden Secret Brain Technique, a tool for releasing trauma and reprogramming limiting beliefs.

The Power of Tapping (EFT) and Emotional Healing

Bob shared how he uses Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), or tapping, to treat trauma as an “emotional tumor.” By stimulating nerves and focusing on specific memories, many patients have released phobias and chronic emotional pain in a single session.

“When we release trauma from the nervous system,” Bob said, “the body begins to heal—physically, emotionally, even spiritually.”

Final Thoughts: Use Your Mind. Heal Your Body.

“Use your mind. It's not just a part of your body—it’s the pilot.”

📌 Resources & How to Connect

💬 Connect with Rosabel

Let’s keep the conversation going—because healing is possible, transformation is real, and your story is not over.

at No comments:

Sparkle Through the Storm: Andrea Woolf on Resilience, Advocacy, and Choosing Joy

 


Sparkle Through the Storm: Andrea Woolf on Resilience, Advocacy, and Choosing Joy

By Rosabel Zohfeld – Life Unscripted Podcast

What happens when a life coach with over three decades of experience is faced with her toughest client—herself?

That’s exactly what happened to Andrea Woolf, bestselling author, speaker, and coach of 35+ years, when she was diagnosed with stage 4 triple-negative breast cancer. In our recent Life Unscripted Podcast conversation, Andrea opened up about her diagnosis, her mindset shift, and how she turned one of life’s harshest storms into a journey of resilience, positivity, and empowerment.

“Sparkle Every Day”: Finding Strength in the Unexpected

When Andrea received her diagnosis, she found herself doing what she’d spent decades coaching women not to do—spiraling into worry, fear, and self-doubt. But instead of letting those feelings consume her, she stood in front of a mirror and asked, “How am I going to handle this?” The answer that came was unexpected—sparkle every day.

And she did. Every single day, Andrea wore something that sparkled as a symbol of choosing light and joy. It became a daily ritual and a form of self-anchoring—reminding her that, even in the face of cancer, she had the power to choose how she faced her day.

Writing Through Chemo: Birth of a Book

Armed with notebooks during chemo treatments, Andrea began jotting down wisdom and reflections—thoughts that would become her book: Simple Wisdom for Super Smart Women Making It Through Cancer and Other Life Challenges. As she received treatment, Andrea also connected with fellow patients, offering encouragement and seeking—if possible—a giggle. Her gift? Not just surviving cancer, but elevating others while in the thick of it.

“I couldn’t help myself,” she said. “This is what I’m here to do—make a difference.”

The Power of Advocacy in Healthcare

One of the key messages Andrea champions is being your own best advocate, especially in healthcare. She shared the powerful story of a former client with pancreatic cancer who was stuck with a dismissive doctor. With Andrea’s support and insistence, the woman found a new physician who listened—and more importantly, cared. That shift may have saved her life.

The takeaway? Don’t settle for care that doesn’t serve you. Whether it means switching doctors or insurance plans, your life is worth the effort.

Life Lessons and Leadership

Beyond her cancer journey, Andrea has coached business leaders and everyday individuals toward transformation. Whether helping two feuding team members reconnect for the sake of company success, or guiding a woman to set an intention for a marriage proposal (which happened the very next day), Andrea lives her belief: “Where you choose to focus determines your experience of life.”

She reminds us that leadership and personal growth aren’t always about bold, sweeping moves. Sometimes it’s in choosing to let go of fear, choosing to listen, and yes—choosing to sparkle.

You Always Have a Choice

Andrea’s philosophy can be summed up in one simple but powerful truth: You always have a choice. Even when circumstances seem to offer none, even in grief, loss, or trauma, we can choose where to place our focus. “That choice,” Andrea says, “is the foundation for a life you love.”

Free Gift: A Book That Heals

Andrea is generously offering a free download of her short book Making It Through Cancer and Other Life Challenges—a 12-chapter gem of wisdom and emotional clarity.

👉 Get the free book here

Please share it with anyone who is navigating the cancer journey. It’s not just a book—it’s a companion, a mirror, and a spark of hope.

💬 Connect with Rosabel Zohfeld

If this episode inspired you, stay connected with Life Unscripted Podcast and all things Rosabel:

Subscribe, share, and stay tuned. Life is unscripted—but that doesn’t mean you have to go through it alone. 💛

at No comments:

Saturday, May 3, 2025

Burnout, Boundaries, and the Courage to Change: A Conversation with David Rust

 


Burnout, Boundaries, and the Courage to Change: A Conversation with David Rust

On this episode of The Life Unscripted Podcast with Rosabel, I had the privilege of talking with David Rust, a licensed clinical social worker, certified case manager, and founder of Rust Wellness Group. With over 15 years of experience in mental health, David brings a deep well of professional insight, but perhaps even more powerful is his willingness to share his own lived experiences with burnout, emotional fatigue, and healing.

From the start, David reminded us that stress and burnout are different. While stress is temporary and often tied to specific events, burnout is chronic, insidious, and deeply rooted in environments with blurred boundaries and relentless expectations.

“Burnout isn’t a badge of honor—it’s a warning sign,” David explained. And in that one sentence, he shattered the illusion that overworking is a symbol of success.

The Myth of the Hustle

David opened up about working in organ transplant evaluations, a field filled with emotional weight and intensity. Eventually, the emotional toll of helping people in crisis eroded his passion. He described the moment he realized that continuing at this pace wasn’t sustainable.

And even when he transitioned into entrepreneurship by starting his own practice, burnout followed. Why? As David said, "Social work school doesn’t teach you how to be a business owner." He found himself working 70-hour weeks, managing clients, onboarding therapists, handling referrals, and losing himself in the process.

Why Boundaries Matter More Than Ever

So many of us have been conditioned to put others first, to hustle for approval, or to attach our worth to how much we produce. But David urged listeners to redefine boundaries—not as walls to keep others out, but as commitments we make to protect our well-being.

“A boundary isn’t a rule for other people. It’s how you take care of yourself,” he said.

He shared practical strategies for building boundaries in our daily lives:

  • Designate separate spaces for work and rest (especially when working from home)

  • Use phone features like “Do Not Disturb” to reduce tech burnout

  • Schedule meals, breaks, and morning routines that ground you

  • Before saying “yes,” ask yourself: Will this nourish or drain me?

Healing Isn’t Passive—It’s Intentional

One of the most powerful takeaways from this episode was that healing from burnout isn’t something a vacation can fix. Burnout requires structural changes—emotional, behavioral, and sometimes environmental. A week off won’t reset a nervous system that’s been chronically overwhelmed for months. But small, intentional actions each day can.

David also reminded us that therapy isn’t about someone else changing you—it’s about empowering you to make changes that align with your values and truth. “You’re the bus driver,” he said. “I’m just the passenger helping you navigate.”

Let’s Normalize the Need for Support

Whether you're a healthcare professional, a caregiver, or simply trying to keep it all together, this conversation is for you. You don’t have to wait until you crash to make a change. Listening to your body and your intuition isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom.

🎧 Tune In, Reflect, and Reclaim Your Energy

If this conversation resonated with you, here’s how to take the next step:

🔗 Connect with David Rust

  • Website: rustwellnessgroup.com

  • Instagram & Facebook: @rustwellnessgroup

  • Reach out for referrals or support via his website

📚 Grab a Copy of My Book
My book, The Courage to Succeed: A True American Dream, shares my own journey of growth, perseverance, and embracing authenticity. It's a heartfelt companion to the topics we explore on this podcast.

🌐 Connect with Me

If you’re stuck in survival mode, overwhelmed, or ready for a reset, remember: you are not alone. You don’t need to carry it all. Start by taking a breath, setting a boundary, and making one small choice today that your future self will thank you for.

Stay Unscripted,
Rosabel Zohfeld


at No comments:

She Reclaims, She Rises, She Empowers: A Conversation with Liz Murray

She Reclaims, She Rises, She Empowers: A Conversation with Liz Murray on Overcoming Anxiety and Embracing Midlife Transformation

On the latest episode of The Life Unscripted Podcast, I had the absolute honor of speaking with transformational coach, accredited counselor, and author Liz Murray. We had a heartfelt and powerful conversation about resilience, anxiety, healing, and the liberating power of stepping into one's true self, especially in midlife.

Liz’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to begin again.

From Chronic Anxiety to Global Coaching

As a child, Liz grew up in what began as a happy home—until a dramatic shift occurred. Her younger brother’s severe autism, which went undiagnosed for years, brought chaos and confusion into their world. By the age of 10, Liz was experiencing depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), though she wouldn’t fully understand her condition until years later during a psychology lecture in college.

She spent most of her adult life believing that anxiety was simply “who she was.”

But things began to change after she became a mother. “When you see the world through your child’s eyes, your childhood comes rushing back,” Liz shared. IThisreawakening, paired with a desire to live differently, ted her to explore mindfulness, belief coding, and subconscious reprogramming.

Eventually, she left a safe, stable job and launched a global coaching practice in her 50s.

A Story of Survival and Self-Compassion

One of the most harrowing and formative experiences in Liz’s life was flying into New York on the morning of September 11, 2001. As a member of the cabin crew, she found herself descending into JFK as the attacks unfolded. The trauma of that day stayed buried for years.

“I didn’t realize I had PTSD from 9/11,” she admitted. “Writing about it gave me a sense of self-compassion. From start to finish, I had never looked at my story with that kind of perspective.”

Through writing, Liz recognized her strength, not as a trauma survivor alone but as someone who found meaning and a mission in the aftermath.

Introducing Her Book: She Reclaims, She Rises, She Empowers

Now, Liz is one of ten women sharing transformational stories in the newly released book She Reclaims, She Rises, She Empowers. Her chapter walks readers through her lifelong relationship with anxiety, the steps she took to rewire her mind, and how others can do the same.

“This book is a story of hope,” Liz said. “You don’t have to feel trapped. You can retrain your brain, and there is a way out.”

Her story stands as a testament that growth and change are not jonly possible butinevitable when we decide to stop settling.

Who does Liz Help Today?

Through her coaching programs, Liz supports midlife women navigating transitions like empty nest syndrome, career pivots, and the quiet inner question: “Is this all there is?”

She works with overwhelmed, overthinking women, and you're unsure how to begin again. With a holistic approach that blends positive psychology, subconscious rewiring, and mindset work, Liz helps clients rediscover themselves and reclaim joy, purpose, and confidence.

She’s also preparing to launch her podcast, Glory Years, a fun and informative show for midlife women ready to rise.

Words of Encouragement

Liz’s message is empowering and straightforward: It’s not too late. Change is possible.

“If you’re listening and feel stuck, I’ve been there. However, change becomes natural when you begin working with the subconscious—the 95% that runs your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It becomes automatic.”

Connect with Liz Murray

Whether you’re looking for guidance, inspiration, or a supportive voice in your midlife journey, Liz is someone you’ll want to follow closely.

📘 Book: She Reclaims, She Rises, She Empowers – Available on Amazon
📸 Instagram: @_liz_murray
📘 Facebook: Liz W. Murray
🔗 LinkedIn: Liz Murray

A Note from Your Host, Rosabel

This conversation left me deeply inspired. As someone who also once feared visibility and now hosts this podcast, I can attest to the truth in Liz’s story. Freedom comes when you own your story and use it to uplift others.

I invite you to connect with me and explore my journey if her message spoke to you.

📖 Get my book: The Courage to Succeed: A True American Dream
🌐 Visit my website: rosabelunscripted.com
📲 Follow on Instagram: @rosabelunscripted
🎙️ Subscribe to The Life Unscripted Podcast on Spotify

✨ Until next time: Keep rising. Keep reclaiming your power. And keep living life unscripted.


at No comments:

From Brokenness to Bravery: Lucille Barkman’s Story of Loss, Healing, and Helping Others

From Brokenness to Bravery: Lucille Barkman’s Story of Loss, Healing, and Helping Others

Lucille Barkman is a breath of fresh air in a world that often hides its pain behind polished images and surface-level conversations. On a recent episode of The Life Unscripted Podcast with Rosabel, we sdiscussed herreal, raw, and deeply personal journey —rom betrayal to spiritual exile, devastating grief, and ,ultimately, purpose.

Lucille is a mentor, a professional listener, and the founder of a new business designed to walk beside women during life’s most difficult transitions. But before she became a source of strength for others, she had to find a way through her own pain.

A Life Turned Upside Down

About twenty years ago, Lucille's life unraveled most heartbreakingly. Her husband left her for her first cousin. What followed was a storm of betrayal, single parenting three daughters, and being excommunicated from the only church and community she had ever known.

“I felt like my life went up into the air and came crashing down again,” she said. “I was emotionally numb. I didn’t cry. I didn’t scream. I didn’t feel anything. And in a way, maybe that was a blessing—I don’t know if I could have handled the full weight of it all.”

Despite the pain, Lucille never stopped moving forward. “Crawling under the blankets and staying there wasn’t even an option,” she shared. Something deep inside her refused to let her give up.

Leaving the Only World She Knew

As Lucille worked through the trauma of divorce, she also began to question the faith she had been raised in. “We were conservative Mennonites,” she explained, “and when I started to heal, I realized that the teachings no longer felt right.” Leaving the church wasn’t just a spiritual decision but social, cultural, and emotional. It meant cutting ties with family, friends, and the only structure she had known.

She described a moment driving back from a weekend trip with her daughters: “It felt like I was coming back to hell. A black cloud just settled over us. That was when I knew—we had to leave.”

So she packed up her daughters and moved to Vancouver Island for several months, stepping entirely away from the world she’d grown up in. “That was when everything truly changed,” she said.

A Mother’s Worst Nightmare

Several years later, tragedy struck again. Lucille received a call from her daughter’s employer—her middle daughter had been killed in a car accident just steps from her own home.

“I answered the call, and when I hung up, all I could say was, ‘F***.’ I turned to my coworkers and told them, ‘My daughter was just killed.’ And then, somehow, I kept going.”

Lucille credits her ability to move forward to years of already navigating grief, trauma, and loss. “Honestly, we had talked about death so many times before—my kids and I used to say, ‘Let’s just go to heaven, it would be easier.’ So in some way, when she passed, I knew she was safe. I never had to worry about her again.”

Still, the toll caught up with her two years later when she lost her job during COVID. “I physically shut down,” she said. “My body just couldn’t go anymore.” That’s when she knew it was time to stop surviving and start healing.

Learning to Ask for Help

One of the most powerful messages Lucille shared during our conversation was the importance of asking for help—a lesson that took years to learn. Raised in a lineage of survival, she believed she had to do it all alone. But a recent injury forced her to reach out.

“It felt like I was imposing,” she said. “But when we don’t ask, we also rob others of the opportunity to give.” Her vulnerability and honesty remind us that strength isn’t in doing it all, but in letting others in.

From Pain to Purpose

Lucille always knew there was a “thing” inside her—a calling to help women like her. After years of working jobs she didn’t enjoy, she finally spoke with a coach who gave her the permission and encouragement she needed: “You can create a business from your life experience.”

And she did.

Today, Lucille offers mentoring, compassionate listening, and guidance to women wexperiencingseparation, spiritual disconnection, grief, and change. “I’m not here to fix you,” she ssays. ut I will walk beside you and help you figure out your next step.”

Her message is simple but powerful:
You can move forward. You don’t have to stay stuck. You are not alone.

💬 Final Thoughts from Rosabel

Lucille’s story is a powerful reminder that we are not defined by what breaks us. Instead, we are shaped by how we rise. Whether you’re facing loss, betrayal, loneliness, or simply feeling lost, her journey shows that healing is possible—and sometimes, just having someone to listen makes all the difference.

If her story resonated with you, I encourage you to reach out. Lucille is ready to listen, guide, and stand beside you.

🌐 Connect with Lucille Barkman

📸 Instagram & Facebook: @LucilleDawnBarkman

🎧 Listen to the Full Podcast Episode

Subscribe to The Life Unscripted Podcast with Rosabel wherever you get your podcasts.
📺 YouTube: Subscribe here
📷 Instagram: @rosabelunscripted
📘 Facebook: Rosabel Z Unscripted
🎧 Spotify: Listen on Spotify
📖 The Courage to Succeed: A True American Dream – Available on Amazon


at No comments:

Friday, May 2, 2025

From the Pit to the Crown: Elaine Mingus on Healing, Faith, and Finding Purpose

 


From the Pit to the Crown: Elaine Mingus on Healing, Faith, and Finding Purpose

On this episode of The Life Unscripted Podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with a woman whose story is as awe-inspiring as it is deeply human. Elaine Mingus—writer, speaker, business owner, mother of seven, and the reigning United States of America Mrs. Texas 2025—joined me for an unfiltered conversation about trauma, transformation, and the radical grace of starting over.

Elaine's journey is not one for the faint of heart. She shares with unwavering vulnerability her early battles with childhood sexual abuse, an eating disorder, and heroin addiction. But what marks her story is not the darkness she endured—it’s the light that followed.

"I used to brag about how much I could drink or snort. Now I brag about how far I’ve come," Elaine told me, with a grounded confidence only someone who has clawed their way out of hell can carry.

The Power of Storytelling

Elaine believes storytelling isn’t just a form of expression—it’s a lifeline. “We literally exist in story form,” she explained. “Even our dreams tell stories. And those stories release oxytocin and dopamine—healing chemicals. Stories help both the listener and the teller.”

Her own healing began not in a clinical setting, but in a church—one she walked into on a whim wearing a tutu veil and blood-red lipstick. What started as an attempt to get a free Bible for “research” became a divine encounter that changed everything.

"All these good things came from one moment of God touching my life and bringing me out of the pit."

From Pageant Losses to Purpose-Driven Wins

Elaine’s foray into pageantry wasn’t about the glitz. It was about gaining a platform to share her story. And though she lost her first four pageants, she gained something more valuable—perspective.

"I could lose forever if it meant one more person gets to know the God of the universe who wants a relationship with them."

It wasn’t until her fifth attempt that she won the Mrs. Texas crown. And it couldn’t have come at a better time—financially strained, with seven kids, and a husband recently laid off, Elaine’s victory wasn’t just personal. It was divine timing.

Advocacy on the National Stage

Elaine is now using her platform for change. As part of RAINN’s National Speakers Bureau, she recently traveled to Capitol Hill to advocate for survivors of sexual violence, championing stronger laws around statutes of limitations and support services.

She urges us to remember that the average age of disclosure for sexual abuse is 52—and that laws must reflect the long, painful process of healing. Elaine is proof that speaking out can bring light to someone else’s path.

A Life of Purpose—and Balance

Balancing motherhood, advocacy, entrepreneurship, and pageantry isn’t easy. But as Elaine says, years of homeschooling and raising seven kids prepared her to manage chaos with grace. With the support of a loving husband and her belief in seasons of life, she’s learned to let go of rigid timelines and trust in God’s unfolding plan.

"Your purpose never changes, but your strategy will."

Lighting the Path for Others

Elaine often says that stories are candles—we light them to help others find their way. She encourages anyone listening to start where they are.

"You don’t have to see the whole picture. Just take the next best step."

🎧 Listen to the Full Episode

Catch the full conversation on The Life Unscripted Podcast with Rosabel—available on:

✨ Connect with Elaine Mingus:

📲 Stay Connected with Rosabel Zohfeld:

If this story stirred something in you, don’t stay silent. Share your story, reach out, and let your light be someone else’s candle. 🔥

at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Life Unscripted with Rosabel

Success Secrets from Costa Rica: 7 Inspiring Lessons from Richard Blank’s Journey

  Success Starts with Being True to Yourself What does success really look like? For many, it's tied to money, titles, or ticking of...