Episode 32

Transforming Your Obstacles Into Opportunities Feat. Sarah Foley | POW32

Summary:

In this episode, we talk with Sarah Foley as she shares her life-altering story after an ATV accident left her paralyzed from the waist down. We dive deep into how this traumatic event has opened her up and allowed her to become the person she was meant to be.

Learn More About Sarah:

Sarah Foley, also known as Vertical Blonde, is a keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, and soul-centered results coach. She runs Disability Icon Inclusive Fitness, designed to help female wheelchair users like herself increase their health and confidence. She’s on a mission to redefine what it looks like to live with a disability and loves empowering women of all abilities to view their circumstances and challenges with a Vertical Mindset. 

Her incredible story of reinvention is featured in the recent best-selling book, Your Second Act by Patricia Heaton. Sarah has also been a guest on the Tony Robbins Podcast, the Resilient Minds Podcast, and many others. 

Key Takeaways:

  • [02:20] How Sarah’s brand, Vertical Blonde, became what it is today
  • [04:50] The traumatic accident that left Sarah paralyzed and in a wheelchair 
  • [12:05] The biggest realization that Sarah learned 
  • [13:03] Who Sarah credits for her recovery and healing
  • [13:20] The pivotal moment in Sarah’s journey that led her to take back control of her life
  • [16:15] How Sarah processed her grief and the moment she realized her new reality 
  • [16:49] The adverse effect of saying “you’re an inspiration” to someone with a disability
  • [19:44] How Sarah re-built her independence despite her new challenges 
  • [21:29] Why it’s important to “name” your grief as you work through it
  • [22:41] 2 big things that Sarah learned from her therapist 
  • [24:55] The defining moment that Sarah realized it was time to face her new reality
  • [32:43] What Sarah is doing today and what she loves about her life today
  • [36:23] What is Soul-Centered Coaching?
  • [38:49] Where Sarah sees herself in the next 5 years and her goals for the future
  • [44:00] Advice Sarah would give her 20-year-old self

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

  • Learn more about Sarah and her amazing journey on her website.
  • You can also connect with Sarah on Instagram!
  • We'd love to hear from you! Send us a message on Instagram or Facebook.

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About the Podcast

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Pieces of a Woman
Real Stories, Real Women and the conversations that shape us into who we are today

About your host

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Cristie & DeAnna

DeAnna Robbins is a lover of learning and connecting with REAL people. A Grandma of 4, mom of 4 and wife of one. Her role of being "middle aged" is the current Life Lesson. How to take care of aging parents, be a mom, step mom, wife and professional woman, oh the fun. DeAnna has seen the dark and ugly side of abuse, alcoholism and suffering but believes you are either a victim or a player. She chose to be a player.

Cristie North is a wife, mother of 6 and grandmother of 2. She just turned 50 and is learning to navigate the reality of empty nesting. She has endured trials of divorce, alcohol abuse, blended family and grief. She celebrates every part of her journey as her belief is that each challenge makes us the remarkable, complicated beautiful souls we are today. She has been in the mortgage industry for over 28 years and currently manages a top producing mortgage company in Salt Lake City, Utah.