[00:00:00] Speaker A: Hello beautiful people and welcome to another segment of Complete Wellness with Cindy, the busy woman's Cheerleader. This is the channel where women from
[00:00:08] Speaker B: all walks of life can stop by, get tools and resources to help them thrive. 360 in mind, body, spirit and finances. I invite you to stay connected, subscribe to this channel and visit me
[email protected] now for today's segment.
[00:00:26] Speaker A: Hello beautiful people. This is Cindy, the busy woman's cheerleader with another episode of Complete Wellness with Cindy. So super excited as usual to be here. But first, let's do a little housekeeping.
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[00:02:00] Speaker A: And our power quote of the day is positive life changes begin in the mind, a grateful mind. And that actually comes from me, Cindy. All right, please help me welcome Adriana Cowden, author and former executive who turns survival into strategy through her books and all of her works that empower high achieving women to reinvent life after burnout, illnesses or breakdown. Hello Adriana.
[00:02:31] Speaker D: Hi Cindy. Thank you so much for having me. Hello to everyone listening and watching.
[00:02:35] Speaker A: Thank you. Thank you so much for being here. Listen, tell us about the road to where you are now. I know a lot of times there's always a cause and effect. So tell us how you got here. Tell us what you're doing.
[00:02:46] Speaker D: Yeah, so I started my career in kind of corporate America, if you will. And I what I always say is I grew up through the corporate America ladder and left corporate America after being a chief digital marketing officer for ADT's residential business and left it unintentionally because I ended up getting very, very sick with pancreatic disease.
Throughout my kind of career, I went in and out of corporate America and did quite a few entrepreneurial ventures.
When I left ADT's residential business, I launched my kind of more recent venture which was Decaf Digital.
I drink decaf coffee. It was not like this creative, brainy idea. It was just two Ds that sounded good and I did D, E, K, A, F.
And I was able to grow that to a top 1% woman owned business and sell it in 2023.
I have always been executive coaching since like 1998 because my career started in kind of that talent and recruiting area. So I continued doing that and then a big part of my journey is, is really going from, from leading those billion dollar brands in the corner office to fighting for my life in hospital rooms. And so my life has done a 180 in every way, which is what SAF, the Stubborn AF, the book is about it. It is those 13 certain truths that I kind of live by and am sharing with women. To rise, reclaim and reinvent yourself.
And I call us the lipstick mafia because as women we tend to like show up, put on our lipstick, look good and tackle the day. Whether that's getting the kids here, going to this event, going to this board meeting or relationships, whatever it is.
But we don't always let everyone see the vulnerable kind of raw, messy things behind the scene. Right. So. So that's a lot of stubborn af. And the work I do with women is a lot of us are brilliant, but we're burned out and we are scared to be raw and vulnerable. And so that's the safe space that we work on in saf.
[00:04:50] Speaker A: So what do you, what are the reasons why you think women as a whole. I always refer to it as a mask. Why do you think women wear these masks throughout their lives? Why do you think, why do you think they're afraid to be vulnerable? Why do you think? What are your thoughts on that?
[00:05:08] Speaker D: I think there's, I mean for every women, just like every person, there's different reasons. Right. So I think part of it is certainly for me being in corporate America for so long, women were very competitive with each other and so we weren't helpful. We were like the opposite. And there's this fear that if I share my vulnerability, if I share my insecurities or fears, another woman in the company is going to capitalize on that to my detriment. Right. I think that it even goes back to childhood. Like I live in my Chanel red lipstick. I love it. I literally have probably 10 of the exact same color.
But that came from my mother. She. She's never left the house without lipstick. In fact, when she went into surgery, I think it was like December of 14 or January 15, she was like, do I have my lipstick on? So I think there's even this part of us that, that is built this way from childhood, and women are, I mean, we're just the stronger gender, right? So we're looked at to, to carry the shoulders of whether it's the family or whether it's the finances or relationship or careers or caregiving. We're kind of looked at as the ones that are, are expected to step up. Right. And that's not to say that men don't or that they can't, because I have a fantastic husband who has.
But I think we're just societally put in that place.
[00:06:34] Speaker A: And that as well leads to burnout. Because you are holding so much at one time and then you're trying to execute it, that leads to burnout.
What is your take on reinventing? I know you've reinvented yourself several times, and a lot of times we don't like to start over. Especially, you know, as you begin to progress your career, your business or what have you. You don't like to start over. What were the steps that you. Or what led you to the point of having to reinvent yourself four times? What did that look like?
[00:07:06] Speaker D: So the first thing I would say is, you know, to your point, reinvention doesn't always have to be starting over. I try to position it as more of a transformation. You're not starting from scratch. You're transforming into the next version of you. Right. So think of the caterpillar to the butterfly. Yes. They go into their, their cocoon and they reinvent themselves and emerge and transform into this beautiful new butterfly. And so that's how I look at reinvention now. We don't always go into it like, hey, I'm going to reinvent myself and transform. In my case, in the fall of 15, when I started getting very, very sick, between then and mid 16, I was in the hospital almost nonstop. I mean, weeks on end, months on end, I would go back to work with a feeding tube and on all kinds of anti nausea and pain medications. And so for me, it was not like I woke up one day and was like, I'm going to reinvent. I'm burned out. No. My body was like, listen, lady, you are pushing me to the extreme. You have Got to do something different.
And honestly, I fought it every step of the way. It's. It's like, you know, watching someone who's walking their dog and they're like pushing their paws down.
That's how I was. And what I would say is it has turned into the most beautiful, fulfilling, wonderful part of my life.
Very purpose driven.
But that reinvention can be scary because we do think of, like, I don't want to start over. I have this very, very successful career or this very successful family or relationship. And.
But when you look at it from the perspective of what's next, what else is out there for me? If you're not willing to transform, then you can't grow either. You don't know what else could be out there that could be even better than you ever imagined.
[00:08:56] Speaker A: Right, Right. What did your healing process look like from being chronically ill? What did that walk us through that? What did your healing process look like?
[00:09:06] Speaker D: So I will say it is an ongoing journey, people. Anyone who picks up the book, and you can download the first chapter or two, there's a sneak peek on the site for free, are shocked when they start reading it because of how many illnesses I have, how many surgeries I've gone through, all in the last 10 years. So just a quick background. I have pancreatic, severe pancreatic disease, liver disease, lupus, Sjogren's hypopituitary. I have a lesion on my brainstem. I have osteoporosis. I mean, like Addison's disease. I could go on.
And I have had very, very severe surgeries. I have almost no GI organs left. I have no pancreas. I had a cell transplant with my liver. I have. Most of my stomach is gone. I have one third of my stomach. I have almost no small intestine, no bile duct, no gallbladder. I mean, like, all of these. Right. And so a lot of it, the healing process, has been, how do I maintain some of the identity of who I am?
So people see me and not all these diseases. Right.
And that's honestly become a little bit of a dichotomy because people see this and they're like, how. Right. How is she dealing with that? How did she have, you know, simply by God's grace. Right, Right. And. And I share in the book, even doctors will come and be like, I think I'm in the wrong room. I'm like, no, it's me. And they're like, I was expecting someone, like, with no hair, in a wheelchair. And I always kind of tease. And I'm like, well, I am in a wheelchair a lot, but I have a great hairstylist, right? So because I work really hard for people to see me and hear the message instead of focusing on the health challenges, right? So that healing journey is not just physical, but also mental, at least in my case.
Physically, it's super hard. You know, I only have a few hours of energy a day. It takes a lot for me to get up and even, like, shower and get together and do makeup, but I enjoy that. I like feeling like myself or my old self, if you will.
And I also want to communicate to women that you decide what you put out there.
So if I want to put out a post that has, like, my, you know, scars showing, and that's fine, too.
And I did that for Halloween. I did a post of, like, my scar showing in my feeding tube pole, and I put Trauma Girl 25 was my costume.
So your healing has to be very personal to you and focused on what is the most important to you. And. And for me, a lot of that is mental health, right? Because the stronger your mind is, the stronger your body is. Is something I believe.
[00:11:46] Speaker A: So why do you think. And this is just in your opinion, why do you think God let you live through all of that to be able to help women move past struggling with chronic illnesses and diseases and pursue their purpose?
[00:11:59] Speaker D: You know, it. That is such a good question, and it's a hard one to answer, right? So again, it's in my opinion. And. And I say to people, everyone has something. So. So God gives us all something. Some people it's finances. Some people it's relationships. In my case, it's medical.
And I try to see it as something to be grateful for. So, you know, without all of these challenges, I wouldn't be who I am, and I would probably never know what an amazing man I have. And my husband, right, Because, I mean, he proposed. I was in a wheelchair. I was. I was a mess. And that was when he was like, let's get married. So, you know, you. You don't know sometimes the beauty that's. And so I think God gave it to me because he was like, listen, you are stubborn af. You came out like a little fighter. And I know you are going to be able to take whatever I give you and find a way to turn it into helping others.
And I chose to focus on women because we do shoulder so much, right? There's plenty of men that have chronic illness, plenty of men that need this kind of support. But for me, it was really about how do you deal with this not just as a woman, but a high achieving woman. I mean, my identity was wrapped up in my career. I had the big house and the luxury car and the nice bank account and it was like unfortunate.
[00:13:21] Speaker A: And that's unfortunate.
[00:13:22] Speaker D: Yes.
[00:13:23] Speaker A: Because a lot of people do not know who they are outside of their titles, their positions, their businesses, their families, those titles. You know, I'm not a title driven person. And so that's why a lot of times with the ladies that I deal with through executive coaching, a lot of times that is like the biggest concern.
Like when you strip all of that away, who are you?
[00:13:43] Speaker D: Yes.
[00:13:44] Speaker A: And you know who you are outside of the many hats that we wear, the many masks that we wear, the many things that we must contend with as leaders, as women.
[00:13:55] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:13:56] Speaker A: You know, do you know who you are? I think that is an important factor for healing.
To know who you are. Your journey becomes a lot clearer when you first know who you are and stand in your identity. You know, when I hear a lot of people and I've had. And not to diminish one versus the other, Everybody has their journey. Everybody has war wounds and scars. God knows I have my share on my back. But now I'm thankful that it's not a point of triggering me.
The scars are no longer triggering. I've learned that these are the steps that were needed to take for me to become the woman that I am today. Though I'm still a work in progress, though I have still not arrived. But you understand a lot of times your journey, good or indifferent. I'm not going to say good and bad. Good or indifferent. He trusts you with it. Yeah. He knew that you would stand despite you would still seek him, despite what you saw, what you were dealing with. And I've got, you know, loved ones. The same thing I've told him, the same thing I said, you know, you have to understand that it's about trust us. Trusting him.
[00:15:10] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:15:10] Speaker A: Trusting his plan and his will for our lives. That was predestined and pre written for us. But then him trusting us with struggles, with triumph, with tribulation and then with luxury. Trusting us with, I would say the. The triumphant side of it. You know, you can't take people along a journey that you've not tried. You can't tell somebody how to move from one opposition to one level of thriving or another level of thriving if you've not trotted that journey yourself.
[00:15:42] Speaker D: Yes.
[00:15:42] Speaker A: And I believe a lot of times if we as ladies would understand
[00:15:49] Speaker D: a
[00:15:49] Speaker A: lot of the pieces of our journey, good or indifferent, doesn't have directly anything to do with us.
It's not punishment, it's purpose for whoever he's going to send along our path that needs what we have, what we've hidden, what we were so embarrassed and hurt by, that we covered. We blocked it out. I was notorious for blocking things out. It's like, I can't afford to have like a total breakdown and just cry my eyeballs out. Let me block it out, keep it moving. I did that for so many years until when I was forced to go through healing, I realized I was being healed in some areas that I blocked out and didn't realize were hindering me from moving forward. So it's always a journey together. And I always like to hear when a person says, you know, they're dealing with ex wife or you know, they dealt with xyz, you know, I'd like to always just kind of get to what was your mindset or why do you think though you thought or you knew or the doctor said you were not supposed to live and survive it? Why do you think you're still here?
You know, I always just like to pose that question.
So if you've coached people, tell us about mindset shifts. Tell us about that particular portion. Again, piggybacking off what I just said. A lot of even my clients want to jump and put the horse before the cart, cart before the horse and all these things and not deal with that mindset. That basically will help or hinder you in business, in life.
Tell us about that mindset shift, how important that is. And some elements, you know, that help people accept the fact that, that it all starts in the mind.
[00:17:50] Speaker D: Yeah. So it's such a great question. And I think that, you know, just going back to kind of the top of the.
What we were starting to talk about and you were going into your identity, being wrapped up in what you do doesn't just have to be a corporate job. Right.
A lot of people I work with, their kids are off to college. Like my stepdaughter is 23, she's graduated college. And so for us it's a little bit different. But if you were focused on being like the best mom you could be, and all of a sudden you're an empty nester, you also have an identity shift and change. Right. Or crisis, whatever we want to call it. And so it doesn't necessarily have to be, hey, I had this amazing corporate career, I was a fantastic founder, that's great.
But we're successful in all areas of our lives, right. Women just tend to step up and do that. And so I think when it comes to the mindset shift, you really have to embrace things like resilience. That's a choice. I wake up every day, and I choose to be resilient. I always say, you know, throw grace and gratitude around like it's confetti.
You can never give yourself or anyone else too much grace.
A lot of people I work with, particularly the corporate professionals, when they're looking for something new, they're interviewing, oh, I've been ghosted. Oh, I haven't heard back. They were supposed to call me back on Tuesday.
And the first thing I say is, have you thought about what's going on in their life?
Like, maybe something happened on that side. Maybe they had a crisis, Maybe there's a board meeting.
Maybe they're sick. I mean, give people grace, just as we need to give ourselves grace, and then gratitude find the silver lining or something to be grateful for.
[00:19:37] Speaker A: Absolutely.
[00:19:38] Speaker D: In. In my case, that.
Thankfully, that was kind of a natural disposition of mine.
But I have certainly, like, everyone had the moments of, okay, God, that is enough. I mean, what in the bananas? Why again? So one of these became very clear. We'll never forget December 31st of 2024. My husband was home here in Miami. We have two places because I have to be physically here for health, and he has to be in Indianapolis for work. So we unfortunately do not have a lot of time together.
But we were together on this day, and I had an appointment with the rheumatologist, and that was the day she diagnosed lupus. So that was at like, maybe 9 or 10am And, I mean, I've gotten a lot of diagnoses, but this one, for some reason, just hit really hard. And Eric said, you know, let's. Let's go home. Let's go to the pool and relax a little bit. We were. I got a call from my doctor, my primary doctor, while we were sitting at the pool, and she said, hey, we got your mammogram results, and they found a lump.
And I got off the phone, and I was like, I mean, are you kidding me right now? First of all, I am happy this is the end of the year today because I need a new year to start. But. But the next few. And by the way, it turned out to be fine. I did not have breast cancer.
But the next few weeks, I really was in that place of, like, you know, this is enough. God, like, I have done everything I can to show up with Resilience and grace and be grateful and like it is somebody else's turn.
And I think part of it is giving yourself the grace to have those moments. Right. We're not always perfect. I don't always look like this and I'm not always happy. Right. I have plenty of days where I'm cranky or I can't get out of bed because I hurt or whatever the case may be.
But we have to give ourselves that grace and we have to give it to others.
And then we have to pivot to what in this scenario can I be grateful about? And even if it is the smallest thing.
[00:21:42] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:21:43] Speaker D: Hold on to that, hold on to that, that ability to be grateful because that is what will get you up in the morning and allow you to choose to be resilient every day. Right. And face those really hard transformations and challenges and, and the adversity that God in the world kind of put in your way, if you will.
[00:22:04] Speaker A: How does vulnerability play into resilience?
[00:22:10] Speaker D: Oh, I think it plays entirely into resilience. Right. So I am a firm believer that if you are not going to get vulnerable, you, first of all, you can't expect anyone else to.
And if you're not vulnerable, your relationships are going to be very surplus level. Right. So yeah, if, if you want to get up and be strong and resilient, you have to let people in to know who, who you really are.
And one of the things people say a lot about the book is, oh my gosh, you were like so raw and vulnerable and like, no bs and it was like sitting down and having a conversation with you.
And I think that's really important. It's also why I share posts on social like, yes, I look like this one day, but the next day I might be, you know, giving myself a shot of, you know, anti nausea medication and looking horrible because you have to share who all of the parts of you. Right. That is not easy, by the way. It is super, super hard to say, hey, I'm not only am I not always put together, but a lot of times I'm just falling apart.
A lot of people are afraid to say that because I think in my opinion, they're fearful of the judgment that's going to come with it. Whether that's from someone online, another woman, someone in the office, wherever their family, their significant other, wherever that judgment for them feels like it's coming from. I think that's what prevents any of us women or men from being, or, or any gender from being.
Right.
From avoiding that, you know, for for avoiding vulnerability and really putting yourself out there as. I don't want to be judged for this.
[00:23:53] Speaker B: And.
[00:23:53] Speaker A: Well, you know. Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead.
[00:23:55] Speaker D: I was just gonna say, the reality is, why don't you want to be. You're not being judged. You're just putting out all of who you are. And. And you will attract the people that love that about you. And don't worry about the people who don't. They're not your people.
[00:24:09] Speaker A: I. I think a lot of times it's baby steps. You know, some people, I would say, that are not.
I would say in the limelight or heavily online when they think of becoming vulnerable instead of working within their small social circle, they want to blast it out online to people that you don't know. And I think that's a danger zone because you're opening yourself up to people you don't know to give their opinions, whereas their opinions do not matter because you're not operating in that particular arena. You have to start small. Like if you're married, you were talking about your husband. Start there. Start with your family. If you don't feel comfortable with your family, start with your close set of friends.
First of all, let me back up. Thank you. Start with yourself first. You must first be honest with yourself first to confess to yourself, your identity, who you are, what you're dealing with, what are your triggers, what areas you need to be. Start there first before you take the bit. And then go to your. Your spouse or your. Your close circle of friends or family.
But you don't want to make. Because a lot of times in that vulnerability, a person is more vulnerable than they think they are, and they're thinking, okay, I'm gonna take the step to be vulnerable, and I'm going online. I'm going to post it on my social media.
No, no, no, no.
Because these are people that don't know you.
[00:25:48] Speaker C: These are.
[00:25:48] Speaker A: Some of these people don't have anything else to do but sit online.
You know what I mean? This is. Their job is to harass or they're having a bad day. Like you said earlier.
So and so didn't answer me from the interview. They ghosted me, blah, blah, blah. You don't know what's going on their line in their lives and on their lives. So you're opening yourself up to judgment from people that really, you should not even care about their opinion because they're not a part of where you're going in life.
[00:26:19] Speaker D: Right.
[00:26:20] Speaker A: That's why a lot of suicides have happened when people Wanted to be vulnerable. And it was taken wrong and taken an error. That's why a lot of violence has happened. That's why a lot of times people go, you know, into deep depression because you allow the wrong set of people to be privy to your weaknesses, privy to your vulnerabilities, privy to how you really think, your humanity, you know. So I do believe while that is necessary, you must use wisdom.
[00:26:56] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:26:56] Speaker A: Pray and ask for wisdom in all that you do so that you are not doing things prematurely. That instead of it helping you, it sets you back 10, 15, maybe 20 steps.
Sets you back. So that, that's, you know, I asked that question. I wanted to get your insight on it because that has been a big thing. It's like, why are you. Oh, well, you know, I posted a picture of blah, blah, blah online and somebody says something really ugly to me or really mean. People are really mean. Everybody's not really mean. There are still some good people in the world.
But you set yourself up on a fence to receive opinions of people that don't matter in your life because you went beyond, I would say, a safe level.
You have to inch out with that. People have to earn your trust. You don't just throw it out as bait to a fish and expect them to come back with, you know, some type of, you know, purity and. And peace and joy. No, it's going to be some type of calamity, some type of derogatory word that you weren't ready for. So vulnerability.
Again, you have to use wisdom. Even when we're in the spotlight or we have these platforms, you have to use wisdom as to what you share. You don't want to overshare to people that you really don't matter to. They're having a bad day and they're going to hurt people. Hurt people. They're going to hurt you because they're already hurting. You didn't know that. You put yourself out there. You put yourself out there.
So what does that. What does that look like when now with me saying that. What does that look like for you when you say resilience? What are some steps that people can use? Ladies can use? The busy woman that's really trying to juggle everything and dot all the eyes across all the teaspoons. What does that look like? Give us some. Some steps and some key takeaways that you used in life to be able to move you from where you were, what you're still dealing with. But you do it with grace.
How do. What are some steps?
Give us a playbook Give us a couple of pages from your playbook.
[00:29:15] Speaker D: Sure.
I think just one thing to kind of zone in on what you were saying is, you know, there's a reason a lot of public figures, celebrities, wherever. Right. Singers, whatever it is, don't pay attention to their social media feeds because what if someone's having a bad day and even look at reviews? You know, people tend to leave reviews when they're angry about things, not when they're happy. Right.
By the way, I do the exact opposite. I always leave a review when I have a really great experience because I came out of marketing and I'm like, I know how hard it is to get these.
[00:29:50] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:29:51] Speaker D: People always find it easier to complain than to praise.
[00:29:54] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:29:55] Speaker D: And that's what you're finding online.
So until you are okay with being vulnerable here in your own heart and with your small circle, got to be very cautious to your point about what you're going to put out there. Because, yeah, you might get a couple of go you, but you're gonna get a lot of, like, questions and. And not nice things. Right.
Because that's what comes with it. It's unfortunate and it's not great, but it's because someone's hidden behind a computer. They don't have anything to lose, if you will. Right. They don't know you. You don't know them. They feel like it's okay to say things that are not okay.
From a perspective of kind of a playbook for being resilient, the first thing starts with finding what works for you mentally to calm your mind. So being a busy woman, our minds tend to be very busy, Right. And they're always going. And I know for me, my mind, I wake up and it like, immediately goes into my to do list and I go to bed and it's still spinning.
So figure out what works for you. Everybody is different.
For me, I keep a notebook by the side of my bed so I can write down whatever comes into my mind because that allows me to move it from my mind out.
The second thing I do is every day I'm physically able, I go for a walk around or before sunrise so I can kind of ground my day in some peace and calm.
And I am such a hippie dippy sometimes, if I can, I actually take off my shoes and like, put my toes in the grass or the sand so I can just kind of ground myself with the earth.
The third thing is, and this is a new one that my therapist shared with me in the last, I think, six months when my mind is spinning at night. I do something called Yoga Nidra, which has nothing to do with moving. It's not like what you think of as yoga. You literally do it lying down. It takes 10 minutes. There's a free app and it just walks you through how to calm your mind and body.
And I have found it to be very helpful, particularly when I can't get my mind to stop racing at night.
And then the other thing I do is I find activities that allow my mind to escape. Sometimes that's a really great book where I kind of dive into the book and I'm in that person's world. Sometimes it's a movie, sometimes it's a Pilates class. Because I'm so involved in like what I'm doing, my mind can't go other elsewhere.
But each time I do those things, I'm choosing to be resilient. I am choosing to show up and take a step towards making my day the best it can be. Whatever that looks like. Right. Some days are going to look different. Actually every day is going to look different than the one before. Right. But you have to say, I am going to be resilient today. I'm going to handle whatever comes my way with grace and gratitude. And other days you wake up and go, I am going to be resilient. I'm going to do my best to be grateful and gracious and I may fail today, but I'm going to try.
And that's where that vulnerability comes in. Not just with yourself and saying, hey, today's not my best day. I'm going to do my best, but it's not my best day. But also sharing with other people, hey, I'm just a little bit off today. And I think, you know, for me that's something I do a lot with my husband and he does with me. We can kind of feel each other, but it's harder when you're apart. Right? So we FaceTime, we've set things up where, where we can see each other and connect. But it's more important in a long distance relationship, which we have never had until the last year and a half to really be open and vulnerable and say, hey, it is just not my best day. I'm super sorry that I'm short and cranky. Like here's the one thing that happened for me today and, and then ask for grace from them and hopefully you don't have to ask, it's just given. But a lot of times, particularly with men, we kind of have to ask for what we want. They're not always that great at reading the room.
And so just say, you know, I. I just need bit of grace today. Or I just need you to lay off. However you want to say it, Right? Like, today, I just need a pass. Right. So my other kind of playbook is give what you want to get.
So this can be in so many ways. I remember I had in another relationship. I had a young stepdaughter, and she and I were like this all the time. And I was working with my therapist, and she said, do you know why you're like that with her? And I said, no, but I would love to too. And she said, you two are identical. Like, you have the same personality. You need to give her what you wanted as a little girl. And as soon as I had that mindset shift, we had the most beautiful relationship. And I was like, oh, my goodness. She is like a little of my personality.
And, you know, it happens everywhere. So the other example I have is also personal.
I had said to my husband and I share this in the book, when you're coming towards the end of your life, which I am, unfortunately, you have a big mindset shift. Like a massive mindset shift. And I said to him, I don't want another handbag. I don't need another pair of shoes. The only thing I want for any gift is an experience.
I want memories.
So I asked him for Hanukkah this year. I said, I want a jar full of hugs and kisses, so when you're not home, I can just grab a hug or kiss. And of course, he doesn't know how to do that, but.
But I went back to, like, give what you want to get, right? So for Valentine's Day, I bought this really pretty, like, wooden box, and I just bought some really nice handmade paper, and I wrote a bunch of different personalized love notes and folded them up and put them in the box, thinking, well, we'll see what he thinks. And do you know that man, every morning we are apart, opens one of those notes and takes a picture and sends it to me.
[00:35:55] Speaker A: That's amazing.
[00:35:56] Speaker D: And so that's that.
That's that perspective of, like, yes, you can show up and be resilient, and yes, you can be strong. And yes, we need to be vulnerable, but sometimes we just need to give other people what we want ourselves. And I always think that God will give it back to you, right? So some people are like, the universe gives it back. Thoughts become things. You know, karma, whatever you think it comes from, it comes back to you in spades.
[00:36:24] Speaker A: That is beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Where can people find you? We're going to put your information in the description, but tell us what's next. Where can people find you? How can they?
[00:36:34] Speaker D: You can always connect with me on LinkedIn. It's super easy. I'm the only Adriana Cowden.
You can find
[email protected] and on Insta and Facebook at both of those. Also, I am on TikTok. I rarely ever go there. I'm just too old for that platform.
I just, I don't even understand it.
And if you're interested in the book, you can find it on Amazon, Barnes and all. I mean, it's pretty much everywhere on, you know, any online retailer, walmart.com if you'd like a signed copy, you just buy it off my site and it gets shipped out. It's the same price.
[00:37:07] Speaker A: That is awesome. Thank you so much for being here. Thank you. I've enjoyed this.
[00:37:13] Speaker D: It has been such a pleasure. And you know, I just want to say, for anyone who's listening, any woman who's listening, you are enough.
Transformation is the same as reinvention.
Lean into what's next for you and I. And I bet you and you will be surprised by what God has in store.
[00:37:31] Speaker A: Yes, absolutely. Thank you. Thank you so much.
[00:37:37] Speaker B: Hey, have you been feeling stuck like you should be further along in life by now? You're doing all the right things. Working hard, caring for others, trying to balance it all. Yet something inside keeps whispering, there has to be more than this. Maybe you've been praying for clarity. Maybe you feel called to something greater, but you're overwhelmed, exhausted and unsure of where to start.
Well, know this. You are not behind. You are not forgotten. And you are definitely, definitely not alone. I'm Cindy, the busy woman's cheerleader. I help faith driven women break free from self doubt, get unstuck and move forward with confidence and clarity. God's way through biblically based business and life coaching. I help you align your purpose with God's promises, strengthen your mindset and create clear, doable steps that fit your real life, your busy life.
This is not hustle and grind. This is alignment. This is healing, clarity and courage rooted in scripture. It's about becoming who God already designed you to be, without burnout and guilt.
If you're ready to stop questioning yourself, if you're ready to walk boldly in your calling, if you're ready to finally move with peace and direction, now is your moment. It let's get to work. Join our busy woman's ascension. Challenge. It's a live experience you don't want to miss.
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[email protected] your next chapter is waiting and I'd be honored to help you thrive. 360 on purpose. Thank you again for tuning in to
[00:39:18] Speaker A: Complete Wellness with Cindy the Busy Woman's Cheerleader. Follow me on social media at Busywoman's Cheerleader.
Remember, together we write our stories, share our journeys, create memories, and leave our marks in history. Until next time.
[00:39:34] Speaker B: Peace, blessings and joy be multiplied to you.
[00:39:37] Speaker A: Ta Ta.
