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Apr 2025
26m 24s

439: 3 Times Life Almost Broke Me

TONYA LEIGH
About this episode

Three Moments That Almost Broke Me—and Made Me Stronger

Life is a journey filled with ups and downs, and it is often during our most challenging moments that we discover our true strength. In the latest episode of the School of Self-Image, Tonya Leigh shares her personal experiences of facing adversity and how these moments ultimately shaped her into a stronger, more resilient version of herself.

Tonya opens up about her own transformative life moments that felt overwhelmingly challenging. She shares her vulnerability in recording this episode, revealing the resistance she faced and the importance of showing the raw, real version of ourselves. Tonya discusses the concept of wabi-sabi, an ancient Japanese philosophy that appreciates beauty in imperfection and incompleteness, contrasting it with our perfection-obsessed culture.

Join her as she explores how the toughest experiences can ultimately shape and strengthen our character. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on embracing our flaws and the growth that comes from life's challenges.

Talking Points:

00:33 - The Challenge of Vulnerability
01:38 - Embracing Imperfection: The Wabi-Sabi Philosophy
02:31 - Life's Breaking Points
04:06 - Moment 1: Divorce and Single Motherhood
07:04 - Moment 2: Battling an Eating Disorder
13:17 - Moment 3: Daughter's Illness and Personal Sacrifice
22:42 - Reflections and Lessons Learned
25:19 - Encouragement for Those Struggling
26:03 - Embracing the Journey

Quotes:

"It wasn't breaking me. It was making me unbreakable."

"It's okay to ask for help. It's okay to be supported. It's okay to not know how to do this on your own."

"No matter how down you think you are, don't give up on yourself because remember, those moments, they're what's making you stronger."

"I think the biggest gift that came out of this was... she appreciates and takes care of herself in such a way that I don't think she would have had this not happened."

"You don't give up on the dream, but you may have to adjust your goals."

"You are not falling apart. You're actually falling into yourself."

"It doesn't mean that you're weak. It means that you're human."

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