S2 | E12 Leah Selfe — The What If Loop That Keeps Women Stuck

S2 | E12 Leah Selfe — The What If Loop That Keeps Women Stuck

The “what if” loop can keep you stuck longer than the actual problem. “What if this fails?” “What if I can’t do it?” “What if everything falls apart?” Leah Self knows that loop well. After COVID shut down her career in travel and events, she took a scary leap and started again as a single mum. In this conversation, Leah chats with Lara about fear, business, becoming an empty nester earlier than expected, setting real boundaries, and learning how to get clear when life feels loud. It’s honest, funny, and a little bit of a push to stop overthinking and start backing yourself again. Get to know more about Leah: https://www.instagram.com/the.productivityqueen/ [https://www.instagram.com/the.productivityqueen/] https://www.theproductivityqueen.com.au/ [https://www.theproductivityqueen.com.au/] If you have loved today’s episode, please share this with a friend. ❤️ About Lara Portelli: As a successful business owner, NLP Practitioner, Midlife Reset Mentor, acclaimed award-winning author, and seasoned professional, Lara understands the challenges of navigating careers, business, and personal growth. She now channels her expertise into mentoring women through midlife and into their bodacious second act, helping ambitious women step into their power and build success on their own terms. Connect with Lara: https://www.laraportelli.com/ [https://www.laraportelli.com/] https://www.facebook.com/laraportelliglobal [https://www.facebook.com/laraportelliglobal] https://www.instagram.com/lara_portelli_global/ [https://www.instagram.com/lara_portelli_global/]

S2 | E11 Krissi Marie — Do It Before It Becomes Regret

Sometimes one small moment can wake you up to the life you’ve been quietly living. For Krissi Marie, it was a 40-degree day, two kids in the back of the car, and the realisation that she had spent years putting herself last. Krissi shares about identity, motherhood, divorce, end-of-life planning, creativity, imposter syndrome, and choosing a rich, full life on your own terms. She also shares the story behind Dying to Tell You, and why talking about death can be a loving gift to the people we leave behind. Her message is simple: ✨ Do the thing. ✨ Do it scared. ✨ Do it before regret gets louder than the fear. Get to know more about Krissi: https://www.instagram.com/um___life/ [https://www.instagram.com/um___life/] If you have loved today’s episode, please share this with a friend. ❤️ About Lara Portelli: As a successful business owner, NLP Practitioner, Midlife Reset Mentor, acclaimed award-winning author, and seasoned professional, Lara understands the challenges of navigating careers, business, and personal growth. She now channels her expertise into mentoring women through midlife and into their bodacious second act, helping ambitious women step into their power and build success on their own terms. Connect with Lara: https://www.laraportelli.com/ [https://www.laraportelli.com/] https://www.facebook.com/laraportelliglobal [https://www.facebook.com/laraportelliglobal] https://www.instagram.com/lara_portelli_global/ [https://www.instagram.com/lara_portelli_global/]

S2 | E10 Olivia de Sousa — Stop Being "Normal" in Midlife

What happens when midlife starts feeling less like a crisis… and more like a quiet nudge to come home to yourself? Olivia de Sousa shares an honest conversation about change, intuition, creativity, and the courage it takes to stop living by other people’s expectations. Olivia shares the moment she decided to close her podcast management business without a safety net, choosing to trust her inner voice over the pressure to keep pushing. She also opens up about embracing her “weirdness,” letting go of the need to fit into a box, and finding new creative expression through writing, music, and her mantra toolkit, The Ultimate Book of Word Spells. This conversation is a reminder that midlife doesn’t have to be about fading quietly into the background. Sometimes, it’s where you finally give yourself permission to be seen, heard, and fully yourself. Get to know more about Olivia: www.livvimedia.com.au/wordspells/ [https://www.livvimedia.com.au/wordspells/] If you have loved today’s episode, please share this with a friend. ❤️ About Lara Portelli: As a successful business owner, NLP Practitioner, Midlife Reset Mentor, acclaimed award-winning author, and seasoned professional, Lara understands the challenges of navigating careers, business, and personal growth. She now channels her expertise into mentoring women through midlife and into their bodacious second act, helping ambitious women step into their power and build success on their own terms. Connect with Lara: https://www.laraportelli.com/ [https://www.laraportelli.com/] https://www.facebook.com/laraportelliglobal [https://www.facebook.com/laraportelliglobal] https://www.instagram.com/lara_portelli_global/ [https://www.instagram.com/lara_portelli_global/]

S2 | E9 Lynn Catalano — When Family Isn't Family

Some relationships don’t just hurt you… they slowly break you down. Lynn Catalano, Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Coach, chats about the toxic patterns so many people experience but struggle to explain. From silent treatment and manipulation to "word salad” arguments and always being made to feel like the bad guy. This conversation puts real words to what narcissistic abuse can actually look like. Lynn also shares her personal story, the red flags people often miss, and what healing looks like when you finally stop living in survival mode. Get to know more about Lynn:  https://www.lynncatalano.com [https://www.lynncatalano.com] If you have loved today’s episode, please share this with a friend. ❤️ About Lara Portelli: As a successful business owner, NLP Practitioner, Midlife Reset Mentor, acclaimed award-winning author, and seasoned professional, Lara understands the challenges of navigating careers, business, and personal growth. She now channels her expertise into mentoring women through midlife and into their bodacious second act, helping ambitious women step into their power and build success on their own terms. Connect with Lara: https://www.laraportelli.com/ [https://www.laraportelli.com/] https://www.facebook.com/laraportelliglobal [https://www.facebook.com/laraportelliglobal] https://www.instagram.com/lara_portelli_global/ [https://www.instagram.com/lara_portelli_global/]

S2 | E8 Sabrina Militello — Finding Yourself in the Midlife Chaos

Who’s Patrice, and why is she causing so much trouble? In this episode, Sabrina Militello shares how naming her inner critic helped her notice the stories she was telling herself and finally start challenging them. Lara and Sabrina also talk about self-worth, overwhelm, loneliness, and what it takes to reconnect with yourself when life starts feeling heavy. If things have felt a bit “too much” lately, this one’s worth a listen. Get to know Sabrina — https://www.sabrinamilitello.com [https://www.sabrinamilitello.com/] If you have loved today’s episode, please share this with a friend. ❤️ About Lara Portelli: As a successful business owner, NLP Practitioner, Midlife Reset Mentor, acclaimed award-winning author, and seasoned professional, Lara understands the challenges of navigating careers, business, and personal growth. She now channels her expertise into mentoring women through midlife and into their bodacious second act, helping ambitious women step into their power and build success on their own terms. Connect with Lara: https://www.laraportelli.com/ [https://www.laraportelli.com/] https://www.facebook.com/laraportelliglobal [https://www.facebook.com/laraportelliglobal] https://www.instagram.com/lara_portelli_global/ [https://www.instagram.com/lara_portelli_global/]