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Why So Many Women Lose Themselves in Marriage: Emotional Labor, Identity & Starting Over with Maddy of In The Second Act

What happens when you wake up one day and realize you've spent years taking care of everyone else—but have completely lost touch with yourself? In this week's episode, Mikaela sits down with Maddy, life and identity coach and creator of In The Second Act, for an honest conversation about emotional labor, self-abandonment, motherhood, marriage, faith transitions, and rebuilding your life after divorce. Together, they explore the invisible emotional weight many women carry: managing everyone's moods, keeping the peace, putting their own needs last, and slowly losing themselves in the process. Maddy shares her personal journey from growing up in the Mormon faith, getting married young, and becoming a mother, to questioning the life she had built and ultimately stepping into a completely new chapter. She opens up about the fears, guilt, and uncertainty that often surround divorce, as well as the surprising clarity that can come from finally choosing yourself. In this episode, we discuss: • The difference between mental load and emotional labor • Why so many women lose themselves in marriage • The pressure to be "selfless" and how it can lead to self-abandonment • Faith transitions, identity, and questioning the life you've built • Signs you may be carrying too much emotional responsibility in your relationship • The fears that keep women stuck in unhappy situations • Advice for women questioning their marriage • Rebuilding confidence and finding yourself after a major life transition • Why taking action creates clarity Whether you're navigating a divorce, questioning your identity, feeling overwhelmed by emotional labor, or simply trying to reconnect with yourself, this conversation is a powerful reminder that your needs matter too. Connect with Maddy: Instagram: @inthesecondact Website: inthesecondact.com As always, take what resonates and leave what doesn't.

The Identity Check-In

This week on The Aiders, we’re asking a big question: Who am I? From the roles we play to the expectations we carry, we’re exploring how our identities shift and evolve through different seasons of life. It’s an honest conversation about self-discovery, personal growth, and learning to reconnect with who we are beneath all the labels.

From MomTok to An Evening with Angels: A Conversation with Gabi Pegeuro, part 2

In this episode, we continue our discussion with Gabi Pegeuro, the "healer" featured on Season 4 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Gabi does a live reading for Mikaela, and they get real about a few of their traumas and coping mechanisms, and try to glean a little bit of insight from the other side.

From MomTok to An Evening with Angels: A Conversation with Gabi Pegeuro, part 1

In this episode, we sit down with Gabi Pegeuro, the "healer" featured on Season 4 of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, to learn more about her journey, her gifts, and how she connects with the energy around others. While many people use titles like psychic or medium, Gabi simply prefers to be knows as herself, someone deeply intuitive who connects with the energy of both people and the angels surrounding them. Fresh off her live event, An Evening with Angels, Gabi shares what it was like creating a healing experience alongside Jessi and Marciano from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and Vanderpump Villa. We talk about how she first began channeling energy, what these experiences feel like for her, and the impact this work has had on others. If you weren't able to attend the live event, this episode offers a deeper look into Gabi's world, her process, and what may be her next journey.

Building a Safe Space for Women | The Community Curator

This week on The Aiders, Mikaela sits down with Carolyn — a gym owner, personal trainer, yoga instructor, and true community curator — to talk about what it means to build a safe space for women. From fitness to mindset, we explore how she empowers women to show up as their best selves and the intention behind creating spaces that feel supportive, strong, and welcoming. It’s an inspiring, grounded conversation about confidence, community, and the impact of having a place where you truly belong. 💛