Ep. 89 Freedom Isn't Free: What My Friends Lost and Found When They Came Out Later in Life

Ep. 89 Freedom Isn't Free: What My Friends Lost and Found When They Came Out Later in Life

I've been wanting to introduce you to these two for a while now. Chelsea and Emily are two of my favorite people on the planet. They're funny, they're real, they're the kind of women who walk into a room and make everyone feel like they belong. And the moment I started getting to know them, I felt like I'd known them my entire life. But what brought us here — to this couch, to this conversation — is their story. And it's one I think a lot of people need to hear. Both Chelsea and Emily were married to men. Both were navigating life inside a religious community. Both had kids. And both, later in life, discovered something about themselves that changed everything. They came out. And in doing so, they had to lose a lot — their marriages, their identities, their communities — to finally become who they actually were. Freedom isn't free. And this episode is proof of that. This is not just a story about sexuality. It's about what it costs to live honestly. It's about the loneliness of going through something no one around you seems to understand. It's about finding the people who have walked your same road. And it's about what you find on the other side of the hardest thing you've ever done. I walked away from this conversation different. More compassionate. More open. More convinced than ever that the path to real freedom almost always runs straight through the thing you're most afraid of. If you've ever had to lose something — or burn something down — to finally find yourself... this one is for you. We talk about: * What it actually feels like to come out later in life — with kids, a marriage, and a whole identity on the line * How your story can get told for you before you're ready * The loneliness of going through something no one around you has experienced * Finding your people — the ones who have walked your exact road * What it means to finally stop performing your life * How going through hard things makes you less judgmental and more human * Raising kids inside non-traditional families with love, safety, and zero shame * "I reserve the right to change and evolve" — and why that's not weakness, it's growth There's so much laughter in this episode. There's rawness. There are moments that gave me chills. And there are things these two said that I'm still thinking about. This is one of my favorites I've ever recorded. I think you're going to love them as much as I do. Welcome back to Heidi's Lane. ❤️ Here are the key moments from the episode: 00:00 Why This Episode Hits Different  03:14 How Four Strangers Became Inseparable  07:29 Chelsea's Obsession She Couldn't Explain  12:41 Losing Control of Your Own Coming Out Story  18:06 Navigating Divorce, Kids, and Each Other Simultaneously  23:28 Why Emily Kept Saying No to Everything  28:45 Hell Fast-Tracks You to Your Real Friends  34:03 Meeting Someone Who Has Lived Your Exact Life  38:51 The Treadmill Snub That Almost Ended It All  43:17 How Kids Handle Non-Traditional Families Better Than Adults  47:04 Creating a Home Other People's Kids Run To  51:02 The One Phrase That Changes How You Parent  55:30 The People Judging You Are Living It on Delay  59:57 The Airport Security Guard Who Pushed Too Far  01:04:33 The Space Between Reaction and Response  01:09:14 Why Heidi Is Launching a Women's Supplement Line  Connect with Heidi: Website: https://heidipowell.net/ [https://heidipowell.net/] Email: podcast@heidipowell.netInstagram: @realheidipowell Facebook: Heidi PowellYouTube: @RealHeidiPowell Train with Heidi on her Show Up App: https://www.showupfit.app/ [https://www.showupfit.app/] Connect with Emily and Chelsea: Instagram: @em_moves14

Ep. 88 Heidi + Ryan Sitting In a Tree 💋 Part 2!! The REST of the Truth About How We Met 🩷

The REST of the story you’ve all been waiting for…and the one we’ve been waiting to tell!!🥰 Oh to be young(ish) and in love. One year into this relationship, and it’s only gotten better. It’s only gotten safer. It’s only felt deeper. I honestly don’t even know how to explain this episode. What started as part two of the story of how Ryan and I met somehow turned into one of the rawest conversations I’ve ever had on this podcast. We talk about intuition, trauma bonds, nervous system exhaustion, childhood wounds, emotional safety, and what it feels like when you finally meet someone who doesn’t require you to become someone else to be loved. This episode takes you into the middle of one of the hardest seasons of my life, navigating a relationship I knew deep down wasn’t right for me, while simultaneously experiencing a connection that felt completely unfamiliar, safe, honest, and deeply soul-recognizing. We talk about: * Why I kept returning to relationships that hurt me * The breathwork session that changed how I saw my entire life * Learning how much I had shape-shifted inside relationships * The prayer I started saying every single day * Why emotional safety felt so foreign to me * The chaos that unfolded in Ohio * The moment I realized connection was supposed to feel different There’s laughter in this episode. There’s awkwardness. There’s deep vulnerability. There are things I probably never thought I’d say publicly. But more than anything, this conversation is about finally understanding the difference between attachment and peace. If you’ve ever ignored your intuition, stayed too long, questioned your worth, or wondered if healthy love actually exists, I think this episode might hit home for you. Welcome back to Heidi’s Lane. ❤️ Here are the key moments from the episode: 00:00 Welcome Back to Heidi’s Lane 06:23 Ignoring Intuition to Keep the Peace 10:11 Why Heidi Knew Her Real Match Was Coming 15:01 Trying to Break Free From a 12-Time Breakup Cycle 20:06 The First Time Heidi Felt Emotionally Safe 24:16 The Floodgates Opened: Shame, Secrets & Safety 28:34 Voice Notes, Spirituality & No Flirting 30:01 Telling Kyra About the Instant Soul Connection 35:17 The First Phone Call That Lasted Until 4AM 39:25 The Unexpected Love Triangle Moment 42:00 Why Heidi Almost Walked Away 46:08 Helping Ryan Navigate the Hardest Season of His Life 50:05 Why Ohio Made Their Connection Stronger 54:19 How Heidi Finally Knew What Real Connection Felt Like 61:00 Ryan’s Reaction to Heidi’s Letter 66:00 Feeling Fully Free to Be Yourself 69:30 Family, Fear & Knowing This Was Different Connect with Heidi: Website: https://heidipowell.net/ [https://heidipowell.net/] Email: podcast@heidipowell.net Instagram: @realheidipowell Facebook: Heidi PowellYouTube: @RealHeidiPowell Train with Heidi on her Show Up App: https://www.showupfit.app/ [https://www.showupfit.app/]

Ep 87: The Truth About How We Met: Heidi + Ryan Sitting In a Tree 🩷 | Part 1

I have been holding this one close for a long time. You've been asking. Every week, in my DMs, in the comments, in voice memos from strangers who somehow feel like old friends, what's the story? How did you two actually meet? Well…Today is the day. This is Part 1 of how Ryan and I found each other, and I'll warn you, we don't even make it to the first date. Because when two people who have lived a lot of life try to trace it back to the beginning, you keep finding more beginning. What I can tell you is this, he almost unfollowed me!!! I almost never replied!!! I thought he was a woman…lol… And somewhere in the middle of all of that, the universe had other plans. :) We talk about: * What it really feels like to go through separation and the first holidays alone * What it means to be in a relationship where you feel so safeThe darkest stretch of Ryan's life * The last-minute trip to Costa Rica that changed everything, and the DM sent from a dirt road in the middle of nowhere that started it all There's also a lot of laughing. Ruby has a proposal for Ryan that left us both speechless. And Keira shows up at the end and says something so beautiful it might just break you open. Grab your coffee. Get on the couch. Part 2 is coming soon. Here are the key moments from the episode: 00:00 Why This Love Story Feels Different 03:57 The Relationship Shift That Made Heidi Feel Safe 09:20 The Hidden Cost of Fame and Starting Over 13:23 Separation, Divorce, and Why Timing Mattered 16:34 The Post About Divorce That Stopped Him Cold 22:22 The DM She Almost Missed and Why It Landed 25:25 Why Heidi Started the Podcast in the First Place 27:57 The Divorce Lesson That Only Pain Can Teach 32:07 How They Healed Each Other’s Trust Issues 35:10 The Upbringing That Shaped His View of Masculinity 39:16 The Question Every Woman Should Ask About a Man 45:31 Why He Never Unfollowed Her 47:24 The Costa Rica Trip That Happened During a Breaking Point 53:40 The First Real Texts That Changed Everything 59:35 When He Realized Heidi Was Different 01:01:01 The IUD Appointment Story She Never Posted Connect with Heidi: Website:⁠ https://heidipowell.net/⁠ [https://heidipowell.net/] Email: podcast@heidipowell.net Instagram: @realheidipowell Facebook: Heidi Powell YouTube: @RealHeidiPowell Train with Heidi on her Show Up App:⁠ https://www.showupfit.app/ [https://www.showupfit.app/]

Ep. 86 Q&A Time!! Answering Your Fitness Qs: How to Get Motivated, Count Macros, and Create Your Best Body At Any Age!

This episode started as a simple Q&A, but it turned into something a little more real. We talk about workouts, macros, and what actually works as our bodies change through different seasons of life, especially for women navigating their 40s, 50s, and beyond. But underneath all of that, this conversation is really about something else. Momentum. I share why so many of us feel stuck even when we know what to do, why motivation isn’t something you go out and find, and how the smallest actions are often the thing that changes everything. We also get into how life gets busy, how we slowly stop showing up for ourselves, and why the seasons where you feel like you don’t have time are usually the ones where it matters most. There’s some practicality here, workouts, splits, macros, all the things, but also a lot of real life. Because the truth is, this isn’t just about fitness. It’s about learning how to come back to yourself, again and again. We talk about: * Why motivation isn’t something you find and what actually works instead * How to rebuild momentum when life feels overwhelming * Realistic workout expectations as your body changes with age * Simple workout structures for busy women * The truth about calorie deficits, macros, and sustainable fat loss * Why the scale doesn’t always tell the full story * Learning to work with your body instead of against it This one is part Q&A, part life check-in, and part reminder that you don’t need to overhaul your entire life to start feeling better again. You just need to start. If you’ve been feeling stuck, inconsistent, or like you’ve lost your rhythm, this is for you. And if you’re in a season where everything else feels more important than taking care of yourself, consider this your gentle nudge. You matter too. Need help in perimenopause? Download my FREE “Fitness Longevity for Women” guide by clicking here.  https://fit.heidipowell.net/fitness-longevity/ [https://fit.heidipowell.net/fitness-longevity/]   Want a community of women going through a similar phase as you? Join my FREE 5 Day Better Body Bootcamp here, or go to heidipowell.net/bootcamp [http://heidipowell.net/bootcamp] Here are the key moments from the episode: 00:00 Why This Q&A Hits a Different Nerve 03:08 The Motivation Lie That Keeps Women Stuck 06:11 How to Create Momentum When Life Feels Heavy 08:33 Why Heidi Is Bringing Back Her 60-Day Challenge 11:12 The Busy-Season Trap That Makes You Forget Yourself 14:10 Do You Really Need 60 Minutes in the Gym? 18:02 Best Home Workout Options When You Only Have Dumbbells 21:15 The Calorie Deficit Explained Without the Confusion 24:56 How to Estimate Your Metabolism Before Counting Macros 27:06 The TDEE Shortcut Most Women Need to Understand 30:37 What Heidi Actually Eats in a Day Right Now 34:24 The Best Supplements for Muscle as Hormones Shift 37:21 Can You Fix a Slowed-Down Metabolism? 39:27 Where to Start When You Feel Overwhelmed by Everything 42:05 Heidi’s Final Reminder to Take Your Power Back Connect with Heidi: Website: https://heidipowell.net/ [https://heidipowell.net/] Email: podcast@heidipowell.net Instagram: @realheidipowell Facebook: Heidi Powell YouTube: @RealHeidiPowell Train with Heidi on her Show Up App: https://www.showupfit.app/ [https://www.showupfit.app/]

Ep. 85 My Perimenopausal Meltdown: The Episode I Didn’t Want to Share

I am nervous posting this podcast…as this was not the episode I planned to release. We spend our lives trying to stay put together and neat. Keeping our hurt hidden and our smiles big. This podcast shows a very different side of me. A side of Heidi that has real insecurities that run deep. A side of Heidi that feels pain and actually does care what others think about her even when she says she doesn’t. While the strong Heidi is me…this is also me, and it’s not easy to share. Today, you are witnessing a real life hormonal meltdown. What was supposed to be an informational conversation turned into something very different...an unfiltered conversation I’m still shocked I’m allowing the world to see. In this episode, I open up about the emotional toll of shifting hormones, irregular cycles, feeling overwhelmed by life, work, motherhood, pressure, aging, and the weight so many women silently carry. I also share why this episode was so hard for me to put out into the world...and why I decided to share it anyway. The truth is, the episodes that feel the hardest to release are often the ones that make the biggest impact. So if you’ve been feeling messy, emotional, stretched thin, less like yourself, or just plain alone in this season...this one is for you. And if you love someone who’s walking through hormonal changes, this episode might help you understand her a little better too. You are not broken. You are not crazy. And you are definitely not alone. We talk about: * What it feels like to hit your emotional limit  * The pressure of being the one who always has the answers * Hormones, perimenopause, and identity shifts no one prepares you for * The grief of feeling like your best years are behind you * Being judged as a woman and as a mother, no matter what you do * The gap between how life looks and how it actually feels This one is part life update, part emotional dump, part honest reminder that even the strong ones have days where they fall apart. And maybe that’s not a bad thing. Dealing with Perimenopause? For Heidi’s FREE Guide to Fitness Longevity for Women in Perimenopause, click HERE (https://fit.heidipowell.net/fitness-longevity/ [https://fit.heidipowell.net/fitness-longevity/]) Want a community of women going through a similar phase as you? Join my FREE 5 Day Better Body Bootcamp here, or go to heidipowell.net/bootcamp [http://heidipowell.net/bootcamp] Here are the key moments from the episode: 00:00 This Episode Wasn’t Meant to Go Live 03:11 The Last Straw That Broke Me (It Wasn’t Just One Thing) 06:24 Why This Messy Episode Matters 10:07 Hormones, Missing Periods & Feeling Off in My Own Body 15:02 Mom Guilt, Doris, & Being Judged Online 17:28 Why Women Get Criticized No Matter What They Do 21:04 What Hate Comments Really Say About People 24:13 The Pressure of Running a Business No One Sees 26:07 Carrying Financial Responsibility & Providing for Everyone 30:18 Feeling Buried by Your Own Life (I’m Sick of Making Decisions) 34:58 Aging, Identity & What If This Makes Me Unlovable? 38:22 Wanting Back What You Once Hated (I Just Want a Normal Period) 41:40 Strong Most Days… But Today I Broke (I Don’t Even Feel Pretty) 44:01 The Moment I Wanted to Quit Everything 47:07 You’re Not Alone in This Connect with Heidi: Website: https://heidipowell.net/ [https://heidipowell.net/] Email: podcast@heidipowell.net Instagram: @realheidipowell Facebook: Heidi Powell YouTube: @RealHeidiPowell Train with Heidi on her Show Up App: https://www.showupfit.app/ [https://www.showupfit.app/]