“This isn’t my story, it’s God’s story. I just walked through it.”

In this episode of The BraveHearted Woman Podcast, we continue to sit down with Cheryl Bonds, where she reveals what it truly takes to rebuild a life after trauma, abuse, and overwhelming loss. From becoming a young, divorced mother with no support to navigating domestic violence and her son’s devastating accident, Cheryl walks through the defining moments that shaped her identity.

She shares how anger, survival instincts, and lack of direction led her to prison, and how that breaking point became the turning point. Through faith, she discovered not just forgiveness, but a completely new way of thinking, living, and healing.

This episode unpacks how to release shame, process pain, and step into purpose, proving that no matter your past, transformation is possible at any stage of life.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Guest Intro

1:35 - The BraveHeart Story of Cheryl Bonds having a divorce at 17

4:21 - What abuse really does to identity

6:31 - How to navigate a parent’s worst fear

13:49 - Practical tips for processing guilt and releasing shame

16:40 - Cheryl’s rock bottom leading to transformation

22:01 - How to rebuild your life with faith, purpose, and daily discipline

27:03 - Cheryl’s #1 tip for midlife women

Quotations:

“Packages can look mighty pretty… until you open them and there’s nothing in them.” - Cheryl Bonds

“It was like a golden teardrop hit my heart and busted it wide open.” - Cheryl Bonds

“Quit rehearsing your pain. Find out what God says about you.” - Cheryl Bonds

“Don’t be a broken heart, be a mended heart.” - Cheryl Bonds

Resources:

🌐 Connect with Cheryl at cherylbonds.com

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🎁 FREE GIFT: The 7-Day Identity Challenge for Midlife Women of Faith: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/offers/rMw4gih9/checkout

💌 Email your braveheart story to me at [email protected]

📞 Book a FREE 15-minute strategy call with Dawn: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/book-a-call

Connect with your BraveHeart Mentor, Dawn Damon:

💞 Email me at: [email protected]

💞 Website: https://braveheartedwoman.com/

💞 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravehearted_woman

💞 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveheartedwoman

💞 Podcast: https://the-bravehearted-woman.captivate.fm/listen

Download the full transcript here.