In this episode of Confident Sober Women, Shelby sits down with entrepreneur, podcast host, and author Sarah Barnes Humphrey for a conversation about identity, resilience, and rebuilding life after everything falls apart.

Sarah shares the story of what she calls the worst day of her life. Just days before her 37th birthday, her family’s logistics company suddenly closed, leaving her without the career path she had spent nearly two decades building. What followed was a period of grief, uncertainty, and deep reflection about self-worth, purpose, and what comes next.

Sarah talks about the emotional reality of starting over and the messy middle that many women experience when life does not go according to plan. Through that process, she began to redefine success, rebuild her confidence, and eventually grow the podcast and platform that she leads today.

Shelby and Sarah explore how experiences like loss, career shifts, and personal setbacks can challenge our sense of identity but also create space for growth and emotional healing.

If you are navigating change, rebuilding confidence, or exploring life after alcohol, this conversation offers a grounded look at resilience and the power of finding your voice.

In this episode you will hear:

• How losing her family business forced Sarah to rebuild her identity
 • The emotional impact of sudden career and life changes
 • How self-worth can shift during difficult life transitions
 • The reality of entrepreneurship and the “messy middle” of growth
 • Why healing work and self-reflection matter for women in recovery

This episode speaks to many women on a sobriety journey or navigating life after alcohol, where personal growth often requires rebuilding confidence, addressing mental health and sobriety, and learning how to move forward after difficult experiences.

About the Host

Shelby John is a licensed therapist and founder of Wholistic Living. Through the Confident Sober Women podcast, she explores sobriety, emotional healing, nervous system health, and personal growth for women who are building lives rooted in clarity, confidence, and true freedom.

Connect with Shelby

Website
 https://shelbyjohn.com

Podcast
 Confident Sober Women

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Oh, and by the way, if you didn’t know, my remote Neurofeedback Therapy program is up and running. Learn more here! Learn more about EMDR therapy, EMDR Intensives and Remote Neurofeedback.

And if you haven't read my memoir, grab a copy of Recovering in Recovery: The Life-Changing Joy of Sobriety wherever books are sold.