“Mindset is just step one because with mindset comes action. And it’s only if you take action on the things that you’re learning, the things that you’re discovering, can you make any kind of change.”

In this episode, Nick speaks with Natalie Mullin about her journey of facing the pressure and challenges that come with running a business that’s like your baby and the toll it took on her mental health. She also delves into the unexpected divorce request from her husband as a result of overworking and the challenging depression that followed.

What to listen for:

Natalie’s background in teaching, coaching, and starting a tea business

Navigating building a business while living in Antigua

The pressure that comes with people knowing about your business

Challenges that took a toll on Natalie’s mental health

“It wasn’t just business. Because the thing is, when you start a business, it’s like your baby, right? You’re so attached to it. And so somebody comes and tries to knock it off, or maybe they try to hurt your business, they spread lies, like all of these things… It really takes a toll on your mental health and psyche. And I never even saw that as a possibility. All I wanted to do was sell bubble tea.”

Working to find balance in her life as an ambitious person

How Natalie ended up blindsided by her husband asking for a divorce

The depression and rock bottom that followed her marriage ending

When your life falls apart, you have to sit with the mess

Why she pretended like everything was okay when it wasn’t

“It’s rock bottom. But then eventually you’re like, ‘okay, I gotta build myself back up. How do I get out of this?’ So I started working with a wellness coach, and she was like, ‘You gotta prioritize your own wellbeing. Put him aside.’ I was spending all my effort trying to get him to work on the relationship, trying to get him back. And she was like, ‘No, you’ve gotta stop. You’ve gotta focus on fixing yourself.’”

How Natalie did the work to start finding herself again

Taking ownership of her role and learning you can’t control other people

How focusing on herself created the opportunity to restore her marriage

Learning to let go, surrender, and trust in what’s happening

Finding the inner motivation to keep going

“You gotta pull from deep within somewhere. And sometimes you have to pull on other people’s strength; I just wanna share that. There was a point I had zero motivation even to wake up and open my eyes in the morning. I was like, ‘I can’t do it.’ But thankfully, I did have people in my life who were like, ‘Natalie, pull it together. Get up, go wash your face. I’m coming over; we’re gonna go do this.’ And go to therapy, sit, and figure out where you went wrong. What can you do better? It’s really important.’”

Unearthing childhood wounds she didn’t know were three

Why you can’t take bad things happening in your life personally

The difference between hope and denial and facing the reality of what’s happening

Holding marriage as a life-long commitment and why we don’t always see it that way

Why Natalie and her husband feel grateful for their hard time

“We came back stronger, and we came back because we chose to come back to each other as opposed to just staying together because we felt like we had to. This was a conscious choice. I think that intentionality, it’s like if we could find our way back to each other through all of that, we know to never let things slip that much again to ever get here again.”

Going through dark times and digging into the work

Partnership should support both people in thriving

Understanding that people grow at different paces

The importance of having a vision and clarity in your life

Mindset is just step one; you also have to take action

Steps you can take if you’re not happy with something

About Natalie Mullin:

Natalie Mullin is a Certified Wellness Educator, Speaker, and Coach focused on helping teachers and women with side hustles d...