Mark Rivera, NYPD police officer and father, lost his life at the young age of 37 after having a sudden heart attack in March of 2015.

Abby Rivera became a young widow in an instant.

In the interview this week we discuss Abby's first weeks of widowhood, how she became interested in weight loss and used that as a distraction from her grief. 

But as she started seeing amazing weight loss results, 50 pounds to be exact, she wanted to share her results and success with everyone!

Abby believed in the products she was using, so much so that she started selling them herself and subsequently started to see her side hustle business really take off.

Her life has completely transformed. She found her passion and by authentically sharing her weight loss success, she is reaping the benefits of a full time income and enjoying the freedom to work from home to be there to raise her son.

You can find Abby at the following:

Facebook and Instagram at TheBadAssKetoMom

Her private FB group is The Bad Ass Keto Mom Kommunity

or go to

AbbyRivera.challenge.com

Find lists, tips, resources, and stories at www.widow180.com

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For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

Rick Gardache was only 44 years old when he passed away suddenly on October 9, 2017 from an unknown heart condition.

His wife Carrie was left to raise their two teenage children.

Carrie opens up about some self destructive behavior that she had to overcome. She was able to course correct and make a plan to get her life back under control. 

Being a registered dietitian, she knows the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. She shares some nutrition tips with us today and shows us how we can all take back control of our health and well-being.

Carrie shares some amazing, quick, easy HEALTHY recipes here:

https://episode1.ck.page/recipes

Leave us a rating and review today!

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For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

In July 2018, Randi Karpinia lost her husband David suddenly from a heart attack, leaving her to raise their 13 year old daughter and run David's new law firm. 

Randi talks about her struggles with PTSD and the challenges she faced as a solo mom. 

She took a coaching class that changed her outlook on her future. She found her new passion in helping others through her new legal business, Sagacity Legal, where she helps entrepreneurs start and protect their businesses. 

She understands the value of a strong support system, so she became a Board member for Pandora's Kids, a program that helps teens who have lost a parent. 

She's done an impressive number of things in such a short period of time!

For legal advice and widow advice, you can reach Randi at www.sagacitylegal.com.

Resources in this episode:

Facebook: Pandora's Kids in Grief

www.TheTappingSolutionApp.com

Get Randi's FREE eBook here: https://artisanal-pioneer-7662.ck.page/f9c19c447e

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For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

In 2014, Michelle Hensley lost her husband after a two year battle with melanoma. She spent the next couple of years regaining her lost identity and focusing her energy on becoming a finance, grief, and life coach. 

She now inspires and educates other widows on emotional and financial decisions.

She has two master's degrees, has raised seven children, and has started two successful nonprofits.

Her latest nonprofit, You Are Special, is a micro-grant program for widows who want to become self-sufficient and do something they love and start their own businesses.

You can reach Michelle at www.Michelle-Hensley.com

and www.youarespecial.org

 

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For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

Tina Murphy had been happily married to her husband Jamie for 10 years, on a path to living a content life with their two boys Parker and Brady. In October 2013, Jamie collapsed while playing ball with their boys in their front yard.

Tina talks to us about how she made some poor money choices, turning to shopping in order to numb her pain.

She took a coaching class that taught her how to process her emotions and take control of her thoughts.

And with her background in teaching finance, she now coaches other widows those same tools and techniques and helps them devise a strategic plan for their own emotional and financial success.

You can reach Tina on Instagram @widowswallet

and Facebook at WidowsWallet

For any other questions, you can reach us at Widow180 Community with Jen Zwinck on Facebook.

Or email me at [email protected]

Thank you for listening!

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For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

Crystalyn Aucoin started her brand Crystalyn Aucoin Jewelry in 2018, two years after her husband Ryan passed away from cancer. She has taken her love of jewelry design and combined it with Ryan's love of charity to form her company. 

She shares with us her story of finding out she was pregnant one month before Ryan's cancer diagnosis, how she became a caregiver and a mom all in the same year, and how her new calling on this path is helping her, but also empowering other women as well.

You can find her at:

www.CrystalynAucoin.com and www.womenbuyjewelry.com

And check out her latest designs at CrystalynAucoinJewelry on Facebook!

And Instagram @crystalynaucoinjewelry

And don't forget a % of her sales goes to cancer research!

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Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and tell your friends about us!

 

 

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For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

Cherie McKevitt was enjoying a week in Disney World with her family when tragedy struck and her husband, Frank, passed away suddenly. Cherie describes the events that followed. She shares how she  escaped from the pain of her loss by traveling constantly, then ultimately decided to sell her home to be closer to family. She dove into the challenge of purchasing a lot, designing a home, hiring a contractor, securing the financing, and being on-site every day of construction to reach the goal of building a new home for her and her two boys.  I don't know how she had the strength to do it all! Her story will motivate you to take on anything you put your mind to!

Cherie keeps the lines of communication open with her boys at all times, even when the subject matter is difficult!

Here's a free guide on how to talk to your kids about the really hard stuff:  https://episode1.ck.page/talking-guide

Connect with Jen:

Instagram: @widow_180

Facebook: Widow 180 Community with Jen Zwinck

Website: www.widow180.com

email: [email protected]

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/

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For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

"What is my purpose?"

"What do I want from this life?"

These are questions that we face as widows.

Christine Dusang made the decision to go back to school and become a therapist after her husband Eric passed away from cancer. She became a solo-parent, busy raising two active daughters, but still found the time and made it a priority in her life to further her education.  She shares the heartbreaking story of her husband's journey through battling cancer and how being a full-time caregiver takes its toll on every aspect of a family. She opens up about what it feels like to be a widow and how finding her purpose has brought her out of her deepest grief.  I know you will be inspired by her story!

If you need any help or advice from Christine you can reach her at:

[email protected]

or email me at [email protected]

You can find Christine's list of the "5 Sure Signs It's Time to See a Therapist" here: https://episode1.ck.page/therapy

Don't forget to Join us on Facebook at Widow 180 Community with Jen Zwinck!

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For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

Lisette Martin was a happy housewife, busy raising her two boys, when her husband Logan died suddenly and unexpectedly on Christmas Eve.  She shares with us how she was able to cope with the sudden loss, how she turned to a particular hobby that helped her get through the emotional distress, and ultimately how she started her business, Simplify By Lisette. 

She helps widows feel empowered by overcoming the overwhelm and shares with us some of her simplifying tips and tricks!

You can reach out to Lisette at [email protected]

Also don't forget to join our Facebook group at Widow 180 Community with Jen Zwinck!

Follow us on Instagram @widow_180

And, Lisette shared with us 7 Creative Ways to Repurpose your Spouse's Clothes.  Here's the link:   https://episode1.ck.page/repurpose

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For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]

Welcome to the very first episode of the Widow 180 Podcast!

In today's episode I wanted to share with you what this podcast is all about and give you a little bit of my story and who I am. 

Why me?  Who am I? And why am I so passionate about talking to other widows?

I believe that every widow has the capacity to endure and has the power to overcome the struggles and fear and pain from losing a spouse. I believe that every widow has the determination to create a new life filled with meaning and purpose.  Each week I have the privilege of interviewing different widows, women who have suffered loss and have taken the lessons they've learned and the insights they've gained and used them to grow and transform themselves. We dive deep into conversations about how they were able to cope, how they handled the stress and overwhelm, how they were able to shift their mindset and gain a new perspective on life.  I hope that you are as inspired by these stories as I am. And maybe hearing just one of these stories will really hit home for you and change your life. 

Make sure to check out Widow180.com for show notes and latest blog posts!

And be sure to join our Facebook group at Widow 180 the Community with Jen Zwinck!

We are also on Instagram: @widow_180 

Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927

Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/

Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQ

For more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.com

Questions? Email me at [email protected]