Women of Fort Mill Podcast | Women in Business, Women Entrepreneurs, Small Business · Kellie Hoover and Leah Williams

How to Not Crumble in life when you are facing a life crisis

August 6, 2025·25 min

Co-hosts Kelly, a midlife wellness coach, and Leah, a financial planner, share their personal experiences with major life crises to provide listeners with practical tools for resilience. Kelly reveals her first major adult crisis was being diagnosed with a brain tumor when her daughters were four and six years old. She faced a high risk of blindness from surgery and grappled with fears about survival and cancer. Leah discusses her pivotal crisis of leaving an abusive marriage over a decade ago, despite coming from a traditional background that discouraged divorce. Kelly explains she prepared for her brain surgery by mentally "sweeping" anxious, hypothetical thoughts "under the rug" to avoid spiraling. A key tool for Kelly was a church sermon about "storms" in life, which helped her focus on controlling her attitude rather than the uncontrollable circumstances. Leah credits listening to motivational figures like Tony Robbins as a virtual mentor to rebuild her shattered confidence and reframe negative self-talk. For Leah, building small, consistent habits like waking up early became a foundation for proving to herself she could follow through on decisions. Kelly emphasizes that showing up during a crisis does not require a perfect "Pinterest version" of yourself, but simply doing what you can. Leah advises that during a crisis, it is acceptable and necessary to cut non-essential commitments to preserve your capacity. Both hosts stress that effective communication with your support system is a critical tool when navigating overwhelming times. A surprising insight is Kelly's view that her brain tumor, while incredibly hard, ultimately became a blessing that taught her to make every day count. Leah shares the profound perspective that personal worth must be separated from daily productivity, especially during difficult seasons. The hosts agree that while you are changed forever by a major crisis, you can learn to mourn the old life while believing something good will come. This episode is conversational and confessional, with both hosts sharing vulnerable stories in a supportive, empathetic tone. Listeners who are currently facing a major hardship or want to prepare their mental toolkit for future challenges will find this episode deeply valuable. Those who prefer strictly tactical business advice without personal narrative might find the content less applicable.

As heard by us

A crisis episode that treats resilience as a habit, not a slogan.

The episode keeps its focus where it belongs: on what it means to keep going when a brain tumor, surgery, and the risk of blindness are all on the table. The pressure of showing up for young children gives it a grounded tension, and it never slips into easy inspiration.

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Why you'd press play

When you need steadiness after bad news and no neat script for what comes next.

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