Built Stronger: Turning Pain Into Power + Reclaiming Your Queendom with Bonnie Strati

What if the pain you’ve endured wasn’t meant to break you — but to make you? In this deeply heartfelt episode of the Crown Yourself podcast, Kimberly Spencer sits down with Bonnie Strati — a former “hot mess” turned high-performing coach, author, and sovereign leader — to explore what it really means to build yourself back stronger after life knocks you down. Bonnie’s new book, Built Stronger: The Art of Becoming Whole Again, is part memoir, part medicine, part permission slip to feel the grief, the rage, the disappointment — and still choose to rise. Together, Kimberly and Bonnie dive into how betrayal serves as a mirror for our own healing, why boundaries are sacred acts of self-love, and how we can stop numbing with busyness and start sitting with what needs to be felt. This conversation is raw, real, and radically empowering. Whether you’re facing a personal initiation, navigating grief, or ready to rewrite your story, Bonnie’s wisdom will inspire you to embrace the mess, honor your emotions, and claim the next level of your queendom. ✨ This episode is a reminder that the beauty is often found on the other side of messy — if you’re willing to walk through it. 👑 Queen, it’s time to step into your strength. Press play now and let this conversation catalyze your next chapter. Enjoy, sovereigns! Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or your favorite podcast listening platform. You can also watch the episode on Youtube. Moments of Note: 00:00 – Welcome to the Crown Yourself Podcast Kimberly sets the stage for another soul-shifting conversation on sovereignty, high performance, and conscious leadership. 00:54 – From Hot Mess to High Performance Kimberly introduces Bonnie Strati, celebrating her transformation since joining Crown Yourself Coaching in 2017 and her newly published book Built Stronger. 02:09 – The Journey to Finding Your Voice Bonnie shares her 8-year path of writing, blogging, and healing that led to the creation of her book. 03:33 – Quotes That Pack a Punch Kimberly highlights her favorite lines from Built Stronger — including “Rest is romanticized but rarely respected” and “Numbing through busy.” 05:08 – Betrayal, Truth, and Radical Honesty A deep dive into why betrayal is about the other person’s inability to live authentically — and how choosing honesty can reduce pain and accelerate healing. 06:30 – Seeing People as Mirrors Bonnie discusses how relationships act as mirrors, revealing where we still need healing — and how to turn triggers into wake-up calls. 08:55 – Boundaries, Worthiness, and Saying No Why high-achievers often struggle with boundaries and how learning to say “no” becomes a radical act of self-love. 11:05 – Writing as a Tool for Healing Bonnie explains how years of writing (and a little AI help!) transformed into her book — and why creative expression is crucial for personal growth. 13:01 – Giving Yourself Space to Feel Bonnie shares why she added journaling prompts and grounding techniques to her book to help readers slow down and sit with their emotions. 16:25 – Physiological + Spiritual Upgrades Kimberly and Bonnie discuss how launching a book can feel like a physical and spiritual initiation — and Bonnie opens up about her cancer journey as a catalyst for transformation. 19:42 – The Power Within You A powerful reminder that you already hold the power to improve your life — if you’re willing to face your discomfort and own your choices. 21:27 – Sitting in the Discomfort to Find Breakthroughs Why numbing, hiding, or running only delays the lessons you need — and how “sitting in your sh*t” (as Bonnie jokes) leads to evolution. 22:00 – Busyness vs. Purpose Kimberly and Bonnie reflect on the difference between true purpose and mental overdrive — and why rest is revolutionary. 23:37 – Releasing Old Beliefs + Claiming Sovereignty Bonnie shares how she reprogrammed limiting beliefs, condensed her schedule, and created a life with more freedom and space. 25:46 – Writing the Next Chapter of Your Life How to stop rewriting your old story and start consciously authoring the next chapter of your life — with a belief system that serves who you are now. 26:31 – Kimberly’s Personal Breakthrough Kimberly shares how Bonnie’s book helped her release old identities and grow her leadership as a mother and entrepreneur. 29:00 – Leaders Need Breakthroughs Too A reminder that even high performers and leaders need safe spaces for growth, visibility, and vulnerability. 31:46 – Embracing the Journey, Not Just the Outcome Bonnie encourages listeners to stop rushing to the finish line and instead see the gold in the process of healing and transformation. 33:10 – Preparing for Transformation How Bonnie’s life and mindset equipped her to face cancer with grace and presence — and why...