Introduction

In this episode of Life Check Yourself, we sit down with the incredible Jen Crowley, a woman who has walked through love, loss, and the courageous journey of rediscovering herself. After losing her husband, Tyke, to cancer in 2015, Jen faced the overwhelming challenge of navigating dating again. With determination and a willingness to embrace new possibilities, she ultimately found love once more and is now engaged to Jeff.

Jen’s story is a powerful testament to the fact that love exists when we are willing to heal, redefine what we truly need, and take intentional steps toward the right relationship. Today, we’re diving deep into the mindset shifts, dating strategies, and personal breakthroughs that helped Jen find her way back to love.

3 Powerful Takeaways

• Clarity is everything—knowing what you want changes the game.

• Online dating isn’t about luck; it’s about strategy and alignment.

• The right relationship feels supportive, safe, and deeply fulfilling.

Key Topics & Timestamps

Defining Your Non-Negotiables & Dating with Clarity (12:05)

“You have to know what you’re looking for—otherwise, you’ll keep settling.”

"The right relationship isn’t just about chemistry. It’s about shared values, mutual respect, and a future vision that aligns."

Without a clear understanding of what truly matters, dating can feel like an endless cycle of trial and error. Defining non-negotiables isn’t about being picky—it’s about saving time and energy by only investing in people who align with what you genuinely need in a relationship. When you’re crystal clear on what matters, making dating decisions becomes easier and more intentional.

Overcoming the Fear of Online Dating & Taking Strategic Action (23:40)

"I was afraid of being lied to, but I also knew there had to be a way to navigate this better."

"Instead of dreading the process, I learned how to filter out the noise and focus on real connections."

Fear often holds people back from fully embracing online dating. Worries about deception, wasted time, and rejection can create resistance to putting yourself out there. But instead of staying stuck, learning how to strategically approach dating—through filtering, discernment, and proactive engagement—makes all the difference. Taking control of the process means dating smarter, not harder.

Building a Relationship That Feels Safe & Empowering (35:15)

"The best relationships feel like a partnership, where both people give 80% rather than keeping score."

"Communication should feel safe and open, where you can say what you need without fear of judgment."

A truly fulfilling relationship is built on mutual support, generosity, and the ability to communicate honestly. When both partners are committed to creating a space of trust and appreciation, love naturally deepens. Rather than settling for surface-level connections, choosing someone who makes you feel valued and understood creates a foundation for lasting happiness.

Final Thoughts

Jen’s journey reminds us that love isn’t about waiting—it’s about taking action. When we heal, define our values, and approach dating with confidence, the right relationship can unfold in ways we never imagined.

If you’ve been feeling stuck in love, this conversation is your sign to reset, get clear, and take the next step with intention.

Listen to the full episode now and start creating the love story you truly deserve!

Connections:

• Visit us: MarniBattista.Com

• Ready To Create Your Corporate Escape Plan? Book A Call With Me

• Take the Quiz: Unlock the shocking truth about how your unique personality type is silently shaping your future

• Buy Your Radical Living Challenge: 7 Questions For Living The Meaningful Life

• Join The New Cohort Waitlist

• Tyke's book, Hungry for Air

• Dinner for One: Stories From Widows Without Children

• Pure Haven - www.purehaven.com/jencrowley

Episode Introduction:

Welcome to another powerful episode of Life Check Yourself! Today, we’re diving deep into the art of boundary-setting, emotional resilience, and the power of reinvention with the incredible Jennifer Fable. After being diagnosed with over seven different mental health conditions by the age of 19, Jennifer embarked on a journey of radical healing that shaped her belief in one core truth: You are not broken. Now, she’s on a mission to help others reclaim their voice, set healthy boundaries, and build relationships that empower instead of drain.

In this episode, we unpack the misconceptions about boundaries, how to communicate them without pushing people away, and why true transformation starts with our words. If you’ve ever struggled with setting limits, feeling heard, or navigating relationships without guilt, this conversation is for you!

Top 3 Takeaways:

✅ Boundaries Should Be Bridges, Not Walls – Setting limits isn’t about shutting people out; it’s about creating healthy relationships built on clear communication and mutual respect.

✅ Your Words Shape Your Reality – The language you use in setting boundaries and advocating for yourself determines whether you build connection or create conflict.

✅ Confidence Comes From Action, Not Readiness – You don’t need to feel 100% ready to set boundaries; you just need to start practicing them with self-trust.

Key Topics & Time Stamps:

1. The Power of Boundaries: How to Set Them Without Guilt (10:2

“We think boundaries are about other people, but they’re really about knowing what we want and learning how to share it in a way that connects us instead of putting us on opposite teams.”

Boundaries are often misunderstood as rigid rules that separate people, but real boundaries are about creating clarity and connection. Rather than seeing them as conditions, they should function as a living, flexible framework that grows as we evolve. When setting a boundary, the focus should be on self-ownership—knowing what you

need, expressing it clearly, and allowing space for a response without control or manipulation.

2. Using Words to Strengthen (Not Sabotage) Your Boundaries (23:4

“Instead of saying ‘You can’t talk to me that way,’ try ‘I would love to be spoken to in a more gentle tone.’ This shifts the conversation from control to collaboration.”

Language is everything when it comes to setting boundaries effectively. Using empowering linguistic patterns prevents conversations from becoming adversarial. Avoiding words like “but” (which erases everything before it) and “try” (which presupposes failure) helps in creating agreements instead of ultimatums. Boundaries should invite negotiation, not opposition. Small changes in phrasing can dramatically shift how others receive and respond to our needs.

3. The Confidence Myth: Why You Don’t Need to Feel Ready to Start (41:1

“Confidence isn’t something you wait for—it’s competence demonstrated over time. You don’t need to feel ready to set boundaries; you just need to start practicing them.”

One of the biggest myths about boundary-setting is that you need to be confident first. The truth? Confidence is built through action. Many people avoid speaking up because they fear rejection, but boundaries are about honoring yourself, not controlling others.

The key is to embrace discomfort, take small steps, and trust that each conversation is a step toward greater self-respect and stronger relationships.

Connections:

• Visit us: MarniBattista.Com

• Ready To Create Your Corporate Escape Plan? Book A Call With Me

• Take the Quiz: Unlock the shocking truth about how your unique personality type is silently shaping your future

• Buy Your Radical Living Challenge: 7 Questions For Living The Meaningful Life

• Jeniffer’s Book

Guest: Phil Weiss

Phil Weiss is the founder of Apprise Wealth Management and a financial expert with over 25 years in personal finance and investment management. His mission? To help women take control of their financial futures, avoid regret, and create a life of abundance. Phil's deep personal connection to financial empowerment, shaped by his own family’s struggles, fuels his passion for educating and guiding women toward financial clarity and confidence.

Episode Overview

So many women find themselves in midlife realizing they don’t fully understand their financial picture. Whether they’ve built wealth but aren’t sure how to use it, or they’ve been relying on a partner to handle money matters, there comes a moment of reckoning: Do I truly know what I have, what I need, and what’s possible for me?

In this episode, we dive into why financial empowerment isn’t just about numbers—it’s about avoiding regret, making aligned choices, and using money as a tool to live fully. Phil shares his expert insights on navigating financial transitions, life planning, and why NOW is the time to take control.

3 Game-Changing Takeaways

1. Money is a Tool, Not a Goal – Saving without a clear purpose leads to fear-based decisions. Financial confidence comes from aligning your resources with what truly matters.

2. Time is the Most Limited Resource – Many believe money is finite and time is unlimited—but it’s actually the reverse. Making empowered financial choices frees up the most valuable resource: your time.

3. Your Financial Power Starts with Clarity – Whether single, married, divorced, or widowed, knowing your financial reality gives you the freedom to make bold, intentional choices.

Key Topics & Timestamps

1️Breaking Free from the “Build & Save” Mindset (12:3

“I’ve been trying to build the biggest pile of money without ever thinking about how much I needed or what it was for.”

So many people—especially women—spend years accumulating wealth without considering the purpose behind it. This leads to fear-based decision-making, where spending money (even on things that bring joy) feels uncomfortable. True financial empowerment happens when money is seen as a tool to build a meaningful life, rather than a security blanket.

Why It Matters: Instead of focusing on “saving just in case,” align your financial plan with what you actually want to do. Whether it’s travel, career shifts, or early retirement, clarity turns financial anxiety into confidence.

2️How to Stop Trading Time for Money (22:4

“People have it all wrong. They think time is unlimited and money is finite. But really, time is what’s limited.”

Many people hesitate to spend on things that could buy back their time—whether it’s hiring help, outsourcing tasks, or making investments that increase freedom. But when you truly grasp that time is the scarcest resource, financial decisions become clearer.

Why It Matters: Shifting from a scarcity mindset to a life-design mindset means prioritizing time freedom over unnecessary financial hoarding. It’s not about reckless spending—it’s about making choices that expand your life rather than just your bank account.

3️Financial Transitions: How to Prepare for Life’s Big Shifts “Life planning at its core is about avoiding regret.”

Whether it’s divorce, the death of a spouse, an empty nest, or a career shift, major transitions require proactive financial awareness. Many women don’t engage with their finances until they’re forced to—but the best time to gain financial clarity is before a transition happens.

Why It Matters: Avoiding regret means understanding your financial standing now, rather than waiting until a crisis forces you to. Building financial confidence before a life shift happens allows for more choices, freedom, and security.

Connections:

• Visit us: MarniBattista.Com

• Ready To Create Your Corporate Escape Plan? Book A Call With Me

• Take the Quiz: Unlock the shocking truth about how your unique personality type is silently shaping your future

• Buy Your Radical Living Challenge: 7 Questions For Living The Meaningful Life

• Phil’s Website