“Recovery is a process, but addiction is a process too.”

In this episode of The BraveHearted Woman Podcast, I am with Sherry Hoppen, author, speaker, and founder of She Surrenders and Selah House Recovery. Sherry shares her remarkable journey from secret addiction to lasting recovery — and how total surrender to God became the turning point that changed everything.

Once living a double life as a woman of faith hiding her alcohol addiction, Sherry opens up about the moment she fell to her knees and prayed, “God, I’ll do it your way.” Her story reveals the pain of hiding, the power of surrender, and the miracle of restoration — especially in her marriage and faith.

Sherry also talks about her award-winning book, “Sober Cycle: Pedaling Through Recovery One Day at a Time,” and how a grueling cross-country bike ride became a symbol of hope and transformation. Today, she leads other women to freedom through She Surrenders Ministries and the newly established Selah House Recovery — a faith-based inpatient center for women in Michigan.

This conversation is raw, redemptive, and deeply inspiring — a must-listen for midlife women seeking freedom, faith renewal, and brave transformation.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Guest Intro

1:52 - The BraveHeart Story of Sherry Hoppen on alcohol addiction

7:01 - Common signs of addiction

9:55 - Sherry’s inside battle on faith and guilt

11:56 - The “sober cycle” story

14:29 - How to overcome addiction

16:57 - Selah House Recovery

19:23 - How to connect with Sherry

Quotations:

“The moment I said, ‘God, I’ll do it Your way,’ everything began to change.” - Sherry Hoppen

“If you think you’re stronger than addiction, you’re playing Russian roulette with your life.” - Sherry Hoppen

“You have no reason to drink alone. If you’re drinking alone, stop.” - Sherry Hoppen

“You are not alone. There’s a community of women walking this same journey.” - Sherry Hoppen

“You’re not as bad as you think you are — and with God, all things are possible.” - Sherry Hoppen

“Once you truly surrender, your life will change in ways you never thought possible.” - Sherry Hoppen

Resources:

🌐 Follow Sherry on shesurrenders.com

🏠 Check out Sherry’s Selah House Recovery

📚 Get a copy of Sherry’s books at Amazon

📲 Connect with Sherry on shesurrenderssherry on Facebook and Instagram

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💌 Email your braveheart story to me at dawn@dawnscottdamon.com

📞 Book a FREE 15-minute strategy call with Dawn: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/book-a-call

Connect with your BraveHeart Mentor, Dawn Damon:

💞 Email me at: dawn@braveheartmentor.com

💞 Website: https://braveheartedwoman.com/

💞 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravehearted_woman

💞 Facebook:...

“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you choose to see it.”

In this week’s episode of The BraveHearted Woman Podcast, let me invite midlife women to examine the “lenses” through which they view life. Using my vivid rose-colored glasses analogy, this is a reminder for you that our outlook determines our peace, joy, and spiritual strength.

With honesty and warmth, she shares biblical truths, personal stories of resilience, and two life-changing principles: your attitude is your power, and your inner story determines your outcome.

This heartfelt message challenges every woman to replace negativity with faith, choose gratitude over grumbling, and see life through God’s victorious perspective.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

2:00 - Rose-colored lens VS dark-pair sunglasses

3:54 - The power of choice

5:50 - How to reframe negativity

8:49 - 2 truth for joy and peace

13:37 - How to take action

Quotations:

“Your joy and peace follow the decision to believe you are an overcomer.”

“Every negative thought is an invitation to tell yourself a better story.”

“When you change your perspective, you change your peace.”

“The story you tell yourself shapes the woman you become.”

“Even in midlife, you can rewrite your narrative and step into joy.”

Resources:

👩🏻‍🏫 Subscribe to The BraveHearted Transformation Course

📚 Get a copy of Dawn’s NEW book: The Making of a BraveHearted Woman: Courage, Confidence, and Vision in Midlife

📞 Book a FREE 15-minute strategy call with Dawn: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/book-a-call

Connect with your BraveHeart Mentor, Dawn Damon:

💞 Email me at: dawn@braveheartmentor.com

💞 Website: https://braveheartedwoman.com/

💞 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bravehearted_woman

💞 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/braveheartedwoman

💞 Podcast: https://the-bravehearted-woman.captivate.fm/listen

Download the full transcript here.

“You’re not too late, and you’re not too old — your midlife is your moment to rise.”

In this episode of The BraveHearted Woman Podcast, I am with Deborah Weed, a creative visionary and founder of The Self-Worth Initiative. Together, they dive into a transformative story of resilience, self-discovery, and rediscovering purpose in midlife.

After years as a high-powered branding executive, Deborah’s life took a drastic turn when a medical misdiagnosis left her bedridden for three years. But what could have been her breaking point became her breakthrough. Through faith, creativity, and courage, Deborah found her way back — not just to health, but to her authentic self-worth.

Deborah shares how understanding the difference between self-esteem and self-worth changed everything, and how she now helps midlife women reclaim their power through storytelling, creativity, and heart-centered living. From her award-winning book If Only to her upcoming musical Paisley’s Fashion Forest, Deborah reminds us that it’s never too late to rise, reinvent, and live with purpose.

If you’ve ever felt out of alignment, lost your voice, or wondered whether your best years are behind you — this inspiring conversation will reignite your confidence and remind you that your second act can be your best act.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Guest Intro

2:03 - The BraveHeart Story of Deborah Weed from corporate success to 3 years bedridden

6:42 - The penny that saved her life

9:22 - Self-esteem VS self-worth

10:59 - How creativity transformed Deborah’s life

13:36 - The story behind her creative works

20:00 - Deborah’s #1 tip for midlife women

Quotations:

“Self-esteem is what you do; self-worth is who you are.” – Deborah Weed

“When you can’t do anything, that’s when you discover your true worth.” – Deborah Weed

“Creativity is the bridge between pain and purpose.” – Deborah Weed

“Failure means you tried and planted a seed. Regret means you never even let it grow.” – Deborah Weed

“God is the water — just step out of the way and watch what blooms.” – Deborah Weed

“Your second act can be your best act yet.” – Dawn Damon

Resources:

🌐 Follow Deborah at paisleysfashionforest.com

📚 Get a copy of Deborah's books at Amazon

📲 Connect with Deborah on Instagram @deborah.weed

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👩🏻‍🏫 The BraveHearted Transformation Course

💌 Email your braveheart story to me at dawn@dawnscottdamon.com

📞 Book a FREE 15-minute strategy call with Dawn: https://www.braveheartedwoman.com/book-a-call

Connect with your BraveHeart Mentor, Dawn Damon:

💞 Email me at: dawn@braveheartmentor.com

💞 Website: https://braveheartedwoman.com/

💞 Instagram:...