Starting Over After Divorce: Rebuilding Your Life, Identity & Independence
27m | Sep 10, 2026The host interviews Mariana Alvarez about rebuilding her life after a dramatic turning point in December 2020, when she sought a protection order and began divorce proceedings at 43 with two children during the pandemic. She lost access to a business she helped build because it was legally only in her husband’s name, leaving her with no job, no income, few assets, and ongoing custody and legal battles.
Mariana describes doing intense internal reflection to overcome bitterness, regain self-trust through small daily decisions, and later pursuing therapy once she felt stable. She rebuilt financially by returning to corporate accounting, then launched and grew a virtual accounting firm and later began coaching women—often in their 40s–50s and empty nesters—who feel unfulfilled and want clarity and meaning. She emphasizes women maintaining identity and financial independence, viewing partnership as shared leadership, and becoming the qualities they seek in future relationships.
00:00 When Life Falls Apart
01:26 The Breaking Point
02:33 Doing the Inner Work
05:29 Therapy and Self-Forgiveness
07:02 Finding Your North Star
08:49 Rebuilding Self-Trust
11:57 Career and Business Comeback
15:07 Financial Independence Lessons
16:54 Partnership and Identity
19:58 Dating After Divorce
22:54 Coaching Midlife Women
24:37 Advice to Her Past Self
25:54 Closing Takeaways
