The Adventure Paradox
Welcome to the show that empowers you to choose your own adventure in motherhood! Your host, Cat Caldwell Myers, certified coach and CEO of The Adventure Paradox, shares minisodes about her work with animals, children, and podcasting itself. When we aren't dropping minisodes, we deliver life changing interviews with special guests. Each conversation will bring you ever closer to the adventure that is seeking you, inside your soul, regardless of your current circumstances (the paradox). Many have forgotten that the adventure is NOW - wherever we are, whatever is happening, and whoever we do it with, as much as it i...
Latest Episodes
Sometimes the adventure begins when the life you've built no longer feels like it fits.
In this episode, I sit down with Cathy Derksen, founder of Inspired Tenacity, international speaker, publisher, and 28-time #1 bestselling author. After a major life transition in her 50s, Cathy found herself called to share her story, eventually discovering a new mission in helping other women share theirs.
We talk about reinventing yourself in midlife, the courage it takes to share your story, and the imposter syndrome and fear of judgment that can keep us from stepping into the next version of ourselves. Cathy also shares why community matters so much when we're making a big change, especially when the people closest to us don't quite understand what we're becoming.
In this episode, we talked about:
- Reinventing yourself when your old life no longer fits
- The role of inspiration, courage, and tenacity in major life changes
- Moving through imposter syndrome and fear of being seen
- Why the right community can help you become who you're meant to be
- The power of asking for what you want
- How sharing your story creates a ripple effect
Find Cathy at:
- Website: https://inspiredtenacity.com
- Get a copy of Cathy's published books: https://inspiredtenacity.now.site/new_book_projects
- LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathyderkseninspiredtenacity
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cathy.derksen.3/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inspired_tenacity
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@inspiredtenacitypublishing
What story, dream, or possibility has been quietly asking you to give it a voice?
Maybe the adventure isn't about becoming someone completely new. Maybe it's about finally giving yourself permission to become more fully who you've been all along.
Adventure on.
✨ Join the Spiritual Horse Seeker Summit
👉 Go here to HEAR my Tedx talk
✨ Order Wings of Purpose — now available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYL381CS
👉 Book Launch Party, June 27th in Jackson Hole, WY: https://butterflymarch.com/
Life has a way of asking us to show up for everyone else, but what happens when we are the ones running on empty? Between family, animals, relationships, and all the unexpected things life throws our way, it is easy to keep pushing until we finally crash.
In this minisode, I’m sharing some real life moments, the small wins worth celebrating, and a question I think we all need to ask ourselves: Who takes care of me?
I’m exploring the balance between self care and community, recognizing the signs of burnout before we reach collapse, and why we need people who support us as we grow into the next version of ourselves. I also share a preview of my conversation with Cathy Derksen, a 28 time bestselling author, about writing your next chapter, finding your people, and giving your dreams room to grow.
Because the adventure isn't just about how far we can push ourselves. It is also about knowing when to pause, asking for support, and surrounding ourselves with people who help us become who we are meant to be.
As Dr. Claire Zammit says, “You can't become yourself by yourself.”
In this episode:
- Recognizing burnout before reaching the point of collapse
- Celebrating small wins and finding gratitude in everyday life
- Making self care a priority, even when others depend on you
- Finding a community that supports your dreams and transformation
Take a moment today to check in with yourself.
What do you need?
What can you let go of?
And who is helping you grow?
You matter in the care you give to everyone else, too.
Adventure on.
Links and resources
- Horses for the Family and CABI Fashion Party: Interested in joining us at the ranch or shopping with us virtually? Email theadventureparadox@gmail.com to learn more.
- Mental health support: If you or someone you know is in crisis in the United States, call or text 988 for support. For medical emergencies, call 911.
✨ Join the Spiritual Horse Seeker Summit
👉 Go here to HEAR my Tedx talk
✨ Order Wings of Purpose — now available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYL381CS
👉 Book Launch Party, June 27th in Jackson Hole, WY: https://butterflymarch.com/
🔥 Ever thought about how you can incorporate your love of horses in to your work as a mom, coach, teacher, facilitator or business owner? Now is the time to take your understanding to the next level with our Horse Adventure Coaching Certification. (
What happens when the thing you've always relied on to get through hard things stops working?
I loved getting to reconnect with Dr. Donald "Skip" Mondragon, who I first met at SpeakFest in Savannah. Skip is a retired Army colonel, physician, national wrestling champion, author, husband, dad, and grandfather. But in this conversation, he opened up about something much more personal: his experience with depression and learning that he couldn't simply "muscle through" it.
Skip shared the story of the day he found himself under his desk, finally realizing he needed help. We talked about the signs he hadn't recognized, the importance of asking for support, and the small things that helped him begin to climb out of that dark place.
In this episode, we talked about:
- The "tough guy" mentality and why pushing harder doesn't always help
- Recognizing the signs of depression
- Asking for help and finding the right support
- The role of sleep, movement, sunlight, laughter, and gratitude
- How our breath can help us slow down and respond differently
- Processing trauma and finding your "battle buddies"
- Why we don't always see what's happening inside ourselves
Connect with Dr. Donald "Skip" Mondragon
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donald.mondragon.92/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr._skip.mondragon
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin,com/skip-mondragon-66a2b436/
- YouTube: https://youtu.be/YMmhTsdDX2g
- Book: Wrestling Depression Is Not for Wimps on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Skip-Mondragon/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ASkip%2BMondragon
One thing I took away from this conversation is that strength doesn't always look like pushing through. Sometimes it looks like admitting you need help.
And if the first call doesn't work, make another call. Find another person. Try another approach.
You don't have to do it alone.
Adventure on.
✨ Join the Spiritual Horse Seeker Summit
👉 Go here to HEAR my Tedx talk
✨ Order Wings of Purpose — now available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYL381CS
October is here, and this month we’re talking about stories. The stories we tell ourselves. The stories we write. The stories we decide are finally ready to be shared.
There’s something I’ve noticed in talking with all of the authors coming to the podcast this month. So many of them had a moment that changed everything. Something happened that made them realize they had a story that needed to get out into the world.
And sometimes the story that feels the hardest to tell is the one someone else needs to hear.
In this minisode, I share a little about what’s coming this month and the connection between our stories, our health, and the way we see ourselves. We’ll be talking about depression, success, healing, publishing, finding your voice, and the stories we create about what we can and can’t do.
I also talk about something I’ve learned from horses and animals: sometimes being present enough to listen can help us hear what we already know.
In this episode:
- The stories we tell ourselves about who we are and what we’re capable of
- Why difficult experiences can become stories worth sharing
- How your story might become medicine for someone else
- What books can teach us about seeing another way
- What horses and animals can teach us about presence and truth
- Why you can change direction when the path you’re on no longer feels right
A reflection to take with you:
What story are you telling yourself right now?
And is it still true?
Maybe it’s time to turn the page.
Adventure on.
Learn more, request the workout, explore Horse Adventure Coaching, or ask about Horses for the Family emails us at theadventureparadox@gmail.com
✨ Join the Spiritual Horse Seeker Summit
👉 Go here to HEAR my Tedx talk
✨ Order Wings of Purpose — now available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYL381CS
👉 Book Launch Party, June 27th in Jackson Hole, WY: https://butterflymarch.com/
🔥 Ever thought about how you can incorporate your love of horses in to your work as a mom, coach, teacher, facilitator or business owner? Now is the time to take your understanding to the next level with our Horse Adventure Coaching Certification. ($833 SAVINGS THIS SUMMER ONLY!!!) 👉 Get certified now!
🌟 Stay Connected & Support the Show
What if fear isn't something you're meant to avoid, but something that's pointing you toward the life you're meant to live?
In this episode, I sit down with Lynda Sunshine West for a heartfelt conversation about fear, healing, and the incredible power of sharing our stories.
Lynda opens up about growing up in an abusive home, how those early experiences shaped decades of people pleasing and self-doubt, and the life-changing decision she made at 51 to face one fear every single day for an entire year. That journey didn't just transform her relationship with fear. It ultimately led her to help hundreds of others bring their own stories into the world through publishing.
We also explore what happens after you write the book. The vulnerability of letting people read your story, why so many of us seek validation from others before trusting ourselves, and how sharing our experiences can become part of our own healing while helping someone else feel less alone.
Whether you've been dreaming about writing a book, struggling with self-doubt, or simply looking for the courage to take the next step in your own life, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that your story has value, and someone out there may need to hear it.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How childhood experiences can shape our fears and beliefs for years
- Why people pleasing is often rooted in fear rather than kindness
- Lynda's challenge to face one fear every day for 365 days
- The surprising connection between fear, judgment, and self-worth
- How writing your story can become part of your healing journey
- Why your voice matters, even if others have written about similar topics
- The difference between seeking validation from others and trusting yourself
- What it really takes to bring a book from idea to publication
Connect with Lynda:
- Website: https://actiontakerspublishing.com
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/lyndasunshinewest
- Grab a copy: Let Me Tell My Story
- Coming Soon: Let Me Tell My Story Podcast
Fear may be part of the adventure, but it doesn't have to write the ending.
Adventure on!
✨ Join the Spiritual Horse Seeker Summit
👉 Go here to HEAR my Tedx talk
✨ Order Wings of Purpose — now available on Amazon We talk about what happens when the life you've built no longer feels like the life you want, and what it looks like to start listening to your heart instead of always leading with your head. We also talk about midlife reinvention, burnout, asking for help, learning to receive, and the unexpected ways animals can help us reconnect with ourselves. In this episode, we talked about: Connect with Mo: What if the thing you thought was a detour is actually the thing leading you toward your next chapter? Maybe the adventure isn't always about making the plan. Maybe it's about being willing to follow where life, and sometimes a very large dog, leads you. Adventure on. ✨ Join the Spiritual Horse Seeker Summit 👉 Go here to HEAR my Tedx talk ✨ Order Wings of Purpose — now available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYL381CS 👉 Book Launch Party, June 27th in Jackson Hole, WY: https://butterflymarch.com/ 🔥 Ever thought about how you can incorporate your love of horses in to your work as a mom, coach, teacher, facilitator or business owner? Now is the ti
What if your home has been speaking to you all along?
In this episode, I sit down with transformational coach and feng shui practitioner Elizabeth Armistead to explore how the spaces we live in often mirror what's happening beneath the surface. While many people think feng shui is simply about furniture placement or decluttering, Elizabeth shares a much deeper perspective. Our homes can reveal where we're holding onto old stories, where energy has become stagnant, and where we're being invited into our next chapter.
We also talk about navigating life transitions, honoring grief instead of rushing through it, and how creating intentional spaces can help us reconnect with ourselves. Whether you're moving into a new home, considering a major life change, or simply feeling called to create more peace in your everyday environment, this conversation offers a beautiful reminder that transformation often begins much closer than we think.
In this episode, we explore:
- What feng shui really means beyond organizing or decorating
- How your home reflects your emotional and spiritual life
- Why your entryway matters more than you might realize
- The connection between clutter, identity, and personal transformation
- How intentional spaces support healing during life transitions
- Elizabeth's approach to combining feng shui, coaching, and Gestalt psychology
- Why grief deserves space, dignity, and time instead of being rushed
- Simple ways to become more aware of the energy in your own home
Links and Resources:
- Visit Elizabeth's Website: https://elizabetharmistead.com
- Follow Elizabeth on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamelizabetharmistead/
- Follow Elizabeth on Substack: https://elizabetharmistead.substack.com/
- Get Mystic Angel White Sage & Rose Smudge Spray: https://a.co/d/0eZ8POTq
Sometimes the changes we're searching for don't begin with a new plan. They begin with paying attention. Our homes, our habits, and even the things we've been holding onto may be quietly inviting us to let go, make space, and step into the next version of ourselves with greater intention.
Adventure on!
✨ Join the Spiritual Horse Seeker Summit
👉 Go here to HEAR my Tedx talk
✨ Order Wings of Purpose — now available on Amazon h
What if getting organized isn't really about having a perfectly tidy home? What if it's about creating space for the life you're growing into? In this thoughtful conversation, Cat sits down with Lisa Woodruff, founder and CEO of Organize 365, to explore how organization can help us move through life's transitions with more clarity, ease, and intention.
Together, they talk about why organization is a skill anyone can learn, how clutter often reflects the seasons we're still holding onto, and why letting go doesn't have to be rushed. Lisa also shares practical ways to build systems that work for your unique life, whether you're managing a busy household, navigating ADHD, or simply looking to reduce the mental load of everyday living.
If you've ever felt overwhelmed by your home, your schedule, or all the things you're carrying, this conversation is a reminder that you don't have to do it perfectly. Sometimes, creating a little more space is the first step toward your next adventure.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Why organization is a skill anyone can learn
- How clutter often reflects seasons of life we're still holding onto
- The emotional side of letting go after loss or major life changes
- Why functional systems matter more than picture-perfect spaces
- How organization can reduce mental load and support everyday life
- The connection between executive function, ADHD, and organizing
- Simple ways to create systems that actually work for your family
- Why you don't have to be naturally organized to become organized
Connect with Lisa
- Website: https://organize365.com/all-about-lisa-woodruff/
- Podcast: https://organize365.com/podcast-landing-page/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/organize365/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Organize365
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisawoodruff/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Organize365
Organization isn't about perfection. It's about creating enough space for the life you're living today while making room for the life that's still unfolding.
Adventure on!
✨ Join the Spiritual Horse Seeker Summit
👉 Go here to HEA
As we honor Labor Day and all the hard work and dedication it takes for each of us to show up to work, as individuals, as workers, and as members of our respective countries, we want to take a moment to honor one lady who shed light on "working 9 to 5" and so much more. Here's to Dolly, may she R.I.P.
Sometimes the people who touch our lives most deeply leave us with something that has nothing to do with what they accomplished, and everything to do with how they made us feel.
In this episode, I reflect on Dolly Parton's light, humor, generosity, and the beautiful paradox of becoming someone so much bigger than the persona the world sees. We explore authenticity, self expression, trusting our inner knowing, and what it means to keep showing up and sharing our light.
In this episode:
- The gap between who we are and who others think we are
- What Dolly teaches us about authenticity and self expression
- Trusting our intuition and inner knowing
- Why our energy and what we leave behind matter
- Letting go of the small stuff and focusing on the bigger light
- What it means to keep showing up, creating, and shining
A reflection to take with you:
What would it look like to stop making yourself smaller and start showing up more fully as the person you know yourself to be?
And maybe, when you're not sure what to do next, ask yourself: What would Dolly do?
The world needs the light that only you can bring.
Adventure on.
✨ Join the Spiritual Horse Seeker Summit
👉 Go here to HEAR my Tedx talk
✨ Order Wings of Purpose — now available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYL381CS
👉 Book Launch Party, June 27th in Jackson Hole, WY: https://butterflymarch.com/
🔥 Ever thought about how you can incorporate your love of horses in to your work as a mom, coach, teacher, facilitator or business owner? Now is the time to take your understanding to the next level with our Horse Adventure Coaching Certification. ($833 SAVINGS THIS SUMMER ONLY!!!) 👉 Get certified now!
🌟 Stay Connected & Support the Show
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Email: theadventureparadox@gmail.com
What if life’s hardest transitions are not interruptions… but invitations?
In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend, Jenny Cornejo, founder of Wildflower Transformation, for a conversation that feels both grounding and expansive.
Jenny’s work began through organizing physical spaces, but over time she discovered that true transformation often starts beneath the surface. Together, we explore what happens when we stop trying to control the unknown and begin trusting ourselves through change.
We talk about life transitions, grief, community, nervous system awareness, ritual, women gathering in circle, and the quiet wisdom that lives in our bodies.
Jenny also shares stories from her recent visit to Teton Valley, including riding horses through snow, blessing the land, and reflecting on loss, ancestry, and what it means to stay open to mystery.
If you are standing in a threshold season of life, this conversation is a reminder that you do not need to rush through it.
In this episode, we explore:
- Why external organization can reveal internal truth
- Moving through divorce, grief, and identity shifts
- The role of community and being witnessed in transition
- Somatic awareness and reconnecting with your body
- Lessons horses can teach us about trust and presence
- Ritual, circles, and creating belonging
- Women, cycles, slowing down, and honoring seasons of life
- Finding magic in the unknown
Connect with Jenny:
- Website: Wildflower Transformation
- Instagram: @wildflower.transformation
- Facebook: Wildflower Transformation Facebook
- Digital Card: Jenny Cornejo Digital Card
If this episode spoke to you, share it with someone walking through change and remind them they do not have to navigate it alone.
Adventure on!
✨ Join the Spiritual Horse Seeker Summit
👉 Go here to HEAR my Tedx talk
✨ Order Wings of Purpose — now available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYL381CS
👉 Book Launch Party, June 27th in Jackson Hole, WY: https://butterflymarch.com/
🔥 Ever thought about how you can incorporate your love of horses in to your work as a mom, coach,