Guest Introduction: This is Exploring the Seasons of Life podcast episode 34. I’m Cindy MacMillan and today’s guest is Marvis Matarozzo.

Welcome to Exploring the Seasons of Life, a podcast for women with a big heart on a spiritual journey. Each week, join Cindy MacMillan as she interviews coaches, spiritual explorers and celebrants from all walks of life about beginnings, endings and the messy bits in-between. Self-love, well-being, and mindset are at the heart of our conversations because once you change the inside, the outside will begin to change as well.

Welcome back to Exploring the Seasons of Life podcast and thanks for listening. I can’t wait for you to meet my guest today.

Marvis is a survivor of domestic violence.

Her husband was a police officer and used his contacts to sway the outcome of their divorce, including the judge- who is the sister to the woman he was having an affair with (and married). Despite all that, Marvis turned all the negative around and now helps other women transitioning through life’s challenges to explore their new life, stay away from pity-parties and to cherish their newfound confidence.

Here’s a glimpse of our conversation: 2:18: Well, the seasons of life, when you first say that you picture your life is broken into just four equal parts. And that to me, that is really not true. I picture my life as a book and every adventure is a chapter, every part of your story is another sentence in your chapter. And I just say I keep turning the pages of my book.

5:02 As a coach, we do not tell our clients what to do, we guide them through so that they find their own answer. And because it's her answer, and her story, then she will find a way to pursue what she's looking for.

6:31 Well, the very first thing you want to do is to make sure that this is what you want, it is very hard. And sometimes it's not your choice, sometimes your spouse will come to you and say, I'm getting a divorce. In my case, I am the one that said I want a divorce. And I surprised myself, as much as I surprised my ex by saying that, but once the snake was out of the can, so to speak, there was no going back.

15:26: And that is actually abuse, because they are denying you the rest and sleep you need. So I think a lot of women are not educated enough or aware enough of all the different little things that are true abuse, and we ignore it, we make excuses for our abuser, we say, well, I got a roof over my head, I eat three meals a day. And so we keep allowing it to happen.

26:45: Also, before I go, I want to tell you that I just wrote a book. It's on Amazon. And it is Find Your Strength: Before, During and After Divorce. So that will give you a little bit more of my background story. It's got some helpful hints in there. And just a lot of good reading. So thank you very much.

Resources Mentioned: Find Your Strength: Before, During and After Divorce

You can find Marvis Matarozzo at: Website Thank you for listening to this week's episode of Exploring the Seasons of Life and my conversation with Marvis. I enjoyed our conversation, and she had some good tips navigating a divorce.

Beautiful friends, I have been remiss. Recently, I had someone point out to me that I haven’t been asking for ratings and reviews and how important they are for people to discover the podcast. If you love listening to this podcast, please leave a review in Apple Podcasts. Leaving a rating and 5-star review is the single best way to support the show but what would also be so incredibly special to me is sharing an episode on your social media and tagging me that will help me get the word out and I really appreciate it.

You can reach me via the website CynthiaMacMillan.com or to ask a question or leave a comment for a future show, email Cindy@CynthiaMacMillan.com.

I want to hear from you: what has been your favorite podcast episode of ESoL in 2020?

Until next time, live inspired!

If you enjoyed this conversation with Marvis Matarozzo, you might also enjoy these other episodes: Hard Conversations + Solace in Nature with Sarah McInerney

Peruvian Trained Shaman and Medicine Woman, Shannon Davis

Putting More Love Into The World With Zita Christian