Guest on the WhinyPaluza Podcast with Rebecca Greene, LCSW-R
Podcast cover art featuring Maria Leonard Olsen
At age 50, Maria Leonard Olsen found herself in a failing marriage, drinking excessively, willfully derailing her successful law career, and feeling her teenage children pull away from needing her. She was depressed and stuck.
On her 50th birthday, Maria decided her gift to herself was to go on a crusade to make the most of whatever time she had left. She set out to do 50 new things that were significant.
The list spanned physical challenges, adventure travel, and lifestyle changes. Each taught her something about herself and about how she wanted to lead the next years of her life to come.
This work transitioned into a passion to help others. Maria is a motivational speaker, self-help and children's books author, podcast host, radio host, and book marketing consultant.
Listen to this episode of Whinypaluza, with Maria Leonard Olsen about creating excitement and meaning in your life if you are feeling stuck or depressed.
Here is what to expect on this week’s show
Hear Maria’s story that led her to heartache, and eventually turned that into self-discovery and fulfillment.
What were the 50 things Maria embarked on after turning 50?
Shifting her focus from despair to gratitude
The most meaningful discoveries she made in her journey
Courage- feeling the fear and doing it anyway!
How Maria made her list of 50 things, and embarking on writing a book on it
The increased thirst for trying new things now that she is 60
Learning to talk back to your inner critic
The regrets in her life
Advice for other women who may be feeling detached, depressed, or stuck
Maria’s sobriety journey and how she has stuck to it
Working on overcoming codependency with her son
Dealing with the harsh ramifications of poor decisions you made as a parent, and living your amends as you recover
Finding lessons in all you encounter and experience
Advice for creating adventure in your life, even if you are not outgoing
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5dVmDDeUUqVDAMz7IFP0H9
https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/becoming-your-best-version/id1534167756?i=1000632786028
Connect with Maria:
Website https://www.marialeonardolsen.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FiftyAfter50/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
X (fka Twitter) https://twitter.com/FiftyAfter50
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fiftyafter50/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marialeonardolsen/
Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/becoming-your-best-version/id1562910379
TedX Talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR3cM9aRjes
Links Mentioned:
The Happiness Lab podcast https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/the-happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos
50 After 50 by Maria Leonard Olsen https://a.co/d/eESLERT
Chris Olsen TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@chris?lang=en
Chris Olsen Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chrisolsen/?hl=en
Follow Rebecca Greene:
Blog https://www.whinypaluza.com/
Book 1 https://bit.ly/WhinypaluzaBook
Book 2 https://bit.ly/whinybook2
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whinypaluzaparentingandmarriage
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/becgreene5/ @becgreene5
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@whinypaluzamom?lang=en @whinypaluzamom
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/WhinyPaluza
About the WhinyPaluza podcast: “Parenthood is an adventure! The joys, the frustration, the laughter, and the tears- we all find unique and universal challenges as parents. When one issue resolves, another is waiting in the wings. Our jobs as parents are truly never done. It really is the toughest job you will ever love. The Whinypaluza Podcast is all about inspiring adventures in parenting! Rebecca Greene, LCSW-R and Top 100 Mommy Blogger puts her experience and education in psychology and social work to the test while she shares insightful thoughts on marriage, stay-at-home life, and keeping three energetic kids safe and happy. On the show, you will hear from bloggers, parenting experts, marriage experts and more as they shed light on tips and tricks to make life with your family better than ever! Find solutions to questions you have and questions you never thought to ask. Whether you are a parenting novice or parenting pro, you are sure to find a valuable source of information and support in the Whinypaluza community.”