Episode 33

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Published on:

21st Nov 2022

The Courage of Jody Lavoie

In this episode of our Midlife Awakening season of the Coached Podcast, the courageous Jody Lavoie joins Coach Keren Eldad to share her story of grief and growth. 

After an employee killed Jody’s husband at their place of business, in addition to waking up to the horror of the tragedy, she was forced to contend with a future that looked nothing like she had planned. Faced with the unthinkable, she decided, in an instant, not to choose defeat, but to step up. 

In one fell swoop, Jody went from being a stay-at-home mom to running a multi-million dollar business, solo parenting three daughters, and juggling new legal, financial, and household-related issues - succeeding above and beyond even her own expectations. Having taken this experience and merged it with a career as a certified professional coach, Jody talked to us about grief, about purpose and about reimagining your life.

https://kereneldad.com/enthusiasmacademy/

 

Highlights from this Episode:

  • [02:50] Jody shares her remarkable story: from grief to transformation. 
  • [05:02] Keren discusses the stages of the grief process. Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance
  • [13:27] Jody shares how she built her second act and new business:  “Widows in the Workplace”. 
  • [16:35] Jody shares how you can find inspiration in life after loss, seeing the other side even as an opportunity for rebirth, reawakening, and rediscovery of who you are.

 

Key Takeaways:

  • Grief stands on its own, but does share a few key elements with the Midlife Crisis. A midlife crisis can feel like grief in the beginning stages, but like grief, there can be beauty on the other side.
  • Grief, like the midlife crisis, can turn your weakest moments into your greatest success by sharing your experience with others in a similar situation.

 

Quotes: 

“I believe the grief process requires radical acceptance. Everyone should have a safe place to speak candidly without judgment or shame because it’s a messy path to move forward”. – Jody LaVoie

Links: 

Website: https://www.jodylavoiecoaching.com/jody-lavoie-widow-coaching

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodylavoie/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/widowsintheworkplace/

Instagram: @widowsintheworkplace

 

Bio:

Jody is a widow and two-time breast cancer survivor, who has taken her life experiences to guide other women who have found themselves in a similar situation to rediscover themselves with renewed clarity and joy for what is next in their lives. Jody is the former CEO of the non-profit Female Strong and the Young Entrepreneurs Academy Chicago. Female Strong offers hands-on programs, mentorship and experiences that build confidence in middle and high school girls that enables them to be future leaders of tomorrow.

Jody is an active member of the Young President’s Organization (YPO) and is on the board of the Sheila A Doyle Foundation to support others that have experienced homicide.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago, is a mother to three amazing daughters, loves to hike and is always game for whatever will bring on more belly laughs.

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About the Podcast

COACHED with Coach Keren
Unlock the guidance you've been searching for with COACHED, the interactive, call-in podcast hosted by world-renowned executive and personal coach, Keren Eldad. From managing finances to building a successful career to navigating relationships, parenting, personal growth, and even complex topics, COACHED covers it all. Each week, Keren explores real, pressing issues shared by listeners, providing practical strategies and transformational coaching to help you overcome obstacles and thrive.

This season on The Secret Thoughts of Superstars: Surviving Success, Keren explores what happens when high achievers have seemingly "made it"—achieving career milestones, personal accomplishments, and financial success—yet still feel an underlying sense of dissatisfaction. Through seven candid solo episodes, Keren sheds light on the unspoken struggles even the most successful people face. Themes such as imposter syndrome, perfectionism, fear of financial loss, and the overwhelming pressure to maintain an impeccable image are explored with honesty and empathy. These conversations offer valuable insights into the hidden complexities of overachievement while providing actionable strategies to help listeners shift from striving to thriving.

With her vast experience working with top executives, high achievers, and individuals pursuing meaningful change, Keren offers clear insights listeners can act on to drive sustainable results. In each episode, she answers real questions from listeners, breaking down complex situations into manageable steps and offering a roadmap to better relationships, a successful career, effective money management, and balanced living. No matter where you’re starting from, Keren’s advice empowers you to make positive changes, reinforcing your resilience and helping you create a life that aligns with your values and goals.

COACHED shares inspiring stories from people who have faced similar challenges, found solutions, and experienced lasting transformation. These real-life examples showcase the power of Keren’s approach, proving that no issue is too big to tackle and that success is within reach for everyone. More than just solutions, listeners gain inspiration, motivation, and the tools to take the next step in their journey. COACHED is a supportive space for those ready to learn expert strategies, unlock their potential, and step boldly into a future filled with purpose and achievement.


About the Host
A thought leader in the coaching world, Keren Eldad (“Coach Keren”) specializes in taking high achievers out of the futility of constant pursuit and into the greatest levels of success and fulfillment. Her coaching clients include Olympic athletes, politicians, Hollywood stars, Special Forces operatives and serial entrepreneurs, as well as renowned global organizations such as Estée Lauder, J.P. Morgan, and Nike. Keren is also the founder of THE CLUB, a community of leaders, entrepreneurs and coaches who encourage and support each other to reach their fullest potential and make their greatest contribution.

Recognized as a Top Ten Executive Coach by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), Real Leaders Magazine, & Goop, Keren maintains gold-standard coaching credentials on top of her advanced academic degrees from The London School of Economics and the University of Jerusalem. She is also a former C-suite executive, who has lived and worked in 17 countries and on four continents, and now coaches leaders all around the globe in four languages: English, Spanish, Hebrew and French. With half a million views on her TEDx talks, and speaking engagements all over the world, Keren’s message seems to transcend borders. She hopes it resonates with you.
Coach Keren resides in Austin, Texas, with her husband, Ryan, and many beloved pets.


Resources
Website: https://www.kereneldad.com
Email: keren@kereneldad.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/coachkeren
Facebook: www.facebook.com/livewithenthusiasm

About your host

Profile picture for Keren Eldad

Keren Eldad

A thought leader in the coaching world, Keren Eldad (“Coach Keren”) specializes in taking high achievers out of the futility of constant pursuit and into the greatest levels of success and fulfillment. Her coaching clients include Olympic athletes, politicians, Hollywood stars, supermodels, Special Forces operatives and serial entrepreneurs, as well as renowned global organizations such as Estée Lauder, J.P. Morgan, and Nike… She is also the founder of THE CLUB, a community of leaders, entrepreneurs and coaches who encourage and support each other to reach their fullest potential and make their greatest contribution.
Recognized as a Top Ten Executive Coach by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), Real Leaders Magazine, & Goop, Keren maintains gold-standard coaching credentials on top of her advanced academic degrees from The London School of Economics and the University of Jerusalem. She is also a former C-suite executive, who has lived and worked in 17 countries and on four continents, and now coaches leaders all around the globe in four languages: English, Spanish, Hebrew and French. With half a million views on her TEDx talks, and speaking engagements all over the world, Keren’s message seems to transcend borders. She hopes it resonates with you.
Coach Keren resides in Austin, Texas, with her husband, Ryan, and many beloved pets.
For booking and coaching consultations, contact: Lee@KerenEldad.com