Why I Built a Business That Serves and Heals
- Aug 26
- 4 min read
By Mardi Winder-Adams
There wasn't a major crisis when my marriage ended after five years. There were no custody battles or financial chaos. The legal side of things was fairly straightforward. But even a relatively smooth divorce has moments of doubt, conflict, anger, frustration, and even fear of the future. For me, it led to a quiet but essential moment of taking the time to consider what I wanted moving forward. I had the chance to look at where I was in life and consider whether I was truly living in alignment with my values.
At the time, I had a successful career, a strong network, and a clear sense of responsibility to my future. However, I also realized I had quietly put parts of myself aside to make things work. Like many women, I had gradually adapted to circumstances that didn't quite fit and was ready for something more.
The divorce experience didn't send me into crisis. It gave me clarity and pushed me to learn more about conflict resolution and mediation, to become a certified divorce transition and high conflict divorce coach, and to work for a few years as a domestic violence client advocate, helping women leave and legally end abusive relationships. It also brought me into contact with women going through one of the most challenging life transitions, and often feeling traumatized and overwhelmed by a legal system that feels impersonal and uncaring.
I began to notice how often high-achieving women navigate divorce alone, trying to maintain their professional and personal image and emotional composure while facing one of life's most significant transitions. These women are not unraveling or spending days unable to get out of bed, despite what movies and novels try to portray. They build businesses, support families, lead teams, and quietly hold everything together. What's missing is a space to be heard and supported in a way that honors their strength and vulnerability.
That's why I built a coaching practice centered on helping women move through divorce purposefully and on their terms. I wanted to create a space where women could ask questions, reflect on their decisions, and move forward without the weight of guilt, doubt, shame, blame, anger, or uncertainty.
My first book, From I Do to I'm Done, was created as a practical and compassionate guide for women preparing for divorce. It offers more than a legal checklist. It encourages thoughtful planning, emotional clarity, and a reminder that your values can guide you through every step. Whether someone is thinking about divorce or has already started the process, this book helps them make informed, confident choices.
The follow-up, The Other Side of Divorce, explores life after completing the divorce process. I wrote it with 18 other amazing women to show that divorce is not an ending. Instead, it creates a real opportunity to rebuild, rediscover your identity, and live in a way that reflects your current goals and priorities.
In addition to my one-on-one divorce coaching work, I host The D Shift: Redefining Divorce and Beyond podcast. The show offers practical insight and honest conversations with experts and individuals who have gone through divorce. Each episode is designed to provide a resource, a new perspective, or a moment of encouragement for anyone at any stage of the process.
I also created Real Divorce Talks, a quarterly speaker series where women can learn, share, and support each other. These virtual events bring together professionals from various fields to speak on topics that matter, from legal guidance and financial planning to emotional recovery and co-parenting strategies. It's open to anyone navigating divorce, whether just beginning to process or building a new life on the other side.
What all of these efforts have in common is one core belief. Divorce does not have to define you. It can become a turning point or a springboard to a great future. It can be a time to pause, reset, and make choices that align with who you are today and who you will be.
I didn't start this business because I had a dramatic personal story to overcome. I started it because I saw a need. Too many capable, intelligent women walk through divorce carrying burdens that were never meant to be carried. They move forward physically but still feel stuck emotionally. They keep going but rarely have the time or space to process what just happened.
My role is not to fix anyone. It is to walk beside them as they sort through the noise and find their voice again. It is to help women let go of what no longer serves them and create space for what comes next.
This work is not about drama or emotional intensity. It is about clarity, direction, and healing on your terms. It is about showing up for yourself in a new way and creating a future that reflects your values and vision, so you are ready and able to move into the next chapter of your life.
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