What happens when a life that looks “fine” stops feeling true? Mikelann Valterra discusses the strange freedom that can follow loss. From rebuilding financially at age 40 to learning how to trust intuition, design a life on her own terms, and say no to other people’s expectations, Mikelann shares what it looks like to move from survival into possibility. This conversation is for anyone in midlife who feels untethered, restless, or quietly hungry for something more, even if they cannot yet name it.Guest Bio Mikelann Valterra is an...
What happens when a life that looks “fine” stops feeling true? Mikelann Valterra discusses the strange freedom that can follow loss. From rebuilding financially at age 40 to learning how to trust intuition, design a life on her own terms, and say no to other people’s expectations, Mikelann shares what it looks like to move from survival into possibility. This conversation is for anyone in midlife who feels untethered, restless, or quietly hungry for something more, even if they cannot yet name it.
Guest Bio Mikelann Valterra is an author, speaker, financial therapist, and master money coach who helps women around the world rise above the money fog, transform their relationship with money, and design their ideal life. For twenty-five years, Mikelann Valterra, MA, AFC has been a thought leader in financial psychology. She has written, spoken, and been interviewed extensively on powerful, practical ways to reduce money anxiety and teaches effective methods for earning, saving, reducing debt, and managing money. Her new book, Rise Above the Money Fog is now available online. When she’s not working with clients, you can find Mikelann on the dance floor, indulging her love of Argentine Tango.
Turning 40 and becoming “uncorked”
Mikelann Valterra’s transformation began just before her 40th birthday, with a divorce that ended a “good on paper” marriage, the loss of nearly all her financial stability, and a year spent rebuilding from zero while living in her childhood bedroom. What followed was not a collapse, but an “uncorking,” a period of deep self-reflection, creative awakening, and intentional redesign of her life, her finances, and her sense of self.
Episode Highlights
- How a career that looked unconventional on paper led Mikelann to pioneer money coaching before it was widely known
- Why “losing everything” after divorce felt terrifying and oddly freeing at the same time
- The messy middle between ending a marriage and starting over financially at age 40
- How journaling, therapy, and deep self-reflection helped her rebuild from the ground up
- The shift from living by external “shoulds” to designing a life that actually fit
- Why knowing yourself is the foundation of both financial peace and personal fulfillment
- How synchronicity, intuition, and curiosity led Mikelann to Argentine tango, and how dance became part of her second adulthood
Midlife transitions are rarely neat or linear, but they can be profoundly liberating. Through honesty, humor, and hard-earned wisdom, Mikelann illustrates how rebuilding after loss can open the door to creativity, clarity, and trusting yourself. Her story reframes starting over not as failure, but as an invitation to design a life that aligns with who you truly are, not who you were told to be.
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate, follow, and share The Big Four Oh Podcast. It helps more people find these stories and reminds listeners that they are not alone in the messy middle.
Guest ResourcesTake the Money Personality Quiz (In the top bar!)
Connect with Mikelann on Facebook
Connect with Mikelann on IG
Connect with Mikelann on TikTok
Connect with Mikelann on Pinterest
Mikelann’s website
Connect
TheBigFourOh.com
TBFO on Instagram
TBFO on Facebook
Get the Email Digest
Listen, Rate & Subscribe
YouTube Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Amazon Podcasts
SponsorThe Big Four Oh Podcast is produced and presented by Savoir Faire Marketing/Communications
