What if wisdom doesn’t come from age alone but from what you’ve survived, questioned, and chosen to heal?
In this deeply moving episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue Willoughby sits down with Lexi Benitez, a 23-year-old podcaster whose life experience, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness rival that of women decades older.
Lexi shares her story of being raised by her great-grandparents, navigating parental incarceration and deportation, losing the woman who raised her jus...
What if wisdom doesn’t come from age alone but from what you’ve survived, questioned, and chosen to heal?
In this deeply moving episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue Willoughby sits down with Lexi Benitez, a 23-year-old podcaster whose life experience, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness rival that of women decades older.
Lexi shares her story of being raised by her great-grandparents, navigating parental incarceration and deportation, losing the woman who raised her just before graduating high school, and becoming a surrogate caretaker for her younger siblings at an age when most people are still figuring themselves out.
She opens up about depression, suicidal ideation, leaving the Mormon church, and the moment she realized that her parents’ pain was not hers to carry. That realization came during an unexpected and isolating season working on an oil rig in North Dakota, where distance, silence, and support from the right people helped her reconnect with herself and begin healing.
This conversation explores forgiveness without obligation, identity beyond trauma, self-esteem that does not depend on external validation, and why choosing to live for yourself can be the most radical act of all.
Whether you are 23 or 63, this episode is a reminder that healing has no timeline and your past does not get to decide your future.
In this episode, we cover:
- Growing up fast and healing generational trauma as the oldest daughter
- How Lexi broke free from resentment and redefined her role in the family
- The emotional toll of religious trauma and leaving the Mormon church
- Coping with grief, depression, and two suicide attempts
- Why isolation on an oil rig became the catalyst for inner transformation
- The difference between ego-based confidence and true self-worth
- How podcasting became Lexi’s purpose and platform for healing
- The role of mentorship, affirmations, and spirituality in personal growth
- Advice for those carrying emotional burdens that aren’t theirs to hold
- Becoming a life coach and turning pain into purpose
Chapters
[00:00:00] Lexi's First Podcast Guest Appearance
[00:02:27] Childhood, Loss and Stepping Into Survival Mode
[00:08:15] Forgiveness, Boundaries and Reclaiming Her Role
[00:12:59] Depression, Suicide Attempts and Choosing Life
[00:22:52] Oil Rig Epiphany and Birth of a Podcast
[00:33:28] Purpose, Podcasting and What’s Next
Connect with Lexi Benitez:
Lexi Benitez: https://open.spotify.com/show/6VHVXzEgJxsqDmQ8Eml4No
Website: https://sincerelyselfpodcast.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/lexbenitez_/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Sincerelyself
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@lexbenitezz?
FOLLOW and CONNECT with Sue
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Website - https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/
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#LifeWorthBeing #Transformation #LifeCoach #Women #Empowerment #PersonalGrowth #InnerStrength #PurposefulLiving #MidlifeTransformation #Mindfulness #Mindset #SelfDiscovery #WomenEmpowerment #midlifestrategies
🔥 Welcome to Midlife Strategies for Badass Women 🔥
I’m Sue Willoughby—Badass Midlife Strategist, life coach, and your partner in breaking rules, rewriting the script, and thriving unapologetically after 40.
This channel is for women who are DONE playing small. If you’re ready to ditch the “shoulds,” reclaim your power, and live a bold, joyful, purpose-driven life—you’re in the right place.
Each week, you’ll get real talk, raw stories, and badass strategies to help you:
✨ Smash through self-doubt and limitations
✨ Reclaim your confidence and clarity
✨ Build resilience and embrace reinvention
✨ Create a midlife that feels authentic, aligned, and f*cking powerful
This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. A community of women who are tired of waiting and ready to step into their next-level life, unapologetically.
👉 Hit subscribe so you never miss an episode. Let’s rise, rebel, and reinvent midlife—together.
