Becoming Your Best Version

Maria Leonard Olsen
  • 5.0 (46)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Award-winning podcast about living your best life, by Maria Leonard Olsen & her inspiring guests. Maria is a lawyer/journalist/author who seeks to amplify women's voices to share about their lives, work & life lessons. She graduated from Boston College & Univ. of Virginia Law. She served in the Clinton Justice Dept. and is a lawyer in Washington, D.C. Her latest book, 50 After 50--Reframing the Next Chapter of Your Life, has helped thousands reinvigorate their lives. Maria has spoken at TEDx CUNY, the Pennsylvania Women’s Conference and more. See MariaLeonardOlsen.com and follow @FiftyAfter50

  1. A Conversation with Tanya Boggs, Host of the You Are Here Podcast and Visual Strategist

    10H AGO

    A Conversation with Tanya Boggs, Host of the You Are Here Podcast and Visual Strategist

    Tanya was diagnosed with HIV when she was 21 years old, at a time when it was viewed as a death sentence. She began speaking at this time about resilience, sharing her story with medical professionals and more. As a speaker decades later, Tanya brings the same insight, empathy and authenticity to live audiences, guiding professional women and entrepreneurs to embrace visibility, clarity and confidence. Tanya hopes people will stop waiting for “someday” and remember that TODAY is always the best day to take small steps toward big, bold moves. Tanya Boggs is a personal brand photographer, visual strategist, storyteller and speaker who helps women step boldly into their next chapter — whether in business, life transitions or leadership. She creates imagery and experiences that don’t just capture a moment; they reflect identity, ambition and the truth of who her clients are becoming. For women seeking an intentional, high-impact refresh, Signature Shot Sessions offers a focused, transformative portrait session designed to elevate visibility and clarify presence. For leaders and entrepreneurs whose brands evolve constantly, Signature Shot Creative provides a year-long, residency-style partnership with quarterly sessions, ongoing visual strategy and seasonal content that ensures their visuals always match their momentum. Her You Are Here Portrait Experience is a deeply transformational space for women reclaiming their narrative, honoring their past and stepping fully into the life and brand they are creating. Tanya is also the host of the You Are Here Podcast, sharing conversations with women who have navigated reinvention, resilience and transformation — amplifying stories that inspire listeners to show up boldly and intentionally. She especially highlights stories of overcoming trauma and difficulties. I was honored to be a guest on Tanya's podcast! Being bi-coastal between Charleston and Southern California, Tanya blends refined artistry with strategic heart. Her work is for women who are done hiding, done playing small and ready to be unmistakable — in business, in leadership and in life. Learn more and follow Tanya: tanyaboggs.com Instagram:  ⁠https://www.instagram.com/tanyaboggsphoto ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/theyouareherepodcast⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheYouAreHerePodcast ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/TanyaBoggs.Photographer ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/tanya.boggs⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyaboggsphotographer/⁠ Podcast List: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6eGfSl7zjcBJMpGD7N6KXb ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-are-here-a-grateful-twist-on-lifes-disruptions/id1804677562⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@You_Are_Here_Podcast⁠ ⁠https://theyouareherepodcast.substack.com/profile/posts

    34 min
  2. A Conversation with Remi Gibbs, Life Coach and Author of Renovate Your Life

    FEB 13

    A Conversation with Remi Gibbs, Life Coach and Author of Renovate Your Life

    Remi (pronounced Ray-me) Gibbs is a certified life coach, positive psychology practitioner and the author of Renovate Your Reality. She helps women in midlife reconnect with their purpose, reignite their confidence and design a life that actually feels good to live. After reinventing her own life multiple times—through career shifts, major moves, loss and midlife awakening—Remi now teaches women how to turn transition into transformation. She’s a speaker and workshop facilitator blending science-backed tools with honest, relatable storytelling. Remi also is a foodie and fierce advocate for real talk over sugarcoated nonsense. Raised in the storm of addiction with two alcoholic parents, she turned pain into power with the understanding that just because we are born into chaos, doesn't mean we have to stay there. Drawing from her own journey, she has created a coaching practice rooted in resilience, empathy and authentic transformation. She’s rewriting the rules for what it means to thrive at 40, 50 and beyond. After the pandemic, Remi, who is based in New Mexico, reinvented her own life by stepping fully into life coaching and the practice of positive psychology. Out of that work came her book, Renovate Your Reality, which guides women through midlife transitions with honesty, resilience and tools to rediscover joy and authenticity. In this episode, we talk about: How reinvention is possible at any stage of life, especially after upheaval. Why midlife can be a powerful turning point for women to align with their true values. Science-backed strategies from positive psychology for cultivating resilience, joy and self-compassion. Learn more: www.renovatedrealities.com On IG and FB @renovatedrealities https://www.linkedin.com/in/remigibbs/

    29 min
  3. A Conversation with Dr. Erika Rasure, Financial Wellness Advisor

    FEB 6

    A Conversation with Dr. Erika Rasure, Financial Wellness Advisor

    Dr. Erika Rasure — a former financial advisor and university professor turned financial therapist — has helped thousands of people approach their finances in more intentional, healthy ways. She serves as Chief Financial Wellness Advisor at Beyond Finance, where she meets weekly with hundreds of clients working their way out of debt and towards financial freedom. In addition to her work at Beyond Finance, Dr. Erika serves as Chair of the Research Board for the Financial Therapy Clinical Institute. She is a member of the Financial Review Boards for Investopedia, The Balance, VeryWell Family and VeryWell Parents. Her insight and interviews have been featured in prestigious national outlets, such as Barron’s, CNN, Forbes, Fox Business, Marketwatch, NBC News Now, USA Today and Yahoo. Erika holds a doctorate in Personal Financial Planning from Kansas State University and is a Certified Deep Transformational Coach — an accreditation that surrounds changing patterns in actions and behaviors. She addresses holistic wellness in her treatment, incorporating the practice of yoga (she’s also a registered yoga teacher) into her comprehensive approach to financial therapy. In this episode, we discuss: • Financial wellness and the best way to achieve it • The mental health connection: how credit card debt impacts wellbeing • How to manage (and avoid) excessive credit card debt Learn more: https://www.beyondfinance.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-finance/ https://www.facebook.com/MoveBeyondDebt/ https://www.instagram.com/beyondfinancedebtrelief/ https://www.youtube.com/@beyondfinance5099

    29 min
  4. A Conversation with Dr. Diane Dreher, Positive Psychology Expert and Author

    JAN 30

    A Conversation with Dr. Diane Dreher, Positive Psychology Expert and Author

    Dr. Diane Dreher helps us learn better ways to deal with stress and how to find more hope and joy. She is the author of eight nonfiction books including the best-selling Tao of Inner Peace and her new book, Pathways to Inner Peace. She is an award-winning university professor and positive psychology researcher whose work on hope has been recognized internationally. Her books, workshops and webinars blend the wisdom of the past with powerful strategies from contemporary psychology and neuroscience to help us meet the challenges of our time with greater courage, creativity and hope. She posits that a walk in nature can be as effective as a prescription antidepressant. Diane's books have been translated into ten languages and her work has been featured in USA Today, Entrepreneur, Redbook, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Science of Mind, radio and TV talk shows, podcasts, webinars and web sites on leadership and personal growth. She has a Ph.D. in Renaissance English literature from UCLA as well as a master's degree in counseling and is a Professional Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation. Her research on positive psychology and hope has been published online and in academic books and journals. Diane is currently professor emeritus and associate director of the Applied Spirituality Institute at Santa Clara University and a lecturer in the Positive Psychology Guild in the United Kingdom. Diane joined us from Northern California. She encourages all of us to follow our curiosity, as well as our intuition. She reminds us that small moments of connection -- with neighbors and others with whom we come into contact -- can turn into lasting joy and ease the loneliness epidemic. Learn more: www.dianedreher.comhttps://bsky.app/profile/dianeedreher.bsky.social Pathways To Inner Peace: https://amzn.to/4q2SmF9

    37 min
  5. A Conversation with Eileen Noyes, Author, Podcaster and Founder of Lady Bellator, Helping Women Find Their Purpose

    JAN 23

    A Conversation with Eileen Noyes, Author, Podcaster and Founder of Lady Bellator, Helping Women Find Their Purpose

    Eileen Noyes is an author, speaker, mentor, podcast host at The Unsidelined Life, and founder of Lady Bellator. She lives in California with her husband and eight of their combined 15 children. Eileen journeyed through the limelight as a former pro-athlete’s wife in the public eye, escaped cult involvement, established single motherhood to eight children and is now remarried and spearheading the Lady Bellator movement — helping women lost in the shuffle of family life find their identity, their voice and their sense of purpose once again. In her books Rise Up, Lady Bellator, Sidelined No More, Broken Chapters (a multi-author project), and her podcast, The Unsidelined Life, Eileen shares her passion, her wisdom and life lessons to bring a message of hope of God’s redemption, faithfulness and power. Through her authorship, mentoring and podcast hosting, Eileen is lifting women—other Lady Bellators—to move past their limiting beliefs, fears and insecurities so they, too, can live in the fullness of who they’re meant to be. In addition to all her work, she is beginning to offer individual coaching. Learn more and follow Eileen: Website: https://theunsidelinedlife.comApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-unsidelined-life/id1759219138Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/54xYIHjkcIn2wbFFSExkxEYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheUnsidelinedLifeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/eileennoyesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/eileenpnoyes/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eileenpnoyes/Website: https://www.ladybellator.comLady Bellator Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lady.bellator/Free Community: https://www.ladybellator.com/calltoarmsProverbs 31 - Lady Bellator Devotional: https://www.ladybellator.com/proverbs31Books: https://www.amazon.com/Eileen-Noyes/e/B0CXD2Y4RP

    34 min
  6. A Conversation with Wendy Meadows, an Attorney and Life Coach Who Helps Women Break Free from Burnout and Live on Purpose

    JAN 16

    A Conversation with Wendy Meadows, an Attorney and Life Coach Who Helps Women Break Free from Burnout and Live on Purpose

    Wendy S. Meadows is a seasoned family law attorney, former litigator and certified life coach. She is also a mediator and the author of the best-selling book, sparkle & GRIT, a framework that helps high-achieving women break free from burnout and live on purpose. Before expanding into coaching, Wendy spent decades practicing family law, guiding clients through some of life’s most challenging transitions—all while quietly wrestling with her own feelings of overwhelm and disconnection. When two colleagues passed away within months of each other, Wendy was struck by how differently their lives were remembered—one obituary focused solely on legal accolades, the other celebrated a life of depth and meaning. Soon after, the sudden loss of her stepfather made it clear: She didn’t want her legacy to be just about work. That realization sparked a shift. Wendy went solo so she could create space to figure out what truly mattered, away from the grind and expectations of traditional practice. She eventually stepped away from litigation, embraced mediation and began building a life and career rooted in alignment, purpose and presence. Today, Wendy helps women who’ve “checked all the boxes” but still feel stuck. She blends practical strategies with compassionate mindset work to help them reboot their habits, re-ignite their purpose and build lives that actually fit. She also works closely with lawyers— especially those ready to go solo or restructure their practices—offering strategic coaching, systems consulting and speaking engagements for law firms looking to prevent burnout, increase retention and foster sustainable success. Her book, sparkle & GRIT: Live a Technicolor Life by Finally Finding Balance, Escaping Monotony and Beating Burnout, offers a roadmap out of the autopilot “Groundhog Day” cycle that often accompanies high-achieving careers. Learn more: Websites: https://www.sparkleandgrit.com/ https://wendysmeadows.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-sare-meadows-ba80285/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072318214998 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendy_s_meadows/

    27 min
  7. A Conversation with Sylvie Beljanski, French Lawyer Turned Integrative Cancer Care Advocate

    JAN 9

    A Conversation with Sylvie Beljanski, French Lawyer Turned Integrative Cancer Care Advocate

    Sylvie Beljanski wants to share what’s working in integrative cancer care. Sylvie is a French lawyer turned health advocate, author and entrepreneur. She continues her family’s legacy as leaders in integrative health and cancer research, following her father's successful treatment of French President Francois Mitterrand. She devoted her life to continuing her father's legacy and helping those in the cancer community find natural approaches to cancer care and eradication. She is Founder and President of The Beljanski Foundation, a nonprofit advancing natural approaches to cancer, and CEO of Maison Beljanski, a global dietary supplement company. The company's plant extracts can be used with traditional medical treatments or alone and have achieved incredible results for patients suffering from many types of cancer. Her book, Winning The War On Cancer: The Epic Journey Towards a Natural Cure, reads like a novel and shares what she has learned about cancer. She is host of the “Beljanski Cancer Talk Show” and producer of the Beljanski Integrative Cancer Conference. Sylvie is a sought-after speaker worldwide, educating audiences on scientific breakthroughs in holistic and integrative medicine. She joined us from New York City. Learn more: The Beljanski Foundation (cancer research nonprofit) - https://beljanski.org  Maison Beljanski (supplements) - https://maisonbeljanski.com  The Beljanski Integrative Cancer Conference - https://integrativecancerconference.com Sylvie Beljanski (speaker) - https://sylviebeljanski.com Winning the War on Cancer (book) - https://winningthewaroncancer.com  Facebook - facebook.com/TheBeljanskiFoundation  LinkedIn (Sylvie) - linkedin.com/in/sylviebeljanski LinkedIn (Foundation) - linkedin.com/company/the-beljanski-foundation  Instagram - instagram.com/beljanskifoundation  YouTube - youtube.com/@BeljanskiFoundation TikTok - tiktok.com/@thebeljanskicancertalk  X - x.com/BeljanskiF  Free Gifts (eBooks)Beljanski Approach to Cancer - https://www.beljanski.org/the-beljanski-approach-to-cancer-free-ebook

    29 min
  8. A Conversation with Colleen Clifford, Author and Health/Alcohol-Free Coach

    JAN 2

    A Conversation with Colleen Clifford, Author and Health/Alcohol-Free Coach

    "One binge drinking moment can end a life," Colleen Clifford says.  "Will it be yours?" Colleen is a former binge drinker who knows the struggle firsthand.  For 34 years, she's worked as a commercial fisherwoman, a lifestyle that fueled the drinking pattern of denial she now calls the 95-5 factor.  After losing her husband to an alcohol-related suicide in 2011 and later finding her own path from binge drinking to joy and freedom, Colleen turned her pain into purpose. Her upcoming book, Life Beyond the Binge, blends raw honesty, lived experience and eye-opening facts and insights for anyone ready to break free from destructive cycles. Through her compelling stories of resilience and renewal, Colleen inspires others to discover that it's never too late to change -- and to find joy and meaning beyond the binge. A commercial fisherwoman in Alaska’s Bering Sea turned health coach, Colleen now helps women break free from cravings, binge habits and destructive patterns—guiding them to build a stronger, healthier relationship with themselves, inside and out. From her year of culinary training in Paris to surviving some of the harshest seas, she shares real stories, science-backed strategies and practical tools that help women navigate cravings, emotional eating and redefine what’s possible at any stage of life. This conversation will leave you motivated, empowered and ready to make real change. Start your new year right. Colleen likes to cite this impactful quote: "All we take with us when we die is what we have become." Learn more and follow her: IG - @purepotential.health LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pure-potential-llc-c-936735245/ https://lifebeyondthebinge.com https://purepotential.health/ Email - Colleen@Lifebeyondthebinge.com She reminds us about 988 is the crisis hotline in the U.S.

    28 min
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About

Award-winning podcast about living your best life, by Maria Leonard Olsen & her inspiring guests. Maria is a lawyer/journalist/author who seeks to amplify women's voices to share about their lives, work & life lessons. She graduated from Boston College & Univ. of Virginia Law. She served in the Clinton Justice Dept. and is a lawyer in Washington, D.C. Her latest book, 50 After 50--Reframing the Next Chapter of Your Life, has helped thousands reinvigorate their lives. Maria has spoken at TEDx CUNY, the Pennsylvania Women’s Conference and more. See MariaLeonardOlsen.com and follow @FiftyAfter50

Information

  • Creator
    Maria Leonard Olsen
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    258
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Maria Leonard Olsen
  • Show Website
    Becoming Your Best Version