Stories from the Other Side with Danna Giroux

Rebuilding Empowerment After Divorce: Wellness, Mindset, and Finding Your Strength

Practical Steps for Thriving After Heartbreak

Divorce isn’t just about signing papers and starting over. It’s a wild, emotional rollercoaster ride that demands resilience, self-discovery, and a willingness to rebuild your life from the inside out. I’m Erica Bennett, host of The Crazy Ex-Wives Club Podcast, and this week, I had the privilege of sitting down with empowerment coach, author, and wellness consultant Danna Giroux. Together, we dug deep into the pillars of wellness, mindset, and the transformative power of putting yourself first during and after divorce.

Below, I’m expanding on our conversation and sharing practical tips you can start using today—no matter where you are in your healing journey.

Rediscovering Yourself Through Divorce

Divorce rocked my world, and if you’re reading this, it’s probably shaken up yours too. Like so many women, I found myself lost, overwhelmed, and barely picking myself up off the floor (sometimes, quite literally). But, as Danna beautifully reminded us on the podcast, this upheaval can also be an invitation—a nudge from life to rediscover who you really are.

Danna’s words resonated:

“Divorce led me to rediscover myself again. It helped me understand myself better...regain my self-confidence, empowered me to build my strength and resilience, and I learned so much about relationships.”

The transformation starts the moment you choose to prioritize YOU. It’s not easy, but it is entirely possible—and absolutely worth it.

Section 1: The Power of Mindset & Meditation

Let’s get real: meditation sounds great, but at first, it can feel impossible. When my life was spinning out, my mind was louder than ever. Sitting still with my thoughts felt like an exercise in futility (or even fresh torture!). But learning to accept, acknowledge, and eventually quiet the chaos—even for a few minutes—made all the difference.

What helped me (and Danna) most:

• Guided meditations: Let someone else do the heavy lifting. Apps and online gurus like Deepak Chopra or Gabby Bernstein became lifesavers.
• Letting go of “perfection”: It’s not about emptying your mind. Picture your thoughts like clouds—let them drift by without judgment.
• Daily journaling: Instead of obsessing over the past, start reframing your story. You are the heroine, not the victim.
• Start small: Even five minutes a day can help regulate your nervous system and give you the courage to face the day.

Don’t pressure yourself to find zen right away. With time, meditation becomes a retreat—a place you can go to feel grounded, empowered, and ready to move forward.

Section 2: Nutrition—Back to Basics

In times of stress, I wanted to reach for ice cream or carbs galore. But everything changed when I started seeing food as fuel for my resilience.

Danna’s top nutrition tips:

• Eat real food: Shop the edges of the grocery store for fresh produce, lean proteins, and whole grains.
• Balance your meals: Include healthy fats, complex carbs, and lean proteins in every meal to keep your energy steady.
• Hydrate: Sometimes thirst disguises itself as hunger—keep water handy.
• Don’t go extreme: Small, sustainable shifts are more powerful than massive overhauls.
• Watch your sleep & cravings: Did you know poor sleep can ramp up your cravings and derail your healthy habits? More on that below!

My go-to swap? When stress called for a sweet treat, I reached for berries and yogurt instead of cookies. Tiny changes accumulated big results—both in how I felt and how I healed.

Section 3: Prioritizing Sleep and Rest

Sleep was my Achilles’ heel. Divorce-related stress left me tossing, turning, and waking up at 3 a.m. with my mind racing. But healing demands rest. Without it, your body and brain can’t process the emotional storm.

Building a sleep-supportive routine:

• Bedtime rituals matter: A calming bath, soft music, gratitude stones, or guided meditation can ease your mind.
• Limit screens before bed: Let your brain wind down naturally.
• Give yourself grace: Sleep may not be perfect during this chapter, but every effort helps recharge your resilience.

Remember: not sleeping just makes everything harder. Prioritizing rest isn’t selfish—it’s essential.

Section 4: Movement for Body & Mind

You do NOT need to dive into a bootcamp or tackle an extreme workout plan. Movement is about honoring your body and releasing stress.

Creative ways to incorporate movement:

• Take a daily walk—fresh air works wonders.
• Try online yoga or stretching videos (there’s endless free content!).
• Dance around your kitchen. Literally.
• Small steps matter. Even parking farther from the store or taking the stairs counts.

Movement isn’t about punishment or weight loss. It’s about feeling strong, alive, and capable—because you are.

Final Thoughts: You Are Worth the Work

If you remember one thing, let it be this: Prioritize yourself. Take small, loving steps toward wellness, emotional healing, and joy—even if they feel tiny some days. Your transformation will happen, one choice at a time.

Want more support?
Check out the private divorce community, The Club—we’re launching soon with coaching, connection, and all the support you deserve. You’ll find all the info in the show notes or on the website.

Here’s to standing tall, healing bravely, and rediscovering your strength. You are not alone—and you’ve got this.

-Erica 

The Other F Word: How Fear Keeps You Stuck
Still struggling with the “what ifs?” What if I make the wrong choice? What if this hurts my kids? The What If monster is in control of your decision making. Join me as we explore how fear controls our mind, body and nervous system and what you can do to regain control. 

This Free Webinar is hosted live April - May 2025. 

https://www.thecrazyexwivesclub.com/fear

The Club: A Divorce Community to Help you Get Clear, Get Grounded and Move Forward. 

Psst… Have you heard? There is a new online space for you to get the support and guidance you need on your divorce journey. The Club is your space to heal, grow and get clear on what you want - whether you are unhappily married or taking those first steps through divorce. The Club offers on-demand programs, monthly live connection calls and a quarterly curated healing kit. Everything The Club offers helps you get clear and get confident on what you want in your next chapter. 

Put your name on the VIP list to be the first invited to join. Space is limited, so grab your invite early. https://www.thecrazyexwivesclub.com/theclubwaitlist

Learn More About This Week’s Guest: Danna Giroux

Danna Giroux has been part of the health and wellness industry for more than 20 years and she is a single mom of 3. She is a Holistic Health Coach, Corporate Wellness Consultant, Tao Healing Hands Practitioner, and the founder of Unique Balance, a private consulting practice based in the Greater Toronto Area. Danna empowers women to navigate marriage breakdown and divorce powerfully while remaining strong and resilient. Danna is a published author. Her most recent publication is the co-authored book Empowered in Heels 4, True stories to empower you with Strength = Resilience. She also wrote a professional eBook on Bookboon’s platform “Fitness & Mindfulness for Optimal Health. Easy Ways to Fit them in & Many Reasons why you Should “. She is also the Health and Wellness columnist for BizFashion magazine. Danna is an international model. One of her most recent proudest modeling accomplishments was being featured in Inside Fitness’s 15th Annual Hot and Fit 100 at the age of 45. 

Connect with Danna

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/danna_giroux / www.instagram.com/dannagiroux_ 
• Business Instagram: www.instagram.com/bizfashiondanna 
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/dannagiroux 
• TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@dannagiroux 
• www.dannagiroux.com
• www.uniquebalance.ca 

Looking for More Support? Let’s Connect

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/crazyexwivesclub 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecrazyexwivesclub
• Website: https://crazyexwivesclub.com 
• Contact: [email protected]
• Free 15 Minute Consult: https://calendly.com/ericabennett/15min