LIVE with The Famous Dr AL and Mardi Winder-Adams

Episode Title: Navigating Divorce with Confidence, Compassion, and Control with Mardi Winder-Adams

Introduction

In this episode of The Fantastic Life Podcast, Dr. Allen Lycka sits down with Mardi Winder-Adams, a certified divorce transition and high conflict divorce coach, distinguished mediator, international speaker, podcaster, and best-selling author. Mardi shares her extensive experience helping both men and women navigate the emotional and financial challenges of divorce, reduce costs, and find clarity and control during a difficult life transition. From her early career as an educator to her journey through her own divorce, Mardi explains how her past roles inform her approach to coaching and mediation today.

Guest Journey and Expertise

Mardi recounts starting as an elementary school teacher before transitioning into behavioral consultation for school districts in Alberta. Her own divorce, though initially straightforward, became a complex and expensive ordeal, inspiring her to pursue divorce coaching. After moving to Texas and working as a domestic violence client advocate, she built a practice combining executive leadership coaching with mediation and divorce coaching. Mardi emphasizes the integration of behavioral expertise, empathy, and practical strategies to support clients in achieving resolution while preserving emotional well-being.

Approach to Divorce Coaching

Mardi explains the three pillars of her approach: confidence, compassion, and control. She guides clients to manage emotions, gain clarity, and take ownership of their decisions. Her coaching focuses on preparing clients for mediation, managing conflict, and addressing both emotional and financial concerns. Mardi highlights that divorce is not a failure, but a transition requiring self-reflection, mindfulness, and strategic planning. By helping clients develop effective communication and conflict-resolution skills, she ensures both parties can move forward positively.

Common Misconceptions and Challenges

Mardi addresses common misconceptions, especially among women, regarding divorce. Many clients underestimate the emotional and financial preparation needed. Women often feel overwhelmed by finances due to lack of prior involvement in investment and retirement decisions. Mardi advocates seeking professional guidance to gain clarity and make informed decisions. She also explains how pets, sentimental items, and family businesses can unexpectedly complicate negotiations, illustrating the nuanced challenges of divorce mediation.

Self-Care and Living a Fantastic Life

Mardi emphasizes self-care as essential, encouraging sleep, exercise, nutrition, and joyful activities during divorce. She urges clients to rediscover passions and integrate daily acts of kindness. Both she and Dr. Lycka highlight mindset shifts: viewing divorce as a learning experience, not a failure, and focusing on future growth. These strategies help clients build resilience, maintain emotional balance, and foster stronger relationships post-divorce.

Rewards of Coaching

The most rewarding aspect of Mardi’s work is witnessing overwhelmed clients gain clarity, advocate for themselves, and navigate divorce successfully while safeguarding their children’s well-being. Seeing clients find joy and purpose after divorce validates her mission of guiding people toward confident, compassionate, and controlled transitions.

BIO:

Mardi Winder-Adams is a certified divorce transition and high-conflict divorce coach helping men and women to navigate divorce and reduce the emotional and financial cost of the process. She is a credentialed distinguished mediator, international speaker, podcaster, and best-selling author.

Social Media Links 

https://mardiwa.as.me/divorcestrategysession 

https://www.divorcecoach4women.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mardiwinderadams 

https://www.instagram.com/divorcecoach4women/?hl=en