220 | My Journey Through Bankruptcy — and How I Started Over

Six years ago, I sat on a beach in Santa Barbara, overwhelmed with panic. After years of heartbreak, failed fertility treatments, and mounting debt, I knew I had to face what I'd been avoiding — bankruptcy.

For a long time, I carried deep shame around this. But looking back, I see that filing for bankruptcy wasn’t a failure — it was an act of survival.

In this episode, I share the hard truth about hitting financial rock bottom — and the unexpected lessons I gained from starting over.

If you’ve ever felt ashamed about money or afraid to admit you’re struggling, this one’s for you.

⭐ And, as a special gift, I want to offer you free access to one of my most popular programs, “The IFS Kickstarter Kit.” This will teach you the foundational concepts of the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model—a proven framework that has helped me and countless others navigate challenges, build inner clarity, and create thriving, soul-aligned businesses.

Through this 7-part video series, you’ll gain a deep understanding of how IFS works and how to apply it to your own life and business. These are the same principles I teach in my advanced programs, now made accessible in an introductory format.

To receive your complimentary “IFS Kickstarter Kit,” all you have to do is:

1) Leave a review of this podcast. 

2) Email a screenshot of your review to hello@saraavantstover.com

It’s as simple as that!

In this Episode We Explore:

[06:45] Explore the moment of realization that led to a pivotal financial decision—was it truly a failure or an unexpected path to survival

[12:30] Unpacking the shame and stigma attached to financial struggles—what lessons did vulnerability around money teach

[20:15] Reflecting on cultural conditioning and judgments that shape our views on money—how did these beliefs impact personal choices

[28:00] The significance of community and shared experiences—how do collective voices empower individual journeys through hardship

[35:50] A transformative act of courage—discover the inner dialogue that sparked a pivotal change and redefined a relationship with money

[42:20] Reinventing the narrative around financial struggle—what could this mean for women seeking to heal their relationship with money

Resources:

• Sara’s new book: Handbook for the Heartbroken 
• Subscribe to Sara’s Sunday Journal
• Connect with Sara on Instagram

Mentioned in this episode:

her Self CEO Waitlist