Episode 366: Making Up For Lost Time After Conquering A Lifelong Struggle With Alcoholism, with Maria Leonard Olsen

Today’s guest, Maria Leonard Olsen, shares her captivating life story. A woman of immense talent and ambition, Maria is a lawyer, journalist, author, and devoted mother to two wonderful children. She is also a podcaster and mentor to women in recovery.

Maria's dedication to philanthropy is evident through her involvement in various boards, including those of Children's National Medical Center BOV, the Catholic Coalition for Special Education, GirlsUp, and the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Washington. However, one of her most notable things we talked about in this episode is her journey as a recovering alcoholic.

In this episode, Maria shares:

• Overcoming alcoholism and her gradual emergence from depression
• Her life-affirming journey that led to her helping other women in recovery
• Valuable life lessons she learned about courage, trusting yourself and being intentional
• Finding her true self and how that opened up a more passion-filled and purposeful life.

Maria's commitment to empowerment extends beyond her writing—she leads writing and empowerment retreats for women and co-hosts the "Inside Out" radio show on WPFW-fm, 89.3, in Washington, D.C. Furthermore, she hosts the "Becoming Your Best Version" podcast, sharing wisdom and insights to inspire personal growth and self-discovery.

Her latest book, "50 After 50—Reframing the Next Chapter of Your Life," offers invaluable insights and perspectives on navigating the later stages of life with purpose and enthusiasm. Maria's passion for sharing her experiences and knowledge has led her to speak at numerous events, including TEDx CUNY in 2021, where she discussed "Using Life’s Challenges as a Force for Good."

Other ways to find and connect with Maria are:

Website: http://www.marialeonardolsen.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fiftyafter50/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FiftyAfter50/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marialeonardolsen 

Becoming Your Best Version Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/becoming-your-best-version/id1562910379

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