What happens when the life you carefully planned unravels — and you realize that it’s time to rebuild a completely new life? In this episode, Chrissi sits down with lifelong friend Melissa Griffiths (who is also the creator of the food blog Bless This Mess) to unpack a bold midlife pivot, from leaving a dream life behind to starting fresh across the country. Their conversation explores reinvention, resilience, family, community, and the messy magic of choosing change on purpose.

(0:00) 🎙️ Why chosen life pivots can feel scarier than unexpected ones

(2:00) ❄️ From Southern Utah sunshine to snowy Northern Vermont

(5:00) 🏡 Building a dream life with full confidence it would last forever

(8:00) ⚠️ When comfort turns complicated — early signs of change

(11:00) 💔 A major family business shift that changes everything

(15:00) 🧠 Navigating betrayal, grief, stress, and emotional overwhelm

(19:00) 🚚 Searching the country for a new future — and landing on Vermont

(23:00) 🏫 Moving kids, switching schools, and adjusting as a family

(28:00) 🌱 Grieving the old life while building a new one

(33:00) 🧘‍♀️ Nervous system healing, health shifts, and slowing down

(39:00) 🔄 Midlife reinvention, identity changes, and redefining success

(46:00) 👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Friendship, community, marriage, and intentional living

(52:00) ✨ Advice for anyone at a crossroads — courage, connection, and what’s next

Follow Melissa (and her new Vermont life!) at @blessthismessblog or discover your favorite new recipe at her blog Bless This Mess

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📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40

Keywords:

midlife reinvention, major life pivot, starting over at 40, life plan falling apart, midlife career change, family relocation story, moving across the country with kids, redefining success in midlife, healing after major life change, building a new life after loss, resilience in midlife, intentional living at 40, personal growth through change, navigating identity shifts, finding community after a fresh start