Introducing Sharon Maureen, one of the courageous authors in Being Brave, releasing December 2024!
In her empowering story, Becoming Apologetic in the Third Chapter of Life, she shares how embracing her unapologetic self in later life led to newfound strength and fulfillment.
Her journey shows that it's never too late to become your most authentic self. Get ready for more stories of transformation and courage!
Sharon Maureen, the visionary behind The Unapologetic Woman, is a transformative leader in holistic wellness and life coaching, dedicated to empowering women in their 40s and beyond to rediscover vitality and joy. With over three decades of experience, Sharon passionately guides women toward their SOULATION—an inner wellspring of soulful alignment—through her inspiring teachings, captivating speaking engagements, and powerful coaching programs.
***This story is proudly sponsored by Joanie Elizabeth, a licensed mental health counselor, mental performance coach, author, and speaker. Joanie is passionate about empowering individuals to align with their true desires and embrace fulfilling lives. Her support of this story reflects her unwavering commitment to helping others uncover their inner brilliance and courage. Thank you, Joanie, for championing this brave story.
Wellness With Joanie
Describe the moment when you knew you had to tap into your inner courage and make changes in your life.
Transitioning out of fundamentalism in the third chapter of my life felt like a winnowing process, separating the falsehoods of fear and control from the truth of who I really am. The moment I knew I had to change wasn’t just a whisper; it was a full-on roar from my soul. I’d been primed to step into a leadership role within a large fundamentalist women’s group, and everything about it felt wrong. The more I prepared, the more I felt like I was suffocating under the weight of expectations that weren’t mine to carry.
The women around me didn’t reflect the joy or fulfillment we were supposedly working toward. I saw misery where there should have been light. It hit me like a wave — if I kept walking this path, I’d drown in it. I stood at the edge of a decision: continue down this road and lose myself, or walk away and rediscover my authenticity. The choice was mine to make, but it came with a price — uncertainty and fear of what lay ahead.
That was the moment I chose to be brave. I wasn’t sure what life would look like beyond the boundaries of this belief system, but I knew one thing for certain — I couldn’t keep betraying myself. That decision set me on a journey of reclaiming my voice, my power, and my truth.
Walk us through the pivotal moment when you decided to act courageously. What was going through your mind? How did you feel at that moment?
There’s this one moment that stands out vividly in my mind. I was speaking with someone from the group, trying to explain my internal struggle. It wasn’t a deep conversation, but it was enough to crack something open. I made a lighthearted joke, “Look at Facebook. It doesn’t lie.” In that small moment, something shifted.
She responded, “I see what you mean,” and, suddenly, I wasn’t battling this inner turmoil alone. There was acknowledgment. It was like the Universe was saying, “You’re on the right path.” From that point, my emotions swung wildly — relief, fear, exhilaration, doubt. But beneath it all, there was a deep sense of liberation.
That was the first step toward taking control of my life again. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. It was as if I’d shed an old skin that no longer fit, and with every breath, I felt more aligned with my true self. Courage, in that moment, felt like standing naked in front of the world, unafraid of judgment, and owning who I was.
What inspired or motivated you to take the courageous step you did? What were a few of the first steps you took? What major actions did you have to take?
Entering the third stage of life brought clarity. It was like a light switch flipped, and I was done living for others. I wasn’t just a cog in the wheel of someone else’s plan. I was a woman with her own desires, her own passions, and her own voice.
I started with self-acceptance — small but profound. I ceased apologizing for who I was, for what I wanted. That meant being honest with myself about the ways I’d been hiding behind doctrine, behind the need to please others. I took major steps: I stepped away from roles that no longer aligned with my values, stopped attending groups that restricted my growth, and surrounded myself with influences that nurtured my evolution.
It wasn’t smooth or simple, but it was powerful. I created boundaries, and I stood by them. I invested in learning new things that fed my soul. I became a Reiki practitioner, explored hypnotherapy, and embraced holistic wellness — all things that were considered “off-limits” in my old life. To be truly alive, I needed to be fully me. And that meant letting go of anything that didn’t resonate with my soul.
Paint a picture of what your life was like before you encountered the challenge that called for you to summon your courage.
Before all of this, my life was steeped in religion, rules, and expectations. At thirteen, I sought refuge in faith, thinking it would be my safe haven. I excelled at everything — won awards, became homecoming queen, and graduated with honors. On the outside, it looked like I had everything figured out. But deep down, I was living for the approval of others.
My family life revolved around ministry and fundamentalist teachings. We followed the rules religiously — no drinking, no smoking, no stepping out of line. There was a sense of “righteousness” in our conformity but also a sense of suffocation. The more I tried to control everything around me, especially my children, the more it felt like I was losing them — and myself.
The breaking point came when my children started to grow into their own personalities. The pressure to keep them in line within the confines of fundamentalist teachings was immense, and I realized that I was sacrificing authentic relationships with them in the name of control. It wasn’t just about keeping the faith; it was about staying connected to my family and to myself.
Were there any doubts or fears you had to overcome before taking action? How did you manage them?
Oh, the doubts were endless. Years of conditioning had taught me that stepping outside of the religious “rules” would bring punishment and that I would be tearing my family apart. I feared judgment — from the community, from God, from myself.
But I learned to trust my intuition. I sought support from therapists, coaches, and mentors who understood my journey. I embraced healing modalities that were once forbidden, and I allowed myself to explore the world through my own lens, not through the narrow view of fundamentalism.
I also learned to release the need for perfection. It wasn’t about doing everything “right.” It was about doing what felt right for me, moment by moment, even if that meant facing fears and doubts head-on.
What were some of the challenges or obstacles you faced during your journey to overcome this particular challenge?
The biggest obstacle was my own belief system. I had internalized so many teachings about how life was supposed to be and how a “good” woman was supposed to act. The voice of doubt kept whispering that I was on the wrong path, that I was being rebellious, and that bad things would happen because I wasn’t following the script.
Yet, I wasn’t alone. I surrounded myself with people who understood and supported my journey. I found communities that embraced holistic wellness, personal growth, and spiritual freedom. Slowly, I started to unravel the layers of conditioning that had held me captive for so long.
Tell us about a memorable anecdote or turning point in your courageous journey.
The birth of The Unapologetic Woman coaching system was a major turning point. It was the culmination of years of growth, learning, and stepping into my power. Creating this program wasn’t just about helping other women — it was about solidifying my own journey of becoming unapologetic.
I wanted to help women create lives filled with vitality, joy, and purpose — beyond the boundaries of what society or religion told them they could have. It became my mission to guide others through their own transformations, helping them step into their power just as I had done.
What role models or sources of support helped you stay strong and resilient?
Books and podcasts became my lifeline. Women like Brené Brown, Byron Katie, and Marianne Williamson were huge sources of inspiration. Their stories of courage and authenticity resonated deeply with me.
I also learned to listen to my own inner voice — the whisper of intuition that had always been there, guiding me toward my true north. Everything I needed was already inside me. I just had to trust myself.
How did this experience impact your life and your perception of courage?
Courage isn’t about being fearless. It’s about being scared and moving forward anyway. This experience taught me that bravery isn’t a one-time thing. It’s a daily decision. Every time I choose to live authentically, I’m exercising courage.
Courage means showing up as your true self, no matter how scary it feels. And over time, that builds resilience. The more I acted courageously, the more I realized how much stronger I was than I ever thought possible.
What lessons or wisdom have you gained from this experience that you’d like to share with others?
First, live unapologetically. Stop apologizing for taking up space, for having needs, and for being who you are. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for living a life that feels true to you.
Second, trust yourself. Your intuition knows more than you give it credit for. Listen to it. Lean into what feels right for your soul, even if it goes against everything you’ve been taught.
Finally, take care of yourself — body, mind, and spirit. Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s necessary. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Fill yourself up first so you can live fully and authentically.
How do you define courage, and how has your definition evolved through your own experiences?
Courage is taking that first step even when you’re terrified. It’s speaking your truth when your voice shakes. It’s choosing yourself, even when the world tells you not to. My definition of courage has evolved from being about grand gestures to being about the small, everyday choices that align with my soul.
Is there a particular message or advice you’d like to convey to other women who may be facing similar challenges?
Be brave. Don’t let fear keep you stuck. Life is too short to live for other people’s expectations. Step into your authenticity, even if it’s messy, even if it’s scary. You’re worth it. And the world needs your true self — unapologetically.