We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Amy Baumgardner. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Amy below.
Hi Amy , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
In 2002, I married the love of my life, and together we shared adventure, excitement, and laughter—until my husband’s diagnosis of bipolar disorder in 2007. The diagnosis pulled the rug out from under us and suddenly our lives were filled with the unpredictable swings of mania and depression. In a time when mental health resources were scarce and the stigma was even greater, we did our best to navigate the highs and lows, welcoming two beautiful children along the way. But my role shifted toward keeping my husband safe first, then my children, and finally myself.
Living through his illness meant facing relentless challenges. Mania, especially, felt like a cruel force, often taking him away from us and leaving us in financial strain. When the illness became overwhelming in 2019, I made the heartbreaking choice to prioritize our children’s safety. One of the few remaining options was a 30-day inpatient treatment center, so he sought this new treatment on the other side of the country. Tragically, three months later, he died by suicide.
After losing him, I faced a decision more daunting than any before. I could allow my grief to consume me, or I could keep going for myself and our children. I chose to keep going. Each time life presents me with the impossible, I choose to push forward. Pushing forward doesn’t mean pushing it down. To be resilient, you need to also learn and heal from each experience, coming out the other side with new knowledge and skills. This choice has taught me not only how to survive, but also how to thrive. Resilience, for me, has become the journey of finding beauty and purpose in each moment, even in the face of loss.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Brene Brown said, “I now see how owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do.”
I believe that stories heal. I love to share my story, listen to others’ stories and hold space for those not yet ready to share. In 2019, I lost my husband to suicide after a long fought battle with Bipolar Disorder. I was left to raise my two children while managing the grief journey for all three of us. Soon after, I lost my career and at that point, it meant that I had lost two of the biggest parts of my identity. In the midst of the deep pain, I chose to keep moving forward, first for my children, and then for me. I am so glad that I did because that choice led to an incredible love with my new partner and a fulfilling career pivot.
This journey has shaped who I am today. I don’t shy away from pain, messiness, or the challenges that life throws my way. Instead, I embrace them with honesty and determination, using my struggles as a tool to help others. I’ve learned that by listening to my intuition and living authentically, I can find alignment with who I am meant to be. Thriving doesn’t mean avoiding hardship; it means allowing yourself to grow through it. I’m here to share that message and help others discover the same joy and purpose on the other side.
As a mental health advocate, an authenticity and empowerment speaker, and writer, I draw from my personal experiences to inspire resilience, healing, and growth in others. Through my work, I focus on breaking down stigmas surrounding mental health, using my speaking engagements to let others know that they are not alone, and that there is a life where they can live fully as themselves outside of the box. I aim to help others find strength and meaning, no matter their challenges.
I’m thrilled to be expanding my impact through multiple avenues, including workshops, one-on-one coaching, and Buti Yoga—a practice that combines movement and mindfulness to foster healing. My approach is grounded in authenticity and connection, and I’m passionate about helping people navigate their unique journeys toward growth and fulfillment. Life is messy, but it’s also beautiful, and I’m dedicated to helping others find the courage to embrace both.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, the three most impactful qualities on my journey were resilience, authenticity, and passion.
Resilience was the deep understanding that I could figure anything out, that I wasn’t going to give up, and the belief that amazing things awaited on the other side. When my husband died so did my expectations of the life I thought I would lead. Resilience took time. The belief that there was another path forward did not come easily; it was full of pain, tears, and moments of unbelievable grief. My husband was the one who took our children on adventures because it was often too overwhelming for me. Because he was no longer here and I refused to not give our kids those experiences, I started taking them out by myself. We started small with going to the grocery store, then to the amusement park, and then flying to the Florida for vacation. With each outing, I became more confident in myself as a parent and my abilities to do it without their dad. It gave me the confidence to dream big again and create a whole new life for the three of us.
Discovering who I truly was and embracing that authenticity, regardless of the implications, allowed me to trust my intuition. It revealed that living inside the box and following the rules of who I was “supposed to be” was not the path to a life filled with joy, peace, and fulfillment. I realized I couldn’t keep living in a way that didn’t align with my true self. Choosing authenticity was terrifying but transformative, setting me on a path to discovering my purpose and pursuing passions that brought renewed meaning to my life.
Following my purpose as a mental health advocate and working to stop the stigma surrounding mental illness not only helped others but also played a key role in my own healing. Sharing my story openly has created opportunities to connect and make a difference. After one of my fitness classes at a college campus, a young woman approached me to express her gratitude for my honesty about my struggles with mental illness. She shared that she often felt like she was the only one and found it difficult to talk to others. Hearing my story gave her a sense of hope and reassurance that she wasn’t alone. This moment reminded me of the power of vulnerability and authenticity. It reinforced my commitment to creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to speak their truths.
Knowing and pursuing my purpose has been essential to living authentically, and my passions often evolved into that purpose. Advocating for mental health is one of my greatest passions, and to support others, I first had to care for my own mental health. One unexpected passion that helps me become my best self is, quite simply, having fun. As Bashar wisely states, “Your purpose is to be YOU as fully as you can, and the way that’s perhaps most easily done is to act on your highest joy.” I chose to chase joy and say yes to anything that brought me happiness, finding healing in ways I didn’t anticipate. One source of deep joy and freedom is listening to live music. I go to every concert and music festival that I can because dancing and singing among like-minded people is now my favorite way to reconnect with happiness.
For those starting their own journeys, there are many ways to nurture resilience, authenticity, and passion. When life throws challenges your way that seem insurmountable, allow yourself to feel all the emotions that arise. It’s okay to be angry, sad, and disappointed, but then pivot to the decision that you will overcome, even if it takes some time. Lean on close friends and loved ones, participate in therapy, and set small goals for yourself along the way. Living an authentic life outside the box can be scary. It goes against what we’ve been taught in society, but it is the best way to find your path forward. Take time through journaling or meditation to listen to the voice inside; your intuition already knows how to guide you to where you want to be. There might be scary choices along the way, such as changing jobs, altering relationships, or adjusting your lifestyle. Your intuition will lead you to the path meant for you. A passion for life and purpose will fuel you when you need it most. Embracing a new career, hobby, side gig, or simply choosing to have more fun will give you the energy to keep going and to overcome the next big challenge that comes your way.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, I remind myself that it’s not just me—overwhelm is often a reflection of the fast-paced, information-saturated world we live in. My therapist once told me, “It’s the constant bombardment of news, social media, and responsibilities.” That insight reminded me of the importance of consciously quieting the noise. It’s not easy, especially when I’m juggling a never-ending to-do list that covers my family, work, health, and passions. Most days, it feels like I could work non-stop and still leave half the tasks undone.
To manage these moments, I force myself to pause, breathe, and simply sit still. It’s a practice I’m still learning, and because it’s difficult for me to stop doing, I practice self-compassion. If I lose track of time scrolling social media (again!) or get to the end of the day without taking a moment for myself, I forgive myself and commit to trying again. There’s no point in punishing yourself; striving for perfection will only cause more overwhelm.
Creating space for yourself is about going against the grain of our hyper-productive culture. It means intentionally setting small, achievable goals and celebrating every little win, whether that’s five minutes of mindfulness, a walk, journaling, stretching or even just turning off your phone for a bit. These small actions create the space for the healing and clarity that you need to keep going.
Managing overwhelm requires patience and grace. By consciously choosing to slow down, practicing self-compassion, and celebrating small wins, you can begin to create the balance needed to thrive, even in the busiest times.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amybaumgardner.com
- Instagram: @amy.l.baumgardner
- Other: TikTok: @amybaumgardner1
Image Credits
Kelsa Blaine
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