From People Pleaser to Empowered Woman: Wendy’s Story of Healing & Growth: Part 2

Empowering Women In Conversations

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From People Pleaser to Empowered Woman: Wendy’s Story of Healing & Growth
Series: Empowered & Unfiltered (Part 2 of 3)
Guest: Wendy Adamson | Luxury Portrait Photographer & Empowerment Advocate

Episode Description:
What happens when a daughter finally says, “I won’t sacrifice myself for your love anymore”?

In this raw and powerful conversation, Wendy Adamson opens up about growing up under the control of a narcissistic mother—and what it took to finally break free. From being groomed to take over a family foundation to being emotionally cut off and financially abandoned, Wendy’s story is one of reclamation, creativity, and courage.

We explore the cost of generational people-pleasing, how trauma warps identity, and the deep healing required to live life on your own terms. Today, Wendy empowers women 45+ to see their true beauty through luxury portraiture—and helps them reconnect with their authentic selves.

✨ Topics we explore:

• What it’s like growing up with a narcissistic parent
• Financial control, golden handcuffs & emotional manipulation
• Reclaiming identity after decades of people-pleasing
• Healing through creativity, portraiture, and self-worth
• Inner child work, boundaries, and becoming your own nurturer

🛑 If you've ever felt trapped by guilt, stuck in silence, or unsure who you are without others’ approval—this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen to Part 1 with Wendy’s husband, therapist Shane Adamson, and stay tuned for Part 3 as they return together to share their healing journey as a couple.

🌿 Ready to take the first step from people pleaser to empowered?
Join my free community + sign up to be notified about my next live masterclass:
👉 5 Days to Start Saying No: The First Step from People Pleaser to Empowered
https://www.anitasandoval.com/masterclass

🔗 Connect with Wendy:
Website: https://www.wendyadamsonportrait.com
Instagram: @wendyadamsonphotography

📌 Binge-worthy episodes to listen before or after this one:

• People Pleasing & Appeasing – Part 1: Why We Do It
• Setting Loving Limits Without Guilt – Part 3
• Unmasking Manipulators & Becoming a Woman Empowered
• Breaking Free from People Pleasing During the Holidays
• The 12 Steps to Reclaim Your Power and Stop People Pleasing

📲 Follow, subscribe, and share this episode if it speaks to your heart—and remember:

You were never meant to be their puppet. You were meant to shine. 💫

Website: www.anitasandoval.com

Instagram: anita_sandoval

Linkdin:

Chapters

1. Opening Hook: When a Daughter Says 'No More' (00:00:00)

2. Cut Off: The Breaking Point & Choosing Self (00:01:00)

3. Podcast Introduction & Welcome to Wendy Adamson (00:02:00)

4. Wendy’s Background: A Childhood of Pageantry and Pressure (00:03:00)

5. Living for Her Mother’s Legacy (00:07:00)

6. Controlling Mothers & Conditional Love (00:10:00)

7. Never Allowed to Grow Up: Trapped at Age 18 (00:12:00)

8. Choosing Shane, Losing Everything (00:14:00)

9. Cut Off Completely: Financial Estrangement (00:16:00)

10. Unlearning the Belief: 'You Can’t Survive Without Me' (00:19:00)

11. Facing Financial Fear & Rebuilding Identity (00:21:00)

12. Portrait of Confidence: Seeing Herself for the First Time (00:24:00)

13. Empowering Women Through Photography (00:27:00)

14. IFS and Reparenting: Healing the Adaptive Teen & Inner Child (00:29:00)

15. Ancestor Connection & Legacy Work (00:31:00)

16. People Pleasing, Trauma, and Reclaiming Self-Care (00:32:00)

17. The Role of Guilt in Keeping Women Trapped (00:35:00)

18. Raising the Next Generation Differently (00:38:00)

19. Boundaries, Identity, and Letting Go (00:40:00)

20. Meditation, Resilience & Mental Strength (00:43:00)

21. Wendy’s Message: Redefining Empowerment (00:46:00)

22. Legacy Letter to Future Generations (00:48:00)

23. Outro: Your Story Deserves to Be Celebrated (00:50:00)