Breaking Free: A Warrior’s Journey to Self-Discovery

Amanda Ryan, CMLC
7 min readMar 22, 2024

In a world where strength is equated with enduring pain and sacrifice, one woman found herself at a crossroads: choosing between a toxic marriage that drained her spirit and her life or embarking on a journey of self-discovery to reclaim her power. This is the courageous story of a warrior who refused to be confined by illness, stifled by indifference, or broken by cruelty — a story of resilience, determination, and unwavering self-belief.

The journey began six years ago when she was faced with not just one, but three terminal illnesses, along with a myriad of other health issues that threatened to consume her entire existence. But for her, battling these physical ailments paled in comparison to the emotional toll of a deteriorating marriage. As she grew sicker, her husband grew colder, more indifferent, and even cruel. Communication turned into a one-sided endeavor, with her pouring out her heart only to be met with silence. Gestures of kindness and love were left unreciprocated, as if her efforts were nothing more than fleeting echoes in the void of his apathy.

While he was supposed to be her caregiver, his actions spoke louder than words — treating her…

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Amanda Ryan, CMLC

Heart failure patient & advocate, certified master life coach, & writer.