Derek Newborn seemed to have it all — the body, the brand, the lifestyle. But behind the perfect Instagram posts was a life crumbling from childhood abandonment, toxic relationships, and self-sabotage. In this raw and inspiring interview, Derek shares his battle with narcissism, his breaking point, and how faith helped him rebuild his identity from the inside out.

💬 If you’ve ever felt trapped in a life that looks good on the outside but feels empty inside, this is your wake-up call.

📍 Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
01:25 – Derek’s “perfect” life in fitness and modeling
04:10 – The hidden wounds: abandonment and childhood trauma
08:45 – Stuck in a narcissistic cycle
13:20 – The breakdown and suicidal thoughts
17:55 – Turning point: discovering faith and purpose
22:40 – Shedding the image & finding true self
26:15 – Derek’s advice for breaking free
30:05 – Closing thoughts & resources

🔗 Resources & Links
🎙 Subscribe to the podcast: [Spotify, Apple Podcast]
📸 Follow Derek Newborn: [Instagram link]
🌐 Learn more: [barbiemoreno.com]

Season 2
Unraveling the Mind: From Mental Struggles to Inner Strength.

Today’s guest is the inspiring Dr. Susie—author of Sow in Tears, Reap in Joy, a profound memoir of healing, resilience, and reclamation. Dr. Susie’s journey begins in the shadows of a childhood shaped by a narcissistic mother and the weight of generational trauma. That early pain led her into a marriage that mirrored her upbringing—one where her voice was silenced so deeply that, when asked what she wanted for a simple Secret Santa gift, she didn’t even know how to answer.

But Dr. Susie’s story doesn’t end in the dark. She is a mother of two grown daughters, and after surviving a tumultuous first marriage, she’s done the deep, transformative work to heal not only herself but her relationships. Today, she stands in her truth, having rebuilt connection with her children and created a life filled with joy, authenticity, and love alongside her wonderful new husband.

Dr. Susie is here to share her hard-earned wisdom, the tools that helped her reclaim her life, and the hope that no matter how deep the wounds, healing is always possible. Let’s welcome her to From Wounds to Wisdom.

susiemierzwik.com

www.linkedin.com/susiemierzwik/

www.facebook.com/susan.mierzwik/

barbiemoreno.com

IG@BarbieSpeaker

Season 2
Unraveling the Mind: From Mental Struggles to Inner Strength.

What happens when you spend your entire life feeling like you're not good enough? Sharon Vedano knows this journey all too well. Growing up under the weight of strict Korean-Filipino parents who prioritized academic excellence above all else, Sharon internalized messages of unworthiness that followed her into adulthood.

When the first boy showed interest in her during college, she clung to the relationship despite red flags, eventually marrying him and spending 17 years in a partnership where she felt consistently undervalued. After divorcing the same man twice, Sharon began her remarkable journey of self-discovery and transformation.

The turning point came when Sharon decided to challenge the limiting beliefs that had controlled her life. Through a practice she calls "notice what you're noticing," she began confronting negative thought patterns—even having full arguments with herself in the aisles of Hobby Lobby to reprogram her relationship with money and self-worth. This inner work transformed every aspect of her life, leading her from a successful career as a defense attorney to becoming a transformational coach dedicated to helping others recognize their inherent value.

Most powerfully, Sharon broke generational patterns by creating an entirely different relationship with her children than she experienced growing up. Instead of judgment and high expectations, she built a foundation of unconditional acceptance that her son recently thanked her for over breakfast: "Mom, I'm so grateful I can talk to you about anything."

Now happily remarried in a relationship she once thought "only existed in Hallmark movies," Sharon helps others recognize that they deserve love, success, and fulfillment. Her story proves that with commitment and the right tools, we can rewrite the narratives that have limited us and step into lives of authentic joy and purpose.

Ready to transform your relationship with yourself? Connect with Sharon through her website or join one of her free workshops to learn practical tools for building unshakable self-worth.

www.SharonNVidano.com

Sharon@SharonNVidano.com

BarbieMoreno.com

From Wounds to Wisdom available on YouTube

Season 2
Unraveling the Mind: From Mental Struggles to Inner Strength.