This episode is for anyone who feels stuck in the wrong life, anyone who thinks they're too old to start over, anyone fighting their way through something that should have broken them and anyone who needs to hear that it's not too late to become who you're meant to be.

More info, resources & ways to connect - https://www.tacosfallapart.com/podcast-live-show/podcast-guests/zulma-williams

Zulma Williams doesn't believe in giving up. She also doesn't believe in sugarcoating things or holding back the f-bombs. Known as "the swearing therapist," Zulma joined us for a conversation that was equal parts inspiring and real as hell.

Born in Buenos Aires and moving to the US at 31, Zulma spent years working in corporate accounting before realizing she was miserable. At 42, she made the call to go back to school for her bachelor's degree. She was surrounded by kids young enough to be her own children while juggling full-time work and dealing with people who bullied her about her accent. But she showed up anyway, reading every word of every chapter and camping out at the writing center because she wanted that A.

Six weeks after graduating, she got diagnosed with breast cancer. Instead of using it as an excuse to quit, she moved back to Argentina for treatment and kept her eyes on the prize. Her motto through it all? "I had cancer, cancer didn't have me." She refused to let the disease define her story even when treatment meant waiting eight hours at the hospital or getting up at 4am just to get a number to see a doctor.

At 50, she started her master's program. At 54, she became a licensed therapist. Now at 60, she runs Dragonfly Therapy Services in Nevada and specializes in trauma, anxiety and depression.

Zulma's approach to therapy is refreshingly honest. She asks clients trapped in car accidents if the hot firefighter was single. She tells people worried about Monday meetings that they might die before Monday gets here so maybe stop stressing about it. She gives her negative thoughts the voice of someone she can't stand so it's easier to tell them to shut up. Her biggest compliment from clients? "I feel safe with you."

She talked about the ridiculous stigma around mental health and therapy. Nobody questions you for seeing an oncologist when you have cancer but everyone wants to know what's wrong with you if you go to therapy. She pointed out that we've all done things we weren't motivated to do our whole lives. Feeding a crying baby at 3am isn't about motivation. It's about discipline and love.

Her advice for anyone feeling stuck or too old to make a change? Just fucking do it. You're going to turn 40 (or 50 or 60) with or without that degree. The time passes either way. Take three credits if that's all you can manage. That's three credits closer to your goal.

Zulma survived cancer, abusive relationships, depression and suicidal ideation. She learned English as a second language, built a whole new career from scratch and never stopped moving forward. When asked what she's most proud of, her answer was simple: she never gave up.

Life knocked her down more than once. But she got back up every single time. And now she's helping other people do the same.

Mid-Life Career Changes, Surviving Cancer & Becoming a Therapist with Zulma Williams