Podcast Summary: Travis Makes Money – Make Money Turning Your Mess Into a Mission with Wendy Valentine

Host: Travis Chappell
Guest: Wendy Valentine
Date: April 13, 2026

Episode Overview

In this inspiring episode, Travis Chappell chats with Wendy Valentine—author, coach, and host of the top-rated Midlife Makeover Show—about transforming life’s lowest moments into launchpads for money-making missions. Wendy opens up about her journey from rock bottom to thriving entrepreneur, sharing mindset shifts, hard lessons, and strategic steps that led her to monetize her passion, publish a bestselling book, and build a multifaceted business helping women reinvent themselves in midlife.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Wendy’s Rock Bottom: The Start of Reinvention

[01:36–05:48]

• Wendy shares harrowing details from seven years prior: second divorce, unemployment, $150K in debt, family and pet losses, black mold illness, and chronic Lyme disease.
• In her bleakest moment, she envisions herself driving an RV cross-country: “It was the only thing that gave me hope.” (Wendy, 01:54)
• She recognizes her crossroads and references Robert Frost:

  “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” (Wendy, 02:15)

• The real goal wasn’t a thing or specific achievement, but becoming the woman in the RV—happy, healthy, financially free, and living her dream.

2. Taking Uncomfortable Action: Temporary Steps to the Dream

[03:38–05:48]

• To move forward, Wendy takes a job selling new construction in Chicago—far from her passion, but a step out of survival mode.
• Becomes the #1 sales consultant, sells over $45M in homes, which funds her actual goal: buying the RV, traveling, and building her brand.
• Important lesson:

  “Sometimes to get to your dream job, you might have to take some temporary jobs you’re not that crazy about… if you keep your eye on the prize, you’ll get there.” (Wendy, 04:09)

3. Do You Need a Rock Bottom to Change?

[05:48–08:46]

• Travis asks if hitting rock bottom is required for transformation.
• Wendy reflects:

  “It was for me… It forced me to finally give myself permission to go after my dream. …But I don’t think everybody else needs to. Try to be proactive, not reactive in your life.” (Wendy, 07:02)

• She quotes Marianne Williamson:

  “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. …It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.” (Wendy, 07:38)

• They agree that true change demands embracing uncertainty and discomfort.

4. The Book Deal and Staying Authentic

[09:35–14:17]

• Wendy recounts launching her podcast (The Midlife Makeover Show) on 2/22/22 at 2:22pm—a nod to her love of numerology.
• A big publisher approaches her via social media to write a book, but she’s not inspired by their topic. Instead of signing, she researches favorite authors’ agents, connects with Michelle Martin, and ultimately lands a deal for a book that’s true to her voice.
• Key insight:

  “I worked my ass off to get to that point. There was no way I was gonna …write something for somebody else, even though I don’t totally agree with it. …You definitely have to stay true to yourself.” (Wendy, 14:17)

• Writing the book took 63 days—thanks to months spent outlining and refining her proposal.

5. Promoting the Book and the Importance of Platform

[16:09–17:52, 20:25–21:19]

• Wendy prioritized major media and podcasts and even did a book tour in her RV.
• “As a first time author, I felt it was important to have those big names out there…That does help you get into bigger podcasts…All sorts of things lead to that.” (Wendy, 16:25)
• Top promotional channels: podcasts and Amazon advertising.

  “70% of people buy their books on Amazon. …It bumps you to the top.” (Wendy, 17:41)

• Platform is crucial: “Some authors will end up like, ‘Okay I’m just gonna publish a book.’ It doesn’t work that way. Build your platform, get your following…then come out with the book.” (Wendy, 20:25)

6. Business Monetization & Making Everything Work Together

[21:19–22:39]

• Wendy’s business model is a three-legged stool:
  1. Podcasting
  2. The Book
  3. Keynote Speaking
• These feed into and reinforce one another: book readers become podcast listeners, events lead to book sales, etc.
• “Keynote speaking is a great way to be able to make money. …A lot of conferences don’t even allow you to be a keynote speaker unless you are an author.” (Wendy, 22:14)

7. Serving Before Selling & The Nonlinear Path

[22:40–24:28]

• Wendy’s mission:

  “I came out of the gate, sounds corny, but serving, not selling… That was my mission.” (Wendy, 23:53)

• She credits her podcast for helping understand her audience and for attracting unexpected opportunities, including the publisher’s outreach.

8. Mindset Shifts and Living Life for Yourself

[24:28–26:01]

• Wendy changed her thinking to match the self she wanted to become—no more self-criticism, no more living for others at her own expense.

• “As soon as you give yourself permission to shine, then everything starts to fall into place.” (Wendy, 23:59)
  “When you do start to live your life for you, you’re also living it for everybody else, too. You’re able to give more…instead of holding that in, trying to stay small.” (Wendy, 25:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It sounded super crazy at the time… but it was the only thing that gave me hope.” (Wendy, 01:54)
• “A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there, right?” (Wendy, 08:46)
• “You get the call from a publisher, or you all of a sudden get invited to speak at a conference… All sorts of things just happen.” (Wendy, 23:59)
• “The number one thing that I did to change my life was changing my thinking.” (Wendy, 24:28)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Wendy’s backstory & hitting rock bottom: 01:36–05:48
• Choosing discomfort over misery: 05:48–08:46
• Embracing change & fearing your own light: 07:38–08:52
• Book journey & publishing deal: 09:35–14:17
• Promotion strategies & platform building: 16:09–17:52, 20:25–21:19
• Business monetization & synergy: 21:19–22:39
• Serving vs. selling, podcasting for growth: 22:40–24:28
• Mindset change & living for yourself: 24:28–26:01
• Closing resources and connect with Wendy: 26:10

Takeaways & Practical Lessons

• You don’t need to wait for a crisis to reinvent yourself—act proactively.
• Temporary, “in-between” jobs are sometimes necessary stepping stones.
• Success is rooted in clarity of who you want to become, not just what you want to achieve.
• Build your platform before you launch products; podcasting and social media are powerful tools.
• Stay true to your passions and don’t compromise authentic expression for short-term gain.
• Give yourself permission to want more, to shine, and to impact others by serving first.
• Mindset and belief shifts are as important as business strategies.

Where to Find Wendy Valentine

• Website: WendyValentine.com (26:10)
• Book: Women Waking Up – Available on Amazon, all formats.
• Podcast: The Midlife Makeover Show

“It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.”

— Marianne Williamson (as quoted by Wendy Valentine, 07:38)