Overcoming Labels and Finding Healing: Sheri Sekafetz's Journey on Old School with Michelle Vrabel

In this heartfelt episode of Old School with Michelle Vrabel, we welcome Sheri Sekafetz, a life coach introduced by Diana Swallinger of the Renew Your Mind Institute. Sheri shares her powerful journey of overcoming abusive relationships, challenging self-imposed labels, and finding healing through faith and life coaching. Together, Michelle and Sheri explore the importance of questioning negative thoughts, embracing God-given identity, and living authentically. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking freedom from past wounds and a path to joy and peace.

Chapter

• 00:00 - Introduction: The Power of Challenging Thoughts
  Sheri introduces the core of life coaching: questioning whether beliefs are true and serve us, and aligning them with God’s truth.

• 00:31 - Welcome to Old School
  Michelle introduces the episode and Sheri Sekafetz, highlighting her connection to the Renew Your Mind Institute and her journey of healing.

• 01:29 - Sheri’s Story: Living with Labels
  Sheri reflects on how labels from herself and others shaped her life, leading to unhealthy and abusive relationships.

• 02:05 - Impact of Childhood and Divorce
  Sheri discusses how her parents’ divorce and her father’s guilt tactics influenced her beliefs about love and worthiness.

• 04:04 - A Turning Point: Hearing God’s Voice
  Sheri shares a pivotal moment in Florida when God spoke to her, affirming her worth and prompting her to reject abusive treatment.

• 05:11 - Seeking Help: From Counseling to Life Coaching
  Sheri explains her decision to hire a life coach to uncover why she allowed herself to stay in harmful patterns.

• 06:46 - Questioning Beliefs and Finding Truth
  Sheri and Michelle discuss the importance of challenging false beliefs and labels, using the Holy Spirit’s guidance to discern truth.

• 07:09 - The Board Meeting: Connecting with God
  Sheri and Michelle share how they engage with the Holy Spirit, Abba Father, and King Jesus in their daily spiritual practices.

• 09:17 - No Excuses for Abuse, But Taking Accountability
  The conversation addresses the importance of recognizing abuse, setting boundaries, and taking responsibility for personal choices.

• 11:05 - Letting Go of Control
  Michelle shares a sermon-inspired lesson about releasing control to God and embracing the gifts and choices He provides.

• 13:38 - Learning to Love Yourself as God Made You
  Sheri emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and not forcing others to change, while Michelle reflects on her own journey.

• 15:29 - Breaking the Cycle of Broken Choices
  Sheri and Michelle discuss how past wounds influence decisions and the importance of breaking unhealthy cycles through self-awareness.

• 18:33 - Living Authentically Without Masks
  Sheri compares living with false labels to wearing tinted sunglasses, urging listeners to embrace their God-given identity.

• 20:29 - Identity in Christ
  The discussion highlights how God’s design for us aligns with His word, encouraging discernment over accepting negative labels.

• 22:06 - Connection with Renew Your Mind Institute
  Sheri shares how her friendship with Diana Swallinger led to her life coaching journey and training with the Renew Your Mind Institute.

• 27:46 - Sheri’s Nugget of Wisdom
  Sheri shares the one thing she wishes she knew sooner: that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and we can question others’ words to live a full life of joy and peace.

• 29:19 - The Beauty of a Woven Tapestry
  Sheri reflects on how God used her painful experiences to create a beautiful life, comparing it to a tapestry woven with purpose.

• 32:17 - Closing Thoughts and Gratitude
  Michelle thanks Sheri for her vulnerability and Diana for the introduction, encouraging listeners to connect and share their thoughts.