Episode 133

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Published on:

16th Sep 2025

It's Darkest Before Dawn -How Can You Be Grateful When Everything Falls Apart? -133

Ever wondered how gratitude can survive when your world falls apart? On this powerful episode of The Grit Show, Shawna Rodrigues opens up about her own journey after receiving a life-changing breast cancer diagnosis right in the middle of recording. Shawna explores what it’s like when “the collapse” happens—when plans unravel, certainty disappears, and surface-level priorities burn away. Using compelling stories and nature-inspired metaphors like the serotinous pine cone, Shawna teases out how destruction can set the stage for unexpected growth.

If you’ve ever found inspiration in resilience, personal growth, or finding hope in difficult times, you’ll want to hear the three unique stages she reveals for moving from darkness to dawn. This episode is perfect for those searching for strength, mindful gratitude, and authentic hope amidst life’s toughest challenges.

Shawna Rodrigues has been hosting the The Grit Show, since 2022 and has loved every minute of it. She has an award winning career in the government and non-profit industry, an LCSW, and a passion for making a impact.

She is currently facing her biggest plot twist yet—a breast cancer diagnosis in early 2025—this year is about her fight, victory, and healing. Join her warrior community Being Honest and check out the podcast episode where she shares more.

Connect with her journey:

Instagram @Shawna.Rodrigues | Everything else: https://linktr.ee/37by27

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Follow us on Instagram: @The.Grit.Show or Shawna @ShawnaPodcasts

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About the Podcast

THE GRIT SHOW
Growth on Purpose
Are you a giver and a doer? Are you someone who has shown your grit and powered through, and now you're ready for the other side? Now you re looking for the conversations that remind you about self care, that bring to mind grace and understanding, and give you space to reflect on purpose. Do you want more room to breathe and to live life with a little more ease? Each week, we discover tools and ways of thinking that support alignment, build stronger connections, help us find better questions, and live our best life. Most weeks we laugh, some weeks the topics touch close to home, but ultimately; this is where we grow together as seekers and thrivers. The Grit Show - growth on purpose. https://podcast.TheGritShow.com

About your host

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Shawna Rodrigues

Shawna Rodrigues, Podcast Strategist and Founder of Authentic Connections Podcast Network, leads the Solopreneur Sisterhood and hosts Authenticity Amplified (https://bit.ly/AUAMP). She helps purpose-driven solopreneurs connect with their ideal clients through podcasting and is passionate about increasing the number of podcasts hosted by women. Shawna believes the first step to having the podcast you are meant for is podcast guesting (https://bit.ly/5TipsGuest).
She knows that community is the key to success (solopreneurs don't have to do it alone) and that authenticity is your superpower. A sought-after speaker & consultant, Shawna savors perfectly steeped London Fogs and walking beside the roaring ocean with the love of her life. Find her on Instagram @Shawna.Rodrigues