west metro mom

Hi! I’m Sarah — a former news gal turned digital creator navigating life as the wife of a high school football coach while raising three strong-willed teens.

Moms of teens | Coach's Wife | Former TV Journalist
Helping moms of tweens + teens navigate midlife transitions with confidence

Host of the podcast: Midlife Unscripted My hope is this platform will be a space for encouragement, inspiration and a bit of entertainment --allowing you a peaceful moment while putting a smile on your face!

08/07/2025

This photo gets me every time.

It’s the last family photo we took in front of our very first home—the place where we brought our babies home, celebrated milestones, and dreamed big.

I can still see the golden yellow laminate countertops in the kitchen, remember the brown s**g carpet in the upstairs rooms, and feel the warmth of the beautifully refinished hardwood floors beneath our feet.

Every time I look at it, I’m reminded of where we started and how far we’ve come in so many ways.

That photo stirs up a deep sense of gratitude—especially during those in-between seasons when you’re no longer where you used to be but haven’t yet arrived where you want to be.

It’s what I call ambitious contentment—being grateful for today even as you keep working toward the next thing.

If you’ve ever wrestled with that uneasy space between contentment and ambition, this week’s episode of Midlife Unscripted is for you.

Follow the link in the comments to listen!

07/29/2025

I was at the dentist recently for a routine check-up—
when she also casually checked in on my parenting season.

“So, how is it having three teenaged daughters?”

I smiled and said, “Honestly? I absolutely love it.”

She looked surprised—like she expected an eye roll or some kind of survival story.

But I told her the truth.
It’s emotional. It’s loud. It’s full of opinions, moods, and moments where I’m biting my tongue—but it’s also late-night talks, inside jokes, and glimpses of who they’re becoming.

It’s this unpredictable mix of showing up, letting go, and figuring out how to stay connected without clinging.

What I didn’t say—but what I’m learning—is that while they’re growing up, I’m changing too.
Because midlife motherhood is its own kind of shift.

It’s not just about raising them—it’s about finding myself again.

Less hands-on. More heart work.

Less managing, more releasing.

I don’t have it all figured out—but I do know this:
This season matters.

I’m still in it. Still learning.
But this season—this messy, sacred, in-between—I truly love it.

And if you’re in this too—raising teens, feeling the shift, wondering who you are in the midst of it all—I just want to say: I see you. You’re not the only one. And you’re doing better than you think.

Oh—and no cavities, so I’m basically winning today.

Cheering you on! 💛
Sarah

If you are in need of some weekly encouragement, sign up for my newsletter. Simply click on the link below. You don’t have to navigate this season alone.

07/19/2025

“Hey Sare—wanna go to the basketball game tonight?”

Not exactly in my top 10 dream date night ideas for married couples... but I’ve learned something about midlife marriage—it’s less about what you’re doing and more about being together.

This pic was snapped as we were heading into a high school basketball game.
My husband asked, and I jumped at the chance.
Not because basketball is my favorite (though I do enjoy cheering from the stands), but because I love finding time for us.

We followed it up with some late-night apps—just like we used to when we were first married.
Simple. Spontaneous. So needed.

Our kids are growing up. Life is still full.
And honestly? Reconnecting with your spouse during a busy season of life takes a little intention—and a lot of grace.

On the latest episode of Midlife Unscripted, my hubby joins me to talk about why waiting for the “right time” to reconnect is a myth—and how prioritizing connection can actually boost your confidence in midlife.

You can find the link to the episode in the comments. If you like what you hear, please feel free to share it or leave the review— this helps more people who may need to hear the message find it!

With encouragement,
Sarah 💛

07/09/2025

In college I wrote a paper about my future life as a single career woman...clearly, that was before I met Mark. 😉

I will always remember the first day we met while covering a news story about education at Austin High School. My photographer suggested I ask the teacher doing hall duty at the time where the upcoming press conference would take place. Mark was that teacher. As he gave me directions, I quickly glanced down to see if he was wearing a wedding ring. Little did I know we would get married a year and a half later.

Today we’re celebrating 20 years of marriage. I’m so thankful to be married to my best friend who still makes me laugh.

I can’t imagine walking through life with anyone else. ❤️ Ecclesiastes 4:12

07/04/2025

Last year, my daughter said, “Mom, you should do a podcast.”
And I replied with a very confident “Nah. I’m not doing that.”

But you know how God works…
When He keeps nudging you, you eventually learn—it’s best to say yes.

Looking back, I must’ve already had a seed planted back in 2019. I was listening to the podcast of someone who would later become my business mentor—funny how things come full circle.

Fast forward to just a few months ago…
That same mentor started popping up in my feed again. I started listening to her podcast and thought,
“Wait a minute… maybe I COULD do this.”

Then came the next big question:
But what would I even talk about?

That’s when it became a labor of love. Of tears. Of reflection and prayer.
I leaned into what God was showing me and who He was calling me to serve.

Now, it’s so clear.
This podcast—Midlife Unscripted—is for the women walking the same path I’m walking. The messy middle. The midlife shift. The in-between season of motherhood where things are changing faster than we can catch our breath.

All the trials, triumphs, highs and lows of the last several years have led here.
And I get to use my voice to encourage and pass along what I’ve learned.

You guys!!! I am so humbled. The messages, the comments, the reviews—thank you for every single one.
I launched this podcast not knowing if the message would resonate with anyone…

But I told myself: If just ONE woman listens and takes away something helpful—it will be worth it.

And now?
God is showing up.
And the message is resonating.

We’ve had over 400 downloads, listeners in 20 states, international listeners, and made it into the Top 200 in Self Improvement (according to Podkite) on Apple Podcasts—ranking as high as #102. 🥹

ALL organic. No ads. Just community, faith, and women sharing with women.
And I couldn’t have done it without YOU.

I truly believe the best is yet to come.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Sarah 💛

06/22/2025

“There comes a time in every mother's life when she has to make peace with the fact that her kids are growing up… and so is she.”
- unknown

For me, that time started brewing quietly in late 2018.

I had hit a low point—but not one anyone could see from the outside.
I’ve always been purpose-driven and goal-oriented.
From chasing big dreams in my career to intentionally stepping away to be a stay-at-home mom, I’d always had a vision. A goal. A why.

But as the kids got older, something started to shift. The pace slowed. The daily demands changed. And one day, I realized—I wasn’t dreaming anymore. I didn’t know what was next, and I didn’t know who I was outside of what I did for everyone else.

I felt unmotivated, unsettled… a bit lost.
And I couldn’t name it.

Fast forward a few months to 2019—this photo at Minnehaha Falls was taken during that season. What you don’t see is the quiet standoff in the driveway before we left—my oldest exerting her independence, and me trying to rally the family like I always had.

But something in me knew: this wasn’t just about the outing.
It was the beginning of something deeper.

Now, I call it the Motherhood Shift.

That in-between season where your role changes, your rhythm feels off, and your identity gets a little blurry.
You’re still raising your kids, but you’re also being invited to rediscover you.

That’s why I’m finally launching something I wish I had back then:
🎙️ Midlife Unscripted — a podcast for moms navigating this same shift.

It’s honest. Hopeful. Rooted in faith. And filled with the real-life, messy middle moments we don’t always talk about.

The first episode drops this Thursday, and I’m sharing the full story—how that low point became a wake-up call and the journey I’ve been on ever since.

If you’ve felt it too—you’re not alone.
I’d love for you to listen. 💛

Want to know when the first episodes drop? You can follow the link:
https://bio.site/westmetromom

06/18/2025

The running... yep, it’s the running. The amount of miles I’m putting on these puppies and it’s only the first official week of summer break. And I’m not talking about the kind of running you see neighbors doing in their cute workout gear—I’m talking about running my kids to appointments, hangouts, and jobs.

Don’t get me wrong—this is part of my role as “mom.” But for some reason, I was completely unprepared—mentally and emotionally—for the abrupt shift. It’s like seasonal whiplash.

So yesterday, after only day two of trying to juggle all the different summer schedules, I was already feeling a bit defeated. I asked my youngest to tag along on my final trek of the day—Aldi and Costco—with the promise of a treat. I was still carrying the weight of the day as we pulled out of the driveway after dinner. But she rolled down the windows, played DJ, and slowly, something shifted.

Before I knew it, we were both belting out Bennie and the Jets—one of our favorites—and just like that, the tension started to lift.

Summer might be off to a chaotic start, but those little pockets of connection? They’re still in there. Don’t miss them. You’ve got this, mama.

04/20/2025

Happy Easter!

He is Risen! ✝️🙏🏼

03/23/2025

The slammed doors, the eye rolls, the backtalk—all of it. It’s hard. Some days more than others.

People used to tell me, ‘Oh, I feel bad for you when your girls hit their teens. Watch out.’

And you know what? Yes, there are tough moments. But what no one told me was about the incredible friend I’d have on the other side. I didn’t know. Maybe because I never had the chance to experience that with my own mom.

But this season? It’s pretty great. Late-night laughs, inside jokes, deep conversations, dreaming about her future—together. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

So to the mom in the thick of it—the one feeling worn down by the attitude and the distance—here’s my advice: Find one small way to connect today. A simple text, a quick Target run together, watching her favorite show even if you don’t love it. Even if she acts like she doesn’t care, she notices.

Because I’m here to tell you—what’s on the other side is something pretty spectacular.

A friendship like no other.

You’re doing better than you think, Mama. Keep going. 💛

03/04/2025

I look at this picture from years ago, and I can still hear their little giggles. The way they lit up at the chance to get all dressed up and spend an afternoon with their daddy.

The excitement was so pure, so simple—just time with him was enough.

Fast forward, and now they’re teenagers. Life is busier.

The giggles sound different, their schedules are packed, and they don’t twirl in dresses quite the same way.

But you know what? They still look forward to time with their dad. Maybe it’s not a fancy outing, but it’s a late-night ice cream run, a quick chat around the kitchen table or a shared love for their favorite team.

The truth is, that little girl who once reached for her daddy’s hand still needs him—even if she acts like she doesn’t.

She needs his steady presence, his silly dad jokes, his advice (even if she rolls her eyes), and most of all, his love that never wavers.

So, dads, keep showing up. Keep carving out time, even when it seems like they’re too busy. Because time flies in a blink, but a daughter never forgets the way her first hero made her feel. ❤️

02/20/2025

🔹 when they start pulling away, and you're not sure if you're supposed to chase after them or let them go.
🔹 when your role shifts from doing everything for them to watching them figure it out on their own.
🔹 when you miss the chaos of little kids but also love the deep conversations with your teens.
🔹 when the house is quiet, and you remember that parenting is just one part of who you are.
🔹 no one warns you... but you’re not alone.

This season of motherhood is a mix of bittersweet moments, letting go and stepping into what’s next.

We don’t talk about it enough, but this stage is just as transformative as the baby years. And guess what? You are still growing, too.

If you feel this deep in your soul, you are my people. 🫶

Let’s navigate this together—start by connecting through my newsletter: Midlife Moms Connect.

I send out short, but powerful emails for midlife moms. Encouragement, real talk + a reminder that you’re doing better than you think. Send me a message or subscribe in the link below.

02/11/2025

“Leave no sister behind.”

That’s what my husband and I always told our girls as they were growing up.

We encouraged their friendship, reminded them how special it is to have a built-in best friend, and intentionally left room in our schedules for their bond to grow.

Fast forward to now—watching their sisterhood evolve into a real, solid friendship is something I don’t take for granted.

For the recent school dance, they had different friend groups, different plans—but in the end, they chose to blend their groups and go together.

A small choice, but a big win.

Because no matter how life shifts and changes, they’ll always have each other. 💛

Address

Minneapolis, MN

Website

http://bio.site/westmetromom, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/midlife-unscripted-moms-of-tweens-and-teens/id182224

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