9: Liz Gilbert on Getting Through the Most Difficult Moments of Life

Bouncing Forward with Amy Purdy

In this episode of Bouncing Forward, I’m joined by the amazing Liz Gilbert. Not only is she an amazing human, but she is also an amazing friend. She is best known for her memoir, EAT PRAY LOVE, which chronicled her journey alone around the world, after a difficult divorce. The book was an international bestseller, translated into over thirty languages, with over 12 million copies sold worldwide. In 2010, EAT PRAY LOVE was made into a film starring Julia Roberts. The book became so popular that Time Magazine named Elizabeth as one of the 100 most influential people in the world and outside of that, she has been one of the most influential people in my life as well.

Together we dive into discussing her divorce 20 years ago as one of the most difficult moments of her life and how she got through it. She speaks about the difference between forgiveness and mercy, why it’s important to invest your yourself to your fight whatever that may be but not invest your spirit into an outcome, and she speaks of how to give yourself unconditional love when you need it most.

Before you dive into this episode, if you press pause and subscribe to Bouncing Forward more people will hear this amazing conversation today plus it will ensure our continued journey together.

What we discuss:

[00:03:34] How Liz has been an inspiration for Amy

[00:06:57] One of the greatest challenges / hardships Liz experienced in her life

[00:11:32] How Liz got through this challenge

[00:14:05] Experiencing the dilemma of humanity - finding mercy

[00:18:01] Empathy and grace towards ourselves

[00:19:20] The teachings of pain

[00:22:18] Giving our spirit vs. our mind and heart

[00:28:26] Despair is the false idea that tomorrow is going to be exactly like today

[00:32:27] Cultivating the best relationship with ourselves

[00:39:02] What does Liz attribute career success to?

[00:51:19] One thing Liz knows for sure

P.S. After I went back and listened to this episode, I got even more from it than when I did the interview. Elizabeth Gilbert is brilliant!