I never thought I’d be the one who would give up wine, attempt to shuffle dance, and actually enjoy sweating through Hot Barre and yoga classes on the regular, but here we are.

For over 15 years, I was a hospital CEO who held it all together by leading through crises, raising a family, and juggling a million things at once. At the end of the day, I’d unwind with a glass (or two) of wine. It was my reward for a hard day’s work, my signal to relax, and honestly, part of my identity if you look at some of my shirts, mugs, and kitchen towels.

Then one day, it wasn’t fun anymore.

What started as a simple bet with my son as he headed off to the Air Force turned into something that changed everything.

Nearly four years later, my life looks completely different. My mornings start strong, my skin glows, my eyes are brighter, and I’ve found new things I love: long daily walks, writing for fun, purging all the stuff I’ve accumulated, and finding interesting things to see when traveling.

I’m starting Jennifer Unwined because I want a space to talk about what happens after the grind, after the wine, after you realize you’ve outgrown parts of your life you never thought would change. I’ll share the real stuff including relationships that shift, learning new things midlife, navigating menopause and mental health, leadership challenges, and figuring out who you are when you stop being everything for everyone else.

So welcome! Let’s get unwined, together!