A Spirited Wanderer’s Path to Freedom, Forgiveness and Empowerment
Boadi Moore reflects on overcoming emotional trauma, embracing sobriety, and finding inner peace through writing, solo travel, and meaningful connection.
Boadi Moore’s story is one of radical reinvention and unwavering courage. After enduring a toxic marriage for forty years, she emerged not as a victim, but as a vibrant force for healing, self-discovery, and transformation. Her journey—rooted in profound personal loss, emotional resilience, and spiritual awakening—has given rise to two powerful books that now form part of her acclaimed Sisterhood Series. From paddling solo along the East Coast of Australia to building a life defined by freedom, sobriety, and self-love, Boadi speaks with disarming honesty and insight. In this deeply moving interview, Boadi opens up about the heartbreak that shaped her, the solo travels that healed her, and the sisterhood that now sustains her. Her words offer not only wisdom, but a reminder that it’s never too late to reclaim one’s life—and rewrite the narrative entirely.
A brave, honest voice offering wisdom and hope to women reclaiming their lives after heartbreak and hardship.
What challenges did you face while transitioning from a four-decade-long marriage to embracing self-discovery and healing?
It took me years to face the truth that I needed to leave my marriage. Just months after we renewed our wedding vows in a celebration of 30 years together, surrounded by our three children and grandchildren, my husband chose to walk away and start a life with his lover. Just a few weeks later, he was pleading to return ‘home,’ as if everything could go back to how it used to be.
Caught in the codependency of our toxic love triangle, I took him back, believing for the next seven years that we were rebuilding our relationship, completely unaware that he was still involved in the affair.
When I turned 60 and gained access to my superannuation, I finally had the means to get far enough away to figure myself out. I strapped my outrigger canoe to the roof of my Toyota RAV4 and hit the open road, determined to rediscover and rebuild, in the solitude of farm and house/pet sitting along the East Coast of Australia, the resilient, formidable woman I once knew myself to be.
My life was shattered by a vengeful, narcissistic husband, resulting in the loss of my home, my partner, my community, and two of my adult children along with my grandchildren. His manipulation poisoned my children’s respect for me, and as my mental health plummeted, my career development stalled. Every day felt like a battle to consciously choose a path of healing, love, and forgiveness. It was during this painful transformation that my Sisterhood Book Series began to take shape, serving as a powerful catalyst for my healing.
After completing “Healing Your Attachment Wounds” in 2023, I felt a strong pull to return to Victoria to be closer to my children and nine grandchildren. I knew there was more healing work to be done. I wanted to embody the ultimate act of letting go: to embrace and forgive both my ex-husband and the woman who had been part of my marriage for a decade.
Fast forward to 2025: I’ve simplified my life and come to appreciate that true contentment doesn’t require much. Lacking the resources to purchase my own home, I’ve embraced house-sharing with other women, creating a vibrant sense of community and belonging that has transformed my definition of home.
What inspired you to start the Sisterhood Series, and what do you hope readers take away from it?
The inspiration to bundle my books under “The Sisterhood Series” arose from the deep significance of sisterhood in my life.
“Throughout my psychologically abusive marriage, the sense of connection was painfully absent. Over the years, my husband was intent on isolating me, cutting ties with my friends and siblings. His toxic whispers destabilised my relationships, leading even my two sisters to view me in a negative light – all to weaken any bond that could challenge the unhealthy dynamics of our marriage.
I believe that having compassionate siblings and friends in my sisterhood to support me in recognising patterns of passive-aggressive abuse and co-dependency would have opened my eyes to these critical issues decades earlier. Their understanding and encouragement could have provided the clarity and strength I needed to break free from the cycle of abuse much sooner.
My decision to take my husband back after a month of separation might have turned out differently if I had been supported by a sisterhood of women guiding me through the unimaginable chaos and the temptation to return to what I once believed was ‘love.’”
The day my husband abruptly left, I found myself completely alone, without a single friend to reach out to. Even more heartbreaking was the fact that I took my sorrow to my son’s home, subjecting him to the pitiful sight of his mother breaking into a million pieces. My son cherished his father. If I could wind back time, I truly believe that having a sisterhood would have spared him those awful memories. I can only imagine how differently that scenario might have played out with a strong sisterhood surrounding me with unwavering love and wise guidance.
When I returned to Victoria after traveling solo along the East Coast of Australia, I moved into a rental to learn how to live independently. I joined local Meetup groups, and gradually, a new life and sisterhood began to blossom. My older sister re-entered my life and soon became my closest friend.
While writing my Sisterhood Series in Port Stephens, New South Wales, I discovered a delightful, fun sisterhood. Those inspiring women are ready for me to come back and make Port Stephens my “home,” which I’m planning to do.
I envisioned my Sisterhood Series as a well-researched resource, enriched with real personal experiences, for anyone – both women and men who genuinely care about the women in their lives. This series offers a roadmap and timeless guidance to help individuals reclaim their authentic selves. Consider it a heartfelt collection of wisdom from a fellow traveller on the journey of self-discovery and empowerment!
Every girl – yes, even older women like me – needs her Sisterhood! It’s a vital support system that empowers us to navigate life’s challenges and thrive.
How did your personal experiences shape the themes explored in “Women Going Sober” and “Healing Your Attachment Wounds”?
During COVID, I found myself living off-grid on a wildlife sanctuary in the high country of New South Wales with my new partner. Influenced by his heavy drinking habits, and isolated in the wilderness, I gradually began to adopt his drinking patterns.
When he eventually moved on, I was confronted by the all-too-familiar wound of rejection and turned to wine for solace. I could clearly see the slippery slope I was on, knowing it wouldn’t take much for me to lose myself to the bottle. To regain control, I committed to Dry July and ‘Going Sober’. I gave up alcohol altogether, which inspired me to start writing again.
But giving up alcohol wasn’t enough. I was drifting without nourishing relationships to anchor me. I sensed that my attachment to my three adult children and the emotional dysregulation surrounding our relationship after I left their father was “unhealthy,” but I didn’t understand why. This realisation set me on a path to uncover what was hidden in my attachment style and relationships, ultimately leading to the publication of “Healing Your Attachment Wounds”.
It was a dream come true to transform my life’s lessons into a body of work that heals and fulfills me, all while serving and uplifting others
Could you elaborate on the concept of ‘reframing’ and its significance in your healing journey?
A negative internal narrative can really hold us back. By “reframing” our stories in a clearer, more positive way, we can find acceptance, forgiveness, and even make real changes.
To break free from the cycle, we make peace with our pain and face the emotions that accompany it, allowing our experiences to transform us. We can achieve this by reflecting on our past and changing how we perceive our life’s story. Reframing enables us to shift the narratives we tell ourselves in the present and helps prevent the passing down of attachment trauma.
The way a child interprets past trauma differs from an adult’s perspective – the adult has the power to rewrite the script. Reframing our wounds, intentions, and thoughts liberates us. When we transform our life script, we become the heroes of our own stories. My healing was largely a result of reframing my circumstances to uncover the gifts hidden within my wounds. This shift gave birth to The Sisterhood Series, of which I am immensely proud.
How did your solo travels along the East Coast of Australia influence your writing and personal growth?
My once-new RAV4 has just clocked half a million kilometers. My wanderlust, inherited from my parents who traveled the open road with a caravan every year, became my refuge. It offered a means to free myself from cruel self-loathing and the all-consuming rage of being set up as my family’s scapegoat.
No matter how hard I tried or how far I travelled, I couldn’t escape my wounds. But being out on the road, farm-sitting on an isolated mountaintop with horses, dogs, and cats to care for, helped pull me back from the brink. Whenever I had the chance, I’d drop my canoe into a body of water for an hour or two. Most of my healing was infused by my connection with nature.
Along the way, I became comfortable being alone in unfamiliar towns. If I stayed for a couple of months, I’d register as a volunteer, and if there was a local outrigger canoe club, I’d join in for a social paddle.
These days, I see myself as bold, brave, and boundless—a spirited wanderer who has worked hard to know herself through the pages of her books. I experience such a thrill from reinventing myself. By design, I haven’t dated in three years because, for the first time in my life, freedom, adventure, and personal transformation are far more enticing!
In “Women Going Sober,” you discuss the unique health risks women face due to alcohol consumption. Could you share more about these findings?
In researching “Women Going Sober,” it became evident that alcohol poses not only physical health risks for women but also has psychological and social impacts.
Alcohol-related risks present a greater threat to women than to men, and substantial evidence supports this assertion. Numerous studies indicate that women face a higher risk of:
- liver dysfunction
- cardiovascular diseases
- brain damage
- breast cancer
- significant prenatal and foetal damage
Alcohol metabolises differently in female bodies due to variations in body structure and chemistry. It is absorbed at a higher rate in women, resulting in quicker and longer-lasting effects. These factors contribute to an increased risk of associated diseases and negative health effects.
Women face a heightened risk from alcohol due to various factors, including body tissue damage, hormonal effects, weight gain, and potential interactions with harmful chemicals.
According to a 2021 study by Jarvis, alcohol is estimated to contribute to 1 in 13 cases of breast cancer in the UK. This highlights the critical need for awareness regarding alcohol consumption and its health implications.
Interestingly, research suggests that the risk is less about the type of alcoholic beverage consumed and more about the amount of alcohol ingested over time. This underscores the recommendation to reduce both the alcohol content of drinks and the frequency of drinking days.
The latest research also highlights the alarming increase in alcohol use and misuse among women.
Studies reveal that women often experience a dual diagnosis of substance or alcohol-related issues in conjunction with mental health conditions. They also face gender stigmas and external factors (such as abusive relationships) that complicate alcohol dependency. Choosing sobriety can significantly impact a woman’s self-esteem as she reintegrates into a society that may judge her harshly for her past behaviours.
According to a 2019 study in the UK, the age group most likely to abstain from drinking was between 16 and 25 years old, with 26% of them choosing not to drink. My book also explores research related to Australian Gen Zers, New Zealanders, and college-age individuals in both America and Europe.
One effective approach to reducing alcohol intake emphasises awareness of the strong link between alcohol and cancer. Research shows that associating a specific cancer risk with the act of counting every drink can help limit alcohol consumption.
As part of my research, I invited women to share their stories – some quite confronting – about navigating their paths to sobriety. I included my own story of overconsuming alcohol to numb my dysregulation and grief after my marriage ended.
In writing “Women Going Sober,” I chose to adopt an alcohol-free lifestyle, and it has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!
How do you integrate neuroscience, storytelling, and spirituality in your books to create a holistic approach to healing?
After publishing “Women Going Sober” and “Healing Your Attachment Wounds”, I wanted to refine my Boadi Moore brand. It was then that I discovered my ‘secret sauce’ lies in blending Sisterhood, Spirituality, Storytelling, and (Neuro)Science.
In “Healing Your Attachment Wounds,” I advocate for the insights of trauma experts like Drs. Gabor Maté and Bessel van der Kolk, pioneers in the fields of neuroscience and trauma research. In his groundbreaking book “The Myth of Normal”, Maté emphasizes that true health involves a profound connection between our bodies, social environments, and spirituality. Just as we cannot separate the mind from the body, we cannot separate a person from their environment.
Spiritually, it’s essential to cultivate a sense of belonging to something greater than ourselves. By merging my passion for spiritual contemplation and neuroscience with a deep exploration of how inner experiences shape reality – integrating personal stories and the essence of Sisterhood – have crafted my unique formula for healing.
What advice would you offer to fellow authors aiming to write self-help books that empower and heal women?
Since leaving my marriage six years ago, my lifeline -alongside my sisterhood – has been my investment in personal and spiritual growth.
At 60, I took the savings I had locked away in Superannuation and poured some of those dollars into courses for higher learning and professional development. I felt too lost to write anything meaningful during my “undoing,” and my creative self couldn’t emerge until I transformed into the woman ready to unpack my heart and the whirlwind of thoughts in my mind.
Throughout my 30s, 40s, and 50s, I wrote blogs and self-help eBooks for women. However, when my world shattered, I tucked my creativity away until the storm had passed. Once I found a rental that would give me my own safe space, I bought a notebook and a copy of ‘Reality Transurfing’ by Vadim Zeland, and enrolled in a Bob Proctor “Paradigm Shift” training course. I cherished my mornings, sipping coffee in bed, taking notes, and pulling myself out of a mindset filled with misery and failure. I invested in training modules that enabled me to publish my work on Medium. Writing again and receiving positive feedback from readers reignited my confidence, leading me, at 65, to learn how to self-publish and market my books.
The journey of lifelong learning never stops! I’m currently learning how to record my latest book for Spotify and Audible.
My advice to your readers and future indie authors is this: wherever you find yourself, start there! Follow your passion as far as you can, without rigid expectations. Make room for that inner desire longing to be expressed. It’s crucial to set weekly intentions and take action when opportunities arise. Let your Higher Self guide you. As Bob Proctor once said, your dreams should instill both fear and excitement. Why not “reframe” a future version of yourself that truly inspires you?
The key to it all is cultivating daily gratitude- for the journey you’re on, the growth opportunities that come your way, and the love and loved ones that fill your life. The woman I once was – sitting up in bed, daring to jot down big dreams in her notebook while picturing a better life for herself- could never have imagined arriving here!
