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In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Kym Coco about the intersection of grief, transformation, and the healing power of play through golf. Joining from the serene Sierra Nevadas, north of Lake Tahoe, Kym shares her deeply personal journey of losing her husband and how embarking on an ambitious goal to play 100 new golf courses as a way to help her navigate loss and redefine her future. Listeners will come away with a richer understanding of the non-linear path of grief, the importance of intentional structure, and how embracing new experiences can foster both healing and Growth.
About Kym Coco:
Kym Coco is an author, nature-loving yogi, and dog mama of two Staffies. She holds a Master’s Degree in Sports Kinesiology, and two 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training Certificates. Both topics were woven into the classes she taught at California State University, Chico, and the workshops she taught around the country with her late husband, Stephen Thompson. Coco now shares powerful tools for well-being through her latest book “Miracle on the Mountainside” and her blog, Swagtail.com. When she’s not at her residence in the Sierra Nevada mountains, she’s on the hunt for great golf courses and scenic vistas in her Sprinter Van.
Main Topics Covered:
Timestamps:
[00:00:04] Show intro and Amy’s welcome; Kym’s location in the Sierra Nevadas
[00:01:09] Finding peace and connection to nature after loss
[00:02:04] Introducing the dual topics of grief and golf in Kym’s story
[00:03:33] Meeting Steve, their background in (emotional) kinesiology, and building a life together
[00:04:42] Steve’s advice: embrace structure after loss; the origins of the 100 golf course challenge
[00:05:53] Emotional kinesiology explained and setting the stage for Kym’s healing journey
[00:06:10] Steve’s motorcycle accident, lifelong Health struggles, and a pivotal hospitalization
[00:07:31] Open conversations about end-of-life, illness, and preparing for grief
[00:08:22] Why 100 new golf courses? Crafting a framework for recovery
[00:09:10] Early attempts at golf after Steve’s death, emotional setbacks, and perseverance
[00:11:04] Co-authoring memoirs and the process of sorting stories for healing and legacy
[00:13:39] How play, presence, and golf became essential tools for moving through grief
[00:16:26] The challenge’s timeframe: still in progress, and why “new” courses matter
[00:19:21] Intentionally choosing novelty to avoid emotional landmines in familiar places
[00:21:22] Travel, van life, and adapting the project with life’s disruptions
[00:23:20] How intuition and community recommendations shaped the journey
[00:23:53] The power of “the space between each shot” and learning to savor the unknown
[00:26:12] How grief and the 100 course challenge transformed Kym’s pace and sense of self
[00:28:00] The role of playfulness and community in healing
[00:30:00] Letting go of perfection in both the challenge and the grief process
[00:34:05] Kym’s message for listeners: redefining how we “flow love” through all forms of loss
[00:37:44] Special audience offer: Maximize Your Attention training and where to connect
[00:37:46] Kym’s media recommendation (Dan Brown’s “The Secret of Secrets”) and favorite online find
ABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting elevates the voices of experience by sharing real stories from real people figuring out adult life. Every episode features honest conversations about life’s choices, changes, and challenges—interviews with individuals (not celebrities) who share their personal experiences and insights. Through these authentic stories, listeners find validation, motivation, and inspiration for navigating their own path through modern life. Because there’s a big difference between expert advice and shared experience, and hearing another person’s lived experience helps us feel less alone in our own situations.
CONNECT WITH THE GUEST: https://swagtail.com/
GET KYM COCO’S SPECIAL OFFER: Name: Maximize your Attention Training
A video training to maximize your attention and increase your energy, focus, and presence in daily life. The practical tips can be implemented right away to add harmony to your Relationships and more time in your schedule from increased productivity.
Value: $99 Special offer: free
Link: Swagtail.com/podcast
Note from the show: Guest offers are almost always limited-time and limited quantity. If you have any trouble redeeming the offer please reach out directly to the guest for support.
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before that I used Kit.
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