Running Toward Himself: Chris Sanders on Divorce, Healing, and Choosing Love Again

Jul 10, 2025

What if the hardest thing you ever did—walking away—was actually the first step toward the love you truly deserve?

That’s exactly the question at the heart of my latest episode of Love and Trauma: The Real Deal.

If you watched my earlier conversation with Amy Sanders, you know her story was honest and raw: growing up with trauma, surviving a painful first marriage, and doing the deep, messy work to heal before finding real connection.

But love stories—real love stories—always have two sides.

This time, I sat down with her husband Chris Sanders to hear his journey. Chris isn’t just a tech innovator and endurance athlete; he’s a father of four who knows what it’s like to lose himself trying to hold together a toxic marriage.

In this episode, Chris gets so real about hitting rock bottom, choosing to walk away for his own sanity and growth, navigating co-parenting, and the years of work it took to even consider being ready for love again. He talks about therapy, rediscovering his own passions, the guilt he felt taking even 20 minutes for himself, and the way he learned to speak up for his truth—even when it was uncomfortable.

But this isn’t just a story about heartbreak and endings. It’s about what comes after. About building something new, healthy, and lasting with someone who’s just as committed to doing the work.

If you’ve ever wondered if it’s too late to change the patterns, to choose yourself, or to build the love you really want—this conversation is for you.

❤️ The Real Deal: My 3 Biggest Takeaways

1️⃣ Healing doesn’t happen overnight.
Chris didn’t just move on after divorce. He put in the work—therapy, rediscovering who he was, figuring out what kind of partner he wanted to be. It wasn’t fast or easy, but it was necessary.

2️⃣ Your voice matters—even when it’s hard.
Chris talked about realizing too late that by staying silent about his pain, he left space for others to tell his story. It’s such a powerful reminder: speak your truth. Even when it’s messy or uncomfortable.

3️⃣ Healthy love means respecting each other’s space.
I loved how he and Amy make space for each other’s passions and personal time. It’s not selfish. It’s what keeps them strong, connected, and able to show up for each other as whole people.