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How to Create a New Version of Yourself: Let Go of Past Mistakes & Regret with Sarah Jakes Roberts

Order your copy of The Let Them Theory 👉 https://melrob.co/let-them-theory 👈 The #1 Best Selling Book of 2025 🔥 Discover how much power you truly have. It all begins with two simple words. Let Them. — Today’s episode is a dare: a dare to get back up and believe in yourself. This is one of the most emotional and inspiring episodes that has ever been on The Mel Robbins Podcast. If you’ve ever failed or felt like you’re not being the version of yourself you know you’re meant to be, this is the episode for you. Today, world-renowned speaker, pastor, and New York Times best-selling author Sarah Jakes Roberts joins Mel to share her incredible story and powerful wisdom for you. Pregnant at 13, married by 19, divorced by 22, and all while under the intense scrutiny as the daughter of a famous mega-church pastor, Sarah knows what it’s like to be knocked down. But more importantly, she shares what it takes to get back up. In this episode, you’ll learn how to accept yourself for where you’re at, but still push yourself to become who you want to be. Sarah teaches you what it truly means to be powerful, how to reclaim your confidence, and create a new version of yourself. This is a masterclass in turning your pain and past failures into straight up rocket fuel. Stop discounting yourself and the impact you have in this world. It’s time to reclaim who you are meant to be and take back control of your life. Sarah Robert’s website: https://sarahjakesroberts.com For more resources, including links to Sarah’s book, website, and social media platforms, click here for the podcast episode page: www.melrobbins.com/podcasts/episode-195 Follow The Mel Robbins Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themelrobbinspodcast I’m just your friend. I am not a licensed therapist, and this podcast is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional. Got it? Good. I’ll see you in the next episode. In this episode: 00:00:00 Intro 00:05:15: Sarah Jakes Roberts shares how teen pregnancy impacted her self-worth. 00:09:28: This is how YOU can move on and learn to accept and love yourself. 00:13:25: Use these 2 words to own who you are and become who you want to be. 00:19:46: If you’re someone who is seeking purpose, you NEED to hear this. 00:24:04: This is how you can create your dream life with your “leftovers.” 00:33:46: The importance of sitting with your cringe-worthy moments. 00:42:38: Why you need to reflect through the eyes of who you once were. 00:51:57: If you’ve ever felt hostage in your own life, reflect using this framework. 00:58:19: The most powerful thing you can do to create space for growth. 1:05:21: This is the TRUE meaning of “power” in your life. 1:10:29: How Sarah Jakes Roberts turned embarrassment into power. — Follow Mel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melrobbins/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@UCk2U-Oqn7RXf-ydPqfSxG5g Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melrobbins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melrobbins Website: http://melrobbins.com — Sign up for Mel’s newsletter: https://melrob.co/sign-up-newsletter A note from Mel to you, twice a week, sharing simple, practical ways to build the life you want. — Subscribe to Mel’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/melrobbins?sub_confirmation=1 — Listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday! https://melrob.co/spotify https://melrob.co/applepodcasts https://melrob.co/amazonmusic — Looking for Mel’s books on Amazon? Find them here: The Let Them Theory: https://amzn.to/3IQ21Oe The Let Them Theory Audiobook: https://amzn.to/413SObp The High 5 Habit: https://amzn.to/3fMvfPQ The 5 Second Rule: https://amzn.to/4l54fah

Mel RobbinshostSarah Jakes Robertsguest
Jul 25, 20241h 26mWatch on YouTube ↗

At a glance

WHAT IT’S REALLY ABOUT

Transform Regret Into Power: Open Your Inner Cupboard Of Self

  1. Mel Robbins interviews Sarah Jakes Roberts about how to release shame, regret, and past mistakes in order to create a new, more powerful version of yourself.
  2. Sarah shares her journey from becoming a pregnant teen in a high-profile church family to finding faith, self-compassion, and purpose by fully owning every part of her story.
  3. They unpack practical frameworks like “opening the cupboard,” seeing your life as a full movie instead of one cringeworthy scene, and allowing your dreams to “live outside of you” through words and action.
  4. The conversation reframes power and confidence as flows of authenticity, humility, and resilience—and challenges listeners to stop self-punishment, claim their worth, and start making small, daring moves toward who they want to become.

IDEAS WORTH REMEMBERING

5 ideas

You cannot heal while you are still punishing yourself.

Repeating harsh self-talk and replaying your worst moments keeps you stuck in them; intentional self-compassion is required to turn sitting with yourself into a healing practice instead of a daily sentencing.

Open your “cupboard” and use every ingredient of your life.

Instead of hiding your past (shame, mistakes, trauma, quirks) or trying to reinvent yourself with imaginary ingredients, accept what’s actually in your cupboard and build an authentic life using all of it.

View your life as a full movie, not a single cringey scene.

Regret softens when you look at the plot line—what you had, what you lacked, and how hurt or lonely you were—rather than judging yourself only by one frozen moment; given your circumstances, you likely did the best you could.

Let who you’re becoming live outside of you through words.

Speaking your evolving desires and identity out loud—to yourself and others—creates space in your inner world and your environment for that version of you to take shape, instead of keeping your dreams trapped inside.

Recognize that your existence is necessary and stop discounting yourself.

Most people underestimate their impact and “put themselves on discount,” taking their healing and thoughts lightly; seeing your breath and presence as high-value changes how you speak, think, show up, and influence your corner of the world.

WORDS WORTH SAVING

5 quotes

Most people underestimate how necessary their existence is in the world.

— Sarah Jakes Roberts

You can't want to heal and punish yourself at the same time.

— Sarah Jakes Roberts

I’m not trying to disconnect from who I was. I’m trying to bring all of who I am into the fullness of where I am.

— Sarah Jakes Roberts

You have to open your mouth and let it live outside of you.

— Mel Robbins (reflecting and amplifying Sarah Jakes Roberts’ idea)

Power is authenticity, resiliency, humility combined.

— Sarah Jakes Roberts

Self-worth, purpose, and the belief that your existence is necessaryMoving from self-punishment and shame to self-compassion and healingThe “cupboard” metaphor: using all your life ingredients, not hiding themReframing regret by viewing your life as a full movie, not one sceneCreating new versions of yourself and letting your dreams live outside youRedefining power and confidence (authenticity, resilience, humility)Boundaries, rest, and changing old precedents in relationships and roles

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