Starting Over

I have to admit that I am addicted to this show. Having said that, I would like to send my opinion out there. It seems to me that the life coaches are, as others have written, "know it all's". They are not very specific at times, leaving the anxious ladies (probably too intimidated to ask if they can get help from the other women, quit, etc...) receiving negative feedback from the coaches. I think there is a bit of evil in Rhonda's eyes now and then.......she would scare me to death if I got on her bad side. Just once, I would like to hear an "I apologize, I was mistaken" from the coaches! I realize we all have had problems in our past, as did Rhonda and Iylana, however, they sometimes appear to have forgotten their past. When someone is "down and out" (as with the women who come and go through the house), they certainly don't need to be screamed at and humiliated. However, the change for the positive is remarkable in most of the women when they leave the starting over house!!!

A true reality show - real women working on re-inventing themselves and their lives.

The premise is simple - a house full of six women, living together but each with their own goals. They live together and support one another, along with 2 "life coaches" who visit them daily giving them exercises to do, challenges to face, and so on.

Just the process of living in a household of women gives them lots of opportunity for growth. Many of these women have never lived with roommates, in a communal environment. Sacrifices must be made, cooperation is key, and clashing personalities must make amends.

The goals of the women vary widely. Learning to drive, starting a new career, learning to separate from family members, starting over after divorce and so much more. All, of course, women's issues -- and definitely issues which we can relate.

The life coaches, Rhonda and Rana, dream up very visual exercises to illustrate key problems in the women's lives. The coaches support, confront and challenge the women daily. Each day is a new adventure with new experiences and assignments.

Each woman in the house learns (or doesn't learn!) at her own pace, but usually spends 2-4 months in the house. They can leave the house by their own choice, by graduating, or by being asked to leave the house. One of the best things about this show is that the women aren't treated like children. They are asked to actively work towards their goals, or they will be asked to leave the house.

Seeing the women supporting one another, even if they are very different (cultures, viewpoints, political stance, economics, etc) is truly beautiful.

This show is for any woman who would like to re-invent herself and wants to see women just like herself do it!

I thought Starting Over was about the most innovative program on television so I was very sad to see the original concept disintegrate into just another pretentious reality show.

I may have given it more of a chance this season if they would have chosen different Life Coaches who really had the women's best interest at heart instead of blatantly promoting their own book-writing and speaking careers.

I'm really surprised this show is still even on the air considering how denigrating it is to women, in general. Perhaps it got back on course but somehow I doubt it.

I'm Karen Knox-Cox, of Starting Over, season one. I love to read all the comments on this show. What a wonderful life experience it was. It did not change my life, but it certainly gave me a chance to re-direct my life. I am proud to be a part of a show, that obviously touch so many lives. I always said I'm the luckiest girl in the world! I too, agree, that the show lost a certain something after the first year. Replacing Rona,was the shows first down fall. With the first season, the women in the house, had no idea what to expect. The second year, it seemed the women in the house,"knew what the show needed", so it was not as natural. That is sad, because most of the women needed, some type of help. I think Starting Over could have survived longer, had they replaced the coaches on a regular basis...keeping it fresh.

If you turn off the testosterone, STARTING OVER can be a real treat. Especially if you are unemployed.

The show centers around woman that need to make changes in their lives and have come to a special house to start over. Nonethless, in order to start over, the woman must perform a serious of exercises under the supervision of Life Coaches. And, don't giggle, these coaches mean business. At one point, I tuned in to see a woman sitting in a cage.

Either way, I was able to overcome preconceived notions and indulge in the individual quest of each participant. I also became extremely fond of a woman Christina. A single mother of one and former show girl, she finally graduated the house and established herself as a woman of honor.