Starting Over

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.

Of course, the show is not perfect....it's a "reality" show about women and the problems that their needs lead them into. The life coaches are indeed not "know it all's", but have faced many of the same issues that "everyday" women face and have a better perspective, a clearer path to resolution. The knowledge and understanding of the life coaches naturally entice us to look to them when we need the focus that they have already demonstrated in real life. Hence, the reason that they are referred to as "life coaches."

Women and men are certainly equal in all capacities, but the path that we follow and the "tools" that we use to get there are not the same and cannot be treated as such. It is a fundamental part of the entire "Starting Over" process to help "women" to recognize the tools at their disposal, as well as to teach them those that they are missing by using the similarities in other women to build from.

This show is not about entertainment, but rather restoration and regeneration. It is merely a vehicle to reach those who want and need the message.

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!!!

I am a stay at home mom who has herself overcome a terribly painful past, with the help of Starting Over. Y'all have seen the opener...."this house changed my life"....it is true for me, and I never even walked thru the doors, although i would crawl on my tongue for the opportunity for that kind of healing!! Things those "Know it all" coaches have said come up in MY everyday life, and people have noticed a change in how I react to things around me, because of those awarenesses. It all comes down to how OPEN YOU ARE!!!! I feel those of you who are angry at the life coaches, have a reason to be, as they bring up those emotions, (whatever they may be) in you so they may be properly dealt with, and you aren't even aware of it. That is the job of a life coach, to dredge up the ugliness we refuse to deal with daily!

BIG HUGS to Iyanla, and Rhonda, and Dr. Stan too!!

Peace Y'all!