Joan Lunden opens up about divorce, burnout and the book that changed her life

Joan Lunden reflects on the divorce-era backlash that followed her time as a top TV anchor and the self-help book she says helped her rebuild emotionally. Her conversation on the YouTube series Books That Changed My Life centers on how slowing down, rest and inner strength reshaped her life.

Why it matters: - Joan Lunden’s story shows how public pressure, career intensity and personal crisis can collide for high-profile women. - Lunden says Brian Luke Seaward’s Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water helped her shift from constant motion to emotional resilience. - The episode frames rest, reflection and boundaries as practical tools, not luxuries.

What happened: - Lunden appeared on the YouTube series Books That Changed My Life with host Chris "Bulldog" Collins. - The conversation focused on the book Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water by Brian Luke Seaward. - Lunden revisited her years as co-host of Good Morning America, when she woke at 3:30 a.m. and moved from studio to flight to interview. - Lunden also discussed the public fallout from her divorce and the tabloid attention that followed.

The details: - Lunden said she was moving "180 miles an hour" by age 9 or 10 and entered college at 16. - She said she broke into broadcast news by talking her way into an audition and became one of the only female news anchors in the country by age 23. - At Good Morning America, Lunden said the pace left her feeling as if she was racing through life instead of living it. - At 40, Lunden said her marriage was failing and she anticipated a divorce that would play out publicly. - She hired a nutritionist and trainer, lost 40 pounds and climbed the Grand Tetons. - The book introduced her to the idea of "soul muscles," or inner strength that matters when physical strength is not enough. - Lunden said emotional strength is different from simply appearing strong. - Lunden said she once viewed slowing down as laziness, then came to see rest as a health concept. - During the divorce, Lunden said she spent a year without a week passing without a tabloid article about her. - She recalled a reporter asking for comment on a judge's ruling and being patched through to her by mistake. - Lunden said she told the caller, "Tell my husband to get a job," which became a New York Post headline. - She said a rival paper ran the headline "Pay Up or Shut Up." - Lunden said ABC blamed her for the backlash and suggested she should have known better as a woman. - She said the experience reinforced how women are often taught not to express anger. - Lunden said she later ended an unproductive call with her ex-husband and refused to continue the conversation. - She said the book's core lesson is to stand firm in values while remaining adaptable. - Lunden summed up the shift this way: "I took care of my health, and then I took care of my happiness. And my happiness took care of my life." - The episode is available to watch in full here.

Between the lines: - Lunden’s comments recast a notorious media moment as part of a larger story about gender, anger and public punishment. - The book discussion doubles as a broader message about burnout: performance can look like strength even when a person is running on empty. - The emphasis on rest and emotional boundaries suggests Lunden now values sustainability over nonstop achievement.

What's next: - The Books That Changed My Life series will continue featuring public figures discussing books that shaped their lives. - Lunden’s comments may renew attention on her divorce-era headlines and the book she credits with helping her recover. - The full episode remains available for viewers who want the longer conversation.