A woman who used to live as a trad wife has revealed how a life-threatening illness is the reason she decided to share her story with the world.
Jennie Gage, 50, has previously hit the headlines urging younger women not to get caught up in the lifestyle – saying it’s “more dangerous than cigarettes or riding a motorcycle without a helmet”.
But before sharing her warning, there was another battle she had to face.
The influencer has now revealed a shocking fact from her old life with her 389,000 TikTok followers.
And it’s the sole reason she decided to share her story.
“If I hadn’t been given another chance at life, my message wouldn’t have gone out to younger girls,” Jennie told Need To Know.
“Who would’ve saved them?
“I had been suffering from various health problems for years, such as frequent hospitalisations for severe stomach pains and bleeding.
“Diverticulitis, a brain injury, and recurring blood clots.
“It left me drained and most days, I struggled to get out of bed.
“I remember thinking and worrying that at any point, I might not wake up again.”
Jennie, from Arizona, US, was diagnosed with a ruptured bowel, intestinal damage and systemic infection in September 2023.
It was caused due to scar tissue and adhesions that hadn’t healed from a previous complication 10 years prior.
As this had gone unnoticed, her condition started to rapidly decline.
Since then, she’s been in hospital at least 20 times, with over seven surgeries carried out.
These included removal of 10-inch deep vein thrombosis, repairing the ruptured bowel and follow-up surgeries due to complications.
Her biggest procedure was a high-risk one in October 2024 that removed large parts of her intestines, which ultimately, saved her life.
During this time, though, she wanted to find an outlet and started her TikTok page, where she now shares her trad wife story.
And has “saved” the lives of many women from getting caught up in the “dangerous” lifestyle.
She said: “I was filming videos and writing parts of my book, as well as a podcast, from my hospital bed.
“Even though my life was on the line, it was important for me to do this.
“I didn’t want other women to go through what I did.
“And it really helped with recovery and coming to terms with everything.
“I had originally decided to let my TikTok go, but after the health scare, everything changed – and I knew what I needed to do.”
Warning younger women about the “dangers” of the trad wife’s life and making a difference isn’t the only thing she’s gained as a result.
Her podcast caught the attention of Kevin, 49, and now, the pair have been happily loved up for five years and counting.
Jennie said: “After I left the Mormon church, I posted about needing a new one.
“I was still married, but this man popped up inviting me to attend his.
“Not long after, I started my divorce podcast and this caught the eye of Kevin – who was in the process of a divorce at the same time, too.
“A year later, we bumped into each other and now, the rest is history.
“He’s been my rock and helped me through some really difficult periods.
“Being with him has made it possible to be happy and appreciate life.”
Jennie, who was a Mormon for four decades, previously said that rebuilding her life was the “best decision” she has ever made.
Alongside her social media, she also runs a business called ‘Man Proof Your Life’, a programme dedicated to helping women avoid and recover from the trad wife life.
Currently an atheist, she’s in the process of setting up a new church in a bid to create a “safe space” for people, like her, to gather.
She added: “I do everything I do because I didn’t have anywhere to turn when my marriage ended.
“Let alone when I was fighting for my life in hospital.
“I don’t want any other women to have to go through this.
“I want to shape a better future for our daughters.
“My biggest advice? Protect your finances. Seriously.”
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