Hickland's first big television role was as a "Hee Haw" Honey (Kathie Lee Johnson Gifford was one of other two Honeys). "I didn't even have a professional headshot," Hickland said. "I got that job through the grace of God."

Next came a role in the movie "The Last Married Couple in America" starring George Segal and Natalie Wood. She soon auditioned for "Another World." However, with that roll, came one of Hickland's biggest challenges. "I've always been a full-figure girl, and when I saw myself on TV, I thought 'I'm fat.' The criticism from others in Hollywood began to echo in my head and it highlighted my self- esteem issues ... issues I didn't even know I had. As a result, I became anorexic. My weight plummeted to 89 pounds," Hickland said. "I became sick and went to rehab, and though it haunted me a couple of times over the years, I am grateful for the experience. As a result, I've been able to help girls, to teach them it's a mindset."

Hickland went on to act in "Texas," a spin- off of "Another World," "Vegas," ChiPS" and "Capitol" a soap that aired on CBS for five to six years. During this period, she met and married David Hasseloff. She describes this time in her life as dark, but also said it served as a huge learning experience for her. "I grew up feeling my life was filled with chaos. There was alcoholism in my family. Understand, we now are a healed, beautiful, strong family. But we weren't always well. I didn't understand the impact that [dysfunction] has in adulthood, and I chose someone who had some of those same issues, and we didn't deal with any of it," Hickland said. She pointed out that living in the public eye often prevents individuals from seeking the help they need. "I felt trapped. I made a bad choice. He's not a bad person. We just had issues."

Hickland and Hasselhoff divorced,and she moved to Rome, Italy, for two years.The show "Capitol" was a huge hit in Europe, and she earned a living making personal appearances. She also met a man who was instrumental in helping her heal.

"After two years, I needed to come home, and though, I experienced great heartbreak [in leaving my boyfriend], the lesson of letting go was instrumental in me creating the program 'The 30-Day Heartbreak Cure.' For 30 days, I did something everyday to focus on myself. The program was miraculous, and I helped a lot of my girlfriends using it."

Hickland also met actor Michael Knight, who portrays Tad Martin on ABC's "All My Children," soon after returning. They later married, but separated in 2005 after 16 years. "We've been separated for three years, and we're now beginning the divorce process. We committed to our friendship and made a decision to go to couple's therapy and resolve our issues. We really love, honor and respect one another."

While on this incredible life-journey, Hickland has, for a number of years, been an in-demand public speaker. She conducts "two-minute makeovers. Every woman loves makeup' we love decorating our temples. How you look is directly associated with how you feel," Hickland said. Because she wanted every woman to feel that "wow" factor, she developed Cat Cosmetics.

She is a firm believer in the need to help young women make good choices. As a young woman,she was offered $25,000 to do a layout in Playboy' she chose not to. Another way she emphasizes the impact of choices is through her work with a women's prison ministry in Texas. She visits the women six to eight times a year and discusses the "power of God's love and the importance of loving yourself." "I love the Lord more than anything in the world," she said. While friends and those who participated in her program "The 30- Day Heartbreak Cure" tried to convince her to write a book, she didn't relent until she gave into a higher influence. "God is a fantastic nag. You can't NOT do something when it's your purpose. It's as if He was asking 'what do I need to do to get you to write this book?' I didn't even have a literary agent." However, when she started the process, "the doors just swung wide open."

Her book The 30-Day Heartbreak Cure: Getting Over Him and Back Out There One Month From Today is set to hit the shelves Dec. 30. It's 30 chapters are comical: "Get Off The Cross - We Need the Wood" poignant:"You Are So Beautiful"' and practical: "Running Into Him."

Readers will find Hickland is transparent, yet frank in her advice. "It's a guide to a spiritual journey, to those first days of a life change, which is what a break up is." Hickland also visits Jonesboro, Ark., several times a year conducting lectures and hosting clinics as a hypnotist. In the clinics, she helps individuals overcome issues, such as smoking and obesity. For more information about Cat Cosmetics, log onto catcosmetics. com; you may also visit catherinehickland.com for information about speaking engagements, webinars and to preorder her book. AY