Redefining Her Future: Ashley Sandmire on Life After Polygamy
AUTHOR: YANA DE VILLA
Khloé Kardashian and Ashley Sandmire in Khloé In Wonderland.
Stories of people leaving controlling environments are always eye-opening. They reveal the difficult realities individuals face and the courage it takes to walk away from everything they’ve known.
This Women’s Month, we’re highlighting the story of one of our longtime creators, Ashley Sandmire. Recently, she joined Khloé Kardashian on the podcast Khloé in Wonderland to share her experience growing up in a religious polygamist community, the trauma her family endured, and the healing it took to break generational cycles.
While not everyone feels comfortable sharing such personal experiences publicly, Ashley chose to speak openly about hers to help others understand what life inside her community was really like, the same community she once called home.
Growing Up In A Polygamist Community
As Ashley shared in the podcast, her father had multiple wives and 46 children, yes, 46. While the families didn’t all live under one roof, they lived separately within the same community, and living conditions were poor.
Because the community was deeply rooted in religious beliefs, strict gender roles shaped everyday life. Male authority was emphasized, and women were expected to obey. Girls were often raised to believe that one day they might have to share their husbands with other “sister wives.”
What Was Marriage Like?
During the conversation, Khloé asked Ashley about how marriage typically worked in the community.
Women were often encouraged or expected to marry at a very young age. Ashley shared that her own mother was just 17 years old when she married a much older man. Large age gaps and pressure from family members or religious leaders were common. It made it difficult for young women to question the path laid out for them.
“You do what the man says… you will obey”
Trauma and Family Dynamics
“You do what the man says… and you will obey.” She recalled seeing harmful behaviors and abuse that were sometimes ignored or normalized within the community. Because questioning authority was discouraged, many children felt they had no safe way to speak up.
The episode also touches on one of the most painful moments in Ashley’s life, the suicide of her brother.
That loss deeply shaped her perspective on healing, grief, and the importance of breaking cycles that can continue across generations.
The Turning Point
Ashley’s life took a major turn when she became a mother.
At that moment, she realized she didn’t want her daughter growing up in the same environment she had experienced. Eventually, Ashley and her husband made the difficult decision to leave the community and start a new life.
Leaving a lifelong belief system is never easy. It often means confronting years of conditioning and painful memories while learning to rebuild your identity beyond the world you grew up in.
“You have so much grace and compassion for all the players in your life.”
Choosing Healing and a Different Path
Despite everything she experienced, Ashley chose to focus on healing and personal growth.
Her goal is simple but powerful: to break generational cycles and create a different future for her family. By sharing her story, she hopes to encourage others who may be navigating similar struggles.
Stories like Ashley’s remind us that while change can be incredibly difficult, it is always possible.
What’s Ashley Doing Now?
Today, Ashley continues to use her platform to raise awareness and spark meaningful conversations around topics that are often misunderstood or hidden from public view.
By speaking openly about her past, she is helping others see that healing, growth, and a new beginning are always within reach.
Campaign Credits
Talent: Ashley Sandmire
Brand: Khloé In Wonderland
Partnership Lead: Dani Confesor
