Empower Yourself: Midlife Reflection on Connection

The girls are dropped off at college and now we are three... Yes, we went from five to four to three. Now what? It’s time to dive into fall and find me to the depths of my soul. It's another transition in mid-life reflection and connection. Connection to me and all that surrounds me. Another opportunity... I never understood why everyone always told me that life slows down after 50. What sort of life-altering event takes place between 49 and 50 that means all of a sudden, life as we know it is changed forever?

I'm here to tell you that life doesn’t end at midlife; it begins anew. Jumping, diving, climbing, are not reserved for the 40 and under crowd. I believe that age does not define a person. Studies show that women 40 and older tend to be more confident and know why they like and need it than in their earlier years. There is a decrease in dependence and self-criticism and an increase in self-confidence and decisiveness. Also - some women tend to have an increased libido at this age. At any age, you can choose to live vibrantly and continue to embrace challenges and new adventures. A gift to truly know you and love you - all parts.

On a recent trip to the South of France with some lifelong friends, I experienced this firsthand. The energy we shared was infectious, and it reminded me of the power of community —how we can inspire each other to step out of our comfort zones and accomplish things we never thought possible.

I often draw upon my past experiences growing up as the youngest daughter. I was always driven to prove myself, first for my dad's approval and then simply for the satisfaction of meeting challenges head-on.

Whether it was jumping off rocks or setting lofty goals, I was never one to back down from the exhilaration and trepidation of meeting a dare. Much less a double-dog dare! This mindset followed me into adulthood, fueling my drive, entrepreneurial spirit and energizing me in the face of obstacles. "I got this!” is what I say. It wasn't that I wasn't terrified, I would just put one foot in front of the other and push forward to achieve my vision.

As we arrived at one of the world’s most prestigious resorts—one that I had only dreamed of visiting after booking it for my boss years ago—I spotted a long plank-like diving board situated high on the edge of a cliff at least 20 feet over the deep blue of the Mediterranean Sea. As soon as I saw it, my heartbeat quickened, and I knew I had to walk it, feel it, jump in (wasn't sure about the dive yet) and complete the challenge.

It wasn't just about physical strength; it was about mental determination. Sure, it was deep in the water, and the pool and restaurant overlooked it (how could I not be thinking everyone would be looking at me), but I knew I could do it.

I’m strong enough—mentally and physically—to rise to the occasion. Plus, I dove for a bit after I left gymnastics as a adolescent. Made perfect sense to me!?!

After diving off the board and swimming to the floating docks, I saw the jungle gym structure and turned to my friend: “I’m going over there. Get the camera ready!” No one knew what I was doing, but I was determined to make it happen. And I did. Not once, but twice, because if you know me, you know I don't want to just start, I want to finish what I start.

In the middle of this adventure, I met Jay, a young man from Korea. He had been trying to tackle the same structure for days without success. I introduced myself and told him, “This is your moment. Let’s do this together!” We encouraged each other, and later, when I found out he was 22, I smiled and said, “Jay, I’m 55. Let this be a lesson: We can do hard things at any age. It all comes down to lifestyle and choice.”

For the longest time, I thought I was destined to be the supportive #2, standing behind the scenes, offering guidance but never leading the charge. But through reflection and life experiences, I’ve realized I’ve always been a leader—just in my own way. I lead by example, creating space for others to embrace who they are, try new things, and be authentic. Empowering others to step into their full selves is not just something I’ve done naturally, but something I’m good at.

Midlife isn’t a time to slow down; it's a time to redefine what's possible. We know that women in their 50s reinvent themselves and have a second coming. We can still feel young at heart and pursue challenges that inspire us. We can remain vibrant and energetic if we choose to. Cross-generational connections, like the one I made with Jay, remind us that age is just a number. What matters is how we approach life and the choices we make to stay engaged, active, and alive.

So what is it for you? What goal are you ready to accomplish?

Three Ways to Challenge Yourself this Week:

Open your heart to NEW: I know that change and new adventures can be scary! But guess what, once you move past the fear or anxiety there’s a wonderful moment of pure joy. Maybe your new this week is inviting a new friend out for dinner!
Break your routine: Drop the kid off at school, go to a workout class, work, eat, sleep, repeat. Our days are time-blocked with to-do lists that can become monotonous. Break the status quo and strive to reach for new habits , routines, and goals.
Embrace PLAY: My mom used to always say in her thick German accent, “Don’t be so serious!” And you know what? She was right. Everything can feel so dire when we are in the trenches of our work and lives. Most of the time, life isn’t so serious. Take the time to touch some grass and remind yourself to be silly and laugh. I challenge you to do a cartwheel this week (and tag me in the video, of course)!

Remember, midlife is just the beginning. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Dive into fall, stay alive, stay youthful, and embrace the challenges that keep you feeling vibrant at any age. Sometimes we just need someone to give us permission for reconnection and just like with Jay I will be here to champion you every step of the way.

Be well. Do well.

All my best,

What better way to retrain your brain than through Breathwork. By practicing mindful, active breathing, you can train yourself to stay calm and focused under pressure, and develop resilience and control over your thoughts and emotions in challenging situations.

Don't miss our remaining September Breathwork sessions:

Wednesday, September 25th at 6:30pm at Platefit Venice

Monday, September 30th at 6:30 pm at Platefit Brentwood

Beginning in October, we will feature two breathwork sessions each month! Here are the dates and locations for October:

Wednesday, October 2nd at 6:30 pm at Platefit Brentwood

Wednesday, October 16th at 6:30 pm at Platefit Venice

$40 per class.