Edwige Gilbert is a transformational  Guide and Founder of New Life Directions.  She helps others to reinvent their lives and creates fresh starts driven by a purposeful vision. As an international speaker and author of "The Fresh Start Promise" and" Victim to Victorious", Edwige turns stress into success by clearing unwanted habits and behaviors, creating self-confidence and exuberant enjoyment of life, or as she calls it in French, "Joie de Vivre" Growing up in Cannes, France Edwige grew up being raised by her grandmother who was preoccupied with her well-being and stopped her by not allowing her to take chances. She interpreted that as being incapable and having a low level of confidence.   Later, she joined her parents in New York City.  In addition to this message and the stress of moving, she turned to emotional eating.  As a result, she gained 30 lbs so during this time she moved to work on her internal journey.  Through her exploration, she acquired many certifications including life coach and hypnotherapist.  During this time, she lost weight.  It was a result of finding a safe place within herself.   Edwige walks us through what she has learned including her stress exercises which can be done driving or in a meeting.  This exercise gives you the space to be neutral instead of going into a reactionary state We discuss both of her books:  Transform Stress into Success and Victim to Victorious!    We start by coming from a place of awareness.   What do I think? What is my awareness?  How am I talking to myself? Besides positive affirmations to ourselves, Edwige stresses the importance of using positive imagery as well when tackling your goal.   It's time to shift from hurt to heart, should choose, can to can, and have to desire!  You can then feel the softness of the words and the emotions it creates.   At the end of the day, count your victory instead of your defeat!   Our journey starts with self-awareness!  Where am I? How do I feel? What's going on in my life?  Take the time for self-reflection without judgment.     Links and Resources  Connect with Edwige Gilbert   Watch  and try the Dexxtra Technique  Connect with Deborah Voll Take The Midlife Quiz Need a new resume? Connect with me for your Resume Audit here  Leave the work to me! Passion and Purpose Digital Workbook

Priscilla Long is a Seattle Based writer, poet, and longtime independent teacher of writing. She is the author of seven books to date and numerous publications in literary journals. She grew up on a dairy farm on the eastern shores of Maryland attending Moravian Seminary for Girls and Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio.   She writes science, poetry, history, creative nonfiction, essays, and fiction. Priscilla lives in the Seattle area and serves as the founding and consulting editor of Historylink.org which is a free online encyclopedia for Washington State History  Today we are discussing her book:  Dancing with The Muse in Old Age.   What you’ll learn in our conversation  Priscilla wrote this book not only for herself but for everyone over the age of forty! Shy of turning 80, she wanted to approach this new era proactively with information and knowledge of science.  Priscilla wanted to draw from people who were thriving, creating, and connecting in their communities. In writing this book, Priscilla learned a lot about the science of aging gracefully which involved cognitive development v ( which works the same in children as in older individuals ) and movement. As a result, she now bonds with her fit bit and makes sure to get regular exercise.   Throughout the book, there are many people cited who are in the 70,80, 90’s who are continuing to put to use their creativity and/or learning something new in the arts!  Helping with cognitive creative development.  Priscilla gives us several inspiring examples from the book of some famous and not-so-famous people who are active, learning, and creative!  You can also express your creativity in different ways by gardening, cooking, social justice, and community involvement.   The models that Priscilla shares in the book are inspiring and follow their dreams right up to the end of their life.  Even when they run into limitations they continue to find a way to contribute in the best way possible. We discussed Angela Glendening who didn’t feel that she had any “creativity” in her body but knew she was good at supporting the underdog. She picked a mission to support and that became her passion and purpose.  A great story!   When you do choose what to do, there will be a community around it and you will make connections and start meeting like-minded people.  This will help your overall health and wisdom.  Is it possible to be more proactive in composing one’s life towards flourishing? Links and Resources Connect with Priscilla Long  Connect with Deborah Voll Take The Midlife Quiz Need a new resume? Connect with me for your Resume Audit here  Leave the work to me! Passion and Purpose Digital Workbook  

Kamini Wood is a certified professional coach who helps people take the courageous steps to identify their limiting beliefs, the reasons for their stagnation, or feelings of not-enoughness, so they can have what they want professionally and personally to live a fulfilled life. She is the creator of AuthenticMe® and CEO of Live Joy Your Way, a coaching company helping individuals shake free of their fears, unhelpful mindsets and behaviors in order to have healthy relationships and move forward on the professional path they choose. Kamini herself has gone from a people-pleasing, perfectionist, holding herself back by playing small into someone who recognizes her worth and sees that by embracing it she can create room for others to do the same. She is a best-selling author, and holds specialty certifications in various modalities including life, wellness, teen life, conscious uncoupling, calling in the one, new money story, breathwork, meditation and diversity, equity inclusion and belonging. She is also trained in conscious parenting and coaching for children. Here is what you will learn from my conversation with Kamini  Kamini went through her own self-transformation. She realized that she could take her personal experiences with her business acumen and service people from a coaching perspective.   With formal training, she is now servicing her clients and living her true authentic life!  The importance of relational self-awareness  The Concept of self-compassion and self-forgiveness  We don’t need to be carbon copies of one another! We can come into our true selves and then beautiful things will start to happen!  How to deal with imposter syndrome which we all face from time to time!   We have the ability to control our narrative and challenge our beliefs about ourselves.   Resources and Links   Connect with Kamini Wood  Connect with Deborah Voll Take The Midlife Quiz Need a new resume? Connect with me for your Resume Audit here  Leave the work to me! Passion and Purpose Digital Workbook

Alice Inoue is an award-winning author and life expert who has dedicated her life to helping others find answers to life challenges. Alice has created a great number of books on self-love and happiness and allowed herself to grow more through her long-running column in Hawaii’s largest publication, Midweek. Alice’s multiple exposure living in places such as San Francisco, Taiwan, Japan, and now Hawaii definitely led her to this wonderful path in guiding others through their journey of life and now has established Happiness U – a business with a heartwarming purpose for organizations and individuals who are seeking unprecedented clarity. Her capability of translating languages in English, Chinese and Japanese do not only resonate in linguistics itself. It potentially connects one energy to another being and allows us to answer our purpose in the progress of self-transformation, may it be personal or professional. This episode will surely allow our growth to cross-pollinate with other aspects in life — starting a business, building a relationship with other people, touching base with our clients or even just loving ourselves.   Let’s take a look at what Alice shared on this episode! Her journey from living an unhappy life to finding happiness  Finding aspects such as strengths and purpose in people’s lives that they didn’t know they had Establishing the curriculum of Happiness U by defining ‘purpose’ and ‘happiness’ that originally didn’t exist in the life of Alice Acknowledging the challenges that one faces but still learning one’s purpose and serving values that are beneficial towards our growth Series of questions that Alice asks to clarify one’s purpose: Where do you nurture others in your life on a daily basis? Where do you provide structured discipline? Where are you a connector, an ambassador, a cross-pollinator? Where do you connect people to people, places, and services? Where are you a catalyst for change in others? While we fuel ourselves up in finding our purpose with endless opportunities, we also have the ability to make these with the greatest love, heartfelt love, and powerful principles of life.  Alice challenges us to consistently use one minute of our morning. Sit, close our eyes, take three deep breaths and ask ourselves: what do we need today? As we ask ourselves this question, answers in finding ourselves will follow through with enough desire and attention – indeed Happiness. How about U? Find out more about how Happiness U leaves an indelible mark in the lives of people by having numerous training, classes, sessions, and programs. May it be mastering many facets of change, increasing energy for greater productivity, using the power of body language, or thriving during shifting times, allowing Happiness U to become part of your life.  LINKS AND RESOURCES: Connect with Alice Grab Alice’s Destination to Happiness here Alice’s Special gift to listeners  here  Attend classes in Happiness U Connect with Deborah Voll Take the Midlife Quiz Need a new resume? Connect with me for your Resume Audit here  Leave the work to me! Passion and Purpose Digital Workbook  

In November, Cassie Christopher and I presented a live workshop titled, How to set intentions for the holidays and into 2023!   We had wonderful participation during the event and thought it would be helpful to play you a recording of the workshop AND give you access to the accompanying worksheet! Just in case you missed it live, you haven’t missed the content!  Cassie Christopher has been on the podcast before and is a registered dietitian nutritionist who supports her community to break free from the all-or-nothing diet mentality! Who couldn’t use that when entering the holidays?  She has helped over 100 women eat with joy in her Courage to Trust Method where you create a supportive relationship with food, your body, and your health.   Since we are both coaches we wanted to bring to you during this season an opportunity to create some self-care for yourself around the holidays!   This was the perfect partnership and I  hope you enjoy the training and take a moment to click the link to access the worksheet!  In this training, you will  Brainstorm   what’s important for you this holiday season  Identify your top three intentions  List the steps for your top intention to create movement and confidence! Ask yourself, Why is this intention important to you?  Who will hold you accountable?  How will you create space in your day/week to focus on your intention?    Links and Resources  Connect with Cassie Christopher Grab the Worksheet for you to complete!   Connect with Deborah Voll Take The Midlife Quiz Need a new resume? Connect with me for your Resume Audit here  Leave the work to me! Passion and Purpose Digital Workbook

Meghan is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with over 19 years of experience treating patients with a multitude of diagnoses, injuries, surgeries, and medical complications to help them achieve their optimal mobility and functional ability. She’s worked with all sorts of people - whether it be kids with a sprained ankle, or their moms with lingering post partum pains. Meghan also likes to think of herself as one of her patients. She acknowledges that everyone has flare ups and pains once in a while, but the long term solution to that is not giving your body more rest, rather engaging it in more movements. Of course, almost everyone has busy lives, but Meghan encourages making little adjustments in your life to combat your joint and pain issues - like multitasking when you’re on a walk, or fixing your computer alignment while you're sitting at your desk, or carving out just an hour in the day for active movement.  Meghan is extremely passionate about moving the body and working the muscles. With that, she’s found another passion: Yoga. She managed to find the right community and instructor that made her feel empowered, push her limits, and also quiet her to-do lost brain.  Now, she is on a mission to teach people about their joint pain so they can live the active, pain-free life they want. Meghan has developed How to Move Without Pain to reach more people who want to live, work, and be active without joint pain and strain holding them back. She’s even in the process of developing a program - Bone Boost - to help people with osteoporosis engage in the right types of movement and work all parts of their body!  What we discussed:  As we age, it’s important to be consistent with movements instead of just doing them abruptly for a couple of months and then stopping. As our muscles, fibers, and overall flexibility changes, Our bodies need to get used to the movement, it has to feel lived in, instead of just a binge of movement.    General movements like walking, stretching, or swimming is key to loosening up the tightness in your body and soothing those irritated muscles.  The difference between hurt and harm - what are the short-term and long-term pains and irritations? What is the pain threshold like for each of them, and what can we do to identify and curb these sorts of issues? It may be counterintuitive, but the way to get your body to get over soreness and pain is not to sit down and rest more, but to move!  Osteoporosis is something that you cannot feel, and you aren’t aware of when it’s happening. So, it’s important to ask yourself: What’s my balance like? How strong am I?. Although you may not be able to identify your degrading bones, you can control the types of movements you do and make adjustments to your lifestyle to counteract those issues.  Strength training coupled with mobility exercises are key to controlling osteoporosis. Meghan is developing a program for people to follow, which incorporates a diverse basket of exercises for controlling osteoporosis!  Using your muscles will work wonders for you! Staying still is detrimental. We talked about her online community. Meghan publishes an informative article every week about things that her patients normally ask her, like “what’s a rotator cuff?”. She aims to make it informative, but also relatable! She also publishes an email newsletter on Tuesdays and Fridays. Meghan’s Timed Loaded Standing Test measures the time a person can stand while holding their arms straight out in front of them, holding 2lb dumbbells. Set Timer for 30 seconds!  How many can you do?  How to do the test: Stand tall with feet hip-width apart while holding 2lb weights Hold weights out in front of you, elbows straight with thumbs up and hands at shoulder height. As soon as the arms are out straight, the timer starts. When the weights can no longer be held out, the timer stops. This test is a great way to know your back and upper body strength and endurance. This test can be very helpful as a starting place and then work to increase the time, especially in the years when osteoporosis is a concern. Meghan’s community is growing day by day, with more and more people getting empowered to be consistent with moving their bodies!  Links and Resources: Connect with Meghan Griech Follow Meghan Griech  on Instagram Connect with Deborah Voll Take The Midlife Quiz Need a new resume? Connect with me for your Resume Audit here  Leave the work to me! Passion and Purpose Digital Workbook

  Ann Richardson is a writer who believes that life is full of serendipity, which makes it more fun. Ann Richardson’s recent book, The Granny who Stands on Her Head, comprises a series of reflections on growing older but also includes some stories from her life. She has written numerous other books, including one about the people who provide hospice care and one about being a grandmother. Ann was born in Washington, D.C., USA, grew up in New York City and has lived with her husband in London, England since 1968. Ann and her husband have two grown-up children and two grandsons. When she needed to find part-time work when her first child was a baby, Ann discovered a love of qualitative social research. Although she has loved writing ever since childhood, she never thought of trying to become a writer when she was young, because she felt she did not have enough to say. She also needed to support her husband, while he was doing a PhD. Much later, she gained a PhD herself. Her career in research involved interviews and focus groups with a wide spectrum of situations and people, including people with learning difficulties and carers for the elderly but also many others. She wrote numerous books and articles from her research and was always recognized as a good writer. Since retiring, she has chosen to write books on new topics as set out below.  This episode is definitely one for the books, especially for those people in the latter years of their lives, beginning to reflect both on their current lives and the coming of the end of life.  Ann likes to think about the what-ifs in life. Ann shared these amazing points in this episode! The story behind the three books she created before The Granny who Stands on Her Head Wise Before Their Time: Ann became close friends with a man with AIDS who was organizing a conference of people with AIDS; she carried out interviews there and put these together into this book. Life in a Hospice: Ann worked in a hospice as a volunteer and realized how strange it was to look after people who were dying. She carried out a series of interviews with people working in hospice care about the nature of their work and its impact on their lives. Celebrating Grandmothers: After she became a grandmother herself, Ann thought it was so interesting that she decided to undertake a series of interviews with grandmothers about the positive and negative aspects of their lives. Ann was asked to write a series of blogs about grandmothers and other matters for an online women’s magazine. While doing these, she started her journey in writing The Granny who Stands on Her Head.  This is about the nature of being old:  LINKS AND RESOURCES: Connect with Ann Richardson Buy Ann’s The Granny who Stands on Her Head here Connect with Deborah Voll Take the Midlife Quiz Passion and Purpose Digital Workbook

Dami Roelse is a certified life coach, writer, and retired mental health provider. Born in Holland, Dami has traveled the world extensively, lived on different continents, and has learned to use her travel as inspiration for living. As she entered the 3rd phase of life Dami lost her life partner. She went for a long walk in the Himalayas to escape the reality of life without her life partner. This trek in a desolate wilderness at a high altitude gave her back her sense of belonging. You can read about Dami’s spiritual quest and trek in the Himalayas in her book: “Fly Free, a memoir of love, loss, and walking the path”. Since then Dami uses long-distance hiking and backpacking as a means to deepen her connection with nature and the universe. Her book, "Walking Gone Wild, How to lose your age on the trail”, explores and explains walking, hiking, and backpacking as a means of re-invigorating life for women as they age. Interlaced with stories of real women who have built confidence through walking, it presents a new model of aging with vitality, grace, and a deepened connection to life. Aside from trekking in the Himalayas and Morocco, walking and hiking in Europe, Dami has hiked more than 2500 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail in the last 9 years. Dami writes about the benefits of walking, hiking, and backpacking for women50plus.  Dami shares the following Dami didn’t start walking serious distances until the age of 65!  For her 65th birthday, Dami decided to “do something big”  like walk a length of the Pacific Crest Trail in Oregon which is the state she lived in at the time.  This summer  2022, Dami finished the last piece of the Pacific Crest Trail, 2,650 miles!  The entire journey took ten years and in the last stretch this summer she completed 180 miles at 75 years young! At the beginning of her journey, Dami had lost her husband and felt a bit disoriented and was wondering “who am I” and “what am I doing with my life”.  She was close to retirement. The trail gave her time to think and it was out on the trail that she discovered who she was.  She felt connected when she was out in nature.  For Dami, she found her place amongst the old-growth trees.   Dami says that her purpose is not to hike long distances but to really know herself and increase her awareness.  It’s also to share the possibility of how to do that with other people, especially women. She enjoys coaching women on their “third phase of life”.  Through posting her travels within her Facebook group and website Dami has been an inspiration for women of all ages to do the same! When we get older we get set in our ways and it often becomes difficult to get out of our comfort zone and try new things.  Dami encourages us to go where we fear to live.  She shares how she was afraid of the desert and how a walk helped her to conquer that fear.  Break what you are fearful of and try it in smaller bite-size pieces to get a sense of what to expect and build your self-confidence!   Dami’s book,  Walking Gone Wild,  shared stories about women who started walking and what it did for them in their journey.  She shares their stories and their “why” for walking.   Walking Women Fifty Plus Facebook group has over 3000 followers who are sharing their stories and offering encouragement and tips!   Dami shares some of her favorite hikes and the advantages of using walking poles. We leave you with a great challenge! Tune in for details.   Links and Resources Connect with Dami  Roelse  Connect with Walking Women 50 Plus Facebook Group Dami’s Books  Connect with Deborah Voll Take The Midlife Quiz Passion and Purpose Digital Workbook

Tracy McCubbin is the author of Making Space, Clutter Free: The Last Book On Decluttering You'll Ever Need (June 4th, 2019). She has always referred to herself as "Obsessive Compulsive Delightful," but who knew she could turn that trait into a booming business? While working for a major television director in Los Angeles, Tracy discovered she had the ability to see through any mess and clearly envision a clutter-free space. Coupled with keen time-management and organizational skills, Tracy soon found more and more people were asking her for help. Before she knew it, dClutterfly was born. Ten years and thousands of clients later, dClutterfly is Los Angeles' premier organizing and decluttering company. Tracy is a regularly featured expert on Hallmark's Home & Family, has a column on MindBodyGreen, and has regular declutter segments on Fox 5 and ABC Eyewitness News, KTLA Morning Show, KCAL9, and Good Day Sacramento. She and her company have also been featured in Real Simple, Women's Day, and ShopSmart. When not decluttering, she is the proud Co-Executive Director of OneKid OneWorld, a non-profit building strong educational foundations for children in impoverished communities throughout Kenya and Central America. She lives in Los Angeles and knows where her keys are.   In my discussion with Tracy, we discuss the following  Tracy didn’t start dClutterfly until she was in her forties! It’s never too late to discover your passion!   The Book, Making Space, Clutter Free:  The Last Decluttering book you’ll ever need focuses on the seven emotional clutter blocks and why we feel stuck with our stuff!  Tracy shares ways to break free from these emotional clutter blocks!   After her first book, Tracy noticed that even after getting a space organized people were still bringing in “stuff” to their spaces.  There is this hole that is inside of us, something missing that we are needing to fill and unfortunately for most, we fill with things.  She then wrote the book, Make Space for Happiness which focuses on our clutter magnets!   The shopping and the stuff are not making us happier.  How can we make space for happiness?  We discuss that first step!   Tracy shares the first steps in working with a client in organizing and decluttering their space!  Words of wisdom that you too can incorporate when you are taking those first steps!  Decluttering is an emotional process and Tracy shares how to move past the emotion so you can feel the lift of having a clutter-free space. For items you have been gifted from a relative it’s important to realize that someone else’s history is not your history. Do you use it? Love it?  If not then it’s time to pass it on to someone who will use and appreciate it!  We discuss inspirational stories to get you motivated to tackle your space!   Tracy shares her Senior Downsizing checklist and shares some of her top tips!   Are you ready for Tracy’s challenge? Give a listen!    Resources and Links Connect with Tracy McCubbin Purchase Tracy’s Books here  Grab the Senior Downsizing Checklist  Connect with Deborah Voll Take The Midlife Quiz Passion and Purpose Digital Workbook  

Kurt Leichty is an Air Force combat veteran and former Police Officer. He has taken his training and experience from both of those worlds to create a fitness program for military members, cops, and firefighters. His certification is from the National Strength and Conditioning Association and is specifically designed for him to focus on these special populations of tactical athletes. He uses the same training for our heroes that he does for the public. This year, or early in 2023, Kurt will be opening a non-profit gym called MetaFit where the public can come train side by side with the heroes and learn to train like the heroes. I personally work with Kurt and he was able to help me build my confidence in the gym to lift free weights and tackle those intimidating machines!  Kurt is the real deal and works with clients both in person and virtually.  If you are on the fence about strength training, I encourage you to reach out to Kurt for support and motivation! I have definitely noticed a difference in my overall strength when in the garden, swimming, or riding my bike!   Here is what Kurt has to share in this episode!  It’s important to lift heavy and be consistent to get results Women lifting heavy is the most efficient way to lose weight, burn more calories, and tone your body!  Lifting heavy can help with muscle strength and bone density.  As we age, this is a big concern because if we were to fall later in life we need bone density to heal!  Building muscle will cushion your bones so if you do fall, your bones are better protected from a potential break.   Kurt shares his journey and what inspired him to begin working with people and how he feels he is promoting goodness in the world.  When people focus on fitness and health then they are more positive, happier, and feel that they can accomplish more and go after their dreams! Kurt shares that in your strength training journey, by month two you will start to feel the difference in your strength, by month three you will see the difference in your body, and by month four, people will start noticing that something is different about you!  Why it’s important to lift every day and how to rotate your strength training to accomplish this goal.  Why it’s important for Kurt to have a nonprofit organization where the general public, police officers, and military members can work out together.    How to spice up your lifting program so it doesn’t become dull How you can get your feet wet with your own routine by following Kurt on Instagram where he encourages and shares exercises for you to try!  All Kurt’s links are in the show notes.    Why it’s important to overestimate the amount of support you will need to accomplish your fitness goal and rally those around you to help, including your personal trainer.  Any of the money you pay for personal training with Kurt goes back into the programs and the building for the community in Utah.   Resources and Links Follow Kurt Liechty on Instagram Check out MetaFit Connect with Deborah Voll Take The Midlife Quiz Passion and Purpose Digital Workbook