A Love of Storytelling Launches a Writing Career in Midlife: Adela’s Story
When Adela’s father asked her to write his life story, little did she know this would be the catalyst for an active writing life, including blogging and publishing two books. Tell us a little about your background. I grew up in middle Michigan, near Flint, a place no...
From College Professor to Performing Artist in Midlife: Ada’s Story
After receiving tenure as a college professor of sociology, Ada felt restless. Taking an improv class was the catalyst to her reinvention as a performing artist, storyteller, and show producer. Tell us a little about your background. I am from Taiwan originally. My...
How a Compliment Led Diana to Launch a Jewelry Company in Midlife
Compliments on a pair of pearl earrings Diana re-envisioned would lead her to embrace a new creative career and eventually begin her own jewelry company focused on unique, elegant, wearable designs. Tell us a little about your background. I grew up in Bloomfield, New...
Can’t find the health product you need? Create it! Kathy’s story
Years of playing sports eventually required Kathy to get foot surgery, but left her toes misshapen. Desperate to resume her active lifestyle, Kathy had to resort to designing a product that corrected the problem—one she knew others could use too. Out of need and...
From School Teacher to Personal Historian: Deborah’s Story
When Deborah fell out of love with teaching, she chose to leverage her passions for history and writing to help the elderly share their life stories—a beautiful way to leave a legacy! Tell us a little about your background. As a child in southern Georgia, I wanted to...
A Midlife Upheaval Required Alice to Reinvent, with a Focus on Teaching Writing
When her husband moved out and her father died in the span of six months, Alice’s charmed life was turned upside down. She is now a tutor, teacher, writing coach, and book discussion leader. Having been a guest speaker at Alice's writing workshop, I can attest to her...
From corporate job to massage therapist—at 58: Bonnie’s Story
Bonnie enjoyed chair massages offered by her company and loved giving shoulder rubs to weary coworkers. It would take a note from one of these to convince her to sign up for massage school (yes, in midlife) and leave her corporate job to start her own massage therapy...
From Award-Winning Math Professor to Facilitating Cultural Exchange for Travelers: Phyllis’s Story
A bout with cancer in midlife started Phyllis thinking about the future, but it wasn’t until she retired from her long career as a college math professor that she found her next pursuit, leading Servas, a cooperative cultural exchange network that connects hosts and...
Becoming a Novelist in Midlife: Stephanie’s Story
After a 10-year string of personal crises, including navigating breast cancer, Stephanie took stock of her life and committed to her passion for writing. In her first novel, The Next, she writes about love in all its forms—lost and found again, familial, canine,...
Becoming a Published Memoirist at 58: Lisa’s Story
After a career in PR, it would take the encouragement of a fellow writer for Lisa to take the plunge. She completed an MFA in writing at 48 and had her first book—a memoir about her journey to rediscover her dad after his death—published 10 years later. Tell us a...