Blueprint Breakers

Let’s talk about the future—the part of the blueprint I’ve been quietly avoiding.

💬 What happens when you’ve spent your life embracing the now… but the next still feels murky?

This is Day 5 of Reflection, and today I’m getting real about the one category I’ve struggled with most: Future.

For me, it’s the tough stuff:
💸 Finances.
🕰️ Retirement.
🏠 Stability.
🌀 And the emotional weight of asking: Is my life as big and bold as I always believed it could be?

Truth? I don’t feel fully prepared. I don’t have it all figured out.

I still believe I’m meant for big things.
But I’m also learning to ask: what kind of “big” do I really want now?
Loud impact—or quiet depth? Global reach—or intimate meaning?

And then there’s the old blueprint whispering, “You didn’t build the family… so you’d better build something extraordinary to justify that.”

That part? That’s the one I’m learning to unwrite.

Because a life doesn’t have to be traditional—or flashy—to be full, rich, and deeply worthy.

✨ So tell me—how do you feel about the future?

Are you a planner? A dreamer? A little of both?

Drop a comment or DM me. I want to know what “future” means to you—especially in this chapter of life.

🎙️ Listen to more on the Blueprint Breakers podcast

📲 Join the conversation on Instagram: @amypalmer.today

🔔 Subscribe for more raw reflections and real talk on life beyond the traditional script

#5DaysOfReflection #BlueprintBreakers #WomenInMidlife #FuturePlanning #ThirdActLiving #RewriteTheRules #LateBloomers #LivingOnPurpose #FaithInTheFuture #MidlifeUnfiltered

Let’s talk about fun—real, grown-ass-woman FUN.

Not the kind we’re told we should be having…
Not the kind we had in our 20s that left us hungover and hollow.
But the kind that fills us up. Grounds us. Makes us feel alive.

✨ This is Day 4 of Reflection, and today I’m exploring how my definition of fun has evolved—and why it matters more now than ever.

In my third act, fun looks a lot like:
🎶 Singing along to music from my childhood
🗺️ Wandering through a new town solo
🍷 Long brunches with people I actually enjoy
🎭 Live theater, small concerts, big laughs
🎢 Even the occasional theme park with nieces, nephews, or friends’ kids

Here’s what I’ve learned: fun doesn’t have to be loud to be liberating.
It can be quiet. Simple. Personal. And it’s allowed to look different now.

Right now, I’d give my “fun score” a solid 4.8 out of 5 (not bad, right?).
But I know that for many women in midlife, fun has fallen way down the priority list.

So I’ll ask you this:

✨ How fun is your life—really—on a scale of 1 to 5?
✨ And what are you going to do about that?

📍 Follow the full series here and on Instagram: @amypalmer.today
🎙️ Listen to the extended reflections on the Blueprint Breakers podcast
🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more unfiltered, midlife mission-driven content.

Comment below, DM me, or just start scheduling joy like it matters—because it does.

#5DaysOfReflection #BlueprintBreakers #FunAtMidlife #JoyIsEssential #ThirdActLiving #WomenReclaimingJoy #NomadicLife #UnfilteredReflection #MidlifeMagic #CreateYourOwnFun

What the f*ck is fulfillment, anyway?

Is it a job title? A bank balance? A certain kind of relationship?
Or is it something deeper—something we feel when our life finally lines up with our truth?

Welcome to Day 3 of Reflection—and today, we’re talking fulfillment:

💥 Purpose
💥 Impact
💥 Meaning

For me, fulfillment has never been about following the expected path.
It’s been about building a mission from scratch—one that helps women in midlife and beyond embrace life outside the traditional blueprint.
And let me be real: it hasn’t looked the way I thought it would.

➡️ Some things I’ve built haven’t taken off yet.
➡️ Some things I didn’t plan have quietly flourished.
➡️ Some days I feel unstoppable. Other days? Deep doubt.

But through it all, I’m building something I believe in.

And that, to me, is what fulfillment feels like right now.
Messy. Uncertain. Imperfect. But real.

If I had to rate my fulfillment today? I’d say 4.5 out of 5.
Not because everything’s figured out—but because I know I’m on mission.

✨ What about you?
How fulfilled are you, really—on a scale of 1 to 5?

And if it’s not where you want it to be... what would move the needle?

🔗 Connect with me on Instagram: @amypalmer.today
🎙️ Listen to the full podcast: Blueprint Breakers on Spotify, Apple & more
💌 Want more like this? Subscribe and hit the bell 🔔

👇 Let’s talk in the comments or DM me if you're feeling this.

We don’t need to have it all together—we just need to know we’re not alone.

#5DaysOfReflection #BlueprintBreakers #LifeRedesign #MidlifePurpose #WomenReclaimingFulfillment #UnscriptedLiving #ThirdActMission #CreateYourOwnPath #LifeBlueprint

Let’s talk about fitness—but not just the kind you track on a watch.

Today’s reflection is about whole-body wellness—physical, emotional, and mental health—especially as we enter new chapters and new realities.

Lately, fitness for me isn’t just about energy or strength.
It’s about navigating more doctor visits, more tests, and more unknowns—with as much calm and clarity as I can muster.

This season of life is asking me to take my health more seriously—but also more gently.
Because the truth is: health shifts as we age.
Our bodies change. Our thresholds change. Our relationships with healthcare change.
And with all that change comes a lot of emotion.

🌀 Anxiety.
🌀 Fear of bad news.
🌀 Wanting to be proactive—but not spiral.
🌀 Trying to listen to my body without panicking.

So today, fitness means something deeper:
🩺 Making peace with the medical side of aging.
🧠 Regulating my mind while waiting for results.
💪 Getting stronger in how I advocate for myself.

It’s not glamorous. But it’s real. And it matters.

If you're navigating a season of health uncertainty, aging, or just trying to listen to your body in a deeper way—you are not alone.

✨ Watch, reflect, and share. And tell me in the comments—what does “health” mean to you right now?

🔗 Connect with me on Instagram: @amypalmer.today
🎙️ Listen to the full podcast: Blueprint Breakers on Spotify, Apple & more
💌 Want more like this? Subscribe and hit the bell 🔔

#BlueprintBreakers #MidlifeWellness #EmotionalFitness #HealthInYour40s #ThirdActLiving #HolisticHealth #MedicalAnxiety #LifeReflection #WomenRedefiningAging #FitnessOver40 #DigitalNomadLife

Welcome to Day 1 of my 5-Part Reflection Series – streamed from my solo work retreat in La Jolla, California.
As I approach my 3-year anniversary of this nomadic, digital entrepreneurial journey, I’m reflecting on what’s shaped me—and what’s next.

Each day, I’m unpacking a core category of my personal lifestyle blueprint:
💬 Family
🎉 Fun
🎯 Fulfillment
💪 Fitness
🔮 Future
🙏 Faith

These reflections are raw, unscripted, and unpolished—just honest check-ins with myself, and with you. Because this is what living life on your terms really looks like.

Today’s focus: Family.
👉 What does “family” mean to you, right now, in this season of life?

🟣 Connect with me on Instagram: @amypalmer.today
🎙️ Listen to the full podcast episode: Blueprint Breakers on Apple, Spotify & more
🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe if you’re designing your own non-traditional life path!

#BlueprintBreakers #LifeDesign #DigitalNomad #ReflectionSeries #RedefineSuccess #FamilyMatters #LaJollaRetreat

Today, I talk with Monica Rivera, a remarkable woman who embodies what it means to be a blueprint breaker. Monica shares her powerful and emotional journey of living outside the traditional expectations, from her challenging formative years in the Bronx to becoming a successful corporate professional and eventually an accidental entrepreneur. We talk about the impact of traumatic losses early in life, navigating the corporate world, and her journey towards finding her true calling in helping women find their voice and build their personal brand. Monica's story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the unwavering pursuit of one's passion, despite life's hurdles. We also discuss the importance of compassion, staying informed, and the impact of current world events on our lives and communities. 

About Monica M. Rivera

Monica is a personal brand strategist, business coach, and leadership speaker with nearly two decades of marketing experience in Fortune 500 companies. A first-generation Latina from The Bronx, she has leveraged her expertise to speak on prestigious stages like TEDx and the New York Times. Monica is also the host of the podcast "You Wanna Do What?", which serves as a weekly guide to building a powerful personal branding strategy. Through her work, she empowers corporate leaders, founders, and solopreneurs to transform their stories and expertise into captivating personal brands. Her approach combines actionable strategies and public speaking tips to help individuals shift from blending in to becoming recognized authorities in their fields.

Connect with Monica on Instagram: @youwannadowhat or via her website: https://www.youwannadowhat.com/

About Amy Palmer

As host and facilitator for the Blueprint Breaker podcast, Amy is dedicated to expanding and amplifying the voices of women over 45 who are living a “non-traditional” lifestyle. She believes there is more than one way to do life and we all deserve to be seen, heard, understood and represented.

After a lifelong struggle with feeling “outside” the societal norm and longing to live up to perceived expectations, pardon Amy’s French as she says fuck the blueprint! She has found peace, acceptance, and joy as she embarks on the next era of her life as a digital nomadic entrepreneur.

Amy was formerly a senior corporate executive, a nationally recognized sales and operations expert, an award-winning actress, a resident of 13 different US cities, and a prize-winning DC blogger. Amy has a vast network of friends and colleagues with whom she enjoys travel and adventures and a close family including six niblings (nieces & nephews), the loves of her life!

Amy's Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @amypalmer.today
Join the Blueprint Breakers Insiders Network: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Community.BlueprintBreakers.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of Blueprint Breakers, I sit down with Jonathan Aslay, a successful dating coach whose journey from personal struggle to self-love has redefined his mission. We delve into Jonathan's backstory, which includes a hundred dates in one year and the life-changing realization that self-improvement is key. He shares how his dating coaching business was born from these experiences and how his views have evolved beyond traditional dating expectations. We discuss the importance of self-love, the complexities of modern relationships, especially in midlife, and how to approach online dating with a fresh perspective. Jonathan offers invaluable advice on being authentic, the importance of emotional compatibility, and how to look at dating not as a destination but as a journey of personal growth. Tune in for a compelling conversation that offers both wisdom and practical tips for anyone navigating the dating world, especially those in their midlife years.

About Jonathon Aslay

The focus of one of America's Leading Mid-Life Dating Coaches has expanded into a deeper, essential philosophy of what it truly means to LOVE.  

After losing his 19-year-old son Connor in 2018, Jonathon Aslay’s grief led him on a soul-searching inner journey, where he became aware of an often-overlooked dimension of the dating conversation. 

He realized that the dating process reveals the most common emotional health issue faced by many singles seeking a partner: a distressing lack of self-worth, self-regard, and self-love. 

Today, he is on a mission to encourage both men and women to fully love themselves with his book, "What The Heck Is Self-Love Anyway?"—packed with fun, engaging spiritual and personal growth practices.

Check out Jonathon’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JonathonAslay

About Amy Palmer

As host and facilitator for the Blueprint Breaker podcast, Amy is dedicated to expanding and amplifying the voices of women over 45 who are living a “non-traditional” lifestyle. She believes there is more than one way to do life and we all deserve to be seen, heard, understood and represented.

After a lifelong struggle with feeling “outside” the societal norm and longing to live up to perceived expectations, pardon Amy’s French as she says fuck the blueprint! She has found peace, acceptance, and joy as she embarks on the next era of her life as a digital nomadic entrepreneur.

Amy was formerly a senior corporate executive, a nationally recognized sales and operations expert, an award-winning actress, a resident of 13 different US cities, and a prize-winning DC blogger. Amy has a vast network of friends and colleagues with whom she enjoys travel and adventures and a close family including six niblings (nieces & nephews), the loves of her life!

Amy's Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @amypalmer.today

Join the Blueprint Breakers Insiders Network: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Community.BlueprintBreakers.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of Blueprint Breakers, I sit down with Sherry Finkel Murphy, a certified financial planner with a passion for helping women navigate their financial futures. Sherry shares her inspiring journey of career reinvention and provides valuable insights into financial planning for women, especially as they enter their 50s and beyond. We discuss the importance of maintaining a positive mindset, investing in health, and planning flexible career moves to ensure financial stability. Sherry also debunks some common financial myths and offers practical advice on how to avoid making costly mistakes. Tune in to discover how you can take control of your financial destiny and make the most of the years ahead.

About Sherry Finkel Murphy

Sherry Finkel Murphy, CFP®, RICP®, ChFC® is the Founder and CEO of  Madrina Molly™, a content community and platform that delivers financial and longevity planning education for women through powerful storytelling. With over 40 years of experience spanning multiple successful careers, Sherry brings unmatched expertise, wit, and creativity to a generation redefining retirement and reinvention.

A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional (CFP®), Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®), and Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®), Sherry focuses on the realities of the midlife generations—balancing multi-generational obligations while crafting a path to encore careers, meaningful experiences, and long-term vitality. With life expectancy stretching longer than ever, Sherry champions the idea that ‘we have more runway than we think,’ reframing how we approach this extended chapter of life.

Known for her relatable insights—like navigating the “Triple-Decker Club Sandwich Generation” and the importance of carving out a "F*CK You Fund"—Sherry helps women in their midlife and beyond think creatively about financial freedom and longevity planning. Her approachable style and financial acumen fill critical gaps in traditional financial planning, offering practical solutions for a modern retirement landscape.

In January 2024, Sherry successfully sold her financial planning practice to focus entirely on Madrina Molly™ and mentoring the next generation of financial advisors. She is a trusted voice and thought leader for women who are NOT YOUNG -  but NOT DONE, helping them to live boldly and plan with purpose.

About Amy Palmer

As host and facilitator for the Blueprint Breaker podcast, Amy is dedicated to expanding and amplifying the voices of women over 45 who are living a “non-traditional” lifestyle. She believes there is more than one way to do life and we all deserve to be seen, heard, understood and represented.

After a lifelong struggle with feeling “outside” the societal norm and longing to live up to perceived expectations, pardon Amy’s French as she says fuck the blueprint! She has found peace, acceptance, and joy as she embarks on the next era of her life as a digital nomadic entrepreneur.

Amy was formerly a senior corporate executive, a nationally recognized sales and operations expert, an award-winning actress, a resident of 13 different US cities, and a prize-winning DC blogger. Amy has a vast network of friends and colleagues with whom she enjoys travel and adventures and a close family including six niblings (nieces & nephews), the loves of her life!

Amy's Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @amypalmer.today

Join the Blueprint Breakers Insiders Network: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Community.BlueprintBreakers.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

I am nervous as hell about releasing this episode. Race is not something I’ve been comfortable discussing publicly. But this isn’t about my comfort.

In this episode, I share my personal journey navigating race, privilege, and the complex dynamics of 'woke' culture. As a white woman, I share my reflections on growing up in a predominantly white community, the misunderstandings and disconnects I faced, and my evolving awareness of racial injustice and inequity. I discuss significant and highly personal moments, and how the Black Lives Matter movement and the murder of George Floyd became a turning point for my understanding. This episode is an honest and raw exploration of the work white women need to do to truly support and unite with Black women. Join me in starting these much-needed, albeit uncomfortable, conversations. Your thoughts and feedback are more important than ever. Let's break those blueprints together.

Resources

These were influential in my own learning journey:

Jane Elliott's Anti-Racism Exercise

What is Privilege?

Systemic Racism Explained

About Amy Palmer

As host and facilitator for the Blueprint Breaker podcast, Amy is dedicated to expanding and amplifying the voices of women over 45 who are living a “non-traditional” lifestyle. She believes there is more than one way to do life and we all deserve to be seen, heard, understood and represented.

After a lifelong struggle with feeling “outside” the societal norm and longing to live up to perceived expectations, pardon Amy’s French as she says fuck the blueprint! She has found peace, acceptance, and joy as she embarks on the next era of her life as a digital nomadic entrepreneur.

Amy was formerly a senior corporate executive, a nationally recognized sales and operations expert, an award-winning actress, a resident of 13 different US cities, and a prize-winning DC blogger. Amy has a vast network of friends and colleagues with whom she enjoys travel and adventures and a close family including six niblings (nieces & nephews), the loves of her life!

Amy's Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @amypalmer.today

Join the Blueprint Breakers Insiders Network: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Community.BlueprintBreakers.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with my dear friend, Stephanie Johnson, a remarkable woman who embodies resilience, joy, and authenticity. 

We walk down memory lane, reminiscing about our early careers in the '90s and discuss how divine timing has brought this long-awaited conversation to fruition. Stephanie shares her inspiring journey from a corporate career to launching her own fashion company, despite having no prior experience in the industry. She opens up about her personal challenges, including her husband, former NFL player Tracy Johnson’s terminal cancer diagnosis and raising three young children, and how she continues to find joy and maintain faith through life's toughest moments. We explore the power of intention, the importance of human connection, and the lessons she's learned along the way. Join us as we delve into Stephanie's life, where she turns even the most difficult circumstances into golden opportunities.

About Stephanie Johnson

Stephanie can be described as “The American Dream”.  Her entrepreneurial spirit and inability to give up are hallmarks to the success she says she was ‘never supposed to have’. 

Stephanie imparts hope and instills courage as we listen in real time to her journey of starting over: she halted her 20 year fashion business upon her husband’s diagnosis with a terminal brain tumor. Forging ahead raising 3 children under 6 years old while vowing never to ask why, Stephanie continues to uphold her life’s commitment to stay gold and show grace under fire. 

Stephanie and her three children reside in Atlanta, Ga. 

Stephanie’s Instagram:@dash_will_win

About Amy Palmer

As host and facilitator for theBlueprint Breaker podcast, Amy is dedicated to expanding and amplifying the voices of women over 45 who are living a “non-traditional” lifestyle. She believes there is more than one way to do life and we all deserve to be seen, heard, understood andrepresented.

After a lifelong struggle with feeling “outside” the societal norm and longing to live up to perceived expectations, pardon Amy’s French as she says fuck the blueprint! She has found peace, acceptance, and joy as she embarks on the next era of her life as a digital nomadic entrepreneur.

Amy was formerly a senior corporate executive, a nationally recognized sales and operations expert, an award-winning actress, a resident of 13 different US cities, and a prize-winning DC blogger. Amy has a vast network of friends and colleagues with whom she enjoys travel and adventures and a close family including six niblings (nieces & nephews), the loves of her life!

Amy's Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@amypalmer.today

Join the Blueprint Breakers Insiders Network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Community.BlueprintBreakers.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠