Liz Applegate interviews Gretchen McNeely, who at age 43 came out as a lesbian. The interview is an open conversation of Gretchen sharing her journey to living her truth.

005: Living Your Truth with Gretchen McNeely

Midlife Schmidlife is a podcast hosted by Liz Applegate, a transformative life coach, entrepreneur and multi-passionate empty-nester. Join Liz each week as she  interviews people over the age of 40 who are redefining midlife and  going after their dreams or discovering new passions. Midlife Schmidlife is meant to inspire you to turn your “maybe somedays” into today.

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 My guest in this episode of Midlife Schmidlife is New York Times and USA Today's best-selling author, Jane Porter. She's written over 70 romances and women's fiction novels has had 3 of her books turned into Movies of the Week, started a publishing company at forty-in to give writers more opportunities, and now at 58 works placing Tule Publishing stories with film producers. In our conversation, some highlights we spoke about:   Jane shares her journey of becoming a writer, including the many times she could have given up but didn't.   How menopause affected her creativity.   The shift she made in her career in her 40s and why.   How women should be supporting one another.   Her take on being happy (hint - you have to choose it!)   Jane believes you're never too old to reinvent yourself or create the life you want. I know you will love our conversation! You can learn more about Jane, her books and her publishing company at: JanePorter.com. Want your own Midlife Ta-da? Join the mailing list by clicking here. You'll receive podcast episode updates, inner circle community invites plus biweekly confidence-boosting motivation.   

Going After Your Own Happiness with Jane Porter

I feel quite jealous whenever I hear tales of women striking out on their own and having incredible solo travel adventures. I wonder who I would be without the thoughts of not being courageous enough or hurting someone else's feelings for a desire to travel alone.  Today's guest encourages other women to embark on their solo travel journeys. Yolanda DeLoach finds empowerment and peace in solo travel, camping, and hiking. Her schedule as a hospice/palliative care nurse enables her to have long stretches off to pursue travel and hiking.  In the spring of 2021, she became a Thousand Miler after spending a year section hiking the nearly 1,200-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail in Wisconsin. On long road trips, she enjoys sleeping in her truck, Fiona, and searching for free places to camp. One of her all-time favorite places is Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior, where she has done solo backpacking. The solo travel experience is exhilarating and offers great capacity for personal growth. She encourages women who want more solo experiences to start in a comfortable place: a walk in a local park, a day trip to a neighboring town, or camping at a familiar campground. Currently, Yolanda is writing a memoir about reclaiming her spirit while section hiking the Ice Age Trail. She shares her advice to women in midlife: "Don't be afraid to try things solo. The most common response women say when they hear about my solo adventures is, "I wish I could do something like that!" You can! Take small steps." You can connect with Yolanda on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/autumnyearshiker And Instagram:   https://www.Instagram.com/autumnyearshiker Yolanda's Bonnie & Clyde story that is mentioned in this episode can be found here:  https://www.facebook.com/autumnyearshiker/posts/pfbid03HoCzfSDpr94K9ED9eh3FWCdEKu72m7KUVhyGgeJkBy7f8MEd8kezeS3BKbqBD8dl Yolanda is one of my few guests who is not an entrepreneur. And I love her spirit and courage for wanting to be on the podcast! I'd also love to hear YOUR story and share it with the Midlife Schmidlife listeners. So head to https://www.midlifeschmidlife.com/guest, and let's get you on the show! Thanks to Goli Nutrition for asking me to be a partner! You can save 10% on your order by clicking through https://go.goli.com/lizapplegate  or using promo code: LizApplegate

Feeling Capable & Worthy Through Solo Travel with Yolanda DeLoach

 Ready to reclaim the meaning of fitness in midlife?     Let me intorduce you to Cheryl Whitelaw a Move More Without Regrets coach, teacher, and CEO of Peace and Power Movement Services. She supports her clients to learn through their movement through body-based coaching, Mindful Movement classes, and hands-on work to support the functional activity. Her clients share a desire to live with vitality, keep going as they age, and often recover from life-changing conditions like MS, Fibromyalgia, or brain injuries. She found true joy in movement when she started training aikido at age 46. Currently, she is preparing for her black belt test.  We have a deep and meaningful convo about fitness in midlife, war, social injustice, power and peace in this impactful episode.  You can find out more about Cheryl and free monthly online workshops at https://www.kindpower.ca/awareness-through-movement-classes/     Cheryl is also offering 5 free online discovery sessions for Midlife Schmidlife listeners to help them learn how to move more efficiently with less stiffness or discomfort. https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=16538138&appointmentType;=29112047

Finding Peace & Power in our Bodies with Cheryl Whitelaw

We are continuing with the series “Reclaiming Midlife.” This episode’s question before we join today’s conversation…how would your life be different if you accepted and celebrated all of who you are?  Think about that for a minute.  All the “flaws” you feel you have and are magnified in how you see yourself. While all of your gifts are downplayed. All the areas where you have been successful or are proud of that you brush away. Everything you’ve gone through that has led you to where you are… What if, instead of thinking it was no big deal - you thought “Hot damn, I’m pretty amazing!”  Sadly, we’ve been taught to not get too big for our britches. Or that bragging isn’t nice. That being boastful makes you arrogant.  I have a theory that comments like “don’t get too big for your britches” is what I call a “good girl rule.” We learned this as a child as a way to fit into the proper box of being acceptable as a woman. And here we are, over 40 and still living by those standards.  My friends, you can claim your brilliance without being a jerk. You can be confident in who you are as a person and not belittle others. In fact, by claiming yourself, you are giving permission for other women to do the same. You can point out your daughter’s, sister’s or friend’s magic and celebrate that for them so they can then see it in themselves.  And I think that’s one of the amazing attributes today's guest brings to the show.  Kim Romain is a holistic life & business strategist helping busy professionals move from chaos to clarity in their work and life. For years (decades, even), she thought there was something wrong with her because she couldn't settle on the "one thing" she was "meant to do" in this lifetime. She had 11 different undeclared and 5 different declared majors in college and has had 6 major career changes (not just job shifts) since then. When she was introduced to the concept of being a multi-passionate individual, she felt like she was finally able to breathe. Clearly someone who doesn't like to settle for one things at a time, Kim describes herself as an artist, theater-geek and D&D; enthusiast, who is deep into the practice of meditation and mindfulness, loves playing the violin, working with her crystals and Oracle cards and will jump at any opportunity to whip up culinary delights in the kitchen or plan a super fun party with all the bells and whistles. Head over to the show notes to find direct links to connect with Kim online, previous Midlife Schmidlife episodes mentioned in this conversation as well as a photo of a dessert that Kim shares in our conversation. 

Being Phenomenal with Kim Romain

We are kicking off a new series, "Reclaiming Midlife." The concept was inspired by a meme I saw on Facebook - It's of the Golden Girls side by side with the characters of the Sex in the City reboot, And Just Like That. The meme lets us know that both shows' characters are the same age. Head to the show notes to see the meme. My mind started swirling around when I saw this. First, there was disbelief. Then, there was shock and horror. Then, finally, there was an acceptance that we've come a long way, baby! But also how we still have a long way to go.  And I believe that the journey of reclaiming starts with ourselves. And reclaiming midlife is both literal and figurative - why do we have such an aversion to the word "midlife?" This podcast is midlife Schmidlfie, all based on what the term implies. And figuratively, how are you choosing to show up during this time? Are we embracing who we are now? Or are we living in the past? When was the last time you asked yourself what's important to you now? Are you settling into a career that no longer suits you? Have you dreamed of having more in your life - only to feel guilty? It's time we claimed this time in our lives! And hey, I'm always open to a new word to describe where we are, so if you have any suggestions, please let me know! And speaking of reclaiming, I have another podcast suggestion for you! The concept of a woman "circling the drain" conjures up negative imagery for some. But for the hosts of Circling the Drain Podcast, they've heard this phrase used so many times about perimenopause, menopause, and the plight of the aging woman that they've chosen to reclaim and repurpose the term in the spirit of humor. Co-hosts and longtime friends Ellie and Julia take a deep dive into the sometimes embarrassing, often hilarious, and always bewildering issues of hormonal changes in midlife. Through honest accounts, thoughtful interviews, and group panel discussions, their mission is to make you chuckle, nod your head in recognition, and hopefully make some scientific progress! Their episode from March 30th, My Face is Falling, is with a board-certified family nurse practitioner and certified aesthetic nurse specialist. Their convo is all about botox, injectables, and filler. I learned so much! And it shifted my view of what I'm willing to explore for myself. The best part? I laughed my ass off the whole time while listening.  Tune into Circling the Drain Podcast, every other Wednesday. Wherever you get your podcasts. Seriously, be sure to go and subscribe.  Now back to Midlife Schmildfte, my guest for today's show is Grace Howes. Grace and I have many similar life experiences and do identical work supporting women over 40 with their business mindset. And I've been very fortunate to know Grace through the Courageous Living Coach Certification. So we've even met in person! And our conversation in today's show makes it feel like yesterday. In fact, we were just talking about reclaiming midlife, and neither of us realized we had started the podcast conversation! So it's a good thing; I had hit the record button early.  Grace believes that women can achieve anything at any time and that her age should never be a factor. It was only in her early 40s after she started her 1st business when she realized that JOY was hers to have (she always thought she needed permission). However, that doubt didn't need to be her constant sidekick. You can find Grace on Instagram and Facebook at @kgracehowes. And since recording this conversation, Grace started her podcast for women in biz, Brave, Bold, and Badass. Here are ways you can connect with her: https://www.kgracehowes.com/podcast https://www.instagram.com/kgracehowes/ Are you ready to reclaim midlife? Let's drop into the conversation that I had with Grace. 

005: Living Your Truth with Gretchen McNeely

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