Unleashing Your Inner Powerhouse: Reinvention After 40

This is your Women Over 40 podcast.

Thank you for joining me on Women Over 40, where real stories become inspiration and possibility is never out of reach. Today, we’re diving right into one of our most powerful topics—reinventing yourself after 40, and finding the courage to pursue new passions.

Turning 40 is not a chapter closing—it’s a pivot into a whole new act. Let’s get honest: Many of us were raised with limits on what women should want or could achieve, and those voices don’t always disappear. Yet women like Vera Wang, who transitioned into fashion design at 40, or Toni Morrison, who published her first novel at 40, show us that time is not our enemy—it’s our edge. According to Elevate with Keri, when Keri Ford herself hit the milestone, it wasn’t just about age—it was about unleashing what had always been inside her, refocusing her health and chasing what lit her up. These are stories of starting over from a place of wisdom, not doubt.

Consider Susan Lister Locke. She grew up in Rhode Island dreaming of being a fashion designer, but life steered her toward family and retail—the dreams went underground for decades. By 50, after a divorce and losing her job, she made some simple lists: what did she love, what did she need, what did she want? Real estate was practical, but art and jewelry making stirred her creativity. Soon she was not just taking classes, she was selling jewelry in Nantucket, Boston, and even Italy. By following curiosity, she built a path nobody handed to her.

Another standout is Diane Bruno, who after years in communications found her work, frankly, unfulfilling. Inspiration came shockingly—from the funeral director who helped bury her mother. That difficult encounter shifted her lens: she wanted to make a difference, help families at their hardest moments. Diane became a funeral director, breaking through fear and stigma, and found deep peace and purpose.

Sometimes reinvention is forced. During the pandemic, so many women lost jobs and identities. Marlena Stell, once founder of the multi-million dollar Makeup Geek Cosmetics, found herself rebuilding everything—her business, her mental health, even her confidence, all after 40. She shares on YouTube how humility and authentic self-reflection are fuel; she made wellness and curiosity her new guides.

Let’s not overlook women like Beth Bengtson, driven by the desire to create impact beyond herself. After setbacks, she built Working for Women, a network channeling business resources into nonprofits to help other women gain economic independence. Her mission is bold: what if every woman-owned business donated just 1 percent of its revenue?

If you’re listening and thinking, “But I’ve never...,” know this: Shinde, in India, spent her 40s resurrecting her family’s neglected nursery, experimenting with Japanese gardening, learning new business techniques and embracing her curiosity as a compass. Her business, Ashokvatika Nursery, became a testament to dedication and learning.

So, what can you take away? Reinvention isn’t just about career change—it’s about reconnecting with your passions, closing the gap between who you are and what you do. Be it art, writing, leadership, or advocacy, what matters is following the spark you feel, not the expectations you’ve outgrown.

Thank you for tuning in to Women Over 40. Subscribe to stay inspired by more trailblazing stories, and remember—your age is your superpower. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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