I’ve often said that I feel better at 60 than I did at 35. The main reason is I take better care of myself. I eat lots of fruit and veg, exercise and get solid sleep – most nights. Am I perfect at this? – far from it. And when I feel I need a boost – I order a ProLon Meal Kit.

ProLon is a five-day meal program that’s fast mimicking. That means, the food combination was designed so the body’s cells believe they’re not being fed, shifting the body into fasting mode so you reap the benefits of a water fast while still eating a limited amount of food. This allows for cellular repair and regeneration throughout the program. I’ve also experienced decreased joint inflammation and increased fat loss, especially visceral fat in the belly area.

Click to read Kathy’s experiences and nine suggestions should you want to give it a try. There’s also a link for a ProLon discount and a free PDF fasting journal.

Preparing for Your Next Life Chapter – Advice I Wish I Had

Around this time last year, I flipped through the calendar and saw it. The number 60. It was a very round number – and it was attached to my birthday! The experience stayed with me and I started the new year with a feeling that was foreign to me – dread. I was getting old. And there was nothing I could do about it except count down the months to my next milestone.

Here’s the good news. As I write this, I’m about five months into my new decade, and I feel like I have a new lease on life. What changed? A lot of reflection and a shift in perspective.

I also realized that my insights would have been helpful when I entered my second career chapter, leaving my corporate career for the entrepreneurial path. Whatever life transition you’re facing, here are the five things I wish someone shared with me as prepared for my next life phase...

Finding Your Center – An Approach to Well-being

As we navigate life’s twists and turns, it’s easy to forget the importance of self-care. But it’s during the stress of life transitions when we need it most. This article will focus on exploring practical ways to help you stay grounded, resilient and well in times of turmoil, including my favorite self-care practice you can do in five minutes.

Transitions are often stressful due to a variety of reasons. The biggest factor is uncertainty. When life gets upended, it can seem full of unknowns, which can lead to feelings of anxiety and fear of what lies ahead. During these times, there can be a focus on what is lost, how much there is to do, a looming fear of failure, external pressure, and internal doubt.

All of these feelings are normal. And when you have a better understanding of the reasons behind this stress, you can design effective strategies to navigate life changes more effectively.

Life Beyond the Ladder, Part V - A Calling

The Life Beyond the Ladder article series was written to support you as you step into a new chapter of your life and consider how self-discovery can reshape your understanding of the world and your place in it.

This transformative journey can offer profound insights, emotional exploration, and a sense of connection to something larger than yourself. Whether you’re exploring new belief systems, deepening your existing faith, or simply seeking a greater sense of meaning, this deep-rooted questioning can lead you to a more fulfilling and purposeful life.

It’s not unusual to explore existential questions during times of significant life changes beyond leaving a long-term profession. Midlife can bring divorce, the death of a loved one, a health crisis, or even successfully reaching a long-held goal, only to experience the emptiness and wonder what comes next – all wrapped up in thoughts of our own mortality. This can lead to overwhelm and confusion. But a way to work through it all...

Life Beyond the Ladder, Part IV - Welcoming Growth

As professionals transition out of long-term careers, they often find themselves grappling with a complex interplay of challenges and opportunities. At the core of this experience lies the universal challenge of change, which involves working through self-doubt, the fear of the unknown, and stepping outside of a well-established comfort zone. And that intensity is further amplified for those in midlife who may also confront issues such as ageism, identity crisis, and social isolation.

But among these challenges are numerous opportunities for significant growth and personal development. By approaching change as a chance to explore new possibilities, learn new skills, and redefine the self, a professional transition can transmute into a positive experience. This requires a mindset shift – a mentality that’s eager to live a more fulfilling life, embraces the unknown with curiosity and openness, and welcomes growth.

Life Beyond the Ladder, Part III - Understanding Fear

The decision to explore life beyond the professional ladder and pursue a new midlife path can be exhilarating. The potential of aligning your lifestyle to your passions and values is alluring. But as you consider this shift, especially in quiet moments, you may also feel waves of paralyzing fear.

It’s natural to experience some level of fear when contemplating a significant life change. Fear is the body’s alarm system that’s designed to protect us from perceived threats. While it’s crucial for survival, this response can be triggered by less severe psychological stressors, leading to anxiety and fear.

In the context of career transition, fear can manifest as anxiety about the unknown, doubts about your abilities and concerns about financial stability. Understanding where this fear stems from is the first step toward overcoming it.

Life Beyond the Ladder, Part II - Preparation

Breaking free from the traditional career template takes preparation. Having a plan helps ensure a smooth transition once the decision is made and alleviates the anxiety about what lies ahead. But planning can also be your key to unlocking the full potential of this enlivening opportunity.

The landscape of work has changed dramatically. Technology, changing norms, and a newfound emphasis on flexibility all invite meaningful contribution beyond the confines of a traditional nine to five job. Today it’s easier than ever to leverage your skills and experience to pursue work that aligns with your passions and purpose while making an impact.

For professionals who have spent decades building a successful career, this shift can be both thrilling and daunting. So let’s explore some tools and strategies to navigate this exciting transition.

Life Beyond the Ladder, Part I - Ideation

No matter your chosen career, two things typically stop many professionals from leaving their long-time careers: routine and indecision. The steady paycheck and methodical climb up the career ladder can provide feelings of predictability and security long after engagement and enthusiasm have faded. This deep groove of comfort can obscure any visioning of what life could be beyond the familiar.

But what if there’s a life beyond the ladder, a world that’s not just full of potential, but actively sparks your interest? Imagine a future where your familiar routine gives way to the opportunity to pursue a purpose that ignites your soul.

This series of articles, Life Beyond the Ladder, will be your guide to making this transition by reimagining your future to craft a fulfilling post-professional life. Today’s article delves into the power of ideation to transform the uncertainty of a blank slate into fuel for an exciting new chapter.

12 Things to Consider If You're Thinking About Leaving Your Corporate Gig

I can remember it so clearly. It was about a month before I was planning to tell the Board of my decision to retire. Getting ready for work one morning, I froze with fear. It was gripping and it stopped me in my tracks.

The mental cacophony was relentless: “This is a life impacting decision. You’re throwing away more than three decades of work. Are you crazy?!”

Then a funny thing happened. A complete sense of calm permeated my body. The shift from anxiety to serenity was jolting. The mental chatter gave way to a series of matter-of-fact statements: “It’s time to embark on a new journey. You’ve been preparing your whole life for this. You’re fully capable of whatever lies ahead.”

In the wake of this brief moment, my energy felt peaceful, quiet and still. As I replayed the reassuring words in my head, they felt supportive and encouraging, and the tone resonated as truth. That moment happened in 2018. The fear never returned and the calmness has remained.

Do you feel overwhelmed with fear whenever you allow yourself to daydream about leaving corporate life behind? The good news is that we now live in a time when it’s completely acceptable to reassess our careers and what work means for us. But what’s the right decision for you?

Retirement is a Verb

Have you ever had one of those days when seemingly disparate thought streams keep swirling around in your head?

Like you, I’ve been trying to make sense of national and world affairs, feeling the unending waves of change and tragedy. Also occupying my mind these days is the unfolding of a new horizon of my work, which is focused on helping professionals who are contemplating leaving corporate life and those who have recently retired find meaning and purpose in this current stage of life.

To distract myself from all of this mental busyness, I listened to a favorite podcast while running errands early one morning. A guest was recounting a story of a decision a man made more than five decades prior to volunteer one hour of his time each week for a cause that deeply affected him. Through that one hour of pro bono legal work, the guest’s father was able to provide an upbringing for his children that he would not have been able to if it weren’t for that lawyer’s donated time. And one of those children, the man who was telling the story, dedicated his life to public service and currently serves as a U.S. senator.

That’s when all of my mental chatter converged and I realized that retirement is a verb.

The One Question to Ask When Considering Post-Corporate Life

Do you ever catch yourself daydreaming about what it will be like when your corporate career ends? Do you have a clear vision or is it a blank slate? Perhaps you’re stuck because you think you need to have a clearly defined plan before you embark on a new adventure.

While pursuing a solo passion is the path for some, most people, myself included, don’t have a singular focus. In fact, when I left my long-time career to become an entrepreneur, I decided on the general direction of wellness and was in the process of writing a book, but I wasn’t certain where the business would lead.

Turns out, a passion of mine is podcasting, which I didn’t know in 2019 when I left my job. Another passion has become online education, creating courses to help midlife professionals as they transition out of their corporate careers. I found my way to these new activities through experimentation.

You can, too. And there’s a really simple way to get started – with one question. It was the question I asked myself five years before I left my corporate gig. And that question is…

Some Thoughts on the Great Resignation and Wellness

We’ve all seen the headlines and read the stories. A massive transformation of the workforce is underway due to people making decisions regarding their mental and physical health, childcare, salary, retirement, purpose, entrepreneurial opportunities, or, to a lesser degree, leaving the workforce altogether.

The Great Resignation is an economic trend that started in 2021 when a mass exodus from the workforce began with millions voluntarily leaving their jobs – 47.8 million (and counting) according to the U.S. Labor Department. There are many theories as to why people are quitting at a time when companies are desperate to hire. Some point to pandemic safety concerns, burnout, and economic factors, like wage levels.

But over the last two years, many have reflected on their lives, including the importance of work/life balance and purpose. Those who have been fortunate enough to experience the freedom that comes with working from home or work schedule flexibility aren’t excited to be going back to the traditional 9-5 lifestyle.

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