‘JLo and Shakira are 50 and 43, how?!’
My social media feed was full of posts like this after the Super Bowl Halftime Show.
The apparent shock that women can stay fit, do amazing things with their bodies and follow their passion past age 40 was a bit, well… shocking to me!
I’m surrounded by badass women in their 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond who are out on the mountains, rivers, oceans and trails killin’ it in kayaks, on boards and bikes all the time. In fact, you’re probably one of them!
Let’s stop being shocked about badass women over 40 and start being badasses over 40. Here are my 3 tips to support your badassery.
Fess Up, You’re Not Too Old
Stop telling yourself that you’re too old. It’s not that you’re too old, it’s that you don’t have the interest, drive or commitment to do it.
That’s OK. You get to decide what you want to do. Just don’t make age the reason you’re not doing it.
If you do want to try something adventurous and new, then find someone who can help you reach your goal with an effective progression and support that is appropriate for your physical condition.
It’s never too late to start NOW. Paddling, dancing, biking, traveling, resetting your health, putting yourself first – it’s not too late and you’re not too old.
So, stop it already with the ‘I’m too old’ excuse.
Put Something at Stake
I’m not a big celebrity follower, but I do remember reading that JLo trained for, and completed an Ironman after her children were born as a way to get back in shape.
She put something at stake to motivate and keep her accountable to her goal. That’s a strategy we can all use.
Register for that 5K, race or event. Book classes with a reputable teacher. Plan the big adventure trip and then commit to skiing/paddling/biking x many times per week to prep.
I put my career and reputation at stake to keep me motivated. In order to effectively lead and teach a Class IV Creek Week I’ve got to keep my paddling skills up. To effectively lead wellness retreats and coaching I need to keep up my certification, cook the recipes ahead of time and follow my own health coaching advice. I can’t coach women in courage and confidence if I don’t know the strategies for myself.
Putting these programs on my website and doing an exceptional job for my clients helps to keep me accountable.
Here’s the deal though – thinking about registering, scheduling, booking or trying something new won’t change a thing. You’ve got to put something that means a lot to you at stake. That could mean cash, it could mean reputation, time or anything that feels a little (or a lot) uncomfortable.
If you don’t put anything at stake you have nothing to lose, so it’s easy to cheat or skip it.
Ladies who are killin’ it after 40 have, and continue to, courageously put something at stake to keep them on track.
What are you willing to put at stake to keep you motivated and accountable to living your passions at EVERY age?
Surround Yourself with Empowering Women
If you’re surrounded by people who consistently use the ‘I’m too old’ excuse or who tell you that you’re too old, it’s time to find new friends.
Who in your community inspires you? Spend time with them, talk to them and find out what they do to feed their over 40 badass self.
Surround yourself with women (and men) who live in the possibility that you, me, we can continue to live a life of adventure, passion and joy well past our 40s.
And especially, drop people who criticize and gossip about women who are killin’ it over 40. Remember that it’s a lot easier to do/make a thing than it is to criticize it.
Put your energy into creating your own fabulous journey. After all, the only thing you can control in this life is you.
Now go do your thang wether you’re 40,50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100…. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, POWERFUL AND CAPABLE!
Forward this to someone who needs to hear that they’re not too old!
Ready to take on a new adventure? Email me and tell me about it.
