Rachel: I never imagined I would be asked to model swimwear or lingerie. And so saying yes again to that was like, "Okay, I'm going to do this." Even though it was way out of my comfort zone, I came back from actually as a different person, I came back so much more confident in my body and also the reaction from other women of my age group are like, "I see somebody that's got a body like mine." I'm your typical average body. I'm a UK size 14-16. I've got long gray hair. It felt like I was doing something with a purpose that I felt like other women could see themselves in me whatever shape or form that meant. So that meant something. And that's really driven me to the work that I'm doing now. And now my favorite jobs are lingerie.
[Reinvention Rebels theme]
Wendy: Welcome to Reinvention Rebels, stories of brave and unapologetic women, 50 to 90 years young, who have boldly reimagined life, on their own terms, to find new purpose and possibilities. I'm your host, Wendy Battles. Ready for a dose of inspiration? Let's get to it.
Hey, everyone. Welcome, welcome. It's Wendy, host of the Reinvention Rebels Podcast. I am so glad you are stopping by for this episode. In fact, it's our first guest episode of Season Four. I'm very excited to introduce you to the very amazing Rachel Peru in a couple of moments. But first, I want to welcome any of you that might be new listeners, if this is your first time coming across the Reinvented Rebels podcast, I hope you'll stay for a while. I have the honor and pleasure of talking to interviewing the most extraordinary women. Everyday women, like you and me, between 50 and 90 who have reinvented themselves in interesting, bold and unapologetic ways, and they are so inspiring. They remind me that if they can do it, we all can do it in our own unique way. We can have our own version of some kickass reinvention. So, stick around, I think you'll see that you're in for quite a treat.
Before I get to the main event, and I introduce you to Rachel, I do want to ask you if you had a chance to listen to last week's episode. I loved it. It was all about showing up for yourself. Do you show up for yourself? Do you make you a priority? I talked about my experiences. It starts with showing up for myself. I am a work in progress. I'm guessing you are too, it takes ongoing practice to figure these things out, but I talked a little bit about my experiences this summer, how I leaned more into showing up for myself, what I gained from that, why it's so important. Then I pose three questions to all of you, to get you thinking about showing up for yourself. If you didn't have a chance to check it out yet, I hope you'll do so. I'm linking to it in the show notes, so it's easy to find. We are growing and figuring it out, where sometimes one step forward, two steps back, but I do feel like I am making forward progress and I hope you feel that same hopeful way as you think about your reinvention journey. So, with that in mind, let's start this conversation and let me introduce you to someone I think you're going to find, just like I do, who is extraordinary, and has a lot to share. Rachel Peru.
At 52, Rachel Peru is a silver-haired curve model, body confidence activist, influencer and host of the Out Of The Bubble podcast. Rachel has fully embraced her curves and her naturally gray hair. In fact, she has become famous for her silver locks, and is flying the flag for misunderstood and misrepresented women everywhere. She's passionate about showing other women, particularly those in mid-life, that they are not invisible. Rachel broke barriers when she appeared in a groundbreaking swimsuit for all campaign with Ashley Graham, and her career was launched from there. After starting a new career in modeling at 46, Rachel now champions women in midlife and inspires others to step out of their comfort zone to become more confident through sharing other women's stories on her weekly Out Of The Bubble podcast. Rachel has recently been included in Platinum Magazine's Top 50 influencers list and featured in Forbes. Rachel Peru, welcome to the Reinvention Rebels guest chair.
Rachel Peru: Thank you so much, Wendy. I'm excited to be here, the tables are turned, aren’t they, this way?
Wendy: The tables are turned. I want all of you to know that I recently had the honor of being on the Out Of The Bubble podcast with Rachel and we had such a blast. I'll actually link to our interview on her podcast in the show notes. It was so much fun. I have to tell you, though, that I met Rachel, because Rachel was pursuing me on Twitter.
[laughter]
Rachel Peru: Stalking you.
Wendy: Right?
Rachel Peru: Yeah. [laughs]
Wendy: That was just a great way to meet on social media and connect and find out that we have this shared passion for lifting up women. This idea that, let's feature each other, let's talk about what we're doing and share each other's stories on our own podcast, so more people can see the possibilities that exist. Rachel, I'm just really excited that you've joined me today. I know we're going to have a great conversation, because you know I have a ton of questions to ask you.
Rachel Peru: Fabulous. I'm ready.
Wendy: I want to begin with modeling because you reinvented yourself as a model in your late 40s. Now, in your early 50s, you continue to model and I know that this idea of starting to model at 46, for most of us for thinking, "My body's changing, my waistline might be expanding, I have roles that I didn't have before, I maybe don't feel as good in my body as I have in the past." I'm really curious as to how this reinvention unfolded for you.
Rachel Peru: It's interesting because I feel like I've done things slightly backward. I didn't have the body confidence in my 20s and 30s, that perhaps when I look at photos of my body now, I probably should have done, but I really lacked it and it's not until kind of my 40s that I've actually felt so much more confident. I would never have even dreamed to do modeling when I was younger. It was never a lifelong dream because of that it was never something that was on my radar. I actually got divorced at 40 and went to university and got a degree in Education Studies because I thought I was going to do teaching. And I thought that's fantastic, I'll have a new career as a teacher, was really excited about it. And life has a funny way of turning things upside down and not following your plans. During that time, after I'd got my degree, due to family illness, I had to take some time out, so I was back at home. It was during that period of time when I was really kind of, I suppose my confidence had been knocked again, because I was found myself quite isolated at home, and I wasn't working and I found that really difficult.
A friend volunteered me to model for a local charity fashion show. So, I said yes, went along, never done anything like that before. I was really nervous. I mean, I remember my heart thumping before suddenly on stage waiting to go on. But I came off and I absolutely loved it. I really felt empowered, I felt like I was standing taller, I just felt more confident just from that one first walk, the catwalk. And I continue to volunteer to model for them each year was an annual event. After about six years, I was dying to do more. I loved it. I loved the way it made me feel. I talked to a couple of professional models, and they gave me a bit of advice. I thought actually, "Why not try it? Why not do something different?" It was at a time when everybody in my family was all settled, my children were a lot more independent. I felt like my time to think about what I wanted to do. I thought that, so I sent off images to local agencies all over across the country. Thinking, "If I got something close by the city near me, it will be quite a nice hobby, it will be something I could do along with everything else." I got signed by London Agency straightaway. So, then I thought, "Okay, let's take this seriously." [crosstalk]
Wendy: Amazing.
Rachel Peru: Yeah, and I love it. I can't imagine doing anything else now. I really feel like I've found my place. I didn't have that when I was younger, it's interesting.
Wendy: It's really interesting that you say that, "You found your place." Because I have that same feeling about reinventing myself as a podcaster. That this is what I meant to do and I hear that in what you're saying. But one of the things that you said that struck me was like, "Why not?" Like, "Why shouldn’t I go for it?" I think that women often we don't ask ourselves that enough.
Rachel Peru: Yeah, definitely. And that's something that I think fear for me was a huge part that held me back when I was younger, because I was so lacking confidence and self-belief. I said no to so many things in my 20s and 30s. Looking back now, wish I hadn't, but then when you do find that confidence, it's really liberating. So then you think actually, "All these opportunities exist out there," and you've just got to start saying yes to things because you just don't know where that's going to lead to. It might not lead to anywhere, nothing might happen but what an experience I will have had to try along the way.
Wendy: I think there's so much to be said for that. Why not, and going for it. Just say yes, just explore it, because one of the things I found in interviewing all of these women, who I consider to be Reinvention Rebels is that they have the same quality that you have been curious.
Rachel Peru: Yeah.
Wendy: That's what I hear you leaned into your curiosity, and you said, "Well, what if I tried this?" I don't know what will happen. You had no idea when you sent your things out that you would get signed right away by an agency, but if you hadn't tried-
Rachel Peru: Exactly. Yeah.
Wendy: -you wouldn't have known that. I like how you said, "Well, I will dip my toe in and see what happens." Tell us what's happened since then. So, you got signed by this agency, and then how are things unfolded?
Rachel Peru: Yeah. Within the first year, I was 47 and I found myself getting booked by the swimsuits for all brands, which obviously is an American brand and found myself being flown to the Bahamas to work alongside Ashley Graham, Lizzo was there in the shoot, so we did the video. I was 47 modeling swimwear. So, when I started this whole modeling journey, I kind of thought it might be lifestyle, fashion, beauty type of work, because I think that's kind of what historically what we think of older women in the model industry as, and that would have been great. I like doing that kind of work but I never imagined I would be asked to model swimwear or lingerie. So, saying yes, again to that was like, "Okay, I'm going to do this." Even though it was way out of my comfort zone, I came back from actually as a different person. I came back so much more confident in my body. Also, the reaction from other women of my age group were like, "I see somebody that's got a body like mine." I'm not your typical average body. I'm a UK size 14-16. I've got long gray hair. It felt like I was doing something with a purpose that I felt like other women could see themselves in me whatever shape or form that meant. So that meant something and that was really driven me to the work that I'm doing now. Now my favorite jobs are lingerie, which I never thought I'd be saying, but I love it. [laughs]
Wendy: I know. I love that. I love that you get to model those things. I love that you show up in your curvy body.
Rachel Peru: Yeah.
Wendy: Because I think that in the past, there's been this idea of what a model looks like, someone who's super tall and thin and pale, what have you, but not someone that has all these curves, not someone that might be plus size. It is so empowering to see women of all sizes and shapes, and colors and different backgrounds, and experiences that we've broaden this idea of what a model is, what a model looks like. We definitely can see ourselves in that, in your story, in seeing you model this lingerie and thinking, "Oh, okay, well, Rachel can do that."
Rachel Peru: Yeah.
Wendy: "I can wear lingerie too, with all my curves [crosstalk] my plus size," or whatever size I am, right?
Rachel Peru: Yeah, and not just that, I think lots of women I speak to, as they get older, as you mentioned, your body changes. I'm going through the menopause, my waist has gone wider and my body shapes changing. I know lots of women struggle with that. I think being open about it, and also seeing curvier women of all different shapes and sizes and backgrounds. That helps that other people's body image because then they can look in the mirror and think, "Okay, I can just embrace what I've got, and not stress too much because other people out there they've got the same bodies as me." If we don't see that, we just internalize everything.
Wendy: Yeah. Exactly. I was thinking about that because in Season Two, I had interviewed Carolyn Doelling who started her modeling career at 72.
Rachel Peru: Oh, brilliant.
Wendy: Right. Which is amazing. Also, like who does that?
Rachel Peru: Yeah.
Wendy: I love this story because she's short, she's African American, she's got white hair like you. Again, the kinds of things that we don't think of as the typical model, you know how societies deem that. I found it so empowering to hear her talk about that. I love that she was representing older women in this very stylish way, not the frumpy, the kind of thing that sometimes people perceive, "Oh, you get older, your kind of frumpy."
Rachel Peru: Yeah.
Wendy: Not at all. You both prove that we can show up in many different ways and be very empowered and feel really good in our bodies, but you kind of go from there.
Rachel Peru: Yeah. Definitely, it is a mindset thing, isn't it? We can approach aging in a much more positive way than historically, perhaps we have been led to believe in society. I think there's a lot more pro-aging positive women out there that are really just embracing life and really doing some amazing things and that excites me.
Wendy: Yeah, me too. One of the things I really adore about your story is this sense of freedom you've gained. This freedom over the years as you've gained confidence in yourself, in your body, and to stand in your power that you're really doing that in this very profound way. You are a role model for so many people. But I know that there are women listening, who are saying, "Rachel is really amazing. But that's not me." I don't feel that body confident. And I can look at her and say that's really awesome she's doing that but I still don't feel that same way." Do you have any advice for someone who might be in that space of, "I don't feel as confident," or, "I want to feel more confident, but I don't know where to start, I just don't know how to do that."
Rachel Peru: Yeah.
Wendy: What advice would you give someone like that?
Rachel Peru: Firstly, I think it's really important to recognize that even though I am really [unintelligible [00:15:51] confidence and I'm much happier in my skin, that doesn't mean to say, "It's a done deal," or that box is ticked. There are days when I don't feel brilliant about myself but the difference is now, I've learned to not let that get into my mindset and stop me from doing things where in the past, it would have done. Now it's just, "Okay, I'm not having a great day, but I'm still going to get on with life and put it behind me." Whereas before it would just be all-consuming. I think there's a misconception that the people say, "Oh, I'm body confident." That means that they're always going to feel positive and that's just not realistic.
I would say you're going to start being kind to yourself, look in the mirror, make sure because I know loads of women that just avoid looking in the mirror. Look in the mirror, look at yourself, find one thing that you like about yourself, whether it's you've got nice eyes, whether you like your hands, there will be something that you can focus on, that's a positive. And make sure you look at that every single day, and remember that you like your eyes, you like your smile, you like the way your curves over your hips, there'll be some part of your body that you will be okay with, and build on that. And keep adding to that list each week and just take things slowly. Be kind to yourself.
Wendy: I love that advice. I love that start small, start with one thing, and then do it every day.
Rachel Peru: Yeah.
Wendy: Like look at that thing and appreciate whatever that is, because you're right, we spend a lot of time complaining about ourselves, being self-critical-
Rachel Peru: Yeah.
Wendy: -in a way that I would never let anybody else talk to me the way I sometimes can talk to myself.
Rachel Peru: Absolutely. Yeah.
Wendy: Which seems crazy. It's like, "Well, if I won't let anyone else talk to me in this mean way, why would I do that to myself? "
Rachel Peru: Yeah. And it's like that thing is when you're with a group of girlfriends that we almost compete with each other about how we can put our own bodies down in front of our friends. That's something that really I'm passionate about making sure that we stop those conversations and we pull each other up and say, "No, hang on a minute, you shouldn't be saying that about yourself. You shouldn't be that negative about yourself in front of each other."
Wendy: Yeah. Exactly. You know it is so easy to give our friends advice, that we have a hard time of applying to ourselves. So, this idea of deeper self-compassion.
Rachel Peru: Yeah.
Wendy: Offering ourselves more grace, really paying attention to the messages we're sending ourselves because I think when we become more self-aware and we're tuning into those sometimes unconscious, or very subtle messages we send ourselves when we can begin to become more aware of those, then I think we can start that shift that you're talking about.
Rachel Peru: Yeah. Definitely, and it's work. It's always a work in progress. It's never going to be a done deal. It's just once you get there, it is free. It is liberating, and it has opened up my eyes to so many different things. And looking back now, I think I wish I'd discovered this sooner, but it's never too late.
Wendy: Exactly. I have that same feeling. If only I had known this sooner, if only I had this wisdom sooner, but we receive the wisdom when we did and we're able to move forward with that, because I like what you said about, "It's an ongoing journey."
Rachel Peru: Yeah.
Wendy: Even though there are days you feel amazing, some days, you're like, "Well, maybe not as much," but you know that you're in this overall space of feeling good. So, I think we can tune back into that feeling. What does it feel like when I feel really good about my body? Or I look in the mirror and I feel really good? What's going on when that's happening? How can I tune into more of that?
Rachel Peru: Yeah. Absolutely.
Wendy: To stay in that higher condition.
Okay, can I ask you a question? Are you enjoying this episode as much as I am? Isn't Rachel amazing? Her experiences and what she's done to reimagine her life in mid-life? I love it, and it's very inspiring to me. Here's a question for you. Who do you know, in your life, a couple of people, who would really benefit from hearing Rachel's story, who would get inspired? Who maybe needs a little kickstart to remind them about what's possible in mid-life and beyond? Can I ask you a small favor? Would you please share this with one or two friends, colleagues, family members, anyone you know that you think would really gain something from listening because isn't it great to spread the reinvention love around and get more people inspired? Thanks in advance for sharing.
I love listening to your podcast, it's so awesome. There's so many interesting women that you interview. Women doing all kinds of amazing things, women that are really shining a light on what I consider to be the endless possibilities that exist. There are so many things, and I know sometimes we can't see them all because we're sometimes stuck in our narrow view of ourselves. But I think that when we hear other stories, it inspires us about what can be possible, even though I'm not going to become a model at 57 but I see possibilities from my own life. When I hear your story, it inspires me about other things I might do. I think that's the power of this. What have you learned from sharing other stories?
Rachel Peru: So much. I started the podcast because of exactly that, because I was reading so many stories of other women that were sharing these stories of reinvention that just inspired me, and really helped, motivate me, and think, "Okay, if she could do that, then I can do this." That's the key thing, isn't it? But I think one of the big things for me is how resilient women are. Women that I've talked to have overcome some huge hurdles in life but they get back up again, and then they keep going, and they're driven and then they move on to something else and then a whole new chapter comes up, something that was a darkest day, then there is light after that, and they've gone through the tunnel. I think that's been really humbling for me listening to those stories in particular.
Wendy: I think so too. What are some of your favorite stories from the people that you've been featuring and interviewing?
Rachel Peru: Oh, gosh, so many. It's hard to--[crosstalk]
Wendy: [laughs] I know.
Rachel Peru: I interviewed over a hundred women now.
Wendy: Wow.
Rachel Peru: One of my kind of favorites that I use a lot is because she's a friend of mine, a lady called Jo Moseley, we were both school moms in the school gates when our kids were little. We didn't really know each other but we both got divorced at a very similar time so we kind of started to bond. She had never done any sports whatsoever. She'd never done any activities, she was just not interested in a later in life. Then in her mid-50s going through the menopause, she started paddleboarding, and really fell in love with it. She then went on and did an amazing challenge where she paddle-boarded the Liverpool School in the UK. It's a long canal ride. It's 127 miles. She's the oldest woman to have done that. She's now doing another big paddleboarding challenge this summer. She's just written an amazing book. She's got a podcast, and I've seen her. For me, I think her growth has been amazing to watch because she now has passion, purpose, connecting with so many people and doing things that she never would have had the confidence or thought she could even-- that would be possible later in life. I love seeing that. She's somebody that I hugely admire for just saying yes and seeing where it goes.
Wendy: I love that story. I love how she said yes. I love what is led to also, which is what is so familiar and so inspiring about your story too. That you had no idea when you dipped your toe in, as I'm sure she probably didn't either when she said, "Oh, maybe I'll just try this."
Rachel Peru: Yeah.
Wendy: What it could create, and that is so powerful when we realize we're so much more capable than we think.
Rachel Peru: Yeah. Absolutely, I think that's the thing that surprised me about myself is that I am so much more capable than I ever thought I was. So is that a voyage of self-discovery, isn't it? Which is really exciting later in life. I get excited by the things that I'm doing now because I'm thinking, "Wow, I've just done that, and I would never thought I could do it."
Wendy: Yes. I completely agree. I love that idea. When you're like, "Huh, I'm badass." [laughs]
Rachel Peru: Yeah.
Wendy: I'm like, "What?"
Rachel Peru: Yeah. [crosstalk]
Wendy: "This is so cool. I didn't know it was so powerful." You can't help but feel great about yourself when you do something like that. I will just say, Rachel, that one time I tried paddleboarding and it was when we were in the Caribbean on vacation, and it was in the ocean so it was a little rough.
Rachel Peru: Yeah.
Wendy: All the things that the teacher told me, I apparently completely ignored and did exactly the opposite and was going out to sea.
[laughter]
And then they come and get me. So, then I finally got into a calmer place, but it was so hard. It was so much harder than I imagined. I have to tell you, the next day I could barely walk.
Rachel Peru: Yeah. She makes it look so easy. Yeah. I think it was 127 miles in about five days she did it. It was amazing.
Wendy: I can't even imagine. I could barely do an hour, then walk the next day. Kudos to her, that is fabulous. That's fabulous. I think it speaks to as our bodies age, sometimes we have this idea about what they can and can't do. And we can easily get sucked into the media image of women who become frailer and have osteoporosis. But I also know that women, we can get stronger as we age. I mean, not without work, obviously. It's not like you that just happens, but there's a whole other narrative about what it means to age that I think we don't hear enough of, and your stories really illuminate this other path that's possible.
Rachel Peru: I definitely can relate to that because I'm not somebody that's done tons of exercise in their past, it's just not something that has really lit my fire, it's just not being my thing. And now I am going through the menopause, I suddenly discovered that I actually enjoy going to the gym, because it makes me feel stronger. I'm gaining strength and I'm more toned, I'm working out. I'm not doing it because I want to be in certain dress size, or I want to look different. I just want that feeling of strength. To start doing that in my 50s, I think is brilliant because I'm inspired by so many other women that are out there, like the guests that you've had, running marathons at whatever age, anything is possible.
We are. I think this generation is changing the narrative for our age group, but they were the first kind of generation that are doing it for the 50s and 60s. I love it.
Wendy: I do too. And I think you're right, that it's very different than in my mom's generation.
Rachel Peru: Yeah.
Wendy: Where they were more like hanging out with the grandchildren, which people of all ages do now, of course, but in a different way, in a vibrant way. So, I think that's where it's at, and I love it.
Rachel Peru: Yeah.
Wendy: What would you say has brought you the most joy, as you step back and think about this whole process of reinventing yourself in your late 40s, in your early 50s. What's brought you the most joy from all of this.?
Rachel Peru: I think I've found peace with myself, because I think I finally discovered who I am, and it's taken me a while. I've had this sense of calm about myself now because I know who I am. It's taken me a long stage to be happy with who I am. So getting there has been an absolute pleasure, and I'm really proud of getting to that point. For me, that's really huge. Also, I love the fact that I've got three children, and I love the fact that they can see their mum going out and doing these things and being a good role model. I've got two girls and a son, and they need these role models, they need to see that they're not just going to fall off a cliff at 40, and then that anything is possible. So that's been really special. And also, the connections I've made. I love people and I love being around people. That's where I gain my energy. So, the modeling work and the podcast, I've made so many connections through it that have really brought me lots of joy.
Wendy: There's a joy on multiple levels.
Rachel Peru: Yes.
Wendy: Familial joy with your family and being able to model this kind of behavior for your kids. And then this expansion, it feels like it's an expansion of your life by getting into modeling, by starting the podcast. As you said, by meeting all these really interesting people, it's also expanded your life in really interesting ways, because I think that sometimes as we age, our life can shrink, it can get smaller, whether it's people move away or we lose people we love or people we were friends with for a long time we're not friends with anymore, we just become distant. So, for lots of different reasons, I feel like there can be this shrinking.
Rachel Peru: Yeah.
Wendy: To hear you talk about the expansion in your 50s, in mid-life, I think is really encouraging, especially coming out of the pandemic because so many of us have felt isolated. It's been just the opposite. And I think the podcast is great, because even during the pandemic, you were connecting with people.
Rachel Peru: Yeah. Definitely, that was my kind of lifesaver, the podcast during the pandemic. On Instagram I created a thing called, I call them Midlife Inspirathon. I interviewed 24 women. I was live on Instagram from half past 9:00 in the morning till half past 9:00 at night and I raise money for charity for two women's charities, but I set myself projects like that where it was is all about connections and sharing women's stories. And that really helped me through the pandemic hugely, because obviously, all the modeling work just didn't exist for at least a year. So, it could have been really difficult without those connections. So, I'm super grateful for that.
Wendy: I love that you did that for all those hours and feature all these women.
Rachel Peru: [crosstalk]
Wendy: Oh, it sounds amazing. [Rachel laughs] I didn't know you back then. But I'm like, "What?"
Rachel Peru: It's really good fun. I loved it. And it was just a whole cross-section of women, and I didn't realize I could talk quite so much.
[laughter]
Wendy: You're like, "That is a really good skill I have. Thank you very much. I know how to talk."
Rachel Peru: Yeah. [laughs]
Wendy: I love that that you created that, that you did that. I think also speaks to this idea that we can find community in many different places.
Rachel Peru: Yeah.
Wendy: As we age, especially, and we use technology. So, it doesn't have to just be, "I'm meeting my friends in person," or I have to go somewhere to create community. You can create community online, as you did in this very powerful way. Like bringing people together.
Rachel Peru: Yeah. I love that. I think though social media gets a bad rap and there's lots of pros and cons for it, particularly on Instagram, because of all the filters and I know, for many people's mental well-being, it can be really tricky. But the positive side of it is, you can really make some authentic connections with like-minded people that help you grow and stretch your mind and just connect with people. And that's what I think we're all craving, particularly this last couple of years.
Wendy: Exactly. Yes, you're right, that there are so many upsides to Instagram. And I know it does seem weird, because I know often people are comparing themselves, but I think it's a matter of just finding your people.
Rachel Peru: Yeah.
Wendy: When you find your people, then it's like, "Huh, okay." The supportive tribe of people that want to see you shine. And it feels like we both been able to do that, which makes it a very different experience.
Rachel Peru: Yeah. It does. I love it. I do feel part of a really strong community they're are lifting each other and they're lifting each other up, supporting one another, and I think that's really special.
Wendy: I completely agree. If you had to give your reinvention journey a headline or a theme, what would it be, Rachel?
Rachel Peru: I would say, "Brave." "Bravery." I started the journey when I was 40. I'm terrified of heights but I did a tandem skydive, because I wanted to start this next decade, doing something that would really push me out of my comfort zone so that then I could start building blocks of confidence. And that was definitely my kind of word for the decade, brave. So, I'm going to say that.
Wendy: I have to ask you, because I'm thinking, why would I jump out of a perfectly sound plane?
[laughter]
Wendy: That thought isn't terrifying to me. You have to tell us about what that felt like, because that is very brave, to jump out of an airplane and go skydiving.
Rachel Peru: I've done it twice now, and I'm still scared of heights. So, it hasn't cured me, I'll have to say. [laughs]
Wendy: [crosstalk] [unintelligible [00:33:09].
Rachel Peru: Yeah. I mean I did it for charity, so that helps. And it was terrifying. Yeah, when you're strapped to somebody sat on the edge of the plane, there is no feeling, like, I can't even explain. It's scary but its life-affirming. I came down feeling like anything was possible. It really did make me think, "Okay, you've done that. Look what you've done." It was life-affirming. It just felt so exhilarating and such a rush of adrenaline and just made me think, "Okay, you've got this. What else can you do next?"
Wendy: I love that. I can see how you could get down from something that big and be like, "If I can jump out of a plane, there is nothing I can't do."
Rachel Peru: Yeah. Exactly. That's the building blocks. That’s the start of the building blocks.
Wendy: The building blocks. So, as we wrap up, I want to ask you this question, because I know not every woman like myself is going to jump out of a plane. But I love this idea of something to help us jumpstart or get started in our reinvention process, what would you suggest to all of the amazing women listening who are like, "Well, I want to reinvent myself, but I'm scared or a little nervous about that." What would you suggest someone could do to just move in that direction, to even like ease into it, maybe isn't jumping out of a plane, but would help them get started?
Rachel Peru: Say yes. Say yes to something that you would maybe doubt yourself and not do. Say yes. If somebody asks you to go to a networking event that you've never been before, you're scared, say yes. If someone asks you out to a new place, and you're not sure about it, say yes. Just start saying yes, because even the smallest things, just start saying yes to things.
Wendy: I'm all in saying yes. And that's such a great reminder. The next time someone asks us something, and we immediately come up with all the reasons we can't, "Well, I'm really busy," dah, dah, dah. We can go through a whole litany of things. I love that. If we just remember this wisdom from Rachel, "Just say yes." Just say yes. Just try it.
Rachel Peru: Exactly. You might say yes of going to something that I actually think is not for me, but then at least you will know that, and that will be based on concrete evidence, rather than letting it go in your mind thinking, "I might like it. I might not like it." At least you'd know.
Wendy: At least you know. Exactly. I know that people listening are thinking, "How can I find this amazing woman? Where is she? How do I find Rachel? And how can I listen to her podcast and learn more about what she's doing?" Where can people find you?
Rachel Peru: I've got a website. So go to rachelperu.co.uk. Come and say hello on Instagram, which is probably one of my favorite places @rachelperu1.
Wendy: I love it. If you're on Twitter, you might find her there too, like I did. [laughs]
Rachel Peru: Yes. Yeah, I'm everywhere. [laughs]
Wendy: You are everywhere, and I love it. I think we're hooked up on just basically every social media platform, which is so fun. I love it. Rachel, this has been so much fun, so joyful. I cannot thank you enough for gracing me with your presence, for sharing your story, for helping us see new possibilities that if you can start modeling in your 40s, continue modeling in your 50s, start wearing swimsuits and lingerie as a model and feel empowered. That any of us can have our reinvention journey, we can find ourselves, we can have more freedom, we can feel better in our bodies, we can expand our whole life, and that's a gift to share this story. It's a gift. I really appreciate your time.
Rachel Peru: It's been a pleasure. I'm so glad that we've connected. After following each other and now we've had these conversations, I love what you're doing and I love the fact that it really does feel like it was a band of women now that are all out there spreading the same message which is really positive and powerful. So, thank you.
Wendy: Thank you. It was a pleasure. I know that we'll have to do "where are they now" episode at a later date-
Rachel Peru: Yeah.
Wendy: -and talk about what else we've done.
Rachel Peru: Absolutely. I will be watching. [chuckles]
Wendy: I love it. So, thank you.
Rachel Peru: Thank you.
[Reinvention Rebels theme]
Wendy: Wow. That's what I can say about this episode, big wow. So good, so juicy, so inspiring, so full of possibilities. So much light. I loved it, and I hope you did too. Rachel reminds me that anything is possible. If she can start modeling for lingerie and bathing suits with her silver hair, and mid-40s body and keep doing it in her 50s, what can't you do or me? That's the kind of motivation and inspiration we need to follow our own path. If this sparked something in you, if you said, "Huh, I wonder what I could do." I want to encourage you to download my free audio. 5 Questions to Spark Your Curiosity and Inspire your Reinvention Rebel Journey. Questions to get you thinking, to help you lean into what can be possible in your life. It's free, it's short, it's fun, and I think you'll find it inspiring. You can check out all the details in the show notes below.
I hope you'll tune in next week for a new solo episode. That is-- I think it's going to be kind of fun if I do say so myself. And it's about bounce-back ability. Bounce back ability. Even know what that is, specifically, of course, you have to tune in to find out. I'll see you next week. In the meantime, keep shining your light. The world needs you and all that you have to offer.
[Transcript provided by SpeechDocs Podcast Transcription]