Are you ready to put yourself first in your 55+ years? Your host, Laurie Adams at 60+, successfully did that and is here now to help you discover what you want for your own, full second act in life. She lived in the people-pleasing era where young girls learned to put themselves last and how, as experienced, mature women they can rekindle dreams and realize them. A certified life and weight loss coach, Laurie, along with her variety of guests, share how they have shifted into their best years yet. If you’re stuck on the back burner and ready to fire-up at mid-life and beyond, tune in weekly to hear inspiring conversations and personal journeys with info you can apply to get going. Real self care and moving from hope to success starts here—for a new companion, or career, retirement, mastering weight loss, fitness and more. And if you’d like to work with Laurie 1-on-1, contact her at hello@laurieadamscoaching.com.
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Are you stuck on the back-burner in your life? But ready to put yourself up front from a ho-hum existence? Yearning to escape an empty nest that isn’t as comfortable as you had hoped? Tired of putting others first but want to prioritize yourself without guilt? If you’re listening to me then you're feeling the potential inside, ready to rise up and seize a splendid second act in midlife-plus. You’ve heard here about vision boards, identity shifts, reinvention, doable change, insightful journaling and role models. Also that you’ll know what the just-right transformation is for you, when it “feels” like the person you want to be, and is unique to you. For a surprise element, learn what your shoes say about your before and after journey!'
Hi, and welcome to the Fire Up at 55 Plus Podcast, a show about how to put yourself first in your second act of life. I'm Certified Life and Weight Loss Coach Lori Adams, here to empower you to let go of guilt, take charge of your health, then find and fulfill your dreams. It's never too late, so let's get started. Hi, you're listening to episode number 44, titled What Story Will Your Before and After Shoes reveal? Are you stuck on the back burner in your life? But ready to put yourself up front from a ho-hum existence? Yearning to escape an empty nest that isn't as comfortable as you had thought, or hoped. Are you tired of putting others first, but want to prioritize yourself without guilt? Well, if you're listening to me and these podcasts, then you are feeling the potential inside of you ready to rise up and seize your splendid, spectacular second act in Midlife Plus, yes, at any age. So you've heard here about vision boards, identity shifts, reinvention, doable change, insightful journaling and role models. Also, that you'll know what the just right transformation is for you when it feels like the person you've wanted to be and is unique to you. For surprise element today, learn what your shoes say about your before and after journey. The story of your life up to now is in your past, filled with joy, yes, regrets, some blame, and lots of learning. But what about the end game? Today, right now, as you consider jumping off the back burner, well it's the before part of your story that goes on. Your plot moves forward from here on out to your exciting after story. You know how it goes, it's a time honored, proven outline of stories that are rags to riches, obese to fit and strong, Diamond in the Rough to Sparkling Gem, Ugly Duckling into Swan. The before and after stories from fairy tales to books, plays, movies, and music that inspires those movies inspires each of us to learn what we really want to be and to be seen as for our own happy endings. On the scientific end, yes there is some, before and after stories play a vital role in positive psychology. We've talked about that a lot. By inspiring, by offering role models, highlighting resilience, fostering positive self-beliefs, and promoting engagement and empowerment. These stories offer powerful narratives that encourage people to pursue their own paths to personal growth and well-being. But before we get to the shoes, the fun part for me, I'd like to share a couple of stories about transformation, where the after isn't so easily seen. It's internal, maybe obvious to others, but nonetheless are illustrations of real change from the before, the beginning of the story. One such story is in the book Wild by Cheryl Straed, also made into a movie starring Reese Witherspoon, that follows the true story of the author's solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail. The plot primarily resolves around the protagonist Cheryl, who embarks on this challenging journey in the aftermath of multiple personal tragedies, including the death of her mother, divorce, and drug addiction. So the theme of Wilde is self-discovery, healing, and finding redemption in nature. Cheryl at the beginning of the story is really lost, she's broken and burdened by her past mistakes. Cheryl carries emotional and physical scars, and her life has been plagued by self-destructive behavior and a real sense of aimlessness. In order to confront her demons and find herself again, Cheryl decides to hike over one thousand miles on the Pacific Crest Trail. Throughout the book, she faces numerous physical challenges and encounters both kind strangers and dangerous situations. As she progresses on her journey, Cheryl slowly learns to let go of her past mistakes, forgive herself, and come to terms with the loss of her mother. Through the physical exertion, solitude, and tests of endurance, Cheryl gains strength, resilience, and self reliance. And it's been proven, scientifically, that being outdoors during all of this is really soothing and supportive, no matter the ups and downs. By the end of the story, Cheryl undergoes a profound transformation, and she's discovered her self worth, rediscovered it really. Her self acceptance comes along, and she has a sense of purpose. The experience of hiking the trail reconnects her with nature's beauty and the inherent goodness of humanity. She emerges as a stronger, more self assured, and compassionate individual. Her afterstory, ready to embrace her next chapter with newfound hope and clarity. Overall, Wilde showcases Cheryl's journey from personal turmoil to self redemption, highlighting the transformative power of nature and resilience in overcoming adversity. During her journey in Wilde, Cheryl encounters several people who provide guidance and support along the way. One notable person who acts as a mentor is a man known as Greg, whom Cheryl meets during her hike on the Pacific Trail. Known as in the book, quote, the Moose Whisperer, unquote, Greg acts as Cheryl's practical guide and emotional coach, sharing his knowledge about the trail, offering valuable tips about the upcoming challenges such as dangerous river crossings and navigation. I mean what a journey, right? Greg also becomes a source of emotional support, offering words of encouragement and sharing his own experiences. His guidance and friendship contribute to Cheryl's journey towards personal growth and eventual transformation. To supplement my curiosity about compelling before and after elements in movies, I have a leg up, and then I can ask whatever I want to know from my remarkable brother Peter Teshner, a longtime film editor, very experienced who has worked on many, many movies you would recognize. But he surprised me a bit when I asked about his favorite illustrations of before and after plots in the films he has edited. I was thinking he'd say the movie Hidden Figures, based on the true story of African American women who were accepted into the early phases of NASA because of their expertise and in spite of their gender and racial minority status in the 1960s. Or maybe he would say the comedy Dodgeball, he edited, with the subtitle An Underdog Story. That was a hoot. But as I said, Peter surprised me, two that he edited that show the power of transformation, he said, are horrible bosses, where the vengeful group realizes they are only hurting themselves, and Saint Vincent, the movie starring Bill Murray. Saint Vincent is the story of a somewhat angry older man who ends up on an unexpected journey with his ten year old next door neighbor Oliver, Peter said. And Murray's character, Vincent, agrees to provide daycare for Oliver, as his newly divorced mother has no other options. Peter went on. You want me to babysit? Vincent asks. The mom says yes, they agree on a price, and the film takes us on a journey where Oliver teaches Vincent how to be kind and considerate, as Vincent is busy teaching Oliver how to bet at the racetrack and punch bullies in the face at school. So Vincent ends up mourning the loss of his wife, and comes to realize that the ten year old Oliver might be the best friend he's ever had. The after the ending has Oliver nominating Vincent for sainthood at his Catholic elementary school, Peter added, as Vincent reveals to the students and parents and to himself, that behind the curmudgeonly anger is a man who has suffered but does not complain, and who deep down knows the difference between right and wrong. Vincent was redeemed, and the power of storytelling enhanced by all the magic of movie making, really hits home. Thanks, Peter. I love the outward display of before and after status in the appearance of film characters, costumes, etc. Such as in a favorite Greece. From prim lacy, new girl to electrifyingly tight trousers, Sandy's makeover is now the stuff of cinema legend. In Clueless, the main character played by Alicia Silverstone, said that makeovers offered her a sense of control in a world full of chaos. Dirty dancing. Away from home, a dream of a dress, and new dance moves left baby having the time of her life, as the movie soundtrack proclaimed. I bet things back home were never the same again. My fair lady. From drab and ragged shawls to sartorial splendor and oh those hats, Audrey Hepburn gets a makeover to match the new language skills that reflect her intelligence and compassion. And now for the shoes. In any scene or real walk of life, shoes are easy to see as symbols of personal growth and change. Top of the list, because we all know it, the classic fairy tale Cinderella, who transformed from a badgered servant to a princess. Her ragged, worn out shoes are replaced by a pair of sparkling glass slippers, symbolizing her newfound elegance and status. And I'm gonna add that she had her own mentor, guide, or life coach to ease her way, the fairy godmother, of course. And just as well known, the belivid film and book, of course, Wizard of Oz, where Dorothy, with the assistance of Glinda the Good Witch, and some snazzy red ruby slippers, moves from unhappy, unappreciative adolescent, to getting way more than she bargained for in seeking new adventure, and the realization that the life she truly wanted could be found and appreciated in her own backyard, among the people who really counted, who loved her and those she loved. But I bet she kept the slippers, fingers crossed. From the movie Legally Blonde, followed by the sequel, which Peter edited, Elle Woods transforms from a bubbly sorority girl to a successful law student. Her wardrobe changes from bright and pink to sophisticated and professional, including a switch from colorful high heels to sleek, stylish pumps. In the princess diaries, Anne Hathaway's character, Mia Thermopolis, transforms from a shy, awkward teenager into a confident princess. Her shoes go from simple sneakers to elegant, delicate heels that complement her regal appearance. The same actress in the Devil Words Prada shuns outward appearances until her mentor, played by Stanley Tucci, shows her how adapting her style honors her co-workers, the fashion magazine audience, and supports her transformation from small time writer to serious one. In the Disney film Beauty and the Beast, the Beast undergoes a physical transformation after Belle falls in love with him. His monstrous appearance changes to that of a prince, and his large, clunky boots are replaced with refined royal footwear. By the way, I did mention this whole charming prince stereotype to Peter. But that's a conversation for another day. The Hunger Games series of books and movies, Katniss Everdeen's appearance is transformed from a poverty stricken resident to a skilled rebel and symbol of hope. Her rustic hunting boots evolve into sleek, sturdy combat boots, equipped for survival and warfare. The grouchy but savvy Hamish serves as Katniss's life coach along her way. Tracy Turnblad, in the movie Hairspray, transforms from a girl with big dreams to a full blown dance star and advocate for change. Her style shifts from comfortable practical shoes to retro inspired dance shoes, reflecting her newfound confidence and success. So, what shoes would you like to be in when your before has become your after? Will you take a meaningful first step? Will you use some of the tools for transformation that I've shared on this podcast? Will you seek the help of a valued role model or a life coach? Well now it's time for me to revisit my closet to polish up the shoes I've been missing ever since COVID, and migration to bedroom slippers, flats, and dare I say it, crocs. I gotta find those hot pink heels. Okay, kitten heels. My stiletto days are, thankfully, over. So to coach with me one on one, to move from before to after in your own life without people pleasing, to practice self-care, or to focus on weight loss results at Midlife Plus, please just send an email to me at hello at LoriadamsCoing dot com so we can schedule an easy conversation about what you really want. And to keep the transformational information coming each week, please follow, fire up at 55 Plus wherever you download your podcasts. And if on Apple, share a review and a star worthy rating. It's much appreciated. Hey, thanks for listening. To contact me directly, please reach out via email to hello at laurieadamscoaching.com. And I invite you to take a look at my flaming hot webpage, fireup at fiftyfiveplus.com. That's fireup, the word at 55plus.com. And until next week, make the most of your sizzling second act.