About Me

50+Still Standing: The Midlife Pivot from Ballet to Chaos Management 

Hello there! If you’re here, you probably know that life after 50 is less about slowing down and more about realizing you’ve been handed the script for an entirely different, highly improvised play. My life has always been less of a graceful ballet and more of a spontaneous contact sport—and frankly, I wouldn't have it any other way. We have to laugh, right? It’s the cheapest, most effective medicine there is.

The Early Years: When 'Never' Becomes 'Surprise!'

My early life was a whirlwind of pressure and perfection—the rigid world of ballet. Alongside that pressure came the diagnosis: I was told I couldn't have children. So, naturally, I embraced the chaotic freedom of my twenties, got married way too young, and was divorced by the time I was 26. A good reset button, I suppose!

Fast forward to my late 30s. I had finally found my person, and life felt settled. And then, the ultimate plot twist: at 39, despite all the medical history and the brief panic over an unfortunate Reaccutane prescription, I was pregnant. For an adopted only child, it felt like winning the universe’s lottery. We immediately doubled down on our luck and welcomed a daughter shortly after.

Being an older parent (39 and 41) wasn't a drawback; it was a superpower. I’d had my party years; I was secure, confident, and ready to tackle motherhood with a focused vengeance.

The Midlife Meltdown and the Quest for the Awesome Job

The kids were the dream, but the reality of parenting, especially with one child on the spectrum, collided hard with our financial situation. The stress became a tidal wave, and before I knew it, my second marriage had dissolved, and we lost the house. Suddenly, I was a single mom, rebuilding from ground zero. It wasn't easy, but thanks to an amazing support system and an ex-husband who never skimped on contributing, I landed an awesome corporate job and got back on my feet.

Fast forward seven years. I was successful, but the job was eating my soul. My kids needed more of me. So, I took a leap of faith for a smaller, more flexible company. Three months later? COVID arrived.

There I was, 56, jobless, and watching my savings evaporate. The life coach certification I pursued, searching for meaning and purpose, certainly filled my mind, but not my bank account. I tried everything. I struggled. I moved in with a friend because two teenagers cannot share one room indefinitely.

That low point was my unexpected education. I plunged into websites and design, re-educating myself and discovering the power of the digital world. The struggle was real, but it taught me that we are never too old to find a new path.

The Ultimate Plot Twist and Finding Gratitude

Just as I was finding my footing and launching a small business, tragedy struck again. I lost my very best friend and business partner to cancer. And in a shock I’m still processing, I was appointed the guardian of her 14-year-old son.

So, here I am, The Creative Coach. I’m 58, running a strategic design and content business, and proudly the mother of three teenagers. If you’d told me ten years ago I’d be here, I’d have spit out my wine laughing.

My story isn't about perfection; it's about the grit it takes to keep standing, pivoting, and laughing—even when the universe hands you a new, unscripted role. I am grateful for every single friend and family member who keeps me grounded and sane.

If my life proves one thing, it's that chaos makes us resilient, and there is always a second act waiting. Ready to start writing yours?