Ep. 41 Pro-Aging: How Life After 40 is Your Second Act with Barbara Brooks
“Pro-aging is aging out loud, owning this time in life, and not letting others say to you that you should be over.”
– Barbara Brooks
If you’re a Gen X woman who:
→ has shied away from aging,
→ thinks that you’ve entered the stage of life where you’re supposed to be winding down, or
→ are tired of being told by society that you have no value at this age,
then this episode will have you embracing the power of being “pro aging.”
This episode is a no-fluff, high-truth convo with Barbara Brooks, founder of SecondActWomen, about the fire and frustration that come with being overlooked in a culture obsessed with youth and 30 under 30 lists.
We explore what it means to be pro-aging, how to embrace “solo aging,” and the importance of seeing aging as a privilege and opportunity to bloom again! Barbara shares her own journey of not being able to find a job in her mid-40’s, the challenges faced by women over 40, and how it all led to her becoming an accidental entrepreneur in her late 40’s. And, geek out on the statistics Barbara shares on how Gen X women are fueling the longevity economy and launching businesses in record numbers.
Come along for a wild Gen X ride as Barbara talks about growing up with an inspiring mom who helped give her the resilience she needed along her path, all things Gen X childhood, and a lifelong love of music!
This episode will remind you that you're not wilting on the vine after 40—you’re just starting to bloom!
🗝️ KEY TAKEAWAYS:
22:02 Experiencing Ageism in Midlife
34:25 Defining Pro-Aging and Privilege of Aging
43:51 Understanding Solo Aging
47:02 Statistics on Women in the Workplace and Business
48:55 What Gen X'ers Bring to the Workplace and Small Business
⭐️ GUEST BIO
Hyping women over 40, Barbara Brooks flips the script on ageism and redefines life in the middle with her age-positive message. A founder of SecondActWomen, dynamic speaker, and media contributor, Barbara sparks bold conversations about the power and value of women in their prime.
💫 CONNECT WITH GUEST
Sign up for the Again Out Loud Newsletter to receive your free Ultimate Resource List for Women Over 40
Watch PBS 12’s Humanize Colorado: Women in the Workforce - Episode 1 with Barbara Brooks, Rep. Brittany Pettersen, and Yazmin Castillo
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