When people ask my age, I like to joke: "Do you want my outside age or my inside age? Because they're vastly different."

I'm a woman in my 50s who refuses to fade quietly into the background or pretend I'm desperate to look 30 again. Neither of those narratives felt true. What felt true was that I had more clarity, confidence (okay, not always), and energy (sometimes) than ever before—and I knew I wasn't alone.

That's why I started Seasoned with Youth.

My Story

I spent decades building a career in government, raising children, and checking all the traditional boxes. I married in my mid-30s, blended a family, had two more daughters, and navigated the beautiful chaos of work, parenthood, dance recitals, health scares, and everything in between.

Then I retired at 55.

Suddenly, the structure that had defined my adult life—career deadlines, school schedules, constant obligations—disappeared. I thought I'd feel free. Instead, I felt... restless. Within four months, I was back at work on contract. It turned out that retirement wasn't about stopping. It was about choosing differently.

Along the way, I've learned a few things:

About health: When my youngest daughter was diagnosed with severe pediatric psoriasis at age 9, I went down a rabbit hole of documentaries and research that changed how our family ate. Twelve years later, she's never needed treatment again. That experience sparked a lasting curiosity about nutrition, wellness, and how our choices shape our health as we age.

About fitness: I was a gym rat in my 20s—the kind who had abs and didn't think twice about it. In my 50s? Everything shifted. Weight crept on, metabolism slowed, and I had to completely rethink my relationship with movement. I'm still figuring it out, but I'm learning that fitness after 50 isn't about chasing my younger self. It's about honouring the body I have now.

About identity: Without my career title and with my kids becoming independent adults, I had to ask: Who am I beyond those roles? It's a question I'm still answering—and that's okay.

Here, you'll find stories about my life that include:

• Wellness wisdom that goes beyond kale smoothies—real talk about nutrition, health challenges, and what actually works

• Fitness reality for bodies that have changed, with practical advice that honors where we are now

• Lifestyle musings on everything from relationships to travel to navigating retirement while still raising adults

• Financial straight-talk for building the security and freedom we deserve

• Creative inspiration to rekindle that spark and pursue what lights us up

• Technology tips that actually make sense (because we didn't grow up with this stuff, but we're not afraid of it either)

Each post is designed to inform, inspire, and remind you that you're part of a community writing our own rules for this chapter of life.

Why "Seasoned with Youth"?

Because we're seasoned—we've lived, learned, stumbled, survived, and thrived. We have wisdom that only comes from experience.

But we're also infused with youth—curiosity, possibility, creativity, and the refusal to believe our best days are behind us.

Age may change our bodies, but it doesn't touch our inner selves. We remain endlessly curious, creative, and full of possibility.

What I'm Not

I'm not a health professional, fitness expert, or financial advisor. I'm not here to tell you I have all the answers or that I've figured everything out.

What I am is someone navigating this stage of life in real time—making mistakes, asking questions, trying new things, and sharing what I'm learning along the way.

This blog isn't about perfection. It's about authenticity, community, and the messy, wonderful reality of being a woman over 50 who's still very much in progress.

I believe:

• That being over 50 isn't about what we've lost—it's about everything we've gained and everything still ahead

• In eating well most of the time and enjoying treats without guilt

• That consistency beats perfection every single time

• In financial security as a form of freedom, not just safety

• That we can be both seasoned and youthful, wise and curious, confident and still figuring things out

• That community matters—we're better when we navigate this together

Join the Community

This blog is my invitation to you: let's navigate this stage of life together. Let's share what we're learning, celebrate what we're creating, and support each other through the challenges.

Let's prove that being over 50 isn't an ending. It's a beginning.

So grab a cup of coffee (or tea, or wine—no judgment here), get comfortable, and let's explore what it means to be truly, vibrantly seasoned with youth.

With warmth and excitement for the journey,