Since turning 40, I’ve been on a journey of growth and change—some of it intentional, some of it unexpected. But through it all, I’ve reached a place where I truly love myself and the imperfect, beautiful life I’ve built. Nothing dramatic sparked this transformation. Instead, it was a slow but steady immersion into personal growth, wellness, and mindset work that reshaped how I see myself and the world around me.

The Athlete Mindset That Changed Everything

As a figure skating coach for over 25 years and a mother to three high-achieving athletes, I’ve always been fascinated by what makes athletes tick. My deep dive into personal growth began with books like Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck and The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle. These books didn’t just influence how I coached my skaters—they changed how I approached my own life.

Growing up in the 80s, the focus was mostly on performance and results rather than the mental and emotional well-being of young athletes. My parents were positive and encouraging, but the overall culture leaned toward measuring success by what had yet to be achieved rather than celebrating potential growth.

Dweck’s concept of a growth mindset was a game changer for me. The simple yet powerful shift from “I can’t do this” to “I can’t do this yet” became a mantra in our household. My kids embraced it immediately: My corner kick isn’t perfect yet. My double axel isn’t there yet. My room isn’t clean yet. It became a way of life, and honestly, it’s one of the best gifts I could have given them—and myself.

The Hard Truth About Personal Growth

After seven years of consuming everything I could on personal development, I can confidently say this: Change is possible, but only if you’re willing to do the work and embrace discomfort.

By nature, I’m someone who craves consistency and structure. As an ADHD woman, routines have been my survival mechanism. But real growth doesn’t happen in your comfort zone. When I took a step back and audited my life, I realized that if I truly wanted to evolve, I had to get comfortable being uncomfortable.

That meant embracing personal growth hacks and small, sustainable changes instead of chasing quick fixes. I stopped trying to lose 20 pounds in two weeks and instead focused on living a healthier lifestyle—cutting empty calories, walking or running daily, and prioritizing movement. The weight didn’t drop overnight. It took a year. But the habits I built will last a lifetime.

The Mental Work: Mindset Shifts and Self-Acceptance

If I’m honest, mindfulness and mental health were the hardest areas for me to embrace. But they were also the most transformative. Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza was a turning point. Initially, I found his work through YouTube interviews and podcasts, but once I read his books, I was hooked. His research-backed approach made the “woo” of meditation feel grounded in science—something my logic-driven brain needed to buy in.

For the past three years, I’ve been journaling regularly, and in the last year, I’ve committed to meditation. On the days I meditate, journal, and take time to practice gratitude, my entire day flows better. I have more patience, more clarity, and more appreciation for the little moments. Mindset shifts are powerful, and even small ones can completely transform your daily life.

Learning to Love the Skin I’m In

Along with the inner work, I had to learn to love and embrace my evolving body. Yes, I’ve lost weight, but my body isn’t the same as it was in my 20s. And that’s okay. I love that at 47, I still have the energy to work out daily, coach on the ice, and move with ease. The alternative to aging? Not being here at all. And that perspective shift alone has made me deeply grateful for every day I get to live, move, and experience life.

If you ever find yourself being critical of your body, take a step back. Reflect on everything you’ve been through, everything your body has carried you through. You are amazing. Your body is amazing. Celebrate that.

The Power of Lifelong Learning: Growth Mindset for Moms

Books and podcasts have been my constant companions throughout this journey. You won’t find many fiction titles on my Audible playlist—not because I don’t enjoy them, but because I crave knowledge. Learning from experts, hearing their insights, and applying their strategies to my life has been invaluable. As a mom, adopting a growth mindset has helped me become a better parent and role model for my kids.

If you’re looking for inspiration, here are some of my favorite books and podcasts on growth, mindset, and wellness. I highly recommend checking them out:

Books I recommend:

• Mindset:The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck
• Mind Gym: An Athlete’s Guide to Inner Excellence
• The Talent Code: Unlocking the Secret of Skill in Sports, Art, Music, Math and Just about Anything
• How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie 
• It Takes What It Takes by Trevor Moawad
• The Power of One More by Ed Mylette
• Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis 
• Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself  By Dr. Joe Dispenza
• Manifest by Rosie Nafousi
• The Secret by Rhonda Bryne

Podcast I love: 

• The Ed Mylett Show
• The School of Greatness – Lewis Howes
• The Goal Digger Podcast – Jenna Kutcher
• The Rachel Hollis Podcast 

You can explore and download them through Audible using this link: Audible

Final Thoughts: Own Your Midlife

If there’s one thing I want every woman in midlife to know, it’s this: You are not stuck. You are not past your prime. You have so much growth, joy, and opportunity ahead of you—if you choose to embrace it.

Aging isn’t something to fear; it’s something to celebrate. Every day is another chance to learn, evolve, and step into the best version of yourself. And I, for one, am excited to see where this journey takes me next.

Here’s to embracing midlife and loving the new me—because, honestly, she’s pretty amazing.