Laugh Loud, Live Bold – Forever Fierce Campaign 2018

 

Exactly one year ago today, the Midlife Revolution began with an organic, grassroots campaign called The Fierce 50. Since that time, we’ve been humbled by the response and the evolution of a movement to shift the perception of women at midlife and beyond.

As the community has naturally opened up to all women at midlife and beyond, we have changed the name to Forever Fierce but kept the original intention to place a fresh, vibrant and empowered frame around women who have reached the inflection point called Midlife. With that intention in mind, I am excited to introduce this year’s campaign. The original Fierce 50 began with the Blogging Community, but the message has always extended well beyond those boundaries. This year, I am thrilled to be a part of an exclusive and intimate group of Bloggers who have shown their dedication to lifting and empowering women at Midlife and beyond.

It is my great pleasure to introduce you today to a group of 9 women who I find to be powerful, inspiring and bold, each in their own right. And I couldn’t be more excited to utilize my AskSuzanneBell.com platform to share the powerful voices of these 9 very special women. Once you read their stories, you can read more amazing stories by visiting this page: Forever Fierce Day.

So Tell Us, What Does it Mean to be FIERCE at Midlife? 

Rebecca Snowball, Age 49. http://www.yogasoul.com | FB @Yogasoul7 | Instagram @RebeccaSnowball

I literally needed to define this word, fierce, to understand what it means to be fierce in midlife. Fierce has many meanings some of them quite brutal…literally.  

For me, to be fierce in midlife is to be powerful, strong, fiery, and wild.   There is a freedom that comes in midlife that is positively delightful! The freedom to BE who I really am and shine my brilliance out into the world, without abandon, is what it means to be fierce. But first I had to find myself.

In my early twenties into my early thirties I was searching…I wasn’t quite sure what I was looking for, but I was looking for someone or something to make me feel better about myself.  I was deeply insecure and lacking self-worth on the inside even though I came across as confident and together on the outside. Fortunately, my search led me to yoga and an awesome therapist.  I’ve been learning, growing, and connecting with my Self ever since.  

To be fierce at midlife is to honor by body temple.  I work out, practice yoga, and lead an active yet balanced life.  Being fierce means being tuned into my body and making time for self care and rest. I make it a priority to get regular massage and spend time in nature. Being fierce means being playful and wild, dancing, laughing, and jumping into the Ocean.  Yes, even in Northern CA. Here’s to being Fierce in our Fifties!

DeeAnn Suppes, Age 54

First, let me tell you for sure that the 50’s are by far my favorite decade in this lifetime and I expect the glow to continue for several more.

Why? I finally feel Free to be me..to express my opinion, to exude my joy, to laugh loudly and live boldly without self-judgment.  For several decades, I struggled to accept my body, my face, my thoughts and most of all my truth.  But the still small voice inside me was persistent and demanded that I Live authentically and with intention.  Now unapologetically, I live my life, speak my truth, and love myself.

Today I’m filled with enormous gratitude for my journey and the struggles I endured to become the woman I was created to be.  One that feels empowered and stronger mentally, physically and emotionally than ever before. 

How does Fierceness show up?  It’s everyday celebrations, moments of stillness, lots of flowers, bright colors, daily green juice, hiking in nature and of course occasional Champagne! Remember to Celebrate…

Linda Cecil, Age 51.  www.youngvillagers.com | FB @YoungVillagers| T:@YoungVillagers

Fierce, to me at the age of 51, is not about how I look and act externally.  Instead, it is about having a strong “core” internally. At this age, I have made enough mistakes and learned enough life lessons to know what I am looking for in the remainder of my life, what is important for my happiness and what my value is to society and community.  Hold true to who I am and stay open-minded in new experiences, be kind and helpful to helpless, be genuine to people with a determination to stay away from unnecessary drama and gossip, these are my principles of being fierce in mid-age.

Suzy Lester, Age 52 www.Suzylester@myrandf.com | IG @Suzy4Rodan

To be Fierce is to show heartfelt and powerful emotion. My heartfelt passion is my family and my emotion is empowering women.

As young women, we are taught we can do it ALL! After spending 18 years as a Nordstrom executive my life felt a little unbalanced. Married with two children, I needed to figure out how to merge my two passions without sacrificing.

Becoming a Rodan + Fields consultant has allowed me to work in an industry I love, attend school functions and still be home for dinner with my family. I have built a team of fierce women like myself who love to help others feel good about themselves inside and outside. When we feel good ourselves, our self-esteem and self confidence grow and shine bright! Over the past three years, I have been able to keep my heart at home and empower women at the same time! Here’s to being Fierce at 50!

Helen James, Age 52, Sydney Australia. IG @FashionandLifeToday and @Helen_James35

Being Fierce in midlife means being closer to my true self, in a world where we are told what we should be and how we should live our lives. I’ve never been one to be conventional and find that as I age I want to be even less conventional.

For me that is freedom and I’m learning that I don’t have to move a mountain to feel that way, it’s inside me and always has been, it’s just that I see it more clearly now and that knowledge brings change.

Margie Suozzo, Age 53. IG@MargieSuozzo

To me, being fierce in mid-life means being completely comfortable with myself, giving myself more room to be ME:

To take physical, mental, and emotional risks – without fear.

To laugh more. Play more. And create beautiful things.

To suck at some things and thrive at others.

To practice non-judgment, non-judgment, non-judgment. For self and others.

To embrace aging with grace and excitement.

To express gratitude for all that I have – especially for family and friends, and to my life’s greatest teachers, my kids!

To honor the beauty and majesty of Earth, our home – soaking up the sun, rivers, oceans, and all the amazing and varied life forms.

To let compassion and kindness pour out of me. And

To love fearlessly with a full and open heart.

Michelle Sturiale, Age 47

Being fierce in my late 40s means I feel comfortable having healthy boundaries and living my life on my own terms.  I’ve also learned to embrace aging and focus on things that make me feel healthy, beautiful and strong!

Susan Kinne, Age 62

Being Fierce in midlife means that life has slowed down.  Even with a teenager in the house! I have slowed down enough to ask the right questions of myself before I take action that I cannot take back or before I say something I can’t take back.  Listening without an agenda.  Spending time with people that I feel good with, that I WANT to be with.  Live life from a place of gratitude and joy.  Fierce means passion to me.  Love the people you love with reckless abandon.  Forgive yourself and be open to learning something new every day from your teenager to your mailman!

Susan Battat, Age 56 srosebattat@lithographix.com | www.rubyribbon.com/susanbattat | IG @susanbattat

Being fierce in midlife means to me that I am doing it my way. Keeping fit makes me fierce too. I love that my job allows me to have the flexibility and creativity to work and be there for my family. I love to work and be in the thick of it all. Whether I am collaborating on project getting ready to print or having a trunk show selling innovative clothing with shape wear and secrets to make women feel their best! I love the art of the sale and making the connection. I get my energy from those around me. I find myself inspired by finding solutions and making a difference. My life is full and I am grateful for everything.  I don’t let anything get in my way!

Linda, Rebecca, Margie, DeeAnn, Helen, Michelle, Suzy, Susan K., Susan B. – I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your fierce words with me! Your stories inspire me and I hope those reading today as well. Stay bold, live fierce, laugh more and love lots!