Don't Die Before You're Dead

When it comes to closing the books at your year end...personal not financial although could be both... there is nothing more satisfying than knowing you have accomplished that which you set out to do.My mission of touring across Canada was not done in the one year time span that I had envisioned, nonetheless it was completed and I am so very thankful and proud of myself for the challenges that I overcame.Listen to how I did make it across Canada and what I have learned from it and what I am offering to share with others so they too can realize their dreams. Don't lock them up to only visit them from time to time and regret not taking action.Dare to live the life you are meant to live. Go chase those dreams. Experience the thrill of Mission Accomplished like I did!

PSA...Do you have a bank account which you use regularly? Do you deposit fund into it and use your debit card for multiple transactions? Me too.I am sure that like you this has been going on for many years confident in the banking system. However, I have since learned just how vulnerable we are. Are you a criminal? Do you think like a criminal? Do you know any criminals? Like you, my answer to all these questions is NO! So how am I suppose to know how this fraud against my account through an ATM happened?Listen to what has transpired over the past 6 months in my quest for the return of funds lost through NO fault of my own.  If this happened to me, can it happen to you?

May was the beginning of road trips in preparation for the final leg of the cross Canada tour - the East coast.  Three trips in all: Wasaga Beach, North Bay and Kincardine. Betty handled things like a dream. June 7th became the schedule departure date.Then the long weekend brought about a dangerous detour. One that I never saw coming. What I thought was possible indigestion, wasn't.

When facing challenges on her job,  Annette Lavigne had to think  about her plans to continue working or retire, she decided it was time to open a new door. Through her years of being a Toastmaster, Annette knew she had many skills to help her move forward. One thing she knew for sure. She wasn't ready for retirement.With the help of others, Annette decided to take the necessary courses to move to a new industry...one of great interest to her. She studied and with working at her own pace, she passed the requirements to become a Mortgage Agent.She says that maybe you won't want to become what she has become, but to know that making changes even as you enter the senior years is very doable.

Are you journaling?  if so, how do you do it?  Are you typing on your computer so you can save files and take up less room than having books? Or handwriting?Handwriting really does have some benefits in writing your journal. As you focus on writing clearly, you can change some of your characteristics. Graphologists can offer lots of insight into how a person writes not just whether the writers are the same in pieces of writing.The benefits of journaling are many ranging from improving memory and concentration, strengthening ability to focus, and reduce stress and anxiety.Have a listen and see if you should either keep journaling or begin.

Dharma Bums Yoga has been teaching yoga for nearly 20 years.  Bums yoga! Love that name as the owner, Rachel Page focuses on chair yoga for seniors and beginners. During this episode Rachel shares her passion for using yoga to strengthen core muscles, improve flexibility and movement and the importance of breathing properly for maximum oxygenation.Listen as she explains how to get these tremendous benefits even if you have limited mobility.  You can also catch some of her demos on my YouTube Channel - Merri Macartney.Either way, if all you get out of this is the importance of taking the time to breathe efficiently a few times a day, your body will love you.

What do you do when you find that your life is being consumed by too much work and not enough living? Time for a change. Listen as Leanne and Lyle McCabe share with me how they sold their business and decided to downsize in order to travel the world.  Although they weren't working that business anymore they chose to set up a business that relates to their dreams. Thus BeachTravelWine.com was born.The life they now lead together appeals to their priority of staying active and healthy.  It is also their dream to reach out to others through their podcasts and blog. Leanne and Lyle are very open with how they came to make the decision to embark on this new chapter and how they are managing to live their dream. Truly an inspiration to those who wish to stop just thinking about their dream but go out and get it.

This episode starts with a meandering 15 minute, turned 1 hour, trip to the coffee shop. Google maps outlined ways for me to go but when I came across some of the streets, I decided not to go down them.  Some were too hilly, some too broken up or muddy. In any case I would change directions and then try to find another route. I came to crossroads, deadends and consequently made many U turns.I did, however, reach my destination.As I was meandering, I thought of just how much life can be like that. We start off in one direction and usually end up making some kind of adjustment to our plans. I know I have been on many detours and run into deadends...like 2 practice marriages.How are you doing? Are you up for changes too?  Retirement can create many of these situations for us, especially if we did not plan on it. Then what's a person to do?Listen to some of my meandering thoughts and see if you might agree.

Hayley Mayer from Sydney Australia is a psychotherapist who has faced a traumatic experience and has since learned to dance with life not wrestle with it. She offers tools and techniques to implement when faced with challenges and others who might try to step over your boundaries. Hayley's focus is on the importance of self-love saying it is foundational to living a life filled with our purpose.Her idea of loving ourselves is to talk consider what you would say to a 5 year old child. If you wouldn't say it to them, then don't say it to yourself.Listen as Hayley talks about the self-love vs selfishness conundrum.  What's your take? Agree or disagree?

Owner and founder of The Couples Clinic, therapist Ronnie Littlewood, shares with us some insights into how to strengthen relationships going into this new year.These apply to all types of relationships regardless of ages or gender although her comments might be more relevant to a female audience.Her practice plus her personal life experiences were shared to provide listeners with some tips and strategies to help them move forward in whatever relationships might need a boost.

Is this the time of year when you stop to reflect on where you are in life? Do you ask yourself how things are different this year from this time last year?  Many people do.As you think about your life and how you got to where you are today, consider that you will be in the same place this time next year. How would you like things to be then?Listen as I read to you the closing passage of my book, Don't Die Before You're Dead,  and consider my challenge.

Sometimes people think that once their education for a formal career is done, there is no longer any need to look for other opportunities to learn. That might work for some but the fact is that we need to keep our brains engaged.  Like the old adage says, use it or lose it.What can this added learning be? Anything and for any reason. Whether it is merely an interest or pursuit of a side hustle, it doesn't matter. Learning opportunities are everywhere.  This podcast includes how to find free opportunities to expand knowledge and others might cost a fee dollars. Take a listen to see if there is anything that will inspire you to carry on becoming a life-long learner.

It is easy to think about aiming for work/life balance but not so much when we think about life/life balance.  Sometimes it is easy to get unmotivated and feeling stuck in the doldrums like the short days of early winter.In this podcast there are 5 possible ideas that could help add some balance. Retirees know only too well how easy it is to get stuck in a routine and miss out of living a full life while they still can.The idea is always to do what you can, while you can, for as long as you can. 

After having fallen off the wagon for quite some time, what is needed to get back on? First it begins with acknowledging that it is indeed possible to start where you left off. Yes, it might be embarrassing, a matter of pride but being honest is a great first step. Realizing that we are not alone in having fallen is empowering. We are human and we are not alone in facing this issue. Why we face it might be very different but how we can recover is the same. Just start. Remember that time is racing and leaving things till tomorrow might be the biggest part of the problem. Tomorrow never comes and very quickly it becomes a matter of many many tomorrows have passed.That's what happened to me. Now I begin anew.Listen in as I share my viewpoint today. I invite you to hold me accountable. If you want me to do the same, just let me know.

My guest Lori Lococo is a current Niagara Falls City Councilor and is running for re-election this fall.  When I first met Lori she was an office administrator for a legal firm and was one of the top district leaders in Toastmasters. Listen in as Lori tells how her experiences allowed her to develop key skills for being a team player, for understanding he need for due diligence in decision making and how to be servant leader to her community. Find out how Lori assessed her skills and used them create a new direction for her life.

Many ask the question about what's life going to be like after they retire. What can they do? What do they want to do? Cindy Pavella retired from her career job dealing with group insurance and employee benefits. After a short hiatus to reset, she settled into an entirely different industry as customer representative for a museum and planetarium.In this interview, Cindy tells us how she came about making a new life for herself and also about the joy she finds in her volunteering. Listen as she tells of her experiences and how her next chapter has opened up a whole new world.

More than likely the day will come when the memories you hold in your memory bank will be of more value that the money you have deposited in your bank account. At that time, you might be limited in what you can and can't do, can go and can't go but with your memories you are free to redo what you've done and revisit places you've been.Realize now while you can that those memories will be priceless to you in your golden years so make them now while you can.  Become conscious of the passing of time. Make every day one worth remembering. Uplift your spirits or perhaps uplift someone else's.Invest in the bank that will reward you for years to come.

Now is the time of year when we become more engaged in self reflection.  We know that a brand new year is imminent and we give a thought or two to new year's resolutions.  Even if we don't believe in them, we can't help but let them cross our minds if only to scoff at them.Many days in the year go by with nary  a thought to how our lives are shaping up. And yet when we see the all too familiar marker of time marching past, we pause to reflect.Or at least I hope we do.Ask some elderly folks who have become experts at looking back on their lives and they will often tell you that they don't regret the things they did, but rather the things they didn't do.If only they had used their time in reflection to create plans for a new direction.Is this you? Listen as I share some strategies that have worked for me. Then dare to live the life you are meant to live.

From childhood we learn that there are certain things expected from us. We catch on early that our parents then our teachers expect us to behave according to the "norms" we see around us. Those of us who don't adhere to those behaviors soon find that life present challenges that those who do adhere don't tend to face.For those who live up to the expectations life seems to offer more rewards and opportunities to move forward. There are also societal expectations that tend to govern our lives. They are found in our continuing education, relationships, and career choices. As we mature and progress through life we find ourselves acknowledging that there are certain times when we are expected to have a life partner, begin a family and even buy a home.Have you noticed this? Are you aware that you may be living your life according to those expectations? Are you living in the box? That's where the expectations are.Discover what it might mean for you to live outside the box...at least according to expectations.

Because Covid 19 came with restrictions, lockdowns and border closures,  plans for my Cross Canada tour was not a possibility. Instead of taking on the huge disappointment as a cancellation, I saw it as an opportunity to adjust my plans.Instead of cross Canada, I opted to fully tour Ontario - a province I had lived in my whole life but never fully explored...till summer 2021.Instead of being a speaking and book signing tour, it became a friendship tour as I visited friends I hadn't seen in a very long time. Instead of being about delivering my message of doing what you can while you can for as long as you can, I lived it fully every day.Act I became my practice tour. Act II will be planning for the cross Canada tour of 2022 and Act III will be the execution.Listen in as I share how Act I set the stage for the rest of the play - Don't Die Before You're Dead.

It has been a while since my last podcase... kind of sounds like a confession doesn't it?  There are many reasons why and I would have to admit that some of them are really just excuses. I have missed doing them and I have thought more about them  since taking the unintentional break.To me, our use of time is so critical. I have taught many time management workshops as well as procrastination - Slay the Procrastination Dragon one of my most frequently requested.And yet I still struggle myself. Maybe that is why my workshops go so well; I am one of the people and we can look at steps together on how to make changes.In this podcast I deal with the value of time and use a quote by Mark Levy. However, I did cover a couple of examples he did not. Perhaps these could be something you'd use to help you remember to put time - or the use of it - high on your priority list.No matter how we look at it, time is a non-renewable resource and limited at that. How will you use yours?

Many years ago young people would say that they were "going to find themselves." According to Merriam Webster Dictionary this mean to learn what one truly values and wants in life.This is not the purpose of my tour. I am not looking to find myself but I did discover some things about myself.Being gone for 4 weeks gave me some experiences provided some insights into my psyche. Some things I was prepared for and others I wasn't.  I discovered how important it was for me to answer the question, "Will I regret this decision?" as I traveled around to various areas of Southwestern Ontario and looked at taking part in some activities.All in all I am really proud of being out there living my message to live fully every day.

Quite often when we speak to others, we find that life doesn't always journey in a linear fashion. For some, it takes many years to find exactly what it is that we believe we are meant to do. Frances Hickmott is no exception. She calls herself a late bloomer as she has journeyed through various experiences. This relates in her recently published Journey to Joy.  While telling her story Frances askes the question about how your past may be affecting you in the present.Not only is Frances an author she is also a coach. Her life's journey makes her exceedingly relatable and helps her help her clients to find their way and get unstuck. No matter the age, there is always the possibility of new beginnings.Take Frances' free mastermind course on her website: www.francesfound.com

This was to be the summer of Don't Die Before You're Dead tour. Due to Covid many things changed as did my tour.No longer was I able to secure sponsorship or speaking engagements or book signing events. So much uncertainty left us all unable to make those kinds of decisions. No one knew where we would be at any given time or what we'd be able to do.So instead of this summer being my 6 month tour, it is now a shorter length of time and not all of Canada. My mini-van still got converted thanks to my son Robb. I still hit the road only now I have changed the focus to being a practice run for next year. Things had to change and that is OK.I am still excited and looking to live my life fully in spite of having to make these changes.  It is just fine to be flexible and know that making a change isn't a bad thing. Sometimes it is the only thing.Next summer I will be out there doing what I set out to do this year. And I'll be even more ready. 

Get out of the 9-5 rut! Expand that box...or break out of it! Retirement isn't about "stopping." It's about finding what truly makes you happy and doing what you want for the rest of your life! This is what Jacquie Doucette of Beyond Retirement is all about.  Having retired from the military  way too young to be retired, Jacquie reentered but this time as a  civilian. She knew that she wasn't ready and had more to do before that stage in her life. As a coach, Jacquie helps her clients make the transition from a working life to a retired life full of promise and purpose.

Single?  Trying to find the "one" online with all the multiple dating sites? Frustrated?With so many it's hard to know where to turn. Does wading through the possibilities only to be disappointed or worse yet be scammed?Then meet CEO Linda Miller of Misty River Introductions and find out how an offline matchmaker works.  Linda shares what it is she does to first meet and understand her clients, what he or she is looking for in a partner and then to see who she knows will be a good fit.All is very personal with individual one on one meet ups.Misty River has been operating for over 20 years, first starting in Manitoba - which is ongoing - before moving to Ontario and Quebec. Ask her about her success rate.There are three different packages that clients can choose from  which she shares openly. Many of the free online dating sites might start off free but don't offer the best algorithms for free.  Compare the differences. You might find that the personal touch is what you really want.

AS an English teacher I taught John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men  and for those of you who know the story, the key line is ... "the best laid plans of mice and men".We often have plans whether they be super crucial or just simply a task list. Either way, when things go awry, we need to adjust. So my question would be, just how flexible are you? What do you do when your day falls apart.Here are some tips that I found to help me move on and not dwell on what isn't working. It has taken me a long time to get to this place as I used to be super agitated when things fell apart. It is still a work in progress but I am doing better.  And that somedays is all we can ask for.

Alison Pena  - aka The Bad Widow - hails from New York. She lost her husband to pancreatic cancer in 2016 and faced the same brokenness that many of her clients face. The first year took its toll as she mourned much of the things that she and her husband used to do together. Like most widows, she was tunneling in and avoiding people as she was maneuvering the wasteland of grief.Alison called upon her resilience as she started wanting a bigger life. She began asking for support rather than pushing people away.  Having reengaged, reinvented and rebuilding her life,  Alison had new life, new work and new love.Now she helps her clients to take back their lives after loss.Listen as she shares how she mustered up the courage to begin living again. 

So what are you going to do?  This is what I am getting asked all the time seeing as how Covid had locked us down and I can't head out on my cross-Canada tour on May 10th as planned.There are many options: cancel the tour, postponed till next year, do part this year and the rest next year. All except cancelling the tour are under discussion with me, myself and I.  My camper is in build mode and will be completed so that when I am able to leave I can. Where I go and what I do may undergo many changes but be sure that going and doing are definitely in the works.In order to spread my message of living life fully and doing what you can for as long as you can, I can do no less. I am excited to see what my adventure will actually be.It was my hope that I'd have some sponsors. It was my hope that I'd have many speaking engagements lined up to share my message to inspire and encourage. as well as  signing many of my books. Such is not the case as too  much uncertainty prevails. Perhaps that will happen post tour as opposed to during the tour. All good either way.No matter. I will prevail and live the life I am meant to live. Will you?

Trav Bell is a Bucket Listologist. Since the age of 18, he has always carried around with him in his little blue book, a list of things "to do" before he dies.  On the list was becoming a personal trainer and when he did he was one of the first in Australia.Trav built a sizable business in the brick and mortar world until it became too overwhelming for him and he got caught in a downward spiral. Refusing to take medications, he began instead a journey of self discovery.After much research and development, Trav made a huge transition when he entered into the online world. He says that at this point in his life he stated, "I'd love to run my life from a hammock."Now as known internationally as The Bucket List guy, Trav is an accomplished author with his most recent book being, My Bucketlist Blueprint. A great read. And find out what he means when he talks about the reverse bucket list.

When faced with those big decisions, many people find it somewhat fearful and anxiety producing. They readily agree that it takes courage to face change and enter into transitions. Maybe it will be changing careers, or moving to a new location or perhaps going into retirement. All of these come with a measure of risk needing courage to implement.But where does the courage come from? How can it be built up?From personal experience, some examples of where to look for some much needed advice through allies and mentors.   

Would you agree that we are exactly where we are based on the cumulative effect of all the choices made in our life? Some were made for us and others were made by us. When it comes to the choices that you made, what did you apply as your decision making tool? If you were just deciding what to have for breakfast, it would be quite easy and probably based on fast experiences. The difficulty comes when the decisions are important to our well being. Decisions like buying a house, a new car, a career and others. What can we do to help us make the right decisions?Studies tell us that there is no formal type education on how to make decisions. This is something usually learned through observing others like our parents and then by trial and error. Many use the all too familiar Pro & Con list which can be skewed according to our biases. And often the result is an emotional decision rather than a logical one.Here Merri presents the Cartesian Logic method of decision making. By asking 4 simple questions, an outcome would come about based on logic not emotion. Try it and see if this isn't a workable tool for you.

Most of us hear about the need to arrange our finances for when we retire and we are no longer working for our income. However, there is more to it than just finances.Are you prepared to have the long hours, days and weeks with no routine? Will you have the necessary inventory for any hobbies you might wish to pursue?How about doing all the prep work now? Plan ahead. Look for a balance of physical and mental activity.  Stay focused on what you will do to live fully every day. Remember...there is plenty of life possible after retirement and Don't Die Before You're Dead!

Many people don't want to retire. Some want to work in different ways and others can't afford to retire because they fear they will outlive their money. How can you be aware and intentional as you plan "what's next?"Dr. Dorian Mintzer is a retirement transition coach who helps people find their way into the next chapter of their lives. She has authored a guide called 10 Key Issues to Consider as You Explore Your Retirement Transition which you can download from her website.Oh by the way, Dr Dorian is 75 years young and going strong. Check out her message.

We wouldn't dream of driving down the highway keeping our eyes fixated just on the back bumper of the vehicle in front, would be?  We know that for our safety and the safety of those who ride with us or beside us, we need to keep our eyes continuously roaming.  It is critical that we are totally aware of our surroundings.What about our lives? Are we living with our eyes wide open? Are we consciously keeping our eyes peeled for whatever may be coming and going around us? If we are to take advantage of opportunities then it is important that we are aware of what's going on around us just live when we're driving on the highway.  Being aware shows us where there may be gaps in our thinking or even openings that spring up when least expected.Having tunnel vision can get us killed on the highway and can rob us of living the life we are meant to live. Let's keep our eyes roaming all about to take in everything there is to take in.

The last episode introduced us to Neil Dunsmore who challenged himself to walk the 531 kilometers from his home to Ottawa. He shared with us the details about why he felt called to do this and then how he went about training for such a vigorous endeavor.Twenty-two days in September 2020, Neil walked. In this episode he tells of the times when he felt almost defeated and wanted to call it a day. However, just when he felt he had pushed himself as far as he could, someone would come along side, or call him to say that they were cheering his on.The stories he tells in true Neil Dunsmore fashion will inspire and awe you. It is very clear that he was in the right place at the right time when he was able to do a suicide intervention - and that was over the ocean in Scotland. It isn't just a walking journey but rather a life changing journey. You have to hear this

Neil Dunsmore did the unthinkable to raise money for Mental Health in his community. He walked from Elora Ontario to our nation's capital Ottawa. He knows only too well the distance is 531 kilometers and even more he knows it is over 170000 steps.Over the course of many months Neil trained for this walk that took him 22 days to complete. As a former prison guard, he was used to training but he says there has been nothing like this before. And he still wasn't prepared for the journey.Listen to this Part 1 of his story to learn why he decided to take on this major project and how he prepared for it. As you hear how he was encouraged, you will become encouraged and inspired yourself.Part 2 next week will be about the stories of people he met and the serendipity of events that kept him going when he wanted to call it quits.This is one amazing story told by an amazing man.

There are studies where people indicated that they were dissatisfied with their lives but didn't want to make any changes for fear of having to start over from scratch.The reality is that no one has to start from scratch. We are always the sum total of the lessons we've learned along the way, the experiential knowledge we've acquired or the network of supports we've gathered.All of this counts. Discover how these can impact our choices going forward. Find new ways to make decisions so they are more authentic in your pursuit of living the life you are meant to live.

Are you like most people who tend to put things off till later thinking later is just around the corner? Do you get caught up in your day to day routines believing that the things you put off won't be a problem? Then you might be a procrastinator. Veronica Hislop is a transformation strategist who specializes in helping women to stop procrastinating. She knows that putting things off is just a symptom of some deeper issue which she helps uncover.When Veronica had her Wake-Up Shake-Up call, she knew that things had to change. Now she coaches others so they don't have to experience a frightening episode before making life-altering changes.Through Veronica's professional designations and life experiences, she is a deep reservoir of practical tips and strategies. Listen and find out for yourself. 

My son was telling me about a colleague at his place of work who made the choice not to do something, when he said, "Now that is a regret in the making!"  It got me thinking about what that would have looked like to that colleague. What would it look like to me if I were the one making the choice? This episode is an exploration of how our daily routines can, if not considered carefully, create regrets. It is a call to become conscious, aware of our routines and get ourselves off auto pilot.

A startling question stopped Genevieve Piturro in her tracks. It made her realize that her life was less than fulfilling. She felt she had spent far too many years climbing the corporate ladder to become a top marketing executive.  However, she realized that she had missed so much doing so. Like she shared with Oprah, CNN, the Today Show and others, Genevieve wanted her life to have more meaning and to make an impact where it mattered.  With her own personal finances she started reaching out to children in shelters to offer bedtime stories and pajamas like her mother had done for her and her siblings. Having to overcome enormous personal debt, deciding to leave the corporate life and needing to seek help were all part of her journey to living her life of purpose.Listen as Genevieve shares how she transitioned to a fulfilling life of meaning. 

Today Merri Macartney explores the value of looking for those moments of silence in order to find that still small voice that lives within us all. Where can we find the quiet? What do we  want to ask ourselves? Better yet, what do we hear when we listen?In today's crazy busy hectic world of the hamster wheel, Merri says that we often can't hear ourselves think. There is little time to focus on what our lives are becoming day by day. Merri suggests that in order to avoid regrets, we need to take action now to plan for those future days.

Shawn Tegtmeier has an amazing life story. As she tells it, you can't help but admire how she made a major life change one step at a time. Shawn's life now as a personal trainer and accomplished marathoner, is the end result of her asking the question, "Is that all there is?" The author of the book Running with Walt tells of how she made the journey. It tells of where she began barely being able to run to the end of her street to doing marathons. And that is only one part of her transformation. Shawn worked at her day job and took studies on the side to move forward in her career. It didn't occur to her at first that she would change from being an office worker to personal trainer.Hear how she is no longer the self professed  "chain smoking couch potato". Listen to her "can do" attitude and get inspired.

As the new year settles in, and we look to the future with hope, we can also look to the many things that we have enjoyed in the past. What was it that you loved to do in your youth? Did you love to go bike riding, canoeing, hiking or camping? And how long has it been?Why not go back and enjoy those things again? No one said that there was a certain age when we had to give it up. If you're like me, you just got busy.Or perhaps there are things you'd like to try for the first time ever. Why not? Remember the excitement, the adrenalin rush.  This happens again when you decide that it's time to try it out again.Listen as i relate some of the things that I did through 2020 and into 2021. I hope it will inspire you to relive some of those glory days...especially during the challenging times we are living now.

Gillian Bogden's foray into nutrition came as a result of volunteering at a food bank for low income community members. Her passion was ignited when she realized that she could empower others to take control of their own health through food.Listen in as Gillian shares her story of becoming a certified nutritionist and how it changed her life. Let her lessons become yours and take charge of your food choices.

As a researcher a professor at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Dr. Scott Lear has achieved much success in the academic field. Many of 160 research papers have been published. However, Dr. Lear wanted to reach out to the world in general not such those who attend the institutions.  On his blog, (drscottlear.com) he says, "much of my research has been published in medical journals that impress my colleagues and superiors, but does little to reach the people who may benefit the most from it."He knows of which he speaks as he had a sever medical event in his life and it caused him to reflect on how to reach those people. During this episode, Dr. Scott focuses on the importance of sleep in the pursuit of helping us be the healthiest we can be.

"The airplanes are coming to bomb us!" This was something that Mara Aalipour would hear as a young child in her country of Iran. Growing up in the Iranian culture provided for her experiences not often had by others. After becoming a chemical engineer, working long hard hours and raising a toddler, she suffered what her doctors called self immune condition.While Mara suffered extreme pain in her joints and some days barley able to lift herself from her chair, doctors could not find the cause. It seemed as though the extreme stressors on her life were largely to blame.Mara, with her husband and son, did what many would consider unthinkable. She left her position with her family business, packed up and moved to Canada to begin a brand new life. While friends wondered why on earth she would start over like that, Mara discovered through much self introspection how to become well and end the suffering. Hear her tell her story and be amazed at the intestinal fortitude she mustered to become well.

Melanie Morrissette is a personal trainer who specializes in working with seniors. She runs a program called Osteofit at the B.C. Women's Hospital and Health Center. Her expertise here addresses Low Bone Density and Melanie has some unique tips to restore good bone health with proper nutrition.Many of her clients have suffered from Arthritis, and Parkinsons and Melanie works through specific exercises to build strength and dexterity as much as possible. Her attention to the necessity of correct breathing proves to be a corrective measure to reduce back and joint pain which often leads to better sleep.Check out her website for free resources such as 7 Mistakes to Avoid Starting Workout after 50+

Jyoti Sharma is a certified life coach who works with her clients from personal experiential knowledge. She knows of what she speaks having listened to her heart and followed her dream even when it meant moving to far away places. Jyoti heard the calling from deep within to go to Goa,  India to work with entrepreneurial women. She started a non-profit called the Women's Collective where she helps them earn with dignity.  Her message is all about being in alignment so that you live the life you were meant to live. Listen as she tells the story of taking risks and reaping huge rewards. No regrets for her. She says it has all been worth it for her, her young son and husband.  She says, "It's all only temporary."

Patti Pokorchak knows what she is talking about when she tells us to live a life worthy of your dreams.  "Nothing except Rocket Science is rocket science. Everything is learnable." Born with a computer in her pocket, Patti was the first female in computers. Working for IBM at 25 years old, $50, 000 in her pocket, a sports car and boyfriend but not happy, she knew there had to be more. She had to make a choice and she did!Do you ever feel that way? Want to be like Patti and buy a one-way ticket to adventure?  She says it is never too late and offers a fairly comprehensive plan to make it work. If this extremely shy woman who was scared of her own shadow can overcome the fears that would keep us feeling trapped, then listen in as she tells us how.