It’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years!

An actress, dancer, and competitive athlete in both Ninja and swimming, Ginny MacColl, age 72, began her career in New York City in 1974 as a dancer in the hit Broadway show, Pippin.

She then transitioned into the commercial world and did over 100 national and regional commercials throughout the 70s and 80s. (Tap here to watch them - it’s a wonderful stroll down memory lane.)

After a 20-year hiatus to raise her family and work in radio, Ginny rekindled her acting career in retirement and also began strength training, inspired by her daughter, Jessie Graff, who has gone farther than any female on American Ninja Warrior.

At 63, Ginny did her very first pull up and later competed on American Ninja Warrior, Seasons 9, 10, and 15, making history at age 71 as the oldest person to complete an obstacle.

AND, She was just named the oldest competitive female ninja athlete in the 2024 Guinness World Record Book!

Ginny passionately embraces aging and encourages others to see their Renaissance Years as a time to pursue new dreams and opportunities.

I think this is the best stage in my life. I don't think I've accomplished anything in my life as much as I have since retirement.

Whether you're looking to make a change or just seeking some inspiration, this episode is packed with insights that remind us all that it’s never too late to defy ageist beliefs and begin building a thriving, vibrant future.

Be sure to follow Ginny on Instagram, where you’ll witness her remarkable Ninja athlete journey.

As promised, here’s the link to the Treadmill Walking Pad I mention during this episode: https://amzn.to/4bHuSgu

If you found inspiration from this conversation, we’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to hop on over to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age on LinkedIn or Instagram. Or leave a message on the website here.

Listeners, please remember – you have so much to give – don’t let those internalized ageist beliefs prevent you from pursuing new dreams and opportunities – no matter your age.

Tune in and let's crush ageism together!

Waving from Boston – cheers!

Ande ♥

CONNECT with me online - I'd love to learn how you're shattering ageism!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/
https://www.instagram.com/ande_lyons/
https://www.pinterest.com/andelyons/
TikTok: @andelyons

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Visit https://dontbecagedbyyourage.com and fill out the email form on the right side of the page.

SPONSORSHIP
If you resonate with the show’s mission of shattering ageism and age-related expectations so folks can thrive after 65...

Planning for caregiving is the best gift to yourself and to your loved ones.

At 72, Deborah Greenhut is an international speaker, author, educator and an advocate for Caregivers around the world.

So often we fall into the role of caregiver, unprepared and quickly exhausted by the 24/7 responsibility and the multiple roles of nurse, accountant, attorney, health advisor, financial planner, housekeeper, etc.

Deborah discusses the complex balancing act of caregiving while maintaining personal well-being, and she shares invaluable advice for caregivers, stressing the need for setting boundaries, seeking resources, and building a support network to avoid burnout.

“It’s pointless to tell a caregiver they need to take a bubble bath or take a walk, when there is no one else there to stay with the loved one while they do that.”

Deborah shares her personal strategies for ensuring she doesn’t become a burden to her own children as she ages and highlights the enduring power of community support and self-education.

“We need to start doing more intentional, not random, acts of kindness!”

Get ready to be inspired by Deborah’s wisdom on proactive aging, the idea of "sharegiving," and how to embrace new opportunities later in life without being hindered by ageist beliefs.

Order a copy of The Rational Caregiver here and a copy of The Horder’s Wife here.

Please visit Deborah’s website to find more resources, including the Survival Guide for Family Caregivers: https://www.deborahgreenhut.com.

Find a Meetup near you or create a community using the Meetup platform: https://www.meetup.com/

Deborah loves to connect and share her experiences and advice. Feel free to reach out to her through her websites or on social media. While she’s a solo operator and currently on a speaking tour, she promises to respond as soon as she can.

Learn more about LifeBio here, and visit Ionacare, the platform for family caregivers here.

Here’s a link to Denise M. Brown’s website for caregiving mentors: https://www.careyearsacademy.com.

If you found inspiration from this conversation, we’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to hop on over to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age on LinkedIn or Instagram. Or leave a message on the website here.

Listeners, please remember – you have so much to give – don’t let those internalized ageist beliefs prevent you from pursuing new dreams and opportunities – no matter your age.

Tune in and let's crush ageism together!

Waving from Boston – cheers!

Ande ♥

CONNECT with me online - I'd love to learn how you're shattering ageism!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/
https://www.instagram.com/ande_lyons/
https://www.pinterest.com/andelyons/
TikTok: @andelyons

JOIN DON’T BE CAGED BY YOUR AGE NEWSLETTER
To receive an alert whenever a new show is posted, please join the Don’t Be Caged By Your Age newsletter!

Every month you’ll receive links to the podcast and helpful resources for creating possibilities for your unretirement days.

Visit https://dontbecagedbyyourage.com and fill out the email form on the right side of the page.

SPONSORSHIP
If you resonate with the show’s mission of shattering ageism and age-related expectations so folks can thrive after 65...

From a 40-year career in media to becoming a pro aging advocate, model, and Instagram influencer at 61, our guest, Diane Britt-Smith believes that collectively we can flip the negative ageism narrative toward positivity.

✨ “We are still vibrant, vivacious, and full of relevant contributions to a modern society!”

I especially love Diane’s pro advice: don’t be afraid to be the oldest person in the room!

Stay tuned for another delicious conversation to help you thrive after 65!

Key Takeaways:

- Representation Matters: From media to advertising, Diane advocates for more representation of older individuals, promoting body positivity, and erasing the negative ageism narrative.

- Embrace Your Age: Reject anti-aging messages and instead, celebrate the natural changes that come with aging. Diane's vibrant outlook on the pro-aging silver sister community is so inspiring!

- Mental and Physical Well-being: Engage in activities that bring you joy and seek therapy if needed.

- Inclusivity and Understanding: Let's break stereotypes and encourage inclusivity across all age groups. It’s about finding your unique community and supporting each other to thrive.

Diane's journey reminds us to celebrate our age, pursue our passions relentlessly, and find joy in the simple yet essential act of connection.

Stay Connected:

Follow Diane on Instagram at @dianebrittsmith and join the vibrant, stereotype-defying pro-aging community. Feel free to reach out to her for inspiring discussions and more!

Thank you for being a part of our Don't Be Caged By Your Age Podcast family. We hope Diane's story leaves you feeling motivated and encouraged to embrace your age and live your life unapologetically.

If you found inspiration from this conversation, we’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to hop on over to Don’t Be Caged By Your Age on LinkedIn or Instagram. Or leave a message on the website here.

Listeners, please remember – you have so much to give – don’t let those internalized ageist beliefs prevent you from pursuing new dreams and opportunities – no matter your age.

Tune in and let's crush ageism together!

Waving from Boston – cheers!

Ande ♥

CONNECT with me online - I'd love to learn how you're shattering ageism!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andelyons/
https://www.instagram.com/ande_lyons/
https://www.pinterest.com/andelyons/
TikTok: @andelyons

JOIN DON’T BE CAGED BY YOUR AGE NEWSLETTER
To receive an alert whenever a new show is posted, please join the Don’t Be Caged By Your Age newsletter!

Every month you’ll receive links to the podcast and helpful resources for creating possibilities for your unretirement days.

Visit https://dontbecagedbyyourage.com and fill out the email form on the right side of the page.

SPONSORSHIP
If you resonate with the show’s mission of shattering ageism and age-related expectations so folks can thrive after 65...