More Than Your Age

Country singer-songwriter Lauren Lucas heard “no” for 20 years before landing her first Netflix placement at 43, as part of the composing team (with Keb’ Mo’) behind Leanne, starring Leanne Morgan, and as the voice of its main title theme. She shares how she navigated a shelved record deal, reinvented herself, became a mom later in life, and found her biggest career success in her 40s. It’s proof that it’s never too late to pursue your goals and dreams.Are you feeling defined by your age or blocked from a dream or goal? In this episode of The More Than Your Age Podcast, host Erica Pasvar talks with American country artist, singer, and songwriter Lauren Lucas, whose story is a lesson in second chances, resilience, and reinvention.Lauren signed a publishing deal at 14 and a major-label record deal after college. When a regime change got her record shelved, she went from fast track to nowhere. Instead of quitting, she kept going: releasing independent EPs, taking side jobs, trying a three-year corporate detour, and starting over multiple times. At 43, she landed her first Netflix placement as part of the composing team with Keb’ Mo’ on the original score for the Netflix comedy series Leanne, starring Leanne Morgan, and as the vocalist on the show’s main title theme.In this conversation, Lauren shares:Why 44 (or any age) is not too late to start and why nobody “discovers” you, you just keep workingHow the music industry celebrates youth, and what she learned about timing, patience, and trustWhy a record deal isn’t the finish line, it’s where the work beginsHow a contact from age 14 introduced her to her hero, Keb’ Mo’, 30 years laterHow early film and TV placements (including Shark Tank) were a “breadcrumb trail” to her current successHow to reinvent yourself and your goals without losing your identityUsing jealousy as a clue to what you truly wantBecoming a first-time mom at 39 after IVF, pregnancy loss, and a premature birth during COVIDHow she restarted her career from her home studio by connecting with her fansThe difference between taking your foot off the gas and slamming the brakesHer advice: fall in love with the process and let go of the outcomeIf you’ve ever thought you missed your window, this episode will encourage you to keep going.It’s not too late. Success at 43 and 45 came after two decades of persistence.Timing can’t be rushed. You’re planting seeds you can’t see yet.Rejection isn’t the end. A shelved record deal led to independent music, TV/film success, and new creative paths.Your identity can expand. Detours and side jobs revealed skills she didn’t know she had.Rest without quitting. Slow down, but don’t completely stop.Jealousy is a guide. It points to what you want, and others’ success proves it’s possible.Focus on the process, not the outcome.Lauren Lucas website (her hub for everything): www.laurenlucas.comInstagram: @LaurenLucasMusicMusic: Spotify Netflix: Leanne (Leanne Morgan) and Tyler Perry’s latest Netflix film: “Why Did I Get Married Again?”Connect with EricaEmail // Facebook // Instagram // Linkedin // YouTubeAre you curious to learn the piano or want your kid to try it out before spending so much money on individual lessons? My son is loving this program! He’s been playing for a few months and I cannot tell you how INCREDIBLE his skills are this early. I’m impressed. Take a look here!So many of you want to improve your skills, take a new class, or improve your own abilities at work. Master Class has so many classes to get you to where you want to go. Check it out!Interested in learning a new language??? It’s not too late! Check out either program with Babbel or Rosetta Stone! Don’t let another day go by without learning that new language!Visit The More Than Your Age Website and check out our new merch! www.morethanyourage.comIntro and Exit Music written and performed by Daniel Ging.

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and this conversation with Dr. Rebecca N. Thompson is one for anyone who has been through loss, or who loves someone who has.Dr. Thompson never planned to be a doctor. She was an anthropology major at Harvard studying to be an archaeologist, until a wilderness first aid class for her outing club changed everything. In this episode, she talks with Erica Pasvar about the road to medicine: three years of night school and several jobs, two residencies, and the pregnancy losses that shaped the doctor she became. Along the way, she shares how the people in her study group were told it was too late for them, and why she doesn’t believe age should decide what you’re allowed to pursue.She also walks through her own ectopic and molar pregnancies, what it felt like to be dismissed as “anxious” while her body was telling her something was wrong, and how to advocate for yourself in a medical system that doesn’t always listen. And she shares the story behind her book, Held Together, which holds her story and 21 other women’s stories, ten years in the making, along with her advice for anyone who feels it’s too late, too early, or will take too long to start.Content note: this episode discusses miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, and pregnancy-related hemorrhage.Key takeawaysYou don’t have to know your path at 18. Dr. Thompson decided on medicine in her last semester of college and started medical school at 25.Time passes anyway. A ten-year project gets written in five-minute pieces.When you feel dismissed, ask what test or information would answer your worry, and how the results would change the next step.Listening is part of the treatment. Being heard changes what patients share and the care they receive.Fear and hope can coexist. Don’t wait to feel certain before taking the leap.Quotes“Your life is the project. Just keep going, just little bits at a time.”“Do you have enough for today?”“Write it down when you think of it... Spoiler, you won’t [remember].”About the guest:Dr. Rebecca N. Thompson is a physician (public health and preventive medicine, and family medicine, with a focus on women’s and children’s health) and the author of Held Together, a collection of her story and 21 other women’s stories about building and sustaining families. She directs a hundred percent of the profits and proceeds she controls to organizations supporting women’s and children’s health.Links and resourcesHeld Together and Dr. Thompson’s website:www.rebeccanthompson.com Connect with Dr. Thompson via social platforms: InstagramThreadsLinkedInFacebook💬 Join the More Than Your Age Facebook CommunityA space for women redefining what’s possible at every age.Connect with EricaEmail // Facebook // Instagram // Linkedin // YouTubeAre you curious to learn the piano or want your kid to try it out before spending so much money on individual lessons? My son is loving this program! He’s been playing for a few months and I cannot tell you how INCREDIBLE his skills are this early. I’m impressed. Take a look here!So many of you want to improve your skills, take a new class, or improve your own abilities at work. Master Class has so many classes to get you to where you want to go. Check it out!Are you interested in starting your own podcast? Riverside.fm is a great tool for recording episodes remotely. The More Than Your Age Podcast is an affiliate and highly recommends this company. You can use this link to learn more: Riverside.fmInterested in learning a new language??? It’s not too late! Check out either program with Babbel or Rosetta Stone! Don’t let another day go by without learning that new language!Visit The More Than Your Age Website and check out our new merch! www.morethanyourage.comIntro and Exit Music written and performed by Daniel Ging.

Veronica Dietz was kicked out at 17, pregnant and alone by 18, and built a thriving digital agency by 41. This is her story of survival, healing, and reinvention.What happens when a woman turns a childhood of emotional neglect, a teen pregnancy, and a violent relationship into the foundation for a thriving business? Veronica Dietz, founder of Tyche Digital Agency, joins Erica Pasvar to share the unfiltered story of how she went from being the eldest daughter raising her siblings, to a homeless 17-year-old, to a single teen mom, to the confident entrepreneur and brand strategist she is today at 41 years old.In this raw and vulnerable conversation, Veronica opens up about growing up as the family's emotional regulator, being forced out of her home weeks before her 18th birthday, discovering she was six months pregnant with no support system, and surviving a violent relationship that ultimately became the turning point toward freedom. She also shares her adult ADHD diagnosis, her path to self-regulation and nervous system healing, and how she built Tyche Digital Agency from nothing into a business that now helps founders and visionaries scale through identity-led marketing strategy.This episode is a powerful listen for women in their 40s, single mothers, trauma survivors, women entrepreneurs, and anyone who has ever felt like their circumstances disqualified them from the life they wanted.You'll hear:What emotional neglect looked like growing up as the eldest daughter in a chaotic householdHow Veronica self-regulated as a child, including coping mechanisms that lasted into her teensBeing forced out of her family's home weeks before turning 18Discovering a pregnancy at six months, with no support and nowhere to goBecoming a single teen mother and building stability from scratchSurviving infidelity, betrayal, and a violent relationship that led to a concussionReceiving an adult ADHD diagnosis and what that clarity meant for her healingWhy she walked away from a stable job to start Tyche Digital AgencyHow her business evolved from hands-on service work into advisory and strategy work for foundersHer approach to identity-led marketing, intentional ad spend, and why she turns away the wrong clientsHer advice for any woman who feels blocked by her age or her past"Age will not limit me. It refines me.""I have lived enough life to lead without ego."Whether you're rebuilding after trauma, starting a business later in life, or just need to hear that your story isn't over, this conversation is proof that your hardest chapters can become your greatest qualifications.Connect with Veronica Dietz:Website: https://tychedigitalagency.com/Instagram: @theveronicadietz  Book a consultationConnect with EricaEmail // Facebook // Instagram // Linkedin // YouTubeJoin the More Than Your Age FB group!Are you curious to learn the piano or want your kid to try it out before spending so much money on individual lessons? My son is loving this program! He’s been playing for a few months and I cannot tell you how INCREDIBLE his skills are this early. I’m impressed. Take a look here!So many of you want to improve your skills, take a new class, or improve your own abilities at work. Master Class has so many classes to get you to where you want to go. Check it out!Interested in learning a new language??? It’s not too late! Check out either program with Babbel or Rosetta Stone! Don’t let another day go by without learning that new language!Intro and Exit Music written and performed by Daniel Ging.Erica Pasvar is the host of More Than Your Age, where she highlights stories of resilience, reinvention, and wisdom that comes from lived experience.Veronica Dietz is the founder of Tyche Digital Agency, known for helping business owners scale through identity-led strategy, websites, funnels, SEO, automations, and growth systems.If you need proof that your past does not disqualify your future, this one is for you. 

Former principal Roxanne Hyer shares how grief, burnout, and a seizure led her to start over, reinvent her career, and build Hyer Education from scratch."Wait until you're ready" can keep you stuck for years. Roxanne Hyer proves the opposite: start before the plan is perfect, and your next chapter can change everything.After nearly two decades in education, a devastating personal loss, and a health scare in the middle of a school year, Roxanne made a bold career change from school principal to founder of Hyer Education, building a consulting business from the ground up.In this conversation on The More Than Your Age Podcast, Erica Pasvar and Roxanne Hyer unpack the real story behind that reinvention: the leadership moments that prepared her, the professional boundaries that made the shift from peer to supervisor work, and the quiet pressure women in education and leadership carry while balancing high-stakes careers and family. Roxanne also pulls back the curtain on the hidden weight of the principal role, from school culture and safety to parent relationships, personnel decisions, and the emotional load of being the one who has to make the call.In this episode, you'll learn:How Roxanne went from classroom teacher to instructional specialist, assistant principal, and principalThe leadership skills her mentors saw early: big-picture thinking, communication, trust-building, and follow-throughWhy her grandmother's words, "teaching is a calling," stayed with her for lifeHow to set professional boundaries when you lead your former colleaguesThe moment grief, burnout, and stress pushed her to leave a role she lovedHow she started a business with no clear roadmap, tutoring, homeschooling, cleaning houses, and organizing closets to keep movingWhy her business grew through trust, word of mouth, and staying visible long after the first outreachHow small wins built the momentum and confidence to keep goingHow her consulting expanded beyond schools into corporate and manufacturing leadership developmentWhat her upcoming book, Out of the Valley, Into My Purpose, is about and how journaling led to itRoxanne also opens up about losing her mother in 2020, leading a school through the start of COVID, and the seizure that forced her to finally listen to what her body had been saying all along. Out of that season, she built a firm focused on leadership development, career growth, and helping people advance without burning out.This is essential listening if you've ever felt stuck between security and purpose, or if you know you're meant for more but keep waiting for the "right" time. It's a story of starting over, career reinvention, and resilience for women in their 40s and beyond, and for anyone at a crossroads. It's especially valuable for educators, teachers, principals, women in leadership, aspiring entrepreneurs, and career changers."Your age is not a limitation. Your circumstances do not define your future."Key takeawaysStart writing the idea down instead of waiting for the perfect plan.Build and maintain relationships before you need them.Set clear professional boundaries early if you move into leadership from a peer role.If burnout is building, look at workload, efficiency, and work-life balance before a crisis forces a change.If you're going to bet on something, bet on yourself.Connect with Roxanne:Website: hyer-education.com https://www.hyer-education.com/Instagram: @roxanne_hyerFacebook: @hyer-education.com💬 Join the More Than Your Age Facebook CommunityA space for women redefining what’s possible at every age.Connect with EricaEmail // Facebook // Instagram // Linkedin // YouTubeVisit The More Than Your Age Website and check out our merch! www.morethanyourage.comIntro and Exit Music written and performed by Daniel Ging.

What if the dream you gave up on years ago isn’t actually over? What if starting over in your 50s is not a sign that you are behind, but an opportunity to use everything you have learned to build something new?In this inspiring episode of The More Than Your Age Podcast, Erica Pasvar talks with Christine Wandia-Gitao, founder and CEO of CW Couture, about restarting her fashion design business at 51 after a 15-year pause. Christine’s story is a powerful reminder that it is never too late to pursue a lifelong dream, reinvent yourself, or take a second chance on something you once thought you had to leave behind.Christine developed her love of fashion as a child, inspired by her mother, art teacher, and fashion catalogs from the UK and US. Though she once dreamed of studying fashion design abroad, she built a career in hospitality and automotive customer relations, gaining valuable leadership and business experience.She launched a clothing business in 2004 but closed it in 2010 after challenges with a tailor and stalled orders. At 51, she decided to start again, relaunching CW Couture with accessories before expanding into clothing. Her comeback led to a runway debut at the Kenyan Fashion Story show, featuring 15 models, including plus-size representation.Christine shares:What it feels like to give up on a dream and wonder whether it is too late to begin againWhy she closed her first fashion business and what changed during her 15-year pauseHow her career outside of fashion prepared her to become a stronger entrepreneurWhy starting over at 51 gave her more confidence, financial stability, and perspectiveHow she handles rejection, discrimination, and gatekeeping in the fashion industryHow to keep moving forward when the first door closesChristine’s story is for every woman who has ever thought, “Maybe it’s too late for me.” Whether you are considering a career change after 50, restarting a business, returning to a creative passion, or trying to find your purpose in a new season of life, this conversation will remind you that your gifts do not expire.You are not too old. Listen to Christine Wandia-Gitao’s story of reinvention, second chances, and building CW Couture at 51.Reinventing yourself after 50Starting over in your 50sPursuing a lifelong dream later in lifeGiving up on a dream and finding the courage to try againSecond chances and new beginningsFashion design and entrepreneurship in KenyaBuilding a side business while working full-timeClosing a business and learning from failureDebuting at the Kenyan Fashion Story showPractical and functional clothing for everyday womenBuilding confidence through life and work experienceFaith, persistence, family support, and purposeFinding the right time to pursue your dreamIt is never too late to start againConnect with ChristineInstagram: @c.wcouture💬 Join the More Than Your Age Facebook CommunityA space for women redefining what’s possible at every age.Connect with EricaEmail // Facebook // Instagram // Linkedin // YouTubeAre you curious to learn the piano or want your kid to try it out before spending so much money on individual lessons? My son is loving this program! He’s been playing for a few months and I cannot tell you how INCREDIBLE his skills are this early. I’m impressed. Take a look here!So many of you want to improve your skills, take a new class, or improve your own abilities at work. Master Class has so many classes to get you to where you want to go. Check it out!Interested in learning a new language??? It’s not too late! Check out either program with Babbel or Rosetta Stone! Don’t let another day go by without learning that new language!Love Your Skin! Needing to enhance your skincare routine? Take the SkinQuiz to see what’s a good fit! Olive Tree Skin Quiz: Visit The More Than Your Age Website and check out our merch! www.morethanyourage.comIntro and Exit Music written and performed by Daniel Ging.

Sarah Brooks always dreamed of being a stay-at-home mom — but when that dream finally came true, she found herself asking a question so many new moms silently wrestle with: who am I in this season? Years earlier, a creative business venture had ended in failure and embarrassment, and the sting of one hurtful comment stuck with her far longer than she expected. It would take a breakthrough moment on her living room couch, holding her infant daughter, for Sarah to hear something that would eventually become a business, a brand, and a published children's book.In this episode of The More Than Your Age Podcast, host Erica Pasvar sits down with Sarah Brooks — third-grade teacher turned author, founder of Virtue-Ewe, and mom of three — to talk about the pressure to "do it all," the fear of failing publicly a second time, and what it really means to walk in obedience when life keeps changing the timeline. Sarah shares the surprising, sheep-filled thread that ties her story together, why her husband's blunt advice finally got her to take action, and how she's learned to release her own plans in favor of God's timing — even when that means going slower than she'd like.Whether you're a mom feeling stretched between motherhood and a calling on your heart, a woman sitting on a dream you haven't acted on yet, or someone still carrying the weight of an old failure, Sarah's story is a reminder that delayed obedience doesn't mean lost purpose.In this episode, we cover:How teaching third grade reading sparked Sarah's love for children's booksTips for parents of reading-resistant kidsSarah's first entrepreneurial venture — an embroidery business — and the humbling failure that came with itHow one family member's mocking comment affected her confidence and creativity for yearsThe identity crisis so many new moms face after leaving the workforce to stay homeHow her husband's blunt encouragement finally pushed her to take actionThe process of self-publishing a children's book, from finding an illustrator to choosing a printerBalancing a growing business with motherhood Wrestling with cultural pressure to "do it all" as a momHer encouragement for any woman who feels stuck, behind, or afraid to pursue what's on her heartAbout the Guest: Sarah Brooks is a former third-grade teacher, author of A New Ewe, and founder of Virtue-Ewe, a company dedicated to helping parents and kids build character and faith together through storytelling. She lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with her husband, Brandon, and their three children.Resources & Links Mentioned:A New Ewe by Sarah Brooks — available on Amazonwww.virtewes.com:  (books, stuffed animals, and hats)Follow Sarah on Instagram: @virtewesConnect with EricaEmail // Facebook // Instagram // Linkedin // YouTubeAre you curious to learn the piano or want your kid to try it out before spending so much money on individual lessons? My son is loving this program! He’s been playing for a few months and I cannot tell you how INCREDIBLE his skills are this early. I’m impressed. Take a look here!So many of you want to improve your skills, take a new class, or improve your own abilities at work. Master Class has so many classes to get you to where you want to go. Check it out!Are you interested in starting your own podcast? Riverside.fm is a great tool for recording episodes remotely. The More Than Your Age Podcast is an affiliate and highly recommends this company. You can use this link to learn more: Riverside.fmInterested in learning a new language??? It’s not too late! Check out either program with Babbel or Rosetta Stone! Don’t let another day go by without learning that new language!Visit The More Than Your Age Website and check out our merch! www.morethanyourage.comIntro and Exit Music written and performed by Daniel Ging.💬 Join the More Than Your Age Facebook CommunityA space for women redefining what’s possible at every age.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains honest discussion of childhood abuse, addiction, suicidal ideation, sexual assault, and descriptions of violence against women and children witnessed during missions work abroad. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) is available 24/7.At 15, Melanie Hutchinson ran away from an abusive home and ended up living on the streets and beaches of Florida. By 20, she was managing a halfway house. In her 40s, she survived a rape that upended her career as a costume designer for the ballet, circus, and opera — and turned her healing into a community stage play. At 50, she left everything behind to move to India, where a planned five-week mission trip turned into 12 years of running sewing and skills-training centers for women trapped by poverty, the caste system, and unimaginable violence.In this episode of the More Than Your Age podcast, Melanie shares her story with host Erica Pasvar — from a violent military household and a life-altering choice she made as a teenager, to an unexpected career as a self-taught seamstress for the circus and opera, to a decision at age 50 to leave everything behind for missions work in India. Along the way, she opens up about surviving trauma, finding faith in her darkest moment, and what she learned about herself while living in a culture completely different from her own.Now 70 and reflecting on her life while writing two books, Melanie offers hard-won wisdom for any woman who feels like her age or circumstances have closed the door on her next chapter.In this episode, we cover:Growing up in a violent, alcoholic household and running away at 15Surviving on the streets of Florida during a turbulent era of school integrationThe night she planned to end her life — and the unexpected turning point that changed everythingGetting clean, finding faith, and eventually managing a halfway house at just 20 years oldBuilding an unexpected career as a self-taught seamstress for the circus, opera, and balletSurviving a sexual assault and choosing to heal in community rather than in silenceWriting and producing a play about healing after traumaLeaving everything behind at 50 to move to India for what was supposed to be a two-year mission tripLife inside India's caste system, and the realities facing women and girls thereConfronting compassion fatigue and burnout after years of witnessing violence and tragedyWhat it actually means to help another culture — and why she had to unlearn her Western mindsetComing home after 12 years and adjusting to life as "a stranger in a strange land" in her own countryHer encouragement for any woman who feels blocked by her age or life circumstances💬 Join the More Than Your Age Facebook CommunityA space for women redefining what’s possible at every age.Connect with EricaEmail // Facebook // Instagram // Linkedin // YouTube***This Podcast is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission. ***Are you curious to learn the piano or want your kid to try it out before spending so much money on individual lessons? My son is loving this program! He’s been playing for a few months and I cannot tell you how INCREDIBLE his skills are this early. I’m impressed. Take a look here!So many of you want to improve your skills, take a new class, or improve your own abilities at work. Master Class has so many classes to get you to where you want to go. Check it out!Interested in learning a new language??? It’s not too late! Check out either program with Babbel or Rosetta Stone! Don’t let another day go by without learning that new language!Visit The More Than Your Age Website and check out our new merch! www.morethanyourage.comIntro and Exit Music written and performed by Daniel Ging.

What happens when you build a six-figure beauty empire from a chair, a pencil, and a phone book ad — then lose it all not once, but four or five times? In this episode of The More Than Your Age podcast, host Erica Pasvar sits down with Wanda Lambert, New York City–born entrepreneur who built her beauty career and business in Puerto Rico from the ground up, became an international educator for Revlon and L'Oréal/Kérastase, was named the youngest-ever Distinguished Executive of the Year at 28, and worked as a media spokesperson at New York Fashion Week, the Grammys, and the Oscars.Then Hurricane Maria hit.Wanda opens up about surviving the 2017 hurricane that devastated Puerto Rico, losing her retirement-fund business investment days before its grand opening, going into financial and emotional freefall, and rebuilding her life in New York City — all while navigating imposter syndrome, a late-in-life ADHD diagnosis, an emotionally abusive relationship, job loss during COVID, and a body image journey that ultimately led her back to God and to her current mission: helping Christian women solopreneurs find their voice through copywriting and brand messaging.This is a raw, honest conversation about resilience, faith, reinvention, and why it's never too late (or too early) to start over.In this episode, we cover:Landing an international educator role for Revlon and L'Oréal Kérastase at just 25 years oldBecoming the youngest-ever recipient (and first in the beauty industry) of the Distinguished Executive of the Year award at 29Leaving an emotionally abusive relationship and rebuilding a business "from negative"Life as a red-carpet media spokesperson at New York Fashion Week, the Grammys, and the OscarsSurviving Hurricane Maria: handwritten salon signs, rationed water, and evacuating to New YorkLosing her home, car, and business in the storm's aftermathMeeting her now-husband weeks after evacuating and relocating permanently to NYCA "come to Jesus" moment that reshaped her identity and faithLosing a corporate sales manager job during COVID lockdownPivoting into digital marketing, a short-lived cleaning business, nonprofit work, blogging, and eventually AI-powered copywritingWhy she now helps Christian women solopreneurs fix their brand messaging instead of just "posting more"Her honest take on imposter syndrome, self-worth, and why "follow your heart" isn't always good adviceHer closing encouragement for any woman who feels she's "too old" or "too late" to start againJoin the Community💬 Join the More Than Your Age Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1DmC88QyPH/A space for women redefining what’s possible at every age.Connect with Wandawww.wandalambert.comFacebook: @wandaruizlambert Connect with EricaEmail // Facebook // Instagram // Linkedin // YouTube***This Podcast is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission. ***Interested in learning a new language??? It’s not too late! Check out either program with Babbel or Rosetta Stone! Don’t let another day go by without learning that new language!Visit The More Than Your Age Website and check out our new merch! www.morethanyourage.comIntro and Exit Music written and performed by Daniel Ging.About the Podcast: More Than Your Age is a podcast hosted by Erica Pasvar that features candid conversations with women who are redefining what's possible at every stage of life — proving that age is never a limit on ambition, reinvention, or purpose.

What happens when you've spent decades taking care of everyone else—and suddenly it's finally your turn?In this fascinating episode of The More Than Your Age Podcast, Erica Pasvar sits down with Tami Fandrei, a hiker, backpacker, ice climber, military spouse, former nonprofit founder, and mother whose life was defined by caregiving for years.After her daughter developed a rare autoimmune disease at just nine years old, Tami spent the next decade living in hospitals, balancing military life, raising two other children, and putting every dream of her own on hold. When her children eventually left home, she found herself asking a question so many women face: Who am I now?Rather than letting fear or age define her, Tami began saying "yes" to adventure. In her 50s, after multiple knee surgeries—including a total knee replacement—she discovered backpacking, completed the legendary John Muir Trail, hiked across Europe, and fulfilled a lifelong dream by climbing a frozen waterfall on her 53rd birthday.Her story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to rediscover yourself, heal through nature, and chase dreams that once felt impossible.In this episode, you'll hear:How caregiving consumed 10 years of her life—and what it taught herThe realities of being a military spouse while raising childrenThe emotional transition into becoming an empty nesterWhy nature became her greatest source of healingStarting over after 50 with an artificial kneeRecovering from multiple knee surgeries and a total knee replacementCompleting the John Muir Trail and hiking across EuropeWhat ice climbing is really like—and why she fell in love with itOvercoming fear, embracing challenges, and redefining agingWhy your best adventures may still be ahead of youWhether you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed by caregiving, entering an empty nest season, or wondering if it's too late to pursue your dreams, this conversation will remind you that your story is far from over.Resources & Links MentionedFollow Tami FandreiInstagram: @tamionthetrailPlaces & Adventures MentionedJohn Muir TrailMount WhitneyChamonix, FranceZermatt, SwitzerlandTour du Mont BlancTrans Catalina TrailTahoe Rim TrailAppalachian TrailWallowa Mountains (Oregon)Grand CanyonTeton RangeCleveland ClinicNorthwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago)American River TrailUrey Ice Park (Colorado)💬 Join the More Than Your Age Facebook Community: A space for women redefining what’s possible at every age.Connect with EricaEmail // Facebook // Instagram // Linkedin // YouTube***This Podcast is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission. ***- - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - -- - - - - - - -- - - - - - - -- - - - - - - -- - - - - - -- - - 📱 Subscribe and Listen to The More Than Your Age Podcast Here:- - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - -- - - - - - - -- - - - - - - -- - - - - - - -- - - - - - -- - - All Platforms: https://rb.gy/fb3ac2Are you interested in starting your own podcast? Riverside.fm is a great tool for recording episodes remotely. The More Than Your Age Podcast is an affiliate and highly recommends this company. You can use this link to learn more: Riverside.fmInterested in learning a new language??? It’s not too late! Check out either program with Babbel or Rosetta Stone! Don’t let another day go by without learning that new language!Visit The More Than Your Age Website and check out our new merch! www.morethanyourage.comIntro and Exit Music written and performed by Daniel Ging.🎙️ About the PodcastMore Than Your Age is a podcast for women who refuse to be defined by timelines, expectations, or age-based limitations. Through honest conversations and inspiring stories, host Erica Pasvar highlights women who are pursuing purpose, creativity, and growth at every stage of life.

What happens when the life you planned completely falls apart? Can God still use your story for something beautiful?When Misty Hughes was 35, her marriage ended unexpectedly. Overnight, she found herself raising four children as a single mom while trying to rebuild her life, identity, and future. The dreams she had for her family seemed to disappear, and she was left asking questions so many women wrestle with: Who am I now? What do I do next?Instead of allowing heartbreak to define her, Misty chose to trust God one step at a time.In this inspiring conversation, Misty shares how she homeschooled four children as a single mother, worked multiple jobs to provide for her family, moved to a new city at 40, started a nonprofit that has impacted thousands of single moms, remarried after 22 years of being single, and now encourages women around the world through coaching, speaking, and her Mom2Mom Mentoring podcast.Whether you're walking through divorce, grieving the life you thought you'd have, struggling with your identity, or wondering if it's too late to pursue something new, this episode is a reminder that your circumstances do not have the final word.In this episode, you'll hear:How Misty rebuilt her life after divorce as a single mom of fourWhy your identity should never be based on your circumstancesWhat helped her overcome fear, insecurity, and self-doubtThe surprising story of how her nonprofit was bornWhy she believes it's never too late to pursue the calling God has for your lifeThe importance of mentorship for women and mothersHow coaching can help you move through fear and into purposeWhy your dreams don't have to end just because life didn't go as plannedOne of my favorite moments from our conversation came after we finished recording. Misty shared something that perfectly captures the heart of this episode:"Don't let go of your dreams because life happened. Sometimes God is refining you so you can carry those dreams—not only for yourself, but for others."*Make sure you stay tuned until the very very end to hear the part of our conversation that kept recording.*If you've ever felt limited by your age, your past, or your circumstances, I hope this conversation reminds you that your story isn't over.Connect with Misty Hughes🌐 Website:mistyhughes.com🎙️ Mom2Mom Mentoring Podcast:Mom2Mom Podcast📱 Instagram:@the_mistyhughes📘 Facebook:@mistyhughes021Rhythms Of Renewal Mini-Guidehttps://mistyhughes.myflodesk.com/discoverrhythmsConnect with EricaEmail // Facebook // Instagram // Linkedin // YouTube***This Podcast is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission. ***Are you curious to learn the piano or want your kid to try it out before spending so much money on individual lessons? My son is loving this program! He’s been playing for a few months and I cannot tell you how INCREDIBLE his skills are this early. I’m impressed. Take a look here!So many of you want to improve your skills, take a new class, or improve your own abilities at work. Master Class has so many classes to get you to where you want to go. Check it out!Are you interested in starting your own podcast? Riverside.fm is a great tool for recording episodes remotely. The More Than Your Age Podcast is an affiliate and highly recommends this company. You can use this link to learn more: Riverside.fmInterested in learning a new language??? It’s not too late! Check out either program with Babbel or Rosetta Stone! Don’t let another day go by without learning that new language!Visit The More Than Your Age Website and check out our new merch! www.morethanyourage.comIntro and Exit Music written and performed by Daniel Ging.