E301: Healthy Aging for Women: Mindset, Movement, and Reinvention After 50
Embracing the Dance of Life: A Guide to Healthy Aging for Women
Midlife often feels like a crossroads. It is that distinct moment when the hustle of early adulthood, building careers, raising young families, and establishing identities, begins to quiet down, leaving many of us to ask, "What’s next?" For too long, the narrative around aging has been about winding down, conserving energy, and stepping back. But what if we flipped the script? What if this chapter weren’t about fading into the background, but about stepping into the spotlight of your own life with more vibrancy than ever before?
We recently sat down with fitness professional and The Golden Bachelor contestant Leslie Fhima, a woman who embodies the very essence of vitality. Her journey from professional figure skater to reality TV star at age 66 serves as a powerful testament to the fact that life doesn't stop at 50, 60, or beyond. In fact, it might just be getting started.
In this post, we’re diving deep into the pillars of healthy aging for women by exploring how shifting your mindset, moving your body, and expanding your comfort zone can help you thrive in midlife and beyond.
Redefining Healthy Aging for Women in Midlife
When we talk about healthy aging for women, the conversation often defaults to supplements, skincare, and slowing down. While taking care of your physical health is crucial, true vitality starts in the mind. It’s about how you perceive yourself and your place in the world.
Age is Just a Number, Mindset is Everything
One of the most striking things about Leslie is her refusal to let a number on a driver’s license dictate how she feels. Despite approaching her 67th birthday, she admits she simply doesn't feel it, not in her body, and certainly not in her head. This concept of "internal age" is powerful. If you wake up every day expecting to feel "old," your body will likely follow suit. But if you wake up feeling capable, vibrant, and ready for the day, that energy manifests physically.
Leslie jokes that she sometimes has to "calm it down" when picking out clothes, reminding herself that maybe a mini skirt isn't the right choice, even if she feels young enough to wear it. But the underlying message is serious: living authentically means listening to your internal spirit rather than societal expectations of how a "grandmother" should act. It’s about choosing to "live well" every single day, not because you are trying to be young, but because you are committed to being your best self right now. True vitality starts in the mind, a concept we explore deeply in our Midlife Reset Program and related episodes.
The Art of Constant Reinvention
A key component of healthy aging for women is the willingness to evolve. You don’t have to be the same person you were at 30 or 40. In fact, stagnation is often the enemy of happiness.
Leslie describes her life as a series of "increments" or stepping stones. She didn't just have one career; she had a progression of passions. She began as a figure skater, leaving home right after high school to join a professional show. Later, she pivoted to owning an aerobics studio after winning a national aerobics competition. Today, she teaches Pilates and has found newfound fame on The Golden Bachelor.
The takeaway here isn't that you need to go on reality TV to reinvent yourself. It’s that you should remain open to the next open door. Whether it’s shifting careers, picking up a new hobby, or changing your daily routine, reinvention keeps your mind sharp and your spirit engaged. As Leslie puts it, she isn't "pulling a Madonna" and drastically changing her identity; she is simply following the natural progression of her interests. A principle central to Vitality Reboot.
"I feel like if I'm gonna take on a challenge, I'm gonna give it my all." — Leslie Fhima
Moving Through Trauma and Stress
Life in midlife isn't always smooth sailing. By this stage, many of us have weathered significant storms like divorce, loss of parents, health scares, or family struggles. One of the most profound insights on healthy aging for women is using movement not just for fitness, but as a tool for emotional resilience. We dive deeper into stress, hormones, and lifestyle balance in the episode Understanding Cortisol: How Real‑Time Hormone Testing Can Transform Women’s Health
Why You Can’t Be in a Bad Mood When You’re Dancing
Have you ever tried to stay angry while dancing to your favorite upbeat song? It’s nearly impossible. Leslie believes it is "clinically proven" that you can’t be in a bad mood when you are dancing. The combination of music, rhythm, and physical expression releases endorphins that shift your energy almost instantly.
You don't need to be a professional dancer to reap these benefits. It’s about the act of moving. Even light dance or structured movement helps preserve cardiorespiratory fitness and supports cognitive health in midlife and beyond. Whether you are in a crowded Zumba class or dancing in your kitchen where no one can see you, the result is the same: you feel silly, sexy, and alive. For women over 50, finding a form of movement that brings joy rather than just burning calories is essential for long-term mental health.
Movement as Medicine for the Soul
Physical activity can also be a lifeline during our darkest moments. Leslie opened up about the tragedies she has faced, including the loss of her father to suicide and her mother to an aneurysm at a young age, as well as navigating a difficult divorce and her children's struggles.
Through it all, dance and fitness were her constants. She notes that while therapy is wonderful, sometimes you "just don't want to talk," but you want to move the trauma out of your body. This idea inspired her concept of "Soberobics," highlighting how exercise can replace negative coping mechanisms with positive, life-affirming ones. When life feels overwhelming, sometimes the most powerful thing you can do for your mental health is to simply get up and move.
Expanding Your Comfort Zone for Personal Growth
It is easy to let our worlds shrink as we get older. We find what we like, and we stick to it. But healthy aging for women requires a willingness to stretch those boundaries. Growth happens in the discomfort zone.
Saying "Yes" to the Unknown
One of the most memorable moments from Leslie’s time on The Golden Bachelor was rappelling down a waterfall. Despite having a fear of heights and being "scared shitless," she did it anyway. The feeling of accomplishment she felt upon reaching the ground was transformative. It proved to her and to millions of viewers that we are capable of much more than we give ourselves credit for.
You might not be faced with a waterfall, but there are "waterfalls" in everyday life. Maybe it’s speaking up in a meeting, traveling alone, or dating again after decades of marriage. Saying "yes" when you want to say "no" out of fear is how you stay young at heart.
Small Steps to Feeling Alive
If rappelling down a cliff feels like a stretch, start small. Leslie started snowboarding at age 40, a time when many people hang up their skis. She admits she fell a lot and wondered, "What am I doing?" but she stuck with it because she wanted to master something new. Now, it is one of the joys of her life that she shares with her grandchildren.
If you are feeling stuck or "lackluster," Leslie’s advice is simple: take a class. Go to a concert by yourself. Do something that breaks your everyday norm. It’s about throwing things at the wall to see what sticks. You don't have to go to the Swiss Alps; you just need to get off the couch and engage with the world in a new way.
"This is it. This is our one life, and we gotta just get out there." — Leslie Fhima
Connection, Community, and the "Art of Living Well"
Finally, healthy aging for women is deeply rooted in connection. Loneliness can be a major health risk as we age, making community more important than ever.
The Power of Intergenerational Friendships
One of Leslie’s secrets to staying vibrant is surrounding herself with younger people. She considers her children to be her best friends and genuinely enjoys hanging out with their friends. This intergenerational connection keeps you current, energetic, and open-minded. It prevents the "us vs. them" mentality that can sometimes creep in with age.
Additionally, the bond she formed with the other women on the show proves that you can make deep, meaningful friendships at any age. She notes that her "house friends" like Teresa and Ellen understand her in a unique way because of their shared experience, proving that your social circle can and should continue to expand in your 60s.
Waking Up with a Clean Slate
We asked Leslie what the "Art of Living Well" means to her, and her answer was profound in its simplicity: Start every day with a clean slate.
Wake up with the intention that something amazing is going to happen today. It’s a choice. You can focus on the aches, the pains, and the worries, or you can focus on the possibility of joy. This gratitude practice, combined with movement and connection, creates a positive feedback loop that defines what it means to age beautifully.
Conclusion
Healthy aging for women isn't a destination; it’s a daily practice. It’s the decision to dance when no one is watching, to try the thing that scares you, and to wake up every morning believing that your best days are still ahead of you.
Leslie Fhima’s journey reminds us that whether you are on a "beach walk" in Costa Rica or just walking around your neighborhood, peace and vitality are available to you. You have the power to reinvent yourself, to heal through movement, and to build a life that feels authentic and full.
This week, we challenge you to do one thing that scares you just a little bit. Sign up for that dance class, reach out to a new friend, or simply turn on your favorite song and dance until you smile. Your next chapter is waiting. Are you ready to dance into it?
