Alina has spent nearly two decades in the wellness and aesthetics world, but she isn't interested in the "anti-aging" noise we’ve been fed forever.

She’s actually pioneering this beautiful concept called "thoughtful aging." It’s all about moving away from making choices because we feel "not enough" and instead choosing things because we actually want them.

She’s a grandmother, a CEO, and a total powerhouse who believes that our 60s are actually meant to be our happiest years.

We really got into the thick of it - the reality of feeling invisible in society sometimes, the "ageism" we face at work or even in our personal lives, and how to navigate all of that without losing our spark.

Alina shared her five principles for reclaiming your identity, and my favorite part was her take on curiosity. It’s such a gentle way to look at why we feel certain ways about our bodies or our worth without the heavy weight of judgment.

She even gave some super practical advice on how to talk to doctors so they actually partner with us instead of just brushing us off with a "well, you’re just getting older" comment. It’s such an empowering shift from being a victim of a system to being the boss of your own journey.

We talked about:

• Moving from "fixing" ourselves to honoring who we are becoming
• The 10% rule for self-care that actually sticks
• Why beauty is actually a "calling" back to your true self
• How to trust that gut intuition we’ve been told to ignore for too long
• Building a "longevity team" that actually supports your goals

If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and felt a little disconnected, or if you’re tired of the "anti-aging" battle, this episode is a giant permission slip to just be. I left this one feeling so much lighter, and I think you will too.

I can't wait for you to hear it.

Connect with Alina here:

Website: bpwcenter.com, thoughtfulagingbook.com

Social Media: @bridgeportlaserandwellness

Thank you for spending time with me today on the Thrive After 45™ podcast! If this episode spoke to you, be sure to hit that follow button so you never miss one.

And if you loved it, I’d be so grateful if you left a review - it helps more amazing women like you find this show!

Your journey doesn’t stop here - let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with me at denisedrinkwalter.com, and follow @thethriveafter45podcast for daily insp, tips, and support.

Remember, midlife isn’t the end - it’s just the beginning of a new, exciting chapter! Keep thriving, keep shining, and I’ll see you next time!

Andy Semotiuk spent over forty years as an immigration attorney, but this isn't a dry talk about paperwork and legalities. Andy is a true expert in the art of transition and opening doors that people didn't even realize were there for them.

In this episode of Thrive After 45™, we dive into the deeper, human side of starting over. Andy shares some incredible perspectives on why we choose to move, whether we are being pushed by a "hurricane" in our lives or pulled by a dream of something better. He even uses a simple tape measure as a visual to remind us that our time is precious and we should spend it in the place that allows us to be our best selves.

We talk about the big philosophical questions like "Who am I?" and how the answer to that actually reveals why we are here.

Andy gets really personal about his own journey from being a public speaker to discovering a passion for writing, and he shares seven beautiful rules for a successful life that I think we all need to hear.

You’ll hear us chat about:

• The "tape measure" trick to putting your life and goals into perspective
• Why moving for opportunity is a powerful way to reclaim your humanity
• Finding your unique ability and the passion that drives it
• Practical ways to navigate the big hurdles of working across borders
• How to listen to the whispers of your history to find your authentic self

This talk is so grounding and hopeful. It reminded me that we aren't just limited to the borders we see on a map; the only real limits are the ones we stop challenging.

Connect with Andy here:

Website: pacelawfirm.com

Thank you for spending time with me today on the Thrive After 45™ podcast! If this episode spoke to you, be sure to hit that follow button so you never miss one.

And if you loved it, I’d be so grateful if you left a review - it helps more amazing women like you find this show!

Your journey doesn’t stop here - let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with me at denisedrinkwalter.com, and follow @thethriveafter45podcast for daily insp, tips, and support.

Remember, midlife isn’t the end - it’s just the beginning of a new, exciting chapter! Keep thriving, keep shining, and I’ll see you next time!

Dr. Samaha is one of those people who just radiates light. She’s a former academic who decided to retire early at 53 to follow a mission that was pulling at her heart.

She’s navigated over 30 years of transitions, some by choice and many by chance, including relocating from Lebanon to Canada and moving through everything from divorce to empty nesting.

She’s truly a "momentum master" who figured out how to stop just surviving change and start actually loving the life she was designing.

We really got into the heart of what it means to grow stronger rather than just older. Salma shared her "Same Roots, New Fruits" philosophy, which is such a refreshing way to look at midlife. It’s not about starting from zero or having a crisis; it’s about using the deep roots you already have to grow something fresh and vibrant.

One of my favorite parts of our talk was her "outdoor anchor" concept. It is so simple but so deep. She talked about how even just looking at the sky or catching a sunset can reset your entire nervous system and remind you that endings can be just as beautiful as beginnings.

If you’ve been feeling like you’re just drifting or stuck in a bit of a midlife rut, you need to hear Salma’s energy. She’s living proof that you can wake up every morning feeling genuinely excited for the day, no matter what chapter you're in.

Connect with Dr. Salma Samaha:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-salma-samaha/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsalmasamaha/

Self Audit your Midlife!
https://go.midlifetransitionbydesign.com/challenge-freebie

Thank you for spending time with me today on the Thrive After 45™ podcast! If this episode spoke to you, be sure to hit that follow button so you never miss one.

And if you loved it, I’d be so grateful if you left a review - it helps more amazing women like you find this show!

Your journey doesn’t stop here - let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with me at denisedrinkwalter.com, and follow @thethriveafter45podcast for daily insp, tips, and support.

Remember, midlife isn’t the end - it’s just the beginning of a new, exciting chapter! Keep thriving, keep shining, and I’ll see you next time!