The Midlife Happiness Project

Rowing into Joy: Finding Peace and Purpose on the Water

“It’s like the runner’s high.   You’re working hard, but you’re not working.  Your mind is empty and full at the same time.  It’s a really beautiful thing.” In this episode of *The Midlife Happiness Project*, Sarah interviews Erin and John, two midlife adventurers whose shared passion for sculling on Lake Tahoe became a life-changing journey. Initially sparked by a gift of an old boat during the pandemic lockdowns, Erin found solace and excitement in rowing, which led her to reconnect with her friend John, a former rowing coach. Together, they restored the boat and revived their love for the sport. Beyond the physical exercise, rowing has become a source of mindfulness and meditation for Erin and John, grounding them in the present moment on the peaceful, glassy lake. They also discovered the joy of building a multigenerational community, teaching others—friends and even neighbors’ kids—to row. For both, rowing has taken on a spiritual aspect at times, and they often dedicate oar strokes to loved ones in need, making each outing deeply meaningful. In this inspiring conversation, Erin and John (plus a cameo from John’s wife, Amelie) discuss the profound fulfillment that comes from pursuing joy without the pressure to excel. Their story reminds us that it’s never too late to find happiness in new, unexpected places. Tune in to hear how sculling has become their “patronus,” bringing purpose, connection, and gratitude into their lives.   If you’d like to learn more about rowing and find a local rowing club, check out USRowing find a club: https://usrowing.org/find-a-club [https://usrowing.org/find-a-club]    ✅ About The Midlife Happiness Project. Have you been wondering, "There’s got to be more to life than just a busy career or raising kids,"? Well, you’re in the right place! The Midlife Happiness Project is here to help you uncover the secrets to a happier, more fulfilling life in your 40s, 50s, and 60s. Each week, your host Sarah Reynolds chats with amazing people who have discovered fresh sources of joy and purpose during this transformative phase of life. Our guests offer inspiring stories about new passions and pursuits they have found to stay challenged and fulfilled in their midlife stage. Sarah also speaks with a range of experts to explore science-backed methods to boost your happiness and well-being. So, join us each week as we uncover inspiring stories and practical tips to help motivate you to take that next exciting step towards a happier, more fulfilling life. New inspiring episodes every Thursday.   © The Midlife Happiness Project

Ocean Yoga on an Electric Surfboard: A Midlife Adventure with eFoiling

"I bought an eFoil not knowing how to do it and just said, I'm going to throw my hat over the fence and figure it out." In this week’s fascinating episode of The Midlife Happiness Project, your host Sarah interviews Jamie, who discovered the thrilling world of eFoiling in his fifties and never looked back. An eFoil is like a surfboard that levitates above the water, powered by an electric motor and controlled by a wireless remote - it sounds (and looks!) like science fiction, but it's very real! Jamie shares how he went from watching eFoiling YouTube videos to impulsively buying an eFoil in his fifties and teaching himself to ride. Now in his early sixties, he hits the water on his eFoil 2-3 times a week, describing it as "ocean yoga" that combines excitement with meditation. More than just a hobby, eFoiling has brought Jamie a sense of community, connection with nature, and pure joy. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, water sports lover, or simply someone looking to shake up your routine, this episode proves it's never too late to try something new and find your passion. Jamie's contagious enthusiasm and "throw your hat over the fence" attitude will inspire you to step out of your comfort zone and discover your own source of midlife happiness.   If you’d like to learn more about Jamey and how he discovered his love for eFoiling, check out this Google Doc with more info: http://bit.ly/4eXRZWd [http://bit.ly/4eXRZWd] And if you’re ever in the Santa Barbara area, you can book a lesson with Jamey to learn eFoiling yourself! https://friendwitha.com/rentals/all/santa-barbara-ca/efoil-electric-hydrofoil-board-lesson-90-minutes-225-santa-barbara [https://friendwitha.com/rentals/all/santa-barbara-ca/efoil-electric-hydrofoil-board-lesson-90-minutes-225-santa-barbara]   ============================= Stay Connected With Us. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midlifehappinessproject/ [https://www.instagram.com/midlifehappinessproject/]  Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Midlife-Happiness-Project-Podcast/61557938056346/ [https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Midlife-Happiness-Project-Podcast/61557938056346/]   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/midlife-happiness-project [https://www.linkedin.com/company/midlife-happiness-project]  Website: https://midlifehappinessproject.com/ [https://midlifehappinessproject.com/]     YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMidlifeHappinessProject [https://www.youtube.com/@TheMidlifeHappinessProject]   ============================= ✅ About The Midlife Happiness Project. Have you been wondering, "There’s got to be more to life than just a busy career or raising kids,"? Well, you’re in the right place! The Midlife Happiness Project is here to help you uncover the secrets to a happier, more fulfilling life in your 40s, 50s, and 60s. Each week, your host Sarah Reynolds chats with amazing people who have discovered fresh sources of joy and purpose during this transformative phase of life. Our guests offer inspiring stories about new passions and pursuits they have found to stay challenged and fulfilled in their midlife stage. Sarah also speaks with a range of experts to explore science-backed methods to boost your happiness and well-being. So, join us each week as we uncover inspiring stories and practical tips to help motivate you to take that next exciting step towards a happier, more fulfilling life. New inspiring episodes every Thursday. © The Midlife Happiness Project

Escape Your Career Coma: A Midlife Guide to Loving What You Do

“I had zero clue, not one inkling of what I could do, because I was just filled with fear.  But that day, I knew things were going to change!” Meet Lucia Knight, a midlife career design consultant, who radically reinvented her own career before launching into a new consulting practice. Are you spending a third of your life at work feeling drained and unfulfilled? In this energizing episode of The Midlife Happiness Project, Sarah talks with career reinvention expert Lucia Knight about finding genuine happiness in your career after 40. Lucia shares her personal journey from "career coma" to purposeful work, offering practical insights for those feeling stuck in their professional lives. Learn about Lucia's unique formula for career satisfaction, which includes identifying your "superpowers" - those natural abilities that energize rather than drain you. She challenges the traditional retirement mindset and introduces a refreshing perspective on career change that doesn't require starting from scratch or going back to school. The conversation explores how to overcome the fear of change through simple daily experiments and the importance of getting "granular" about what's not working in your current role. Whether you're contemplating a career pivot or simply seeking more fulfillment in your existing job, this episode offers actionable strategies to help you rediscover joy and energy in your work life. Tune in for an inspiring discussion that might just change how you think about your career path. Learn more about Lucia Website: https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/ [https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/] Superpowers Starter Guide: https://midlifeunstuck.activehosted.com/f/17 [https://midlifeunstuck.activehosted.com/f/17] TedX talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E9bFKC9_rw [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E9bFKC9_rw] YouTube: www.youtube.com/@UCWWncB3CBTpGcvgPG2jXt9Q   ============================= Stay Connected With Us. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midlifehappinessproject/ [https://www.instagram.com/midlifehappinessproject/]  Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Midlife-Happiness-Project-Podcast/61557938056346/ [https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Midlife-Happiness-Project-Podcast/61557938056346/]   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/midlife-happiness-project [https://www.linkedin.com/company/midlife-happiness-project]  Website: https://midlifehappinessproject.com/ [https://midlifehappinessproject.com/]     ============================= ✅ About The Midlife Happiness Project. Have you been wondering, "There’s got to be more to life than just a busy career or raising kids,"? Well, you’re in the right place! The Midlife Happiness Project is here to help you uncover the secrets to a happier, more fulfilling life in your 40s, 50s, and 60s. Each week, your host Sarah Reynolds chats with amazing people who have discovered fresh sources of joy and purpose during this transformative phase of life. Our guests offer inspiring stories about new passions and pursuits they have found to stay challenged and fulfilled in their midlife stage. Sarah also speaks with a range of experts to explore science-backed methods to boost your happiness and well-being. So, join us each week as we uncover inspiring stories and practical tips to help motivate you to take that next exciting step towards a happier, more fulfilling life. New inspiring episodes every Thursday.   © The Midlife Happiness Project

From Police Badge to Cook’s Apron: Marc’s Second Act as a YouTube Chef

“Bringing happiness and joy to others through food is something I didn’t realize I’d like, but it’s massive!” Meet Marc, a retired police sergeant who's found a new passion by launching a fast-growing YouTube channel focused on cooking, despite having no formal culinary training. In this week’s episode, you’ll hear how Marc's curiosity about food, sparked by his wife's cooking, led him to take on increasingly complex culinary challenges. From mastering sourdough to a less successful attempt baking croissants, Marc's journey is filled with both triumphs and comical kitchen mishaps. Your host, Sarah, and Marc explore how this new cooking hobby has brought joy not only to Marc but to his family and followers as well. Marc sheds light on the unexpected challenges of YouTube content creation, the thrill of going viral, and the satisfaction of bringing people together through food and cooking. This episode is a testament to the power of trying new things in midlife, embracing the learning process, and finding fulfillment in unexpected places. Whether you're a foodie, an aspiring content creator, or simply looking for inspiration to shake up your routine, Marc's story will leave you hungry for your own new adventure.   Learn more about Marc and his Little Kitchen Big Food YouTube channel! https://youtube.com/@littlekitchenbigfood?sub=confirmation1 [https://youtube.com/@littlekitchenbigfood?sub=confirmation1] https://www.littlekitchenbigfood.com [https://www.littlekitchenbigfood.com/] https://www.tiktok.com/@little.kitchen.big.food?_t=8q28tVq8jN5&_r=1 [https://www.tiktok.com/@little.kitchen.big.food?_t=8q28tVq8jN5&_r=1] https://www.instagram.com/little_kitchen_big_food?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/little_kitchen_big_food?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] https://www.facebook.com/littlekitchenbigfood?mibextid=LQQJ4d [https://www.facebook.com/littlekitchenbigfood?mibextid=LQQJ4d]   ============================= Stay Connected With Us.   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midlifehappinessproject/ [https://www.instagram.com/midlifehappinessproject/]  Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Midlife-Happiness-Project-Podcast/61557938056346/ [https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Midlife-Happiness-Project-Podcast/61557938056346/]   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/midlife-happiness-project [https://www.linkedin.com/company/midlife-happiness-project]  Website: https://midlifehappinessproject.com/ [https://midlifehappinessproject.com/]     ============================= ✅ About The Midlife Happiness Project. Have you been wondering, "There’s got to be more to life than just a busy career or raising kids,"? Well, you’re in the right place! The Midlife Happiness Project is here to help you uncover the secrets to a happier, more fulfilling life in your 40s, 50s, and 60s. Each week, your host Sarah Reynolds chats with amazing people who have discovered fresh sources of joy and purpose during this transformative phase of life. Our guests offer inspiring stories about new passions and pursuits they have found to stay challenged and fulfilled in their midlife stage. Sarah also speaks with a range of experts to explore science-backed methods to boost your happiness and well-being. So, join us each week as we uncover inspiring stories and practical tips to help motivate you to take that next exciting step towards a happier, more fulfilling life. New inspiring episodes every Thursday.   © The Midlife Happiness Project

Midlife Harmony: How Forming a Band Struck a Chord of Happiness

“We've developed such strong bonds because we're working together to build something that’s bigger than us.” Meet Louisa, Trisalyn, and Liz, three professional women who decided to form their own band, Strings & Arrows, and have found new joy and fulfillment by getting on stage at venues around town and building a local following. In this week’s episode of the Midlife Happiness Project, host Sarah sits down with these three remarkable women who share their journey of stepping out of their comfort zones to pursue their passion for music in midlife. The trio discusses how they came together, overcame initial challenges, and built a strong friendship through their shared love of creating music. They reveal how this experience has boosted their confidence, expanded their social circles, and brought unexpected happiness to their lives. From fumbling with equipment to now playing regular gigs, these women demonstrate that it's never too late to try something new and exciting. Their story is a testament to the power of saying "yes" to opportunities, embracing personal growth, and finding strength in female friendships. Whether you're a music lover or simply seeking inspiration to shake up your routine, this episode will motivate you to pursue your own passions and find happiness in midlife. Tune in to discover how these women are rocking their way through this exciting chapter of life!  To learn more about Strings & Arrows, check out their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stringsandarrowsband/ [https://www.instagram.com/stringsandarrowsband/]   Stay Connected With Us. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midlifehappinessproject/ [https://www.instagram.com/midlifehappinessproject/]  Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Midlife-Happiness-Project-Podcast/61557938056346/ [https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Midlife-Happiness-Project-Podcast/61557938056346/]   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/midlife-happiness-project [https://www.linkedin.com/company/midlife-happiness-project]  Website: https://midlifehappinessproject.com/ [https://midlifehappinessproject.com/]       ✅ About The Midlife Happiness Project  Have you been wondering, "There’s got to be more to life than just a busy career or raising kids,"? Well, you’re in the right place! The Midlife Happiness Project is here to help you uncover the secrets to a happier, more fulfilling life in your 40s, 50s, and 60s. Each week, your host Sarah Reynolds chats with amazing people who have discovered fresh sources of joy and purpose during this transformative phase of life. Our guests offer inspiring stories about new passions and pursuits they have found to stay challenged and fulfilled in their midlife stage. Sarah also speaks with a range of experts to explore science-backed methods to boost your happiness and well-being. So, join us each week as we uncover inspiring stories and practical tips to help motivate you to take that next exciting step towards a happier, more fulfilling life. New, inspiring episodes every Thursday.   © The Midlife Happiness Project