A huge NABBW welcome to new member Lorraine Miano, an Integrative Certified Health Coach who is especially passionate about working with women in all phases of menopause, with the clear goal of helping us overcome any weight, metabolism and aging concerns, so we can have more energy, less stress, and feel comfortable in our own skin.  (Who doesn’t like the sound of that!)

I recently watched an awesome video clip from last December’s (2020) Perimenopause Summit, during which Lorraine was interviewed about her efforts to help us Western women understand that menopause can – and should – be viewed as the time we women come into our own, finally becoming the influential and powerful beings we were meant to be.

Lorraine also in explains that in non-Western cultures, especially Japanese — but also Greek, Native American, Indian, Chinese, Korean and African — societies, elder women are held in high esteem – and venerated for their wisdom. Be sure to watch the clip, you’ll find it very uplifting.

Below, I share Lorraine’s answers to our favorite questions. You’ll enjoy reading her responses. But I also want to encourage you to become familiar with her website, The Magic of Menopause, not only for the content Lorraine offers there, but because of the awesome first page introduction, in which she outlines her mission. Here’s what she shares:

I am especially passionate about working with women in all phases of menopause who have weight, metabolism and aging concerns, so that they can have more energy, less stress and feel comfortable in their own skin.
It’s time to change how we think and act about the change of life.
It’s time for the “2nd Talk.”
With over 37.5 million women going through menopause, and the fact that women will spend 50% of their lives as post-menopausal, steps can be taken at any age to keep menopause symptoms from affecting your life in a negative way.
There are so many myths and misconceptions about menopause, and I’d love to help you navigate this sea of confusion!
It’s time to say “adieu” to the “taboo”!
Through group coaching sessions, holistic nutrition, lifestyle choices and other resources (including my quarterly REFRESH programs), I can help you Get your Happy Back and Live the Life you Crave!
If you are a woman going through “The Change”, …I’ll have you saying:
“Damn right I am changing! I am becoming the woman I’ve always wanted to be!”
“Menopause can be magical. It can be your freedom years. This–more than any other time in your life–is yours to embrace and celebrate…”
So now that you know a bit more about why Lorraine wants us to realize that the final third of our lives, the period that includes menopause, should be recognized for it’s magical potential, I encourage you to learn more about the woman behind the mission…here’s Lorraine!!

Tell us about your family; married, divorced, children, grands, boomerangs or parents living with you, etc.

Hello fellow Boomers! My husband Richard and I are just about to celebrate our 41st Anniversary. We have three awesome children who are all married and employed… thankfully! Between them, they have given us six adorable grandchildren (so far). The oldest just started high school, and the youngest just turned 6 months old. They definitely light up our lives! I am also fortunate to have both of my parents who live close by. To be able to spend time with family is the reason I strive to live the healthiest life possible!

What is your favorite childhood memory that is reminiscent of growing up in the 50s, 60s or 70s?

In the late 60’s and early 70’s, my girlfriends and I just loved listening to all of the Top 40 music on our transistor radios. Can you say Casey Casem!? We were basically singing and dancing just about every day. A highlight was going to Madison Square Garden to see the Osmond Brothers live! Yes, we were those screaming preteens! Haha!

What qualities do you have that speak of our generation of women?

I’m not really sure how to answer this. All of us are so unique and bio individuals. My qualities include being determined, hardworking, positive, and happy. And I’ve got a crazy laugh. Does that count?

What inspires you?

Continuously educating myself on holistic health and menopause, not only for my business and the women I support, but for my family and personal benefit as well.

These days, what brings you the most pleasure in life?

Without a doubt, spending time with our grandchildren brings me the most pleasure. My husband and I are fortunate to be active and healthy, which makes it easy to travel to see several of our grands who live in another state. We love to take them each on a special individual trip for special bonding time too.

Do you have any interesting hobbies?

Traveling, and researching places to go are probably my favorite hobbies. My Dad instilled this in me from an early age, when he had me plan our family’s camping trip at the age of 12. I also love reading, hiking, dancing, and writing.

Do you have a favorite book or movie? If so, tell us why it’s your favorite.

I adore all of Pat Conroy’s books. My favorite is “Beach Music.” I enjoy family sagas that span decades and historical times.  They intrigue me. As a matter of fact, I’m inspired to read it again now!

Do you travel and if so, who are your favorite travel partners and where do you like to go?

I LOVE traveling! Of course, my hubby is my most favorite travel partner. Quite often we travel with other couples, who we have known since high school. I’ll go anywhere! Recently we went on the St. Lawrence River cruise through Canada, and just booked an Alaska Adventure for next summer. I’m also headed to Tuscany in the Spring with my sister-in-law to stay in a villa with 9 women. Fun will be had! Oh! And in just a few weeks my husband and I are headed to Aruba with our good friends. Did I say I LOVE to travel?

What do you stress about?

I try not to stress! But currently, the health of my parents is at the top of my list. My Mom has had several serious health issues over the past few years. Doctor visits and caregiving take a good bit of time.

Is it important for you to retain your youthful looks, and if so, to what degree are you willing to go?

More than retaining a youthful look, I’m concerned more with healthy skin. This often happens from the inside out (can you tell I’m a health coach?). Good food, movement, stress reduction, and quality organic skincare products are at the top of the list.

Have you re-invented yourself, and if so, how?

At age 55, I decided to go back to school and attended the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and became a certified health coach. I’ve always been interested in holistic health, so when the opportunity presented itself, I say YES!  Once I decided to guide menopausal women, I went back and became certified in Hormone Health. I wrote my first book, “The Magic of Menopause: A Holistic Guide to Get Your Happy Back,” at age 57. I’m currently 63 and a social media influencer, studying to become an Aromatherapist (more help for women) as well as working on my second book.

The Magic of Menopause

Do you plan to retire?

As of right now….No. We’ll see what the future brings. If and when that happens, it will most likely be to see more of our grandbabies and to travel!

Are you doing anything to GO Green?

Recycling has been part of our family’s lives for the past 38 years. As well, we eat organically grown food, support local farmers, and eliminate as many toxins in our lives as possible, from chemicals to plastics and more.

Do you still have unfulfilled dreams, and are you doing anything to accomplish them?

I wouldn’t say I have unfulfilled dreams, as enjoying the process itself is fulfilling.

This includes travel plans, education, creativity.

How do you make a difference in the lives of others, your community, your world?

Our family has sponsored children in the Philippines for the past 22 years through Unbound.  As well, I was a weekly volunteer at Catholic Parish Outreach for nine years, and full time PTSA volunteer while my children were growing up. Currently I donate much of my time guiding women as they navigate the menopause years in a private support group. Many of these women are experiencing debilitating symptoms, and have nowhere to turn.

If you were to have a personal mission statement, what would it be? Feel free to be as serious or fun as you choose.

To be positive, happy, and healthy while living with intention and passion….for a very long time!

 

 

 

 

A very special welcome to new NABBW member Ardith Bowman! Let me begin telling you about her by pointing out that she calls herself a “recovering MBA professor!” I love that moniker! It immediately brings a chuckle and a smile.

This reaction is likely because I have several Boomer-aged friends who describe themselves as recovering journalists.  Knowing them as I do, I infer that anyone  willing to use the term ‘recovering’ in describing themselves has a wonderfully droll, almost self-deprecating sense of humor and is someone I would enjoy knowing.

According to Ardith, before she was an MBA professor, the core of her life work was in manager development and manager/team effectiveness. This was also the focus of her research, early consulting practice, and what finally led her to teaching MBA students.

These days, she has circled back to consulting, and brings her energies and life experience to working with and supporting women in business, especially women who have recently earned postgraduate degrees, specifically those of us who are either at mid-career or are contemplating entering retirement.

As Ardith points out, each of these groups are made up of people who are ready to embark on a new segment of their lives, and most likely have positioned themselves at these threshold points because they want to make a difference, to be able to say they’ve made an impact in the 21st century.

I can totally understand this. I recall that when a close friend was divorcing at age fifty, she decided to go back to university to earn a masters degree, which she knew would help freshen up her employment marketability. She had reached a pivotal life threshold, and she knew wanted to make the most of the rest of her life.

In her future, my friend wanted to be known for having achieved something more than ably serving twenty-five years as a wife and mother. (I’m not inferring that my friend thought there was anything wrong with her first career choice. I’m simply noting that she was now ready to embrace a new phase other life.)

Likewise, Ardith notes that her goal in working with these three groups of women is to help them succeed in making a positive impact on the world in a way that aligns with their talents and values.

Ardith has walked her talk. She’s successfully set this same intention for herself. Now her personal late career commitment is to support others who also want to make difference.

Which means that whether or not you are currently contemplating retirement or still consider yourself to be at mid-career – and no matter how fresh your degrees are – should you find yourself at one of those nexus points in your life where you are wondering what’s next, Ardith is well-qualified to help you discover your answer.

Ardith’s doctorate is in Human & Organization Systems, as is her MBA, so she begins with a solid training base. Beyond that, she has 15 years managerial experience and has coached managers and their teams for over 20 years. She has taught MBA students for over 15 years.

More recently she earned a certificate as a Feminine Power® Facilitator earlier this year, and had already tucked a Narrative Coaching® certification into her professional portfolio.

As I’ve chatted with Ardith, I’ve learned she is anxious to connect with other NABBW members, so hopefully, once you read the rest of this post, you’ll reach out to her.  Now, enough of me introducing her. Here, in her own words, are Ardith’s answers to our NABBW “Voices of Baby Boomer Women” questions.
________________________________________________________________________

Using one paragraph, tell us about yourself.

I am a recovering MBA Professor, taking two years to reinvent myself, to live the life I want. I am loving this phase of life. I now guide other women to do the same. I love to create and play and learn.  Over the years, I’ve been a manager, business consultant and professor/academic administrator – and now a coach. I enjoyed and learned from every role AND this is the first time I am creating my life truly from “the inside out.” We create our lives through our thoughts and what we expect. First, I found I needed to know what I wanted to think about creating, before I could create it.  I’m in it now!

Tell us about your family; married, divorced, children, grands, boomerangs or parents living with you, etc.

I’ve been divorced since 2000 – a long time!  I am actively looking for the optimistic, warm and outdoorsy partner for me now. Know anyone?  I have one daughter and two grandsons. The oldest who just graduated from high school lives with me. Whee!  It is an honor to support him.

What is your favorite childhood memory that is reminiscent of growing up in the 50s, 60s or 70s?

I grew up on a farm in Oregon.  So my favorite memories usually are about being outside exploring.  I still do that.

What qualities do you have that speak of our generation of women?

We are changing what being 60-70 really means to society.  I and many of us want to continue making a difference in the world; what that is depends on the individual. I also want to play full out for as long as I can.  We are conscious of what it takes to stay fit and healthy.

What inspires you?

I am always inspired by people who turn a challenge into an asset and growth, by people who give everything they have to accomplish something.  I’m not really a sports buff, but give me an Olympic star that gives their all and I burst into tears. Look at Kerri Strug who won our team a Gold Medal while injured.

What brings you the most pleasure in midlife?

I think that it is that I don’t have anything to prove.  I can live according to what brings me joy and that is more than enough.

 Do you have any interesting hobbies?

I love the outdoors!  I hike every week, kayak, and when we are not quarantined paddle on a women’s Dragon Boat team here in Portland.

Do you have a favorite book or movie? If so, tell us why it’s your favorite.

Book du jour!  How about “Why Bother” by Jenn Louden?  Any book where I can’t wait to go to bed to read is my favorite.

Do you travel and if so, who are your favorite travel partners and where do you like to go?

LOVE to travel!  Feeling a bit grounded at the moment.  I am a scuba diver, so anywhere with a reef is good.  Fiji is breathtaking.  I loved Scotland and will go back. Headed for the Galapagos next spring for some turtle research. Pompeii and Herculaneum have been on my list since I was a teen.  Going to hike Mt.  Blanc soon too.  I can go on ……

As mentioned above, I am looking for my mate and travel partner.

What do you stress about?

As little as possible…..  Right now politics and the climate.  I do what I can.

Is it important for you to retain your youthful looks, and if so, to what degree are you willing to go?

I’m fit and take care of my skin.  That is far enough!

Have you re-invented yourself, and if so, how?

See above.  Life is reinvention.

Do you plan to retire?

It depends on what is meant by the term. The term is from old French – like to “retire the troops,” pulling them back from battle.  Then it became retiring to one’s bed, then to leaving one’s professional role.  That definition leaves me feeling contracted, disempowered and overall not very useful!

Is that what we want our next phase of life to be about?   How about to “re-tire” by putting on new all-weather radials and going for it!?

Are you doing anything to GO Green?

Small things like bringing my own food containers and avoiding use of plastic as much as I can.

Do you still have unfulfilled dreams, and are you doing anything to accomplish them?

The journey toward one’s dreams simply results in the container for the next dream.

How do you make a difference in the lives of others, your community, your world?

Hopefully, through my presence and outlook, word and deed.

If you were to have a personal mission statement, what would it be? Feel free to be as serious or fun as you choose.

When I look back on my life, I’m going to like what I see…..

 

 

A big NABBW welcome to new member Talek Nantes, Cuban-American author and founder of the travel blog, TravelsWithTalek.com.
When I looked up her blog, I was very impressed. Talek covers topics many travel bloggers don’t deal with. For example, a recent – and very useful – post covered a number of common travel scams, giving tips on how to avoid them.
As I learned more about Talek, I was astounded by the number of countries she’s visited. And as she purposefully chose a career in international business in order to have opportunity to travel, I was reminded of the Dr. Seuss-penned children’s book, Oh, The Places You’ll Go! 
As Talek points our in her answers to our standard blog questions below, travel has been a central theme of her life and her interest in travel led her to study international business in college, and learn several languages. She says she believes that traveling outside your comfort zone helps you hone practical skills used in your day-to-day life, like problem solving, goal setting and communication.
I totally agree. On my last international cruise, I frequently found myself accidentally separated from our tour group. Twice, they totally left me behind. Once I realized that I was alone in a city I’d never been in before, those were the skills I used to calmly – and timely – get myself back to the ship!
During Talek’s first career, she traveled to over 110 countries, and lived in Colombia, Spain, The Dominican Republic, Mexico and the UK.  She also worked throughout Asia, Africa, Europe and South America, in places as diverse as Nigeria, China and Argentina.
Talek’s love of travel is what led to her hobby – now second career – as a travel blogger, and eventually to writing books designed to help others enjoy a better travel experience. Her two books:”Don’t Just Travel to Cuba, Experience Cuba Like a Local” and prior to that, 110 Best Travel Tips: Save Time and Money, Stay Healthy and Safe, Have Fun!
With the books, her focus is always on cultural immersion and encouraging interaction with local people in order to help travelers create their own unique travel experiences. But Talek hasn’t limited herself to book authoring. Her writing work has also appeared in several publications, including Reader’s Digest, Atlas Obscura and BostonHerald.com.

These days, Talek has stepped beyond authoring travel content, to conceptualizing and creating her own tours. She reports that she has a small group cultural tour to China for boomer women travelers in April 2020. As you might expect, cultural immersion will be a part of the trip. Those who join her tour will experience the opportunity to:

  • Share meals with local Chinese families.
  • Learn how to make authentic Chinese dumplings from an expert cook.
  • Sleep in a Chinese guesthouse near the Great Wall of China.
  • Explore Beijing’s Forbidden City
  • Walk the Great Wall of China
  • Experience Old Shanghai
  • See Xi’an’s famous Terracotta Warriors
  • Stroll through 1000 year old, winding “hutong” alleyways
  • Sample amazing food at China’s famous night markets
  • Visit multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites
  • Experience travel in an overnight train from Shanghai to Xi’an
  • Visit Tiananmen Square, the heart of China
  • Explore a 2000 year old water town with its curved bridges and winding canals
  • Travel at over 250 miles per hour on China’s fast train
  • Explore the legendary Muslim Quarter in Xi’an, the original start of the ancient Silk Route
  • Experience China’s nightlife in its many clubs and music venues

But enough of me telling you about Talek. Here, in her own words, are her answers to our “Voices of Baby Boomer Women” questions.

Using one paragraph, tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Talek Nantes, author, digital content creator and founder of the travel blog, www.TravelsWithTalek.com.  I’m a native New Yorker of Cuban immigrant parents who instilled in me a love of this great country that gave us so much opportunity. I’m am a passionate travel enthusiast and enjoy sharing my travel experiences with others. I guess you could say travel has been a central theme in my life. As a student I determined that whatever professional I choose, travel would have to be a part of it, so I studied international business, obtained an MBA and learned foreign languages.

My corporate career as an international business professional led me to travel to over 113 countries, five of which I lived and worked in. I live with my husband in New York City and Miami. My most recent book, is “Don’t Just Travel to Cuba, Experience Cuba: The Ultimate Cuba Travel Guide.”

Tell us about your family; married, divorced, children, grands, boomerangs or parents living with you, etc.

My husband and I just celebrated our 35th anniversary. We have no children but many nieces and nephews that keep us busy. Both our families are large and loud and love getting together frequently.

What is your favorite childhood memory that is reminiscent of growing up in the 50s, 60s or 70s?

I have so many childhood memories; hanging out on the stoop of our apartment building, enjoying our beautiful NYC parks, checking out the clubs on Second Avenue. In the summertime, the cops would open up the fire hydrants and the kids would run through them squealing with delight. I was one of those kids and that’s one of my favorite memories.

What qualities do you have that speak of our generation of women?

The women of my generation caused enormous, important changes in civil rights. It wasn’t easy to protest and march for what we believed in. I strive to continue that legacy of fighting for equality for all.

What inspires you?  

Stories of people overcoming adversity inspire me. I am especially moved by stories of immigrants that arrived with nothing and had successful, productive lives contributing to this country’s growth.

What brings you the most pleasure in midlife?

I enjoy everything travel related; the planning of a trip, getting there, the trip itself and writing about it later.  I also enjoy getting together with family.

Do you have any interesting hobbies?

My travel blog, TravelsWithTalek.com was initially a hobby which turned into a full time job.  I always enjoyed writing so that — and travel, my other passion — led to my travel blog.

Do you have a favorite book or movie? If so, tell us why it’s your favorite.

My favorite book is George Orwell’s 1984 because his writing is so clear and descriptive from a technical aspect. The subject matter, a dystopian future, is a fascinating topic and he created it so well. It’s just a little gem.

Do you travel and if so, who are your favorite travel partners and where do you like to go?

Travel is my passion. Always was, I guess it always will be. I enjoy traveling with my husband and small group tours.  I can’t think of one country that I’ve been to that I didn’t find something to like.

  • Having worked in China on and off for about 8 years, that country is certainly one of my favorites.
  • I also enjoy Spain.
  • Cuba has a special place in my heart because of the cultural connection, my family being Cuban. It is an amazingly beautiful place with a rich culture.

Do you practice preventive medicine? Please elaborate. 

I do my best to eat right and exercise. I do yoga once a week, try to walk at least a mile each day and do weight-bearing exercises at least twice a week. I hope to stay mobile as long as possible to be able to continue traveling.

What do you stress about?

Social inequality stresses me because I believe it is such an important topic that I feel we as a society need to do so much more work to improve.

From a personal perspective, not being able to sleep for a straight 7 or 8 hours a night without waking up stresses me.

Is it important for you to retain your youthful looks, and if so, to what degree are you willing to go?

I’ll color my hair and wear moisturizer but that’s about it.  I do fitness training but that’s more to stay healthy than to retain youthful looks.  I’m happy to say that’s not one thing I obsess about.

Have you re-invented yourself, and if so, how?

When I left the corporate world, I decided to become a travel blogger and have been happily toiling away at the profession ever since. That certainly was a total reinvention.

Do you plan to retire?

Fortunately my second act as a travel blogger allows me to continue to work at it as long as I can or want to.  So, no, I have no plans to retire. And even if I did, I’d still do the same thing I’m doing now.

Are you doing anything to GO Green?

I live in a big city where the big opportunity to go green is recycling which we do.

 

Can you pinpoint major turning points in your life that led to your life’s work/play at midlife?

I’ve got several turning points that led to my life’s work/play.  When I was a kid, no one in my family could speak English except me. We wanted to enjoy movies together so we went to see Mexican and Argentinian movies that were in Spanish.  That early exposure to different cultures instilled in me a voracious curiosity about other cultures. Later my mother opened a travel agency which had a huge map covering one wall.  I’d stare at it for hours and imagine what life was like in places like Fiji, Japan and Argentina. I just assumed I’d visit those places when I grew up.

As a teenager I found a book one day titled Ali and Nino about a Muslim boy and a Christian girl in Baku, Azerbaijan.  The book did such a good job of describing Baku that I fell in love with the idea of that city. I eventually did visit, and that book was certainly a driving force.

Just about everything else in my life; education, career, the type of person I married (another travel fanatic) and now my travel blog, has been the result of that travel passion derived from those turning points.

Do you still have unfulfilled dreams, and are you doing anything to accomplish them?

I have more unfulfilled dreams than I care to think about:

  • Photo safaris in Kenya and Tanzania
  • Train traveling throughout India
  • Crossing Asia on the trans-Siberian highway
  • Experiencing the Galapagos Islands

Little by little I’m crossing these places off my travel bucket list.

How do you make a difference in the lives of others, your community, your world?

I like to think that I inspire others to enrich their lives through travel by providing them actionable travel tips and advice and thorough destination guides. Through my blog, I try to communicate the joys of travel, I debunk myths that keep people from traveling and help people create their own unique travel experiences.

Who has had the biggest influence on your life and why?

My mother who instilled important values in me by her example and helped me gain the skills I needed to have a productive, independent and happy life. Also my husband for his constant support.

If you were to have a personal mission statement, what would it be? Feel free to be as serious or fun as you choose.

I have several but my favorite is: Try and you might fail, but don’t try and you’re guaranteed to fail.