Summary

The discussion focused on the unique challenges women face in retirement, particularly those who spent 40 years in the workforce. Karen and Erica shared how they launched Luster to address the gap in visibility and community for this demographic, explaining how they evolved from a blog to a comprehensive platform with monthly member calls, weekly news programs, and various online events. They discussed the differences between men's and women's retirement experiences, noting that women often struggle more with the transition due to having spent decades building careers they loved. The conversation also covered specific advice for women approaching retirement, emphasizing the importance of taking time to relax without committing to new responsibilities, getting out and meeting people, and saying yes to social opportunities.

Retired Women Community Connection Systems

Karen and Erica discussed the challenges retired women face in connecting with others in their community after leaving corporate environments. They explained that Luster provides systems for members to find and connect with others, including monthly member calls, direct connections between members, and various online events including a weekly news program. Jean, who recently joined Luster, expressed interest in participating in Zoom meetups and mentioned enjoying the platform's content, including a podcast about AI and a newsletter on learning languages.

Retirement Work for Women's Support

Erica and Karen discussed finding joy in retirement by continuing their work to support women, particularly those facing challenges in the legal profession. They described how helping others and maintaining a structured work environment with an office brings them satisfaction, especially working together. The discussion included their decision to create simple business cards with just their names and contact information as a way to establish their presence professionally.

To learn more about Lustre, check out their website www.lustre.net.

To learn more about Jean and the Be Joyful podcast visit www.bejoyful.love.

Avrielle Simoneau is a passionate and dedicated certified practitioner at Sundrop Wellness, a holistic massage clinic.

When she was younger, she said she “played it small” and didn’t go after the things she wanted. She let life happen to her, but now it’s all about making life the way she wants.

She likes the saying, “swallow the frog,” which means to do the thing that’s the hardest first and will propel you the furthest.

Overcoming Fear and Pursuing Passions

Jean interviews Avrielle Simoneau, a certified practitioner at Sundrop Wellness, about her journey from playing it small to pursuing her passions. Avrielle discusses her approach to tackling difficult tasks, using the metaphor "swallow the frog" to encourage facing fears head-on. She shares an example of reaching out to MSU football coaches about compensation for her work, emphasizing the importance of building confidence through challenging actions. Avrielle also reflects on her upbringing in a remote Canadian community, highlighting the tight-knit environment that fostered acceptance and unity.

Single Mother's Journey in Business

Avrielle discussed her upbringing in a family business, her marriage at a young age, and the challenges that led to her divorce at 32. She described balancing work and raising six children as a single mother, eventually pursuing education in naturopathy while taking various jobs to support her family.

Chiropractic Career and Business Growth

Avrielle decided to leave school and pursue a career in chiropractic clinics after experiencing health issues, including insomnia and aches and pains, which doctors warned could lead to serious health problems if continued. She worked in the chiropractic business for 12 years, growing it from zero to nine clinics, but eventually parted ways with the business due to misaligned goals.

Holistic Massage Therapy Journey

Avrielle discussed her journey from owning a chiropractic clinic to becoming a massage therapist, emphasizing how business ownership and parenting taught her valuable life lessons. She explained her holistic approach to massage therapy, which combines breathwork, physical manipulation, and nutrition, aiming to bridge energy and physical health. Jean praised Avrielle's therapeutic skills and her ability to create a happy and relaxing atmosphere.

Nutrition and Hydration Recommendations

Avrielle discussed nutrition recommendations for clients, emphasizing the importance of adequate protein intake and proper hydration, which she believes can help identify and address weaknesses in the body. She shared her personal experience with omega-3 supplements, noting that they can significantly reduce the need for surgery in certain cases. Jean acknowledged the benefits of hydration and expressed interest in incorporating omega-3 supplements into her daily routine. Avrielle advised finding a personal water intake balance, suggesting a minimum of 8 cups per day, while acknowledging that individual needs may vary based on factors such as diet and physical activity.

Embracing Self-Fulfillment and Equality

Avrielle discussed her personal life, expressing openness to dating and a preference for younger men who value equality and autonomy. She shared her experience of being a single, successful businesswoman with six grown children, emphasizing the importance of self-fulfillment and equal partnerships. Avrielle advised others seeking life changes to act on their desires, step into fear, and reward themselves for progress. She also mentioned her work in life coaching and provided her website for further information. sundropwellness.com

To learn more about Jean and the Be Joyful podcast visit www.bejoyful.love.

Andrea's Childhood and Academic Journey

Andrea shared her idyllic childhood growing up with her twin brother in a neighborhood with many children, where she experienced love and freedom. She discussed her connection with her twin who she felt a deep emotional bond with but no longer shares that connection due to living in different states. Andrea studied mathematics at the University of Southern Colorado, where she attempted to pursue a minor in art but was discouraged by her advisor. She expressed her preference for strategic thinking over accounting, and reflected on her confident and kind-hearted nature at the age of 13, which she still strives to build upon today.

Career Paths and Personal Journeys

Andrea and Jean discussed their educational backgrounds and career paths, with Jean sharing her experience as a former math major who switched to journalism and Andrea mentioning her math and art studies with a business minor. They also talked about Andrea's early life, including meeting her first husband in high school and their subsequent marriage and children.

Breaking Free from Abusive Marriage

Andrea shared her personal story of staying in a mentally abusive relationship for 32 years, influenced by Catholic beliefs and a desire to protect her children. She eventually left the relationship after receiving wisdom from a friend's elderly mother about the importance of leaving while still able to make a new life. The relationship was marked by mental abuse, manipulation, and narcissism, culminating in a violent incident where Andrea's ex husband attacked their son, prompting her to finally take action.

Near-Death Experiences and Healing

Andrea shared her personal experience of near-death experience. Andrea described being overdosed after surgery and having a vivid near-death experience involving a beautiful, warm light and her deceased mother. Andrea believes that everything happens for a reason and that there are no coincidences.

Faith Journey After Near-Death

Andrea shared her personal journey of exploring and strengthening her faith after a near-death experience, which led her to question and reflect on mainstream religious teachings. She expressed confidence in her beliefs, which include her continued faith in Jesus and God, while noting that her understanding of faith is a personal journey. Jean and Andrea discussed how joy can evolve over time, with Andrea mentioning horses as a long-standing source of joy and her new husband as a recent source of joy and support for exploring her ideas.

Personal Growth and Freedom Journey

Andrea shared her experience of personal growth and freedom in exploring her true self, contrasting it with her first marriage where she felt pressure to conform. She discussed her current career in property management, which she enjoys, and her recent visit to see long-time friends and their grown children in Virginia.

You can reach out to Andrea at andreaawhisler@gmail.com

To learn more about Jean and the Be Joyful podcast visit www.bejoyful.love.