Reinvention Rebels

Reinventing at 54: Why Being “Too Much” Was Actually Just Enough with Oneika Mays

What if the very thing people told you was “too much” about you was actually your greatest gift?In this soulful conversation, Wendy talks with Oneika Mays — meditation teacher, storyteller, and author — about what it really means to bet on yourself in midlife. Oneika shares how she moved from 20 years as a bookseller to teaching mindfulness (including groundbreaking work at Rikers Island), and how grief ultimately gave her the permission to pursue her lifelong dream of writing.At 54, Oneika is stepping fully into a creative life — with a debut book on the way and a TV pilot already winning awards. Her story is a powerful reminder that reinvention is not one bold leap, but a series of brave choices to trust yourself again and again.If you’ve ever been told you’re “too much,” this episode is for you.What you’ll hear in this episode💛 Permission & self-trust: learning to listen to your own vision📚 From books to mindfulness: Oneika’s journey from bookseller to teacher🧘🏾‍♀️ Metta (lovingkindness): why self-love is the foundation of reinvention🎯 Betting on yourself: celebrating small steps — even after 15 rejections✨ Reinventing at 54: why it’s never too late to claim a creative life 🤝 You don’t reinvent alone: the village that helped her bet on herself About Oneika Mays Oneika Mays is a meditation and yoga teacher, storyteller, and author of Sit With Me: A No-BS Journey to Mindfulness and Meditation (HarperOne, March 3, 2026). She previously served as the first Mindfulness Coach at Rikers Island. Connect with OneikaWebsite: https://oneikamays.comInstagram: @oneikamaysSubstack: https://oneika.substack.com/Preorder her book: Sit With Me (here or available wherever books are sold)Mentioned in this episodeWomen Over 70 — Aging Reimagined Podcast The 2025 ASTRA award-winning weekly show celebrating women 70–110 who are rewriting the script on aging — plus their monthly Aging Reimagined Circle online. Thank you for listeningIf this episode inspired you, share it with a friend who needs a little permission right now. And if you haven’t already, follow the show and leave a review — it helps more women find their way to this community.Loving the show? Text us and let us know! 😊Support the show*********Thanks for joining me, let's reinvent and get inspired together!Please Share What You LovedYour feedback means everything to me! If you enjoyed this episode please rate and review on Apple Podcasts, Podchaser, Castbox or leave a comment at reinventionrebels.com.Let's connect:Instagram: @reinventionrebelsFacebook: @ReinventionRebels

Permission to Begin Again in Your 60s (or at Any Age): Trusting Yourself in Midlife

Permission to Begin Again in Your 60s (or at Any Age): Trusting Yourself in MidlifeWhat does it really mean to give yourself permission to begin again—especially in midlife?In this solo episode, Wendy explores why permission is often the first act of reinvention, how trusting yourself changes everything in your 60s (or at any age), and why midlife can be a powerful awakening rather than a crisis.She shares personal reflections on self-trust, pivoting, hormonal shifts, and choosing a bigger, juicier life—plus gentle prompts to help you notice where you might be waiting for permission.If you’ve ever felt stuck, unsure, or afraid to change direction, this episode is your reminder that you’re allowed to begin again—right now.✨ In this episode, Wendy shares:🧩 Why permission is often the first act of reinvention 💬 How women are socialized to put themselves last—and how that shows up in midlife 🔍 What permission really means (and what it doesn’t) 🧠 How hormonal shifts can unlock boldness and clarity 🔄 Why pivoting isn’t failure—it’s recalibration 💛 Wendy’s personal story of giving herself permission to begin again 💪 Why self-trust is a muscle you build over timeReflection questions to consider:❓ Where might you be waiting for permission right now? ❓ Whose approval are you unconsciously seeking? ❓ What feels complete, even if you haven’t admitted it? ❓ What would trusting yourself look like today—not someday?Podcast shoutout + ResourcesI’m also giving a shoutout to my friend Suzy Rosenstein, host of the podcast Women in the Middle: Loving Life After 50. If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about midlife, reinvention, and navigating life with intention and curiosity, I know you’ll love her show.I also reference my recent solo episode Reinventing at 61: How I’m Betting on Myself in 2026 (Without the January Pressure)—a great companion listen if you’re exploring intention, self-trust, and spaciousness this year.Free resource: If this episode inspired you and you’d like to go deeper, I invite you to download my free audio, 5 Questions to Spark Your Curiosity and Inspire Your Reinvention Journey. It’s designed to help you reflect, notice what’s calling you, and gently reconnect with yourself—no pressure, no fixing.PS: If this episode resonated, I’d love it if you shared it with a friend, sister, or colleague who might need a reminder that they’re allowed to begin again.Loving the show? Text us and let us know! 😊Support the show*********Thanks for joining me, let's reinvent and get inspired together!Please Share What You LovedYour feedback means everything to me! If you enjoyed this episode please rate and review on Apple Podcasts, Podchaser, Castbox or leave a comment at reinventionrebels.com.Let's connect:Instagram: @reinventionrebelsFacebook: @ReinventionRebels

Reinventing at 61: How I’m Betting on Myself in 2026 (Without the January Pressure)

How I’m Betting on Myself in 2026 (Without the January Pressure)As a new year begins, many of us feel the pressure to rush into resolutions, big goals, and nonstop productivity. In this short solo episode of Reinvention Rebels, I’m sharing a different approach to starting the year — one rooted in listening, intention, and self-trust, especially in midlife.Rather than pushing for momentum or perfection, I reflect on how I’m betting on myself in 2026 in a way that feels quieter, more compassionate, and more sustainable. I share how shifting away from all-or-nothing thinking around diet and exercise, protecting my energy, and allowing clarity to unfold over time has changed the way I approach growth and reinvention.If January feels louder or more demanding than you expected, this episode offers permission to slow down, tune in, and trust your own timing.In this episode, I share:✨ Why January pressure often leads to burnout instead of lasting change 🌀 How all-or-nothing thinking kept me stuck and what helped me move forward 💛 What betting on myself in midlife looks like now, at 61 🌱 Why consistency works better than perfection 🧭 How I’m approaching 2026 with intention instead of urgency 👂 Why listening before deciding can be a powerful form of self-trustReflection questions to consider:❓ Where might you be rushing yourself right now?❓ What’s one area where a softer, more sustainable approach might serve you better? ❓ What would betting on yourself look like if it didn’t involve pressure?Podcast shoutout:I’m also giving a shoutout to my friend Suzy Rosenstein, host of the podcast Women in the Middle. If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about midlife, reinvention, and navigating life with intention and curiosity, I know you’ll love her show. Later this month, I’ll be back with another short solo episode focused on permission — and what it really looks like to give ourselves permission to try again, especially in midlife.Thanks for listening and for being part of the Reinvention Rebels community.PS: If this episode inspired you, and you’d like even more gentle inspiration, I invite to download my free gift, 100 Ways to Reinvent Yourself in Midlife. It's filled with ideas to spark curiosity and help you imagine what your next great adventure could look like. Loving the show? Text us and let us know! 😊Support the show*********Thanks for joining me, let's reinvent and get inspired together!Please Share What You LovedYour feedback means everything to me! If you enjoyed this episode please rate and review on Apple Podcasts, Podchaser, Castbox or leave a comment at reinventionrebels.com.Let's connect:Instagram: @reinventionrebelsFacebook: @ReinventionRebels

If This Holiday Season Feels Tender, You’re Not Doing It Wrong: Permission to Be Where You Are

🌿 Episode DescriptionNot every holiday season feels joyful — and that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.In this gentle solo episode, I share a heartfelt reflection for anyone moving through a tender, heavy, or quieter-than-expected holiday season. This is an invitation to slow down, lower expectations, and allow yourself to be exactly where you are — without guilt, explanation, or pressure to perform joy.If you’re craving reassurance, softness, and permission to simply be, this episode is for you.🌿 Show Notes The holidays are often filled with expectations — to feel joyful, grateful, connected, and festive. But what if this season feels tender instead?In this solo episode, I’m sharing a compassionate reflection for anyone navigating a quieter, heavier, or more complex holiday season. I talk about how midlife reinvention doesn’t always look bold or loud — sometimes it looks like pausing, allowing, and sitting gently with what is.This episode isn’t about fixing anything or pushing through. It’s about permission.In this episode, I explore:Why tenderness during the holidays doesn’t mean you’re failingHow midlife holidays can carry unexpected complexityLetting go of performative joy and unrealistic expectationsChoosing kindness, softness, and rest instead of pushingHow reinvention can unfold quietly through pause and reflectionI also shine a light on the Ageless Traveler podcast, which celebrates women who continue to explore, adventure, and discover what’s possible at every age.If this season finds you feeling unsure, reflective, or in need of gentleness, this episode is a reminder that you’re not alone — and you’re exactly where you need to be.🎧 Listen, pause, and take what you need.Loving the show? Text us and let us know! 😊Support the show*********Thanks for joining me, let's reinvent and get inspired together!Please Share What You LovedYour feedback means everything to me! If you enjoyed this episode please rate and review on Apple Podcasts, Podchaser, Castbox or leave a comment at reinventionrebels.com.Let's connect:Instagram: @reinventionrebelsFacebook: @ReinventionRebels

Reinventing at 56: How Yvonne Marchese Turned Playfulness Into Her Midlife Superpower

At 48, breaking up with her snooze button sparked a major shift for Yvonne Marchese. What began as one small change opened the door to reconnecting with herself, challenging ageist beliefs, and rediscovering what is possible in midlife. Now at 56, she lives a joyful, multi-passionate life shaped by curiosity, play, and purpose. Her story is a powerful reminder that tiny steps can unlock your midlife superpower. ✨ Episode HighlightsThis week on Reinvention Rebels, I’m celebrating the power of small steps, brave choices, and the unexpected sparks that set midlife reinvention in motion.At 48, Yvonne Marchese was feeling stuck, exhausted, and overwhelmed by the daily grind. Hitting snooze had become a ritual — until one morning she realized something had to change. That tiny shift of getting up when the alarm rang became the first domino in a much bigger personal awakening.Today, at 56, Yvonne is an author, speaker, photographer, and host of the Late Bloomer Living podcast. She is also the creator of the Age Agitators Club and a passionate advocate for seeing midlife as a playground, not a decline. Her journey is a beautiful example of how purpose, playfulness, and self-trust can become a midlife superpower.In this candid and joyful conversation, Yvonne opens up about redefining aging, embracing imperfection, and giving herself permission to be a beginner — again and again.In this episode, you’ll hear:How ditching the snooze button at 48 sparked Yvonne’s reinventionThe moment she realized her ageist beliefs were holding her backWhy she believes aging can be playful, creative, and liberatingThe importance of asking for help, community, and doing it imperfectlyHow curiosity, consistency, and baby steps became her midlife momentumConnect with Yvonne Marchese:Website: https://www.latebloomerliving.com/Instagram: @latebloomerliving🎁 Free GiftIf this episode inspired you to explore your own possibilities, download my free guide, 100 Ways to Reinvent Yourself in Midlife. It is filled with simple, meaningful ideas to help you start betting on yourself in new ways.👉 Check out my friend Adriene Berg's podcast, The Ageless Traveler, to discover enticing locations, luxury travel for less, grandparent and solo travel,adventure itineraries, and meet the people who make travel easy.Loving the show? Text us and let us know! 😊Support the show*********Thanks for joining me, let's reinvent and get inspired together!Please Share What You LovedYour feedback means everything to me! If you enjoyed this episode please rate and review on Apple Podcasts, Podchaser, Castbox or leave a comment at reinventionrebels.com.Let's connect:Instagram: @reinventionrebelsFacebook: @ReinventionRebels