Her Comeback: Transforming Your Life After 50

Her Comeback: Transforming Your Life After 50

di Michelle Thompson
Miglioramento personaleSalute mentale
Stagione 2

Reinvention Is Not Optional — Her Comeback with Shannaz Schopfer

Her Comeback with Shannaz Schopfer, host Michelle Thompson https://hercomebackpodcast.com/ What does it look like to rebuild yourself — not once, not twice, but again and again across five decades and multiple continents? In this episode, Michelle sits down with Shannaz Schopfer, a global beauty industry veteran and founder of The Beauty Architects, for a candid conversation about reinvention, grit, and what it really costs a woman to earn her seat at the table. From growing up as a serial entrepreneur's daughter traveling country to country — learning languages on the fly and hiding her shyness behind a forced smile — to launching her own skincare brand, selling it, and starting over in a new country, Shannaz has never let a closed door be the final word. Now based in LA, she's channeling 45 years of hard-won knowledge into helping emerging beauty founders navigate the complex world of global manufacturing. Today, Shannaz serves as a bridge between indie brand founders and the often-confusing world of international manufacturing, while mentoring the next generation of women entering the beauty space. Connect: LinkedIn (search Shannaz Schopfer) Company: The Beauty Architects Key Themes & Takeaways Reinvention as a way of life Shannaz has rebuilt her career more times than most people attempt once — from brand founder, to sales rep, to lab director, to M&A advisor, to consultant. Her throughline? A refusal to stop moving forward. "If you stop moving forward, you stop living." The culture classroom Growing up moving from country to country — and being placed in public schools where she didn't speak the language — taught Shannaz adaptability, empathy, and a global lens that became her greatest professional asset. Her father's solution to her shyness? Public speaking and theater classes. It worked. The gap no one was filling The idea for The Beauty Architects came from noticing that indie beauty brands and quality manufacturers kept missing each other. Big brands don't need a guide. New founders do. Shannaz built her business around being that trusted bridge. What sustainability actually means in beauty Shannaz breaks down the full supply chain of what "sustainable" really requires — from responsible ingredient sourcing to manufacturing practices, packaging choices, and the reality that retail infrastructure and inconsistent recycling systems still stand in the way. What it cost her to lead in a male-dominated space She doesn't sugarcoat it: she was fired for pushing back. Fired for reporting harassment. She watched a CEO take credit for her strategy, fail, and later admit she should have had the role. "Should I spend more time with those I love, and be present for those who need me?" — The kind of recalibration only lived experience brings. Lifting as she climbs Shannaz speaks at schools, mentors emerging women in product development, and advocates for equal pay and self-advocacy — because she knows the beauty industry's consumers and workers are largely women, while the boardrooms still often aren't. Her message to the woman sitting on an idea Follow your gut. Have grit. Surround yourself with non-toxic people. Get an NDA before you talk. Ask not "Is this a good idea?" but "What would the pitfalls and positives be?" And know this: failure is an education, not a verdict.
S2 · E17
15 mag 2026
31:07

From Broadcast to Broccoli - Her Comeback with Amanda Hull

Her Comeback | Episode Notes Guest: Amanda Hull, Author & Certified Health Coach Episode Summary Michelle sits down with Amanda Hull — Iowa farm girl turned Florida-based health coach and author — for a conversation about getting back to the basics of wellness, sustainable health habits, and the courage it takes to walk away from a corporate career to live on your own terms. About Amanda Amanda Hull grew up on a small acreage in Fenton, Iowa (population 300), where gardening, hunting, and raising chickens were everyday life. After a 30-year career in broadcast television and sales management — including a General Sales Manager role at a Hearst Broadcasting affiliate and a volunteer Wellness Champion role for the company — she made a pivotal shift during COVID, leaving corporate life to become a certified health coach specializing in nutrition. She and her husband now live in Florida. Her Book: Rooted: The Down to Earth Basics of Wellness Amanda's debut book weaves nostalgic stories from her '80s childhood with practical guidance on nutrition, fitness, mental health, and financial wellbeing. The premise: good health doesn't have to be complicated or expensive — it just has to be sustainable. The book is dedicated in part to her father, who passed away in 2020, and is available at hull-health.com and on Amazon. Key Takeaways Sustainability over gimmicks. Whether it's SlimFast in the '80s or Ozempic today, any plan you can't maintain for life will ultimately fail. Ask yourself: can I do this at 80? Ultra-processed food is engineered to keep you eating. 70% of the average American's diet is ultra-processed. Real food — chicken, broccoli, a potato — satisfies in ways a bag of Doritos never will. Taste preferences change — but it takes time. Rewiring your palate from processed food to whole food takes weeks or months, not days. Consistency is everything. Be a lion, not a sheep. Don't let food companies, social media, or cultural noise decide what's healthy for you. Think critically, do the research, trust your own body. One takeaway for women: You don't have to be perfect — just consistent. Small, daily habits compound into a foundation you'll be proud of. Connect with Amanda 🌐 hull-health.com | 📖 Rooted available on Amazon "Health is freedom. You live a great life, you're healthy — it's freedom. It allows you to do a lot of things." — Amanda Hull Subscribe to Her Comeback on YouTube: @MichelleThompson-LifeCoaching
S2 · E16
8 mag 2026
28:33

Too Much for the Room with Passion Pam on Her Comeback

Her Comeback | Episode Notes with Passion Pam Host: Michelle Thompson https://hercomebackpodcast.com/ Intimacy coach, entrepreneur, and podcast host Passion Pam has been facilitating real conversations about sexual health and pleasure for over 22 years. What began as a way to earn extra income as a stay-at-home mom evolved into a full coaching and education platform helping women and couples reclaim joy, confidence, and connection. Now 52, Pam brings her signature humor, warmth, and zero-judgment energy to everything she does — including her own podcast, Be You with Passion Pam. In this lively in-person studio conversation, Michelle and Pam explore what it means to live unapologetically — in and out of the bedroom. Pam shares how a chance bachelorette party encounter launched a 22-year career, why laughter is her secret coaching tool, and how turning 50 deepened her commitment to helping women navigate sensuality, identity, and self-permission in the chapters that follow midlife. Topics covered: How sensual confidence connects to overall confidence The perimenopause blind spot women aren't talking about Why Pam replaced the word "change" with "evolve" The awareness-first framework for women who feel disconnected Her "edutainment" approach — why humor opens doors shame keeps closed The mirror high-five: her daily self-affirmation practice "I stopped asking how do others see me, and I flipped the switch — how do I see myself?" "I've been told I'm too much for the room. I just say — no, I'm too much for you." "I've started replacing the word change with evolve. You know you're gonna come out better and stronger on the other side." Connect with Passion Pam: Website: passionpam.com Podcast: Be You with Passion Pam — Spotify & YouTube Social: @passionpam on all platforms
S2 · E15
2 mag 2026
26:00

From Wall Street to Purpose-Driven — Her Comeback with Stephanie Georges

Her Comeback Podcast - https://hercomebackpodcast.com/ About This Episode What happens when a high-achieving woman reaches the top of her field and still feels like something is missing? In this episode, host Michelle Thompson sits down with Stephanie Georges — former C-suite executive, top-ranked Wall Street analyst, and co-founder of Meraki Dignity — to talk about the slow unraveling of a successful corporate identity, and what it took to finally walk away and build something that truly matters. About Stephanie Georges Stephanie is a first-generation Greek-American who grew up in Brooklyn before it was "cool." She built a distinguished career leading strategy, product development, brand, and transformation across industries. Two years ago, in her 60s, she made a major pivot — leaving behind a C-suite life to co-found Meraki Dignity, a purpose-driven platform designed to help women find clarity, confidence, and agency during life's biggest transitions. What We Cover The moment she knew it was time to leave There wasn't one single moment — it was an accumulation. Stephanie found herself sitting in conference rooms as the only woman, feeling like an observer rather than a contributor. The joy had faded. She was on autopilot. The real turning point was holding up a mirror and admitting: not quite. How she actually made the leap She set a deadline — told her CEO a year out — and committed publicly so she couldn't keep moving the goalposts. It was a leap, not a plan. But every day she stayed past her truth became harder to ignore. What she had to unlearn The corporate habit of excusing being marginalized — "they didn't mean it," "I wasn't included because of X." Stephanie had to reset her boundaries and give herself permission to only work with people who honor her dignity. She rebuilt her culture from scratch, on her own terms. What Meraki means Meraki (μεράκι) is a Greek word that doesn't translate easily — it's the feeling of pouring your whole soul into something. Creativity, love, and full immersion. Stephanie first witnessed it watching her mother paint in the basement, lost in the music and the work. Finding your Meraki starts with clarity → confidence → agency → intentional choice. What early data from the platform revealed Women arrived expecting quick answers, then left — and came back to carve out real time. The most common feedback: "Thank you for giving me the space I haven't been able to give myself." And while the team expected health transitions to be the core issue, what women ultimately opened up about — once they felt safe — was community. The fear of being alone. On reinvention Reinvention doesn't mean starting over from a blank slate. Everything you've been through — even the hard stuff, the stumbles, the so-called failures — has wisdom in it. It's not about undoing. It's about building on. On agency Agency doesn't have to be a huge leap. It starts small: deciding to exercise today, having one honest conversation, taking one next step. Small choices build a reserve for the inevitable setbacks ahead. Connect with Stephanie 🌐 Website: MerakiDignity.com 📖 Substack: Meraki Dignity on Substack The platform is currently in beta (launching June 2026). They welcome feedback and would love for you to explore and engage. Her Comeback is hosted by Coach Michelle Thompson. New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.
S2 · E14
24 apr 2026
34:31

Marketing Without the Overwhelm; Her Comeback with Sydney Jones

Her Comeback Podcast · Hosted by Coach Michelle Thompson Marketing Without the Overwhelm with Sydney Jones EPISODE SUMMARY ABOUT SYDNEY: Sydney is the owner of Sydney Jones VA, a boutique digital marketing agency based in Kentucky serving clients locally and remotely. Her team of three specializes in social media, email marketing, website design, paid ads, and content strategy — with fully custom packages for every client. She launched her business in June 2023 straight out of college and grew it entirely through referrals. Her Comeback Moment Sydney spent two months with no clients, nearly quit at month six, then exploded through word-of-mouth referrals in early 2024. Her lesson: a "no" isn't failure — it's a redirection. What Holds Women Back Two culprits: perfectionism (the post never goes out because it's "not ready") and fear of letting go (your business is your baby — delegation feels scary). Sound familiar? The #1 Marketing Mistake Focusing on what you want to say instead of what your ideal client needs to hear. Sydney's fix: step into her shoes. What is she struggling with? What would make her stop scrolling? Make it immediately clear who you are, what you do, and how it helps her. Where to Start Build a digital footprint (somewhere people can find you) and establish credibility (testimonials, reviews, value-driven content). Sydney's rule: two-thirds of your content should be pure value — not a pitch. Stop Trying to Be Everywhere Pick one or two platforms where your audience actually lives. Consistency on one beats chaos on five. You don't need TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, AND X — you need to show up reliably where she is. Protect Your Energy Set a daily time limit for social media. Separate personal scrolling from business activity. Delegate what drains you when you can. And if you're camera-shy? B-roll (atmospheric video clips of you working) means you never have to stare down a lens. Two terms Sydney unpacked that every second-act entrepreneur should know: B-roll Video clips Short clips that capture atmosphere — you working at your desk, setting up an event, moving through your day. No one has to look directly at the camera. Great for those who want a presence without being fully "on." CTA Call to Action A prompt that tells your audience what to do next. "DM me," "Comment below," "Book a free call." Every post should have one. CONNECT WITH SYDNEY Instagram: @SydneyJonesVA Email: sydneyJonesServices@gmail.com
S2 · E13
17 apr 2026
24:35

Her Comeback with Lisa Clements: Money as Freedom: Building Financial Confidence

Her Comeback | Episode Summary Guest: Lisa Clements, Financial Advisor & Wealth Manager — ClearSprings Wealth, Kansas City, KS Lisa spent 24+ years in corporate America, including a role at Meta, before relocating to be closer to family and discovering a passion for investing. A New Year's Eve conversation with her two best friends — who told her "we hate this stuff, you should do it for people like us" — sparked her pivot into financial advising. She now specializes in serving single professional women navigating money decisions on their own. Money as a Tool for Agency Lisa's core philosophy: money isn't about returns — it's about freedom. She asks clients three questions: Am I safe? Do I have options? Am I living a life aligned to who I am? She pushes back on deprivation-based saving, drawing on Bill Perkins' Die with Zero: money should fund a meaningful life now, not just a retirement account you're afraid to spend. For Women Who Feel Behind Lisa validates the shame many women carry — but reframes it. The financial world was built by men, schools never taught personal finance, and most women have been busy building careers and caretaking. "It's not your fault." She calls the 40s and 50s "your power decades" — it is not too late to make changes that dramatically shift your financial future. Common Mistakes During Life Transitions Two opposite patterns show up in divorce, widowhood, or career change: freezing completely, or moving too fast. Lisa's advice: pause, stabilize, and buy yourself time — 3 months, 6 months, even a year before making major decisions. She also flags a common trap: women holding $80K–$150K in cash that should be invested. Building Financial Security as a Single Woman Lisa's framework includes: values alignment, a goals plan tied to those values, an income plan for working and work-optional years, a decision framework for emotional moments, legal clarity (wills, trusts, powers of attorney), and care planning for solo aging. She notes: 80% of women die single; planning accordingly isn't morbid — it's love for the people who'll support you. For Partnered Women Two non-negotiables: build your own community (don't let your social world revolve around your partner's), and don't abdicate financial decisions. Know where the money is invested, who the advisor is, and how decisions get made. What Financial Confidence Feels Like Not a number — it's the ability to make decisions without second-guessing, a clear framework for spending choices, and sleeping soundly because you have a plan. Lisa also advocates visioning your work-optional years: not just saving toward retirement, but picturing what you'll actually do with the freedom. The 10-Degree Turn Lisa's favorite metaphor: a cruise ship leaving Miami headed southeast lands in the Dominican Republic. Turn it 10 degrees west? You end up in Jamaica or the Caymans. Same distance, completely different destination. Small, consistent changes in your financial habits today create a radically different future. Connect with Lisa Website & socials: @ClearSpringsWealth | Free 30-minute intro call available at ClearSpringsWealth.com
S2 · E12
10 apr 2026
32:03

Her Comeback with Dr. Belinda Paulicin: Strength Beyond “Strong”

Podcast: Her Comeback – Transforming Your Life After 50 Episode https://hercomebackpodcast.com/ Title: Strength Beyond “Strong” with Dr. Belinda Paulicin Episode Summary: What does it really mean to be called “strong”—and is it always empowering? In this powerful and deeply human conversation, host Michelle Thompson sits down with Belinda Paulicin, DSW, LCSW-QS, OSW-C, a seasoned clinical social worker and oncology specialist, to explore resilience, trauma, and the hidden weight many women carry behind the label of “strength.” Belinda shares her journey from working with families, trauma survivors, and domestic violence victims to supporting cancer patients and caregivers. Through her lens as a trauma-informed professional, she reveals how our life experiences shape the way we respond to challenges—and how understanding that can unlock true healing and growth. They dive into the difference between empathy and emotional overwhelm, the importance of healthy boundaries, and how to serve others without losing yourself. Belinda also introduces the concept behind her upcoming book Hot Stone Woman: Strength Beyond Your Strong, redefining resilience as more than just “bouncing back,” but as building the capacity to rise, transform, and find meaning through life’s hardest moments. This episode is a must-listen for any woman who has been told she’s “so strong” but is ready to discover what lies beyond survival—and step into purpose, power, and possibility. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The difference between empathy and over-identification (and why it matters) How trauma-informed thinking changes the way we see ourselves and others Why resilience is more than “bouncing back” How to navigate life’s hardest seasons without losing yourself The truth behind the label “you’re so strong” How to turn life’s challenges into purpose and growth Key Takeaway: You are more than what you’ve survived. True resilience isn’t just enduring—it’s transforming, expanding, and becoming. About the Guest: Belinda Paulicin is a Doctor of Social Work, licensed clinical social worker, and board-certified oncology social worker with decades of experience supporting individuals and families through trauma, healthcare challenges, and life transitions. Her work centers on resilience, healing, and empowering women to rise beyond their circumstances. Connect & Learn More: Stay tuned for the release of Belinda’s book Hot Stone Woman: Strength Beyond Your Strong.
S2 · E11
3 apr 2026
28:55

Her Comeback with Randi Crawford

Her Comeback | Episode Notes Guest: Randi Crawford, Life Coach & Author Randi Crawford is a San Diego-based certified life coach, former entrepreneur, and co-founder of a public healthcare company focused on women's health. After stepping away from her career to raise her two children, Randi found herself at 50 facing the classic empty-nest crossroads — and chose to reinvent herself rather than coast. Her comeback began unexpectedly when she walked into Anthropologie with zero retail experience and landed a job. What started as a way to "get back in the game" became a crash course in humility, resilience, and rediscovering her greatest superpower: connecting with women. She was quickly made a stylist — and realized that everyone brings something different to the table. You just have to give things a real chance before you quit. It was during the post-COVID era that Randi witnessed something that changed her path entirely. Instead of the joy she expected to see as women returned to the world, she saw anger, emotional exhaustion, and women who seemed to have lost themselves. That's when she pursued certification through the Jay Shetty Certification School and became a life coach. Randi also opens up about something deeply personal: being diagnosed with panic disorder at just 6 years old, long before it had a name. She spent years visiting specialists with no real answers — until she found information online in her 20s and finally understood what she'd been living with. Rather than letting it define her, she transformed it into her greatest professional asset. She now helps clients disrupt the mental "highways" that keep them stuck in fear and negative thought patterns. Today, Randi coaches both teen/college-age girls and their mothers simultaneously — because she believes the two are inseparable. With young women, the work centers on navigating social media comparison and building confidence in a performative world. With moms, it's about stepping back, releasing the need to control, and finally living their own lives. Randi also shares her take on the "not enough" epidemic driven by social media, the algorithm's role in feeding self-doubt, and why handing kids a phone without limits is a parenting conversation we can no longer avoid. She's currently working on her upcoming book, The Pickleball Parenting Playbook — a self-deprecating, warmhearted guide that uses lessons from the pickleball court (patience, communication, position over power) as a framework for healthier parenting. Connect with Randi: 🌐 randicrawfordcoaching.com 📱 @randicrawfordcoaching on TikTok & Instagram 📅 Book a free 30-minute Zoom call via her website
S2 · E10
27 mar 2026
30:12

Her Comeback with Beth Mazza

Guest: Beth Mazza | Entrepreneur Like a Mother Beth Mazza is a San Francisco-based entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience building businesses — including two consulting firms she built and sold for a combined value of more than $40 million, all while raising four children. Now at 57, she's launched her third venture: a mission-based business co-founded with her business partner Victoria, dedicated to helping 10,000 moms build 7-figure businesses. Together, they created the Entrepreneur Like a Mother system — a step-by-step playbook for women who want to grow a real business without losing themselves or their families in the process. What We Cover in This Episode Starting from a legacy of entrepreneurship Beth grew up surrounded by immigrant entrepreneurs — her father, grandfather, and brothers all ran their own businesses. Her dad never treated her differently from her brothers when it came to business ambition, a gift she credits as foundational to her confidence as a founder. Launching a mission-based business after 50 After selling her second company, Beth lasted "a day and a half" in retirement before the pull to build something new took over. What started as writing for a blog evolved into a book, a content platform, and now masterminds and one-on-one coaching — all aimed at showing women that scaling to 7 figures is within reach, and that they can likely work less than they did in corporate. Three mindset tools Beth uses every single day Write down a victory — big or small, recent or years ago — to remind yourself you've already done hard things. Focus on the one thing that moves the needle today, not the overwhelming big goal. Channel your inner "Sammy Lee" — her 25-year-old son who walked into Goldman Sachs with a B+ average and got the job. Walk into every room like you belong there. The two biggest blocks keeping women below 7 figures Underpricing their time and failing to think like a CEO about revenue — women who track a P&L and revenue projections are the ones who scale. Trying to do it all alone. The solopreneur model has a ceiling. Hiring is a 2–3 month trial, not a lifetime commitment. When to pivot vs. push through If you're stuck in the messy middle, you're in one of three situations: doing all the right things and just need to wait; doing mostly the right things and need a micro-pivot; or selling to the wrong market and need a bigger change. The key is diagnosing which one honestly. The "Kitchen Cabinet" strategy Beth's closing advice: build a personal advisory network made up of three types: Cheerleaders (emotional support), Compensators (experts in areas you're not), and Connectors (people who open doors). Spend just 30 minutes a week cultivating this network, and within a year you'll have a cabinet of people to call when challenges arise. Give everyone who asks 15 minutes — it comes back to you. About the Book Entrepreneur Like a Mother — coming out in September. Equal parts memoir and playbook, the book walks readers from idea to first sale, through the messy middle, and all the way to the 7-figure threshold. Includes real stories, end-of-chapter reflection questions, and full worksheets. 📬 Free resource: Subscribe to the Founders File newsletter at their website for weekly how-to content.
S2 · E9
20 mar 2026
33:56

Her Comeback with Dr. Julie Merriman

Her Comeback Podcast — Episode Summary hercomebackpodcast.com; https://www.youtube.com/@MichelleThompson-LifeCoaching Guest: Dr. Julie Merriman, PhD, LPC | Host: Coach Michelle Thompson | Overview Dr. Julie Merriman — counselor, speaker, and author with 30+ years of clinical experience — joins Michelle Thompson to reframe burnout as a physiological nervous system response, not a personal failure. Her message: Soul Joy is available to every woman. We just have to stop asking permission for it. What Burnout Really Looks Like Burnout rarely announces itself with a dramatic crash. More often it arrives as flatness, numbness, and a quiet loss of desire. Dr. Merriman's own turning point came after receiving a standing ovation and feeling absolutely nothing — what she calls being "a floating head of competence," disconnected from her own body. Beneath the surface, burnout is identity erosion: women become so buried in roles — mom, professional, caregiver — that the real self disappears. It's not weakness. It's a dysregulated nervous system stuck in survival mode. The Nervous System Framework The root of burnout is a polyvagal system that has been chronically activated. Running on adrenaline and cortisol, the body shuts down pleasure, digestion, and connection — anything that would "get in the way of running from a saber-toothed tiger." Bubble baths and vacations don't fix this. True healing requires regulating the nervous system first, before mindset work or behavior change can take hold. High-achieving women most often default to the fawn response — people-pleasing, over-functioning, anticipating everyone's needs — which keeps the system perpetually activated. Decades of this rewire neural pathways, and menopause around 50 removes the estrogen buffer that helped women brace through it all. Dr. Merriman reframes that moment not as loss, but as a powerful wake-up call. Practical Tools to Start This Week • Rectangle breathing: Inhale 4 → Hold 4 → Exhale 6 (longer exhale activates the vagus nerve) • Full body scan: Slowly scan head to toe, noticing sensations with curiosity and no judgment • Grounding: Shoes off, bare feet on grass, deep breath, sunlight — research supports it • Shaking: Literally shake the body to discharge tension, just as animals do naturally • Shoulder drop: Check whether you're bracing — most women are, without realizing it • Humming: Throat vibration stimulates the vagus nerve and signals safety • Co-regulation: Seek calm, present people — mirror neurons are always available to us Upcoming Book Are We Gonna Have Sex or What? (Spring 2026) — nervous system regulation for desire and intimacy after 50, including scripts for couples, hormone guidance, and tips to wake up a bored nervous system. Contact Dr. Julie Merriman: https://www.juliemerrimanphd.com/
S2 · E8
14 mar 2026
34:30
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