Each month we feature inspirational women who've made it to the other side of career change. Learn how they did it and take away usable tips from their professional journeys!
Meet Amy Schmidt, Founder, CEO, Podcast Host, Author, TEDx Speaker, and reinvention specialist. She's also Co-founder of Better Than Gossip - ageless advice for timeless women, an award-winning podcast, streaming media television show, and brand amplification network.
Amy's mission is to change the narrative around midlife for women from crisis to opportunity. Read on to learn How She Did It!
What is your personal mantra, mission, or manifesto? Get Up Get Dressed Get Going! and I inspire women of any age to CANNONBALL with confidence!
What inspired you to launch your current career/launch your business? When I launched my Fearlessly Facing Fifty brand, I was about to turn 50. Like many women, I had mastered the art of reinvention, moved 11 times, kids were leaving the nest, and I knew I had more to do, more to learn, more to challenge myself with, and after having multiple conversations with friends all over the globe,
I knew my gift was inspiring people to action, so I CANNONBALLED. I launched a podcast, I wrote a best-selling book that made it to Amazon's best-seller within the first 15 minutes of launching, and I took the TEDx stage sharing my vulnerabilities and inspiration - because we are never too old and it's never too late.
What is unique about returning/pivoting in midlife? Challenges & opportunities? Pivoting is the best part of midlife - and what I like to reference from Dr. Benjamin Cloud, is necessary endings. Times in your journey when you need to end something that has been there and brought you joy, and challenges, and opportunities, but a time in your journey when you know you have to end something great to make room for something greater.
Pivots and change allow for greater clarity and focus. Life would get boring without pivots - but the key is pivoting with power. Which simply means - use your resources and ask for help - and take the time to self-reflect on those things that have been working for you and you're finding success in your current position, and evaluate and self-reflect on those that bring you challenge and there's room for growth.
What’s one intention you have for your work this year? Surrounding myself with people that challenge me, learn alongside me, and love me as I am.
What are you most passionate about right now? Launching and growing Better Than Gossip - ageless advice for timeless women.
Better Than Gossip is an award-winning podcast, a new streaming media television show, and a brand amplification network. Our mission is to inform and entertain across generations, creating opportunities for thought leaders, experts, and businesses to deliver their message with clarity and purpose.
Learn how we craft professionally produced content that positions you as a go-to expert in your field. Advertise on our podcast or streaming media television show to get your information to savvy, educated women ready to align their consumer dollars with brands they know, like, and trust. Because getting your business message to an audience excited about what you do is the best way to build and grow your brand. betterthangossip.com
What does a typical day look like for you? Early riser - and off to workout 3x a week with my husband (and I miss him when he's not there and traveling) and never thought I'd say that. I'm home by 6:15, start my day with a glass of water, followed by a latte and get my mind centered to the day.
I choose a word each day - my word that I will focus on for the day - and check in after lunch every day to see how I'm doing. I also start my day with a text to my big kids that have flown the next to tell them I love them!
What’s the one thing that has advanced your career in the last year? My gift is relationships, connections and loyalty. If you are kind and transparent - you will be surrounded with incredible people, and I am blessed to be surrounded by incredible people.
Who’s your “tribe” when it comes to professional inspiration or support? First and foremost my husband, Tim, of 29 years. He is my rock, my cheerleader - and he picks me up when I need it most. My closest friends are at the heart of my success, because they know me best (on the good days and the bad days), and of course my incredible team that is working 15 hours days developing and launching the brand, Better Than Gossip.
Favorite book, app or podcast? The People We Keep by Allison Larkin and Together is Better by Simon Sinek
You’re granted an extra hour in the day, how do you spend it? I would use that time in nature - outside by myself or with those I love. I would be completely unplugged and take everything in around me and just breathe.
The advice I wish I had given to my 20 year old self is… I would walk over to 20 year old Amy and tell her I love her, and to take time to celebrate the big things, the little things and all the things in between. There's a win in every day.
The advice that I want to give to my 75 year old self is... Keep moving and challenge yourself to get on the floor and play with those grandkids (hopefully I'll be a grandma someday). And kiss my husband good night - every night.
Your theme song that played every time you walked in a room would be? Can't stop the feeling (Justin Timberlake)
Best career advice for other women? If there's a door in front of you - open it and then hold it over for the woman behind you, always!
When did you feel you got “you” back? I've always been one to challenge myself in new ways and take on new adventures - that happens when you move 11 times, live abroad and raise your kids in another country. You have to be flexible and open to change.
I never felt like Amy was lost - but she needed a little recalibrating and now that my big kids see me through a different lens - and I get texts from my husband and kids cheering me on, my heart is full - and I'm right where I'm supposed to be.
Launching Better Than Gossip - ageless advice for timeless women - because the best information is shared word of mouth before it's mainstream. Come join us. Go to betterthangossip.com and visit me at www.fearlesslyfacingfifty.com