Never Thought I’d Be Doing This at 49: An Unexpected Midlife Career Change

The first shift

In 2022, I realised I could no longer continue working in a role that wasn’t aligned with my personal values, or that left me unfulfilled and drained. I wanted more than a paycheck — I wanted work that brought meaning and joy.

That’s when I began my first real career shift. I trained in personal development coaching and launched my own coaching business as a side hustle to help midlife women rediscover their purpose and passions. Supporting other women at a crossroads became some of the most fulfilling work of my life — and it was only the beginning.

For financial reasons I could not give up my ‘day job’ and relying on a single income stream felt limiting. I wanted to diversity my income sources for flexibility, freedom, or the option to retire early. So I started a side hustle that I was passionate about.

My passion to help others has always been at the core of who I am. With empathy and intuition (a trait my mum always said ran in our family), I find joy in caring for, educating, and empowering others. My values — connection, service, growth, and creativity — guide everything I do. They are the foundation of my business and the compass for every decision I make.

I am proud of the products I have developed to help midlife women thrive. Check them out here

A leap of courage

At 47, I took one of the biggest leaps of my life. I packed up everything I knew and moved across Australia — 4,000 km away — to start a new role and a new life in Perth.

On the surface, it looked like a career pivot. But it was so much more: a move into cultural leadership in museums, libraries, and the arts — fields I hadn’t worked in before. It might have seemed like a stretch, but I quickly realised how many of my skills could transfer across. I leaned into my transferable skills — leadership, strategy, project delivery — and discovered how they could flourish in a completely new environment. It was worth the leap as the role aligned perfectly with my values: giving back to the community, fostering connection, and creating spaces for learning, growth, and creativity.

We had no house, no guarantees, and no safety net. Just courage, belief, and a determination to embrace the unknown. Looking back, it wasn’t just a career change — it was a soul shift.

Part of this midlife shift has also meant asking myself some bigger questions: How do I want to spend what may be the last decade of full-time work? And what kind of career do I want to shape as I eventually transition into retirement?

That reflection has led me to experiment and try new things — from creating digital coaching products, to sharing more midlife content across different platforms, to saying yes to opportunities I never would have imagined a few years ago.

I share the steps I took to make these midlife shifts in my guide and workbook.

A new exciting chapter

Most recently, I was offered my first paid brand partnership. Partnering with a company that truly aligns with my values felt both unexpected and affirming. This is opportunity shows me that midlife isn’t about decline or invisibility. - it’s about being recognised as a demographic that has both influence and impact.

At 49, I may be stepping beyond what’s seen as the ‘typical midlife age,’ but this moment is a powerful reminder that opportunities don’t end with our 40s. They continue to grow in our 50s and beyond — proof that it’s never too late to embrace new chapters and surprising possibilities.

Striving for the laptop lifestyle