Want to either get back to or try to learn downhill skiing Learning or coming back to downhill skiing over 40 or 50 can be totally intimidating or downright scary, especially if it’s been a long time and you haven’t been on the slopes in years. It’s very different than it was when we were 21. We KNOW and are scared of season-ending injuries with sticks flying everywhere – something we call “a garage sale." But for me, I am not yet ok with saying I’m done....that I can’t ever do this again or feel what it’s like to go whooshing down the snowy hillside. For me at age 55, I had to start with lessons and to come up with options to make it safer, easier, and way more fun, so I’m sharing here the Top 10 Tips I have to to Learn or Get Back to Sweet and Safe Skiing After 50.

EVERYTHING!!!! I'll never forget Ina - she was so inspiring. Especially as I was new to snowboarding in my 40s. Ina Gillis is a certified legend at Keystone Resort in Colorado. She was skiing in her 80s, worked until she was 92 years old and even planted flowers around Keystone well into her 80s. Keystone named a ski run, Ina's Way, and an iconic bridge in River Run Village after Ina, and it is here that I first met Ina, as she was busy welcoming up to 40,000 skiers and boarders to the mountain each week in ski season. Ina passed away in 2019 and I hope YOU get inspired by Ina and her story. If it's been awhile since you've been on the ski slopes or if you just want to get a sense of what it feels like, I hope you'll check out my video with the reasons I think it's fantastic over 40 & 50 and the key recommendations on how to ski/board more safely and with wayyyyy more fun. Thanks Ina!! I was a late bloomer to mountains and snow sports and I did not start snowboarding until my 40s. I grew up in the Midwest and then in Florida and in a water sports family, but definitely NOT in a ski family, so when I found my love for the mountains and snowy sports like snowboarding, I realized I had so much fun to catch up on. Even now as I’m aging – and I am getting older every day – I decided I was not ready to give up my time on my board, and so I plan differently now. I have to be smart and safe and do whatever I can to allow me to spend as many days ahead playing on the mountain, in the snow and on my board. I include my thoughts about what’s so great about snowboarding at this age plus recommendations to make it less intimidating if you haven’t been on your skis or board in a long time or safer, like going to less crowded locations and on non-holidays to avoid out-of-control 17 year olds flying down the mountain. I know I will have to stop snowboarding at some point, eventually, so I’m currently learning other snow sports that allow me the option to get as much of the feeling of being out there (the crisp air, the playtime in the snow, etc). So, now I’m taking lessons for additional winter and snow activities I know I can do long into hopefully my 70s and 80s! What about YOU?!?! When was the last time you got on your skis or snowboard and giggled like a little kid? Quick note that all the video footage is my own and all over the age of 50:) Big time thanks for my favorite gear – all links available on my website under FAVES – I do not have commercial relationships with these companies, so it’s not an official promo, but I LOVE my Salomon board, my Dragon goggles, my Mountain Hardware jacket and much, much more!

How Rachella Kept Climbing to New Heights After 50 Rachella Seeley didn't break a sweat until her late twenties and didn't start running marathons until her thirties, but she found herself increasingly surrounded by incredible women who inspired her to keep moving and to keep setting new goals. She and her husband and friends traveled to marathons in many wonderful places and she even qualified for Boston and ran it multiple times. She continued traveling and adventuring into her fifties and she learned of a group trying to raise money for a hospital at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro and that was IT. Although it took her a few more years, she made her first trek up the world's 4th tallest mountain at the young age of 55, and absolutely loved it. She didn't plan to see Mount Kilimanjaro again, but she was inspired by another wonderful but different cause this time. She repeatedly stated that she would support others but that she was NOT going to trek up the mountain a second time. The cause and the girls won her over and she ultimately decided she had to hike and summit this incredible mountain again....only this time she would be 69, turning 70! Hear how Rachella believes putting yourself out there and staying active with a bunch of wonderful and like-minded, goal-setting women are some of the keys to creating incredible and once in a lifetime memories. She shares her stories and will encourage you to go after your dreams, as she believes these are life changing experiences not to be missed... Check out additional photos of Rachella's Girl Gang on my website at www.destinationu.net/podcast-video and comment below if you've been to Mount Kilimanjaro!!!!

I’m so thankful to all the incredible women I’ve met and all the awesome adventures we took on in 2022! From my first pole dancing class to my first overnight backpacking & camping trip to our glacier hike in Iceland to my first mountain biking race to biking up the classic Passo Stelvio in Italy to my first trail marathon in Moab and much, much more!!! I am so blessed to have connected with other ageless adventure women who are redefining what is possible at 46 or 54, and there’s so much more ahead in 2023! Hop in our Inspiring Your Next Member Community and get 20% off all our epic bucket list trips in 2023. Details & registration on the website. Come join us!!! I’m always asked about my clothing and gear, so I’m including a list of my favorites here and on my website. I only recommend gear I use regularly and if you select one of the links below, I will receive a small commission. Thank you for helping support me to bring you these recommendations and I invite you to reach out at any time – I’d love to help YOU get to your next adventure! Marmot PreCip Jacket - https://amzn.to/3JpU3pS Sorel Women’s Joan of Arctic Boot - https://amzn.to/3FBE4ow Columbia Omni Heat Women’s Vest - https://amzn.to/3L1uSdW Pearl Izumi – Elite Jacket - https://amzn.to/3srnFNU Osprey backpack Kyto36 Kyte - https://amzn.to/3y7RlSZ Tailwind Nutrition - https://amzn.to/3fClBze Salomon Bellevue Womens Snowboard - https://amzn.to/3MZgO66 Nathan QuickStart 4L Hydration Vest - https://amzn.to/3FvHRnc Goodr OG Polarized Sunglasses Iced by Yetis/White/Blue Lens - https://amzn.to/3PenoYg Ultimate Direction Women’s Adventure Vesta Signature Trail Running Vest or Hydration Pack - https://amzn.to/3M4CA8n Salomon Womens Active Skin 8 W Set - https://amzn.to/3OsghLY HOKA ONE ONE Womens Arahi 5 Textile Synthetic Trainers - https://amzn.to/3wlJgIE Salewa Women's Trekking High Rise Hiking Shoes - https://amzn.to/398INBV Merrell Moab Speed Hiking Shoe - https://amzn.to/3i4fCo2 GoPro Hero7 Black - https://amzn.to/3kVGpAX Oakley Men's Oo9313 Evzero Path Low Bridge Fit Rectangular Sunglasses - https://amzn.to/3Pbe8nX Five Ten Freerider Womens MTB Shoes - https://amzn.to/39bYoAE Black Diamond Headlamp - https://amzn.to/3SS34gy TEVA Women's Original Casual Sport Sandal - https://amzn.to/39cbz4A Black Diamond Distance Z Poles for Trekking, Trailrunning, Hiking -https://amzn.to/3w3dcdU Engel Cooler - https://amzn.to/3NxK9on Bestek 300W Power Inverter - https://amzn.to/38GDkCc Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box - https://amzn.to/3wM8WyB Coleman Triton Camping Stove - https://amzn.to/3MxUcdb Jetboil Flash Camping Stove - https://amzn.to/3wCeIUq Mountain House Camping Meals - https://amzn.to/3LEjgxY Salomon Womens Hiking Boots - https://amzn.to/3lvdILD Garmin Edge 520 - https://amzn.to/3MIdi0g TravelPro Maxlite Luggage https://amzn.to/39XBIEF

Have you ever read something in a book, seen something in a movie or heard a great story from a friend’s journey that captivated you so much that you just HAD to see it for yourself? What is that ONE THING currently on your bucket list? The ONE THING that needs to move up to your Live It NOW list?! My guest on today’s podcast is Melanie Michaelchuk, a sweet Texan who had a dream to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and just had to go for it! Listen in as she shares how setting the goal was challenging, how much she had to get together to get ready for such an epic adventure, and how she moved mountains to climb it not only once, but twice, and both time after 50. I hope listening in helps you really think about that one trip or experience or adventure YOU’VE been putting off and that inspires you to do it now…..don’t wait…..as each day we get a little older and we never know what tomorrow will bring. I picked up hiking in my late 40s and absolutely love it! I have a Free Hike Planning & Gear Checklist download to get you started plus my favorite hiking shoes, poles, packs, sunscreen and more, so check it all out on my website at destinationu.net or the favorites in our online store. Also consider joining one of our upcoming trips, specially designed for women over 40 and in some of my favorite places! Free download available at https://www.destinationu.net/hiking Info on our upcoming Women Over 40 Adventure trips at https://www.destinationu.net/allevents. Salewa Women's Trekking High Rise Speed hiking and trail running shoes - https://amzn.to/398INBV Salomon Women’s Hiking Boots - https://amzn.to/3lvdILD Black Diamond Storm Headlamp - https://amzn.to/3SS34gy Marmot PreCip Jacket - https://amzn.to/3JpU3pS Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking Poles https://amzn.to/3w3dcdU

I was so inspired by Pat on our wildflower hike! It was a perfect day and we met Pat, visiting from Sedona (another beautiful place to visit!) as she was mountain biking with her daughter. I am surrounded by amazing women, redefining what's possible, and now I have a new friend to look up to. Pat is 75 and close to turning 76 and she was kicking ass on this sweet trail! I've biked trails in this area in the past and in her home of Sedona and it's awesome! I share a bit on my blog on my website with a few key favorite pieces of gear to get you on your way. I also share more details in our Inspiring Your Next Community on specific trails, areas to ride, how to get started and what you need as a woman going for it on a mountain bike over 40, 50, 60 or even 70 like Pat!!! I was hiking/trail running with two of my personal faves - my Salewa fast hiking shoes and my awesome Trail Tribe Sunscreen. Check out the blog post with links to these awesome products and get out there and join us soon! #inspiringyournext #destinationu

Have you ever signed up for a trip - maybe on a bit of a whim - only to find out how significant it would be in helping you redefine your life going forward? Sarah Blake is with me today, sharing how she was inspired by Harry Connick Jr, H Company and a friend to take her first solo trip and historical tour in Europe to check out WW2 sites. The stories she shares about her experiences, the Veterans she met, and the really fun Supper Club are really touching and what I love is that Sarah also recounts how much she learned about herself and how this trip changed her trajectory. How one unforgettable comment from someone she met along the trip changed her perspective forever and helped kickstart her tackling her Live It NOW list. Sarah Blake is CEO and founder of Sarah Blake Consulting focusing on Emotional Intelligence & Leadership coaching. She works individuals and companies utilizing coaching, trainings/facilitation, and consulting strategies to reinforce growth. Connect with Sarah at https://www.sarahblakeconsulting.com. I hope you’ll also check out additional info on this historical tour on my DestinationU website blog plus some wonderful photos of the trip in this video version of our interview. The Life Reimagined with Wendy audio podcast is available on all podcast platforms. Subscribe here to follow all my video shares and consider subscribing to my website in my bio to receive additional free resources, stories that inspire and access to my favorite gear! If you decide to follow Sarah's recommendation to travel to Europe and check out a World War II Historical Tour, I highly recommend a few key items to make your traveling a TON easier - please note these are affiliate links and I'll receive a very small commission if you decide to purchase - every little bit helps me to be able to continue bringing content to help you get on to your next adventure without ads:) - My TUMI laptop (& then some!) backpack - https://amzn.to/3sHPDVB - My TravelPro Maxlite carry on luggage - https://amzn.to/39XBIEF Get in touch and let me know how I can best help you to get out there!!!

I'm taking a small group on a trip I personally customized for our private tour and would love for you to join us! Dates are March 23-28, 2022, and you can find more scoop at the Events section of my website. It's INCREDIBLE!!! https://www.destinationu.net/event-details/south-iceland-winter-tour-deposit-to-secure-your-spot