Guest on the Evolving Women Show

“What if one decision could completely shift the direction of your life? In this episode of Evolving Women, Teresa sits down with author, speaker, and world traveler Maria Leonard-Olsen to explore what it really means to start over - and step into a new chapter with intention.

After a major life transition at 50, Maria made a bold decision: try 50 new things in one year. What followed was a journey of courage, self-discovery, and powerful transformation that continues to inspire women around the world. Inside this conversation, we explore:

—How to move forward when life feels uncertain

—The power of trying new things (big and small)

—Why self-trust is the foundation for change

—Letting go of people-pleasing and choosing yourself

—Creating a life that feels aligned, joyful, and fully yours

This is a conversation for any woman who knows there’s more for her—and is ready to begin. ✨ You don’t have to overhaul your entire life… Sometimes, one small step is enough to begin again.

👉 Be sure to like, subscribe, and share with a woman who’s ready for her next chapter.

🎯 What You’ll Learn:

✅ You don’t need a complete life overhaul—just a willingness to begin

✅ Self-trust grows when you do things that stretch you

✅ Your life becomes more aligned when you become more intentional

⏱️Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction & Maria’s story begins 01:00 – Life at 50: divorce, sobriety & feeling lost 02:30 – The “50 After 50” idea: choosing change on purpose 05:40 – Big vs. small experiences & honoring your own pace 07:00 – Finding newness in everyday life (local exploration & awareness) 10:30 – Becoming intentional: relationships, boundaries & energy 14:40 – Courage in action: trying things that feel uncomfortable 17:30 – Travel, adventure & expanding your world 22:00 – Overcoming fear & building confidence (solo travel + safety) 26:00 – Mindset shift: fear vs. openness to life 28:20 – DNA discovery & unexpected life pivots 33:30 – Turning life experiences into purpose & impact 36:50 – Final reflections: becoming your best version

🤝Connect with Maria Leonard Olsen:

Web: MariaLeonardOlsen.com

LinkedIn: / marialeonardolsen

IG:@FiftyAfter50

Maria Leonard Olsen practices law as a commercial litigator in Washington, DC. She is an Amazon bestselling author: After 50: Reframing the Next Chapter of Your Life), podcaster (“Becoming Your Best Version”), journalist, TEDx speaker (“Turning Life’s Challenges into a Force for Good” and “What to Consider Before and After You Take a DNA Test”), book marketing coach for female authors and mentor to women in recovery. Maria served as a political appointee in the Clinton Justice Department and on numerous boards. She writes for several women in midlife publications (including AARP's The Ethel, The Midst and Kuel Life) and is a frequent public speaker on wellness issues. Her next books will be Before and After the DNA Test: A Practical Guide to Genetic Privacy, Medical Risks and Family Secrets (Bloomsbury 2026), which is available for preorder on Amazon and Bloomsbury Publishing, and 60 After 60: Finding Serenity in Your 60s or at Any Age. Learn more at MariaLeonardOlsen.com and follow her on social media @FiftyAfter50..“

🤝Connect with Teresa Lisum:

Web: https://linktr.ee/teresalisum

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/teresalisum

Podcast: • Evolving Women

Let's connect: https://tidycal.com/tlisum/15-minute-...

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