Profiled in VoyageLA Magazine as Part of Their Inspiring Stories Series

Rising Stars: Meet Maria Leonard Olsen of Washington, DC

“Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Leonard Olsen.

Hi Maria Leonard, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born to a Filipina immigrant mother and a white American father. It was illegal them to marry in our home state of Maryland in the early 1960s because interracial marriage was forbidden by law in 16 states until 1967. My parents divorced in 1969 and were excommunicated from the Catholic church because of their divorce. My father was an alcoholic and I became one, as well. At age 50, I got divorced, sober and was living alone for the first time in my life. As a gift to myself for my 50th birthday, I decided to do 50 new things in my 50th year to determine how I wanted to live the next chapter. Each thing taught me something about who I was and who I wanted to be. I completely changed my life. After having been an at-home mother for 15 years, I returned to practicing law as a commercial litigator, wrote a book about my experience of trying 50 new things, “50 After 50: Reframing the Next Chapter of Your Life,” which became an Amazon bestseller, did a TEDx Talk about it called “Turning Life’s Challenges into a Force for Good,” and started a podcast called “Becoming Your Best Version.” I recently did a second TEDx Talk, “What to Consider Before and After Taking a DNA Test,” which is a TED Editor’s Pick, a designation given to fewer than 1% of all TEDx Talks. My overall goal is to make this world a better place because I was here. I do this, in large part, by sharing my experience, strength and hope to help people not feel so alone in their difficulties.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have been sober for 13 years. Getting sober was very difficult. I went to five rehabs before sobriety finally stuck. Childhood sexual abuse and rape are part of my story, as well. My divorce after being married almost 25 years was painful and challenging. Also, at age 53, I found out, through a DNA test gifted to me, that the father who raised me is not my biological father and that this lifelong Catholic is, genetically speaking, half Ashkenazi Jew. There are few Filipino Jews. It took me a year to find my biological father, but we built a loving relationship before he died last year.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I practice law as a commercial litigator in the Washington, D.C. area, covering a variety of matters, including contract disputes, employment discrimination and government relations. I am an author, podcaster, journalist, public speaker and mentor to women in recovery. My Amazon bestselling book, 50 After 50: Reframing the Next Chapter of Your Life, has helped thousands of people thrive in midlife. I also have written books on self-care and the new American family. My children’s books, Mommy Why’s Your Skin So Brown? and Healing for Hallie, have been widely used as teaching vehicles on diversity and the importance of processing feelings. My next books will be Before and After the DNA Test: A Practical Guide to Genetic Privacy, Medical Risks and Family Secrets (Bloomsbury 2027), which is available for preorder on Amazon and Bloomsbury Publishing, and 60 After 60: Finding Serenity in Your 60s or at Any Age. On my award-winning podcast, “Becoming Your Best Version,” I amplify the voices of inspiring women each week. I graduated from Boston College and the University of Virginia School of Law, served as a political appointee for legislative affairs and policy development in the Clinton Justice Department, fostered newborn babies awaiting adoption, and have been on the boards of Children’s National Medical Center, the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Washington and other nonprofits. While in private practice in one of D.C’s then-largest law firms, I was awarded Pro Bono Coordinator of the Year by the D.C. Bar Association and, in 2023, was named Distinguished Alumna of the Year by the Academy of the Holy Cross. I have written for The Washington Post, AARP, Parents Magazine, Authority Magazine and others, and joined Meer and The Midst as a contributing writer in 2023. I have spoken at numerous schools and corporate and nonprofit events, including the Pennsylvania Conference for Women, the Mixed Remixed Festival, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, HerStory Circle and the National March to End Rape Culture. One of my book talks was featured on C-Span’s Book TV show. I spoke at TEDx CUNY on “Turning Life’s Challenges into a Force for Good,” and was featured in CBS Sunday Morning’s 2025 segment on bucket lists. I spoke at TEDx Warrenton in 2025 on “What to Consider Before and After You Take a DNA Test.” I have traveled to 80 countries and strive to see every country. My son is a social media influencer with 20 million followers and was voted TikTok’s Sexiest Man by People Magazine. (@Chris on TikTok and @ChrisOlsen on Instagram).

What matters most to you? Why?
I want to make a positive difference in the world. I believe we all can use our life experiences to help others. At the very least, we can help other people not feel so alone with their life challenges. I felt so alone with my struggles when I was younger. We all can bloom where we are planted. I strive to use my experience, strength and hope to help other people who are suffering, both on an individual basis and via my writing and public speaking.

My children are the most important people in the world to me. I am proud that I was able to give them opportunities that equipped them to have good, productive, meaningful lives. Our job as parents is to give our children wings. Each of my children is giving back to the world with their unique gifts and I am so proud of them.

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