Hi-Vibe Over 50 Summit
Hi-Vibe Over 50 Summit

I am excited to invite you to enjoy free access to an exciting interview series titled “Hi-Vibe Over 50: Physical and Emotional Health for a Vital, Purpose-filled Life”, hosted by my friend, Dr. Shelly Valdez, Wellness Educator.  This series is for women in their 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond who believe in living a healthy, vibrant life of purpose their WHOLE lives! I’m delighted to have been one of over 20 experts specifically chosen by Dr. Valdez to help you learn the secrets to natural and long-lasting health through emotional wellness, stress relief, nutritional wellness, and physical strength - all specifically designed for women over 50. (It may be different than you think!) In addition, you’ll hear inspiring stories of how these experts have changed their lives as well as the lives of thousands of others just like you. You’ll receive practical tips to incorporate NOW as you pursue YOUR vital, purpose-filled life. It’s not too late and you are not too old! Join me online for this stimulating event that can change your life! Gain your FREE access here: https://hivibeover50.com/mon A recording of Dr. Valdez’s interview with me can be found here: https://hivibeover50.com/maria-olsen/

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Maria Olsen
"50 After 50" Featured in Forever Fierce's "Books We Love"
"50 After 50" Featured in Forever Fierce's "Books We Love"

Maria Olsen: The universe and my Higher Power have allowed me to use my past trauma as a force for good in the world. Keeping trauma secret is like holding a beach ball under water—It takes a tremendous amount of mental energy to hold it down. Fierce sisters come forward and share your painful stories. You may help heal another person. And yourself.

The Fierce List For Letting Your Shield Down

BOOKS

50 After 50: Reframing the Next Chapter of Your Life by Maria Olsen

When Maria turned 50, she had the distinct feeling that she was on the downward slope of her life. Actuarially speaking, she was. So when she turned 50, her gift to herself was to go on a crusade to make the most of whatever time she had left. She set out to do 50 new things that were significant, at least to her. The list spanned physical challenges, adventure travel, and lifestyle changes. Each taught her something about herself and about how she wanted to lead the next years of her life to come.
This work follows the work she did to accomplish those 50 new things and shows readers how to make their own action lists – whether it be joining a knitting club or hiking the Himalayas, every item has significance for each individual and speaks to her needs and desires. The list is the match to spark the fire that will light the years after 50. Readers will hear about Maria’s adventures and the rewards of each. Accomplishing new things, learning new skills, deepening personal and spiritual relationships, and seeking out challenges will add the spice to a life that may feel repetitive, insignificant, inauthentic, or just plain boring.

https://mailchi.mp/catherinegraceo.com/get-inspired-to-live-a-more-fulfilling-life-in-2020

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Maria Olsen
Guest on Spiritual Aliveness Podcast
Guest on Spiritual Aliveness Podcast

Guest on the Spiritual Aliveness Podcast with Joni!

Maria Olsen: How to live a powerful, meaningful life after trauma, loss, triumph and your 50th birthday. Maria's life lessons from childhood to now are the basis for this powerful conversation.

"Perfectionism can also make one skewed and sick in and of itself because it is an unobtainable goal. We are all perfectly imperfect humans and until we are ready to embrace that reality, we will make ourselves sick on the hamster wheel of life and the attempted obtainment of impossible goals."

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Maria Olsen
Shields Down!
Shields Down!

Welcome to #ShieldsDown!


#ShieldsDown began in January as a movement within the movement of Forever Fierce.  It is being courageous, vulnerable, and brave enough to take off your armor, let your shield down, allow yourself to be seen, to be understood, and to know you have something that someone needs to hear.  It's okay to be who you are, the one with the battle scars, and to know you are not alone.

This week we're pleased to feature Forever Fierce Community member Maria Olsen.  Maria leads writing/empowerment retreats for women, is a speaker who talks about overcoming common battles, including divorce, empty nest syndrome, work/life balance, sexual assault, feeling less than, addictions, anxiety and depression, to become our best selves.  She is the mother of two children, a lawyer, journalist and author of two adult nonfiction books (including 50 After 50--Reframing the Next Chapter of Your Life) and two children's books.

You can find Maria at her website, IG, Facebook, and Twitter.
 

--Deb Gutierrez, Associate Editor 

Maria Olsen

If you were to give a name to your shield, what would it be?  Is there an experience in your life or moment when you decided it was time to let your shield down?  If so, what experiences unfolded for you?  
 

"The Malleable Mask" is what I would call my shield.  I am bi-racial and never felt Caucasian or Filipina.  I just felt other.  So, I became a chameleon, attempting to be whatever I believed the audience then required.  I did not allow myself to discover my authenticity until I turned 50.  In my 50th year, I got divorced and sober, and became an empty-nester, living alone for the first time in my life.  My 50th birthday gift to myself was to try 50 new things in my 50th year, to explore the contours of how I wanted this chapter in my life to unfold.  I became my best version, because I dropped the masks and the rock of self-judgment.  I am continuing to evolve, as we all are, and now am working on 60 new things by the end of my 60th year!

One of those 60 things is that I had a marriage ceremony to myself on the weekend my ex-husband got re-married (to a fitness instructor).  I invited my three best girlfriends to meet me at a Colorado mountain for my wedding.  Below a moonlit sky in a small stone pavilion, I told my friends how much each one of them meant to me and why, and I said my vows...to myself!  I am responsible for my own happiness and now know the difference between being alone and being lonely.
 

Is there something you believe will manifest this year by being more open to living with your shield down?
 

I believe that the universe and my HIgher Power have allowed me to learn how to use my past trauma as a force for good in the world.  By being public about my sexual abuse, rape, sobriety, divorce and experiences with racism.  I have been able to help others not feel so alone and to heal.  It is my passion to continue to do so and to make this world a better place each day because I was here.
 

Is there something you want to inspire or encourage others to do, see, feel, or be, to be brave enough to let their #shieldsdown?
 

About one in four women in the U.S. will be sexually assaulted during their lifetime.  Until I was able to allow other trusted women to bear witness to my pain from being raped and abused, I was not able to heal.  Keeping trauma secret is like holding a beach ball under water.  It takes a tremendous amount of mental energy to hold it down and, when you are depleted or not vigilant, it pops up in unexpected ways.  I have lashed out before at someone, not for something they did, but because something triggered my old, unresolved trauma.  So, fierce sisters, come forward and share your painful stories.  You may help heal another person.  And yourself.

One of my favorite quotes, by Paulo Coelho, in his book, The Alchemist: 

"Before a dream is realized, you have to master the lessons the world sent you... We all have a role in the heart of the world..."

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Maria Olsen