What if the second half of your life could feel more energised, more meaningful — and more authentically you?

That’s the spirit of our next Sage Advice Live with life design coach and author Gill McLaren — a Second 50 woman who is not only a deep expert in this topic, but she is also a living role model of how to design a life that truly and uniquely fits.

“We are one in 8 billion and each of us is as unique as our fingerprint. There’s real power in discovering, owning and amplifying that uniqueness — it’s so much better than comparing ourselves to everyone else’s highlight reel.” — Gill McLaren

After 30 years in the corporate world, ticking all the boxes of outward success, Gill realised something was missing. That moment of clarity led her to her own ‘best life’ quest — and over the past decade, she’s helped hundreds of others do the same through her Think.Plan.Live. methodology, book, and coaching.

In this session, you’ll hear just enough of Gill’s story to understand her “why” — and walk away with fresh insight and practical tips to start designing and living your own life in a way that’s more energising and truer to you.

We’ll also give you a sneak peek into the Second 50 Life Design experience — an exciting experience that’s been organically co-created with Gill, thanks to her generous connection, contribution and collaboration in this community.  

In the midst of a full and busy day, this is your invitation to pause. To learn a little. To breathe. To reset.

Join us for this nourishing lunchtime Sage Advice Live session with the warm and wise Megan Ross - qualified meditation teacher and mindset coach.  She’ll present a gentle introduction to meditation and whether you are brand new to meditation, returning after a break, or a regular meditator who wants to hear a fresh perspective — this virtual session is a great place to start.

Megan will guide us through:

• A simple presentation on Effortless Meditation. 

• The science behind how meditation impacts brainwaves, stress hormones and overall wellbeing.

• A calming 20-minute guided meditation experience.

• Time for shared reflections and Q&A – before and after our meditation practice.

If you’ve ever felt like meditation “wasn’t for you” or that you just couldn’t quiet your mind, Megan’s warm and inclusive style might just change your perspective.  Her own story — from discovering meditation to becoming a teacher— might be an inspiration (watch it here in Wisdom Bite Episode #2)

Too busy to join? That’s exactly why you should.

You’ll thank yourself for taking this hour to pause and you might even discover a new daily habit you'd like to cultivate effortlessly!

More about Megan Ross

Megan Ross is a Meditation Teacher and Inner Growth Coach who is passionate about bringing a greater sense of calm, renewed confidence and deeper connections into people’s lives. Megan runs private and group meditation classes and courses, and also volunteers as a meditation leader at a women’s drop-in centre. She would love to connect with any Second 50 women interested in discussing, learning or sharing insights about meditation.  You can also learn more about Megan’s services here: www.templeofcalm.com 

Learn how to fill your cup so you can give from the overflow

Led by therapist, speaker and founder of the ‘overflow movement’, Dr. Martha Druery

Are you pushing yourself beyond your limits? Feeling depleted? 

Join Dr Martha Druery to learn how to critically self-reflect on what drains you and how to fill your own cup by practicing overflow. 

Join us for a special Sage Advice Live where Martha will share her personal story and explore her philosophy that, instead of constantly pouring from a half-empty cup, we can focus on filling ourselves up so we can give from the overflow.  

This isn’t about being selfish or neglecting our responsibilities - far from it. It’s about recognising that if you’re running on empty, you’re not doing yourself or anyone else any favours.   

Listening to Martha's story and insights might help you step away from the feeling that life is just happening, and instead, turn inward to ask, “How am I contributing to this drain, and what can I do to turn it around?”  It’s about making simple, intentional choices to reclaim your energy, and ultimately, your joy.  

Learn more about our Second 50 expert, Dr Martha Druery

Martha owns and leads Australia’s only private practice focused on traumatic injury and bereavement care, and is an accredited mental health professional, trained in psychology, social work and with a PhD.

Martha is also the creator and founder of the overflow movement, designed to support health workers and women who identify as changemakers. Overflow teaches people who are passionate about making a positive impact, how to give from a place of abundance, rather than depletion. Her overflow practice emphasises that we can’t give from an empty cup, so filling it up will avoid burnout and promote sustainability and joy in work and life. 

A practical real estate and finance seminar for midlife women

With mortgage broker Teresa Cahill and sellers advocate Bernadette Hayes

Join this interactive seminar to learn how to navigate property and related finance issues, with tailored information especially for midlife decisions.  Whether you are financially astute or you want to gain more confidence and foundations around finance, this will be a practical session where two Second 50 experts share relevant and clear information, insights and explanations.

Our goal is to increase your knowledge and confidence around finance and property, in a supportive environment where you can ask questions and share experiences. 

Meet our Second 50 experts, Teresa Cahill & Bernadette Hayes

Bernadette Hayes has over 14 years’ experience as a real estate agent and award-winning agency owner and is known for her personal and empathic approach. She has recently downsized and has an intimate understanding of the varying needs of women in their 50s and beyond.

Teresa Cahill is a Mortgage Broker, with extensive experience in accounting and finance. She is a strong communicator and guides her clients with a caring, personalised approach. Teresa is driven to help all women feel comfortable and confident with their major financial decisions.

Be brain healthy – reducing the risk of dementia from midlife onwards

With Director of Dementia Doulas International, Wendy Hall

Many of us joke about being forgetful, but it often comes with an element of concern, especially as dementia is now the leading health burden for Australians over 65 and the top cause of death for women.

 Join Wendy Hall for this interactive and practical presentation on brain health and reducing the risk of developing dementia.  We look forward to hosting this learning session to help Second 50 women take charge of your own brain health and support others to do the same.  

Meet our Second 50 expert, Wendy Hall

Wendy Hall developed the Dementia Doula role and founded Dementia Doulas International after many years feeling frustrated that something was missing for those she served. Following an extensive career as a Registered Nurse, Paramedic and Dementia Consultant, she knew it was time for tangible change that made a difference to those that needed it most.

Wendy is the author of 'Dementia Can’t Take Everything!', 'The Dementia Doula' and 'Beyond the Darkness of Dementia'. Her goal is to shift preconceived ideas about existing barriers to dementia care and influence the palliative care space ensuring no one goes it alone.

Learn more here: https://www.dementiadoulas.com.au

Members are welcome to join our in-person Sydney meetup. If you haven’t had the chance to join in yet, please come and introduce yourself, engage in meaningful conversations and explore common connections with us. Some truly valuable relationships,  initiatives and positive changes have been sparked at Second 50 meetups this year! 

Local members are organising our inaugural Melbourne Meetup, where members can introduce yourself to our community, engage in meaningful conversations and explore common connections. This will be an informal, in person event to get to know one another over a drink and bite. 

An informal dinner and gathering of wonderful women, with a special guest speaker, local Second 50 member, Dr. Martha Druery, who will share her philosophy of ‘Working from Overflow’. Practising overflow helps women to give to our families, work, causes and communities from a place of abundance, rather than depletion.

Have you ever wondered how your early experiences affect your choices, reactions, or fears as an adult? 

Join our Sage Advice expert, mindset coach, Susie Ford, as she explores why so many of us are unaware of the limiting beliefs and patterns we've absorbed into our subconscious minds. These hidden patterns often shape our mindset, influencing everything from workplace performance to personal relationships and decision-making.

Susie is a compassionate and insightful coach and speaker, certified in NLP, CBT and brain science. She uses the modalities of positive psychology and transactional analysis.    During this enlightening session Susie will guide you to reflect on your own early experiences and how they may have shaped your beliefs and behaviors.

• How our subconscious mind influences our beliefs and behaviours

• Why we often don't realise how this impacts adult decisions and choices

• Ways to improve your self-awareness and develop a more conscious mind.

Building skills, agency and support to manage your Second 50 changes.

The only constant for many women in their Second 50 years is change. Some changes we can predict. Others we create for ourselves. Then there are unforeseen surprises we must navigate and adapt to. Whether forced upon us, or we choose to make them, what’s helpful to know is that change is normal and doesn’t have to be scary. This ‘Virtual Cafe’ discussion will help you to gain the skills, agency and support you need to successfully plan for and manage changes. We will also introduce you to our next Second 50 Group Mentor program and Mentors – to help women navigating career or life transitions.

This is a 12-minute informal chat of chat we held in the Living Room on Wednesday September 4, 2024 with real estate expert and mortgage broker about some of the issues faced by midlife women around property and related finance issues, and why it is so important to think and plan ahead, especially in your Second 50.  

We touched on ‘grey divorce’, to decisions that might hamper you down the track, to the pitfalls of investment properties, as well as some of the financial challenges ‘older’ women face (and how to get around them).

It’s a good intro to the topic and helps highlight why - if you’re thinking about downsizing, buying, selling, investing in property - this is something worth being more informed about. Both Bernadette and Teresa are happy to offer advice to any Second 50 women.

Bernadette and Teresa met through Second 50, and decided to get together to host a workshop in Sydney for midlife women. It’s a free event being held in Cammeray on Wednesday 25 September and is open to all Second 50 women and your friends. More info here

Practical ways we can help women experiencing violence and isolation.

Learn some simple ways to make a positive difference to women experiencing violence by the way you connect and respond to them. While none of us can solve this big and complex problem, we can all improve our understanding and learn ways to offer helpful connection and support. Dr Ellie Freedman, who has spent almost 20 years working as a doctor and educator in this area, and Jo Westh, who is founder of the 4Voices’ charity, will lead this community learning session.

Our inaugural 'Community Campfire' Zoom is on Tuesday 3 September. This Campfire is a seasonal community opportunity to gather, reflect on what we are creating together and inspire our Second 50 journey ahead. During this one hour Zoom event members will connect with other Second 50 women; hear directly from members about activities and experiences that have helped them; engage in a 'World Café' style exercise to explore ways to increase flexibility in our work and family commitments, so we can find more time (and energy) for things that matter to us.

**This event is for members of the Second 50 ‘Mapping your Second 50’ August sprint cohort. Facilitated by coach and Second 50 co-founder, Melissa Richardson. Members may also attend if you started an earlier sprint but were unable to make the final Zoom session for your cohort.**

Second 50 ‘Death Cafe’

An honest and enlightening conversation that can help make dying better and more compassionate. Co-hosted by end-of-life doula, Annie Caulfield and palliative care campion Yvonne Coburn.

Did you know that 70 percent of people say they want to die at home but fewer than 14 percent do? If you find talking about death difficult, you’re far from alone. Dying to Know Day is a prompt for discussion and planning for both our own deaths and those of the people we love.