Five Questions With. . . .Wendy Battles
|
I had the pleasure of interviewing Wendy Battles for the very first 5 Questions With. . . . Wendy is the founder and brilliant mind behind the Reinvention Rebels podcast. On the podcast, Wendy interviews and shares the stories of unapologetic women, 50-90 years young, who have boldly reimagined life on their own terms, to find renewed purpose and possibilities.
I love Wendy's energy, spirit and positive attitude about aging. I strongly believe as long as we have breath in our body it's never too late to do the things we want to do. We shouldn't let age be a deterrent to living our best life and Reinvention Rebels fully embodies this mindset. I encourage you to subscribe and listen to Wendy's podcast, you will definitely be inspired and excited to move into the next decade of your life knowing anything is possible! Also, be sure to follow her on Instagram @reinventionrebels for daily gems!
I love Wendy's energy, spirit and positive attitude about aging. I strongly believe as long as we have breath in our body it's never too late to do the things we want to do. We shouldn't let age be a deterrent to living our best life and Reinvention Rebels fully embodies this mindset. I encourage you to subscribe and listen to Wendy's podcast, you will definitely be inspired and excited to move into the next decade of your life knowing anything is possible! Also, be sure to follow her on Instagram @reinventionrebels for daily gems!
FOF: What inspired you to start the Reinvention Rebels podcast?
Wendy: I was first inspired listening to Amanda Miller Littlejohn (a personal branding consultant), and while going through the exercises in her book, Package Your Genius I answered questions like, what are you good at? What brings you joy? I found that I enjoyed one-on-one coaching because I could help inspire people but I wanted to think bigger. I also knew I was good at using my voice. But the spark actually came to me during a time of quiet reflection when I heard a voice whisper, "Reinvention Rebels." I had no idea what it meant at the time– I think we often get these kinds of messages but we don't hear them because we're so busy. But I notice when I get quiet, I get this deep inner wisdom and things become clearer. After a while things just started to fall in place with respect to timing. I joined a diversity and inclusion committee at work and told a co-worker about my vision and he offered to help me with the editing. I also got some online training and through the process one thing led to another and I found more connections who supported my vision.
Wendy: I was first inspired listening to Amanda Miller Littlejohn (a personal branding consultant), and while going through the exercises in her book, Package Your Genius I answered questions like, what are you good at? What brings you joy? I found that I enjoyed one-on-one coaching because I could help inspire people but I wanted to think bigger. I also knew I was good at using my voice. But the spark actually came to me during a time of quiet reflection when I heard a voice whisper, "Reinvention Rebels." I had no idea what it meant at the time– I think we often get these kinds of messages but we don't hear them because we're so busy. But I notice when I get quiet, I get this deep inner wisdom and things become clearer. After a while things just started to fall in place with respect to timing. I joined a diversity and inclusion committee at work and told a co-worker about my vision and he offered to help me with the editing. I also got some online training and through the process one thing led to another and I found more connections who supported my vision.
|
FOF: In what ways have you reinvented yourself throughout your life?
Wendy: I've always been an optimistic person and believed possibility exists. I also believe serendipity often strikes and one thing leads to the next. I went to a course for voice actor training and recorded a demo to do voiceovers. It wasn't a career that stuck, but I remained optimistic. My next job came working in Training and Development. I was good at the job and figured I could do this for myself. I felt if I put my mind to something and kept going– with the faith and belief that I can do this, it will happen, and eventually I became a consultant for Dell. I also had an interest in preparing healthy foods and meal planning, so I went to nutrition school and became a health coach. I found it hard to make a living back then as a health coach because I didn't have the perseverance and tenacity– I didn't believe in myself like I do now. But I've learned if it takes longer, then things are unfolding in the right way. You've got to always believe in yourself and plant those seeds, and know that seeds don't become flowers overnight. |
"Life is short. We should just go for it!"
|
FOF: Why do you think so many people (namely women) are apprehensive about aging?
Wendy: I think it's societal and one's own personal experiences. Maybe also based on our role models or people close to us, who had a limited mindset about what's possible as we age and their thoughts and experiences transferred to us. There is this narrative about what it means to be an older woman. Our looks determine our value, but beauty shifts over time. There also seems to be a bias against women with grey hair versus men with grey. They (men) are distinguished and women are old. However, I do see that changing....there are so many groups on social media with women showcasing and embracing their grey! But we definitely need to take on that narrative and not allow it to diminish our value and how we show up in the world. We can do this by being inspired by other people and looking at the opportunities that exist in the broader world. Things are changing and especially with technology, there are so many opportunities available that didn't exist ten years ago. This is an energizing time for older women. But it is important that we shift our mindset to believe anything is possible!
Wendy: I think it's societal and one's own personal experiences. Maybe also based on our role models or people close to us, who had a limited mindset about what's possible as we age and their thoughts and experiences transferred to us. There is this narrative about what it means to be an older woman. Our looks determine our value, but beauty shifts over time. There also seems to be a bias against women with grey hair versus men with grey. They (men) are distinguished and women are old. However, I do see that changing....there are so many groups on social media with women showcasing and embracing their grey! But we definitely need to take on that narrative and not allow it to diminish our value and how we show up in the world. We can do this by being inspired by other people and looking at the opportunities that exist in the broader world. Things are changing and especially with technology, there are so many opportunities available that didn't exist ten years ago. This is an energizing time for older women. But it is important that we shift our mindset to believe anything is possible!
|
FOF: Who has been your favorite podcast guest so far?
Wendy: That's a tough question! Everyone has brought little nuggets of wisdom. I've loved them all. They all speak to possibility, adventure, and putting yourself out there in different ways. Millie's (82 years old) story of being a nun, nightclub singer, and motivation speaker is phenomenal. There's Denise's (age 68) Ubuntu Storyteller project, Barb's (age 57) daily gratitude practice, Sharon moving to Spain in her sixties! They are all amazing, inspiring and empowering women. |
FOF: What are you most excited about for the next decade of your life?
Wendy: Continuing to be of service to others. Inspiring others by showing them what's possible. I want to grow Reinvention Rebels and empower women in ways I haven't even conceived yet! I also want to travel again when we can do that– and have more experiences. Ten years from now, I see myself having more adventures and spending time with close friends, and people I feel connected to. Just appreciating each moment and each day. Being vibrant and no matter how old I am– living this mission!
Wendy: Continuing to be of service to others. Inspiring others by showing them what's possible. I want to grow Reinvention Rebels and empower women in ways I haven't even conceived yet! I also want to travel again when we can do that– and have more experiences. Ten years from now, I see myself having more adventures and spending time with close friends, and people I feel connected to. Just appreciating each moment and each day. Being vibrant and no matter how old I am– living this mission!
Click to Connect with Wendy:
Podcast (also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, & Stitcher)
Instagram
Facebook
Podcast (also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, & Stitcher)
