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What Moment Changed Your Life Forever?

Posted March 6, 2008, 11:58 am by Growing Bolder

Growing Bolder asks leaders, thinkers, writers, life coaches, entertainers and role models to weigh in on issues affecting our lives.

Our question is: What moment changed your life forever?


	Sherrie Mathieson There are actually many moments, some too personal, but certainly all life-changing. The one I can share is the "moment"(encapsulated time) my husband and I decided to move from NYC and rethink a certain preconceived notion that the world was New York (even though NY does have quite an ethnically diverse population)----to live in Arizona for what was 16 very eventful, interesting years. We grew to love the west and got to know so many different people. Those are the people that helped inspire my book "Forever Cool". The more exposure you get, the more curious you are... the more you grow...and ultimately learn about yourself. Today, having returned to the east coast for professional reasons, I look at the world, and even NYC, through new lens. About Sherrie Sherrie Mathieson is an award-winning costume designer and stylist who has created a manual to help bring you and your clothes into the 21st century. Her book,"Forever Cool: How to Achieve Ageless, Youthful and Modern Personal Style" is full of tips for men and women.

Ronda Beaman In the 4th grade, after 2 moves, I was entering my third school, hadn't been there a week when IQ tests were being given. I desperately wanted to be noticed, to be valued, to be somebody, as again I was the new kid in school who didn't belong. I am a whiz at language arts, but arithmetic...that gene passed me by! But, these tests were carbon paper, with the answer sheet at the bottom (no scantrons or computers then!) I figured this out and then diligently went to work at prying apart the pages to get to the answer sheet, which I then copied...perfectly. This is how low my IQ really is, I couldn't even figure out that I should miss a few to not look like I had cheated! After a week, which is an eternity when you are in the 4th grade, I had forgotten all about the tests, had even made a few friends from the other kids that no one plays with because either your are 1)new to the school or 2) strange. So, me and my strange friends were sitting in the back of the room trying to figure out what the plural of Jesus might be (Jesi?) when my teacher, Mrs. Barnes, announced that test results were in, and indeed, our class should be very proud because we had a math genius in our midst, someone who scored higher than anyone, in any 4th grade in our state. I went pale, I knew who this math genius was instantly. Mrs. Barnes announced my name, students in the class cheered, I was given a chocolate bar and told I would leave every day at 2 to be included in the high school math program starting the next day. Needless to say, I knew there wasn't enough studying, tutoring or just plain running away that would help me. I stayed awake all that night thinking of how I would tell Mrs. Barnes the truth. I did, told her how I had done it, why I had done it and how very embarrassed and sorry I was...asked her not to tell my parents, please. She told me she was disappointed in me, would not tell and hoped I had learned a lesson from all of this. And then she just shook her head and looked sad. My life changed that day, at that moment. I learned it isn't what you accomplish or earn or own or possess that should matter, should get you friends or help you belong, it is who you are, what you believe and what you stand for. The goal is to be a person of integrity, who never loses sleep over what you have done that day or who strives to not disappoint people who believe in you. That moment has made me a better person, friend, parent and allowed me to live a life filled with value, meaning, and worth. Thank you Mrs. Barnes, anything you have to cheat to get is never worth anything, and in the end, you cheat yourself most of all. About Ronda Dr. Beaman is an internationally recognized expert on leadership, resilience, health and wellness, education, and coaching. She has conducted research, written many academic articles and books, and won numerous awards. Her current book, You're Only Young Twice, offers a definitive guidebook for growing younger, personally and professionally. She is also a certified executive coach and personal trainer.

	Dotsie Bregel The day I launched www.BoomerWomenSpeak.com to connect, encourage and support boomer women changed my life forever. I had been a stay-at-home mom and was searching for a passion other than my family. I never realized I would become the go-to person for professionals interested in the generation of boomer women. I stepped out in faith, continued to hold everything I was doing in prayer and since, the National Association of Baby Boomer Women has evolved, www.NABBW.com. Midlife re-invention rocks! About Dotsie Dotsie Bregel is a writer, speaker, and expert on all issues concerning her generation of women. She is the go-to person for those interested in learning more about baby boomer women. Dotsie is passionate about giving women a voice, and educating and empowering her generation of women. She believes sharing our stories allows opportunities for healing.

Nancy Merz Nordstrom The moment that changed my life forever was when I walked into a college classroom at age 51. I was early that first night - of course - I'm ALWAYS early...anyway, I stood in the doorway and wondered, "What the heck am I doing here?" Then I remembered I'd wanted to go back to school for a long time - but raising 4 kids and working full-time tends to get in the way. Anyway, there was that thought, along with the idea that I wanted to do something more meaningful with my life. So that was enough to propel me into the classroom that night. A word about Cambridge College - it's a non-traditional, evenings and weekend classes only, for working adults, fully accredited college. The average age of a student there is about 39 I think. So there were no 18 year-olds who didn't have a clue what life was all about. What there was were students with the most amazing backgrounds, holding all kinds of jobs, doing fantastic things. It was incredibly inspiring, and we all learned so much more about real life from each other. Three weeks after the start of school we each had to give a presentation about our lives to-date. I was scheduled to go on right after a man who was going to talk about his escape from great danger in Cambodia. I remember thinking Wow! I am going to sound so boring...so I prepared for the presentation by affixing an apron (symbolic of my life raising a family) with all kinds of props that were meaningful to my life. Under the apron I wore a T-Shirt I'd picked up in Innsbruck, Austria during my very first trip abroad a few months before starting school. The gist of the presentation was that after talking about each of the things affixed to my apron, I would take the apron off, show off my T-shirt and summarize how my life had changed. I guess it worked because everyone loved it!!! It really was a lot of fun. The next two years literally turned my life around and when I left at age 53, all kinds of doors were opened to me, doors that sent my life in an entirely new direction. Being back in school did more for me than any spa could ever do. It was, for me, the Fountain of Youth! About Nancy Nancy Merz Nordstrom didn't publish her first book, or even write her first book, until she turned 61 and she hasn't slowed down since. "Learning Later, Living Greater: The Secret for Making the Most of Your After 50 Years," focuses on lifelong learning. She had to take new chances after her husband died of a heart attack in 1993. Since then, she's been learning how to continue to grow bolder.

	Cliff "Irongeezer" Eggink The temptation to answer this question with a momentous life occasion, such as a birth, death, or any of the high or lowlights in between that take us from alpha to that final omega, is not easy to resist, but then my answer would not be as truthful as it might be. It would be an answer, while true on one level, conformed to one of the expected answer that such a deep question often elicits. Yes, I have had those events, those junctures, in my life, but did they change my life in any particular way? Yes and No. Did they alter the direction that I had already chosen? Yes and No. My life, while it has been rich in experience, has not been historic: I have not discovered the cure to an illness, written words, painted a canvas, or composed music that will last in perpetuity, or explored the unknown of far away places, but in its ordinariness, there is a time each day that allows me to shape my life, for the better hopefully. That is the moment that I, who have not always been the most virtuous of man, yet honest to and about myself, can awaken at age 71 healthy, but also lucid of the fact that time is finite, making it precious. Therefore, it is finally a moment in time worth recognizing for its uniqueness in the here and now and seizing it to shape as I want, a life-altering moment each instant I take another breath, marveling that I am here. About Cliff Cliff Eggink is a 70-year-old former CEO known around the world as the Iron Geezer. By his own admission, he was once a coach potato. But when he was 60 years old something motivated him to change. He didn't just decide to get in shape, he decided to tackle an Ironman Triathlon. And he's been joined in his athletic adventures by his wife, Tatjana, the Iron Geezelle.

Sandy Scott One of the most life changing moments for me was the day I watched my wife give birth to my first son - it was probably the most magical moment in my life. I'm not going to get political or controversial only to say that not only did that moment give me one of the most incredible experiences of my very busy, active and exciting life, but instantaneously changed my opinion on abortion. About Sandy Sandy is a master cyclist who was headed for victory in the 2005 Florida Senior games trials when he was nearly killed in a collision. After two years, he's back! Sandy now owns the state record for fastest 5K time by anyone over 60. He is also the current Florida state time trial and road race champion.


	Roanne Weisman That moment that changed my life was a health catastrophe, but it transformed me from a freelance medical writer into an author of books about health. The catastrophe happened just after Christmas in 1995 when I woke up from surgery with half my body paralyzed. A small piece of tissue had broken away from the surgical site, traveled through my bloodstream and lodged in my brain, causing a stroke. After a few months of physical therapy, and some small improvements, I was told that I should "adapt" to being semi-disabled. With two school-age children, a husband and a busy career, this was not an option. So I created my own "integrative medicine" rehab program, incorporating acupuncture, yoga, Alexander technique, craniosacral therapy, Pilates and other alternative treatments into my conventional care. I recovered completely, and then went on to write books about others who used integrative medicine to recover from heart disease, diabetes, fibromyalgia, chronic illness and pain and many other conditions. Here is more info about my books: http://www.roanneweisman.com/ And here is my "Own Your Health" blog, about ways people can take responsibility for their healing, in partnership with their doctors: http://ownyourhealth.wordpress.com/ About Elaine Roanne Weisman is an award-winning author specializing in science, medicine and health care. Her feature stories have appeared in Body & Soul Magazine, Alternative Medicine Magazine, Country Living Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. Two of her publications have won gold medals from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.

Tony Handler The moment that changed my life was in 1983 when I was diagnosed with cancer and told that I had 2 years to live. That's when I decided to beat that prognosis by changing my lifestyle. Started eating healthier and exercising and eventually started competing in triathlons. 25 years later, I have survived 4 other types of cancer and competed in 212 triathlons. So, something must be working!! About Tony Tony Handler isn't supposed to be alive. In 1983 he was diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer. His doctor told him had two years to live. Despite this news he continued training. He's had a number of major health challenges since, but steadfastly refuses to let them be the focus of his life.

	Kerul Kassel A number of years ago my dad died, tragically, in a freak fire. We were all devastated, my brother especially so. About a week and a half after the fire, he started displacing his emotions by taking things out on me. While I understood that he was having a hard time, and talked to my mom about it, in her grief she also made me the "fall guy". For the first time in my life I suddenly and completely understood that I had been accepting this role of blame-holder my whole life – over forty years - and that blame had never been mine. It was a pivotal and moment, one in which, though shaking with trepidation, anger, fear, and love all mixed together, I finally stood up for myself. Gently and calmly, I established a boundary with them in that moment. It's been tested a few times, but not only has it held firm, it has also strengthened and deepened our relationships. It's allowed me to go on to more fully explore and expand my own potential. And, wouldn't you know it, that's what I help others with – the unleashing and engaging of their bigger contribution, through self-mastery, self-leadership, and self-management. About Kerul Kerul is an internationally recognized author, professional coach, speaker, and teleclass leader. She has written two books – Productive Procrastination: Making It Work For You, Not Against You, and Stop Procrastinating Now: 5 Radical Procrastination Strategies to Set You Free – Her programs such as Anticrastinate Your Way To Success, Power De-cluttering For Busy People, Dissolving Writer's Block, and Get Ahead Without Getting a Headache have been lauded internationally.

Iris Davis In November of 2000, my defining moment for me was at the age of 57, working out at my local gym in Titusville, Florida I was approached by a male bodybuilder, Doug Chastain, who had just competed in a bodybuilding contest and had come first. He had the bodybuilding bug and was determined to continue competing as it was such fun for him. He was 47 years old and had lost over 100 lbs the previous year. Needless to say, he was in magnificent shape. He decided to look for a female bodybuilder and enter a upcoming show as a mixed pairs. He asked me if I was interested in competing in a show with him, he explained that he had been to all the gyms in the surrounding area looking for a female bodybuilder who was good enough to compete. He told me I was the best he had seen and would be honored if I would agree to compete with him the following May in Florida. I had always worked out as it was my hobby that I started some 35 years ago. Training and keeping fit is like breathing for me. It is something I have always done, and always will. I just knew that the only way to stay, fit, happy and healthy was to look after yourself first, before you can start looking after anyone else. Some people call it vanity, if that's the case, then the entire world should be vain. What better pleasure can you have knowing you are fit, and can be ready to handle what life throws at you. So after Doug talked to me a little, I declined his offer. I had competed some 7 years previously in London, England. At the age of 50 years old I entered my first competition upon the urging of my friends at the gym who told me "Yer' well-fit mate, go for it". So I did and much to my surprise and delight I came second competing against women 30 years younger than I. Then I went home and thought about his offer. I decided right then and there that night, it was November 1, 2000 and I remember it well. I made a vow to myself to get really fit and let nothing stop me and I was determined to enter. My personality is such that if I am going to enter, I am going to win. I was 126 lbs, not what you would call overweight by any means. However, a bodybuilding contest is a very tough competition, and if you do not have support of family, friends and 100% focus you simply cannot do it. The diet is very extreme and very bland. You have to eat every 21/2 hours whether you are hungry or not. One to two gallons of water have to be drank every day, not to mention training hard in the gym. Training in the gym entails lots of cardio work, lots of weight training and total focus. I decided that as I was entering the mixed pairs, what the heck, I would also enter the Women's Masters Category. The day came in May 2001, I dieted down to 100 lbs, trimmed all the fat of my body, dried my body out. Tanned and oiled myself up. I was ready both physically and mentally. I used to imagine myself on stage getting the first prize. Nothing or no one was going to take that first place from me. I just knew in my bones that I was going to win, no more than that, I was determined to win. I worked so hard, dieted so hard, sacrificed a lot. Spent hours and hours rehearsing my routines, both the mixed pairs and my single routine. Ordered my different "posing suits". Oh yeah, I was ready. I don't think I could have waited another day. Myself and the other 95 contestants weighed in at 8am that day. I was shocked to find that I weighted 100 lbs, but my 100 lbs consisted of all muscle. I was on a very natural high and my good humor infected everyone. We all were just waiting to do our routines and of course we all were planning on winning. I was delighted and overwhelmed when I was announced the first place winner in both the Mixed Pairs and the Women's Masters. I will never forget the feeling of overwhelming joy at the second my name was announced. I jumped up and down like a 5 year old. I was ecstatic. After that win that night, the same year 2001 I went on to take 7 more first place wins. I became somewhat famous. In the bodybuilding circles no one else had ever taken so many first place titles, especially a 57 year old woman. In 2003 I won the Florida State Women's Masters Championships and went on to win the title again in 2004. In 2005 I won the Women's Over 30 in Daytona Beach Florida. In 2003 I was awarded with the Presidential Award for fitness walking, having walked over 200 miles that summer and also in 2003 my second Presidential award for weight training. In 2007 I was awarded the Nintendo Corporation "Ageless Award", this is an award bestowed on the top 100 American's who excel in sport every year, and of course, my award was for bodybuilding. I have had calls from TV producers as far away as Korea, and I have been in Newspapers and on TV all over the world. I have also filmed a documentary on Fitness for Canadian TV. SO my defining moment, one that definitely changed my life was my meeting with Doug Chastain on that fateful day in November 2000. If it were not for him recognizing my dedication and enthusiasm for my sport, not to mention my extremely hard training routine, my life would certainly not be the same as it is today. So that's my story and I am sticking to it, because, its the truth. About Iris Iris Davis isn't your average 62 year old. At 5 feet, 1 inch and weighing 100 pounds she's a champion bodybuilder. And when she saw an armed robber running from the cops, she sprung into action. But that isn't the toughest battle she ever faced. At age 45, she was diagnosed with a virus that attacks the brain, and it left her paralyzed for five months. She is a classic example of Growing Bolder.

	Bobbe Lyon The moment that changed my life forever was when I got a brochure in the mail for a conference on: "The Positive Power of Humor & Creativity" and saw that Steve Allen & his son, a doctor, plus Sid Caesar and his son, also a doctor would be on the program presenting, "Entertaining Healers and Healing Etertainers" that was the first step in my deciding to spread good health through humor. It was sponsored by The Humor Project in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. I've been a humorist for almost 20 yrs. About Bobbe Bobbe Lyon, M.D. (mirth dispenser) is a believer and practicioner in the power of humor. She thought her life was over at age 45 when her husband died. After wallowing in despair, humor became her primary tool for survival. It worked so well the Laughing Lyon earned a BA in Journalism and an MA in Counseling. Soon she decided to take her humorous ideas public. She has been a National Speaker ever since.

Elaine Beaubien Practically every decision you make has the potential to change your life. It's because you don't know the outcomes of your choices. Not for certain, anyway. For example, I met my husband on Daytona Beach during Spring Break (yes, Beach Blanket Bingo!) What if my friends and I had decided to go to Fort Lauderdale, or he had? We met in Mac's Bar. What if I'd decided to go to a different bar, or he had? One of his friends came over to our table and invited my friends and I over. What if another table of young women would have looked better to him? Gads. I'm pretty certain I'd be married, but to whom. Shudder. I can't imagine it, but the very thin line of destiny could have been snapped at every branch of the decision tree. The death of a friend, a family member, a famous person can profoundly change you. The negative impact of a bad decision can send you spinning in a different direction than you had planned. But maybe when looking at the big picture or through the perspective of time, it sent you where you needed to go. Or to outcomes that where actually positive in the long run. The same is true of good choices. You decided to have another child, you took a job across the continent, you decided against the crab salad that made everyone else at the party horrifically ill. They can lead to consequences that change your life forever. Pivotal moments happen all the time so selecting this one is simply illustrative of a full and busy life. One particularly life changing event did come to mind when you asked the question. I was about eight years old, already a voracious reader of picture books, when my mom took me to the library downtown and introduced me to the world of adventure, mystery, time travel, romance, history, philosophy and enterprise. She took me to the library. She informed me of such a good fortune that I could hardly believe it. No lottery would have yielded greater revenue in my life. We were a family of modest means, yet she told me I could have any book I wanted. And as many as I wanted. All I needed to do was bring them back when I was finished. I got my own library card. My ticket to the world. To this day it's the most important piece of plastic in my purse. (No, ladies and gentlemen, it's not my VISA card, although that one lies panting frequently.) I have been an educator my whole adult life. When parents ask me what one thing they can do to increase the intelligence of their child, to better prepare them for school and life, to motivate them to learn, I tell them to get their child a library card and encourage them to read. It's free. No tuition necessary. It's open to anyone and everyone. It's a magnificent benefit of our heritage. Being well read is a sign of intelligence. It develops expertise, which is a component of personal and professional power. It builds both competence and the confidence that comes from it. It makes you more interesting. All these things not only enhance your value when making a living, they enrich your life immeasurably. I've always said you can take away all my things (although I wish you wouldn't) but leave me my library card and I can be happy for the rest of my life. Traveling, solving mysteries, laughing, sighing, thinking, learning, growing. About Elaine Elaine Beaubien is an award-winning professor, an international speaker, entrepreneur, corporate trainer and a popular columnist. But after turning 50, she knew she wanted to try her hand at something else -- writing romance novels. So, she started writing under the pen name E.K. Barber but the secret is now out. Her latest is, "Flight into Fate and Flight into Destiny."

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iris davis
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Posted 4:21 pm March 25th, 2008

It was certainly very enjoyable reading all the incredible articles written by "thought leaders". I consider it an a honor to be included in this wonderful piece. We baby boomers have a lot to be proud of.

Iris Davis

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