Today, I turn 62.
Last week, I read a post that stirred something in me. It suggested that for women to be seen as leaders and thought leaders, we have to “do all the things” — hair coloring, nails, botox, nutritionists — to be thin, polished, and camera-ready. And that maybe, just maybe, those things should be tax-deductible because they’re part of our “job” of being visible.
Yes. I believe these things should be deductible. When we’re speaking on stages, showing up on camera, hosting events, or leading movements, the cost of showing up is real. Visibility is a business strategy.
But there’s a bigger conversation here.
What if we stopped chasing an outdated ideal of what a leader should look like?
The year I turned 59, those thoughts were loud: Am I still relevant? Do I need to look younger to be seen? Will I be taken seriously?
Then I turned 60. And I had the incredible gift of coaching a 70-year-old woman who was rocking global stages with a powerful message about ageism.She was magnetic, bold, brilliant. And I started to see myself differently. That woman is Janine Vanderburg – check her out! She’s a Keynote Speaker, Writer, Trainer and Consultant committed to Slaying the #Ageism Dragon.™️!
Five months ago, I embraced my silver. My 30-year-old niece had already said yes to hers. And I saw women in my circle leading the way — Violette de Ayala of FemCity. Barbara Brooks of SecondAct Women. Robin Salls, founder of Tangled Silver Magazine. Alexis Eizinas, whose company Silvering Beauty is helping women be seen — a million-dollar brand, built on celebrating visibility.
This isn’t about hiding. This is about visibility. About leadership. About showing up rooted in wisdom, radiance, and truth.
We are not invisible. We are right here — speaking, leading, building, shining.
Yes to being able to write off the expenses we do incur to be on the big stages. Yes to wellness. Yes to powerfully taking our place. But let’s stop measuring leadership by how young or flawless we appear. Let’s define it by how courageously and authentically we show up.
Wisdom is magnetic. Silver is powerful. And we’ve never been more visible than we are right now.
I don’t plan on being done anytime soon. I love what I do — and I’m on a mission to keep raising up women’s voices. Our world needs us more than ever. I find so much joy in serving the clients I serve. 62 and fired up — because my impact is only growing from here!
