Person Wants People Over 40 Years Old To Share Their Success Stories, And Here Are 34 Of The Best Responses
Interview With AuthorBeing young and successful is a bit mundane. Sure, it’s a huge achievement, but it takes the limelight away from being ‘old’ and successful. After all, winning at life doesn’t stop after you hit a certain number. Like 40. Writer and Bram Stoker Award-winning editor Doug Murano from South Dakota started up a viral thread on Twitter, asking over-40’s to share their brilliant achievements to help inspire everyone and help us all believe that it’s never, ever too late to be awesome.
Age is just a number. Henry Ford created the Model T car when he was 45 and fashion designer Vera Wang sold her first dress when she was 40. So stop worrying about your upcoming birthday, scroll down, upvote your fave 40+ success stories, and share your own!
Bored Panda spoke about hope, perseverance, celebrating our elders, and over-40s success stories with the original poster of the thread, Murano. We also reached out to Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, about staying active and mentally sharp as we age. Scroll down for both interviews, dear Pandas.
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Murano told us all about what inspired him to create the thread. He revealed that he is extremely proud of the successes achieved by the women in his family.
"I was raised to value grit over grace. That might be a South Dakota thing. The women in my life—particularly my mother and maternal grandmother—have set wonderful examples for me in terms of reinvention and perseverance. My grandmother attended university classes and became a certified Master Gardener in her 80s after my grandfather died. At 97, she still tends her own garden. My mother worked some extremely difficult jobs (including one in a meat processing plant) to help fund her doctorate. I had seen (yet another) 'under 40' list the day I wrote the tweet and immediately thought of them."
Murano admitted that he was "floored" by the response to his thread. "I didn't use any hashtags in the tweet and wasn't expecting it to get this level of attention at all. I was excited when it reached 2,000 likes and it has been wild to follow the numbers as they approach 200,000 likes and 7 million impressions. More than that, though, I have enjoyed seeing stories come in from all over the world."
As for why the media and pop culture seem to be enamored with stories about success at a young age, he believes that it's all down to priorities. "Conventional standards of beauty are king in the media. Young people typically fit that mold more readily than the middle-aged or elderly and attract eyeballs more readily. I think that's probably why I gravitated toward the image of hands that had seen life and work. Again, I think of my grandmother's hands, which are like driftwood now. To me, that's more beautiful than anything," he said.
According to Murano, drawing more attention to over-40s success stories is vital. "Modern American life tells us we need to spend 40 years breaking ourselves in the pursuit of certain markers of success and then tells us we're irrelevant after we've done exactly that," he pointed out the hypocrisy.
"It doesn't make any sense to me and it runs counter to what healthy cultures do, which is to revere and celebrate their elders. What touched me the most about the responses I received weren't even the career wins—it was the person who finally got the courage to learn to drive at 45, the grandmother who took up painting at 70, the grandfather who learned to swim. We can make meaning in our lives in so many ways. Let's expand that notion. Let's celebrate our elders and learn from their example."
Murano also told us a little bit more about himself. "People who start following me because of this tweet might think it's strange for a professional in the horror field to be talking about hope and inspiration, but it's a thread that I've woven through my entire bibliography—particularly in my anthologies Gutted: Beautiful Horror Stories (nominated for a Bram Stoker Award, horror literature's highest honor) and Behold! Oddities, Curiosities & Undefinable Wonders (which won the Bram Stoker Award). I've always been interested in how the pain of life can make us more beautiful and interesting, so this tweet felt like the most natural thing in the world to me in terms of my life and work."
Murano's inspirational thread went viral with over 184k likes and 32.3k retweets and counting. It’s relatable because the thread isn’t just about feeling good about ourselves; it’s also scientifically accurate. MIT professor Pierre Azoulay analyzed 2.7 million company founders between 2007 and 2014 and found that their average age was around 40, writes Business Insider.
That's a worthwhile field, so many don't recognize its importance. Good for you!
There’s absolutely no doubt that people can be successful whatever age they’re at. But it takes willpower, effort, a lot of resilience, and good physical and mental health. And that means listening, not ignoring, your body’s needs to improve your chances of reaching your goals.
Age UK's Charity Director Abrahams said that even though some people's thinking skills can decline as we get older, it's not an inevitable part of aging. "Our own studies have shown important connections between positive mental wellbeing and keeping active, and having better thinking skills in later life. This is good news because our sense of mental wellbeing is something we can take steps to improve," she explained.
"In the same way that avoiding things like smoking, excess alcohol or a poor diet can help to reduce the risk of developing some forms of dementia and cognitive decline, so can looking after our emotional wellbeing by managing stress, establishing meaningful connections with people, doing new activities or getting a good night’s sleep."
Abrahams added that keeping our hearts healthy helps us maintain our thinking skills later on in life. That's why staying active and moving lots is so incredibly important. "Staying active isn't just about working up a sweat or running marathons, it can also be moving more each day at our own pace and in whatever way works. Being even modestly active helps give your wellbeing a boost and maintains bone strength, muscle strength, and coordination.”
Her post was selected to be included. If you have a complaint, take it up with Bored Panda, not the contributor.
One of my all time favourite pieces of art, alongside Picasso's Guernica!
Abrahams previously told Bored Panda that it is very important to eat a varied, nutritious diet, get plenty of movement, and maintain our social relationships. : “Eating a healthy diet, staying active for longer, protecting yourself against illness and staying connected to friends and family are great places to start in ensuring you stay healthy and happy as you get older."
“Keeping up our ties to friends and family and taking part in social activities is an important tool for helping us stay sharp as we age. Keeping active, in particular, has many benefits besides fighting off illness, such as: lowering the risk of depression and dementia or developing heart disease. It also reduces the likelihood of having a stroke, and lowers the risk of some cancers.”
Moving also helps keep our thinking skills (like problem-solving, decision-making, and remembering facts and words) sharp. It’s never too late to start taking care of ourselves better and to aim for success.
Happy belated birthday: just shows that you can’t keep a good woman down.
Wow... That's really good to hear I thought all anyone ever wanted was young actors. There's so much pressure to maintain youth- you are a true inspiration :)
All for celebrating those who take the unconventional path, but it is unfair to generalize and state the under-30s with PhDs operate from a position of privilege. There are choices in life, such as having children. A friend completed his PhD at age 21 because he truly is a genius. Don't paint everything in life with a broad stroke.
Dang, what was the timeline that allowed him to get a PhD at 21? That's impressive!!
Load More Replies...Congratulations Jill! What a great example you are setting for your girls too! All the best!
Good job! Especially with raising two girls. I'm sure they appreciate you :)
Be more stubborn than what's in your way- my 90 year old Memom certainly was!
I left being a historian @ 48; now 51, working with the homeless in social services...and finishing my 3rd MA. -Dr M
Almost 50, homeless and living out of my car, and currently finishing up my Bachelors degree. Hopefully when I get it I can find a job, but age discrimination is a real issue in the USA.
The greatest piece of advice I EVER read was either Dear Abby or Dear Ann Landers. A woman wrote and said "I want to go to medical school, but it will take ten years and I am already in my 40's." And Ann or Abby wrote back "how old will you be in ten years if you DON"T go to medical school?" That's when I realized, this is it, this is all you get and you better deal with it, there are no do overs and my life changed with regard to what I was going to do.
This is so inspiring!! Makes me want to try and pursuit the dreams I had when I was younger. To try and make my 16yo self proud of me; now she's just sitting there feeling sorry for me :(
16 year olds suck :) ask the you that you were yesterday what she thinks instead
Load More Replies...Left my ex husband at 56. At that time I had short and long term memory loss, was having full body fits, and couldn’t walk 100 meters without needing to sit down. Without the constant anxiety I got a degree, got my first job as a developer and built a house. I’m happier and healthier than I’ve ever been in my life. My sixties are the best time of my life.
Recession of 2009, had been through illness, divorce, house taken by the banks, owed IRS back taxes, then no work for a year and a half. 50 years old, got a job as an install technician while going to school and raising my son on my own. Got my degree... I'm now a network administrator and my son is finishing his AA soon to attend university. Paid all my debts including the taxes, and married a wonderful woman. Life is good! Getting a tattoo of a Phoenix rising to celebrate.
Retired and went to Law school and got my Juris Doctorate at age 53.
The year I turned 50, I accomplished three goals: At my birthday party, I danced two belly dance songs that I choreographed myself; I became a "calendar girl" for a regional radio station; and I became a Zumba instructor. Funny, because I always hated exercise until I found Zumba! Anyway, at 56, my life is all mine and it's better than ever!
started barrel racing horses at 40 - did that for 10 years. then returned to skiing after 20 years and was able to do black diamonds within a year. now i'm 54 and have taken up downhill mountain biking!!! Have never felt better or younger :)
I so wanna be like you! I just got my operated on to fix a sports injury from 30 years ago and I am really looking forward to those kinds of sports you mentioned.
Load More Replies...My mom left her home of 25 years after my dad died, 3 months shy of their 60th anniversary. She moved inwith my sister, from NC to NH. In the first year she joined an exercise group, a yoga class, a writer’s guild, an art quilts guild, 2 book clubs, found a church and joined 2 discussion groups there. Next, decided she wanted to learn to play piano so she bought a keyboard and found a teacher who specializes in older adult beginners. She recently turned 84. I want to be her when I grow up.
My Dad was published for the first time this year at the age of 71. He's already working on book number two. I'm so freaking proud of him not just because of what he's done, but because he's been battling his mental health demons the whole time. He's my hero.
I like that most of them are about people taking up studying, not making their first million or buying up condos. I just wish I had the energy to do this sort of thing.
Got my Bachelor's in history at 46, then went to law school. Juris Doctorate at 49. Am now almost 71 and am thinking about another degree/career? My mind's still adept, curious, and active but my bones, not so much.
I really wanted to be a teacher. After many years of working diff jobs, having a hard life, really, I (when my hub died), at 32 got a college degree, to study to become a teacher. My math wasn't to good, so.. I waited. A few years later, about 40 yo, my shrink told me it is a waste, people like me, in their forties and fifties, being teachers, doctors aso.. I am now on disability welfair.. 49 yo.
I loved this piece! I am 43 & I have been wondering if I am too old for more studying, I already have 2 undergrads. I am so proud of all the people who shared their stories, they are so inspirational. This is it! I am not ever going to be younger than this, I am never going to be under 40 again, so I might as well get used to being the age that I am, and just do what I want to do. Yeah!
Go for it, @Kimlan Lau. Volunteer in areas that are of interest to you. Talk to anyone who’ll listen to you about what you studied and how you can use that knowledge and your skills in the workplace. Maybe an MA or you get some training. You have a good attitude as your comments show in this series. No self-doubt, just action.
Load More Replies...My mom decided to learn to do headatands when she turned 50. "Because how often do you see a 50 year old stand on their head?"
Put my teaching job on pause and travelled to Japan to study Japanese. All the other 20 something's thought I was their age! Go me! I can sooo recommend doing this for all those people who thinking they are losing their memory. It was so much fun.
I'm 16, but this is still really helpful with the general mentality that you have to do anything as young as possible, or your life is over. Like, logically I know I haven't ruined my life by just existing, especially at my age (and still in school and stuff), but it still feels like that sometimes...
Played on the women's American (tackle) football for the first time as a rookie at 48 years old. Even though Im from the States, as a woman, I never put on pads to play until recently. Im not very good but Im damn proud to play! 459BEFC9-D...b-jpeg.jpg
I have CPTSD. After an entire lifetime of mediocrity at best but usually failure and mental breakdown, I had an surgery to end my suffering with endometriosis. After recovering I began volunteering with my local Countryside Service ostensibly to recoup my strength, but really to hide my broken spirit in the woods - where I'd felt safe as an abused child. Was given the chance to do environmental education work and Found My Place. Went on in short order to become involved with all manner of wonderful educational and self esteem improving activities for children. Was part of Forest Schools in NE Wales from it's pilot project. Choosing to work with justifiably angry teens, I Found My People. Co-owned my own Forest School in a beautiful private woodland, leading a charge to help and support traumatised & differently brained kids instead of demonising them for bad behaviour. Experienced genuine JOY for the first time. People with multiple quals came and learned from me. No quals ME!!
Just turned 44 and I’m rebounding back from a long period of depression, hospitalization, homelessness. I haven’t worked since 2013. I’m ready to start this new phase of my life but I have NO IDEA what I want to do. I don’t know what it feels like to be passionate about anything. I’m going back to university for linguistics becauseI enjoy different languages and cultures. Wish me luck.🤞
Almost 50, homeless and living out of my car, and currently finishing up my Bachelors degree. Hopefully when I get it I can find a job, but age discrimination is a real issue in the USA.
The greatest piece of advice I EVER read was either Dear Abby or Dear Ann Landers. A woman wrote and said "I want to go to medical school, but it will take ten years and I am already in my 40's." And Ann or Abby wrote back "how old will you be in ten years if you DON"T go to medical school?" That's when I realized, this is it, this is all you get and you better deal with it, there are no do overs and my life changed with regard to what I was going to do.
This is so inspiring!! Makes me want to try and pursuit the dreams I had when I was younger. To try and make my 16yo self proud of me; now she's just sitting there feeling sorry for me :(
16 year olds suck :) ask the you that you were yesterday what she thinks instead
Load More Replies...Left my ex husband at 56. At that time I had short and long term memory loss, was having full body fits, and couldn’t walk 100 meters without needing to sit down. Without the constant anxiety I got a degree, got my first job as a developer and built a house. I’m happier and healthier than I’ve ever been in my life. My sixties are the best time of my life.
Recession of 2009, had been through illness, divorce, house taken by the banks, owed IRS back taxes, then no work for a year and a half. 50 years old, got a job as an install technician while going to school and raising my son on my own. Got my degree... I'm now a network administrator and my son is finishing his AA soon to attend university. Paid all my debts including the taxes, and married a wonderful woman. Life is good! Getting a tattoo of a Phoenix rising to celebrate.
Retired and went to Law school and got my Juris Doctorate at age 53.
The year I turned 50, I accomplished three goals: At my birthday party, I danced two belly dance songs that I choreographed myself; I became a "calendar girl" for a regional radio station; and I became a Zumba instructor. Funny, because I always hated exercise until I found Zumba! Anyway, at 56, my life is all mine and it's better than ever!
started barrel racing horses at 40 - did that for 10 years. then returned to skiing after 20 years and was able to do black diamonds within a year. now i'm 54 and have taken up downhill mountain biking!!! Have never felt better or younger :)
I so wanna be like you! I just got my operated on to fix a sports injury from 30 years ago and I am really looking forward to those kinds of sports you mentioned.
Load More Replies...My mom left her home of 25 years after my dad died, 3 months shy of their 60th anniversary. She moved inwith my sister, from NC to NH. In the first year she joined an exercise group, a yoga class, a writer’s guild, an art quilts guild, 2 book clubs, found a church and joined 2 discussion groups there. Next, decided she wanted to learn to play piano so she bought a keyboard and found a teacher who specializes in older adult beginners. She recently turned 84. I want to be her when I grow up.
My Dad was published for the first time this year at the age of 71. He's already working on book number two. I'm so freaking proud of him not just because of what he's done, but because he's been battling his mental health demons the whole time. He's my hero.
I like that most of them are about people taking up studying, not making their first million or buying up condos. I just wish I had the energy to do this sort of thing.
Got my Bachelor's in history at 46, then went to law school. Juris Doctorate at 49. Am now almost 71 and am thinking about another degree/career? My mind's still adept, curious, and active but my bones, not so much.
I really wanted to be a teacher. After many years of working diff jobs, having a hard life, really, I (when my hub died), at 32 got a college degree, to study to become a teacher. My math wasn't to good, so.. I waited. A few years later, about 40 yo, my shrink told me it is a waste, people like me, in their forties and fifties, being teachers, doctors aso.. I am now on disability welfair.. 49 yo.
I loved this piece! I am 43 & I have been wondering if I am too old for more studying, I already have 2 undergrads. I am so proud of all the people who shared their stories, they are so inspirational. This is it! I am not ever going to be younger than this, I am never going to be under 40 again, so I might as well get used to being the age that I am, and just do what I want to do. Yeah!
Go for it, @Kimlan Lau. Volunteer in areas that are of interest to you. Talk to anyone who’ll listen to you about what you studied and how you can use that knowledge and your skills in the workplace. Maybe an MA or you get some training. You have a good attitude as your comments show in this series. No self-doubt, just action.
Load More Replies...My mom decided to learn to do headatands when she turned 50. "Because how often do you see a 50 year old stand on their head?"
Put my teaching job on pause and travelled to Japan to study Japanese. All the other 20 something's thought I was their age! Go me! I can sooo recommend doing this for all those people who thinking they are losing their memory. It was so much fun.
I'm 16, but this is still really helpful with the general mentality that you have to do anything as young as possible, or your life is over. Like, logically I know I haven't ruined my life by just existing, especially at my age (and still in school and stuff), but it still feels like that sometimes...
Played on the women's American (tackle) football for the first time as a rookie at 48 years old. Even though Im from the States, as a woman, I never put on pads to play until recently. Im not very good but Im damn proud to play! 459BEFC9-D...b-jpeg.jpg
I have CPTSD. After an entire lifetime of mediocrity at best but usually failure and mental breakdown, I had an surgery to end my suffering with endometriosis. After recovering I began volunteering with my local Countryside Service ostensibly to recoup my strength, but really to hide my broken spirit in the woods - where I'd felt safe as an abused child. Was given the chance to do environmental education work and Found My Place. Went on in short order to become involved with all manner of wonderful educational and self esteem improving activities for children. Was part of Forest Schools in NE Wales from it's pilot project. Choosing to work with justifiably angry teens, I Found My People. Co-owned my own Forest School in a beautiful private woodland, leading a charge to help and support traumatised & differently brained kids instead of demonising them for bad behaviour. Experienced genuine JOY for the first time. People with multiple quals came and learned from me. No quals ME!!
Just turned 44 and I’m rebounding back from a long period of depression, hospitalization, homelessness. I haven’t worked since 2013. I’m ready to start this new phase of my life but I have NO IDEA what I want to do. I don’t know what it feels like to be passionate about anything. I’m going back to university for linguistics becauseI enjoy different languages and cultures. Wish me luck.🤞