Have you ever wondered what the vast majority of success stories floating around on the net have in common? I’ll give you a moment. Ready? That’s right! They almost always involve somebody young overcoming the odds and achieving great things. In other words, success stories are usually about the talented, not the hard-working.
But let’s broaden our perspective and took a look at success stories that happen after the age of 30. What would these stories be like? Well, we don’t have to wonder because TV writer and producer Melissa Hunter created a viral Twitter thread asking people to share their middle-age success stories.
So scroll down, upvote the stories you enjoyed reading, and share this wholesome and inspiring post with your pals who are middle-aged or approaching their big three-oh celebration.
More info: Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | ItsMelissaHunter.com
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Melissa said that the stories posted in her thread were “amazing” and she invited the international media community to have a look through them.
Bored Panda reached out to Mike Rothschild, one of the people who posted in Melissa's thread, to hear about his success story. Here's what he had to say: "My success story, if you can call it that, is that after many years of pursuing screenwriting, I decided to see what else I could do related to writing. I started blogging for the website of a critical thinking podcast I like, that led to me getting some real traffic, which led to some full time writing gigs."
"When I got laid off from my last gig in 2017, I went out on my own, freelancing and building my own brand as a conspiracy theory expert. In late 2018, my publisher reached out to me to write the book I've got coming out soon, and there you go. It took the better part of the decade!"
Mike said that what helped him maintain his passion for his dreams was "seeing the responses I got to pieces I wrote, and readers telling me that something I wrote helped them, or helped a family member."
"I also saw that stuff I wrote got a lot of traffic, which helped me realize I could actually turn what started as a hobby into a career," he added.
Bored Panda wanted to know what advice Mike would give those of us who are scared of turning 30. "When I turned 30, I hadn't even started on this journey. I'd say just find ways to do what you love, and get it out into the world. Keep pushing, keep making connections, and remember that success isn't like the prom, not everyone goes at the same time. As long as you're putting things out there and making them the best they can be, you're succeeding—even if it never turns into a full time career."
I had 3 colleges tell me that I'm not creative. I ran out of student loan money because of trying to pursue my interior design career, so I had to slam the brakes on school. I hope I'm eventually successful in design. I want to prove every teacher that I had wrong.
We at Bored Panda enjoy sharing success stories no matter who the person is, so it’s refreshing to see people staying true to their dreams and fulfilling their potential no matter their age. It’s not all downhill after you turn XYZ years old. I mean, just have a look at all these grandpas who are (most likely) more awesome than you.
Just in case you’re still worried that it’s “too late” for you to achieve anything meaningful in life, we’ve got just the way to change your mind. Let’s have a look at the age at which important people made something of themselves.
Sure, we’ll always have a Bill Gates here and a Richard Branson there who became millionaires at the tender age of 23. But we also have people like J.K.Rowling who published the very first Harry Potter book when she was 32. Meanwhile, Jeff Bezos founded Amazon when he was 30.
The Harvard Business Review found that the average age of US entrepreneurs at the time they created their companies was 42. However, that includes small businesses. When looking at larger-scale companies, the average in software startups is 40 years old; the average age in industries like oil, gas, and biotech is 47. While the average age of entrepreneurs who founded the most successful companies is 45.
So if you’re planning to start a business, write a book, or chase your dreams, it’s never too late to start. But you have to start.
As an "independent researcher" i.e. someone who does any research only if not too tired after a day job, I want to say this is absolutely inspiring!
I would like to know more about those films, as I am passionate for folklore and fairytales. Where can I find them?
I couldn't agree more. Some publishing industry number crunching showed that the average age of an author when she or he published a NYT #1 Bestseller was 51. The data showed that there were many authors of #1s as old as their 80s and 90s, some as young as their teens and everything in between. Some evidence indicates that Homer was in his 90s when he penned The Odyssey, I'd say that's a work that's stood the test of time fairly f***ing well.
Kind of sad that he needs to mention "white privilege" to take the wind out of the sails of all those haters who wanted to use that as an excuse for their own failed life.
Imagine being this triggered by a guy telling his truth.
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I think him mentioning white privileged the way he did was wrong when he had the platform to bring awareness to the fact that when people of color are released from prison they are less likely to succeed and when they do it comes at a harder struggle. He made something serious seem like a joke because he only spent a few years in prison when in fact if a person of color had the same charge they would still be in prison and with repeat offender laws it's more likely that something those people did at a young age will cause them to spend so much longer in prison. Please be aware and end repeat offender laws for drug violations and end prohibition on marijuana so we can get some of these men out of prison. Most of these people did non violent crimes and are spending life sentences because of repeat offender laws not including those forces into plea deals or forced into false confessions. Use your platform and your white privileged to help those who aren't blessed with it. That's how u win
So you're saying judges sentence more harshly based on the colour of your skin?
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Was that the same white privilege that got you hooked on drugs and gave you years in prison? Love that privilege.
Well, whites are the top earning income group in the US. Just kidding, it's Asians! I guess really it's that Asian-privilege they have, that's why Asians are less likely than whites to go to prison and more likely to get a college degree: our Asian-centric society gives them an invisible knapsack of unearned advantages. That's also why women are less likely to go to prison then men and more likely get a degree, the female privilege.
So great to come from prison and fight your way through this ugly society of people who still want to punish you and to make your way in the world. I am so happy for you.
Mad respect even though i'm not surprised. Believe it or not but addicts are in many cases really strong, creative people. I'm an alcoholic myself and even though it caused me muuuch trouble it also forced me to pull myself together and get back up every single time.
White male privilege is real. If you don't believe it, go onto any social media or dating app and create a female person of color character and see how you're treated.
Also, if you like little stories about this sort of thing (denying people work because of their gender or race) it wasn't until orchestras started auditioning people behind screens so that no one could see them that women were hired with any regularity. It worked even better when carpet was put down so that women's shoe heels didn't make any noise when they walked up to do their stuff. Really. This s**t happens. Don't deny it, it's not useful to do so and it's wrong.
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Because he's acknowledging had he been a Black person he would not have had the same opportunities. I admire that he is being honest.
Load More Replies... If white privilege explains so much why are there some white people who are poor and some black people who are rich?
@cbusresident do you think that "white privilege" means that all white people are successful and that all black people are poor? I want to point out that if that's what you think, my friend, that's not a privilege that's just racist. Beliving inherently that White people are better is racist. https://www.racialequitytools.org/resourcefiles/mcintosh.pdf <---------- Read this and maybe it helps. Just maybe.
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I think you were successful because you worked hard, were persistent and stayed out of trouble. I can't see how it has anything to do with the colour of your skin.
How would you see it? It’s his life & his truth to tell. He lived it. Why does acknowledging that white privilege exists, trigger people so much? Fear? Guilt? Embarrassment? Ego?
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Good luck! I went again at age 47. I'm in my last semester with a 4.0. You can do this!!! Show them youngin's how it's done!
I can’t sew or draw, but I’m starting a fashion design class tomorrow. With a bachelors in communications and a masters in screenwriting, this is definitely a different road. Scared, but excited.
Keep on pushing. They will change their tune and come begging you to design the over-40 courses!
My wife an I were engaged at 41. She mentioned that she regrets never going to medical school. So I told her to do it. Two months after getting married she was in medical school. 15 years later she has received the award for compassionate doctor four years in a row. Best ER doc in Ohio and an award from her hospital. Sometimes changing later in life gives you a perspective you wouldnt have.
I'll be 49 in a week and half and haven't done half the things you all have done! Nor will I. But at the age of 44 I had a grade 5 brain aneurysm and survived. And learned how to write my name again, as well as how to walk with a cane and drive a car again. Now I drive myself to a part time job and execute mundane little things like clean our toilets and do our taxes. No big degree, no exotic travel, just...survived. That was the "easy" part; the hardest part was learning how to thrive. :-)
You've triumphed over much adversity when you could have given up and overs would have (I'm a nurse and have meet people who've given up for less). Your mile stones are worth celebrating like all the others mentioned 👍
Load More Replies... I'm 49 and on my last semester of my Accounting degree with a 4.0, making the Dean's List and the President's List. This will be my fourth degree (first three being Pre-Law, Law Enforcement and Forensic Anthropology.) I'm also training to start running marathons by the end of the year.
I wish I had this kind of ambition. I hope to maybe foster pregnant cats/ kittens someday. Hey it's a goal right?
At 43 I lost 150lbs and began a second career as a fitness instructor. Now, at 47 I went back to school and started working on a doctorate!
Single mom, 5 kids, in the middle of a divorce, (knew I wouldn't get any child support). Went back to school. 17 units, 3 jobs. Finished an M. Ed while teaching, when I was 47. (The kids are great too.)
You go girl!! My mother-in-law was the victim of a physically abusive husband. When he left, she was devastated because she'd believed him when he said she'd never make it without him. She got degrees in education and math going on to teach at a local high school for 33 years. She said the first paycheck she got, she knew she was home free. She was forced into retirement when she developed a blood disorder that was destroying her red blood cells and became too weak to be around sick kids. We lost her 5 years ago and the students came out in droves to console my husband. She impacted a lot of lives. You will too.
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Have you ever gone to college? If so, look into doing the Community College route. There are a lot of careers for us older generation. Accounting, Business, Marketing, Real Estate, IT Security, Medical Billing and Coding.... Look into your local CC.
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You’re Never Too Old To Start A New Venture, Look At These Famous Entrepreneurs: https://digitalsynopsis.com/inspiration/never-too-late-start-venture/
I published my first book at 40. It did well enough that I quit the day job and started writing full time. I'm 47 now and getting ready to publish my 9th novel. Crazy that it took me 40 years to figure out who I'm supposed to be! The best is yet to come.
I sent my first book to a publisher at age 50. 40 books & novellas later, I'm a happy indie author making a good living. You're never too old, and it's never too late.
I love seeing middle-age and older people portrayed in a good light. I'm 57 and get so tired of the same old "Hey, Boomer!" disrespect from the younger folks. (A lot of younger folks are great, but they still generally think they're the only ones who count.) We not-so-young'uns can shine, too. Sometimes we're late bloomers, and that is perfectly okay.
Such a great story and so true. In many ways people more likely to accomplish big things at older ages. When you're older you're smarter (literally, neuroscience research shows this often happens), since you've learned more about life. You're more likely to take the right things seriously w/out taking yourself too seriously, to get down to business but to know that success isn't everything. So we heard about some celebrities and tech guys rising like meteors in their 20s? Good for them. But one type of success-pattern having a handful of dramatic examples doesn't mean that's the only success-pattern that happens by any stretch.
I'm not on Twitter, but I want to add my own story to this Bored Panda list because people who are 40+ are SO. DARN. INSPIRING! At 40, I officially started a jewelry design company at my dining room table with $200 grocery money & a prayer. In four years our sales just reached over $415K & we've given $38K toward the education of underprivileged kids... all this from our home. You can do a lot with a little! Proof that God will take our seeds, our courage in the face of fear, and our stick-to-it-or-bust determination and somehow turns it into something beautiful... no matter your age! #goforit #reinventyourlife #bloom #createhopecuffs #livetoinspire #humblebrag
I am 51 and my life is turning around. I used to be 260 pounds and got down to 190. I did gain 10 back but who cares. My clothes fit and I have a nice butt. I also started hiking across the country and traveling. I started painting and people are expressing an interest in my work. I was in a dead end job which made me miserable. I was beaten down. I am in a new position where people work together and communicate as adults. My toxic 18 year relationship ended. At the time I was devastated and angry. Now, I am thankful. I learned how to have a voice and not be a carpet. I ask because if I don't I may miss out something amazing. I stopped being afraid. I have value and my age is just a number.
At 60 I first produced one of my many musicals, "The Book of Merman" Off-Broadway. It ran for 5 months. At 61, I produced my musical about Emmett and Mamie Till, "TILL", at the New York Musical Festival to rave reviews including the New York Times. There is more coming for that show. Watch me!
I wrote my first book at 42 which was a worldwide success. I met my husband at 50. I got married at 53. I moved to and built a house in Playa Del Carmen Mexico at 54. Traveling the world at 55. I would say the older I get the better my life has become.
40 retired from my construction job moved to a new town. 43 met a glassblower artist asked for an apprenticeship. Learned how to blow glass. 45 opened my own art gallery. 47 is going to be my best year yet. Learning many other forms of art for multi media glass sculptures.
At the age of 42, I went to the university, to get MBA degree. Now working as General Manager with a multinational corporation.
I love these stories. My only criticism of this post is the ridiculous premise that 30 is anywhere near middle age. A 30 year old is NOT in middle age! Though they are not a child, they are nowhere in the vicinity of middle age!
I don't necessarily have a story of 'success' as it is often measured within our society, but I have achieved a great deal of it in my own estimation, and much of it post-30. I am in a stable, happy, polyamorous relationship that challenges my ideas of self and interpersonal communication, I have a good job that I enjoy, with fun coworkers and great benefits,and I have a safe, comfortable place to live with my partner and our delightful cat. I now have loving, beautiful family (through my partner) who actually appreciate and celebrate my weirdness, and always make me feel included. I have developed the skills to cook delicious food for my loved ones, and have overcome most of my suicidal ideation stemming from PTSD/depression. I am working to build a tiny home with my partner, and I finally got the multiple surgeries I'd wanted since I was a teen (vasectomy and orchiectomy for a necrotic testicle). I feel so much happier, fulfilled, and hopeful than I ever did in my teens and 20's. <3
All stories are just amazing; I especially admire those who weren't afraid to admit that their success also included some luck, help from nature - talent, not just hard work; that's something to admire as well - the modesty.
omg----- LOVVVVE this so much- thank you! What a bunch of rockstars!! I've just retired at 49 because I've been working my butttt off since 15 so I could make this happen before 50. Having the time of my life and most importantly....took some of the money i got from selling my business and bought both my parents cars as a thank you for being the best parents EVER! Life it Good. #livingmybestlife 76B563E3-E...d7c2a4.png 
I am 55 and I will graduate with my Master's in Social Work in December, 2020. I decided I needed to do something to help change the tenor of this world. :) fullsizeou...cdaa7.jpeg 
My wife an I were engaged at 41. She mentioned that she regrets never going to medical school. So I told her to do it. Two months after getting married she was in medical school. 15 years later she has received the award for compassionate doctor four years in a row. Best ER doc in Ohio and an award from her hospital. Sometimes changing later in life gives you a perspective you wouldnt have.
I'll be 49 in a week and half and haven't done half the things you all have done! Nor will I. But at the age of 44 I had a grade 5 brain aneurysm and survived. And learned how to write my name again, as well as how to walk with a cane and drive a car again. Now I drive myself to a part time job and execute mundane little things like clean our toilets and do our taxes. No big degree, no exotic travel, just...survived. That was the "easy" part; the hardest part was learning how to thrive. :-)
You've triumphed over much adversity when you could have given up and overs would have (I'm a nurse and have meet people who've given up for less). Your mile stones are worth celebrating like all the others mentioned 👍
Load More Replies... I'm 49 and on my last semester of my Accounting degree with a 4.0, making the Dean's List and the President's List. This will be my fourth degree (first three being Pre-Law, Law Enforcement and Forensic Anthropology.) I'm also training to start running marathons by the end of the year.
I wish I had this kind of ambition. I hope to maybe foster pregnant cats/ kittens someday. Hey it's a goal right?
At 43 I lost 150lbs and began a second career as a fitness instructor. Now, at 47 I went back to school and started working on a doctorate!
Single mom, 5 kids, in the middle of a divorce, (knew I wouldn't get any child support). Went back to school. 17 units, 3 jobs. Finished an M. Ed while teaching, when I was 47. (The kids are great too.)
You go girl!! My mother-in-law was the victim of a physically abusive husband. When he left, she was devastated because she'd believed him when he said she'd never make it without him. She got degrees in education and math going on to teach at a local high school for 33 years. She said the first paycheck she got, she knew she was home free. She was forced into retirement when she developed a blood disorder that was destroying her red blood cells and became too weak to be around sick kids. We lost her 5 years ago and the students came out in droves to console my husband. She impacted a lot of lives. You will too.
Load More Replies... Have you ever gone to college? If so, look into doing the Community College route. There are a lot of careers for us older generation. Accounting, Business, Marketing, Real Estate, IT Security, Medical Billing and Coding.... Look into your local CC.
Load More Replies... You’re Never Too Old To Start A New Venture, Look At These Famous Entrepreneurs: https://digitalsynopsis.com/inspiration/never-too-late-start-venture/
I published my first book at 40. It did well enough that I quit the day job and started writing full time. I'm 47 now and getting ready to publish my 9th novel. Crazy that it took me 40 years to figure out who I'm supposed to be! The best is yet to come.
I sent my first book to a publisher at age 50. 40 books & novellas later, I'm a happy indie author making a good living. You're never too old, and it's never too late.
I love seeing middle-age and older people portrayed in a good light. I'm 57 and get so tired of the same old "Hey, Boomer!" disrespect from the younger folks. (A lot of younger folks are great, but they still generally think they're the only ones who count.) We not-so-young'uns can shine, too. Sometimes we're late bloomers, and that is perfectly okay.
Such a great story and so true. In many ways people more likely to accomplish big things at older ages. When you're older you're smarter (literally, neuroscience research shows this often happens), since you've learned more about life. You're more likely to take the right things seriously w/out taking yourself too seriously, to get down to business but to know that success isn't everything. So we heard about some celebrities and tech guys rising like meteors in their 20s? Good for them. But one type of success-pattern having a handful of dramatic examples doesn't mean that's the only success-pattern that happens by any stretch.
I'm not on Twitter, but I want to add my own story to this Bored Panda list because people who are 40+ are SO. DARN. INSPIRING! At 40, I officially started a jewelry design company at my dining room table with $200 grocery money & a prayer. In four years our sales just reached over $415K & we've given $38K toward the education of underprivileged kids... all this from our home. You can do a lot with a little! Proof that God will take our seeds, our courage in the face of fear, and our stick-to-it-or-bust determination and somehow turns it into something beautiful... no matter your age! #goforit #reinventyourlife #bloom #createhopecuffs #livetoinspire #humblebrag
I am 51 and my life is turning around. I used to be 260 pounds and got down to 190. I did gain 10 back but who cares. My clothes fit and I have a nice butt. I also started hiking across the country and traveling. I started painting and people are expressing an interest in my work. I was in a dead end job which made me miserable. I was beaten down. I am in a new position where people work together and communicate as adults. My toxic 18 year relationship ended. At the time I was devastated and angry. Now, I am thankful. I learned how to have a voice and not be a carpet. I ask because if I don't I may miss out something amazing. I stopped being afraid. I have value and my age is just a number.
At 60 I first produced one of my many musicals, "The Book of Merman" Off-Broadway. It ran for 5 months. At 61, I produced my musical about Emmett and Mamie Till, "TILL", at the New York Musical Festival to rave reviews including the New York Times. There is more coming for that show. Watch me!
I wrote my first book at 42 which was a worldwide success. I met my husband at 50. I got married at 53. I moved to and built a house in Playa Del Carmen Mexico at 54. Traveling the world at 55. I would say the older I get the better my life has become.
40 retired from my construction job moved to a new town. 43 met a glassblower artist asked for an apprenticeship. Learned how to blow glass. 45 opened my own art gallery. 47 is going to be my best year yet. Learning many other forms of art for multi media glass sculptures.
At the age of 42, I went to the university, to get MBA degree. Now working as General Manager with a multinational corporation.
I love these stories. My only criticism of this post is the ridiculous premise that 30 is anywhere near middle age. A 30 year old is NOT in middle age! Though they are not a child, they are nowhere in the vicinity of middle age!
I don't necessarily have a story of 'success' as it is often measured within our society, but I have achieved a great deal of it in my own estimation, and much of it post-30. I am in a stable, happy, polyamorous relationship that challenges my ideas of self and interpersonal communication, I have a good job that I enjoy, with fun coworkers and great benefits,and I have a safe, comfortable place to live with my partner and our delightful cat. I now have loving, beautiful family (through my partner) who actually appreciate and celebrate my weirdness, and always make me feel included. I have developed the skills to cook delicious food for my loved ones, and have overcome most of my suicidal ideation stemming from PTSD/depression. I am working to build a tiny home with my partner, and I finally got the multiple surgeries I'd wanted since I was a teen (vasectomy and orchiectomy for a necrotic testicle). I feel so much happier, fulfilled, and hopeful than I ever did in my teens and 20's. <3
All stories are just amazing; I especially admire those who weren't afraid to admit that their success also included some luck, help from nature - talent, not just hard work; that's something to admire as well - the modesty.
omg----- LOVVVVE this so much- thank you! What a bunch of rockstars!! I've just retired at 49 because I've been working my butttt off since 15 so I could make this happen before 50. Having the time of my life and most importantly....took some of the money i got from selling my business and bought both my parents cars as a thank you for being the best parents EVER! Life it Good. #livingmybestlife 76B563E3-E...d7c2a4.png
I am 55 and I will graduate with my Master's in Social Work in December, 2020. I decided I needed to do something to help change the tenor of this world. :) fullsizeou...cdaa7.jpeg
