May 7, 2025 • 27 mins
Wondering if it’s too late to reinvent after 50? Dr. Alison Schmidt proves it’s not.
In this inspiring episode, Alison—once a successful executive coach—shares how turning 50 and facing the COVID crisis pushed her to reimagine everything. From profit-driven consulting to purpose-driven leadership, she now helps others create midlife transformations that align with their deepest values.
We explore:
- What it really takes to create reinvention after 50
- How to break free from conventional expectations
- The power of the “un-word effect” to unlock hidden strengths
- Why it’s never too late to chase a dream (Alison bought her first racing bike at 54!)
🎁 Ready to reimagine your next chapter? Get this free checklist here
Ready to discover what's possible for you? Listen, sign up for alerts. and discover how to create a life that truly excites you—at any age.
Please Like, Subscribe, and share it with a friend. For similar episodes on questioning your purpose and making a change, check out episode #109 and 112 and if you love traveling tune into The Ageless Traveler Podcast and subscribe to a free Travel Tuesday newsletter. The Ageless Traveler is the #1 resource for 60+ active travelers. Join her private FACEBOOK SALON and meet like-minded travelers.
Resources:
Alison L Schmidt Phd
Unconvention LLC - www.unconventionllc.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-l-schmidt-phd-bcc/
Instagram @alsphdbcc
Facebook@AlisonLSchmidtBluesky@ alisonschmidtphd.bsky.social🎧
Beverley Glazer
https://reinventimpossible.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/beverleyglazer/
https://www.facebook.com/beverley.glazer
https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenover50rock
https://www.instagram.com/beverleyglazer_reinvention/
https://calendly.com/reinventimpossible/15min
🎁 BONUS: Take your first step to clarity, courage and momentum. Your free checklist: → From Stuck to Unstoppable – is here.
https://reinvent-impossible.aweb.page/from-stuck-to-unstoppable
Have feedback or a powerful story that's worth telling? Contact us at info@Reinventimpossible.com
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
Welcome to Aging with Purpose and Passion, the
podcast designed to inspire yourgreatness and thrive through
life.
Get ready to conquer your fears.
Here's your hostpsychotherapist, coach and
empowerment expert, beverlyGlaser therapist, coach and
(00:30):
empowerment expert, BeverlyGlazer.
Beverley Glazer (00:37):
What if the key to thriving in life means
breaking the unconventionalrules and getting back to just
plain conventional rules, Makingrules on your own terms?
Welcome to Aging with Purposeand Passion.
I'm Beverley Glazer, atransformational coach and
catalyst dedicated to empoweringwomen with strategies to take
bold steps and create the lifethey know they deserve, and you
(00:58):
can find me onreinventimpossiblecom.
Dr Alison Schmidt is thefounder and CEO of Unconvention,
a company that offerstransformative executive
coaching and organizationalconsulting.
She is the creator and host ofUnconventions, a podcast
(01:20):
featuring CXOs and pioneers whoshare bold, unconventional
decisions that sculpt theirlives and businesses.
If you've ever felt stuck oruncertain about your next
chapter, or if you'requestioning your purpose,
Alison's story will show you howto trust yourself, embrace
(01:42):
change and reinvent yourselfafter 50.
So just keep listening, Welcome.
Alison Schmidt (01:50):
Alison.
Thank you, Beverley.
I was honored that you asked meto come on this podcast and I
am thrilled to get into ourdiscussion.
Beverley Glazer (01:59):
Yeah, you told me that you were a middle child
growing up, and you also saidthat you were black sheep.
What did you mean by that?
Alison Schmidt (02:11):
All right.
So let me see, we're just goingto dive into it right now.
Right, dive, right in.
Yeah, yeah, my therapist wouldbe very proud of your question.
Beverley Glazer (02:21):
You do know I come from a very strong therapy
background right.
Alison Schmidt (02:26):
Yeah, well, I think that's sort of where you
and I sort of started ourconversation together was around
that.
I too come from a clinicalbackground, so I think the black
sheep was.
I've always I am the middlechild and they do say sometimes
the middle child is thesometimes the youngest child,
where you sometimes don't getthe kind of the attention that
(02:50):
you hope that you're going to toget.
So that's kind of where I feltlike I was the black sheep.
I think I was driving myparents crazy by not going down
a path that they would maybehope that I would go down, and I
always question things, Ialways challenge things, I
(03:10):
question things.
I really always wanted to knowwhy, why something was this way,
which I think that's whatbrought me to the clinical path
and then to kind of where I amtoday.
Beverley Glazer (03:23):
Yeah, path, and then to kind of where I am
today?
Yeah, but when did you realize,though, that you always had a
passion for helping people, andbusiness as well, because
sometimes that path doesn'tcross, so it's both business as
well as people?
Alison Schmidt (03:39):
You know, I think it started when I was a.
It started when I was a, I'dprobably say.
I mean I was a camp counselorand I loved kids and I was a
competitive swimmer, I wasalways involved in sports and I,
even though I was a black sheepin my family, I do feel that I
was fortitude, a lot of thingsthat I would probably say other
(04:05):
people I mean going, being ableto go to college, being able to
travel the world.
You know, I'm very, I'm verygrateful for those things.
But I think it was my clinicalwork when I worked with gang
kids and that, to me, was reallyinspiring and but I also became
a very hard person through thatprocess, just because you had
(04:26):
to protect yourself.
And then I did a lot ofclinical work with, with
families and still adolescents.
So when I was going to decideif I was going to do my PhD in
clinical work but I always had apassion my, my parents always
taught us about the stock marketand that really fascinated me
(04:47):
in companies and how companiesdo what they did and how they
became bigger.
And so I decided that you knowwhat I love the path of
organizational psychology,because it really blended my
passion for people and myfascination for companies and
how impactful companies cancontribute to communities and to
(05:11):
the world.
Beverley Glazer (05:13):
But turning 50 was a real game changer for you.
How did that shift yourperspective on everything, what
you were doing, what happened toyou then?
Alison Schmidt (05:24):
perspective on everything, like what you were
doing.
What happened to you then?
Well, covid, that's really whatI can say I turned 50.
My birthday was supposed tohave been done in a very
different way and I turned 50during COVID.
And so, I think, for me, mybusiness I had another company
(05:47):
that was called ALS Group.
We did, I was doing executivecoaching, I think before it
became very popular.
I was working with boards, I wasdoing strategic planning work,
I did some mergers andacquisition work and the whole
world stopped and my businesscompletely stopped.
(06:09):
I was traveling nonstop and allmy contracts came from
flourishing to zero and my firstwords was holy shit, like
everybody else.
And I was like, okay, well,this sucks, I'm turning 50.
I have a thriving business thatcompletely came to a halt and
(06:42):
my wife she and I were now underkind of the same roof, working,
and so her job was now here,working from home, and here mine
was.
Am I going to still be doingwhat I'm doing?
And I took some time to afterthe panic and going how do I do
what I've been doing in personand still make the level of
(07:06):
impact via Zoom, via any otherplatforms?
And then I'm an avid cyclistand I took about two weeks and I
just rode my bike.
And I just rode my bike and Isaid you know what my bike?
(07:27):
And I just rode my bike and Isaid you know what, even if this
does change, are you stillhappy with what you're doing
today?
And there was a lot of no's tothat and I decided at this point
that I was going to reallystart digging deep within myself
and going okay, what is itabout you that you don't like
doing?
And so, during COVID, I reallyrevamped my company, I revamped
(07:56):
my offerings and, as youmentioned earlier, I started a
podcast called Unconversationsthat we certainly can get into,
but it really is something thatwas so kind of like wow, what is
it like?
You couldn't even put wordsinto.
(08:16):
It Ended up being probably thebest thing that happened to me
from redefining who I am andwhere I wanted to go now that I
turn 50.
Beverley Glazer (08:29):
Yeah, and you created Unconvention why?
Alison Schmidt (08:35):
Why that?
Well, it was an homage tomyself really, and I don't mean
that from.
It was an homage saying youknow what?
I think ALS group was verysuccessful, but I don't think it
really represented the depth ofwork that I really wanted to do
(08:59):
with founders, ceos, otherpeople that really wanted to do
purposeful work, and I felt whatwas missing.
Beverly, what was so importantwas the human side of my work
and it was very money-drivenfrom what the clients wanted to
(09:19):
achieve.
It was very process improvement.
Achieve it was very processimprovement.
It wasn't really focused onbuilding and helping people who
wanted to be unconventionallyexcellent in the work that they
do, and this gave me theopportunity to really be clear
and focus on the type of clientsthat I wanted to collaborate
(09:44):
with, if you will.
Beverley Glazer (09:46):
Yeah, that's excellent, so it gave you
purpose as well.
Alison Schmidt (09:53):
I felt the work that I did was purpose.
It gave me that real laserclarity on the type of work and
that's what really excites me isreally the clarity now and the
creativity and the passion thatI now have and the excitement
(10:15):
that I have for my business.
So, yes, I would probably sayI'm even a changed CEO myself
than where I was when I startedALS Group 20 years ago.
Beverley Glazer (10:34):
Let me ask you, when you're talking to women
over 50 and they say thatthey're stuck, what helps them
to overcome that?
Finding their own purpose laterin life?
Because there's a fear.
You know and and you wentthrough it and COVID stopped you
(10:57):
and you in your biking journey,which is contemplative you can
come up with what's right for me.
So what would you tell someonewho feels exactly there?
You know they're doing well intheir work, their purpose really
(11:17):
is their work, they're thrivingin their work, but there is
that feeling of what's next.
And why am is that feeling ofwhat's next?
And why am I even complainingabout what's next?
You know it's like I shouldn'tbe complaining, I should be
grateful and thriving, but it'sstill that feeling of discomfort
(11:38):
.
What would you tell thosepeople about taking that risk,
that unconventional risk?
Alison Schmidt (11:44):
Well, I can answer that in a few ways for
you.
The first answer is you know,when people were telling me, you
know you need to find yourpassion and what makes you, what
makes you happy, I was.
I didn't understand it.
I didn't really understand itat all until I really did my own
internal work to figure outwhat that really means for me.
(12:08):
There's a lot of people outthere that will tell you what it
is you're supposed to be.
We're very much influenced byother podcasts, social media and
I needed to quiet the noise forme.
That was so important for me toquiet the noise and figure out
(12:30):
what was important for me andwhat felt right for me, and 50
really helped me with that.
It really helped me go.
I really now don't kind of givea shit what everybody else
really says.
I really felt like I needed toget to this place and not be
bombarded by what other peoplethink I should be, could be.
(12:52):
It was really giving me me andmyself that time to figure out
what that is and I coinedsomething that I took myself
through this process and I thinkif anyone is listening to this,
it may sound a bit corny butit's very impactful and I bring
(13:13):
my listeners and clients throughthis as well and I call it the
un-word effect and I have peoplethink of three words that begin
with un and usually un, andit's all over my branding for a
specific reason, because we evenjust take unconvention.
(13:34):
People think if you look up thatword that it's weird or it's
not comfortable for them weirdor you know it's not comfortable
for them.
But in fact a lot of theseunwords really can be so
impactful and powerful and itactually can give you insight
into yourself that maybe youdidn't even think about.
(13:57):
And it's really a process that Iactually went through and I
wrote down my three young words.
I defined them not with whatthe dictionary said of what it
should be.
I looked at it from both apersonal, professional and even
a combination and going throughthat process was like wow, and
(14:21):
I'm a PhD with two masters, so Ifeel if something really
resonated with me, I think itcan resonate with other people
and how they look and even talkabout themselves, and because
it's impacted so many people,that is why I use it and I would
encourage people to sort ofhave some fun with going through
(14:43):
that process because it reallycould unlock in finding your
passion and it can also unlockhelp with that fear that you
brought up.
Because that fear, you mayrealize that that fear is coming
from you and if you're able toput words to it and you're able
to define it, it may not be asscary as you think it really is
(15:07):
and that can help you moveforward.
Beverley Glazer (15:10):
Right, and what's a lesson that you learned
from speaking to other leadersthat could help women face their
own challenges?
Alison Schmidt (15:20):
From other leaders, other leaders.
Yes, well, I will tell you, uh,I am going to release a, a
podcast this month.
Uh, and the person that's goingto be on it.
It hit me, and there's beenmany leaders and very impactful
leaders that have inspired uh megreatly, uh, but one of the
(15:42):
things that she said, and I willparaphrase, is effort is free
to all of us, and meaning it'sus, and once we know that we can
make things happen, there'speople that will support us.
But we need to believe inourselves, that we're the tool,
(16:05):
it's us, we can move ourselvesforward.
It doesn't mean we don't needanybody else, but we need to
trust in ourselves andespecially as to realize where
we are and what we can do.
And so, when she said that, Iwas like, wow, that was really
(16:32):
amazing.
Because we do, we have as mucheffort, and the more effort we
put towards something we want,we can get it, we can achieve it
.
Yeah, for sure, we can achieveit.
Beverley Glazer (16:43):
You're for sure , we can achieve it.
You're talking to someone thathas converted.
Yes, I'm on that page, yes,well, let me also ask you what
about a woman that is afraid?
Because it's not only her, it'sher family, it's her children.
She's 50 years old.
(17:04):
What if she fails?
What would you tell her?
Alison Schmidt (17:09):
Well, I will tell you, I have the most
amazing wife.
We've been together for 14years and we'll be married 10
years this year and she marriedan entrepreneur, so you know,
and she has always been workingin corporate America.
(17:32):
And so you know, when I, afterbeing really secure in my first
company and being a contributorto our family, and then COVID
hit and we're like, oh my gosh.
So and here I am going, youknow what?
(17:55):
I'm going to build even abetter company, and she could
have said, no, we're not doingthat again, exactly.
But she knows me and she knowsthat when I put my mind to
something, that it will bebetter, it will be bigger and
it's probably going to make mehappier than I probably have
(18:20):
ever been, and I have been.
But I would, if you're wantingto go down this journey of
entrepreneurship and especiallyas a woman, it is not for the
faint at heart, it's hard workand having a support system and
the right support system isextremely important.
(18:40):
And, you know, adding a podcaston top of running a company,
beverly, I don't need to tellyou that that has a whole nother
component to things.
But we're educators and we wantto have a platform for people
to support them.
(19:02):
And I would just say if you'refearful, identify what that fear
is.
It's important for us toidentify what that word really
means because sometimes we sayit.
And one thing I learned intherapy I would say words, and
my therapist always said to meput a sentence to the word.
(19:24):
And because that was helpfulfor me to understand what the
fear really is.
And I think that's reallyimportant because sometimes that
fear we want to use that maybeas the excuse not to move
forward.
And when you can identify whatthe fear is, what is causing and
(19:45):
it could be your family, thatcould be.
You know, doingentrepreneurship could put
stress and weight on your family, but it's important to have
those discussions.
And that's what I would say towomen we can have it all, but we
definitely need to have atrusted support system around us
(20:07):
.
Beverley Glazer (20:09):
I second that for sure.
Support is wonderful,particularly at times that you
really need the support.
There's somebody there thatsays, yes, you could do it when
you really feel, says, yes, youcould do it when you really feel
.
Maybe I can't, you know, andthat's a tip right there.
You need support, we all needsupport.
(20:29):
What's another tip that youcould give to a woman over 50 to
inspire her own transformation?
And it may not beentrepreneurship say, go for it.
Alison Schmidt (20:41):
I mean, you know I really would.
I, you know, I have always beena competitive athlete.
I was a competitive swimmer andI ran competitively.
I just love it.
And I cycled a lot when I usedto live in San Diego and I
(21:06):
picked it back up again, as Isaid, during COVID, and I'm an
addict.
I'll just tell you right nowI'm an addict too and I just I
love it.
But I just bought my firstracing bike and I am ready to
start getting in there racing.
And some people could be like,oh my gosh, you're 54.
(21:29):
You're now just going to getinto it.
And I'm like, yeah, why not?
And so that's the thing.
I think age is a number.
I don't think age needs todefine.
Age needs to define who we are.
(21:52):
And so, for me, I felt reallyrevived at 40.
And then 50 scared me a bit.
I will admit that it scared mejust because I was like, wow,
there's so much more I want todo.
And it always scared me fromthat standpoint.
And so, instead of being scaredabout it, I said I just need to
do it.
And so that's why I decidedthat this was going to be the
(22:14):
year I was going to buy my firstracing bike and I was going to
start training and start gettinginto those races.
Beverley Glazer (22:24):
Perfect Wise words Just do it.
Just do it.
If you want to do it, don'twait, don't wait.
Thank you so much, allison.
Dr Alison Smith is the founderand CEO of Unconvention, a
company that offerstransformative executive
(22:45):
coaching and organizationalconsulting.
She is the creator and host ofUnconventions, a podcast
featuring CXOs and industrypioneers who share bold,
unconventional decisions thatsculpt their lives and
businesses.
Here are some takeaways fromthis episode Embrace change and
(23:08):
define success on your own terms.
Challenge your limiting beliefsand silence that self-doubt,
and you can always redefine yourpurpose and create a life that
excites you.
It is never too late If you arewondering what's next for you.
(23:30):
Think of one small step thatyou could do right now to move
forward.
Perhaps it's to identify athought that's holding you back,
or saying no to something thatdrains you, or reaching out to
someone who can help you figurethings out.
For similar episodes onquestioning your purpose and
(23:50):
making a change, please checkout episode 109 and 112 of Aging
with Purpose and Passion.
And if you love traveling, Ihave a treat for you the Ageless
Traveler podcast.
Take a look at that and pleasesubscribe to their Travel
Tuesday newsletter, because theAgeless Traveler is the number
(24:12):
one resource for activetravelers 60 plus.
It's hosted by Adrienne Burke,whose mission is to ensure you
that you'll never stop traveling.
All links and information arein the show notes, so where can
people learn more about you andyour podcast and everything that
(24:34):
you do, alison?
What are your links?
Alison Schmidt (24:36):
Yeah, so people can find me at
wwwunconventionllccom slashpodcasts, but just the link
itself will take you to all ofour coaching and consulting as
well.
It has our podcasts.
We're also at YouTube atUnconversations Don't forget the
(24:59):
parentheses around the UN,forget the parentheses around
the UN.
And we're also on Spotify aswell, where you can get an audio
version of it, which is alsodon't forget the parentheses
around the young conversations.
And if you want to, you canactually contact me on LinkedIn
as well.
I have my professional LinkedInaccount there and that's at
(25:23):
Allison L Schmidt, phd, bcc.
Beverley Glazer (25:30):
And all of Alison's links are going to be
in the show notes and they'realso going to be on my website,
that's reinventimpossiblecom.
And now, my friends, what'snext for you?
Are you just going through themotions or are you really
passionate about your own life?
Get my free checklist fromstuck to unstoppable and have a
(25:53):
quick, actionable strategy thatworks for you.
And that link, where do youthink it will be?
It will be exactly in the shownotes, right below this episode.
You can connect with me,beverly Glazer, on all social
media platforms and in mypositive group of women on
Facebook.
That's Women Over 50 Rock, andif you're looking for guidance
(26:15):
in your own life, I invite youto explore reinventimpossiblecom
.
Thank you for listening.
Have you enjoyed thisconversation?
Please drop a review, share itwith a friend and always
remember that you have only onelife, so live it with purpose
and passion.
Speaker 1 (26:42):
Thank you for joining us.
You can connect with Bev on herwebsite, reinventimpossiblecom
and, while you're there, joinour newsletter Subscribe so you
don't miss an episode.
Until next time, keep agingwith purpose and passion and
celebrate life.
Welcome to Aging with Purpose and Passion, the
podcast designed to inspire yourgreatness and thrive through
life.
Get ready to conquer your fears.
Here's your hostpsychotherapist, coach and
empowerment expert, beverlyGlaser therapist, coach and
(00:30):
empowerment expert, BeverlyGlazer.
Beverley Glazer (00:37):
What if the key to thriving in life means
breaking the unconventionalrules and getting back to just
plain conventional rules, Makingrules on your own terms?
Welcome to Aging with Purposeand Passion.
I'm Beverley Glazer, atransformational coach and
catalyst dedicated to empoweringwomen with strategies to take
bold steps and create the lifethey know they deserve, and you
(00:58):
can find me onreinventimpossiblecom.
Dr Alison Schmidt is thefounder and CEO of Unconvention,
a company that offerstransformative executive
coaching and organizationalconsulting.
She is the creator and host ofUnconventions, a podcast
(01:20):
featuring CXOs and pioneers whoshare bold, unconventional
decisions that sculpt theirlives and businesses.
If you've ever felt stuck oruncertain about your next
chapter, or if you'requestioning your purpose,
Alison's story will show you howto trust yourself, embrace
(01:42):
change and reinvent yourselfafter 50.
So just keep listening, Welcome.
Alison Schmidt (01:50):
Alison.
Thank you, Beverley.
I was honored that you asked meto come on this podcast and I
am thrilled to get into ourdiscussion.
Beverley Glazer (01:59):
Yeah, you told me that you were a middle child
growing up, and you also saidthat you were black sheep.
What did you mean by that?
Alison Schmidt (02:11):
All right.
So let me see, we're just goingto dive into it right now.
Right, dive, right in.
Yeah, yeah, my therapist wouldbe very proud of your question.
Beverley Glazer (02:21):
You do know I come from a very strong therapy
background right.
Alison Schmidt (02:26):
Yeah, well, I think that's sort of where you
and I sort of started ourconversation together was around
that.
I too come from a clinicalbackground, so I think the black
sheep was.
I've always I am the middlechild and they do say sometimes
the middle child is thesometimes the youngest child,
where you sometimes don't getthe kind of the attention that
(02:50):
you hope that you're going to toget.
So that's kind of where I feltlike I was the black sheep.
I think I was driving myparents crazy by not going down
a path that they would maybehope that I would go down, and I
always question things, Ialways challenge things, I
(03:10):
question things.
I really always wanted to knowwhy, why something was this way,
which I think that's whatbrought me to the clinical path
and then to kind of where I amtoday.
Beverley Glazer (03:23):
Yeah, path, and then to kind of where I am
today?
Yeah, but when did you realize,though, that you always had a
passion for helping people, andbusiness as well, because
sometimes that path doesn'tcross, so it's both business as
well as people?
Alison Schmidt (03:39):
You know, I think it started when I was a.
It started when I was a, I'dprobably say.
I mean I was a camp counselorand I loved kids and I was a
competitive swimmer, I wasalways involved in sports and I,
even though I was a black sheepin my family, I do feel that I
was fortitude, a lot of thingsthat I would probably say other
(04:05):
people I mean going, being ableto go to college, being able to
travel the world.
You know, I'm very, I'm verygrateful for those things.
But I think it was my clinicalwork when I worked with gang
kids and that, to me, was reallyinspiring and but I also became
a very hard person through thatprocess, just because you had
(04:26):
to protect yourself.
And then I did a lot ofclinical work with, with
families and still adolescents.
So when I was going to decideif I was going to do my PhD in
clinical work but I always had apassion my, my parents always
taught us about the stock marketand that really fascinated me
(04:47):
in companies and how companiesdo what they did and how they
became bigger.
And so I decided that you knowwhat I love the path of
organizational psychology,because it really blended my
passion for people and myfascination for companies and
how impactful companies cancontribute to communities and to
(05:11):
the world.
Beverley Glazer (05:13):
But turning 50 was a real game changer for you.
How did that shift yourperspective on everything, what
you were doing, what happened toyou then?
Alison Schmidt (05:24):
perspective on everything, like what you were
doing.
What happened to you then?
Well, covid, that's really whatI can say I turned 50.
My birthday was supposed tohave been done in a very
different way and I turned 50during COVID.
And so, I think, for me, mybusiness I had another company
(05:47):
that was called ALS Group.
We did, I was doing executivecoaching, I think before it
became very popular.
I was working with boards, I wasdoing strategic planning work,
I did some mergers andacquisition work and the whole
world stopped and my businesscompletely stopped.
(06:09):
I was traveling nonstop and allmy contracts came from
flourishing to zero and my firstwords was holy shit, like
everybody else.
And I was like, okay, well,this sucks, I'm turning 50.
I have a thriving business thatcompletely came to a halt and
(06:42):
my wife she and I were now underkind of the same roof, working,
and so her job was now here,working from home, and here mine
was.
Am I going to still be doingwhat I'm doing?
And I took some time to afterthe panic and going how do I do
what I've been doing in personand still make the level of
(07:06):
impact via Zoom, via any otherplatforms?
And then I'm an avid cyclistand I took about two weeks and I
just rode my bike.
And I just rode my bike and Isaid you know what my bike?
(07:27):
And I just rode my bike and Isaid you know what, even if this
does change, are you stillhappy with what you're doing
today?
And there was a lot of no's tothat and I decided at this point
that I was going to reallystart digging deep within myself
and going okay, what is itabout you that you don't like
doing?
And so, during COVID, I reallyrevamped my company, I revamped
(07:56):
my offerings and, as youmentioned earlier, I started a
podcast called Unconversationsthat we certainly can get into,
but it really is something thatwas so kind of like wow, what is
it like?
You couldn't even put wordsinto.
(08:16):
It Ended up being probably thebest thing that happened to me
from redefining who I am andwhere I wanted to go now that I
turn 50.
Beverley Glazer (08:29):
Yeah, and you created Unconvention why?
Alison Schmidt (08:35):
Why that?
Well, it was an homage tomyself really, and I don't mean
that from.
It was an homage saying youknow what?
I think ALS group was verysuccessful, but I don't think it
really represented the depth ofwork that I really wanted to do
(08:59):
with founders, ceos, otherpeople that really wanted to do
purposeful work, and I felt whatwas missing.
Beverly, what was so importantwas the human side of my work
and it was very money-drivenfrom what the clients wanted to
(09:19):
achieve.
It was very process improvement.
Achieve it was very processimprovement.
It wasn't really focused onbuilding and helping people who
wanted to be unconventionallyexcellent in the work that they
do, and this gave me theopportunity to really be clear
and focus on the type of clientsthat I wanted to collaborate
(09:44):
with, if you will.
Beverley Glazer (09:46):
Yeah, that's excellent, so it gave you
purpose as well.
Alison Schmidt (09:53):
I felt the work that I did was purpose.
It gave me that real laserclarity on the type of work and
that's what really excites me isreally the clarity now and the
creativity and the passion thatI now have and the excitement
(10:15):
that I have for my business.
So, yes, I would probably sayI'm even a changed CEO myself
than where I was when I startedALS Group 20 years ago.
Beverley Glazer (10:34):
Let me ask you, when you're talking to women
over 50 and they say thatthey're stuck, what helps them
to overcome that?
Finding their own purpose laterin life?
Because there's a fear.
You know and and you wentthrough it and COVID stopped you
(10:57):
and you in your biking journey,which is contemplative you can
come up with what's right for me.
So what would you tell someonewho feels exactly there?
You know they're doing well intheir work, their purpose really
(11:17):
is their work, they're thrivingin their work, but there is
that feeling of what's next.
And why am is that feeling ofwhat's next?
And why am I even complainingabout what's next?
You know it's like I shouldn'tbe complaining, I should be
grateful and thriving, but it'sstill that feeling of discomfort
(11:38):
.
What would you tell thosepeople about taking that risk,
that unconventional risk?
Alison Schmidt (11:44):
Well, I can answer that in a few ways for
you.
The first answer is you know,when people were telling me, you
know you need to find yourpassion and what makes you, what
makes you happy, I was.
I didn't understand it.
I didn't really understand itat all until I really did my own
internal work to figure outwhat that really means for me.
(12:08):
There's a lot of people outthere that will tell you what it
is you're supposed to be.
We're very much influenced byother podcasts, social media and
I needed to quiet the noise forme.
That was so important for me toquiet the noise and figure out
(12:30):
what was important for me andwhat felt right for me, and 50
really helped me with that.
It really helped me go.
I really now don't kind of givea shit what everybody else
really says.
I really felt like I needed toget to this place and not be
bombarded by what other peoplethink I should be, could be.
(12:52):
It was really giving me me andmyself that time to figure out
what that is and I coinedsomething that I took myself
through this process and I thinkif anyone is listening to this,
it may sound a bit corny butit's very impactful and I bring
(13:13):
my listeners and clients throughthis as well and I call it the
un-word effect and I have peoplethink of three words that begin
with un and usually un, andit's all over my branding for a
specific reason, because we evenjust take unconvention.
(13:34):
People think if you look up thatword that it's weird or it's
not comfortable for them weirdor you know it's not comfortable
for them.
But in fact a lot of theseunwords really can be so
impactful and powerful and itactually can give you insight
into yourself that maybe youdidn't even think about.
(13:57):
And it's really a process that Iactually went through and I
wrote down my three young words.
I defined them not with whatthe dictionary said of what it
should be.
I looked at it from both apersonal, professional and even
a combination and going throughthat process was like wow, and
(14:21):
I'm a PhD with two masters, so Ifeel if something really
resonated with me, I think itcan resonate with other people
and how they look and even talkabout themselves, and because
it's impacted so many people,that is why I use it and I would
encourage people to sort ofhave some fun with going through
(14:43):
that process because it reallycould unlock in finding your
passion and it can also unlockhelp with that fear that you
brought up.
Because that fear, you mayrealize that that fear is coming
from you and if you're able toput words to it and you're able
to define it, it may not be asscary as you think it really is
(15:07):
and that can help you moveforward.
Beverley Glazer (15:10):
Right, and what's a lesson that you learned
from speaking to other leadersthat could help women face their
own challenges?
Alison Schmidt (15:20):
From other leaders, other leaders.
Yes, well, I will tell you, uh,I am going to release a, a
podcast this month.
Uh, and the person that's goingto be on it.
It hit me, and there's beenmany leaders and very impactful
leaders that have inspired uh megreatly, uh, but one of the
(15:42):
things that she said, and I willparaphrase, is effort is free
to all of us, and meaning it'sus, and once we know that we can
make things happen, there'speople that will support us.
But we need to believe inourselves, that we're the tool,
(16:05):
it's us, we can move ourselvesforward.
It doesn't mean we don't needanybody else, but we need to
trust in ourselves andespecially as to realize where
we are and what we can do.
And so, when she said that, Iwas like, wow, that was really
(16:32):
amazing.
Because we do, we have as mucheffort, and the more effort we
put towards something we want,we can get it, we can achieve it
.
Yeah, for sure, we can achieveit.
Beverley Glazer (16:43):
You're for sure , we can achieve it.
You're talking to someone thathas converted.
Yes, I'm on that page, yes,well, let me also ask you what
about a woman that is afraid?
Because it's not only her, it'sher family, it's her children.
She's 50 years old.
(17:04):
What if she fails?
What would you tell her?
Alison Schmidt (17:09):
Well, I will tell you, I have the most
amazing wife.
We've been together for 14years and we'll be married 10
years this year and she marriedan entrepreneur, so you know,
and she has always been workingin corporate America.
(17:32):
And so you know, when I, afterbeing really secure in my first
company and being a contributorto our family, and then COVID
hit and we're like, oh my gosh.
So and here I am going, youknow what?
(17:55):
I'm going to build even abetter company, and she could
have said, no, we're not doingthat again, exactly.
But she knows me and she knowsthat when I put my mind to
something, that it will bebetter, it will be bigger and
it's probably going to make mehappier than I probably have
(18:20):
ever been, and I have been.
But I would, if you're wantingto go down this journey of
entrepreneurship and especiallyas a woman, it is not for the
faint at heart, it's hard workand having a support system and
the right support system isextremely important.
(18:40):
And, you know, adding a podcaston top of running a company,
beverly, I don't need to tellyou that that has a whole nother
component to things.
But we're educators and we wantto have a platform for people
to support them.
(19:02):
And I would just say if you'refearful, identify what that fear
is.
It's important for us toidentify what that word really
means because sometimes we sayit.
And one thing I learned intherapy I would say words, and
my therapist always said to meput a sentence to the word.
(19:24):
And because that was helpfulfor me to understand what the
fear really is.
And I think that's reallyimportant because sometimes that
fear we want to use that maybeas the excuse not to move
forward.
And when you can identify whatthe fear is, what is causing and
(19:45):
it could be your family, thatcould be.
You know, doingentrepreneurship could put
stress and weight on your family, but it's important to have
those discussions.
And that's what I would say towomen we can have it all, but we
definitely need to have atrusted support system around us
(20:07):
.
Beverley Glazer (20:09):
I second that for sure.
Support is wonderful,particularly at times that you
really need the support.
There's somebody there thatsays, yes, you could do it when
you really feel, says, yes, youcould do it when you really feel
.
Maybe I can't, you know, andthat's a tip right there.
You need support, we all needsupport.
(20:29):
What's another tip that youcould give to a woman over 50 to
inspire her own transformation?
And it may not beentrepreneurship say, go for it.
Alison Schmidt (20:41):
I mean, you know I really would.
I, you know, I have always beena competitive athlete.
I was a competitive swimmer andI ran competitively.
I just love it.
And I cycled a lot when I usedto live in San Diego and I
(21:06):
picked it back up again, as Isaid, during COVID, and I'm an
addict.
I'll just tell you right nowI'm an addict too and I just I
love it.
But I just bought my firstracing bike and I am ready to
start getting in there racing.
And some people could be like,oh my gosh, you're 54.
(21:29):
You're now just going to getinto it.
And I'm like, yeah, why not?
And so that's the thing.
I think age is a number.
I don't think age needs todefine.
Age needs to define who we are.
(21:52):
And so, for me, I felt reallyrevived at 40.
And then 50 scared me a bit.
I will admit that it scared mejust because I was like, wow,
there's so much more I want todo.
And it always scared me fromthat standpoint.
And so, instead of being scaredabout it, I said I just need to
do it.
And so that's why I decidedthat this was going to be the
(22:14):
year I was going to buy my firstracing bike and I was going to
start training and start gettinginto those races.
Beverley Glazer (22:24):
Perfect Wise words Just do it.
Just do it.
If you want to do it, don'twait, don't wait.
Thank you so much, allison.
Dr Alison Smith is the founderand CEO of Unconvention, a
company that offerstransformative executive
(22:45):
coaching and organizationalconsulting.
She is the creator and host ofUnconventions, a podcast
featuring CXOs and industrypioneers who share bold,
unconventional decisions thatsculpt their lives and
businesses.
Here are some takeaways fromthis episode Embrace change and
(23:08):
define success on your own terms.
Challenge your limiting beliefsand silence that self-doubt,
and you can always redefine yourpurpose and create a life that
excites you.
It is never too late If you arewondering what's next for you.
(23:30):
Think of one small step thatyou could do right now to move
forward.
Perhaps it's to identify athought that's holding you back,
or saying no to something thatdrains you, or reaching out to
someone who can help you figurethings out.
For similar episodes onquestioning your purpose and
(23:50):
making a change, please checkout episode 109 and 112 of Aging
with Purpose and Passion.
And if you love traveling, Ihave a treat for you the Ageless
Traveler podcast.
Take a look at that and pleasesubscribe to their Travel
Tuesday newsletter, because theAgeless Traveler is the number
(24:12):
one resource for activetravelers 60 plus.
It's hosted by Adrienne Burke,whose mission is to ensure you
that you'll never stop traveling.
All links and information arein the show notes, so where can
people learn more about you andyour podcast and everything that
(24:34):
you do, alison?
What are your links?
Alison Schmidt (24:36):
Yeah, so people can find me at
wwwunconventionllccom slashpodcasts, but just the link
itself will take you to all ofour coaching and consulting as
well.
It has our podcasts.
We're also at YouTube atUnconversations Don't forget the
(24:59):
parentheses around the UN,forget the parentheses around
the UN.
And we're also on Spotify aswell, where you can get an audio
version of it, which is alsodon't forget the parentheses
around the young conversations.
And if you want to, you canactually contact me on LinkedIn
as well.
I have my professional LinkedInaccount there and that's at
(25:23):
Allison L Schmidt, phd, bcc.
Beverley Glazer (25:30):
And all of Alison's links are going to be
in the show notes and they'realso going to be on my website,
that's reinventimpossiblecom.
And now, my friends, what'snext for you?
Are you just going through themotions or are you really
passionate about your own life?
Get my free checklist fromstuck to unstoppable and have a
(25:53):
quick, actionable strategy thatworks for you.
And that link, where do youthink it will be?
It will be exactly in the shownotes, right below this episode.
You can connect with me,beverly Glazer, on all social
media platforms and in mypositive group of women on
Facebook.
That's Women Over 50 Rock, andif you're looking for guidance
(26:15):
in your own life, I invite youto explore reinventimpossiblecom
.
Thank you for listening.
Have you enjoyed thisconversation?
Please drop a review, share itwith a friend and always
remember that you have only onelife, so live it with purpose
and passion.
Speaker 1 (26:42):
Thank you for joining us.
You can connect with Bev on herwebsite, reinventimpossiblecom
and, while you're there, joinour newsletter Subscribe so you
don't miss an episode.
Until next time, keep agingwith purpose and passion and
celebrate life.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.