I would not be just a nuffin’, My head all full of stuffin’, My heart all full of pain. I would dance and be merry, Life would be a ding-a-derry, If I only had a brain.
Midlife Makeovers
We had some money put aside for a rainy day, but we didn’t know it was going to get this wet.
Mame
Anything is possible. As we interviewed people, we were surprised by the career choices and changes people have made in their lives. Consider some of the stories in the book:
- Would you think about giving up your banking job to join a National Parks concessionaire? Becky did!
- If you were an artist (of any sort), would you believe that in the next portion of your life, you could be a psychologist helping mothers and daughters in their relationships? Lauree didn’t at first, but that’s exactly what she’s doing now.
- Working for a corporation and yearning to own your own business? That’s exactly what Tom did when he changed lanes.
Check out below the various changes other mid-lifers have made...better yet, send us your lane change and we’ll add you to the list!
| Change Artist | Original Career | Lane Change |
|---|---|---|
| Allen | Engineer | Woodshop owner |
| Andrea | Olympic skier and gold medalist | County Supervisor, then conservation program founder and director |
| Andy | TV executive | Author and motivational speaker |
| Becky | Banker | National Parks concessionaire employee |
| Bill | CEO and banker | Educational steward |
| Binh | IT manager | Children’s assistance program founder and director |
| Blaire | IT consultant | Cancer patient and family program founder |
| Bud | Lawyer | Metropolitan Transit Authority CEO |
| Carla | Film maker | Rabbi and hospice worker |
| Charlie | Financial executive | Emergency medical technician |
| Connie | Financial executive | Not-for-profit program founder |
| David | Lawyer | Biology teacher |
| Deborah | Banking executive | Zoo chairman and CEO |
| Ed | Anesthesiologist | Inventor |
| Elyse | Stay-at-home mom | Architect |
| Frani | Teacher | Physician Assistant |
| Fred | Accounting executive | Rancher and community activist |
| Gayle G | Cable executive | Entrepreneur and board member |
| Gayle P | Stay-at-home mom | Teach for the Deaf |
| Gil | District Attorney | Urban photograher |
| Greg | Telecommunciations technical manager | Stone Sculptor |
| Jim | Utility company manager | Metal Sculptor |
| John | Manufacturing executive | Technology entrepreneur |
| Joy | Girl band guitarist | GLBT retirement facility CEO |
| Kathryn | Publishing executive | School administrator |
| Kit | Resort business manager | International foundation trustee |
| Lauree | Broadway dancer/singer | Psychologist |
| Leonard | Actor and Director | Photographer |
| Linnet | Investment company executive | U.S. Trade Ambassador |
| Lois | Banker | Real estate entrepreneur |
| Luci | Political activist | Specialty food manufacturer |
| Lynn | Banker | Special projects executive at arts education institution |
| Paula B | Office manager | Masseuse and hospice worker |
| Paula F | IT executive | Adventurer and small business owner |
| Richard | Tax consultant | Rancher and community volunteer |
| Roberta G | Teacher and school administrator | Masseuse |
| Roberta W | School board member | High Tech school founder |
| Robin | Director and producer | AIDs prevention program founder |
| Ruth | Cable executive | Immigration activist |
| Sara | Hospital adminstrator | Hospice worker |
| Sasha | Art historian | Federal prosecutor |
| Sharon D | First Lady of California | Web-in-public-service entrepreneur |
| Sharron S | Product manager | Cat kennel owner |
| Steffi | Business manager | Women’s leadership training entrepreneur |
| Suzanne | TV producer | Rabbi |
| Suzy | Marketing manager | Author and writing instructor |
| Tina | Stay-at-home mom | Psychologist and women’s advocate |
| Tom M | Finance director | Hardware store owner |
| Tom W | Record producer | B&B proprietor |
| Valer | Family doctor | Gerontology clinic founder |
| Vickie | Community volunteer | Entrepreneur |
| Will | Finance executive | Retail store owner |
| Woody | Tire chain owner | Rockies baseball spring training director |
