Over 50. Not the Hill.
I’m Liz Grantham, founder of TheOptimal.me. I’m 53, an entrepreneur and single mum. When my full but stressful lifestyle collided with the aches and pains of aging, I realized I had to find a way to embrace and enjoy the years ahead. After all, it’s what I had been dreaming of and working so hard for! I didn’t want to become obsessed with anti-aging – I wanted to embrace getting older. Most importantly, I wanted to be honest with myself, and keep my sense of humour.
Over 50, Not the Hill combines notes from my journey to feeling better, more energized, and looking ahead with a growing sense of anticipation, inspiration and freedom with the realities of life beyond 45.
Why Dancing is Actually The Best Medicine. Really!
Let’s go back to yesteryear Let’s Dance! Put on your Red shoes and dance the blues…Dancing QueenFlashdance: What a FeelingDirty DancingSaturday Night FeverFootloose What do you inherently want to do? DANCE! Just like movement and storytelling, dance is an ancient...
TREND: Gut Microbiome is Key to Immunity
During 2020, I started hearing more and more about the “microbiome”. Having spent the past 13 years focusing on my mid-life health and wellness and knowing that having a healthy gut is key, I started paying attention so that I could learn more. According to the latest...
Discovering the BodyMind
If you read my blog, you’ll know I find meditation really difficult. I’m much better at a session of breathwork to clear my mind. But the last few months have been tough – staying focused, positive, staying confident on final outcomes with every new bump in the road....
Innovation and creativity saved 2020 [ish]
If there’s one thing this year has taught us it’s that innovation, technology and creativity are forces to be reckoned with. A night out with the greats! This past Sunday night, I sat on my sofa with Sir Kenneth Branagh, Dame Judy Dench, Dame Maggie Smith, Sir...
How helping others can alleviate year-end fatigue
“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there's something stronger – something better, pushing right back.” – Albert Camus Reality...
Looking after your hands Pt. 2 – Simple exercises for stronger hands and joints.
Last week I spoke about how hands play an integral part in our world. While there are incredible people who do this every day, imagine your world without your hands to help you do the things you love? I mentioned that I had to knit a blanket for a friend’s birthday....
Looking after your hands Pt 1
This morning my Feldenkrais lesson focused on my hands, wrists and shoulders. It got me thinking about how we really need to take care of our hands and not take them for granted. Just as our feet, so too are our hands are a complex system, with 27 bones, 10 fingers,...
The 2 phases of pandemic fitness routines and why they’re both OK!
There are 2 distinct mindsets or phases when it comes to fitness and exercise during a pandemic: The “this is my time to get in shape” and the “it’s a pandemic, I’m not worrying about this” mindset. There are those who choose to run marathons in their back yards and...
Nature’s Great Masterpiece
This past weekend was such a treat. To take a break from my desk, the city, and ongoing lockdown, I headed out for a mom’s and daughter’s weekend in the South African bushveldt. There’s something magical about the bush that is difficult to describe. It’s hot, dry, and...
My Journey to Going Grey
In 2020, being a silver sister is seen as a symbol of freedom, acceptance of a certain stage in life, a badge of honour – just like smile lines and wrinkles. A decade or so ago, not so much. My friends thought I was crazy – especially as I was single! I was 18 when I...
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