Joy, aging well, midlife mindset shifts, and vibrant living—this Saddle Up segment dives into the real tools women need to feel more joyful, purposeful, and empowered. In this episode, Lesa shares four practical steps to experience more joy daily, inspired by her powerful conversation with 67-year-old competitive athlete and ballroom dancer Robin Kencel. Learn how meaning, mindset, judgment, and surrender impact your ability to live joyfully after 40. This episode will help you rethink joy, deepen purpose, and take simple steps toward a more vibrant, aligned life.

In this conversation, you’ll hear how joy connects to purpose, why joy is a choice, how joy grows when judgment stops, and the mindset shifts that create more joy in midlife and beyond.

Timestamps:

(00:00 ) Introduction to joy, aging well & vibrant living

(01:12 ) Lessons from podcast guest Robin Kencel

(03:15 ) Joy comes from meaning and purpose

(05:24 ) Why joy is a choice (and how small shifts change everything)

(08:06 ) The “pick your joy” mindset and tiny habit building

(11:10 ) How judgment steals your joy

(13:20 ) Rewiring old thought patterns in midlife

(15:18 ) Surrender: letting go of the oars

(17:30 ) A simple thought that instantly brings more peace

(19:02 ) Episode recap: the 4 steps to grow joy every day

(20:12 ) Closing encouragement & next week’s guest tease

Key Takeaways:

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• Joy comes from meaning and purpose—alignment creates energy and ease.
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• Joy is a choice, built through daily mindset decisions.
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• Judgment blocks joy, both self-judgment and judging others.
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• Surrender allows clarity—letting go of urgency creates immediate peace.
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• Small steps compound, making joy and well-being more sustainable.
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Guest Bio (from Tuesday’s main episode):

Robin Kencel isn’t just breaking records—she’s redefining what it means to age with purpose. She is the reigning Ms. Senior Connecticut and finished third runner-up in the national Ms. Senior America competition. A seven-time U.S. Pro-Am Ballroom Champion, Robin draws on decades of competitive dance experience to inspire others to stay active, confident, and spiritually grounded at any age.

Her philosophy blends faith, fitness, and mindset, encouraging women to embrace every season of life with grace and joy.

Resource Links:

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• Listen to the full episode with Robin Kencel (Tuesday’s main show)
• Join the Doing Life Different Newsletter here!
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• Follow the Saddle Up Segment for weekly inspiration
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Tags/Keywords:

joy, midlife joy, aging well, women over 40, mindset shifts, purpose and meaning, vibrant living, midlife wellness, surrender mindset, stop judging, emotional health, personal growth, women’s empowerment, joy tools, aging with confidence, Saddle Up segment, Lesa Koski, Doing Life Different, midlife coaching