Channa Beth Butcher wrote her PHD dissertation on UNLEARNING THE COLONIAL NARRATIVE OF THE AFRICAN GIRL THROUGH HER STORIES OF THE LIFE EXPERIENCES OF ONE KENYAN GIRL. Channa Beth achieved this feat at the age of 77. She is an inspiration and a reminder that it’s never too late to achieve the unimaginable. This past spring she founded E3 Kenya which stands for Encourage, Engage, Empower. The non-profit's goal is to teach women how to be self-sustaining. In this podcast you’ll learn about her love of learning, her fearlessness/willingness to take on new academic challenges, her intense curiosity about another culture, and her total disregard of her age when taking on new roles/challenges.

Notes on podcast

1. I was an only child and only grandchild and always felt very loved and safe. From a young age I knew i’d go to college. This was reinforced by my parents and grandparents.
2. She describes her childhood as an idyllic upbringing and spent a lot of time w her grandparents who were huge book lovers; she attributes that to her love of reading and learning.
3. When I was in Mexico in the early 80s I felt chagrined that I couldn’t communicate w the women there and wanted to learn SpanishShe studied Spanish for 4 years and became certified to teach Spanish and history and taught.
4. Languages come very easily for me. I’d start out with a book and a CD. I have to know what I’m saying grammatically. Best to take a class to learn.
5. Learned Swahili in 2014. I saw an article about Africa and was there a few months later. Went to Tanzania and gorilla tract in Rwanda.
6. Her favorite movie is “The Nun Story” w Audrey Hepburn and set in Belgian Congo. I was enthralled with Africa. When I got off the plane I cried. Felt like I belonged.
7. Once the locals saw that I spoke Swahili, they really opened up. It was an inspiration to the whites who ran the camp where I stayed.
8. When you speak to a person in your language it goes to their head, when you speak in their language it goes to their heart. Nelson Mandela quote.
9. So much racism still exists in the tourist industry and in East Africa. That’s changing but colonialism is still present.
10. Colonialism is not taught in the schools. Nonprofits exploit the dark side of native girls. But there is another side to the story. Let’s look at the reality that girls are going to school and have their own aspirations and agency. This became the crux of my dissertation.
11. Primary education is free but secondary education has school fees. She has long seen the girls of Kenya portrayed as poor, desperate and in need of money, but soon learned they just needed encouragement and support. Her dissertation theme became desensitizing the myth around these women.
12. Her dissertation centered around interviewing a senior at Starehe, a girls school in Kenya about her experiences, She did 90 hours of interviews about her everyday life. My Kenyan girl started out wanting to be a doctor and switched to law. She’ll be entering law school this year.
13. She started a non-profit called E3 Kenya. Part of my impetus to get my PhD was so I could be taken more seriously. I wanted to be legitimate.
14. Teach the girls how to be self-sustaining for what they need. Teach the girls how to sew and make reusable menstrual pads.
15. It was the most joyful 3 days I’ve had in a long time. We only made 2 menstrual pads given the complexities of Africa. But we did it and will be going back. “Sisterherd Strong.”
16. What advice do you have for women considering a life change? Go for it. Take a leap of faith that you can do it. You’re never too old. It will make you happy. Believe that your dreams are possible.
17. My success comes from having supportive parents, grandparents and a supportive husband.

To learn more about Jean and the Be Joyful podcast visit www.bejoyful.love.

Ryan has been a personal trainer for over 12 years. He is a certified functional aging specialist with a bachelors degree in Health & Exercise Science. Ryan has completed over 14,000 personal training sessions in his career and works with people of all ages & fitness levels with a focus on women over 50. He has transitioned from a local “in-person” personal trainer to an online trainer with clients in New York, New Mexico, Montana, Georgia, Connecticut, New Jersey, & even Italy.

Notes from podcast:

1. Ryan simplifies fitness with baby steps and micro progression. Anything can be measured and improved using 4 steps-corner stone, push, pull, accessory exercise.
2. Count the # of men vs women in the weight training section of your gym and you won’t find women over 60; they need this the most. I remove the intimidation barriers in my training program called the Courage Corner.
3. 90% of the people I work out with are on zoom. Started w the pandemic. Starts with one session on zoom to get them comfortable.
4. I provide people with a gift of bands. They get the door anchor and you basically have a complete cable machine. Easy to travel with.
5. I want people to meet me half way. I ask my clients to get a complete set of dumb bells. The more equipment the better.
6. The half hour work out has become the most popular. The intensity goes up. When you exercise at a high level, your metabolism is still working the next day.
7. There’s a large body of evidence that shows weight training improves your bone health keeping them strong and healthy, boosts your metabolism for fat loss, regulates your insulin passively, increases general strength, improves balance, improves your sleep and improves your confidence.
8. Build a program around the client’s needs. Smart goals. Keep things very simple.
9. Look at the functional aging trajectory. There is a decline if you don’t move. You control your quality of life. The key is to just do something.
10. Weight training improves your bone density and makes you more bullet proof to better survive a fall. Improves your ADLs-the activities of daily living.
11. Numbers don’t lie. Performance based metrics.
12. How do people get in touch with you? Call or text (914) 330-5968.

To learn more about Jean and the Be Joyful podcast visit www.bejoyful.love.

Christa Ross is a trailblazer in real estate coaching and hosts the podcast "The Uplift" offering simple thoughts for complex times. She is a masterful thinker, writer and marketer. Christa's most significant achievements and recognition have come after 50. Her journey serves as a powerful testament to the idea that life's most remarkable chapters are often still to come.

Notes from podcast:

1. If I could go back and hug Christa Ross and tell her everything will be ok, I would.
2. Product of a single mom who suffered bipolar depression. She always wanted to be normal and prove she was not her mom.
3. I’m not good enough. Story of building self confidence.
4. It was not until I was 50 that I had any sense of self confidence or career.
5. My mentor pushed me out of the nest to spread my wings which was a real gift.
6. Working in marketing for real estate firm taught her different ways to speak and fulfill the needs of a target audience.
7. I wanted to have that picture perfect life with white picket fence and picture of family over the piano. I worked part time to have that kind of life.
8. My grandparents were pivotal in raising my children especially after my divorce.
9. I will be the best risk you ever took. It was the first time I ever sold myself. I’ve been with the same real estate company for over 20 years.
10. I was getting good at selling but I was shining at marketing. It was very creative and fun. People responded to it. People noticed I was good at something.
11. If you recognize a lane that no one is doing, do it. That’s how The Boost came to be and started during Covid. It turned out to be a full time thing. The most rewarding and fulfilling thing I’ve ever done.
12. You got me thru Covid” is the reaction of so many agents. She helped them feel connected. It brings me joy. It’s been my biggest blessing.
13. Having the trust of someone so smart and successful to be behind me, gave me so much self confidence.
14. The Uplift is a motivational podcast that focuses on what’s bright and what’s possible.
15. I love decorating, cooking and feeding people. That’s part of my love language.
16. Homemaking is an art.
17. Take your power, push forward, be less cautious, less self conscience, less critical of yourself. Find the joy and come for the ride.

Find Christa’s Uplift on YouTube and on Instagram @christa_clear_coaching

To learn more about Jean and the Be Joyful podcast visit www.bejoyful.love.