“I want you to dance naked.” – John Mellencamp
It’s that time … time to put up or shut up! And, time to dance naked … well, sort of.
Welcome to 60 Days to 60! my personal journey to Rewire, Reboot & Reset my Mind, Body and Spirit. I’m keeping a Daily Journal on my progress so bookmark it and follow along!
With your help, let’s make it a collective journey to turning 60 on July 7th! I’d be so grateful for any feedback and encouragement!
2020 was a doozy. COVID, quarantines, and lockdowns forced us, globally, collective, into one gigantic pause. For me, at the beginning, it was a welcome respite. I suppose part of me was looking for permission to pause. The problem became that pause grew into ennui and morphed into letting go of my typical healthy lifestyle with regular power yoga sessions at the studio, and diving into a bit more Ben & Jerry’s and couch surfing than I had ever done in my life.
I went through so many ups and downs last year. The truth was that I had already spent an inordinate amount of time at home prior to the first day of lockdown, having been diagnosed with pneumonia and a wicked flu at the beginning of the year. My doctor thinks I may have been one of the early cases of COVID, and has since added a diagnosis of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) this year as well. What all that really means is that at the outset of 2020, I was pooped and primed to buy into any excuse for R&R.
The truth is: I was physically and emotionally run down. I’d been feeling sad and depressed, desperately missing my friends and community and losing passion and purpose.
I learned a lot about myself over the past year just like so many of you. What I learned is I don’t like spending too much time on the couch. My body, mind and spirit crave healthy living. The problem was I was feeling like I lost my mojo and my momentum. My carefully planned business strategy for a national tour of 1 Day FierceCon Events went out the window!
I was looking for inspiration and a butt kicking to get moving again.
And, then, an idea hit me like a ton of bricks. One of those electrifying, terrifying, wonderful ideas that comes from a higher place, that told me, “Why not create a campaign called 60 Days to 60! and use the 60 days leading up to your birthday to push yourself to be the best you can be – the best you can look and feel, inside out and outside in, mind, body and spirit – and invite your sisters to join you in a total reset? Oh, and on your 60th birthday, you’re going to pose in only your INFIT!”
And that’s infit as in “no outfit!” Just the bare necessities.
Do something that society says a 60 year old woman can’t do!
Like, WHAT!!!???
Of course, after that, my ego hopped right in with the typical excuses, obstacles, urging me to head right back to the couch, and pour a nice chilled glass of my favorite Viognier while binging on Outlander.
I was way too old, too scarred and too scared to pose like that, no matter how artistic.
It’s waaaaayyyyyyyy outside of my comfort zone.
Sometimes, I feel like Sybil. Those monkeys in my head are so darn busy discouraging me. If it were up to them, I would just morph into a Lazy Boy with multiple pints of Ben & Jerry’s and never ever leave.
This is what I heard: “No way in hell. How can I do that? Don’t be an idiot, you’ll be 60 years old. You’re WAY too tired.” Forget about it, I would rather relax, or have a glass of wine and some cheesecake, or sleep for 40 days and 40 nights.
Whatever.
So, I decided to throw out a challenge to the Universe. If I could get a famous photographer, someone I had always dreamed of working with, a photog who worked with huge corporate clients shooting major models, to do the graceful, nude photo shoot in only my INFIT, I would do it.
Well, next thing I knew, Kevin Steele, American Express Travel Photographer, who’s camera costs more than a Rolls Royce, said yes, but I still didn’t commit! I had to set another challenge.
Ok, Ok, I’ll only do it if I can get my body whipped into shape by a top fitness trainer, one who works on bodies like Denzel Washington, Bruce Willis, Gwen Stefani, and Dakota Johnson! And the trainer had to be female and over 50 so that she understood a mature woman’s body. Yeah, sure, that was gonna happen.
I started breathing again! I knew I was safe now.
Little did I know that the Universe has BIG EARS! Sure, I had been working with the Law of Attraction forever, but this couldn’t possibly happen. The trainer of my dreams, Kacy Duke, a sassy badassy 66 year old fitness master and celebrity trainer couldn’t possibly say “Yes” to working with an unknown like me.
Yikes, next thing I knew, Kacy said YES too. Like, this was getting WAY TOO EASY. Like, terrifyingly EASY.
So, that was it. I was in. If Kacy and Kevin were in, so was CGO.
Yes, I know I look thin and fairly healthy. But the truth is, the respiratory issues have kicked my butt and stolen a lot of my stamina. I’m proud of the strength and bravery it took to fight back from almost losing my life to Lyme Disease. I was afraid that type of comeback wasn’t possible now. At least, not without some help … some of it from old friends, some from new!
Over the next 60 days, I’m planning to whip my body, mind, and spirit into tip top shape. I’m planning to share everything I’m doing, mostly from home, to look and feel my best when I turn 60 on July 7th. I’ve been on a holistic healing and deeply spiritual path of personal development for over 30 years. I’m dusting off my tool box and pulling out the most magical tools to clean and clear my inner world while Kacy helps me whip my physical body into shape. I may no longer have the body of a 20 year old, but I do have the confidence of an almost 60 year old, and the latter is far more powerful! My confidence and self esteem have been hard won. On my 60th, I’ll be the most proud of showing off my INFIT. That’s the hardest and most rewarding work I’ve ever done, working on my inside. I really do believe that true beauty lies within. I also know that when my outsides match my insides, both healthy and fit, that’s when I’m at my very best.
Yes, I’m scared to death of the photo shoot. But I’m going to do it.
Oh, and I plan to dance naked, like nobody’s watching, on my birthday!
Please join me by following along in my Daily Journal for tips, diet, supplements, workouts, and honest thoughts, for the ride of a lifetime over the next 60 Days. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate turning 60 than with all of you!
9 comments
Henriette J. Runte (aka Dr. J)
Catherine, you are beautiful and inspiring! I wish you amazing experiences on your 60-day journey to turning 60, and then I wish you many productive, successful years filled with joy – from a sister who is only 49, but has recently battled against the weight of years and also feels newly energized and ready for the next chapter❣️
Catherine Grace O'Connell
That’s wonderful to hear, sister! I thank you for your love and support on this fabulous 60 Days to 60 journey!!!
Catherine Grace O'Connell
Thank you so much sister for your kind words. I do understand the weight gain of midlife, particularly menopause. Last year wasn’t kind to many of us. I do hope you’re doing some kind and wonderful things for you with 50 around the corner!
Barbie Holmes
Looking forward to following your journey, as you blaze a trail to 60!! xo
Catherine Grace O'Connell
Let’s blaze those trails, sister!!! A lot more fun with sisters along for the ride.
Lisa King
I’m turning 56 in 2 weeks! I’m in Catherine and ready to follow along with you! I’m ready to rock midlife like never before!! Lisa xoxo
Catherine Grace O'Connell
Isn’t that wonderful, sister? Wishing you the happiest of birthdays, my friend.
Erin
Your an amazing bright light and can do anything you set your mind to. You’ve got this
Catherine Grace O'Connell
Thank you so much, sister for all the love and support!