In this conversation with Beverley Glazer, we dug into what it really looks like for high-achieving women over 50 to navigate “what’s next” when their lives look successful on the outside but feel unsustainable or misaligned on the inside. Beverley shares stories from decades of work at the intersection of psychology and strategy, highlighting how frustration, overload, and feeling unseen and unheard are often mislabeled as “burnout,” when what women truly need is a safe space to think out loud and design a new chapter on their own terms.
We discussed imposter syndrome, family and societal expectations, why change is not failure, and how women can reclaim their wisdom, assertiveness, and agency in the second half of life.
Here’s a Snippet of Beverley’s Brilliance
Highlights
The Misdiagnosis of “Burnout” One of the most powerful moments is Beverley’s assertion that HR departments and society are quick to label a woman’s exhaustion as clinical “burnout” that requires therapy. In reality, Beverley argues that most people don’t need therapy; they are suffering from profound “frustration” and “overload” because no one is listening to them. High-achieving women are carrying the weight of massive jobs while simultaneously managing hidden family burdens, and taking a “stress leave” won’t fix a situation where they are fundamentally unsupported.
A Radical Take on Imposter Syndrome Typically, imposter syndrome is framed as feeling unqualified for a job. However, Beverley highlights a fascinating variation: feeling like an imposter because the costume of success is inauthentic. She describes a highly successful company president who feels like a fraud simply by wearing her C-suite clothes, because her true self would rather be in a sweatsuit working alongside her team. The imposter syndrome here comes from “performing” corporate success rather than owning who you authentically are.
The Guilt of the “What’s Next” Factor The interview beautifully captures the specific loneliness of reaching the top of the mountain. Beverley notes that bright, successful people are terrified of mediocrity and being passed by, so they naturally crave the next challenge. Yet, society and even friends will guilt-trip women for wanting more, asking them why they can’t just “sit on their laurels” and be happy with what they have.
The Trap of the “Yellow Brick Road” There is a profound warning in the conversation about the dangers of being a “good girl”. Beverley points out that women are conditioned to politely accommodate others and take what is given to them, which leads them down a “yellow brick road” that ultimately hits a dead end. The real crisis happens when women hit that door but are terrified to pivot because they perceive making a change as a failure.
Embracing the “B-Word” The natural synergy between you and Beverley peaks when discussing assertiveness. You both highlight how the systems we grew up in trained women to be quiet and polite, while men will confidently raise their hands before they even have a question. The highlight here is the shared, unapologetic realization that to claim what you want, you have to be assertive and completely okay with people calling you the “B-word.”
About Beverley
Beverley Glazer, MA, CCC, is a High-Performance Transition Coach and Strategist, Podcast Host, Syndicated writer, and mentor with over 3 decades in private practice, guiding people through the most extreme transitions – from witness protection programs to the boardroom, who understands that life is a continuous journey of curation and correction.
She began her career as a Fine Art consultant, bridging the gap between Indigenous communities in Northern Canada and major corporations. The social conditions she witnessed propelled her to earn graduate degrees in Counseling Psychology, and she had a private practice for over 30 years. As a lifelong learner, she has numerous post-graduate certifications in substance dependency and behavior addictions, clinical hypnosis, meditation, art therapy, crisis intervention, and she’s credentialed as an ICF certified coach.
Beverley Glazer has spent decades as a leading voice for women in transition. After hosting her own AM Radio show, Get A Life With Beverley Glazer, she launched her acclaimed, 5% globally ranked podcast, Aging With Purpose and Passion, in 2020. This weekly platform serves as a blueprint for women over 50, sharing the raw stories of guests who have navigated the shift from “invisible” to impactful.
A sought-after coach, mentor, and syndicated writer (AOL, Psychology Today, and MSNBC), Beverley uses her deep clinical toolkit to guide high-achieving women who’ve outgrown the life they spent decades building, to expand into their new vision, without fear that their most impactful years are behind them. She’s the author of the upcoming book: The What’s Next Factor: For women who have checked off all the boxes and still can’t find the missing link.
Visit Beverley’s Website | Visit Beverley’s Real 50 over 50 Spotlight Page
