Never Too Late Stories Part 2: More Seniors Who Prove Age Is Just a Number

Your response was overwhelming—so we found more proof that anything is possible

Remember our first collection of “Never Too Late” stories? The painter who sold her first work at 89. The author who published at 65. The bodybuilder who transformed at 71.

We thought those stories would inspire you. We had no idea.

The emails poured in. The comments kept coming. You shared the article with your parents, your grandparents, your friends who were “too old” to try something new. You told us these stories gave you permission to finally pursue that dream you’d been putting off.

“I’m 67 and I’ve been wanting to learn piano my whole life,” one reader wrote. “After reading about Carmen starting at 76, I signed up for lessons today.”

That’s when we realized: these stories aren’t just inspiring—they’re essential. In a world that constantly tells us we’re past our prime after 40, these real people prove that life’s best chapters can begin at 70, 80, even 90.

So we went searching for more. Not just any stories—but contemporary, relatable examples of people doing extraordinary things at an age when society expects them to slow down.

Here are ten more stories of people who looked at their age and said, “So what?”

The Woman Who Became an App Developer at 81

Most people think you need to start coding young. Tell that to Masako Wakamiya.

After retiring from her 43-year banking career at age 60, Masako bought her first computer. She didn’t just learn to use it—she fell in love with it. She taught herself Microsoft Excel and began creating elaborate digital art using spreadsheet cells, pushing the software far beyond its intended purpose.

But Masako noticed something troubling: most mobile games weren’t designed with older adults in mind. When she asked developers to create apps for seniors, they told her to make one herself.

So at age 81, she did exactly that.

Masako bought programming books and learned Apple’s Swift programming language through online lessons with a programmer nearly 200 miles away, connecting via Facebook Messenger and Skype. In 2017, she released “Hinadan,” a game based on the traditional Japanese Hinamatsuri doll festival.

Apple CEO Tim Cook personally invited her to the Worldwide Developers Conference, calling her “the world’s oldest app developer.” Japan’s government appointed her to a special committee on aging. She spoke at the United Nations about digital skills for older persons.

When asked about her late start, Masako’s answer was simple: she wanted to create something meaningful for her generation.

The Lesson: Technology isn’t just for the young. If Masako could learn to code in her 80s using remote lessons and self-study, the digital world is open to anyone willing to learn. Your generation’s needs matter—sometimes you’re the perfect person to solve them. Read more about Masako Wakamiya

The Woman Who Transformed Her Health at 70 and Became a Fitness Influencer

At age 70, Joan MacDonald was struggling. She weighed over 200 pounds, took multiple medications for high blood pressure and acid reflux, and could barely walk without getting winded. Her daughter, a fitness professional, sat her down for a serious conversation: if she didn’t change, she might not be around to see her grandchildren grow up.

Most 70-year-olds in that situation might feel defeated. Joan felt motivated.

With her daughter’s guidance, Joan started working out. At first, she could barely lift light weights. Simple exercises left her exhausted. But she kept showing up.

She started documenting her journey on Instagram as @TrainwithJoan, posting her workouts, her meals, her struggles, and her victories. She learned to use social media, took photos at the gym, shared her meal prep.

Today, at 79, Joan has over 1 million Instagram followers. She’s reversed all her health conditions and is off all her medications. She lifts weights heavier than many people half her age. She’s become a fitness coach, inspiring millions of people—particularly women over 50—to take control of their health.

“At 70, I had a choice,” Joan says. “I could accept decline, or I could fight back. I chose to fight.”

The Lesson: Your health isn’t a fixed state at 70. Joan proved that you can completely transform your physical condition even in your eighth decade. It won’t be easy, but it’s possible. And documenting your journey might inspire thousands of others. Read more about Joan MacDonald

The Woman Who Became a Solo World Traveler After Losing Her Husband

Charlotte Simpson had traveled plenty with her husband during their 31 years of marriage. They’d visited all 50 states together, explored parts of Europe, and made travel a priority in their life.

When he died, Charlotte faced a choice many widows face: retreat into grief, or find a new way forward.

The Christmas after his death, Charlotte and her daughter took a trip to a Muslim country. There, they met women traveling solo—women who’d lost partners, women who simply wanted adventure, women living life on their own terms.

Charlotte was inspired. When an opportunity came to visit Italy and nobody wanted to go with her, she decided to go alone.

That first solo trip was chaotic—she ended up in Amsterdam instead of Rome and went without luggage for 11 days. But it was also liberating. She realized she could do this. And more importantly, it brought her joy.

Today, as “The Traveling Black Widow,” Charlotte has visited over 100 countries. She documents her travels on Instagram for over 28,000 followers. She’s been featured in Forbes, The Washington Post, and Condé Nast Traveler. She’s been to India, Egypt, Kenya, Japan, and countless other destinations—often solo, sometimes with tour groups, always with an adventurous spirit.

“I didn’t know what Instagram was when my husband was alive,” Charlotte admits. After he died, she learned social media, built a following, and created a new life centered around exploration.

She’s in her 70s now, still traveling, still inspiring others—especially widows and women who think their adventuring days are over.

The Lesson: Loss can be an ending or a beginning. Charlotte chose beginning. She learned new technology, embraced solo travel, and built an entirely new identity. If you’ve lost a partner, if you think adventure requires a companion—Charlotte proves you wrong. Read more about Charlotte Simpson

The Man Who Learned English at 80 to Study Philosophy

Samuel Malheiros from Brazil was 80 years old when he made a decision that surprised his family: he was going to Oxford to learn English.

As a lawyer who had studied English in the past, Samuel had never felt he’d truly learned it “for real”—never had the chance to practice speaking continuously, to think in the language, to live it. He had a specific goal: he wanted to read analytical philosophy in its original Anglo-Saxon context.

So he packed his suitcase, traveled to England, and enrolled at Kaplan International English school.

His classmates were often 60 years younger. But Samuel didn’t let that intimidate him. He made friends from all over the world, forced himself to speak English all day every day, and threw himself into the school’s social activities.

The school principal said Samuel became immensely popular among the younger students, who were inspired by his willingness to challenge himself and his generosity in sharing his life experience—all through their common language of English.

The Lesson: Language learning has no age limit. Whether you’re 30, 50, or 80, your brain can still form new neural pathways and master new skills. If you have a reason that matters to you—reading philosophy, connecting with grandchildren, traveling—that’s enough to start. Read more about language learning at any age

The Grandmother Who Became a Gaming YouTuber at 76

Shirley Curry loved video games. After her husband passed away in 2015, she found comfort in playing Skyrim, an epic fantasy game. She’d spend hours exploring virtual worlds, going on quests, battling dragons.

One day, at age 76, her grandson suggested she record her gameplay and share it on YouTube. “People would love to watch you play,” he told her.

Shirley was skeptical. Who would want to watch an old lady play video games? But she decided to try it anyway.

She started her YouTube channel, posting “Let’s Play” videos of Skyrim. Her gentle voice narrating her adventures, her genuine reactions to the game’s surprises, her grandmother-ly warmth—it all resonated.

Now at 87, Shirley has over 1 million YouTube subscribers. She’s lovingly known as “Skyrim Grandma” by her devoted fan community. Her popularity even led game developers to announce they would include a character based on her in the next Elder Scrolls game—an honor reserved for very few.

Despite health setbacks in recent years, Shirley continues gaming and creating content. “I just love it,” she says simply. “And I love that I can share it with others.”

The Lesson: The internet doesn’t care how old you are if you’re authentic and doing something you love. Shirley didn’t try to act younger or hide her age. She was herself—a grandmother who loves gaming—and that’s exactly what people connected with. Read more about Shirley Curry

The Woman Who Became a TikTok Star at 74

Babs Costello, a grandmother of eight, had never used TikTok. During the pandemic, while stuck at home, her daughter suggested they film some cooking videos together.

“Mom, just show people how you make your recipes,” her daughter said. “People love that stuff.”

At 74, Babs was uncertain. TikTok was for teenagers doing dances, wasn’t it? But with nothing else to do during lockdown, she agreed to try.

They started “Brunch with Babs.” Babs would cook her favorite family recipes while her daughter filmed. She shared cooking tips, household hacks, and gentle wisdom she’d gathered over seven decades of life. Her warm, motherly presence came through the screen.

The response was overwhelming. Young people especially flocked to her account, hungry for the kind of reassuring, practical advice their own grandmothers might give. They asked her questions about cooking, about life, about relationships.

Today, Babs has over 3 million followers on TikTok and over 2 million on Instagram. She got a cookbook deal. She’s become a full-time content creator—at an age when most people are well into retirement.

“I thought I was just sharing recipes,” Babs says. “Turns out I was filling a need I didn’t even know existed.”

The Lesson: Don’t assume you know what “your generation’s platform” is. Babs found her biggest audience on TikTok—a platform everyone said was for Gen Z. Sometimes the best way to connect with people is to just be yourself, wherever they are. Read more about Brunch with Babs

The Women Who Started a Podcast at 74 and 81

Catherine Marienau was 74. Gail Zelitzky was 81. Both were accomplished women with decades of life experience, but they noticed something troubling: older women were invisible in media and culture. Their stories weren’t being told. Their wisdom wasn’t being sought.

So they decided to change that themselves.

Neither had podcasting experience. They didn’t have fancy equipment. They just had laptops, microphones, and stories to tell.

They launched “Women Over 70: Aging Reimagined,” a podcast featuring conversations with women in their 70s, 80s, and 90s about living meaningful, productive lives. Each week, they interview accomplished women whose stories challenge every stereotype about aging.

The podcast has won awards. They’ve built a devoted listener base. They’ve become sought-after speakers. At 74 and 81, they’ve essentially started a media career from scratch.

“We’re not trying to prove we’re still relevant,” Catherine says. “We’re showing that we were always relevant. Society just wasn’t paying attention.”

The Lesson: If your story isn’t being told, tell it yourself. Catherine and Gail didn’t wait for permission or for someone younger to amplify their voices. They bought microphones and started talking. Today, anyone with a smartphone can start a podcast, write a blog, create content. Your voice matters. Read more about Women Over 70 podcast

The Woman Who Became a Yoga Teacher at 70

Ida Herbert never touched yoga until she was in her 50s. She worked other jobs, lived a busy life, never gave much thought to flexibility or meditation.

Then one day at her gym, she saw a woman practicing yoga poses. Something about it intrigued her. She started taking private lessons, then read books, then practiced on her own.

By her 70s, she was teaching yoga at her local YMCA.

In 2012, at age 96, Guinness World Records named her the world’s oldest yoga teacher. When she celebrated her 100th birthday in 2016, she said she’d retired from teaching full-time but still taught a weekly class to a group of 70-year-old women she called “Ida’s Girls.”

Ida didn’t become a yoga teacher because she was naturally flexible or had practiced her whole life. She became one because she saw something interesting, tried it, and kept going.

The Lesson: You don’t need decades of experience to teach something. Sometimes passion, persistence, and genuine enthusiasm are enough. Ida started in her 50s and taught for nearly 50 years. Your second act can be just as long as your first. Read more about yoga teachers who started late

The Man Who Became a Business Consultant at 65

Michael Grottola was in his 60s when the recession hit. Like millions of others, he lost his job.

Most people in their 60s who lose a job struggle to find another. But Michael saw an opportunity. After years in corporate America, he had knowledge that small business owners desperately needed.

At age 65, he became an independent consultant, helping new business founders gain access to capital, develop strategies, and avoid costly mistakes.

Over the years, he helped approximately 165 small business clients across 20 industries. He didn’t just find a job—he created a career that allowed him to use his lifetime of expertise to lift up the next generation of entrepreneurs.

The Lesson: Job loss at 60+ isn’t the end of your career—it might be the beginning of your most fulfilling one. All those years of experience aren’t wasted. They’re your greatest asset. Read more about starting over after 50

The Woman Who Chose a Road Trip Over Cancer Treatment at 90

Source: Driving Miss Norma Facebook page

At 90 years old, Norma Bauerschmidt faced two devastating blows: her husband of 67 years died, and two days later, she was diagnosed with uterine cancer.

The doctor recommended surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. He asked how she’d like to proceed.

Norma, all 101 pounds and less than five feet tall, looked the young doctor in the eye and said: “I’m 90 years old. I’m hitting the road.”

Her son Tim and daughter-in-law Ramie lived full-time in an RV. They offered to take Norma with them. She thought about it for two minutes and said yes.

They left Michigan in August 2015 and drove nearly 13,000 miles, visiting 75 locations across 32 states in one year. Norma experienced her first hot air balloon ride, rode a horse, got a pedicure, tasted key lime pie and oysters for the first time, and said yes to adventures she’d never imagined.

Her daughter-in-law started posting their journey on Facebook as “Driving Miss Norma.” The page gained over 440,000 followers. People from around the world sent messages of love and support.

Norma lived fully for another year, dying peacefully in her RV bed at age 91. She proved that even at the end of life, you can choose adventure over fear, joy over resignation.

The Lesson: It’s never too late to say yes. Norma spent 90 years mostly staying close to home in Michigan. In her final year, she saw more, experienced more, and inspired more people than in all her previous years combined. When faced with endings, we can still choose how we spend our remaining time. Read more about Miss Norma

What These Stories Tell Us (Again)

These ten stories don’t end with fame or fortune. They end with: “And they found something that made them feel alive.”

None of them had a grand plan. They just noticed something that interested them and took one small step. Then another. Then another.

Common Threads: What Makes Change Possible

1. They Followed Curiosity - “I wonder if I could...?”
2. They Started Small - One class, one workout, one video at a time
3. They Persisted Through Failure - Wrong cities, failed attempts, learning curves
4. They Had a “Why” That Mattered - To help others, see grandchildren, honor a spouse, live fully
5. They Inspired Others - They became proof that age is just a number

Your Turn: More Questions to Ask Yourself

After reading twenty stories about people who started something new after 70, ask yourself:

Which story resonated most with me? Why?

What does that tell me about what I want to try?

What’s my “I’ve always wanted to...” statement?

• “I’ve always wanted to learn another language”

• “I’ve always wanted to start running”

• “I’ve always wanted to paint”

• “I’ve always wanted to start a business”

• “I’ve always wanted to teach”

• “I’ve always wanted to code”

What’s the smallest possible first step?

• One online lesson?

• One walk around the block?

• One sketch in a notebook?

• One phone call to explore an idea?

• One YouTube tutorial?

What would success look like for me?

Not fame. Not fortune. Just: What would make me feel proud at the end?

• Speaking basic phrases in a new language?

• Running a 5K?

• Creating one piece of art?

• Starting one small business?

• Teaching one class?

The Real Message

These stories aren’t about extraordinary people doing impossible things. They’re about ordinary people who decided that “too old” was a myth.

Some succeeded spectacularly. Others simply found joy in learning something new. All of them proved that the story of your life isn’t over until you decide it is.

Masako learned to code at 81. Joan transformed her health at 70. Charlotte became a solo world traveler in her 60s. Samuel learned English at 80. Shirley started gaming videos at 76. Ida taught yoga at 100. Babs became a TikTok star at 74. Catherine and Gail started a podcast at 74 and 81. Michael became a consultant at 65. Norma chose adventure at 90.

They didn’t do it because they were special. They did it because they decided to.

So what will you decide?

What will you start? What will you learn? What will you finally try? What old dream might you dust off and pursue?

Because here’s what twenty stories of people starting new things after 70 tell us:

Your next chapter might be your best chapter.

But Here’s the Thing About These Stories...

These are the flashy ones. The ones that made headlines. The app developer who met Tim Cook. The TikTok star with millions of followers. The woman whose road trip went viral.

But I bet you know seniors who have their own “never too late” stories that never made the news.

Maybe it’s your neighbor who finally learned to play guitar at 73. Your aunt who started painting at 68 and now gives her work to friends. Your friend’s father who learned to cook after his wife passed and now hosts weekly dinners. Your grandmother who joined a book club at 80 and made a whole new circle of friends.

Maybe it’s you—quietly pursuing something you’ve always wanted to try.

These stories matter just as much.

In fact, they might matter more. Because they prove that you don’t need to become famous or break records or go viral. You just need to decide that you’re not done growing yet.

We Want to Hear Your Stories

If you know a senior who started something new after 70—or if you ARE that senior—we’d love to hear about it.

Not for headlines or publicity. But because these stories need to be told. They need to be shared. They need to inspire the next person who thinks, “Maybe I’m too old for this.”

To be honest, I would love to gather these community stories into a digital guide. A collection of real people from real communities doing real things that prove age is just a number. Not celebrities or record-breakers—just people like you and your loved ones who decided to try something new.

Imagine a resource where someone who’s 65 and wondering if they can learn photography can read about ten others who did. Where someone who’s 72 and considering going back to school can see it’s possible. Where someone who just lost a spouse can find hope in stories of others who rebuilt their lives.

Would you help us create this?

Tell us: Who do you know who started something new after 70? What did they start? What made them decide to try?

Your grandmother’s story about learning to use a smartphone at 75? That counts.

Your father’s decision to volunteer at the animal shelter at 68? That counts.

Your own journey learning Spanish at 71? That definitely counts.

Email us. Comment below. Share your story. Share someone else’s story. Help us prove that these twenty aren’t exceptions—they’re everywhere, waiting to be celebrated.

Your next chapter might be your best chapter.
Your greatest adventure might still be ahead.
Your most meaningful work might be waiting for you.

But only if you turn the page.