Success Leaves Clues: Ep 301 - If Not Now, When? Reinventing Yourself in Midlife with Brenda Benard, COO at Benard + Associates

What if the most meaningful chapter of your life hasn’t happened yet? In this episode of Success Leaves Clues, Robin Bailey and Al McDonald sit down with Brenda Benard, COO at Benard + Associates, to explore midlife reinvention, overcoming self-doubt, and finding the courage to create a life that reflects who you are becoming.Brenda never planned to become a business leader. After turning down an opportunity to study theatre, struggling with low confidence, and believing her happiness would come from other people, she spent years moving through life without a clear sense of what she wanted. But a quiet voice continued reminding her that she was capable of more.Brenda shares why walking into a room filled with CEOs changed how she saw her own value, what her professional-athlete daughter taught her about self-belief, and how perimenopause affected her confidence, identity, and mental health. She also explains why asking “What’s the worst that could happen?” can make intimidating decisions feel possible.Robin, Al, and Brenda discuss intentional aging, protecting your health, listening to the whispers that tell you something needs to change, and refusing to postpone meaningful experiences until someday.Whether you’re questioning your career, navigating midlife, rebuilding your confidence, or wondering whether it’s too late to make a change, this episode is a powerful reminder that today is the youngest you will ever be again.You’ll hear about:Why Brenda calls herself the “reluctant COO”How self-doubt shaped Brenda’s early life and career decisionsWhy she turned down her dream of studying theatreBecoming a police officer at 33 while raising two young daughtersHow to recognize the quiet signs that you are capable of moreThe question that changed Brenda’s outlook on time and opportunityWhy taking responsibility can be more empowering than assigning blameThe moment Brenda realized she deserved to have her success celebratedHow other people may see strengths you cannot yet recognize in yourselfOvercoming feelings of inferiority around senior leaders and executivesWhy even the most accomplished leaders are still figuring things outHow perimenopause can affect confidence, identity, and mental healthWhat Brenda’s daughter taught her about making her younger self proudHow evaluating the worst-case scenario can help you move through fearWhy health and longevity have become central to Brenda’s next chapterThe power of trading expectation for appreciationWe talk about:00:00 Introduction to Brenda Benard and rethinking success in midlife03:43 Self-doubt, abandoned dreams, and expecting happiness from others05:02 Listening to life’s whispers and becoming a police officer at 3308:41 “If not now, then when?” and why someday may never arrive11:31 The moment Brenda decided she deserved to have her success celebrated13:53 How Brenda’s employees saw strengths she couldn’t recognize in herself21:06 Walking into a room of CEOs and overcoming feelings of inferiority26:00 Perimenopause, self-confidence, and navigating the dark years27:52 What Brenda’s daughter taught her about honouring her younger self29:42 Using the worst-case scenario to move through fear31:02 Raising courageous daughters and refusing to waste more time33:10 Intentional aging, protecting your health, and living while you can38:57 Trading expectation for appreciationConnect with BrendaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenda-benard-4a259188Website: www.benardinc.com  Connect with UsLinkedIn: Robin Bailey and Al McDonald  Website: Aria Benefits and Life & Legacy Advisory Group