Fireside Rebels

Have you ever wondered why you aren't getting what you want out of life? In today’s episode, I’m going on a little bit of a "Rebel Rant" about the critical power of speaking up and using your voice for good.

Bonjour and welcome back to Fireside Rebels! 🔥Have you ever felt like your life was snowballed by stress, only to be hit with an unexpected pivot? In this episode, I’m wearing my favourite French beret and taking you on a journey through my own massive midlife reinvention when I travelled to Paris and was inspired to write my first novel! Join me!

Hi, I'm CaroleAnn Leishman, and I'm a recovering City Councillor but I'm ok now.The Raw Truth About Burnout & Local GovernmentWhat is it really like to be an elected official? In this episode, I’m getting deeply personal about a chapter of my life many of you might not know about: my time in local politics. From running for city council alongside my late mother to enduring a gruelling mayoral campaign, I am pulling back the curtain on the intense, unseen pressures of public service.Serving your community sounds noble, but the reality of balancing a full-time job in construction project management, managing intense public scrutiny, and navigating the tragic loss of my mom took a massive toll on my health. I'm opening up about the severe burnout, physical symptoms like hair loss and heart palpitations, and the breaking point that finally forced me to prioritize my mental health.If you’ve ever felt crushed by stress, overwhelmed by responsibility, or are looking for ways to heal from burnout through tools like meditation, this story might be for you. Let's talk about the cost of carrying too much—and how to finally quiet the noise.

Today I dive into men trying to upsell us on more expensive health and fitness programs by mansplaining us and trying to convince us of stuff that isn't true!

Igniting Your Second Act and Giving Zero F*^ks!Why 50 is just the beginning of your boldest chapter yet.They say 50 is the new 30, but let’s be real—at 57, things start to change. From the "one contact lens" hack for reading menus to navigating alopecia with style (and a few great wigs), aging comes with its share of curveballs. But who says we have to "age gracefully" by fading into the background?In today’s cozy couch chat, I’m sharing my thoughts on why I’m choosing to slide into my later years at 100mph, skidding sideways and having the time of my life. Whether you’re a fellow "surfer chick," a creative, or someone looking to reinvent yourself, this video is about reclaiming your energy, supporting other women, and finally running out of f*cks to give about what the "haters" think.In this video, we discuss:• The reality of physical changes (eyesight, hair loss, and "laugh lines").• Why I don't believe in "aging gracefully."• Keeping your brain sharp with Wordle, Duolingo, and new hobbies.• The power of women supporting women.• Why it’s never too late to start a YouTube channel or a new career.• I think I have ADHD!• Perimenopause and Menopause, oh joy. But then you're freeeeeee!Remember: Today you are the youngest you are ever going to be again. So, what are you waiting for? Ignite your second act and keep kicking ass!Don't forget to: ✅ Subscribe for more chats on aging, adventure, and authenticity. 💬 Comment below: How old do you feel in your head versus what the calendar says? 🔔 Hit the bell to stay updated on my next episode about wigs, wind sports, and the "sauna" (it's not "saw-na"!).#AgingPositivity #MidlifeReinvention #WomenOver50 #SecondAct #AgeIsJustANumber #Authenticity #WigLifeKey Timestamps• 01:25 – "I'm 57, I'm not old!" (The Monty Python reference).• 01:50 – The "Mirror vs. Photos" struggle: Authenticity in aging.• 03:45 – The 50-year-old eye shift: My "One Contact Lens" life hack.• 06:55 – Let’s talk about hair: Navigating Alopecia and the world of wigs.• 07:45 – Identifying as a 35-year-old surfer chick: Energy vs. Aches.• 09:40 – Why I hate the term "Aging Gracefully."• 11:20 – Keeping the brain sharp: Wordle and Duolingo.• 11:55 – SAUNA - It’s pronounced SOW-NAH (A quick Finnish lesson).• 13:15 – The Second Wind: Supporting women in their boldest moves.• 15:25 – Zero f*cks left to give: Wearing what makes you happy.• 17:40 – The purple sequined jumpsuit philosophy.• 18:50 – Final thoughts: You are the youngest you’ll ever be today.

I was moved to want to talk about Christina Applegate's Memoir "You With the Sad Eyes". I highly recommend giving it a read or a listen. Christina reflects on a lot of things that she has dealt with in her life and some things that many of us women have gone through (although on totally different levels) and it's time we faced our demons and roared them into oblivion! Christina, thank you for bleeding your heart and soul onto these pages and for sharing it with the world. We love you.

I had the pleasure of interviewing my dear friend, the incomparable Gerrimae about Motorcycles, Modelling, Menopause & Midlife Fitness Training. We had a great chin wag over beers in front of her woodstove chatting about what her 50's has been like so far as she tackles new adventures with grit and pizzazz.

Today is the youngest you’re ever going to be for the rest of your life. So why are we still waiting for 'someday' to chase our biggest dreams?Welcome to Fireside Rebels. This is a space built specifically for women in our 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond who are ready to stop listening to the "voices of doubt" and start kicking ass. Whether you’re facing menopause, navigating an empty nest, or completely flipping your career on its head, you aren't alone.

Reinventing ourselves in midlife can be scary but also super liberating! In this episode I talk a bit about me and some of the things I've done and some of my reinventions. At times I have tackled activities that scared the hell out of me but they always made me that much stronger. Life is meant to be lived to the fullest and the sky is the limit on what you can accomplish so buckle up and let's do this!

Are you feeling like you're stuck in a loop? Give me 4 minutes to turn your life around. In this episode of Fireside Rebels, we're talking about why you need to try new things, whether small or scary, as a radical act of empowerment. It's time to stop coasting and start rewriting your second act.When was the last time you did something for the first time? In your 40s, 50s, and beyond, it’s easy to feel like the script is already written—but your second act isn't a wind-down; it’s a revolution.

Ever feel like your big dreams are too fragile to share? Today, I’m sharing why 'Stealth Reinvention' is the secret weapon for women in midlife looking to rewrite their second act without the outside noise and prying eyes of the skeptics.Stepping into a new persona or taking on a new project can be daunting enough without having the pressure of others weighing on you. In this episode we are unpacking what it means to start your new project in stealth mode where you can give yourself permission to make mistakes, get curious, figure out what feels charming for you in your new midlife reinvention. We will go through some top strategies for how to move stealthily into your next chapter and I will share some of my learnings and experiences for what has worked and what hasn't. I say you need to protect your pilot light until its ready to ignite into a roaring bonfire for all to enjoy its warmth.

Are you struggling with perfectionism and feeling stuck? In this video, I share my personal journey of overcoming perfectionism through knitting, writing a novel, and learning to embrace the "messy" middle of the creative process.I think most of us have struggled with perfectionism from time to time but some of us have been plagued with it our entire lives! In this episode I share some of my struggles with perfectionism and how I am working on trying to overcome it by trying new things and letting my creations be imperfect. Embrace the mistakes! Augh! The struggle is real!

Ever feel like your big dreams are too fragile to share? Today, I’m sharing why 'Stealth Reinvention' is the secret weapon for women in midlife looking to rewrite their second act without the outside noise and prying eyes of the skeptics.Stepping into a new persona or taking on a new project can be daunting enough without having the pressure of others weighing on you. In this episode we are unpacking what it means to start your new project in stealth mode where you can give yourself permission to make mistakes, get curious, figure out what feels charming for you in your new midlife reinvention. We will go through some top strategies for how to move stealthily into your next chapter and I will share some of my learnings and experiences for what has worked and what hasn't. I say you need to protect your pilot light until its ready to ignite into a roaring bonfire for all to enjoy its warmth.

Is it ever too late to reinvent yourself? I recently realized that as I was learning about manifestation and visualization practice to achieve the life of my dreams, that I have been using visualization techniques since I was 10 years old. As a competitive figure skater growing up, visualization was a big part of my training and my approach to competition. Who knew it might come in handy later in life?! Bear with me on this stroll down memory lane as I go deep on visualization techniques in competition because it is relevant today. Grab your fave beverage, pull up a cozy seat by the fire and let's hang!

Fireside Rebels is a community for women in midlife who are done playing by the old rules. We combine the comfort of a cozy living room chat or a hang by the campfire with exploring what it means to live our best lives and get fired up for our next chapter. Each episode explores what it means to reclaim our spark - whether it's through new adventures, career pivots, or radical self-care, we aim to prove that midlife isn't a crisis, it's a revolution!Seeking likeminded badass women (whether they know they are a badass or not) to join us in our quest to ignite our second act!Please join us!Check out my sexy spy novel (one of my midlife reinventions!)www.caroleannleishman.com#midlife #midlifewoman #reinvention #firesiderebels