Sue's marathon finish
Posted on by Debbie

Sizzling at 60 – Meet Sue!

People of Interest!

Recently I have enjoyed hosting a few guests on my blog as part of my People of Interest feature where I share interesting people with you my interesting readers. I have been posting these every Tuesday over the past few months.

I believe everyone has a story to tell. 

It’s true, everyone has a story and sometimes we just have to ask questions to find out that story!

So what I’ve been doing is inviting my guests to answer a set of 10 questions and I’ve used their responses as a guest post.  It’s a lovely way to share the blogging love around!

  • I started with my sister Sharon  from Musings from the Cold
  • then blogging friends Donna rom Retirement Reflections
  • Louise from The Year I touched my Toes
  • Miriam from Out an’ About
  • Shaun from Clockwork Clouds
  • Sue from Travel Tales of Life
  • and more recently my blogging daughter Melanie from The Wandering Darlings
  • I also managed to interview myself as it just happened to be my birthday

This week I have my lovely friend Sue from Sizzling towards 60 and Beyond, now Women Living Well After 50.  I’ve been lucky to feature on Sue’s blog a few times this year and have appreciated her guidance and support as I move slowly towards that Sizzling 60 milestone.  She’s a great example of how to stay fit, healthy and lead a full life as you age.  If you haven’t seen her site before, I thoroughly recommend you visit! She’s an inspiration 🙂

 Guest Post Series: Sue from Sizzling at 60
Sue sizzling at 60
Sue sizzling at 60

1. What do you enjoy most about blogging?

Absolutely the best thing about blogging is the connections we make.  I’ve made some firm friends who are bloggers.  They live all over the world, yet we chat so easily.  I also think the blogging community is very supportive.  I enjoy my interaction with my readers and supporters through my Facebook Page <a href=”https://www.facebook.com/sizzlingtowards60/&#8221; target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”Facebook</Page – Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond and my weekly newsletter.   I’ve really become a fan of Instagram</this year.

I just love it when I receive a comment from a reader who tells me that I have inspired them in some way.  That just makes my day and makes blogging so rewarding.

2. Your blog is about inspiring women to be fit, fabulous, healthier and happier as they age– where did the description come from?

I started the blog almost 3 years ago.  I had taken early retirement to spend more time with my husband who had been retired for a few years.  However, retirement was not what I expected.  I felt lost after working full time for most of my life and felt my work had defined who I was.  I decided to start a blog to try and put my feelings on to paper and work out what I really wanted from life – now that I had all this free time on my hands!

My tag line to my blog is ‘Encouraging Women over 50 to be fit, fabulous, healthier and happier.’  Turning 50 was a great time in my life and now at 60 life is even better.  I want to inspire and encourage women to be the best version of themselves. I want to help them realise that just because we have reached a certain age doesn’t mean we give up on life.  In fact, this is the perfect time of life – you now have time to actually concentrate on yourself and what you want to do in life

3. What plans do you have for your blog in the future?

Well I think many of us start out thinking our blog might be the ‘next best thing’ only to realise that blogging is hard work and you really have to put in the time.  You can run the risk of letting a hobby overtake your life. However, I would like to grow my audience and strengthen my current friendships.

At the moment I co-host 2 weekly link ups and 1 monthly link up just for Grandmothers.  In 2018, Leanne from Cresting the Hill and I will be launching a new link party which will have a very specific niche.  There are plenty of link parties for recipes, craft and yummy mummies however, we are planning one for Midlife Women who blog about lifestyle.  It will be very specific and exclusive and an area that we feel is lacking at the moment.

I would also love to write an e-book based on a compilation of my posts but that will take commitment for sure.

4. What’s your favourite post and why?

I’m not sure I have one favourite post.  I looked at my blog and realised I’ve written over 700 posts since I started in January 2015.  My recent post ‘Best Birthday Ever’ was for a regular weekly prompt at Denyse Whelan Blogs.  At first, my recent 60th birthday came to mind, but when I looked back I realised I had 3 other birthdays which were very special.  It was a lovely way to remember those special moments.

I also enjoyed the A-Z Challenge last year.  It was writing a blog post each day except Sunday for a month. I wrote My A-Z Guide to a Healthier, Happier You.  I would love your readers to click through and read the Guide.

I love encouraging others to reach their full potential.

5. What’s your biggest achievement in life to date?

Apart from being Mum to two fabulous children Rachel & Nathan and Nan to my darling Grandson, Ethan I think what I’ve achieved in my fitness during midlife would rank as a great achievement for me.

Running a full marathon at 55 years of age was a wonderful achievement and a lesson in never giving up on a dream.  I started running at 50 and was over the moon when I completed the 42.2km marathon in the time that I wanted.

In my earlier life as a teenager I ran a dance studio teaching 200 pupils ballet, tap and jazz ballet and that was wonderful seeing how the children progressed and their self-confidence grew.

6. What do you like to do outside of blogging?

I love travelling with my husband and we recently returned from 5 weeks in Spain and Italy as part of my 60th birthday celebrations.  As I mentioned, I’m Nan to my gorgeous grandson Ethan who is 3.5 years old.  He brings me constant joy each week when we spend the day together – Wednesday is my favourite day of the week because of him.   He makes me stop and breathe and just live in the moment.

I love to keep fit with yoga, strength training and I run with my friends twice a week.  We call ourselves the Saturday Sisters because we always run on Saturdays.  The benefit is we keep fit but also have our friendship and enjoy a good chat. We are there for each other and can vent about anything or rejoice in our successes.

I also like to volunteer at the aged care home where my Mother-In-Law lives.  Helping others is so rewarding. Sometimes you only have to spend a few minutes with the residents to make their day.  I feel humbled and grateful for my health each time I leave.

7. What books do you like reading and what are you currently reading?

I love reading full stop!  I prefer fiction and I have a wide range of authors that I enjoy. From Wilbur Smith, Leon Uris, Jeffrey Archer, James A Michiner to Maeve Binchy, Nora Roberts and Marian Keyes.  Sometimes I enjoy reading epics such as London by Ken Follett but other times when I’m feeling down I just love re-reading Maeve Binchy books.  They are like a comforter that I fold myself in and revisit characters who have become like friends.

My high school friend Toni Pike is the author if the Jotham Fletcher Thriller Mystery Series and she has shown you can achieve your dream even when you retire.

I’m currently reading ‘In the Clearing’ by Robert Dugoni.  It is the third book in the Detective Tracey Crosswhite series.  It is easy to read and is about a cold case of a teenage girl who died 40 years ago.  At the time it was ruled as a suicide but was it really?

8. Where’s your dream holiday destination?

I have been lucky to have travelled to many countries with my husband who is my favourite travelling companion.  I love visiting other cultures and learning how other people live.  Italy is my favourite European destination and we visit regularly because my husband was born there.  In saying that, we just explored Spain which was wonderful.  Alaska and South America are next our list to explore.

Sue from sizzling towards 60 and Beyond's travel photo
Sue’s travel photo

We have many places left on our bucket list and I have to admit I do love cruising.  You only have to unpack once and you do get to have a taste of different places.  Cruising gives you the best of all worlds and can be as relaxing as you want or as busy as you want – the choice is yours.  Earlier this year we had a cruise to the South Pacific islands and I just relaxed on my balcony reading and watching the ocean – so relaxing!

9. List five things that you won’t leave home without.

  1. My mobile phone – how did we ever live without them?
  2. My reading glasses – I don’t need them to drive but I can’t read the labels at the supermarket without them.
  3. My watch – even though I have a smart phone I’m still old fashioned when it comes to telling the time.
  4. My water bottle – keeping hydrated is so important especially living in Queensland during Summer.
  5. My Sunglasses – I even wear them in winter!

10. Who’s the most interesting person you’ve ever met?

I’ve never really met a ‘celebrity’ and I can’t just say one person.  I’ve met many interesting people in my 60 years.  We all have a story to tell and even though we might not think it is interesting or important, others do.

Thank you Debbie for including me in your Person of Interest series.  It is so interesting learning about others and this is a great way to meet new bloggers.  In 2018 I will be having a weekly series Over 50 & Thriving so if any of your readers would like to be a guest I would love to hear from them.  Each year I have a word that I want to emulate in my life.  In 2016 it was Balance, in 2017 it was Simplify and in 2018 I’m ready to THRIVE.

Thanks Sue for your responses to my questions and for agreeing to be a guest host in my People of Interest series.

I love the idea of having a word for the year and I’ve now got my thinking cap on to come up with one!  What word would you choose?

Sue and I would love to hear from you, so feel free to leave us a comment and we’ll be sure to respond.

That’s my final People of Interest feature for 2017, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed sharing some of my favourites with you.  Thanks for joining in with your comments, likes and shares, it’s most appreciated.

I’ll be taking a blogging break until the New Year so will take this opportunity to wish you all the best for the festive season and hope 2018 will be a  good year for you.

Let’s keep in touch!

Deb xx

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29 Replies to “Sizzling at 60 – Meet Sue!”

  1. Pingback: Planning, Preparation and Procrastination – Deb's World

  3. Loved reading about Sue, what a fabulous person of interest to finish off your series with Deb.
    Sue, I absolutely love and agree with your sentiments for living a full life. Hope I have the same amount of energy and motivation that you have when I hit 60. Keep loving life and enjoying your blogging. Happy new year. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Hi Miriam – That’s great to hear you enjoyed reading about Sue, she’s amazing! I am aiming to be just like her when I get to be 60 and beyond, so it’s good to stay up to date with her positive and helpful posts. Thanks for your comment here.

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  4. Sue I feel more energized having just read your post! Bravo for completing a marathon at 55. I did my one and only at the age of 50 and can relate to the tremendous feeling crossing that finish line. I would be interested in being a guest on your blog in the second half of 2018. We are headed to Asia on a cycling trip next week and then some family commitments and a few other trips. If that would work for you perhaps we can be in touch by email? I can be reached at traveltalesoflife@gmail.com Thanks for considering and all the very best in 2018.

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  5. Thank you so much for having me Debbie and I actually feel interesting now! I’ve enjoyed meeting you and your blog this year and can’t wait until we actually can have a coffee together. All the best for a fabulous 2018 my friend. Xx

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  6. Hi Toni thanks for stopping by to read my interview with Deb. You have also achieved so much with your writing since retiring. It shows that retirement can be a wonderful new phase of life with new experiences to try. Xx

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  7. I so enjoyed reading about your life, Sue, and the many strings to your bow. I didn’t realise that you were in charge of such a large dancing school, and it’s amazing to think you’ve now written over 700 posts! I can’t waiting to read your articles about thriving next year, and hear about your travel plans. You’re such an inspiration with the way you have taken on so many challenges since retiring. Thank you so much for mentioning me – I feel very honoured.

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  8. Thanks Deb for featuring Sue. I always love learning more about my favorite bloggers.

    Sue, I am so inspired by your blog and really looking forward to the new link party. I’m a little jealous of all the international traveling you’ve done. I see Alaska is on your list. That’s one of my favorite places. My mother homesteaded in Fairbanks in the 1950s as a young newlywed. She has amazing stories of life there, going from a rather sheltered upbringing to roughing it in the wild. Anyway, it’s a beautiful state, and I’m sure you’ll love it.

    Here’s to another sizzling year!

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    1. Thanks for your lovely comment Christie. I agree with you about Sue’s blog, it’s always inspiring! I love the story of your mother moving to Alaska! Looking forward to a great year ahead, full of blogging and making connections. I’m ready to sizzle!!

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  10. Thank you so much Debbie for having me as a guest. You actually made me sound interesting LOL:) Seriously though thank you for your kind words and I have loved connecting with you during the year. I’m sure we will all continue to have fun blogging and continuing our friendships xx

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  11. It’s lovely to see Sue interviewed – she is such an inspiration with so much going on in her life. She and I are blogging kindred spirits – and I even saw that she is a Nora Roberts fan (as well as an Abba devotee) yet another thing we have in common! I have a word for 2018 chosen (Enough was my 2017 word) and our Midlife Linky is going to be amazing! 🙂

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    2. Great to have you along Leanne, I love the sound of your linkup and I agree Sue is such an inspiration! Between the two of you I’m set for a great year ahead. You both instil a confidence and positive outlook that says anything is possible, so thank you for that 😊

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  12. Lovely to read more about you, Sue. I did enjoy your photographs from your Europe Trip. Here’s to an exciting 2018 of more blogging and sharing our unique lifestyles!

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    1. Hi, Sue – I enjoyed reading more about here and learned a few things that I did not know. I look forward to learning more about your new Link Party. Sounds like the perfect niche for me.
      Wishing you a wonderful New Year.

      Thank you to Debbie for featuring Sue. Enjoy your mini blogging break!

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        1. Thank you so much Deb for having me as your guest. I actually sound interesting LOL:) Seriously though it has been wonderful connecting with you and I look forward to a coffee catch up in 2018. you will also be most welcome to the new linkup starting Jan 31. Have a lovely break and Happy New Year. Xx

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