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Arlene Boot Exposes Ageism Facing Midlife Women Every Day

24/07/2009

By Lea Pachta

The sacking of Arlene Phillips from Strictly Come Dancing is exactly the kind of attitude that is facing many midlife women across the country and is one of the reasons why mid-life success story Lindsey Agness has created a new coaching programme 'Age with Attitude', designed to turn midlife mediocrity on its head.

Starting in September, the all new Age with Attitude programme is a ten week course designed to challenge midlife mediocrity and help women feel happier and more confident as they approach their midlife years and was created by successful author and businesswoman Lindsey Agness, who left her job, started a business, wrote a book and ended her marriage all in her forties.

Lindsey's unique Age with Attitude programme focuses on the '8 Attitudes of the Successful Mid Life Woman' revealing some of the common myths associated with women approaching mid-life including 'I'm too old to have what I want', 'I'm not good enough to compete with younger models' and 'I need surgery to feel good about myself'.

"I come across many women who have been in Arlene's position and they especially benefit from a module which focuses on the 'I am good enough' attitude, where we provide the tools to work on their self-esteem and feeling of self worth. After this, women will feel more empowered to compete against their younger counterparts and come out on top," explains Lindsey, 50.

Lindsey believes that many women are still being forced out of jobs they love simply because they are of a certain age and wants to empower women to take a stand and be more confident in challenging their employers if they feel their age is being used against them.

One such delegate was 66 year old Margaret Caiger-Watson who wanted to stay on in her job beyond 65 and subsequently secured an extension at her workplace after attending the Age with Attitude pilot programme last year.

"I was so much more confident after the programme that I felt I could take on anything that was presented to me," says Margaret.

"What has happened to Arlene is one of the reason why I was inspired to develop this programme. I want to challenge the image obsessed media like the BBC to take a different perspective on their midlife workers, who still have much to offer," says Lindsey.

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