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When you get to be in your mid-50's what do you imagine your life will look like? Will you be excited to be closer to retirement so that you can finally sit around and watch re-runs of The Office? Will you look back and regret not having followed your heart and lived the life that you truly desire? 57-year old Paula Ayotte is not doing any of those things. A few months ago she quit her job as a marine scientist and moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a dancer (after not training for 20+ years). She has since appeared on The Ellen Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show and booked a number of modeling and commercial gigs. She is working harder than she ever has but is joyfully living a life of play. If you have ever said that you are too old to follow your dreams, try that hobby, put yourself out there or PLAY in any way. this episode is for you!

We talk about:

• What it was like to take the big leap of leaving her wonderful life in Hawaii as a marine scientist to pursue her dream

• Why it's vital to be MORE comfortable with discomfort as you age

• What she says to anyone that feels they are too old to pursue their calling

• How her age is a unique advantage in the world of dance and how we can see our "disadvantages" the same way.

Mentioned in this episode and resources from today's episode

• Paula Ayotte's Instagram

• The stunning Instagram post from Galen Hooks where I KNEW I had to get Paula on the podcast

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  View this post on Instagram

   

  #wcw Remember Paula (who is ✨57 years old✨) who I posted a while ago? Here's an update on her! After taking the 2-Day GHM CLASSIC Intensive (for all levels), she left her job as a 🌊🌸marine biologist in Hawaii🌸 🌊and moved to 🌴LA🌴 to pursue working in the industry.⁠ .⁠ She took Immersion (the 4-day intensive about the industry with a mock audition, mock rehearsal, headshot coaching, etc) and got signed directly after to @go2talent agency, who attended the session as part of the agency panel.⁠ .⁠ In the few months since, Paula has been working in television and commercials, which is the type of work I always emphasize when answering the common question: "Is there an age limit to working as a dancer?"👵👴⁠ .⁠ Mature dancers tend to do a lot of 📺TV/Film/Commercials🎥 where all the 💲 is at! It's union work, you get residuals, the choreography is almost always SUPER SUPER easy, they take care of you (although they should take care of dancers of all ages), and it's just not the same stress as being 18 years old being drilled in 10-hour rehearsals dancing for artists!⁠ .⁠ An added benefit- there's a FRACTION of the competition at auditions because there are so few of you auditioning who are older, and the auditions tend to be quick and painless!⁠ .⁠ Now, you do still have to be talented, but the skill of auditioning (especially commercial auditioning) is the real skill to develop, and that's what we learn in the GHM sessions 💪⁠ .⁠ ❤️Paula's footage got so much love the last time it was posted, so I figured you'd want to know what came of her, and boy is it an inspiring story!!⁠ .⁠ Show her TONS of love in the comments cause she is taking ACTION at 57 years old but it's an inspiration to all of us at every age to follow our hearts and put in the work 👏👏👏⁠ .⁠ @paulaayotte⁠ .⁠ #dance #inspiration #takingaction #followyourdreams #professionaldancer #thegalenhooksmethod #ghmclassic #immersion #successstory

  A post shared by Galen Hooks (@galenhooks) on Sep 4, 2019 at 12:04pm PDT

• Paula on The Ellen Show (fast forward to 2:50)

• Paula on The Kelly Clarkson Show (fast forward to 1:00)

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