written by Team Liberty Road

Every once in a while, someone asks a question you've heard a thousand times before, but this time, it hits your heart anew. The query rushes into your mind like icy December air through a window. It's as if you heard it for the very first time.

"How do I just get started?"

That question tugged our hearts last week at our Liberty Road LIVE: The Midlife Summit in Los Angeles. Yep, we've all heard it and likely asked it ourselves a gazillion times. But the passion behind this question, which one beautiful participant asked aloud, on this day was palpable. Soaked in urgency (and fear, excitement, rage, boldness, and yearning), this simple question distilled the reason we all gathered in LA: to grab what we truly want in our Middle Third, a time when we come to a threshold and see an opportunity to look left and right before moving forward.

The day started with our founder, Nada Jones, calling to attention the various parts of our life that have shifted. She encouraged us to find the intersection of possibility and purpose unique to each of us, and to evolve with intention.

We really went for it last week. The day was filled with deep questions—How do I get started? What do I really want? What do I have to offer? Who am I?—and the experts were there to help answer them. Empathy and excitement flowed as we listened to two panels, one on the possibilities this time of life holds, and the other on diving into our individual and collective purpose. We gathered in workshops on financial wellness, menopausal and sexual health, fractional/freelance careers, purpose & thriving, philanthropy & mentorship, creativity, writing & publishing, nutrition & fitness, and entrepreneurship. We mingled and shopped some of our favorite brands. And we ended the day with a family-style meal while listening to a live conversation about evolving with intention.

The air was filled with an amniotic empathy. We smiled, hugged, cried, and laughed, leaving us stronger and lighter. At a time in life when experience, wisdom, and self-awareness come into focus, too many of us step away. On this day, we all leaned in and moved forward. We came together to support each other and let down our armor to show our true selves (which is not an easy thing to do!). It was magic.

Back to that question: “How do I just get started?” The 'get started' can represent anything. For some of us at the summit, it meant cracking open a new financial plan, finishing that dream book, releasing shame, or leaning into a workout plan. For others, the question marked a curiosity about moving cities, re-entering a career, or starting a fresh routine. Whatever the “get started” represents, it is endless and personal. But what's universal and motivating is knowing that we're not alone in our seeking.

When we take the bold step to ask the most straightforward questions aloud, we often find the most beautiful truth: We can do, be, and build what we want—and the Liberty Road LIVE Summit proved to be the place to take the first step. If you joined us, thank you endlessly. The day was everything and more because of you. And if you weren’t there, we hope to see you next time. We have more live gatherings in-the-works.

After all, we’re just getting started.

We want to send our our special thanks to all those who made the Liberty Road LIVE Summit possible:

Our Marketplace & Cocktail Sponsor and Dinner Sponsor:

Holladay Distillery and Five Farms Irish Cream

Our Panelists:

Catherine McCord, Raili Clasen, Brandi Sellerz-Jackson, Ellen Chen, Mimi Ison, Michele Gough Baril, and Annie Jackson.

Our Workshop Leaders:

Susan Feldman, Jennifer Strong, Gretchen Leonard, Brandi Sellerz-Jackson, Kaye Popofsky, Stacey Mendoza, Dr. Ashley Winter, Stacey Lindsay, Amy Swift, Raili Clasen, April Uchitel, Mareya Ibrahim, Emily Wagner

Our Vendors and Brand Sponsors:

Beek, Ginsa Tonic, Caddis, Eeze Natural Health, Chrysmela, House of Shan, Doré, Keke for Keeps, Micropause, Vromans, Chrysmela, Kif Kefir Water, Dame, Play Lab Beauty, Iris&Romeo, Credo Beauty, NativePath, Non, True Love Always, Superfood Sprinkle, Foria and Charcuterie by P.

Our Philanthropic Partner:

$10 from each ticket sold was donated to Step Up Women’s Network