When Susan Powers turned 50, she found herself at a crossroads. The decade leading up to that milestone birthday had been marked by profound loss, the breakup of an unhealthy marriage, and overwhelming strain from her work with the state of California.
She had spent years pushing herself through emotional exhaustion and physical decline by convincing herself that she simply had to endure and keep going.
However, by the time she reached 50, her body sent an unmistakable message. She was exhausted, struggling and felt like her health was in real jeopardy.
Her fiancé, Joe, could see what she could not. He encouraged her to retire early, despite the financial sacrifice it would require. It was not an easy decision, but Susan recalled recognizing that continuing on the same path would only lead to further decline.
“It was evident that I was not going to make it much longer if I continued working under that stress,” she said. “Retiring early gave me a chance to rest, heal and to figure out who I really was.”
What followed was not immediate clarity, but a slow and thoughtful restoration. Susan spent several years focused on self-care, journaling and rediscovering what she enjoyed. She learned to listen to her own voice, perhaps for the first time in her adult life.
A rediscovery of creativity
During her recovery, Susan began writing again. She had always kept journals, but this time her thoughts unfolded into stories. Her husband recognized her gift before she did and would tell her that she was a storyteller.
Still, insecurity slowed her progress. She had endured years in an environment where her confidence was steadily chipped away. The process of writing required her to confront old doubts about self-worth and capability. But, rather than walk away, she chose to lean in.
In 2018, Susan attended Landmark courses to build leadership skills and confidence. The experience helped her recognize her ability to coach others, and it strengthened her conviction that she had something valuable to share.
Plus, with newfound clarity, she began writing her first book in earnest. Her debut title, “Special Shoes for My Little Feet,” emerged as a children’s picture book story.
“It tells the story of a little boy named, Gilbert, who turns to his family’s special shoes, that have incredible magical powers-transporting him into past important legacy events through the memories of his parents and grandparents. The book gently reminds families of the power of legacy and the importance of passing healthy family values from one generation to the next.
“While I was writing it, I realized the story was really about family being central,” Susan said. “It helped me see what mattered most to me and what I wanted to preserve.”
The book affirmed Susan’s belief that family is foundational. She explained that strong families help children grow to become resilient, compassionate and rooted in values that withstand hard times.
Another story with a deeper message
Her second children’s book, “Charlie Box,” was inspired by her granddaughter. One Christmas, the child ignored the noise around her and became captivated by a large unopened box. She knocked on it, listened to it and acted as though something special was inside.
That simple moment sparked an idea that later grew into a story about a delivery box that begins to feel useless after it has been emptied and discarded. Charlie believes he no longer has value until he is discovered by a child named Sophie, who sees him not as trash, but as a gateway to imagination.
“The story is very relatable because many adults feel used up or tossed aside at some point in life,” Susan said. “Charlie Box finds his purpose when someone sees the value others missed. I think that speaks to a lot of us, especially in the second half of life.”
The message is clear. Value does not disappear simply because one role ends. Purpose can be rediscovered, and something ordinary can become extraordinary when seen through the eyes of possibility.
Both books eventually became part of Susan’s publishing imprint, Strong Footprints for Family Values. The name reflects her commitment to reinforcing character, stability and love within homes.
A calling to help others grow
While writing brought meaningful fulfillment, Susan felt another calling rising alongside it. Her Landmark training had shown her that she had a natural ability to encourage others and help them move forward in their own lives.
Wanting to develop that calling more fully, she enrolled in Coachville, a professional life coaching school. After four years of training and more than one hundred hours of practice, she became certified as a transformational coach.
A transformational coach helps people move from where they are to where they want to be, not by telling them what to do, but by helping them uncover what they truly need and want. Susan explained that coaching often involves identifying blind spots that keep people stuck in old habits or patterns.
“Coaching is about asking the questions that help people think differently,” she said. “Sometimes people simply need someone to hold a space for them while they rediscover who they are.”
Her work now focuses on guiding individuals who want deeper meaning, healthier relationships or renewed confidence. Many of her clients are navigating transitions similar to the one she experienced. They are searching for clarity and purpose after years of putting everyone else first.
Susan’s journey has given her empathy, strength and perspective. She knows what it feels like to hit a wall. But, she also knows the joy which can be found on the other side of that experience.
A life of meaning in the second half
Susan said the most rewarding part of her life today is the sense of purpose she experiences in writing and coaching.
Each book allows her to pass forward the values she believes are essential to family life. Each coaching conversation reminds her that healing and transformation are possible, even after painful seasons.
“I love what I do,” she said. “It does not feel like work. I look forward to writing and coaching every day. At this stage of life, that is a gift.”
Her journey stands as an encouraging reminder for others who reach midlife unsure of what comes next. Purpose is not something that disappears. It is something that can be uncovered, renewed and reshaped as life evolves.
For more information
People can connect with Susan in multiple ways, including:
- Website = www.sdpowersbooks.com
- Email = sdpowersbooks @ gmail.com
- Facebook = www.facebook.com/susandpowersauthor
- Instagram = www.instagram.com/sdpowers.books
- LinkedIn = www.linkedin.com/in/susan-powers-615966246
Susan’s books, “Special Shoes for My Little Feet” and “Charlie Box” are available on Amazon and in other bookstores.
If you order a book from a link above, Forward From 50 may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
