“Living longer is not the same as living well — and we have more influence over that than we may think.”
You’ve probably noticed that women today have a whole new relationship with aging.
Many women — like me — have no plans to retire. We are in our second or even third acts, doing work that feels meaningful, purposeful, and deeply fulfilling. We stay active, we take care of ourselves, and we continue to grow.
And yet, at the same time, I see something else happening all around me.
Women in their 60s and beyond — vibrant, intelligent, engaged women — are also facing real health challenges. Reduced bone density, hormone imbalances, autoimmune issues, cancer, and even conditions like Parkinson’s.
Personally, since passing 60, I’ve experienced my own share of challenges — including bone density issues, several fractures, and a bout with breast cancer.
The good news is that my diagnosis became a powerful wake-up call. It led me to make meaningful lifestyle changes — reducing stress, increasing exercise, improving my nutrition, and becoming much more intentional about how I care for my body.
At the same time, I’ve watched friends in their 60s and 70s sky dive, launch new careers, volunteer for the Peace Corps, take up scuba diving, and embrace life in ways that previous generations never imagined.
Let’s compare that to the typical midlife woman in the 1960s. Do you remember Aunt Bee from The Andy Griffith Show? She was just 55 when that show aired.
Today, 55 is just the beginning.
So the question becomes:
How do we not only live longer — but live well?
This month, I’m excited to share two conversations with experts who are helping lead this new conversation around women’s health, longevity, and vitality.
Our first guest, Dr. Jerrold Weinberg, OB-GYN and author of Menopause Mended, shares how bioidentical hormone therapy can help women restore balance, reduce or even eliminate menopausal symptoms, and support long-term health — including bone health, brain function, and overall vitality.
In our conversation, he explains how hormones affect far more than we’ve been told — and how the right approach can help women feel like themselves again.
In my second conversation, I speak with Maddy Dychtwald, Co-Founder of Age Wave and one of the world’s leading experts on longevity and aging.
Drawing from decades of research and her newest book Ageless Aging, Maddy shares why women are at the forefront of the longevity revolution — and how small, consistent choices around health, mindset, and lifestyle can dramatically improve not just how long we live, but how well we live.
Together, these conversations offer both insight and hope.
Because the truth is — we have more influence over our health and our future than we may have been led to believe.
And perhaps our most powerful years are still ahead of us.
Katana Abbott is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Retirement Income Coach, and the founder of Smart Women’s Empowerment, a nonprofit project of United Charitable. For more than 35 years, Katana has helped women gain clarity, confidence, and peace of mind around their money and their lives—guiding them through major transitions such as retirement, encore careers, caregiving, and legacy planning.
After retiring from her corporate advisory career, Katana brought together her lifelong passion for financial education, philanthropy, and women’s empowerment by creating Smart Women’s Empowerment. Through her long-running podcast Smart Women Talk, her inspirational ezine Smart Women Smart Choices, and her signature course Unlock Your Financial Power, Katana continues to educate, inspire, and support women around the world as they step into their next chapter with purpose and intention.
Katana believes there is no single “right” path—only the one that aligns your values, resources, and vision for the life you want to create.
To learn more or connect with Katana, visit www.katanaabbott.com.
Smart Women’s Empowerment is a project of United Charitable, a registered 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 20-4286082). Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.