Ageless in Seattle
Ageless in Seattle: Trailblazing Through Time
Aging is a virtue. Here’s how to do it well.
By Catherine Grace O’Connell May 2, 2025

This article originally appeared in the March/April 2025 issue of Seattle magazine.
What if everything you’ve been told about aging isn’t true? What if age isn’t something to endure or fear but a secret superpower waiting to be unlocked? Imagine a world where every birthday isn’t a reminder of limitations but a celebration of wisdom, vitality, and untapped potential.
Welcome to Ageless in Seattle, a column, community, mission, and movement dedicated to empowering women to embrace their limitless potential at every stage of life. This isn’t about turning back the clock — it’s about stepping into the present with confidence, energy, and purpose. Aging isn’t the end of the story. It’s the beginning of a powerful new chapter.
Why ageless? Why now?
Aging is often fraught with societal pressures and stereotypes. Fear creeps in — fear of invisibility, irrelevance, or decline. Here’s a startling fact: Research shows that a fear of aging can take up to seven years off your life. That alone may motivate you to rethink the narrative and embrace an ageless mindset!
Age isn’t a barrier. It’s an invitation to step fully into your power. Your life experience, wisdom, and resilience are priceless. Our culture tends to be youth obsessed. There’s a negative connotation on getting older and, more importantly, on showing signs of aging. But here’s the kicker: We’re all aging. It’s not something we can escape. So, if aging is inevitable, why not embrace it?
Through wellness practices like meditation, mindfulness, and body movement, we can shift our mindset and unlock confidence and vitality at any age.
One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned as an energy worker for the last 20 years is that age is energy. As my teacher Wayne Dyer would say, “Change your energy, change your life.” Through wellness practices like meditation, mindfulness, and body movement, we can shift our mindset and unlock confidence and vitality at any age. Life is about so much more than a wrinkle-free visage. The ageless woman focuses on the inside, on squishing and squeezing every single ounce out of this wild and precious life.
For me, it all started with saying a resounding “yes” to new challenges, dreams, and even the things that terrified me. Every time I leaned into discomfort, I grew stronger. The best way to conquer our fears is to face them straight on. Don’t run away from them. Run toward them! I prefer to think of fear as the acronym “False Evidence Appearing Real.”
One of the greatest universal fears is public speaking. That was mine until I was invited to do a keynote speech in front of 500 women. Was I scared? Nope. Sheer knee-knocking terror is more like it. But I did it, and guess what happened? Public speaking has become one of my greatest pleasures.
Connection helps us to thrive as we age. It’s easy to feel isolated, especially during life transitions. Humans need each other. We need a Sisterhood where we can share our stories, support one another, motivate and inspire, and grow together. There’s nothing like having a powerful front row of women cheering you on while you try new things.
Noted researcher and podcaster Brené Brown said it best: “True belonging never asks us to change who we are. True belonging requires us to be who we are.” That’s the essence of the Ageless in Seattle community — a safe space where women can relax, let go, and truly belong.
What does it mean to be ageless?
It’s holistic. It’s nurturing your mind, body, and spirit. It’s not about denying age or chasing youth. My philosophy is to embrace my age while disrupting the heck out of the aging process. It’s about cherishing every stage of life with grace, gratitude, and gumption. It’s focusing less on what’s around you and more on nurturing the internal — your energy, mindset, and spirit. Your true power lies within.
Our mindset is fundamental and directly impacts how we age. Our environment and culture tend to shape our belief system. Limited beliefs develop and hold us back. Kiss them goodbye and fill that empty void with empowering beliefs that propel us forward. Believe in your power and your possibilities. Start saying “Yes” to life.
Once we open our mind, our body and spirit become energized to what we can create. In essence, becoming ageless means:
- Redefining beliefs about what’s possible.
- Saying “Yes” to new possibilities.
- Building confidence through small, courageous steps.
It’s not always easy. Change takes energy. Aging takes courage. But with the right mindset and a supportive community, it can also be an exhilarating adventure.
Meet the Ageless in Seattle Community
Ageless in Seattle is a celebration of Sisterhood. It’s a movement where women of all ages come together to share wisdom, inspire one another, and build meaningful connections.
To get this community and movement started, a wonderful group of Seattle women recently gathered at the iconic Columbia Tower Club, high above the city, for a photo shoot and kickoff event. Looking out over the sparkling Puget Sound, you couldn’t help but feel the incredible power of women coming together to support one another.
Here are just a few of the remarkable women who joined me in launching this movement:
- Holly Menino: morning news anchor at KOMO-TV and a two-time Emmy winner.
- Arpita Ghosh Dacy: Mrs. Universe America 2023–2024 and Amazon Alexa tech leader.
- Dawn Parsons: CEO of Party Til Dawn LLC.
- Lana Lindgren: president of Lacoto Industries.
- Rose Winter: Seattle lifestyle content creator and director of brand marketing at Masterplan Media.
These women are shining examples of what it means to live boldly and embrace life at every age.
What to expect
Think of Ageless in Seattle as more than a column. It’s a movement with a growing community. Through wellness workshops, social and inspirational events, and meaningful conversations, we aim to inspire and empower women to embrace their full potential. There’s magic in gathering with like-minded women. Our events are designed to foster connection, celebration, and lifelong friendships.
We embrace the power of Sisterhood. Every woman is both a teacher and a student. We learn from one another, celebrate our differences, and focus on what unites us: compassion, resilience, and a commitment to lifelong learning. This peer-to-peer model creates a space where women feel seen, heard, and supported. Whether you’re navigating a career shift, a personal challenge, or simply looking for inspiration or friendship, you’ll find it here.
In a heart-centered community, diversity and inclusivity are core values. Every woman brings her unique story and perspective to the table, but what binds us together is our shared humanity. We honor our differences without letting them define our relationships. Instead, we focus on the beauty of our collective spirit. Together, we create a space where every woman feels valued and empowered. It’s why I call it the Tribe with the Kind Vibe!
Imagine being part of a community that sees you for who you truly are and supports you in becoming who you want to be. Ageless in Seattle is more than a gathering of women. It’s a sanctuary for growth, connection, and joy. And this column will be the touchstone.
Say goodbye to sleepless nights of self- doubt and hello to a life that’s bold, vibrant, and unapologetically ageless. Let’s rewrite the script on aging — together.
About Ageless in Seattle
Catherine Grace O’Connell is chief executive catalyst of her female-focused digital media agency MODLife Media and an expert on becoming ageless in mind, body, and spirit. She has done more than 30 years of study and experience in natural wellness, mindfulness, meditation, and fitness. She is also the founder of Ageless In Seattle, a heart-centered community for women of all ages. Follow her on her website CatherineGraceO, Instagram, and Tiktok.
