We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sandra Richmond. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sandra below.

Hi Sandra, thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I embraced a life-changing experience in my mid-forties when I set the goal of hiking a Grand Canyon rim-to-rim-rim 50/24 (50 miles in 24 hours) by the time I turned 50. After three attempts, I finally completed it the year I turned 50, finishing in 21 hours and 50 minutes. Not bad for a non-athlete who doesn’t run.

As I moved forward after finally completing the Grand Canyon 50/24, my life was different. I went from occasionally walking and pushing myself to becoming a passionately active person, almost fearless, willing to attempt new things even when I wasn’t completely ready or assured of success.

I spent the next almost 25 years dawdling and dreaming about writing a book about that life-altering experience. I jotted notes, and kept daily logs, had journals and notes all over the place, but knew full well I was not capable of sitting down and actually crafting a book. I was stuck. I

Then, serendipitously I met an author at a health spa, the first author I had ever met! Lynya Floyd was the health editor of Family Circle and had come to the spa to write an article. I decided to take the risk of asking her how I could finally get my story out of my head. She gave me some quick tips. Told me to email her. She said she’d send me a few more resources when she finished her assignment. I followed up. She responded. Eventually I ended up hiring her as my writing coach.

Lynya helped me develop an outline. Then for each section of the outline she had me write a purpose statement and one story. Each of those sections became a chapter. The dam broke. I started writing my book and never stopped. The words started flowing. I added some chapters, deleted others, merged a few more. From then on, I felt like my fingers just had to keep up with all those stories stored in my brain.

Occasionally I’d get plagued with self-doubt especially wondering why anyone would want to read a story about my mid-forties’ transformation. Lynya bolstered me, reminded me of my capacity to find joy in all my endeavors even when I struggled. I soldered on, hit a few rough patches, including one devastating period when I stopped and could not move forward. Eventually – with help from family, friends, and community, I was able to dig deep to gratitude, and finally move forward again.

So, here we are. 2024 is my big year. I turned 80 in February and my first book was published (Flint Hills Publishing) in March, a memoir, “Milepost 75: Aging and Exploring Life Trails with Wonder, Resilience, and Love,” demonstrating that it’s never too late, you’re never too old, and to never give up.

Sandra, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I AM A PUBLISHED AUTHOR – AT 80!

I embarked on a life-changing experience in my mid-forties when I set a goal of hiking the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim-rim 50/24 (50 miles in 24 hours) by the time I turned 50. I finally completed it the year I turned 50, finishing in 21 hours and 50 minutes. Not bad for a non-athlete! I did not run. I hiked slow and steady.

This experience transformed my life, but not in the typical way. I did not end up becoming the fastest, best, or even the oldest. I simply continued moving forward, slow and steady, applying the mindset I had adopted as I trained, tried, and even failed in my first three attempts to complete my Grand Canyon 50/24, until I finally did it.

As I aged, I continued to move forward, taking risks, moving out of my comfort zone, chasing dreams and capturing most of them. I completed my PhD at 53. Walked my first full marathon at 55. Started adventure travel in my 70’s after I “retired” as the HRVP of Leadership Development at Limited Brands.

Every member of my family joined me in at least one hiking, climbing, walking adventure.

I discovered I was “aging adventurously.” And, to my big surprise, other people noticed it too. They said I was inspirational. They referred to me as a role model. I never quit moving forward even when my arthritic hips and knees had to be replaced. I dealt with atrial fibrillation and broken feet along with other typical aging issues. I had to start over at zero many times, but that just helped me build my resilience muscle.

It’s now 2024. In February, I turned 80. In March, my memoir “Milepost 75: Aging and Exploring Life Trails with Wonder, Resilience, and Love” was published. by Flint Hills Publishing.

One reader offered this feedback after she finished my book, “You are not wishy-washy! You never give up. I love your determination.”

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

RESILIENCE:

My life is filled with stories of never giving up. Most are associated with growing older and dealing with body breakdowns. In all cases, even with joint replacements of hips and knees, broken feet, and atrial fibrillation, I slowed down, started over, but never gave up. I’m used to dealing with and overcoming physical issues. I’ve had lots of practice.

But it had been quite a while since I had dealt with loss. The most recent relevant example of resilience occurred almost two years ago when I had just start drafting a query letter to a potential indie publisher when Arnie, my dear husband of almost 54, years died unexpectedly in the hospital. His health had been failing for several years, but the docs were discussing discharge. My daughter, son, and I were making plans to take him home and get him started on rehab. We were stunned and numb as we went through the process of dealing with his death rather than planning for home health care.

I stopped cold. Could no longer move forward. It was hard enough to get up, even eat, much less even think about moving forward with my book. Our kids (I still can’t bring myself to say “my” kids) removed our big bed and replaced it with a smaller one for me to sleep in alone. They helped me deal with my grief as they grappled with their own. When I finally moved back into our home after camping out on my son’s couch, I still struggled. I was stalled even though I knew full well Arnie would want me to move on. Finally, I was able to dig into that deep well of determination that had carried me forward after every other injury, illness, surgery, affliction and loss.. I recaptured my gratitude and strength, and started to move forward.. Slowly. Step by step.

I finished writing the query letter. A dear friend introduced me to her publisher. I submitted my manuscript. It was accepted by Flint Hills Publishing, my quest to finish writing my story got back on track.

I still hit those low points when it takes every ounce of energy to keep going. When I get stalled, I am fortified with gratitude for the good times, for our life together, through highs and lows, make it work. I take it a step at a time, knowing Arnie’s out there somewhere cheering me on. I rely on my own passion and determination. I embrace the circle of love and support from family, friends, and community. And keep moving forward.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

MY BIGGEST SURPRISE AND DELIGHT IS THE ABUNDANCE OF POSITIVE FEEDBACK AND SUPPORT!

I had carried the dream of writing a book about my Grand Canyon 50/24 life transformation for almost 25 years. Then the stars aligned. It finally happened. Book written! Book published! Time to toss the confetti.

I knew my life would be somewhat different after I became a published author, but I never dreamed I would receive such incredible feedback. Of course, I hoped readers would enjoy my book. And that maybe a few would even be inspired by it. But it was much more than I expected.

I started receiving thoughtful and generous comments before my book was even published from my beta readers and even from my writing coach and editor.

Then I was stunned that several authors who generously responded to my request for blurbs also included encouraging support. One NY Times best selling author wrote, “I am impressed by what you have done. And you write well, which is rarer than you might think.” Another included along with his blurb, “Congratulations on your book! It looks like a very worthy project and I’m sure will bless lives.” Their blurbs enhanced my book. Their encouragement warmed my heart.

I became a member of a writing community through my Flint Hills publisher, Thea Rademacher, continued to strengthen relationships with authors who had responded to my blurb requests, and, connected with others on Facebook. Their common theme was, “We don’t compete, we collaborate. We help each other.”

As soon as my book was available for sale, I purchased more than 100 copies to send as thank-you gifts to everyone who had supported me during my five-year long writing and editing process. People in the book. My beta readers and blurb writers. My family and friends. I received calls, notes, cards, all thanking me and sharing positive feedback. One hiking buddy wrote, “I think it was karma that I would need to read about your journey at a time when I have been questioning my life. I don’t know how it happened, but I have been doing fewer physical challenges every year and then I just gave into the idea that physical training was too hard. But you have never given up no matter how hard it is. So, I’ve started setting some small goals and will working up. You helped me get back on track.”

Readers posted reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. One reader wrote, “I loved hearing about the author’s life, life experience and motivation to meet many of her goals through walking. Her grit and determination come through the pages. This honest look at staying fit while getting older, continuously challenging ourselves and the power of friends, family and those you meet along the way. A real story by a real person who tells it like it is.”

And now that I have started giving book talks, people share feedback in person. “I liked your book so much I bought one for my friend who is still hiking in her late eighties. She will love this and will probably want to go hiking with you sometime.” A younger woman said, “I’m in my mid-forties, the same age you were when you embraced that big challenge and changed your life. This is the perfect book for me and other my age.”

My life has been changed for good because I finally captured my dream and wrote my book, and it looks like this book might be able to change a few other lives as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://milepoststories.com
• Instagram: sandirichmondr2r
• Facebook: Milepost Stories
• Linkedin: Sandi Richmond