Jun 24, 2025

3 Lessons Learned From Life After Forty: Fly, Be Free, And Forgive Easily

Meet Fierce After Forty Alumni, Ellyn, a nurse and educator who serves by teaching compassion, kindness, and understanding through the art of nursing. 

A resilient, fierce, and empowering woman, Ellyn is a woman with humble beginnings and one who learned emotional intelligence at a young age, never letting others define her boundaries in life. Blessed to be a recipient of various mentorships from kind individuals over the years, she attributes her strength and fierceness to the brave women who have crossed her path, each leaving behind lessons that inform and define who she is today.

We asked Ellyn what it means to be a woman who is fierce after forty. We invite you to read her answers below. 

Woman in black lingerie looking directly at the camera while leaning on a black sofa with a dark backdrop.  Photography by Lindsay Hite

Lessons Learn From Life On Fierceness

Q: What does the word “fierce” mean to you? 

A: “Brave, unapologetic, kind, resilient”

Q: What are you proud of yourself for having overcome in your life? 

A: “Not letting others determine my boundaries.”

Q: What have you learned about yourself and life since entering your current decade of life?

A: “Life is fragile, live each day as if it is a gift. Love wholeheartedly, give selflessly, and be humble.”

Q: What do you want others to know about what it means to be a woman over forty?

A: “This is just the beginning..fly, be free, and forgive easily.”

Woman in rhinestone bedazzled fishnet leotard laying on her back on a jade bedspread thinking of lessons learned after forty.  Photography by Lindsay Hite

On the Fierce After Forty Project

Q: What does it mean to you to be a part of a photography project highlighting the beauty and strength of women over forty? 

A: “This empowering journey has left a burning fire to shine light and lift others to go beyond their boundaries and let out that inner beast.”

Q: How has your Spark Experience impacted your self-image and how you show up in the world?

A: “I am still left in awe. What a beautiful lifting experience!”

Q: What do your Spark Session photographs say about you? 

A: “Free, brave, powerful.”

Q: What advice would you give someone on the fence about booking their own Fierce After Forty Experience?

A: “Do it. This is a gift to yourself.“

Image of a woman from the rear. The woman is wearing black lingerie and heels and is sitting on a black sofa with a black backdrop. Photography by Lindsay Hite.

The Fierce After Forty Project, designed by Show Your Spark Photography Studio, seeks to highlight powerful women over Forty through photography and storytelling.  In doing so, we inspire countless other women to embrace and celebrate their journey, bodies, and power – no matter their season of life. 

If you want to show off your After Forty Fierceness, contact us today!

Remember, you are powerful, courageous, and one of a kind! Show Your Spark!

Here’s what to expect when you contact us

  1. Schedule a free consultation call to have all your questions answered and start planning your Spark Experience. 
  2. Select a Spark Session date that fits your schedule. (Studio located in Braintree, MA)
  3. Rock the session like the bright light that you are, and create beautiful, tangible artwork to inspire you for the rest of your life. 

Remember, you are powerful, courageous, and one of a kind! Show Your Spark!

Curious about having your own empowering session?

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