What does fierceness look like in human form?
Meet Heather, a Fierce After Forty Alumni, who not only embraces a fierce mindset but chooses fierceness as a way of life. Through her life, she is redefining strength, courage and success after forty.
Rising from the ashes of a divorce with three small children and a high school diploma, she now owns and leads a twenty-member family law firm where she is a relentless advocate for others. Through her story and daily actions, she models what it means to find your inner strength, choose a new direction, and write a new chapter of your life.
Keep reading for her powerful insights on strength, resilience, and why finding success after forty is just the beginning.
Empowering Others
“I fill my days with figuring out ways to improve my firm, future businesses, and the lives of others. I’m passionate about my journey of empowering others, and there’s nothing better than hearing someone say, “You helped give me the courage to change my life.” Outside of work, I also cherish my family and traveling!”
Using My Life Story to Inspire
“As a fierce woman over the age of 40, I embody the characteristics of resilience and strength shaped by my journey as a domestic violence survivor. I use my life story to show how transformation and empowerment are attainable for each and every woman who finds herself wondering what their future holds. Life does not always unfold as you envision it will, but I believe that you go through tough times because, someday, someone is going to need your help. It’s going to be important to them to know that you’ve walked in their shoes. I want my life and my future to be a reminder that no matter how daunting the road ahead may seem, you always have the strength to choose a new direction and to write a new chapter.”
Embodying Fierceness
“I relate so much to the word “fierce” because it’s everything I knew I wanted to be as an attorney. Someone who is intensely passionate about what they do and gets the best result possible for their client. Someone who knows how to wear multiple hats; one for the negotiation ring and another for the litigation ring – and knows when to change hats quickly as the situation calls for it. Someone who is not able to be pushed around or bullied and can be a voice for others who do not currently have the ability to be their own advocate. Someone who is confident in who they are and what they stand for without being egotistical. Someone who knows what they want and, even if they are afraid, puts all doubt aside and goes after it.”
Success After Forty
“When asked, “What are you proud of yourself for having overcome in life?”, the easy response would be to list all the achievements that others told me I couldn’t accomplish: going to school to become an attorney after a divorce left me with little more than 3 young children and a high school diploma, being on the editorial board of my school’s law review, graduating in the top 10 of my law school class, serving as the lead judicial clerk to the Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court Chief, opening my own law firm and growing it to a team of nearly 20, and helping over 2,500 people navigate difficult family law issues. These are all milestones that many would see as the epitome of success, achieved through overcoming significant challenges.
But that is not what makes me most proud.
What I am truly proud of is that during some of the darkest moments of my life, I continued to breathe, even when it felt like a thousand pounds were pressing down on my chest. I dragged myself out of bed and took a shower each morning when everything felt pointless and hopeless. When I realized I couldn’t fix myself on my own, I reached out for support and guidance when it would have been easier to continue to wallow in my own misery.
It’s easy to talk about the big challenges that lead to success, but those aren’t always the most important things to overcome. When you’re overwhelmed by anxiety and depression, actions that others consider trivial and routine can become some of the hardest challenges to overcome.
So to answer the question, I am incredibly proud of pushing through those days of darkness when it felt easier to give up than to keep going.”
Embracing Silence as a Tool
“Since entering my 40’s, I’ve learned that winning doesn’t always mean being right. In negotiations and relationships, a successful outcome often involves achieving your desired outcome while allowing the other side to feel like they’ve won as well. I’ve also come to understand that the phrase I often heard as a child – “Silence is golden” – holds true in adulthood. Not only does your silence allow you to actually hear what the other side is saying, but it can also be one of the most effective negotiation tools since it often causes the other person to start talking because they are not comfortable with the silence, resulting in you obtaining valuable information simply because you did not open your mouth.”
Aging Brings Wisdom
“I’ve heard people say they’re too old to start something new, but I believe that as we age, our life experiences and past mistakes provide us with invaluable insights that give us a distinct advantage. Being over 40 means you now have the wisdom to navigate new challenges and the confidence to pursue your dreams to a degree you did not have in your 20s. There are only so many tomorrows, so it’s essential to make the most of today. Embrace your passions and take that leap – go after what you’ve always dreamed about but maybe pushed off. You have the strength and wisdom to turn those dreams into reality.”
“Our society has worshiped youth and conventional aesthetic beauty as long as I can remember. The fact that women over forty are being praised through the Fierce After Forty Project, not only for their unique beauty but also for using their life challenges to help others find their own success, is an absolute honor for me to be a part of.”
Reflecting Inner Strength Through Photography
“I set a goal for my photos to capture a more edgy and mature side of myself, as I often felt my pictures come across as too cutesy to be taken seriously. The day of the photoshoot was fantastic – my hair and makeup looked great, and I felt incredibly comfortable as the camera clicked away. Yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being an imposter, as if I were merely playing dress-up.
However, when I received the prints from the shoot, my breath was taken away. The woman staring back at me exuded strength, boldness, and fierceness, while also revealing a softer, professional side. It was everything I had felt about myself on the inside, and it was finally reflected on the screen.
My Spark Experience resulted in successfully showing the world that I am a badass and a force to be reckoned with.”
“If you are on the fence about booking your own Fierce After Forty Experience, be like Nike and just do it! You will NOT regret it!”
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!
- Schedule a free consultation call to have all your questions answered and start planning your Spark Experience.
- Select a Spark Session date that fits your schedule. (Studio located in Braintree, MA)
- 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!
