Episode #61. Surf, strength & sisterhood: Redefining possibility in midlife and beyond with Inessa Love
Your strength is still in there, it’s just waiting to be reclaimed.
When Inessa first stood on a surfboard at nearly 50, she had no idea it would change everything.
But movement has a way of unlocking more than just muscle - it builds courage, confidence, and a whole new outlook on ageing.
In this episode, we talk about growing up with limiting beliefs, finding role models later in life.
From surfing in Hawaii to a 250 mile bike ride with her teenage son, Inessa proves it’s never too late and why midlife might just be the perfect time to try something new.
Chapters
00:00 Cultural Narratives of Aging
02:40 Transformative Experiences in Midlife
06:25 The Role of Role Models
09:45 Building Courage Through Movement
12:29 The Connection Between Physical and Mental Strength
15:10 Life-Changing Decisions and New Adventures
19:28 Inspiration from Unexpected Sources
21:55 Embracing Movement and Independence
25:09 The Power of Mindset in Aging
29:02 The Importance of Community and Connection
31:21 Finding Joy in Movement
34:16 Inspiring Stories from the Surfing Community
About this week’s guest:
Inessa Love
Inessa Love discovered surfing around her 50th birthday and five years later, it’s transformed her life.
She’s the co-founder of Sassy Silver Surfers, a vibrant community on Facebook and Instagram that celebrates strength, joy, and adventure for women in midlife and beyond.
A Ph.D. researcher and passionate advocate for active aging, Inessa is currently writing a book about the transformational power of surfing for women over 50 and a memoir about a life-changing 250-mile cycling trip she took in Summer 2024.
She’s also the co-author of the award-winning paper, “Cultural Narratives from Female Communities of Care: Silver Female Surfers on Becoming Ocean Ambassadors,” which received the 2025 Climate Communication Award from the International Association for Media and Communication Research.
Connect Here:
@sassysilversurfers
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sassysilversurfers/
Facebook:https:https://www.facebook.com/groups/808225893264023
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More about your host, Wendy
Wendy (51) founded Reclaim Movement after a running injury at 40 turned into 4 years of chronic pain. In her search for answers and to reclaim her own movement again she discovered natural movement. The philosophy of training real life practical movements to be able to keep using them as we age, coupled with the benefit of using strengthening and mobilising whole-body movement patterns that are underused in today’s modern world made her realise she had found a way to move for life.
Wendy’s aim is to help people embrace a movement-rich life, at any age, to improve mobility, strength and confidence to keep moving well and doing the things they love for as long as they want.
MovNat Level 1 certified & Functional Range Conditioning certified, she coaches online group classes live & by replay in the Reclaim Movement membership as well as online and in-person private coaching in Oxford.
Find out more about Reclaim Movement:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/reclaim.movement
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@reclaim.movement
Facebook: https://facebook.com/reclaim.movement
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