Episode 32: What the TEDx Stage Taught Me: Lessons in Midlife, Resilience & Reinvention
In this episode of Harmony in the Hustle, Angela Vassallo shares the behind-the-scenes journey of delivering her TEDx talk in Tampa, Florida: The Midlife Advantage; Why Your Greatest Success Can Come After 40.
From sleepless nights and self-doubt to standing confidently on the red circle, Angela opens up about what the TEDx stage taught her about preparation, resilience, and pushing through fear. She also dives into why midlife is the prime time for reinvention, how to protect your energy like it’s armor, and why sharing the messy middle is just as important as celebrating the wins.
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “ready” to take on something big or felt the pull to pivot in midlife, this episode will inspire you to commit, prepare, and take bold action anyway.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- Why preparation is everything and why you can’t “wing” a TEDx talk.
- The power of declaring your goals publicly (and why accountability matters).
- How to overcome the fear of failure and self-doubt when the stakes are high.
- Why energy is your currency and how to protect it before big moments.
- The importance of bringing people along on your journey (and sharing the messy middle).
- Why midlife isn’t a crisis—it’s your greatest advantage.
- How menopause can be reframed as a metamorphosis and a launchpad for growth.
- The #1 lesson Angela took away: you can do hard things.
Key Quotes from This Episode
- “You can’t half-ass a TEDx talk. Preparation is everything.”
- “Fear of failure, especially failing publicly is what holds most people back.”
- “Energy is your currency. Protect it like armor.”
- “Midlife isn’t a crisis, it’s your launchpad to success.”
- “You’ll never feel ready. Don’t wait. Do it anyway.”
Resources & Links
- Follow Angela on Instagram: @iamangelavassallo
