Are you retired? Are you planning retirement? Are you living you life on your terms or by the expectations of others? This is what we are talking about in today’s episode of Conversations with Women Living Well After 50.
I’m delighted to discuss the topic of Overcoming Expectations and Stereotypes in Retirement with my guest, Maria Paterakis, The Future Proofing Counsellor and Mentor. Maria was a previous guest in Season 1 Episode 8, discussing the benefits of connecting with your life purpose. If you missed the episode, you can listen to HERE.
During our conversation we discussed:
- Asking the question: ‘Why do you want to retire?’
- Understanding how retirement can box us in
- Making your retirement a life you want and not what you are told you should be doing
- The importance of knowing your life purpose
- The definition of ‘purposing’
- The difference between joy and happiness
- What is conditional dreaming?
- Hear ‘what being a woman living well’ means to Maria
Listen to the Podcast
Watch on YouTube
Meet Maria

Maria has a background in Psychology, and for over 25 years has been dedicated to supporting people and communities to connect with their potential, build their resilience and live with confidence and purpose.
In her counselling and mentoring business she has created a system for Future Proofing 4 Life. She has seen first hand how knowing your purpose can change the trajectory of your life. With her own purpose in mind, she started a second business in marketing, working with her sister and bringing together their combined skills of marketing and psychology. She believes that potential never ends, only the way we view our potential.
A mother of 2 small children, Maria has carved a career for herself to suit her and her young family, as well as her husband’s mining career. She understands how caring for others and living your personal desires and purpose can seem at odds at times. Her parents are her greatest inspiration, with her father living a life of purpose and her mother a life of obligation. Her career in psychology, government policy and politics, as well as research and client work, have led her to where she is today…. The Future Proofing Counsellor and Mentor, Helping you to re-imagine life longevity through resilience and purpose.
Connect with Maria
FB:
Maria Paterakis – The Midlife Counsellor
Maria Paterakis – Future Proofing Counsellor | Facebook
8 Comments
I will definitely schedule this one in when I’m out for a walk Sue! So glad to see you back in action with your podcasts 🙂
Yes easing back into it Deb but feeling good about interviewing more Women who are living well. x
Hi, Sue – It is wonderful to see Maria back here with you. Once again, there are numerous gems in your discussion. Resilience, having a plan and making time to know yourself really stuck out for me in this podcast.
Thank you for sharing this. You’ve both given me lots to reflect on.
Yes, Donna, I really enjoy chatting to Maria who always provides some gems for us to think about. x
Hi Sue
I loved listening to the podcast. I am 61 and have been told I am too old to work and was laid off. My grandchildren live in another country. I cannot retire financially and was depressed in which way to turn.
Eventually I found a way to work and move forward.
I believe I still have so much to offer yes I still have purpose.
I found your podcast so encouraging and uplifting.
Thank you and Maria.
Hi Pitsa, thanks so much for your feedback and I’m pleased you found the podcast so helpful. Take care and enjoy!
Hi Sue and Maria, I greatly enjoyed listening to your discussion in a previous episode and I am happy to see Maria here again.
The question that resonates with me is whether I am living life on my terms or by the expectations of others? This was a question I had even when I was working and often trying to please and help others achieve their goals. I had to maintain perspective and a daily phrase for me is “whose life am I living…..mine or someone else’s?”
I like how you use the word “purpose” versus “obligation.” Resilience is a wonderful concept on many levels. I found your discussion on discrimination interesting. Thank you to you, Sue and Maria, for sharing a thought-provoking Vlog filled with gems.🙂
Hi Erica, you and I are so alike. I used to and maybe still do sometimes, try to please others and encourage them whilst at the same time not taking care of my own needs. Maria has some great insights into resilience, purpose and I enjoy having her as a guest. x