Do the Thing! What are You Waiting for?
In midlife, reinvention often feels like a buzzword—something aspirational but slightly out of reach. But in this episode of Third Act Unscripted, Angela Forte brings the idea crashing back to earth in the best way possible: with humor, honesty, and a big dose of “just go do the thing.”
Angela, a fourth-grade teacher by day and a thriving TikTok creator by night, has built a powerful presence by talking about what many shy away from—aging, cosmetic surgery, divorce, fitness, and starting over. Her platform began after she chose to openly share her facelift journey online, offering a level of transparency she herself had wished for while making the decision. The response was overwhelming—and revealing. Women flooded her inbox with questions, support, and their own stories of uncertainty and courage.
Her story reminds us that reinvention doesn’t have to mean burning it all down. Sometimes it means adding one small spark at a time—starting a fitness routine, signing up for a class, launching a TikTok account, or simply shifting your perspective.
The Courage to Be Transparent
Angela’s decision to document her facelift journey wasn’t about vanity—it was about visibility. She noticed that very few women were willing to talk publicly about cosmetic surgery, even though many were considering it. Shame and judgment still loom large in midlife conversations, especially around appearance.
Angela’s approach? Share anyway.
The moment she began to post updates, women responded in droves. They wanted information. They wanted reassurance. But most of all, they wanted someone to say, “It’s okay to care about how you look, and it’s okay to do what feels right for you.”
This willingness to speak openly didn’t just make Angela relatable—it made her a leader in a movement of midlife women ready to reclaim their stories.
Reframing What “Success” Looks Like
Divorce is another topic Angela speaks about candidly—and differently. Instead of treating the end of a marriage as a failure, she sees it as a chapter that may have run its course, still full of love and growth. “You can walk away with love,” she says, “and say it wasn’t for us anymore.”
That kind of reframing is powerful, especially in a culture that still prizes longevity over quality. Angela challenges the notion that a successful marriage is one that simply lasts. Instead, she sees success in how we loved, what we learned, and how we move forward.
That philosophy extends into all areas of her life, from parenting to friendships to her evolving relationship with work. She’s no stranger to imposter syndrome—especially as the first in her family to graduate from college. She remembers feeling like she didn’t belong, like she wasn’t “mom enough” compared to the Pinterest-perfect families around her. But over time, she’s found comfort in her authenticity.
She reminds us that fitting in isn’t the goal—feeling aligned with yourself is.
Movement, Motivation, and the “Why”
Angela is passionate about health and fitness, not as a means to look a certain way, but as a way to live longer, fuller, more energetic lives. For her, working out isn’t about chasing youth—it’s about preparing to throw her future grandkids in the air.
She encourages others to find their “why.” Whether it’s hiking with a partner, dancing at a grandchild’s wedding, or simply being able to get up off the floor, your “why” anchors you when motivation wanes.
One of her favorite tips? Just show up. If you’re tired, throw on a bright workout top. If you’re low on energy, tell yourself you only have to walk in the door of the class. Once you’re there, your body and your community will do the rest. It’s about building the habit—one joyful, imperfect step at a time.
The Importance of Social Energy
Angela’s energy is contagious, and she attributes much of that to community. As we age, she notes, social connection becomes not just helpful, but essential. In fact, loneliness has been shown to have a greater impact on mortality than obesity or smoking. That’s why she encourages everyone to get out there—join a class, start a conversation, take a risk.
She talks about how midlife can feel like gaining back space—not just physical space in your home when the kids move out, but mental bandwidth. It’s in that spaciousness that we start to hear our own voice again.
What does it want to say? Where does it want to go? Those questions are easier to answer when you surround yourself with people who are asking them, too.
Dating and Relationships—The Second (or Third) Time Around
Angela’s take on relationships is refreshingly grounded. She’s not in a rush. She’s not playing games. She’s just paying attention. Having been married twice, she knows what it’s like to lose herself in a relationship and what it takes to reclaim that self after it ends.
Now, she’s focused on maintaining her independence, staying honest, and prioritizing communication. Her advice? Don’t ignore red flags. Don’t shrink to make someone else comfortable. And don’t settle just because you’re afraid to start over. If it’s not fantastic, she says, she’s out—and she encourages other women to hold that same standard.
She also brings up the often-overlooked gender gap in midlife reinvention. Many women she knows are thriving—working out, starting businesses, creating content. Meanwhile, she notices some men their age have “checked out,” content to stay in a holding pattern. She wonders if it’s because women are just getting their chance—after years of putting themselves last, they finally have space to step into the spotlight. And they’re taking it.
The TikTok Factor
Angela’s TikTok success wasn’t planned—it was born from curiosity and a little bit of courage. She had a story to tell, and she told it. And then she kept telling it. Some days it was about cosmetic surgery, others about teaching, wellness, aging, or simply what was on her mind.
She didn’t overthink it—and that’s part of why it works. Her videos are real. They’re funny. They’re often poignant. And they reflect a woman who is fully owning her voice.
In addition to sharing her life, Angela also participates in the TikTok Shop, a program that allows creators to earn commission by promoting products. She’s made over $13,000 from this side venture, all while doing something she genuinely enjoys. For a teacher, that’s a meaningful financial boost—and a reminder that it’s never too late to learn something new or add a new stream of income.
Her advice to anyone who’s interested? Just start. You don’t need a niche or a business plan. You just need the willingness to post something—and to keep posting. The right people will find you.
Following Enthusiasm, Not a Master Plan
The biggest lesson from this episode? You don’t have to know the whole path to take the first step.
Angela never imagined she’d be a TikTok influencer. She didn’t know how her divorce would unfold. She didn’t have a strategy for overcoming imposter syndrome or for redefining motherhood. But she just kept doing the next right thing. And eventually, all those little next steps added up to a life she’s proud of.
She encourages listeners to follow their enthusiasm—to notice what lights them up and lean into it, even if it doesn’t make sense at first. That could mean starting a side hustle, picking up a paintbrush, going back to school, or booking a solo trip. The point is to try. To live. To not let the fear of what others might think stop you from becoming who you’re meant to be.
Key Takeaways
Reinvention can be big or small. Start a TikTok, take a class, or shift your perspective—every choice counts.
Transparency is powerful. Sharing your story can free others to share theirs.
Fitness and wellness aren’t about appearance—they’re about longevity, energy, and joy.
Find your “why.” Anchor your motivation in something personal and meaningful.
Don’t settle in relationships. You deserve to feel supported, seen, and fully yourself.
Connection is essential. Social energy and community support are key to thriving in midlife.
Just start. You don’t need a master plan—enthusiasm is enough to begin.
Resources
✨ Follow Angela on TikTok: @choosejoy70
🛍 Check out Angela’s TikTok shop account: @choosejoyshop
💬 Join our Third Act Unscripted Party Pods: Sign up for the waitlist
🎧 Listen to the podcast: Spotify