"The 25-year-old Diane would be relieved everything went well in my life."
a Midlifer in Profile: Diane Diaz
Diane Diaz is a teacher and a speaking coach who loves the outdoors. The beach is her favorite place, but you’ll also find her paddleboarding the lakes in Central Florida or hiking the trails in Florida and Georgia.
Previously married for 19 years, Diane got divorced some 14 years ago and has been in a relationship with a wonderful man for the last 13 years. A couple of years ago, she bought a condo on her own in Winter Springs, Florida, where she currently resides with her snuggly big kitty.
Diane takes care of her physical and mental health through regular exercise. She walks almost every day, hitting between 4 to 7 miles, and works out at home with weights. She also loves to read and is currently obsessed with historical fiction and non-fiction surrounding WW II. And her goal for 2024 is to learn to speak Spanish.
You can connect with Diane Diaz on LinkedIn.
IN WHICH GENERATION DO YOU BELONG?
Gen X: 1965 - 1980
DO YOU WORK? IF SO, WHAT DO YOU DO?
I have two jobs. I'm the Lead Speaking Coach for Speaking Your Brand, where I work with our clients to help them create and deliver their signature talks. I also teach branding and marketing classes at Full Sail University, where I've been for 15 years.
WHAT WOULD THE 25-YEAR-OLD VERSION OF YOU THINK OF YOU TODAY? HOW ARE YOU MOST DIFFERENT FROM HIM OR HER?
Well, 25-year-old Diane would be so relieved that everything went well in my life. I think she'd be surprised that I'm divorced, but then she'd realize how happy I am, and she'd be okay with that. 25-year-old Diane was a huge worrier about literally everything. So she'd be relieved to know that I'm doing well and worry so much less about everything. That's probably how I'm most different from my 25-year-old self — so much less worrying.
The 25-year-old Diane would also be surprised to see how much into health and fitness I am. She would be so happy that I've been able to stay fit into midlife. I was not an athletically coordinated child, teen, or young adult. So sports and physical activities were not part of my life.
25-year-old Diane would be floored that I learned to swim at the age of 37 and completed the Florida Ironman triathlon in 2013. She would probably not believe it unless I showed her proof. That's how unathletic I was when I was younger!
WHAT HAS NOT CHANGED ABOUT YOU?
One thing that has not changed about me is that I still hate drama. If someone is having an argument with someone else, even on a television program, I have to remove myself. I don't like drama, I don't want drama, I reject drama. LOL
GOOD OR BAD, WHAT ABOUT MIDLIFE HAS SURPRISED YOU SO FAR?
It's surprising how, once I hit this time period, I stopped giving a rip about so many things that seemed so important at other times in my life. I just say "whatever" and move on.
WHAT ONE HABIT ARE YOU ACTIVELY WORKING ON THESE DAYS?
Getting up a little earlier to do a strength training workout before my morning walk. I'm focusing on this because as we get older, especially for women, muscle strength becomes so important for balance and preventing falls, and just for general health. I want to be able to do my favorite activities for a very long time to come.
WHAT COMES TO MIND WHEN YOU HEAR THE PHRASE ‘FULFILLING LIFE’. HOW HAS YOUR PERSPECTIVE ABOUT THIS CHANGED AS YOU GOT OLDER?
When I was younger, and maybe because I grew up more on the ‘have-not’ side, I thought a fulfilling life meant a husband, a nice house, a nice car, and nice things. Over the years of midlife, I've come to realize that a fulfilling life can be whatever you want it to be. And now I don't care about cars and things. I care about spending time with my boyfriend and his family, with my friends, and with myself. I care about being healthy. And I care about living small and not consuming things for the sake of consumption. That fulfills me.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT THESE DAYS?
I'm excited about traveling with my boyfriend, continuing to be challenged and learning through the work I do as a speaking coach, and learning to speak Spanish.
IF YOU COULD GIVE A 20-YEAR-OLD PERSON SOME WORDS OF WISDOM OR PIECE OF ADVICE, WHAT MIGHT IT BE?
Don't sweat the small stuff . . . and so many things are small stuff. At the end of the day, that thing or situation you're worrying about and stressing about is most likely not going to matter in a few days, weeks, or months. So just let it go.
AND THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION: WHO WAS YOUR FAVORITE SINGER/BAND GROWING UP?
My favorite band growing up was Heart. I saw them in concert in the 80s, and they were amazing. I was blown away by this band, comprised of two sisters and the lead singer's amazingly powerful voice.
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