"I kind of like 'me' now..." | Michelle Schneider on finding peace | Wise women: 50 Over 50 (Vol. 11)
Meet Michelle Schneider, a nurse practitioner and owner of Optimal Hormone, and one of the remarkable women featured in my Wise Women | 50 Over 50 Portrait Experience — a portrait series celebrating the beauty, confidence, and wisdom women carry into this season of life.
Michelle came to her session in the middle of a hard year, wanting nothing more than to feel glamorous for a day, and what she walked away with was so much bigger than a set of photographs. Her answers share an honest look at the parts of getting older that nobody warns you about. She’s even more honest about what she's found on the other side: a woman who has stopped competing, stopped performing, and finally settled into the quiet relief of just being herself.
Michelle writes, "I kind of like 'me' now" — and it's the kind of line that stops you, because it's not a grand declaration; it's just the truth of a woman who has earned her own contentment. Faith and family sit at the center of everything for her, and she writes about them with a clarity that comes from having weathered something real. I'm honored to share her story, in her own words.
What are some of the most significant lessons you've learned since turning 50?
Not everyone's opinion of me matters, and most people don't give much thought to me at all. Faith and family are EVERYTHING. Most of life is bearable if those two things are strong.
How has your perspective on life changed as you've gotten older?
I am more thankful and "Others"-focused. Meaning, I'm more interested in lifting up others. Not so focused on my own selfish ambitions.
What is one thing you wish more people understood about women over 50?
We are done competing and trying to prove ourselves. We crave peace above all else.
What accomplishments are you most proud of at this stage in your life?
Without a doubt, my (semi-adult) kids, ages 26, 24, 22. They have turned into really good humans who love God, family, and community.
What are your hopes or dreams for the years ahead?
To live a long and healthy life with my husband, surrounded by family, including lots of grand kids! I would also love to travel.
Tell me about a challenge you've faced in your middle or older years and how you overcame it (or how you are in the process of overcoming it, or accepting it).
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2025. I overcame it by leaning heavily on my faith and with the support of my family. I have kept a gratitude journal because I've learned from previous life trials that it's easy to get stuck ruminating on the bad parts of life -- but even during the bad parts, there can still be lots of joyful moments if you take the time to notice them. I don't want to forget those. Journaling helps me focus more on the good than the bad.
What passions or interests have you discovered or rediscovered later in life?
In my mid-forties, I discovered a passion for helping others heal their bodies, especially women. I love empowering women with the information they need to reclaim their health in mid-life. In my mid- fifties (2024), I developed a passion for helping breast cancer survivors who were struggling with menopausal symptoms.
So many women in my life were being diagnosed, and their stories were heartbreaking. Most felt dismissed, forgotten. The collateral damage to their bodies remains long after their treatments are complete and they are considered "cured". Many of them stop living and just start "existing". Their stories are heartbreaking. Many were retiring from the workforce early (because of their debilitating symptoms), canceling travel plans, checking out of marriages, and disappearing into the shadows. I couldn't continue to celebrate all the wonderful benefits of hormone replacement therapy any longer without finding a way to include these women in the discussion.
So, in 2024, God laid these women on my heart and said, "Get to work" and I did... I dug into the literature, read books, and listened to podcasts by breast cancer experts; I took courses on managing menopause in breast cancer patients. I was trying to find ways to help their "new normal" feel more manageable. And I discovered that we DO have options for them. But most of these women weren't even getting a discussion. They were being shut down and made to feel that they should just be lucky to be alive!!
As I continued preparing to help these women, I received my own breast cancer diagnosis in February of 2025 and was thrust into my own new normal. As difficult as my diagnosis was, I couldn't help but think it had to be part of a plan that was bigger than me. A plan to help me understand on a deeper, more personal level, the struggles of the exact women I was called to help. Although it's been a difficult year, I don't regret having gone through it. I now have an even deeper understanding of the struggles my patients are dealing with and their needs. And I am more energized than ever to forge ahead and help empower as many breast cancer survivors as God puts in my path.
How do you nurture your physical, emotional, and/or spiritual well-being?
I spend time with God every single morning. I also meditate and perform box-breathing exercises to help manage stress. I focus on eating whole foods, organic when possible, drink plenty of water, get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. I have completely eliminated alcohol.
What brings you the most joy these days?
Spending time with family.
What is an experience that has significantly impacted the direction of your life? How old were you when this happened, and what was the effect on your life?
Our oldest daughter was diagnosed with a rare , life threatening auto-immune disorder, called Juvenile Dermatomyositis, at the age of six. I was her most fierce advocate and our struggles with "not being heard" by medical professionals is what made me decided to become a nurse practitioner. That experience shaped the kind of provider I became, and it's the reason I am so intent on making sure our patients feel seen and heard when they come see me. Thankfully, our daughter has been in remission for well over a decade, and she is a healthy, thriving 26-year-old! God is good!!!
What is something you once feared about aging that you now embrace?
I didn't know what to expect so I guess I feared the unknown -- sickness, injury, disease, no longer feeling vibrant and healthy, feeling invisible. I currently embrace the feeling of contentment and no longer stive for "more, more, and more"! I kind of like "me" now.
What traditions or values do you hope to pass on to the next generation?
The importance of faith and family!
What stereotype about women over 50 would you like to challenge or change?
That we are all OLD, lol!
Want more?
Explore more inspiring women from the 50 Over 50 Portrait Series:
Laurie’s story: The good life, and counting what matters most
Judith’s story: Making her own way
Jenna’s story: Resilience, reinvention, and refusing to slow down