What does “Next Level” look like for your life, and are you ready to go ALL IN? In this powerful episode of Next Act Ninjas, Rachael Van Pelt flips the script on aging, debunking the tired narrative of slowing down and embracing the ascent into your sharpest, most vibrant self. Discover how to rewrite your beliefs, silence doubt through action, and build unstoppable momentum toward your dreams. With inspiring insights, a visualization exercise to connect with your future self, and actionable steps to ignite your “booster rocket,” this episode is your call to design a life of purpose, passion, and legacy. Your Next Act starts now—press play!
What does “Next Level” look like for your life, and are you ready to go ALL IN? In this powerful episode of Next Act Ninjas, Rachael Van Pelt flips the script on aging, debunking the tired narrative of slowing down and embracing the ascent into your sharpest, most vibrant self. Discover how to rewrite your beliefs, silence doubt through action, and build unstoppable momentum toward your dreams. With inspiring insights, a visualization exercise to connect with your future self, and actionable steps to ignite your “booster rocket,” this episode is your call to design a life of purpose, passion, and legacy. Your Next Act starts now—press play!
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Next Level Living
00:58 Aging Isn’t Decline, It’s Ascent
03:18 What Does Next Level Look Like for You?
05:07 Overcoming Doubt and Limiting Beliefs
06:55 Visualizing Your Future Self
09:31 Take One Step Toward Your Next Level
10:40 Overcoming Comfort and Resistance
11:37 Creating a Legacy Through Your Actions
Hey, hey, welcome back to Next Act Ninjas, the number one podcast for mastering your health and wealth longevity. I'm your host, Rachael Van Pelt, and I have a question for you today. Are you ALL IN on going Next Level? When it comes to your Next Act, are you ALL IN? Because that's what we're going to talk about today. This episode isn't for those who just want to stay comfortable doing what they've always done. Today, we're going to get a little uncomfortable and push our boundaries a bit. Why? Because here we are thinking about our next few decades, thinking about where we want to live, how we want to live, and what will make our hearts sing. But going big later in life flies against the conventional narrative of it's time to slow down. So we need to ask ourselves, are we really ready to go Next Level? And what does that even look like at this stage of our life?
But first, let's start by addressing the narrative that's been handed to us about aging. Society has a way of making us feel like we're supposed to slow down, step aside, shrink a little bit as we get older. Think about it. How many times have you heard things like, "act your age", or "it's too late for that"? These messages aren't just wrong, they're harmful. The truth is, aging is not a problem to solve. It's a gift to unwrap. Over the years, you've gained something that younger generations are still working towards. Wisdom. Resilience. A crystal clear sense of what matters and what doesn't. This is your superpower, and it's time to leverage that, not retreat from it.
It's time we flip the script on aging. It's no longer about decline, it's an ascent, something you get to refine over time. It's becoming the sharpest, most authentic, version of you. And here's the exciting part. Rapid advances in the science of longevity are going to rewrite what's possible for our bodies and minds over the next few years. We're going to be able to stay healthier, sharper, and more vibrant for decades to come with the right strategies. But to keep growing, we're going to have to approach this phase of life with intention, embracing it as a chance to flourish like never before.
But let's get metaphorical for a moment. Picture a rocket. It's already defied gravity, broken through the atmosphere, and now it's coasting in orbit. Most people would think the hardest work is over, that the rocket can simply float along in its steady path. But for a rocket to fulfill its true mission, to explore the stars, it needs one more thing. A booster. That booster gives it the extra burst of energy it needs to carry it to its ultimate destination. And that's you right now. You've done the heavy lifting. You've faced life's challenges, maybe raised a family, built a career, overcome odds. Now it's time for that booster rocket. It's time to reignite your energy, your passion, and your purpose for the next stage of life. But what does Next Level even look like?
It's personal, isn't it? Next Level won't look the same for everyone. For some, it means trying something completely new, like leaving a corporate job to start a passion project or a small business. For others, it's about pivoting, exploring a new field within the same career path. Maybe you've always been a teacher, but now you want to write a book or mentor others in your field. Next Level might also mean revisiting an old dream, like running a marathon at 60 when you haven't run since high school. Or maybe it's embracing a major lifestyle change, like moving to a place you've always dreamed or investing in that vacation property that you've been eyeing. It could mean doing the same thing you've always done, but with a renewed intensity, like an athlete hiring a coach to fine-tune performance.
So ask yourself, what does Next Level look like for you? Do you have an unfulfilled desire, a lifestyle you're craving, or maybe a goal you've been putting off? Or maybe it's a feeling you're after. The truth is most of the things that we do in life, the things we go after, we do it for how it's going to make us feel, don't we? Sometimes it's love we're after. Sometimes it's importance. Sometimes we want to feel safe and secure, while at other times we want a bit of risk and challenge. Now there's a time and place for playing it safe, but if you really want to go Next Level, you're going to need to set aside your need for certainty and embrace a bit of uncertainty.
Unfortunately, when we're uncertain, doubt starts to creep in. In fact, the number one obstacle to going Next Level isn't lack of ability or opportunity, it's doubt. We let self-doubt and cultural narratives hold us back. We internalize beliefs like, "It's too late", "You can't teach an old dog new tricks", "That ship has sailed". But those voices, whether they come from society or your inner critic, are lying. The best way to silence them is through action. Each time you take a single step towards your goal, doubt loses a bit of its power. Take another step, then another, and suddenly you've built unstoppable momentum. But if you're waiting for your doubt to disappear before you act, you'll wait forever. Action is your antidote to doubt.
But as you start taking action, you also need to edit out those BS beliefs that it's too late or it'll be too hard or it won't work or it won't last. Likewise, squash the other all-too-common disempowering beliefs of I don't have enough time, energy, motivation. These are all excuses that will keep you from achieving your desires. If you're ALL IN on Next Level, flip those beliefs on their head. Turn them into empowering beliefs. Say things like, "My energy is a renewable resource", "I'm a master of my time", "My lifetime of experience is actually what's going to make it easier to achieve and maintain my goals, my Next Level". You get the idea. When you combine decisive action with empowering beliefs, you have the key to closing the gap between what you want and what you believe is achievable.
But let's do a powerful visualization exercise. Assuming that you're not on the road or something, I want you to close your eyes for a moment. Take a deep breath in and let it out slowly. Let's imagine your future Next Level self. It's three years from today. Picture yourself waking up in the morning. As you get out of bed, you notice how strong and energetic you feel. Your body moves with ease without pain or stiffness. You've been prioritizing your health for the past few years and it shows. You feel vibrant, alive, and ready to take on your day. You look out the window and there's a sense of pride in how you've built your life. You're comfortable in your home, your finances are in order, and you have the freedom to do what matters most to you. Maybe that's traveling, pursuing a passion, spending time with loved ones, or working on a project that fills your heart with purpose. You're not just getting by, you are thriving.
Now think about your relationships. Who are you spending your time with? Maybe you've deepened your bond with family and friends. Maybe you've made new connections. People who challenge and inspire you. People who make you laugh. You're surrounded by a community that uplifts you, where you feel a deep sense of belonging.
And then imagine this, you found your "why". You are excited to get out of bed every morning because you have a purpose that lights you up. Maybe it's mentoring someone, giving back to your community, creating something meaningful, or simply savoring the joy of life. Whatever it is, it feels authentic, it feels like you.
Now I want you to open your eyes. That future is within your reach, every part of it. But here's the truth. It's not going to happen on its own. The choices you make today determine the life you'll live tomorrow. And the beautiful thing is, you already have everything you need to begin.
So let me ask you, what's the one small step you can take right now? Doesn't have to be big. Grab your phone or a piece of paper. Write down one thing, just one, that you can do this week to move closer to your vision. Maybe it's taking my Lifestyle Longevity Assessment or signing up for a coaching consult. Maybe it's making a call to a friend you miss or just sending them a text. Or take five minutes just to reflect on what brings you joy. Every great transformation starts with a single step. Don't overthink it. Just write down the first thing that comes to mind.
Next, take another moment and write down why this action matters to you. What will it do for you? How will it bring you closer to your future self, the life that you imagine? The more specific you are, the more powerful that this exercise becomes.
If you're feeling comfortable where you are, I get it. Comfort feels safe, doesn't it? It feels familiar. But let me ask you this. Is staying comfortable really what you want? Or do you want something bigger, something bolder? Growth never happens in the comfort zone. It happens when we stretch ourselves, when we step into a little discomfort and dare to imagine what's possible. Think about it. Three years from now, you're going to arrive somewhere. The question is, will it be a place you chose intentionally? Will you have taken your life to the Next Level? Or will you be on a downward trajectory? Because I can assure you, you're not going to stay right where you are. You're either expanding or shrinking your life. There's no staying still. And the only way to keep growing is through intentional action.
And let's not forget that going Next Level in your Next Act, it's not just you chasing dreams. It's about the legacy that you're creating. The way you live, it inspires others, doesn't it? Your family, your friends, even people you don't know yet. Just imagine the ripple effect of your actions. Imagine showing the next generation what it looks like to thrive in later life. Imagine leaving behind not just memories, but a blueprint for living with courage, vitality, purpose.
This is your moment. The door is open, but you have to walk through it. You have a choice today, stay where you are or begin moving toward the life you truly want. The only thing standing between you and your vision is action. One step, one choice, one commitment at a time. Don't wait for someday, it starts now.
So I'll leave you with this. What will your future self thank you for starting today? Will you take that step? Will you go ALL IN on your Next Level? I believe in you. Now it's time for you to believe in yourself. Are you ready? It's time.
Thanks for joining me for another episode of Next Act Ninjas. If you haven't already, be sure to hit the subscribe button. And if your action step today is to take the Lifestyle Longevity Assessment or schedule a consult, you'll find those links in the show notes. Until next time, live well, love more, age less, my friends.