Senior or Sassy? Ageless at Sixty-three: #TheGoodGen Interview with Carol Vickers, Professional Life Coach

Forget 30 under 30, when it comes to seniors, (elders aged 55+) this generation, is on fire. Seniors are often projected in society as vulnerable, and sad to say mostly we as a society have not been inclusive. While there are many seniors who do need support, there is also a generation of seniors doing some pretty amazing things at their age.

We have umpteen examples of seniors who have proven that age doesn’t and shouldn’t matter when it comes to living a life full of possibilities. We see the 72 year old who pursued his dream and completed his PhD or the 57 year old woman who finally took the leap and became a successful entrepreneur. There’s the 63 year old who found love and got married in a simple yet beautiful ceremony or  the 68 year old who set out on a road trip that he always imagined he would take with his best friend. Then we also see a 76 year old who had the courage to get back to dancing and the person who went skydiving on her 60th birthday. Pretty incredible stories out there, right?

We ourselves didn't have to look far for our first #goodgen interview. Carol Vickers, the amazing life coach of the founder of The Good Tee, who at the age of 63 started her life coach schooling program.

Vickers, a life coach & consultant, a wife, a mother, and a grandmother is a sixty-three year old who says she feels no older than fifty (we think she looks even younger) and is committed towards her passion of helping people live full and vibrant lives. Age ain't nothing but a number, to prove our point check out her interview where we were left inspired by her amazing life force and zeal. Go ahead, have a read and we promise that you’ll take back a tip or two to follow in your own life.

1. What is the story of your life?
   
   I was born and raised in Calgary, AB but have lived on the west coast for all of my adult life. I have been married for 41 years and believe that relationships remain alive when people are committed to communication. I have a son and a daughter who I love to spend time with and two grandchildren that are the light of my life!
   
   
    
   
   After many years in business and business operations, I became a professional coach just before my 50th birthday. It felt like I had finally figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up.  Since then I have collaborated with other coaches, been involved in developing training and facilitation programs and this year launched my own professional coach training program. I have had the privilege of coaching human beings all around the world, at this time entirely online. Working from my home office in Victoria, BC and connecting with clients globally is a delight.
   
   
   
   
   

2.  Were you an activist and for what cause? Why was it important?
   
   I believe that a vital piece is to give back to my community. At the beginning of the Covid crisis, I invited about 50 of my coaching colleagues from around the world to join me in offering free coaching to anyone who felt they could use the support of a coach. About 200 people took us up on our offer and I have heard back about the difference that many of those conversations made. The coaches providing the services got as much out of it as the clients and we all experienced a sense of contribution.   

3. What are you up to now? 
   
   I have just begun my own professional coach training program that is under review by the International Coaching Federation to be accredited to their highest standards. We completed our first cohort of students in July and have another full class beginning in November. I am in the process of developing a coach training program for Indigenous human beings in Canada where I get to offer my expertise in coaching competencies and support the program being designed by Indigenous leaders. I continue to engage with new clients in my coaching practice and mentor new coaches as they start their journey.
   
                       

    

4.  What do you believe is the recipe for living a good and happy life?
   
   It sounds like a cliché, but it is most important to find something that you love and spend time doing that. Too many people dread Monday mornings because they work at a job they hate. Working on a project that means something to you, with people you have fun with, where you can gain a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction does not have to be just a dream. It is what we all deserve. I spend a lot of time with my clients,    supporting them in living a life they love.
   
   

5. What advice would you give your younger self?
   

   I would give my younger self a hug and tell her that she is far more capable than she believes and can be confident that her voice is worthwhile and she has every right to be heard.  

    

6. How has the world changed? And what do you think we can do better?
   
   What I have seen in my life so far is that despite the increase in speed in many aspects of the world, the fundamental building blocks of being kind, generous and thoughtful are what make the most difference. I think if we operated from that perspective that we can and should take care of each other, we would not have the same dilemmas of prejudice, inequality and violence. We need to teach our children to be gentle and to be responsible for their actions in the world.

7. How do you define love?
   
   Hmm, good question. I experience loving and being loved a great deal in my life. If I had to boil it down to one definition it would be creating a safe place for each other to be exactly who we are and who we aren’t.
   
   
   

Carol definitely defies the crazy notion that life begins when we are young and ends as we hit the senior mark. But when we come across people who are young at heart like her, and have a grit and determination that inspires so many others like her to push through all odds to achieve their dreams at any stage of their lives, we feel truly humbled to have had a chance to be able to tell her story. She sure is one heck of a woman and absolutely defines her generation as #thegoodgen.

Love her already? We sure do! Guess what, you can reach out and talk to her more at https://carolvickers.com/.

P.S. Know of any amazing seniors we could feature? Please let us know! Reach out here.