Age is our SUPERPOWER

Three women share their tales of gaining confidence and strength through life experience

- KATE CHAPMAN

‘I have more to offer now than ever’

Dr Lizzy Bernthal, 60, is a resilience and leadership specialist, and confidence coach. She lives with her husband Paul, 69, and daughter Rodena, 20, in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.

Even though I’ve now turned 60, I’m only just getting started in my mission to help female leaders feel empowered in the workplace.

I started my coaching business three years ago, but couldn’t have found my passion without my lived experiences and the resilience tools I’ve learnt.

In 1987, aged 25, I trained as a midwife, before going to work in Hong Kong to satisfy my love of travel and exploring other cultures.

When I returned to the UK as a community midwife, in 1990, my experience abroad wasn’t recognised. I wondered how I could continue my career and work overseas. Then it came to me – I’d become the eighth generation of my family to join the Army. Although I was quite late to it, at 31, it was the perfect fit.

My role evolved as a nurse, before I moved into research. On top of my basic midwifery qualifications, I’d gained a first-class degree, masters with distinction and PhD. It was a huge accomplishment, especially as schoolteachers had said I didn’t have the intelligence to go to university!

I notched up 25 years’ combined service with the British Army and NHS as a health professional, with roles in teaching, research and mentorship.