"Novel Pursuits" with April Cole

April Cole's journey is a testament to resilience, inspiration, and self-discovery, deeply resonating with women in their midlife and beyond. Having earlier worked in government procurement, April transitioned to homemaking before encountering significant midlife upheavals, such as divorce and a life-altering osteoarthritis diagnosis. Yet, despite these challenges, April was able to complete college and discover a renewed sense of purpose and passion. She now encourages others towards self-care, cultivating a positive mindset, and embracing authenticity, paving new avenues in life. Her page captivates audiences across generations, illustrating the positivity in embracing one's true self.

How did you get started?

During the pandemic, April acted as a caregiver for her son who was going through a difficult phase. April started exploring social media as a platform to share her experiences as a caregiver and navigate her struggles. What began as a means to support herself through adversity blossomed into a thriving Instagram page dedicated to self-care and empowerment. Through her posts, April slowly evolved into self-care, discussing fashion, pro-aging, grey hair, and encouragement to women of all ages, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

April has courageously pursued new challenges in her life. Going back to college, facing divorce in midlife, starting a new career as an influencer, caregiving, or forging new relationships in later life. That's why April believes it's critical to stress upon Pro-Aging and it really should not matter what age you are.

I feel like I am 40, 30 because I take care of myself

How was it to go back to college at 45?

April's authenticity shines through her content, striking a chord with both older and younger audiences alike. She tries to put forward her thoughts as transparently as possible. This has enabled many women to connect with her. She emphasizes that self-care is not a luxury but a necessity as we age, particularly as women enter their 40s and 50s when the demands of life can be most taxing. April shares her own experience about how taking care of herself enables her to wake up with much more energy and lets her accomplish much more than before.

April never got an opportunity to complete her college degree. But at the age of 45, she made the bold decision to go back to college. At that time, April had been a housewife and had two teenage boys to take care of as well. Her husband did not want her to pursue her goals and this eventually culminated in their divorce!

That was a really painful time because I did not want a divorce, and I had to leave the marriage because he made it so hard for me to pursue my goals

This decision upended her life. But April found solace in meditation, exercise, and most importantly her positive mindset. Going back to college with other students being much younger than her was extremely scary for her. But all she focused on was trying to give her best. Rather than getting disturbed by grades, April focused more on learning and ended up getting straight 'A's and also ended up on Dean's list. She encourages other women to also get inspired and get back to college if needed.

Anybody who wants to do that and they are not sure, reach out to me or DM me. I will encourage you. It was one of the most life changing experiences for me

Through her experience in academia, April discovered her passion for pro-age advocacy, challenging societal norms that equate aging with irrelevance. She encourages women to embrace their age and find value and purpose in every stage of life.

Any learnings as you enter your 60s?

As April reflects on turning 60, she candidly shares her experiences with menopause and osteoarthritis, acknowledging the challenges while further emphasizing the importance of self-care and healthy lifestyle choices. April's mother had died at a much younger age. Due to this, April was even more cognizant of her body needs. Her menopause started around age 57 and was relatively mild. She went through a couple of months of hot flashes. During which she completely left alcohol which also helped her menopausal journey.

During a trip to Dubai, April realized severe discomfort in walking causing her to become completely immobile. Later, it was diagnosed as Osteoarthritis. April worked on her physical exercises and changed her diet focusing on non-inflammatory foods and that helped her overcome her painful; condition.

What you eat or don't eat can make or break the way you feel

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Accelerated Aging in Minorities

Over the years, researchers have found concrete evidence that minorities especially Black men and women suffer biological weathering specifically due to the different psychosocial factors. This was first proposed by Geronimus who gave a fundamental framework to asses the lower quality of life via explanation of allostatic loads. Allostatic loads culminate in stressful life events that cause wear and tear in bodies. Low economic standing, caregiving burdens, domestic violence, or abuse are common factors that lead to stress on the body causing underlying accelerated aging.

April also believes that we need more community engagement, forums, and outreach to discuss self-care and aging. This is even more critical for women from Afro-American backgrounds. She also shares that even younger women in their 30s need to be made aware of the concept of pro-aging such that they can be more open and brave as they grow in their lives. Through her advocacy for pro-age positivity and self-care, April hopes to continue uplifting and empowering women, reminding them that they are never too old to pursue their dreams and live their best lives. Her story serves as a beacon of hope, inspiring women to embrace aging with grace and dignity!

I absolutely think we need more education and outreach among minority women about their health and aging

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