When Monique, wife and mum, traded her role as Chief Problem Solver for a one-way ticket to adventure, she discovered that mid-life isn’t a crisis – it’s an opportunity.
Her new book, A Grown Up’s Gap Year (The Guidebook for Mid Lifestyle. Wellbeing. Adventure. Chic) – is pioneering a movement for mid-life women seeking reinvigoration, adventure, and joy.
While most of us dream of running off and leaving the husband, kids, and a packed life behind, Monique actually did it. At 54, she set off in search, of her life – much to the surprise of her husband, two sons, and mum. Now, she’s helping other women do the same.
‘Forget seizing the day, I seized the lot!’ laughs Monique. ‘I put my foot down and built a high fence around my boundaries. I encourage other women to do the same – find space for themselves. A Grown Up’s Gap Year is the guidebook I wish I had when I floundered. If we decide to take centre stage in our own lives, for a change, this can be such an exhilarating time of life.’
From jumping off cliffs (literally and figuratively) to meeting kindred spirits around the globe, Monique returned home to Australia with a fresh perspective on life – but no idea how to maintain her renewed sense of wellbeing in a packed life. Struggling to find answers, she wrote the book. In essence, it’s a guidebook, a how-to for running away, with plenty of handy hints for mid-life.
Without sacrificing family, friends, or sanity, this witty, candid roadmap delivers practical tips and advice from guest experts – covering wellbeing, financial savvy, chic style updates, and inspiring travel (whether in your backyard or somewhere far-flung). If you’re an empty-nester, a reluctant member of the sandwich generation, or simply someone who’s forgotten where they parked their dreams, this guidebook is your permission slip to prioritise YOU.
‘With studies showing a predicted longer lifespan, it’s vital that mid-life women spend the next decades seeking fun, novelty, and taking charge of their wellbeing. Getting off the treadmill of a packed life to feel better and actually enjoy themselves,’ adds Monique. ‘It’s a new roadmap for women’s guilt-free mid-life joy.’
My Credentials
Author. Nature-Based Wellbeing Advocate. Travel & Lifestyle Writer. Nutritionist. Mid-Life Reinvigoration Guide.
Whilst Monique’s professional life (a management career in luxury travel & fashion) played second fiddle when her boys were born, she continued to seek challenges.
A sickly childhood, thyroid cancer in her 20’s, and health compromised sons led her to retrain in areas of lifelong passion; Certified Health & Wellness Coach, Clinical Nutritionist, Fitness Trainer, Cookbook Author, and Travel/Style Writer.
moniquevantulder.com is an award winning industry recognised platform. Launched from Monique’s kitchen table in 2009 as a lifestyle blog, it’s grown since then. A resource for those seeking Conversations on Mid-Life, and travel from a place of curiosity and wellbeing. Sharing pillars of a healthy lifestyle (food as medicine, movement, community, style – and yes – travel, spa and wellness retreats).
For updates on recent projects; @moniquevantulder.
Examples of my recent work can be found on the MEDIA page.
