How to Build Something New After 40 (Even When It Feels "Too Late")
Tue Dec 16 2025
"It's too late for me."
I had this worry, but I finally hit publish on my first podcast episode at 40.
I thought I'd missed the boat. Everyone else had already started, and I wondered if I was too old to become a creator in an industry that thinks you expire at 35. I was terrified to try something new in public.
But here's what I've learned: that "too late" feeling? It's just plain old straight-up fear wearing a really convincing disguise.
I feel so strongly about debunking this myth that today, in this special episode, I get the chance to flip the mic and be interviewed by Rhona Barnett-Pierce on her podcast, Workfluencer. We're getting into all the messy, uncomfortable stuff about starting something new when you feel like you've missed your window.
We talk about:
→ The year I spent overthinking instead of doing (and why that was such a waste)
→ How to actually start when you don't feel ready (because you never will)
→ Why your age might actually be the thing that makes you better at this
→ What to do when people think you're cringe (spoiler: you gotta lean in)
→ Where to find support when your friends and family don't get it
→ The real timeline from "I'm terrified" to "okay, I'm doing this"
This conversation is for you if:
→ You've been thinking about starting something but keep finding reasons to wait
→ You're staring down a layoff or career pivot and don't know what's next
→ You want to build something of your own but feel like you've missed your chance
→ You're tired of the voice in your head saying "not ready yet"
→ You need someone to tell you it's okay to be scared and do it anyway
Look, I'm not going to tell you it's easy. Starting something new at 40—especially something visible like starting a new business or jumping into content creation—is uncomfortable as hell. But the alternative is spending the rest of your life wondering "what if?" And I really, really don’t want that for you.
At the end of the day, “everyone's cringe until they make it. Then people pretend they supported you all along." (Thanks to my 28-year-old social media consultant for that gem.)
I hope this conversation gives you permission to just start. Scared, unprepared, "too old," whatever. Just start. Let’s make 2026 the year you go for it, whatever your “it” might be. The world needs you!
Speaking of 2026, we’ll be taking a holiday break til then. Happy Holidays to you and yours!
Resources:
-Get Corporate-level Health Coverage for Solopreneurs with a 50% Discount for 1st Three Months - https://essentlcreator.com/maureen
Connect with Rhona Barnett-Pierce:
-LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
-Website: https://www.workfluencerpodcast.com/
Connect with Maureen Clough:
-LinkedIn: maureenwclough - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureenwclough/
-Website: itgetslateearly.com - https://www.itgetslateearly.com/
-Instagram: a href="https://www.instagram.com/maureenwclough/"
More
"It's too late for me." I had this worry, but I finally hit publish on my first podcast episode at 40. I thought I'd missed the boat. Everyone else had already started, and I wondered if I was too old to become a creator in an industry that thinks you expire at 35. I was terrified to try something new in public. But here's what I've learned: that "too late" feeling? It's just plain old straight-up fear wearing a really convincing disguise. I feel so strongly about debunking this myth that today, in this special episode, I get the chance to flip the mic and be interviewed by Rhona Barnett-Pierce on her podcast, Workfluencer. We're getting into all the messy, uncomfortable stuff about starting something new when you feel like you've missed your window. We talk about: → The year I spent overthinking instead of doing (and why that was such a waste) → How to actually start when you don't feel ready (because you never will) → Why your age might actually be the thing that makes you better at this → What to do when people think you're cringe (spoiler: you gotta lean in) → Where to find support when your friends and family don't get it → The real timeline from "I'm terrified" to "okay, I'm doing this" This conversation is for you if: → You've been thinking about starting something but keep finding reasons to wait → You're staring down a layoff or career pivot and don't know what's next → You want to build something of your own but feel like you've missed your chance → You're tired of the voice in your head saying "not ready yet" → You need someone to tell you it's okay to be scared and do it anyway Look, I'm not going to tell you it's easy. Starting something new at 40—especially something visible like starting a new business or jumping into content creation—is uncomfortable as hell. But the alternative is spending the rest of your life wondering "what if?" And I really, really don’t want that for you. At the end of the day, “everyone's cringe until they make it. Then people pretend they supported you all along." (Thanks to my 28-year-old social media consultant for that gem.) I hope this conversation gives you permission to just start. Scared, unprepared, "too old," whatever. Just start. Let’s make 2026 the year you go for it, whatever your “it” might be. The world needs you! Speaking of 2026, we’ll be taking a holiday break til then. Happy Holidays to you and yours! Resources: -Get Corporate-level Health Coverage for Solopreneurs with a 50% Discount for 1st Three Months - https://essentlcreator.com/maureen Connect with Rhona Barnett-Pierce: -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/ -Website: https://www.workfluencerpodcast.com/ Connect with Maureen Clough: -LinkedIn: maureenwclough - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maureenwclough/ -Website: itgetslateearly.com - https://www.itgetslateearly.com/ -Instagram: a href="https://www.instagram.com/maureenwclough/"