11 Inspiring Stories From People Who Got Their Big Breaks After 40

If you're over 40 and you haven't achieved your lifelong dream yet, it can be easy to feel like it'll never happen. But an inspiring thread that's going viral on Twitter proves that just because you're middle aged doesn't mean you can't still have your big break. On Jan. 7, 35-year-old writer, producer, and actress Melissa Hunter tweeted that instead of reading a list of 30 people who made major accomplishments under the age of 30, she wanted to hear from "a mother of two who published her first novel" or a "director who released their first studio feature" over the age of 40. And Twitter delivered.

1. There was this mother who released her first full-length book at 45 and started law school at the age of 47, all while raising four teenagers.

https://twitter.com/dandelionmama/status/1214682817889738757

"Some of us are late bloomers, but wow, when we figure it out…🔥" she wrote. Fire emoji, indeed!

2. Then there was this 65-year-old woman who always knew she wanted to be a painter. She finally started five years ago and look at her go!

https://twitter.com/artsymaria101/status/1214911008080375808

3. This 41 year old's first book comes out next week.

I'm 41 and my first book comes out next week! The idea that you've got five years between 20 and 30 to do everything you're ever going to do is ridiculous.

— Mike Rothschild (@rothschildmd) January 7, 2020

"The idea that you've got five years between 20 and 30 to do everything you're ever going to do is ridiculous," he sagely wrote.

4. This inspiring woman lost her job when she was 48, drove a Lyft for six months, made jewelry, "did some kid-raising," beat breast cancer, and was appointed to a state leadership role on her 50th birthday. You know, no biggie.

Lost job at 48, after 24 years of service. Drove for LYFT for 6 months, learned to make jewelry, did some kid-raising, beat breast cancer, then appointed by Governor on my 50th birthday to a state leadership role. Now 55, kids all successfully launched, living my best life!

— Shannon Swain (@girafa64) January 11, 2020

5. Then there's this woman whose illness had her defeated, and now, at 50, she's helping others by running a medical office.

Got sick at 25. Thought life was over. Adapted. Became a writer. At 45, husband (46) wanted to open pain mng practice. Jumped in to help. Now I know how to run a medical office. Thanks for making me think about this. I'm 50 now, and I've done a lot to be proud of. I forget that.

— Tammy Soong (@TammySoong) January 9, 2020

"Thanks for making me think about this," she wrote. "I've done a lot to be proud of. I forget that."

6. There's also this woman who didn't start working in show business until 48 and now has an Emmy and a Tony!

First film at 48. First Emmy at 52. First Tony at 59!!!!

— Abigail Disney (@abigaildisney) January 8, 2020

7. And this 41-year-old is about to debut a screenplay at the highly regarded Sundance Film Festival.

I'm 41 and my first screenplay is premiering at @sundancefest this year in the US Dramatic Competition! #theeveninghourfilm

— Camp Palmore (@CampPalmore) January 8, 2020

8. Meanwhile, this show-stopper starred in a musical just months after a heart transplant at 53!

53 year old who took the stage in 2019 for a 4-week sold-out run of "Mamma Mia," 10 months post-heart transplant. pic.twitter.com/VnykF4tQAF

— Andrea O (@dfibkitty) January 9, 2020

9. This woman started writing and running at 45 and hasn't stopped doing either. She's now 60.

My first book was published when I was 57, second, at 58, and now at age 60, working on revisions for book #3. Also, I didn't start running until after I turned 45 (averaged 1,000 miles/year for several years.) #nevertoold #nevertoolate #nevergiveup #dreambig #workhard

— Jill Hannah Anderson (@JillHannahA) January 7, 2020

A thousand miles a year? Incredible!

10. This father of three left his day job to become a music producer—and now, he has a Grammy.

https://twitter.com/starRo75/status/1214979181433380864

11. And this 60-something woman is taking math for the first time in 40 years for her doctorate!

Workings on my doctorate. I had not taken a math class for 40 years but aced statistics and advance statistics with A's. I will graduate with a 4.0 at the ripe age of 60+. The dissertation is all I have left. Lots of life to live!

— Nicolette C Dennis (@greekfromidaho) January 8, 2020

"Lots of life to live!" she wrote.

In less than a week, Hunter's thread has received more than 31,000 retweets, and people are thanking her for reminding everyone that life doesn't end after 40.

I could use that inspiration. I often find myself thinking: "well, I'm 40 now, so it's too late to accomplish that."

— Shawn Parks (@shparks79) January 7, 2020

And for more debunking of what life is like after 4o, check out 40 Myths About Life After 40 Everyone Still Believes.