Women Over 40 Project:
Celebrating women whose power, beauty, strength, grace, and spirit do not diminish with age.
I would like you to meet the UNSTOPPABLE
JAYNE WESLER
Jayne travelled the furthest to work with me! An American (Pennsylvania/Florida), she had discovered me through a friend of hers that had worked with me. She actually filled out the application form for the Unstoppable Project, lamenting that she was so far away in Florida at the time. I said I would be thrilled to work with her if she ever found herself in London. It wasn’t too long after that she decided on a trip to Ontario to visit our mutual friend, and to have her portraits done! Jayne is an Author, a Psychotherapist, as well as an Attorney. And she is just so much fun:)
I am so grateful for the trust that clients put in me to photograph them. I do not take this responsibility lightly. Thank you Jayne! You are UNSTOPPABLE.
Anita Watkins
Jayne Wesler’s Portrait taken at Anita Watkin’s Studio in London, Ontario.
I have photographed, profiled and celebrated women over the age of 40.
WHY WOMEN OVER 40?
I have been witness to the strength and resilience of all kinds of women in my life but the stories that get to my heart the most often, are the ones of women that society used to label as “past their prime”.
What gives me hope for the future is that I have met woman after woman that have said HELL YES! Women that refuse to be labelled or diminished, are now stepping into their own power. Personally, I feel like I am only beginning to hit my stride. Now I feel called to give a platform to 40 of these women. I want them to be seen, celebrated and have a platform to use their voice to call out to us. I want women all over to hear their stories and be inspired. Will you join me on this journey?
What is the one piece of advice you would give your 20 something self?
Don’t wait! Go after what you want and do it now. Tomorrow is not promised. Trust yourself. Try everything you think you want to do. Travel. Live below your means and save (and invest) your dollars.
Don't wait!
There’s always so much to do.
What gets you up in the morning?
There’s always so much to do. Sometimes it’s work—after careers as a psychotherapist and then a litigation attorney, I am now an author and am writing book #11. Sometimes it’s family, either obligations or celebrations. Sometimes it’s just a play day.
When in your life, so far, have you felt most confident and why?
I’ve felt my confidence resonate in my soul like a tuning fork at times in my career when I was fully engaged with the client, when I gave them the exact advice they needed to hear, or when I helped them in their worst time of need. I’ve felt that with family members and friends when they sought me out as a trusted friend, mentor, or adviser who could listen to their situations, however difficult, and give them the support they needed to find their answers.
I’ve felt my confidence resonate in my soul like a tuning fork at times.
I feel attractive in so many different ways!
When have you felt the most attractive?
I’ve felt the most attractive 1) when I’ve been dressed up for special occasions in beautiful clothing with hair and makeup; 2) when I’ve been working out and my body has been physically taxed and I’ve been eating well so I feel healthy and strong; and 3) when I’m feeling good in comfortable clothing and hanging out with the people I love the most.
Are there any myths you would like to bust about being a woman over 40? If so, can you tell us about them?
Yes! Forty is not “over the hill.” It’s just a number; in fact, there’s a lot of truth to the old adage, “Life begins at 40.” We have reached a certain point at that age when we know who we are; we’ve had a measure of success; we’re strong and we have drive and we’re doing so much. And women that age are more beautiful because they’ve developed that sense of who they are, that confidence in themselves, ourselves.
We have reached a certain point when we know who we are; we’ve had a measure of success; we’re strong and we have drive and we’re doing so much.
Is there anything you would like to share with people in your life?
For years, I’d been thinking about doing a photo shoot. Not out of vanity, but to have fun, to leave a legacy of myself for my older self and for my family. I wanted to show older women that they are just as beautiful as any celebrity they see in magazines, on TV, or online. With wardrobe, hair, makeup, and great photography, we, too, can be show-stopping unstoppable. And then, through a mystical, magical connection with a friend I planned to visit who lives in London, Ontario, I found out that Anita Watkins was doing this project. This was it! This was the time to become UNSTOPPABLE.
Do you want to learn more?
