How Mimi Ison, 62, built her career as a fitness star
Age: I’m an amateur 62-year-old, and an aging person in training.
Location: Los Angeles
Previous locations: My roots are in the (510) East Bay. Short stints in San Francisco and NYC.
Follow me here: Instagram • Facebook • Linkedin • heymiddleage.com
I’m in the midst of: Assisting two aging parentals, about to start writing again on my dormant blog (and maybe Substack), learning new editing skills, and navigating thinning brows (tips welcome). Caring for three resident cats and three foster kittens. Cat energy is essential for life.
My income: Moolah fluctuates. Content creation started as a hobby, but now it’s my job. Fortunately, income has increased every year since I started. There’s no roadmap so I’m learning as I go. It’s super exciting and creative, and nothing I ever imagined would happen.
Monthly expenses in a nutshell: Mortgage, taxes, groceries, insurance, retirement accounts, investments, pets, eating out.
I used to be a fashion-obsessed shopper; I followed every trend in clothes, shoes, beauty products, hair, and nails, but since I don’t work in an office anymore, that spending has decreased to a sliver of our expenses.
The most unexpected spending has been insurance, which increased for our home, cars, and health threefold in the last couple of years.
I have multiple subscriptions because I love streaming (current faves: PokerFace, Hacks, Stick, and I can’t wait for Slow Horses season 5). Also coffee. Cannot live without my Nespresso.
Primary personal debts: Mortgage. I haven’t had any other debt for over three decades. I did a lot of foolish spending in college and in my 20s, so I had a lot of credit card debt. Once I paid it off, I vowed to never have unproductive debt again.
Retirement savings: On track, but it never feels like enough, since the cost of life keeps increasing. I don’t have plans to retire, but that’s by choice.
Work remotely or onsite? Remote, and anywhere I need to shoot content.
Relationship status: Married for 35 years
I’d like to connect with: Women who are experienced in the content creation world who want to hang out, share advice, and support each other.
A typical weekday schedule in a nutshell: I set my own schedule, which isn’t just a luxury, it’s essential — more on that below.
My only flex is that I wake up to no alarm, so I sleep late.
I quickly scan emails and Instagram from bed, down a big glass of water, slap on sunscreen, then take a quick walk. Breakfast is always free of refined sugar — usually berries, plain Greek yogurt, nuts, and a Nespresso with Nutpod creamer. Then it’s emails and content creation: concepts, writing copy, stories, and planning. Late mornings are for meetings.
Around 1 pm, if it’s a home workout day, I’ll do strength training or an online shuffle class in my garage. On boxing days, I hit the gym in the late afternoon.
I’m on the socials throughout the day scrolling, posting, responding, and searching for cool content and music. Social media has its issues, but for me it’s been hugely positive. Instagram connects me globally, giving insights into midlife experiences — the joys, frustrations, and triumphs. I keep things uplifting because there’s enough negativity elsewhere, and I block if needed without hesitation.
Dinner at 7 pm (I cook three to four times a week), then content editing after streaming a show or two with the fam. My best creative energy hits around 9 pm, so I stay up late working.
Each week, I make time for something social like coffee dates, Zoom chats with Instagram friends, lunches with new connections, and midlife-focused events or brand activations. In Los Angeles, that usually means driving an hour or two each way, but it’s usually worth it.
Sometimes I feel like my days lack depth, but I know I make a difference to the person who needs a nudge to start physical movement or change the way they feel about aging because I get messages, including very vulnerable ones, every day.
Also, I’ve got two aging parents who need support. One lives nearby, so I’m on deck for doctor appointments and errands. My dad’s a quick flight away, and I visit to give his caregivers a break. Last year, I spent a total of eight weeks with him. That time? A gift. I know most people don’t get that kind of window. I didn’t have that kind of time with my mom, and it’s my biggest regret. So now, I build my schedule around what really matters — and this matters.
This is just a small slice of the interview with Mimi. Read the full interview here on The Midst Substack.
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