The Power of “Challenge Accepted”At 40, many of us start to reflect on all the boxes we’ve checked, on the paths we’ve taken, those we wish we had, the purpose found and the purpose we are still searching for. After 22 years in the U.S. Army and multiple combat deployments, Rich LaMonica retired in 2015 and entered what he calls his “year of reflection.” No orders. No clear mission.
Rich’s motto—Challenge Accepted—isn’t just a catchphrase. It’s a mindset. It came about when he faced one of the hardest moments of his life: losing a soldier just after his 40th birthday. In the chaos, he drew strength from his parents, mentors, and deep inner resolve. He showed up for his team first and processed his own Grief years later. Until this point, he didn’t know what real leadership looked like. This deep loss was his welcome to midlife. It tested his ability to not just survive as a leader – but to guide others through.
At a time when many believe midlife is about winding down, Rich turned up the volume. His motto was challenge accepted whenever anything new came his way.
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Someone said he should start a podcast.
His response: challenge accepted. You can find the award winning The MisFitNation podcast anywhere you listen to podcasts.
When told he should write a book.
His response: challenge accepted. He authored two books—13 Step Guide to Success and Out of the Darkness.
Purse his PhD in Homeland Security (despite being told he wasn’t “academic material”)
His response: challenge accepted.
Ask Rich to do something and you’re likely to hear:
Challenge accepted.
Combat Boots to Combatting Loss of PurposeWhat Rich discovered during that year of reflection after Retirement is that purpose doesn’t retire. It evolves.
He began sharing his story—first in schools, then on stages, and eventually through The MisFitNation Show, a podcast that’s grown into a powerful platform of service and inspiration. And true to his nature, Rich took on a new mission: helping others find their voice and purpose too.
He reminds us that mentorship doesn’t end in midlife—it often begins there. With experience comes Wisdom. And with wisdom comes responsibility: to pass it on.
If there’s one takeaway from my conversation with Rich, it’s this: midlife isn’t something to dread. It’s an invitation. A turning point. A chance to redefine yourself on your own terms.
Stack your VictoriesSuccess isn’t always seismic. Sometimes, it’s just. Rich has some advice:
Make your bed every day.
Answer one email with kindness every day.
Help one person feel seen every day.
Every little victory adds up. Start small because they add up quickly. “Stack those small victories,” he says. “At the end of the day, maybe you’ve got 19 wins. Tomorrow—go for 20.”
Final Thought: The Mission Isn’t OverIf you’re reading this and feeling stuck at 40, 50, or beyond—ask yourself:
What challenge am I being called to accept?
You don’t need to write a book or start a podcast (though, why not?). Maybe it’s mentoring a younger colleague. Maybe it’s going back to school. Maybe it’s finally telling your story.
Whatever it is—do it scared. Do it imperfectly.
But most importantly—do it.
Because on The Right Side of 40, you’re not running out of time.
You’re just getting started.
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📚 Resources:Learn more about Rich LaMonica at TheMisFitNation.com
Check out his books on Amazon: 13 Step Guide to Success and Out of the Darkness
Explore mentorship opportunities at MentorProject.org
Originally Published on https://deborahheiserphd.substack.com/
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