Bernie sits down with Dr. Mary Key, an internationally recognized consultant, author, and leadership expert. While Mary’s professional accomplishments are impressive, it’s her personal journey through two life-altering open-heart surgeries that is featured in this conversation. Mary shares the powerful lessons she learned from her harrowing experience—letting go, surrendering, forgiveness, and gratitude—and how these principles have transformed not just her outlook on life, but also her work with executive leaders.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

1️⃣ Letting go is liberating: When faced with her Health crisis, Mary learned the importance of surrendering to the present moment rather than clinging to frustration or fear about outcomes. Being present helps us manage uncertainty and embrace opportunities, even in adversity.

2️⃣ Forgiveness is freeing—especially for yourself: Forgiving not just others, but yourself (and letting go of anger and resentment), promotes healing and empowers you to move forward. As Mary experienced, forgiveness allows us to invest our energies where they matter most.

3️⃣ Gratitude transforms perspective: Practicing daily gratitude, even for small wins or moments, is critical—especially when life doesn’t go as planned. Recognizing what you have enables you to find purpose and joy in all seasons.

👉 Main takeaway: You don’t need to wait for a crisis to reevaluate what matters most. Identify your passions, choose purpose, and embrace these three practices—letting go, forgiveness, and gratitude—to create fulfillment in every area of your life.

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Music attribution:
Old Bossa Twin Musicom
Suno

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Bernie Borges Host Midlife Fulfilled Podcast

I started podcasting in 2013. My most recent podcast is the Midlife Fulfilled weekly podcast which launched in February 2022.

I was frustrated by a lack of fulfillment, in spite of good health, a successful career, good fitness, a healthy marriage, and overall happiness. Despite these blessings, I was lacking fulfillment.

I conducted a survey and discovered that I wasn’t alone on the journey to find more fulfillment. As an experienced podcaster, I knew that I could provide a platform to help men and women in midlife find more fulfillment and joy through a weekly podcast.