Medley Strickland, 70: NVR2L8

Medley Strickland has worn many hats in her life: waitress, ski patrol, blackjack dealer, flight attendant, mother, firefighter, EMT. At 40, when many people start to wonder what’s next, she decided to rewrite her story, partly out of necessity, more so driven by her innate curiosity and love of learning. As a single mother of three, she was told she was “too old to start over.” Instead, she turned fear into fuel, walked into a classroom of twenty-somethings, and graduated with honors as a nurse. That day became a defining moment—one that inspired her life’s motto, the one that now rides with her on her license plate: never too late (NVR2L8).

Now 70, Medley embodies the very idea that our desire to grow and learn doesn’t retire and “the shell does not have to match the inside, unless we surrender to that expected stereotype.” To date, Medley has skied the Colorado backcountry and gone on countless adventures with her now-husband of 28 years (who she met on a blind date), studied screenwriting, and taken art, drama, and advanced swimming classes. On her 70th birthday, she celebrated by signing up for a half-marathon trail run and finished the race second in her age group. 

Each challenge Medley takes on feeds her curiosity and pushes her out of her comfort zone—a deliberate act of defiance against the quiet narrative that says we should slow down as we age. Medley lives by a simple belief: never stop learning, never stop moving. Next up, she’s trekking the Camino de Santiago in Spain to honor her heritage and begin her memoir. For those who stay curious, like Medley, there’s always another chapter to write.

How old are you?
I turned 70 years young last February.

Where are you from, and where are you currently based?
I am originally from Southern California; moved to Northern California at eight years old. Currently, I am living in Colorado (since 1979).

Are you married? Kids? Tell us who your support system is.
Happily 28-years married. I have three girls from my first marriage and a bonus daughter, 10 months younger than my youngest. These five are my front supporters. Living in three different states doesn’t deter our close connections. All the girls share the love for outdoor adventures, cooking, and staying healthy. The friends we are blessed with are the extended family. There is usually someone ready to join in a trek at home or far away. A group that truly cares about each other. Our home is commonly a gathering place for sharing good food, wine, and a lively conversation.

You’ve lived several “careers within a lifetime,” from flight attendant to firefighter to nurse. Looking back, which identity most shaped your inner sense of who you are today?
I would say all those various hats [were] cumulative in [shaping] who I am now, but being an RN in the Emergency Department was the one that matured my autonomy and [strengthened] my confidence, competence, and ability to trust my instincts. Having the skills and teamwork to make a difference in people’s lives was an honored privilege, an important and rewarding experience. The most intimate one can have.

You decided to go back to school at 40 as a single mom of three—when most people talk themselves out of change. What allowed you to override fear and take that first step?
I had a frail thread of a thought after six years of my tech position in the ER, which I shared with a fellow EMT. He shot it down with doubts due to my state at the time—working extra jobs to make ends meet, on food stamps (which as humbling as it was to sign up, saved my girls and me for those three and a half years), running three young daughters around to extracurricular activities, just pretty much living and eating in the car. I figured he was right. But three months later, I heard my father’s words: “You can do and be anything you set your heart on.” Geez, smack-to-my-forehead, I could’ve had a semester completed by now.

It was intimidating and overwhelming to be older than the students around me when I walked into the college to begin the process. My steps slowed as my mind said turn around, but my gut won that struggle. Excitement and pride took over as I walked into my first classroom in almost 20 years. It was a juggle with everything I had going on, but my girls (six, eight, and 10 at the time) [went] with me when I taught EMT classes (they actually helped out in hands-on stations), studying when I had study groups, and taking on chores at home. It all felt right, albeit the most challenging time in my life; it all worked out.

Your license plate literally says it’s “NVR2L8,” and you’ve carried that motto for 30 years. Was there a particular moment you knew that phrase wasn’t just encouragement—but truth?
I turned 40 the next month after beginning classes, and when my car plates needed renewing, it hit me like a brick—It’s never too late! […] I’ve been asked about it by people in parking lots. I give them a shortened version, and they smile in approval. The message […] applies in so many different times in a lifetime when doubt tries to take over.

As a single mom, you shared a story about fixing the furnace during a crisis—and the surge of self-belief you felt when you solved it. How important is competence versus confidence as we age?
Ah, I see them as symbiotic. As children, we learn in play and activities such as hopscotch, which taught us balance and skills. Starting with just the slightest confidence in a new endeavor, we acquire competence as we build more confidence. Learn a new skill or language, visit a new place, open your eyes to an unknown. Don’t get too comfortable on that couch.

Many people hit 60 or 70 and believe their “big chapters” are behind them. You trained for a trail half marathon at 70. What’s the internal dialogue that keeps you moving forward rather than slowing down?
First I’d say, the goal to just live a long time without being part of humanity is a pretty empty life. Live fully no matter how many years you have. Share your experiences and thoughts. Inspire others by your actions. Excuses just set you back.

I’m not searching to start a foundation, career, or wow anyone. I just want to be a healthier, happier human for the time that I am here and pass on a positive, kind, loving aura as much as possible.

Stay in motion, build a hopeful base for yourself. […] Listen to a podcast when you’re folding clothes or doing a chore that doesn’t need much thought. Learn! Listen! Ask questions about things you don’t know about. I’ve forever been a “why” girl. Knowledge excites me, and I am in awe with life.

You’ve built a deeply active life inside a community of other age-defiers in Colorado. How much of healthy aging, in your experience, is environment versus personal drive?
Of course, we cannot change our genetics, but I believe that healthy aging is significantly more influenced by environment and personal choices. Living in a community immersed with “AGEISTs” can’t help but inspire one another. The majority of adults and children walk and ride bikes due to the proximity of schools, shopping, trails, mountains, and the river. Even the closest ski resort is only 30 minutes away. We know our neighbors, and life takes on a slower, calmer feel.

You take a new course every year specifically to challenge your comfort zone. What have you learned about curiosity as a longevity tool? What has been the hardest thing you have tried to learn?
I find a course that interests me or that I’m curious about and sign up without too much thought. If doubt or fear tries to creep in, I turn it into a motivational factor. I realized that I can overcome this challenge with a combination of previous life experiences, and better, more committed study habits. What’s the worst that’s going to happen? I can laugh at myself and not take myself too seriously.

The hardest to learn was being in a play. Performing on stage was uncomfortable for me. I know that over time I would gain confidence for stage presence, but acting was not for me (too much indoor time required). I’m glad I followed through and finished my commitment. My takeaway was that I have a much greater appreciation for all actors/performers out there!

You’ve shared the impact and inspiration that your family, particularly your father, has had on you during key moments in your life? What piece of wisdom or advice sticks with you the most and why?
My father gave me carte blanche when he said I can be anything I want to be. Also how important it was to never stop learning. He led by example—reading various topics and the exciting plethora of hobbies he brought home, including rehabilitating two monkeys from a private zoo. Our house never lacked new adventures and conversations. It certainly taught me to never fear the unknown and allowed my curiosity to guide me.

You’re preparing to walk the Camino de Santiago to connect to your Spanish heritage. How does purpose—and especially ancestral connection—inform the way you think about this decade of life? How are you preparing?
As you can tell by now, curiosity is my roux and my questioning about my family history started very young. It was a bit more difficult to acquire much knowledge of my mother’s heritage, as she grew up in Mexico and she was more interested in learning more about her new role in America. That sense of identity has definitely become stronger as I age. Understanding my roots and historical context of where I came from helps me to better understand myself and my place in the world, and it instills a sense of pride. I imagine their timeline as if I were watching a movie. Going to the Basque Country next year stirs a grand excitement in me, a completely different adventure from my other travels, mostly because it is part of me, my heritage.

I have been preparing my journey on the Camino with a friend, who has already done at least three of them, and will continue to hike longer distances with a weighted pack. I am learning about the small town of my namesake in Spain and the villages that I will be passing through. I also find it very helpful to read the blogs of others that have traveled this route.

You and your now husband still backpack, ski the backcountry, and sleep on the ground in tents. What is it about staying close to discomfort that you think fuels vitality? Any good stories from your outdoor adventures?
For us, trekking in the high country, our sanctuary, we feel energized and youthful. I can immerse myself in nature and become mentally creative. It’s where I can silence my “monkey mind” and be totally present. It cleanses my mind and body like nothing else.
To still be physically able to sleep in a tent makes me very happy, that I can continue to crawl in and out without much effort. I think that once I stop, I might lose that ability.
And as my husband said many decades ago, “There is no bad weather; there are just poor clothing choices.”

One time we were camping by a high-altitude lake. As I set up the tent, my husband was throwing a line in to catch our meal and a marmot started dragging my backpack away by my tied kerchief (they like the salty sweat!). I grabbed my backpack, beginning a tug of war between me and the marmot as I yelled for my husband. He yelled back saying he had a fish on the line and couldn’t leave. That animal ripped my favorite kerchief, and I wasn’t happy, but I can laugh now. Especially since he started dragging away my husband’s fishing equipment shortly thereafter. Pretty brave animals.

Another story was a backpacking trip between two winter huts on New Year’s Eve. Three of us waved goodbye on that beautiful morning to one group of friends from our first hut to join another group of friends at the second hut. The snow became deeper as we traveled up and down mountainsides. It was difficult because of all the felled trees, and our friend was pulling a sled that had to be lifted over or slid under large logs, so it took us longer than we planned. We came to our last mountain ascent as the sky began to darken. We took out our headlamps and put on another layer of clothing. One of my skins on my skis failed to stick on. I fixed it temporarily with duct tape until that did not stick either, so I only had use of one ski to slide along as we tediously traversed back-and-forth up the mountain slope.

In the meantime, my husband had a binding issue and our friend’s sled would slide back down several feet due to the weight and the steep angle of the mountain with ice-covered rocks. After the third time of the sled, dragging him down, we decided to just hunker down before someone got injured. We were just a few yards short to the top of the mountain—tough choice but smart. We had a bivy sack and a tarp, but the trees were very minimal for protection at the treeline. My husband dragged a large log to help keep us from sliding down the hill in the middle of the night. That was not comforting. We built a fire and kept it going all night, sharing what food and drink we had. Then I got a “ding” on my phone, a text from both groups, chattering between huts very concerned with our non-arrival to the second hut. We caught them just in time as they were talking about calling for rescue. We were not injured and we were prepared enough to keep us safe through the night. I texted back that rescue was not necessary; we were fine and would continue at sunrise. 

We kept our mood stable and attempted to sleep, but the winds kicked up as the night continued. It was about 20° and I wore every piece of clothing in my backpack. It was as close to being frozen as I hope I ever get. Thankfully, no one got any frostbite.

When the sun came up, we packed up and climbed the last few feet of the mountain to the other side, where the hut was. They helped remove packs and gear, placed us by the fire and fed us well. A grateful trio we were.

In a culture that often portrays aging as shrinkage, you’re actively expanding—travel, courses, memoir writing. What message do you feel your life is sending to younger generations who may fear aging?
More and more AGEISTs are leading by example. Staying fit, active, and curious, not settling into an easy chair. Life isn’t about how you look, changes are inevitable, but intentions and a zest for life can flourish, especially after retirement, when we have more free time.

Aging is an opportunity for growth. Time passing isn’t something to be afraid of. I hope younger generations take a moment to start a conversation with older generations, and realize growing older isn’t something to fear but a time to embrace new wisdom and perspectives.

If someone reading this right now is at a crossroads—40, 55, or 72—and afraid it’s “too late,” what’s the very first mindset shift or small action you would tell them to start with?
Age is just a number, and it’s never too late for anything that sparks an interest. It just takes one step forward. Be brave!

What are your three life non-negotiables (i.e., the things you can’t live without)?
1) Love and laughter with family and friends. 2) Exercising in nature. 3) Eating nutritious, yummy food with great wine.

Editor’s Note: Some answers may have been condensed and/or edited for clarity.

All photos courtesy of Medley Strickland