Women Are Redefining Adventure After 50

For a very long time indeed -women were expected to fade into the background once the days of ironing school uniforms and cleaning out lunch boxes were done. That era is over. Today, women are not retreating instead, they’re stepping into new adventures. And no one shows this better than Di Westaway OAM, founder of Coastrek and Wild Women on Top.

Wild Women on Top was founded in 2004 by Di to connect and support women in the outdoors. Di launched Coastrek in 2009 as a team trekking challenge designed to inspire women to get outdoors, move their bodies and support each other while raising funds for charity. What began as a simple idea of women walking spectacular coastal trails together has grown into a powerful movement that has raised tens of millions of dollars for organisations such as the Fred Hollows Foundation, funding vital programs to restore sight and improve health outcomes around the world.

A new grandmother now, Di admits that the older she gets, the more she finds fresh joy on the bike, ocean swimming or rock climbing on rock faces in Greece. As she ages, she’s not slowing down, she’s discovering honing her technique, getting better, and fully embracing the belief that the world truly opens up as we grow.

Di is a great example to mothers everywhere, cleaning squished bananas out of the bottom of school bags wondering if our best years are behind us. Equally, Di’s story isn’t just about her, it’s about what’s possible for all of us. We need women like Di. Women who show us that there’s no age limit on adventure. Whether it’s walking, cycling, climbing or ocean swimming. Di’s journey reminds us all that the best discoveries are still ahead.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, pick up those trekking shoes, grab that bike, and remember that adventure doesn’t have an age limit.