Episode 236: Geeking Out With What She Loves In Retirement, with Jill McCarthy

My guest this week is Jill McCarthy, also known as “The Geeky Grandma”, who has a passion for digital art & encouraging women. Jill has 4 adult sons & 6 grandchildren and has been married for 43 years. Prior to retirement, she taught 2nd graders for 25 years. She says you’ll most often catch her playing on the computer dressed in one of her favorite t-shirts imprinted with a cartoon character.

Jill’s been an avid follower and practitioner of personal development for 50+ years, long before it was a popular topic. She says she realized, about 10 years into her full-time teaching career, that her heart was not into teaching children and that she wanted to organize and run women's retreats. 

Retirement has not slowed her down one bit. In fact, it’s allowed her to fulfill her dreams of advocating personal development to her now adult students. She recently held her 14th retreat. 

In this episode, Jill and I talked about:

• The story behind her brand “The Geeky Grandma”  
• Why she transitioned from teaching 2nd graders to adults
• Her persistence to personal growth and development and how it led her to a love of retreats.
• Her realization about what caused her constant sore throats and dependence on cough drops

One of Jill’s favorite quotes is from Steven R. Covey: "Begin with the end in mind." She is a firm believer in not waiting until midlife before you start designing your dream. Don’t get stuck by believing you have to know all of the steps. Just start with what you’re curious about and take one step towards doing something that feeds that curiosity.  

Jill says: “Even if you are mired down in a choice that doesn't feel so great, you can always start dreaming, planning, and preparing for that dreamlife right where you are.”

To learn more about Jill and her work, you can go to:

Email: [email protected] 

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/jill-mccarthy 

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1834109433336492 

Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/jill.mccarthy.585 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/owning_your_power/ 

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/empowering_women/_created/ 

If you'd like to connect or reach out to ME, you can find me at:

Website: www.notyouraveragegrandma.com              

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LaurieColvinWright              

Instagram: www.instagram.com/not_your_average_grandma              

Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/NotYourAverageGrandma               

Note: Not Your Average Grandma is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.