Each month, we give the 50PlusToday SECOND ACT Award to an individual who made an intentional decision to change gears in this phase of life. It’s our goal to recognize and support people who reinvented themselves at age 50Plus and we choose recipients who are creative, innovative and inspiring to others. Their pivot might involve a new career, business, community effort or lifestyle. A successful, happy and meaningful life means different things to different people; reading what others did might start you thinking about your next journey! The bottom line is that your second half of your life can be as good as, if not better than, the first! We hope to inspire our readers with success stories from others. (Is there someone you know that created a wonderful second act that you would like to nominate? Complete this form to submit their name for consideration!
The recipient for August 2022 is Dr. Debi Silber
Debi Silber experienced two heart crushing betrayals, which led to her decision to enroll in a Ph.D. program in Transpersonal Psychology. She was desperate to understand how the mind works, why people behave this way and how she could heal. Through her studies she learned that healing is not only possible, it’s predictable. Debi then founded the PBT (Post Betrayal Transformation) Institute, an online space where she could help others heal (physically, mentally and emotionally) from the betrayal of a family member/partner/friend/coworker/self, etc.
We asked Debi about her journey; here’s what she told us:
What are your unique skills that contribute to your success?
DS: I have an entrepreneurial mindset and always worked for myself.
What did you do before starting your entrepreneurial journey?
DS: I worked in the health, mindset and personal development fields for 30 years in different ways. As my life, health and family changed, so did my business. I started as a holistic dietitian with a masters in nutrition and personal trainer. With four kids, six dogs and a thriving business, my health crashed. That led me to realize there’s more to health than eating well and exercising. At that point I became a Whole Health Coach and Functional Diagnostic Nutritionist to practice a more holistic approach to healing. Then, my world crashed again with two heart crushing betrayals (my family and then my husband). I was desperate to understand how the mind works, why people behave this way and how I could heal. That led me, at age 50, to enroll in a Ph.D program in Transpersonal Psychology, the psychology of transformation and human potential, which completely changed my life, my family, my entire business and brand.
Tell us about what you are doing now.
DS: I’m the founder and CEO of The PBT (Post Betrayal Transformation) Institute, an online space where we help people heal (physically, mentally and emotionally) from the betrayal of a family member/partner/friend/coworker/self, etc.
What passion led you to start this new endeavor?
DS: It chose me. Unhealed betrayals impact our health, work, relationships, mindset, level of confidence, ability to trust and so much more. When my world fell apart, through my studies I learned that healing is not only possible, it’s predictable. I want others struggling with the massive symptoms left in the wake of a betrayal to know that they can not only heal, but create a version of themselves that never would have emerged had their experience not happened. I also want to share how healing is always a choice.
Whether we heal ourselves and move on, as I did with my family, or, if the situation lends itself, if you’re willing and you want to, you can create an entirely new relationship with the person who hurt you. Not long ago, my husband and I married each other again with new rings, new vows, new dress, and this time, our 4 kids as our bridal party.
How does your age and experience help in your success?
DS: My age taught me:
- I can trust my gut. If I’m led in a certain direction, there’s a reason. Trust it.
- If I have an idea about something, it’s because I’m the one who can make it happen. Take that seriously.
- Too many people regret not doing something. I’ve learned from them and I’m doing all I can while I can.
What unique skills did you have from your previous job/business/lifestyle that help you in this new position?
DS: I have significant expertise in health, mindset, personal development, psychology and spirituality, which allows me to help people move forward. I also have a relentless and never ending desire to reach the people who might benefit from knowing what I overcame personally so others can do the same.
What advice would you give someone in this age group searching for their meaningful second act?
- Understand that even though it happened to you, it’s not about you. When it comes to betrayal, even if you have to say it to yourself 10,000 times, it’s worth it.
- Seek the right type of support-the wrong support does more harm than good and while people may be well meaning, they may not be the right people who can help at this sensitive and fragile time.
- Trust your gut – it never lies.
- Your job it to heal (physically, mentally and emotionally) from your experience and it’s from that healed space that your best decisions are made.
- You’re doing nothing good for yourself or anyone else when you stay stuck. Keep moving forward even if you have no idea of what will happen – that’s where and when the magic happens.
What is your favorite quote?
“Easy now, hard later. Hard now, easy later. Take your pick because it’s going to be one of those two.”
Please give us three random facts about yourself.
To pay my way through college, I worked as a disc jockey and wrote jingles for a gospel radio station
I wrote six books (links below to the three most recent)
Trust Again: Overcoming Betrayal and Regaining Health, Confidence, and Happiness
The Unshakable Woman: 4 Steps to Rebuilding Your Body, Mind and Life After a Life Crisis
I did two TEDx talks:
Struggling to trust?
You may have Post Betrayal Syndrome.
TAKE THE POST BETRAYAL SYDROME QUIZ TO FIND OUT
MORE ABOUT DEBI SILBER
Dr. Debi Silber is the founder of the PBT (Post Betrayal Transformation) Institute and is a holistic psychologist, a health, mindset and personal development expert, the author of Trust Again, and is a 2-time #1 International bestselling author of: The Unshakable Woman AND From Hardened to Healed. Her podcast: From Betrayal to Breakthrough is also globally ranked within the top 1.5% of podcasts. Her recent PhD study on how we experience betrayal made 3 groundbreaking discoveries that changes how long it takes to heal. In addition to being on FOX, CBS, The Dr. Oz Show, TEDx (twice) and more, she’s an award-winning speaker and coach dedicated to helping people move past their betrayals as well as any other blocks preventing them from the health, work, relationships, confidence, and happiness they want most.
