Women of Impact

I Found Love at 53: Why I Refused to Settle – And Never Accept Less Than I Deserve | Yvette Nicole Brown PT 2

May 8, 2025

In this engaging conversation, Yvette Nicole Brown, beloved actress and advocate, dives into the joys and challenges of finding love at 53. She shares her journey of self-acceptance and independence after years of singleness. Yvette and Lisa Bilyeu tackle the realities of aging and menopause with humor, discussing how hormonal shifts affect relationships. The duo emphasizes the importance of clear communication and maintaining identity in love, while offering powerful insights on self-confidence, resilience, and embracing life's changes.

45:01

Episode guests

Yvette Nicole Brown

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Building self-awareness and understanding personal boundaries are essential for healthy dating and meaningful relationships after decades of independence.

Open discussions about menopause are crucial, as they impact women's self-esteem and dating confidence, allowing for solidarity and support during transitions.

Recognizing 'green flags' in relationships, such as clarity and communication, empowers individuals to maintain high standards and find true compatibility.

Deep dives

Finding Love Through Self-Awareness

Building a strong foundation of self-awareness is crucial when seeking love. Understanding personal boundaries, non-negotiables, and past traumas can profoundly impact dating experiences. It is emphasized that individuals should focus on personal growth and healing instead of seeking relationships out of desperation. The conversation highlights the importance of viewing potential partners as individuals who bring value, rather than projects in need of fixing.

Intro

3min

Finding Love and Self-Worth

8min

Navigating Aging: Confidence, Dating, and Self-Care Secrets

3min

Navigating Menopause and New Connections

15min

Balancing Love and Life

6min

Embracing Change: Hormones, Relationships, and Self-Worth

10min

Empowering Self-Love and Intimacy in Relationships

4min

Lisa Bilyeu and Yvette Nicole Brown pick up right where they left off, taking us even deeper into the realities (and joys!) of aging, love, partnership, and personal growth. Now joyfully married at 53, Yvette shares what it’s really like to let someone new into your life after building your routines, independence, and self-acceptance over decades of singleness.

Lisa and Yvette get radically honest about menopause, aging, and the major changes women face in midlife—physical, emotional, and relational. From navigating hormonal shifts and brain fog to rejecting the stigma and secrecy surrounding menopause, Yvette and Lisa offer real talk and solutions, all with their signature humor and compassion. They unpack the adjustments required when forming new partnerships in your 40s and 50s, and how to keep your authentic self at the forefront in love, friendship, and career. The episode closes with powerful takeaways on self-confidence, faith, legacy, and the importance of refusing to "white knuckle" your way through life. Don’t miss the second half of this life-affirming conversation!

SHOWNOTES

32:56 How therapy and mindset games keep you open to love

36:09 Accepting what you can’t control—and making your own happiness

39:05 The difference between “knowing” and “not knowing” love

41:40 Green flags, clarity, and what it feels like with the right person

44:40 Negotiating habits and sharing space after decades alone

45:49 Navigating menopause and why it matters in relationships

48:34 Why so many women divorce or struggle emotionally during midlife

50:46 The impact of generational and racial differences in menopause experience

52:20 Not letting physical symptoms destroy your self-esteem or career

55:12 Medication, natural solutions, and treating yourself with compassion

59:04 The root of Yvette’s confidence, faith, and call to serve others