Vedge Your Best, Vegan Ideas for Everyone At Any Age

260: Permission to Be Bad: Master of None

Aug 26, 2025

What if the key to a vibrant life is embracing being bad at new things? Discover why midlife is the perfect time to throw out expectations of mastery and lean into the messy, awkward journey of learning. With powerful insights about the beginner mindset, listeners are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones without the pressure of perfection. Michele shares practical mindset tools and challenges everyone to pick something new to try, reminding us that joy comes from the process, not just the outcome.

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INSIGHT

Midlife Is Prime For New Beginnings

Michele argues that midlife can be the best time to embrace being bad at new things and that mastery isn't the only valuable path.
She reframes “master of none” as a positive orientation toward lifelong curiosity and varied learning.

ANECDOTE

Personal Reframe: Master Of None

Michele shares she identifies as a 'master of none' and loves being a lifelong learner across many topics.
She admits earlier disappointment about not being an expert but reframed that as a positive choice.

INSIGHT

Why Beginners Feel Uncomfortable

Michele explains adult brains resist new learning because they conserve energy and avoid discomfort.
She notes the brain actually craves novelty and benefits from the middle zone between too easy and too hard.

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What if the most meaningful, exciting, and vibrant years of your life require you to be bad at things—on purpose?

In this episode, Michele explores why midlife and beyond might be the perfect time to stop chasing mastery and start embracing messy, awkward beginnings. If you’ve been stuck in “I should already know this,” or “I’m too old to try that,” Michele makes the case for becoming a beginner again—on your terms, with your timeline, and with plenty of self-compassion.

What You’ll Hear:

Why “Master of None” isn’t a character flaw
How our adult brains resist learning new things
Two big reasons to be a beginner (even if you're bad at it)
Six mindset tools to help you start anyway
Why being real beats being perfect—every time
A personal challenge to try something new, slow, awkward… and wonderful

This episode is for you if:

You’re in your 40s, 50s, 60s (or beyond!) and are unsure of your “purpose” or “passion.”
You’ve been putting off something you want to try because you’re “not good at it”
You love learning but it reminds you of time you’ve “wasted.”
You want to model curiosity, courage, and self-compassion for the people in your life

Listener Challenge: Choose one thing you’re willing to be a beginner at this week. Let Michele know what it is—she’d love to cheer you on.

Mentioned in this episode:

The phrase: “Jack of all trades, Master of None”
Malcolm Gladwell’s “10,000 hours idea” of mastery in his book Outliers
The power of tiny habits (like one Duolingo daily language or chess lesson)
The phrase: “Let your mess be your message”

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For more information, to submit a question or topic, or to book a free 30 minute Coaching session visit ⁠⁠veganatanyage.com⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@micheleolendercoaching.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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