Turning Your Hardest Times Into Your Greatest Strengths with Lorraine Garvie
What happens when a woman who left school at 15, survived poverty and alcoholism, and rebuilt her life multiple times across continents decides that midlife isn't about settling, it's about soaring? In this raw and inspiring conversation with Lorraine, we explore a journey that proves your past doesn't define your potential. From Glasgow's tough streets to building a thriving international business empire in Perth, Lorraine's story dismantles every limiting belief about what's possible after 40. Her path through IT management, shamanic healing, and entrepreneurial success reveals the extraordinary power of staying open to reinvention at any age.
Key Takeaways
Your Background Doesn't Determine Your Future
Growing up in poverty with family alcoholism could have limited Lorraine's possibilities, but instead, it built resilience and street smarts that became her superpowers. The survival skills and fierce independence developed in difficult circumstances often translate into entrepreneurial strength and unshakeable confidence.
Overconfidence Can Be Your Secret Weapon
While society often tells women to be humble and modest, Lorraine's "overconfidence" repeatedly opened doors others wouldn't dare approach. She landed management roles she wasn't technically qualified for and built businesses in industries she knew nothing about—proving that believing in yourself completely can compensate for a lack of experience.
Midlife Is Your Spiritual and Business Awakening
At 46, Lorraine discovered shamanic healing, which became the key to unlocking her true potential in business and life. The deeper inner work of becoming a "hollow bone", clearing decades of protective armour, allowed her authentic self to emerge and her business to flourish organically.
Build Something That Has Its Own Life Force
District 32 grew from a small networking group to an international franchise because Lorraine and her business partner positioned themselves as stewards rather than controllers. When you create something aligned with genuine need and stay responsive to opportunities, growth happens naturally and exponentially.
Trust Life's Perfect Timing
Every major transition, from leaving Scotland for love, to discovering shamanic work, to building her business, happened through unexpected encounters and spontaneous decisions. Learning to trust life's flow rather than forcing predetermined outcomes opens pathways you could never have planned.
Moving Forward
At 80, Lorraine hopes to look back with admiration for her boldness and refusal to compromise. That future vision starts with today's choices. Whether you're facing an empty nest, career transition, or simply feeling restless, remember: this isn't about finding your purpose, it's about permitting yourself to become who you've always been beneath the roles others assigned you.
Your next chapter is waiting. And it's bigger than you can imagine.
Connect with Lorraine and District 32 at https://www.district32.com.au/ to explore business networking and personal development opportunities that honour your professional ambitions and spiritual growth. Sometimes the most practical step forward is the most audacious one.
Ready to explore what's possible on the other side of these transitions?
Connect with me:
You’re invited to a transformative 4-hour event I’m co-hosting with women’s health GP Dr Sian Hebron on 18 July 2025 at the beautiful Noosa Springs Golf and Spa Resort. https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/shifting-tides
RE-IMAGINE: A personalised 1:1 six-week mentoring programme https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/work-with-me
Share your journey with me by sending me a message on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/joclarkcoaching/
Email me your success story at jo@joclarkcoaching.com.
What you do today shapes your tomorrow. Your health matters because YOU matter.
Here’s to redefining midlife and making our next half of life even better than the first.
