Are you still chasing that girl… or stepping boldly into this woman? In this episode of UnfiltHER, we’re talking about real reinvention for Black women in their 30s and 40s — the kind that goes deeper than perfect morning routines and Instagram aesthetics. From career changes and entrepreneurship to wellness, boundaries, and defining success on your own terms, this is your reminder that transformation has no expiration date. Whether you’re ready to make a bold move or just starting to feel that pull for change, we’re breaking down the steps, the mindset shifts, and the real talk you need to start living for you. ✨ What You’ll Hear in This Episode: Why the “that girl” era isn’t enough anymore How Black women are redefining glow-ups in midlife Career moves, entrepreneurship, and building peace into your work Steps to start your own reinvention journey today The role of mental, physical, and spiritual wellness in leveling up Why “no” is a full sentence — and a power move 💬 Drop a comment: What’s one bold change you’re making to step into this woman energy? 📌 Subscribe for new episodes every week. @tangiblefilmspresents7543 📱 Follow us on Instagram: link in bio 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify: link in bio #UnfiltHER #BlackWomen #Reinvention #LifeAfter30 #BlackGirlMagic #SelfGrowth Sources: • "6 Essential Reasons Black Women Change Careers - Twanna Carter" • "Business Tips for Budding Black Female Entrepreneurs - BusinessNewsDaily.com" • "Embracing Authenticity: Celebrating the Power of Black Women Keeping It Real" • "Listening to Older Black Californians How Aging Women Face the Triple Jeopardy of Race, Gender, and Age in Health Care" • "Many Americans are reinventing themselves late in life in a third act : Up First from NPR : NPR" • "Reinvent Yourself After 40 | Empowering Black Women to Embrace Midlife - iamKeliB" • "Reinvent Yourself After 40 | Empowering Black Women to Embrace Midlife | We Age Graceful" • "Reinventing Yourself in Your 30s Black Women - TikTok" • "Shay Stewart-Bouley - Black Girl in Midlife" • "The Evolution of African American Beauty - Number Analytics" • "“I think we're on a cusp of some change:” coping and support for mental wellness among Black American women" • "https://www.lemon8-app.com/@apriljewells/7475723801234342442?region=us"
EPISODE 2 – “That Girl or This Woman? Reinventing Yourself in Your 30s & 40s”
Hey beautiful people.
Welcome back to UnfiltHER — the space where we keep it raw, real, and rooted in truth. I’m your girl Trina, your AI host.
Today, we’re talking about something I know is speaking to a lot of us right now — that shift from that girl… to this woman.
Now listen.
That girl is cute.
She’s got the perfect morning routine.
Green juice. Pilates. Matching workout sets. Instagram ready.
But this woman? She’s lived a little. She’s learned.
And she’s not chasing an aesthetic — she’s creating a life that fits exactly who she is now. And for Black women in our 30s and 40s, reinvention hits different.
We’re talking glow-ups that go deeper than skincare routines and gym memberships. We’re talking about leveling up your career, protecting your peace, healing your mind, and standing firmly in your worth.
Not for likes. Not for applause. But for you. Let’s get into it.
Why the Shift Happens
There’s something about turning 30… or 40…
It’s like your own voice gets louder than the noise around you.
The things you used to tolerate — the friendships that drained you, the jobs that underpaid you, the relationships that didn’t grow you — suddenly feel too heavy to carry.
That girl was all about the image. She wanted to be seen in the right spaces. She might have played along to keep the peace.
But this woman?
She’s about alignment.
She’s about living in a way that makes sense for her body, her mind, and her spirit — not just for the ‘Gram.
If you’ve ever looked around and thought, “This can’t be it. There’s more for me,” sis… that’s the start of your reinvention.
Career Shifts and Why We’re Moving On
Let’s start with work, because career changes are the new normal.
For so many of us, stability isn’t just about a steady paycheck anymore — it’s about
emotional stability.
It’s about waking up on Monday morning without that knot in your stomach before you even pour your coffee.
When Black women decide it’s time to move on, the reasons run deep.
Money — because the bag still matters, and we deserve to be paid for our brilliance. And I’m not talking about “cost of living” raises that barely cover gas money. I mean being paid for the value we bring, the ideas we generate, the teams we build.
Leadership — or lack of it. We are not staying in places where we’re overlooked, undervalued, or undermined. Too many of us have been “acting managers” for years without the title or the pay.
Toxic culture — if the air is thick with microaggressions, double standards, and unspoken rules about how much of yourself you’re allowed to bring to work… we’re gone.
Flexibility — because work-life balance isn’t a luxury; it’s survival. More of us are asking, “Why can’t I design my work around my life, instead of my life around my work?”
Values — if the company’s mission doesn’t match ours, we know it’s not a fit. If they post a Black square in June but their leadership team hasn’t changed in ten years, we see it.
We’re not just chasing promotions anymore. We’re chasing peace. And peace is priceless.
I met a sister recently who left her six-figure tech job because her manager told her, “We’re just not sure you’re ready for leadership.” Mind you — she was already doing the job. She
walked away, started her own consulting agency, and within a year… was making more, working less, and finally sleeping through the night.
From Employee to Entrepreneur
For a lot of us, peace and purpose are leading straight to entrepreneurship.
Did you know Black women now own 42% of all new women-owned businesses? That’s powerful.
But here’s the truth — we still face bigger hurdles to get funding and resources. The system wasn’t built with us in mind.
So we do what we’ve always done — we get creative.
We save our own startup capital before talking to investors.
We start small — pop-up shops, side hustles — to prove our ideas work.
We turn our kitchen tables into headquarters, our cars into delivery vans, and our lunch breaks into networking calls.
We network like our future depends on it… because it does.
And here’s the thing — when you build something yourself, nobody can take it from you.
If you’re thinking about making that move, here’s my advice: start before you’re ready. You’ll never have the “perfect” amount of money, time, or confidence. Start now and build as you go.
Reinvention Beyond Work
But here’s the truth — reinvention isn’t just about your job. It’s about your whole life. For Black women, authenticity is a radical act.
Ava DuVernay said it best:
“When you’re walking in your authenticity, you have nothing to prove, nothing to lose, and nothing to hide.”
In our 30s, we’re in our comeback era — learning from what worked, leaving behind what didn’t.
By our 40s, we’re in our coming alive season — moving with more intention, more clarity, and way less tolerance for nonsense.
This is the season where you stop shrinking. Where you stop making yourself small so other people can feel comfortable.
Steps to Start Your Own Reinvention
Maybe you’re listening and thinking,
“Okay, Trina… I hear you. But I’m not there yet. How do I even start?”
Here’s your roadmap:
Step one — Get honest with yourself. Ask: “Am I living for me, or am I performing for an audience?” Write it down. Say it out loud. Own it.
Step two — Define what ‘this woman’ looks like for you. Not society. Not Instagram. YOU. Is she healthier? More confident? Debt-free? In love with her life? Get specific.
Step three — Audit your circle. Who’s clapping for you and who’s clapping at you? There’s a difference. This woman doesn’t keep people around who celebrate her in public but secretly doubt her in private.
Step four — Make one bold change. Maybe it’s asking for the raise. Maybe it’s signing up for therapy. Maybe it’s saying no to a family obligation that’s draining you. One bold move
starts the momentum.
Step five — Invest in yourself. That could mean taking a class, hiring a coach, buying the camera to start your content, or even just setting aside money each month for “me growth.”
Step six — Protect your energy like it’s gold. Because it is. That means boundaries, boundaries, boundaries.
Step seven — Be patient. Reinvention is not an overnight delivery. It’s a process, and sometimes you’ll feel like you’re moving backwards before you leap forward.
Wellness is Part of the Glow-Up
We can’t talk about reinvention without talking about wellness — mental, physical, and spiritual.
Mentally, we’re carrying a lot. Being hyper-visible yet overlooked. Balancing caregiving with careers. Navigating racism and sexism daily. That’s why we lean on sister circles, prayer, hobbies, and yes — therapy.
Physically, we face what’s called the triple jeopardy in healthcare — race, gender, and age.
That’s why we research our symptoms before we see a doctor, bring backup to appointments, and refuse to be dismissed.
Spiritually, many of us are returning to practices that ground us — journaling, meditation, affirmations, church, or simply sitting outside in silence.
The Power of “No”
One of the biggest glow-ups from that girl to this woman is learning that “no” is a complete sentence.
That girl said yes to keep the peace.
This woman says no to keep her peace.
Every no is a yes to yourself — to your time, your health, your future.
The Third Act
You can reinvent yourself anytime.
Natalie Baszile revised her novel Queen Sugar thirteen times before publishing at age 47. After more than 20 years in the business, Leslie Jones joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in her forties.
Reinvention has no expiration date.
Closing
So… what part of your story are you ready to rewrite? Not for the feed. Not for the applause.
But for you.
Because that girl was cute. But this woman?
She’s the real flex.
And remember — here at UnfiltHER… We’re unfiltered.
Unapologetic.
And undeniably HER.
SOURCES:
• "6 Essential Reasons Black Women Change Careers - Twanna Carter"
• "Black Women: Reinvention, Well-being, and Authenticity"
• "Black Women: Reinvention, Well-being, and Overcoming Challenges"
• "Business Tips for Budding Black Female Entrepreneurs - BusinessNewsDaily.com"
• "Embracing Authenticity: Celebrating the Power of Black Women Keeping It Real"
• "Listening to Older Black Californians How Aging Women Face the Triple Jeopardy of Race, Gender, and Age in Health Care"
• "Many Americans are reinventing themselves late in life in a third act : Up First from NPR : NPR"
• "Reinvent Yourself After 40 | Empowering Black Women to Embrace Midlife - iamKeliB"
• "Reinvent Yourself After 40 | Empowering Black Women to Embrace Midlife | We Age Graceful"
• "Reinventing Yourself in Your 30s Black Women - TikTok"
• "Shay Stewart-Bouley - Black Girl in Midlife"
• "The Evolution of African American Beauty - Number Analytics"
• "“I think we're on a cusp of some change:” coping and support for mental wellness among Black American women"
• "https://www.lemon8-app.com/@apriljewells/7475723801234342442?region=us"