Amanda Hebb

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT BEING YOUR AGE?
I feel more comfortable and at home in my own skin than ever before. With that comes a sense of peace I didn’t have when I was younger.

WHAT HARDSHIPS HAVE YOU ENDURED THAT YOU FEEL HAVE MADE YOU STRONGER?
In a matter of 13 months, I had three miscarriages. Then, in October 2017, in the emergency room, after I fainted at work, we found out I was pregnant for the fourth time. Carrying that baby boy to full-term and having a problem-free delivery filled me with a sense of strength I’ve never experienced before — bad-ass strength.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
My son. “Your greatest accomplishment may not be something you do but someone you raise.”

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST EXTRAVAGANCE?
Pedicures and massages as often as possible!

WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?
My grandma’s wedding band. My grandpa placed it on her finger on their wedding day, and almost seven decades later, my husband placed it on mine.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING YOU HAVE CHECKED OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST?
I got to swim with a dolphin in Ocho Rios, Jamaica!

WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF PERFECT HAPPINESS?
Spending quality time with the people I love.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
Pay more attention to your gut. If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.  Take action. Don’t stay stuck.

DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF WISDOM FOR YOUNGER WOMEN?
Concern yourself less with what others think of you and more with what you think of yourself. Are you proud of who you’re becoming? Do you enjoy your job? Are you spending time with people who lift you up? If the answer is ever no, don’t be afraid to make a change.

WHAT IS A TRAIT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF?
My husband once described me as thoughtful. That’s something I’m proud to be. I strive to be the kind of person who makes others feel seen and special.

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO OR FAVORITE QUOTE?
“Hustle in silence. Let your success make the noise.”
“Adapt or die.”

WHAT DO YOU MOST VALUE IN YOUR FRIENDS?
Real talk … being able to be completely honest without fear of judgment or rejection. 

HOW DID YOU CHANGE OVER THE YEARS?
I’ve settled down and matured. I feel older and wiser. It’s felt very much like a natural progression as I’ve gotten older. 

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I have a habit of speaking too softly, even mumbling, at times. That can make it a challenge to communicate clearly. It’s something I need to work on.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE FOR THE FUTURE GENERATIONS?
I hope for generations to be full of confident, curious, and kind people.

WHAT BRINGS YOU THE MOST JOY AT THIS AGE?
Seemingly simple things like holding hands with my husband and son, laughing until I cry, friends, open windows and sun tea in the spring, sunshine, flip-flops, a good book, a good hug, a good night’s sleep, and the list goes on and on.

WHAT IS YOUR SUPERPOWER?
I am a good listener. When someone feels safe enough to share their true thoughts and feelings with me, I want them to walk away feeling heard and understood.

DO YOU LIKE BEING 40+?
Heck yeah!

WHEN IN YOUR LIFE, SO FAR, HAVE YOU FELT MOST CONFIDENT, AND WHY?
Right now! I have 45+ years of life experience under my belt … ups, downs, lefts, rights … and I made it through it all. I’ve learned a lot of lessons about what to do and, maybe more importantly, what not to do to be satisfied with who I am and how I’m living.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?
I just want to thank you, Yvette, for letting me be a part of this project. I love the fact that you’re celebrating and empowering women over 40! We have so much to offer each other and the world!