Cover: Kelley Maple
Kelley Maple is rewriting the narrative around midlife—one confident, empowered woman at a time. A board-certified family nurse practitioner and expert in regenerative and aesthetic medicine, Maple is the founder of KM Health Collective and co-founder/chief medical officer of Medical Anti-Aging, which helps women feel their best through evidence-based hormone therapy, cutting-edge treatments, and holistic wellness strategies. “It’s about energy, self-assurance, and feeling vibrant,” she says—and for Maple, watching her patients reclaim their vitality is what lights her up.
A fierce advocate for wellness, the 46-year-old practices what she preaches, working out at 5 a.m. five days a week. Whether she’s lifting weights at LFT Lab, training for the HYROX fitness competition in New York, or simply starting the day with a nourishing breakfast, that early morning routine is her anchor. “It’s the foundation for how I show up for my family, my patients, and my team,” she says.
Protecting her equanimity is just as important as her wellness. Maple has mastered the art of saying “no” to anything—or anyone—that drains her. From silencing her phone to guarding her energy, she’s learned that boundaries are a form of self-respect. When life gets chaotic, she finds calm in movement and her tribe. Whether it’s a solo walk with a podcast, a sweaty gym session, or words of encouragement from her partner, Matthew, Maple finds strength in her people and serenity in perspective.
When she talks about “having it all,” she calls out the myth many women still chase. “Having it all doesn’t mean doing it all,” she says. “It means choosing what truly matters and being okay with imperfection.”
And aging? She welcomes it. “Aging is a privilege. I love the woman I am becoming.” If her kids ever wrote a book about her, she hopes it would be called Organized Chaos: A Story of a Mom Who Built a Beautiful Life While Forgetting Where She Parked. Imperfect, vibrant, and full of heart—just the way she intended.
Nathalie Cadet James
At 48, Nathalie Cadet James wears many hats—all of them with intention. As the founder and principal of Luxe Fête, an award-winning boutique event production company that specializes in creating transformative experiences for luxury brands, she brings creative flair and razor-sharp precision (thank her former life as an attorney for that) to her work, which is rooted in storytelling, strategy, and soulful execution—a bodacious blend of heart and hustle.
A proud Haitian American, Cadet James infuses her cultural heritage and deep appreciation for beauty into everything she touches. “I love this work because it allows me to merge creativity with strategy and emotion with execution. There’s something deeply fulfilling about watching a concept come to life and knowing you helped create joy, meaning or impact for others.”
Outside of her business, she’s on the board at the Miami Beach Botanical Garden and advises The Miami Foundation on a visionary new headquarters—a 20,000-square-foot hub designed to spark connection and innovation among Miami’s nonprofits. But ask her where she truly comes alive and she’ll tell you it’s dancing in the kitchen with her daughters, planning an adventure with her husband, or unwinding with a good book and a cup of coffee.
Her north star? Boundaries. “My time is sacred,” she says. “If it doesn’t align with my values, my purpose or my family’s well-being, I say no without guilt.”
She also rejects the myth that “having it all” means doing it all. “Life has seasons,” she notes. “Some days, I’m in full boss mode. On other days, I’m just a mom cheering on the sidelines or in the dance studio with untrimmed hair and a full heart. Real power is knowing what to prioritize and when.”
Success, for Cadet James, has evolved. Once measured in courtroom wins or flawlessly executed events, it’s now rooted in presence—in the laughter of her daughters, in quiet moments of pride, in becoming the kind of woman she wants them to see. She unapologetically rejects “performative busy-ness,” instead leaning into the rituals that restore her: a long shower, stillness, and the steady rhythm of the ocean. When life feels heavy, she leans into her tribe—family, lifelong friends, and mentors who remind her who she is.
Samantha Abraham
Samantha Abraham is the kind of woman who balances career, motherhood, and self-care with grace—and a great playlist in her ears. As a division marketing manager for a well-known portfolio of liquor brands, the 39-year-old covers seven states, including Florida. And the job comes with some pretty enviable perks: think Formula 1 Miami, the Miami Dolphins, the Tampa Bay Lightning, South Beach Seafood Festival and Aspen Food & Wine, among others.
But outside the office (and often in between), Abraham finds her rhythm in movement. She’s committed to lifting weights, Pilates, long walks, and making sure a workout is part of her daily routine—even if it’s a quick one sandwiched between Zoom calls. It’s her non-negotiable form of self-care, one that fuels both her career and her role as a mom.
After 5 p.m., Abraham says, it’s family time. “Unless there’s a big event or a dinner,” she says. “Anything else can wait.” It’s that kind of structure that helps her stay grounded—and present. She’s quick to shut down the myth that anyone truly “has it all.” Real life is a mix of highs and lows, and she embraces that with honesty. For her, success looks like a productive day at work, a good sweat session, dinner with her daughter, and everyone getting a decent night’s sleep.
Gone are the days of feeling guilty for skipping a night out or saying no to drinks. These days, she favors a quiet evening with loved ones, a walk listening to a podcast like The Toast or Giggly Squad and tuning into what feels good. As for getting older, she’s all about it. “The best part is using the lessons learned over the years to be able to let go of people and things that don’t fulfill you and nourishing things that do,” she says. “Aside from that, being financially stable, and having the ability to knock things off my bucket list, travel and buy overpriced skin care and Botox!”
Sher Salzman
At 66, Sher Salzman is living proof that artistry, resilience and reinvention never go out of style. A trailblazing professional makeup artist and educator, Salzman has spent decades shaping faces—and careers—in the beauty and fashion world, from the photo studios of Chicago to the celebrity sets of Los Angeles. A pioneer in airbrush makeup and a former West Coast beauty expert for Mademoiselle, Salzman has worked with icons like Whoopi Goldberg and Cameron Diaz, created foundation shades for Estée Lauder, and seen her artistry grace the pages of Italian Vogue, Rolling Stone, and Elle.
Yet despite her dazzling résumé, Salzman’s proudest roles are wife and mother. “I waited to have children,” she says. “Now, my legacy as a wife and mom dominates.” Raising her sons Noah and Ari, alongside a 30-year marriage to her husband—a fellow creative in the film industry—grounds her deeply. “The time I spend with my sons is the highlight of my life.”
Success, for Salzman, has evolved. Once measured by professional accolades, it’s now rooted in health, family, and happiness. “Values change as you get older,” she reflects. “Material things matter less. I have an amazing family, and we are healthy. I feel happy—so I have it all.”
Salzman relies on several rituals to keep herself centered: lifting weights, painting abstracts, and reformer Pilates sessions that stretch not just her body, but her mind. Music is her sanctuary, and her circle—anchored by her kind, patient husband and a tight-knit group of girlfriends—provides unwavering support.
Her students, too, inspire her daily. “I love working with young, progressive artists. We understand each other,” she says with a smile. She teaches not just technique, but resilience and adaptability—skills she’s mastered in a career that’s taken her from fashion capitals to far-flung photoshoots.
And when it comes to aging, Salzman embraces it fully. “The best part is my renewed independence and experience.” If her sons ever wrote a book about her, she’d hope it was called Lift, Laugh, Love—a title as vibrant, strong, and spirited as the woman herself.
Rachael Manocchio
Rachael Manocchio is the embodiment of resilience and reinvention. As the owner of Doctors Best Wellness Center in Weston, she leads a concierge-style functional medicine practice dedicated to helping men and women reclaim their health through bioidentical hormones, medical weight loss, and advanced diagnostics. But beyond the treatments, it’s the transformation that fuels her. “I love helping people take back control of their vitality, energy, and confidence—especially when traditional medicine has failed them.”
Manocchio’s work is personal. She’s built a business that mirrors her own evolution. After losing her husband, she faced a choice: collapse under the weight of grief or rise through intentional healing. “I realized that if I didn’t prioritize my mental clarity, I couldn’t lead my business or support my loved ones. Taking time to grieve and realign made me stronger, more present, and more purpose-driven.”
Now, success—once measured by income and accolades—takes on a different look. “It’s about impact and freedom. Helping women feel empowered in their own bodies while having the space to live and truly enjoy my life—and my son—is what matters most.” Her peace is non-negotiable. If it doesn’t feel aligned, she lets it go. “If it’s not a full-body yes, it’s a no,” she says.
At the end of a long day, you’ll find Manocchio in the bath with essential oils, phone off, reconnecting with stillness. Writing helps, too—it’s her way of turning inner storms into clarity. And when life gets overwhelming, she leans into her tribe. “I’m surrounded by strong, spiritually aligned women who remind me of my power when I forget.”
Getting older, for Manocchio, isn’t a battle—it’s a blessing. “The best part is self-trust. I’ve stopped apologizing for taking up space. I’m more peaceful, more discerning, and more rooted in what matters.”
Liliana Montoya
A powerhouse of passion, purpose and unmistakable style: that’s Liliana Montoya. The 43-year-old mom, fashion designer, entrepreneur, and former model is the creative soul behind LILIANA MONTOYA Swim, a brand as bold as the woman who built it.
Born in Medellín, Colombia, Montoya grew up sewing with her grandmother and her aunt. In 2006, she launched her swimwear label, fusing her Latin roots with luxury and sustainability. Today, she runs a namesake boutique on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach offering one-of-a-kind pieces that are handcrafted and ethically made. The line’s signature gold heart emblem is a personal mark she’s carried since childhood that symbolizes self-love and purpose. “Success, for me, is about the person I became through the journey,” she says. “It’s about embracing the challenges, overcoming what I once thought I couldn’t and becoming stronger with every lesson.”
Montoya’s journey has taken her from modeling in her company’s campaigns to producing fashion shows worldwide and seeing her work showcased in Harper’s Bazaar, Sports Illustrated, Marie Claire and GQ, among others. But behind the glamour is a gal grounded in grit. When burnout struck after opening her boutique, it was her son’s words—“Mama, I miss you”—that forced a reset. Now, success is no longer defined by hustle alone; it’s about presence—cheering at her son’s basketball games, nurturing her spiritual path through Indigenous sweat lodge rituals, and saying a firm “no” to comparison culture. To reconnect with herself after a particularly long or grueling day, she says, “I pray. I pray when I eat, when I drive, or when I need to center myself. I also listen to meditations that help me stay grounded and full of gratitude—what I like to call ‘tank full.’”
After nearly two decades in the industry, Montoya’s impact extends beyond fashion. Her #SizeYourHeart movement encourages women to grow through love and action. Her brand supports artisans across Latin America and invests in social projects rooted in sustainability and cultural respect. In her own words: “We are mermaid makers weaving tales of craftsmanship and sustainability.”
