I know, it’s not as catchy as ’30 under 30′, filled with young startup ‘CEOs’ straight out of college, or young bosses who are younger than most of their staff, but I was inspired by TV Writer, Melissa Hunter’s tweet to share some of the amazing people who replied and shared how they got their big break later in their career.

At the end of 2020, instead of 30 Under 30 and NextGen lists, please profile middle-aged people who just got their big breaks. I want to read about a mother of 2 who published her first novel, a director who released their first studio feature at 47, THAT'S THE LIST WE WANT.

— Melissa Hunter (@melissaFTW) January 7, 2020

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While it’s awesome that there are so many younger people achieving great things, us older (or getting older rapidly) folks need to hold on to a dream that there still is hope of a breakthrough rather than working for younger and younger bosses who have plenty to say about the industry you’ve worked for decades in.

I went back to school at 48 and ended up playing on the Comm College tennis team. Forgoing my BA to put my boys thru school I went to massage school instead. I now have a six figure business and pay other women to work with me. All after being a stay home mom for 18 years.

— Suzanne StClaire #IMPEACHNOW (@StClaireSuzanne) January 9, 2020

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Earned a doctorate at 52 and now I’m a pt asst professor in addition to a HS English Language Arts teacher. I love it!

— Deborah Aughey, Ed.D (@dlaughey) January 9, 2020

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Would love it! I’m a dad of two who went back for an MBA, then travelled half way across the world to get a job as a VC in #Luxembourg. And no—I don’t come from wealth ;). I LOVE hearing stories I can relate to. Power on working parents—It’s never too late to take that big leap!

— Owen Reynolds (@ogreynolds) January 9, 2020

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This just might be my favourite Tweet ever. So many awesome people in the replies. They give me hope and inspiration. I became a swimming instructor/disability swim coach in my 30s and I love my job.

— Lyca ☕ 📚 🏊 (@Lyca29) January 8, 2020

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This just might be my favourite Tweet ever. So many awesome people in the replies. They give me hope and inspiration. I became a swimming instructor/disability swim coach in my 30s and I love my job.

— Lyca ☕ 📚 🏊 (@Lyca29) January 8, 2020

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Single mom of 2 for last 13 year( girls are 15&17now) Just wrote 10th book PS- Was killed in a car crash 29 yrs ago and came back- become a doctor and then moved to Ireland to set up shop, chase ancient symbols and help people heal. Phew! https://t.co/xOKihi0MRJ

— Dr Mary Helen Hensley🍀 (@docmhh) January 8, 2020

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So flippin’ great to see this all. Thank you for this inspiration!! 39, mother of 2, expat, just launched a British-made backpack co (knowing nothing of manufac, etc) to bring awareness to climate change and purchasing habits. Which is small compared to many!

— Lyndsay Lucero (@lyndsay_lucero) January 9, 2020

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I’m a wife, mom and gramma. In May of 2020 I am graduating with a BA in Linguistics…with honors🤓. I have been chasing this dream for a long time and at 52, I’m finally achieving this goal @fortycaltx thank you for all your love and support

— Nena Labori (@MaggieLabori) January 11, 2020

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I got my first publishing contract at 49 and published my first novel at 50. I now have an agent and a 4-book deal with HarperCollins. The next 3 books will be out by Oct 2020 and I'm half-way through writing book#5. #dreamscometrue #authorlife #amwritingromance #amwriting

— 🐨❣️Sandy Barker❣️🐨 (@sandybarker) January 13, 2020

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Hope this qualifies. While going thru horrible divorce and becoming a single sole support mom in my 40s, I went back to school f/t while working f/t, got my BA and Masters in Acct. And went from bankrupt and foreclosed to buying a mf’n house for my kids and me.

— CarrieAnn (@scorpiocarrie) January 14, 2020

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Thank you for starting this thread!!!! I’m in my late 40s & I just started pursuing TV writing & screenwriting as a career change from journalism. So this is the kind of inspiration I need right now! ❤️

— Bonnie Burton (@bonniegrrl) January 12, 2020

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Two kids, single, first book in paperback, 41.

— Sophia Shalmiyev (@sshalmiyev) January 13, 2020

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Walked every sq mile of Manhattan at age 58, every arrondissement of Paris at 59, and at age 67, I'm finalizing my memoir. I've got a helluva lot more to do before they put me under.

— lisa weldon (@lisaweldon) January 11, 2020

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I’m 57, mother of 3 amazing teens if I don’t say so myself, and just joined the DGA and the Academy. Super excited to be doing my thing. Excited for you, too! I always felt crushed by those 30 under 30 lists, but there’s no age limit on creativity. Life experience is all fodder.

— Andrea Nevins (@andreanevins) January 9, 2020

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So there you have it. There’s hope no matter your age or situation. What will your big break be?