You've Spent 50 Years Becoming The Woman
You Are.
Now discover the woman you're becoming.
SILVER AWAKENING® is an empowerment platform for women over 50 to heal, transform, and thrive as they step into their SILVER SAGE®.
Created for women over 50 navigating life's transitions, from gray divorce and grief to retirement, empty nest, and new beginnings, SILVER AWAKENING® offers a welcoming space for connection, personal growth, and reinvention. Through online support groups, one-on-one mentoring, instructor-led courses, in-person retreats, and wellness and beauty classes, we help women embrace change and discover what's possible in their next chapter.
How Does SILVER AWAKENING Work?
Your journey is uniquely yours. SILVER AWAKENING offers three empowering pathways—HEAL, TRANSFORM, and THRIVE—to support you along the way. Explore what speaks to you and discover new possibilities as your needs and aspirations evolve.
Are you recovering from loss, grief, divorce, empty nest or other life transitions?
Ready to discover what is possible when old roles fall away and new purpose is revealed?
Heal
Healing from the past Reveals Your SILVER SAGE®
Transform
Transformation Engages Your SILVER SAGE®
Healing
Online Support Groups
Compassionate
One-On-One Mentorship
Transformative
Instructor-Led Courses
Enlightening
In-Person Retreats
Want to build a life grounded in physical wellbeing, creative confidence, and embodied joy?
Silver Circles
"The support group became my lifeline when I really needed it...to slowly rebuild a life that still holds meaning and love."
— Sandy, 62
Silver Mentors
"Silver Mentor Carmela Carlyle saved me, I owe her my life. She helped me grieve, forgive, and rebuild."
— Diane, 53
Silver Learning
"I discovered resilience I didn’t know I had and learned to live more intentionally."
— Maya, 57
Thrive
Thriving Embodies Your SILVER SAGE®
Invigorating Wellness
Classes & Courses
Inspiring Beauty
Classes & Courses
Silver Gatherings
"The Rewriting Your Story Retreat was life changing. I didn't realize how stuck I was. Now I'm forming a new gardening group and I'm loving life!"
— Jennifer, 57
Silver Wellness
"For the first time in a long time, I feel truly alive, confident, and excited about what’s ahead.”
— Carolyn, 58
Silver Beauty
"I was chasing youth instead of embracing my SILVER SAGE, I feel liberated and radiant."
— Marta, 64
What is SILVER SAGE®?
The new life-stage archetype for women over 50
SILVER SAGE® is a new life-stage archetype that celebrates the wisdom, self-trust and personal authority women develop through decades of lived experience. Rather than defining women by traditional roles or viewing life after 50 as a time of decline, it recognizes this season as an opportunity for self-discovery, reinvention and the freedom to choose what comes next.
About SILVER AWAKENING:
Who We Are and How We Support Women Over 50.
A little research behind the brand.
Why SILVER AWAKENING?
SILVER AWAKENING® was born from a truth millions of women understand: life after 50 brings change, challenges, and extraordinary possibilities. As careers evolve, relationships shift, and familiar roles give way to new beginnings, research reinforces the importance of connection, continued learning, and mind-body well-being in helping women embrace this next chapter.
CONNECTION & COMMUNITY
Connection Changes Everything.
Meaningful relationships and social support can make a profound difference in how we navigate life's transitions. Research reinforces the importance of staying connected, particularly during periods of change.
CONTINUED LEARNING
Curiosity Keeps Us Growing.
Learning new skills, exploring creative interests, and challenging ourselves intellectually can support cognitive health and personal fulfillment throughout our lives.
MIND + BODY WELL-BEING
Well-Being Is a Lifelong Journey.
Research suggests that mind-body practices such as yoga, tai chi, and meditation can support physical balance, emotional well-being, and healthy aging.
Silver Awakening FAQ
What is Silver Awakening?
SILVER AWAKENING is an online empowerment platform for women over 50, co-founded by Sharon Ryan and Diane Manning and built around the SILVER SAGE® life-stage archetype. It offers:
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Silver Circles: online support groups
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Silver Mentors: one-on-one online mentoring
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Silver Learning: transformative, instructor-led online courses
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Silver Gatherings: in-person retreats
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Silver Wellness: online wellness classes
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Silver Beauty: online beauty classes.
The platform is supported by a team that includes certified therapists, coaches, and wellness educators. It is designed for women navigating divorce, grief, career transitions, and reinvention, and for anyone asking who they want to become in this next chapter. Start with the free SILVER SAGE® SISTERS community.
Who is SILVER AWAKENING for?
SILVER AWAKENING is for women 50 and older who are in the middle of — or approaching — a significant life transition. Whether you are processing a divorce, losing a partner, leaving a long career, experiencing the empty nest, or simply asking "now what?" — the platform provides both the support and the tools to move forward with intention rather than uncertainty.
What is the SILVER SAGE®?
SILVER SAGE® is a proprietary life-stage archetype created by SILVER AWAKENING that reframes the post-50 years as a time of awakening rather than decline. The archetype organizes the journey into three stages — Heal, Transform, Thrive — each supported by different modalities: facilitated peer support groups and one-on-one mentorship for healing, instructor-led courses and in-person retreats for transformation, and wellness and beauty practices for thriving.
What types of programs does SILVER AWAKENING offer?
SILVER AWAKENING offers Silver Circles (online support groups), Silver Mentors (one-on-one mentoring), Silver Learning (instructor-led online courses), Silver Gatherings (in-person retreats), Silver Wellness (online wellness classes) and Silver Beauty (online beauty classes). Free options include the SILVER SAGE® SISTERS (the private community), SILVER SAGE® INSIGHTS (inspirational articles and videos), and SILVER TALKS® (a video podcast).
How do I join SILVER AWAKENING?
Joining SILVER AWAKENING is free! Simply sign up for our private SILVER SAGE® SISTERS community to connect with other women over 50, explore our resources, and discover programs, courses, and retreats designed for your next chapter.
Is SILVER AWAKENING right for me if I am not religious or spiritual?
Women of all backgrounds, beliefs, and life stages are welcome — the only common thread is being a woman over 50 who is ready to heal, transform and thrive.
SILVER AWAKENING was founded by Sharon Ryan and Diane Manning. Sharon Ryan is an educator, workshop leader and midlife coach who serves as Chief Curriculum Officer. Diane Manning is a business executive and brand strategist with 25+ years building and scaling ventures, and serves as CEO. Content on this page is reviewed by the founders.