Michelle Ford, podcast host, radio presenter and Wentworth Estate resident sat down with Wentworth Lifestyle to share what makes life on the estate so special and why she believes midlife is just the halfway mark in an exciting journey.

What brought you to Virginia Water and Wentworth?

I was born and grew up in Surrey and after 14 years living in Asia and the USA, I came back to the UK in 2017 with a fresh perspective on what “home” should feel like. Wentworth ticked all the boxes, with beautiful homes, lots of green space, a short stroll from shops and the station with direct trains to London, and Heathrow Airport only twenty minutes away. My youngest was still in school, so the international school TASIS just a few miles away was ideal for letting him finish his US-style education. Honestly, it felt like the stars aligned.

What’s the best thing about life here?

It’s the perfect balance of peace and possibility. One morning I can be sipping coffee by the lake and by lunchtime I’m in the buzz of central London. I am a keen tennis player, so having courts within walking distance is a joy and with several golf courses close by, I might one day swap my racket for clubs. And then there are the neighbours … including Liz, who’s always up for sharing a bottle of wine and a good chat!

You’ve said midlife is only halfway – why?

I see midlife as halfway there, not halfway done. You’ve got the wisdom, the confidence, and the freedom to make bold choices. Why would you not use that? For me, it’s about reinvention and possibility, not heading towards retirement.

You certainly did… tell us more!

My pivot point came as my son was finishing school and the reality of an empty nest loomed. I was dreading a quiet house and a lack of purpose. Just before the pandemic, we moved to Wentworth, where I met my neighbour Liz who was in a similar stage of life. Together, we decided to launch the Two Women Chatting podcast. I was already working as a voice actor, a career that fitted perfectly with my nomadic lifestyle, moving around the world with my husband’s job, but podcasting was something completely new to me.

Fast forward, Liz decided to step away from the show to launch Wentworth Lifestyle. I’m incredibly proud to say that Two Women Chatting is in the top 2.5% of podcasts globally, with guests like Prue Leith, Tamzin Outhwaite and Judy Murray. It’s been a lot of hard work, but it’s paid off and now celebrities are asking to come on the podcast!

Then came a new challenge. I was invited to host a live radio show on Brooklands Radio. This was a whole different ballgame - it’s live broadcasting! I’ll be honest, I was so nervous for my first show I was nearly sick! But now, I present two to three times a week and absolutely love it.

I also have a monthly ‘midlife’ column in two local magazines. I certainly never saw myself as a ‘content creator’ or ‘influencer’ but, I have to admit, it’s a lot of fun! It’s proof that pushing yourself out of your comfort zone can lead to amazing things.

Why do think you could do it in your 50s?

Because I’ve stopped people pleasing and embraced a “give it a go” attitude, deciding to say yes when I want to - and recognising that I can also say ‘no’ and it’s a complete sentence! My confidence has grown although I do still have some wobble moments and imposter syndrome - but don’t we all?. What once felt way out of my comfort zone now feels like home. And with my kids flown the nest (and mine have flown abroad), I finally have the time to embrace new challenges. With a wonderfully supportive husband by my side, it just feels like the right moment.

Where next?

I’m now being invited to speak at events about midlife reinvention - a topic I’m passionate about. I’ll admit, I was nervous at first, but if I can inspire even one person to take the leap and try something new, it’s worth every flutter of stage fright.

My family will always be my priority, so we’ll see where this next chapter takes me - but I’m ready for whatever comes.

Michelle's Brooklands Radio show is every Thursday 1-4pm, with her Book Club segment interviewing well known authors like Lisa Jewell and Adele Parks at 3pm. If you enjoy a podcast, you can listen to Two Women Chatting here or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also find her on instagram @michelleford_twc