TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
MIDLIFE LAUNCH BY DR. ROBIN HICKERSON “The key to ultimate happiness and fulfillment lies within our own transformation. The more we learn and grow and evolve as individuals, the more we will find happiness and satisfaction in relationships, work, and life.” —Kristi Bowman
A ccording to Psychology Today , midlife is the center portion of a person’s life, usually between ages 40 and 65. Many people experience transitions in employment, health, physical appearance, and relationships during this phase of life. When we think of midlife, our minds often jump to thoughts of a midlife crisis, during which erratic and often reckless behaviors can surface. However, a popular trend supports thriving middle-aged men and women who are making the most of their life experiences and turning them into opportunities to launch new careers in midlife. For example, according to Caroline Castrillon’s Forbes article “Four Secrets to Success as a Midlife Entrepreneur,” the number of entrepreneurs over age 50 has skyrocketed in recent years, increasing by 50% since 2007. Michelle Quirk echoes this sentiment in the 2024 article “Starting Over in Midlife.” In the United States, more than 108 million people are 50 years or older. There is a growing population of people who expect to live—and thrive—for at least another 25 or 30 years. This has meant that the idea of a 40-year work life has expanded to a 60-year work life, reshaping what it means to work over a lifetime. With more people than ever considering a shift in their life’s work, we have an example of midlife reinvention happening right here in Texarkana, USA. “I am not retirement material,” declares Tammie Flanagan Luthringer. At 55, this licensed physical therapist recently opened her own clinic, embracing the change she felt compelled to pursue. “I am not sure I could have stopped this,”
Luthringer admits. “I thought someone should do this, and it might as well be me. I like doing things that are in the moment—maybe a little trendy—although that’s not my favorite word. I am motivated and driven, and you can’t not do it when it’s a part of who you are.” Reflecting on a recent lunch with her father, Hershel Flanagan, a well-respected entrepreneur in Texarkana, Luthringer acknowledges the shared drive between them. “My dad is the same way. He’s not retirement material, either. He knows I’m excited and nervous, but he’s always my cheerleader. I am a fan of his, and he is a fan of mine.” Flanagan beams with pride when speaking of Luthringer’s recent success and her bold decision to start her own clinic. “Her mom and I have always been proud of her and the strength and determination she shows in achieving her goals.” Luthringer graduated from Arkansas High School in Texarkana, and went on to earn a degree from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Naturally social and resourceful, she found traditional physical therapy limiting, so she pivoted in her early 20s to a successful career in pharmaceutical sales. Later, she chose to focus on raising her boys, becoming a stay-at-home mom. “I spent ten years at home with my kids. I put a lot of thought into how I raised them,” she reflects. “They are self-sufficient and independent. I always wanted them to have a license to live life as they wanted, and they have turned out to be good humans.” She finds herself amused when she hears her words come back to her. Recently, after a challenging day in her new clinic, her son Jed helped put things
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BUSINESS & POLITICS
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