Life Rewritten: Composing Your Legacy with Carrie KC West

Carrie KC West is an author, transformational story coach, and Founder of the Storytellers Academy – an organization dedicated to empowering individuals to review their life story, and assisting them to change and rewrite the parts that they wish to edit.

In this episode, Carrie sits down with Christina to discuss her journey from a challenging upbringing to being a late bloomer in her career and personal life. Carrie delves into the importance of understanding one’s origin story and how it shapes current behaviors and decisions. She also highlights a concept she calls the “sequel” of life, where one has the power to start fresh chapters at any stage, reflecting on past experiences to redefine goals and aspirations.

Rewriting Her Story

Carrie KC West is an expert in helping people rewrite their life stories, especially as they navigate their fifties and beyond. Carrie’s own journey is filled with twists and turns, starting from a humble background and driven by a theme of survival. But as she progressed through life, she realized that merely striving for success wasn’t fulfilling her deeply.

Through her experiences, including film school and self-discovery, Carrie uncovered the importance of understanding one’s own origin story. Like characters in movies, we each have a backstory that shapes our beliefs and behaviors. For Carrie, breaking free from the narrative of living for others and embracing the idea of being the protagonist in her own life was transformative.

In her twenties, Carrie began the process of taking charge and crafting a new theme for her life, one centered around empowerment and self-determination. But the journey didn’t stop there; she continued to confront and rewrite the subplots that were holding her back.

The Influence of Generational Stories

There’s no denying it—our family narratives can shape our lives. On Carrie’s journey of self-discovery, a pivotal moment came when she realized she needed to forgive her parents for being imperfect humans before being her caregivers.

Generational stories often influence our behaviors and beliefs, and experiences from past generations continue to impact our present-day lives. From frugality in the kitchen to societal expectations around marriage and career choices, our family and generational stories often inform the way we make decisions.

Ultimately, it’s important to understand our family’s stories and how they shape our own narratives. By recognizing and confronting these inherited beliefs, we can begin to rewrite our own stories and live more authentically.

Behind the Celebrity Persona

Carrie’s time working in the entertainment industry left her with many stories. Her story about interacting with none other than Harrison Ford is a real treat!

Picture this: Carrie’s office window overlooks the lot where Harrison Ford’s trailer is parked. Every morning, she’d catch him peeking out, and they’d exchange waves. Then, in a classic move, Harrison would hold up a sign offering her coffee, while Carrie, busy at work, would politely decline. It’s these little moments that remind us that even Hollywood stars like Harrison Ford are just regular people looking for a bit of company during downtime on set.

Carrie’s tale adds a human touch to the glamorous world of entertainment, showing that behind the red carpets and flashing cameras, actors like Harrison Ford are down-to-earth and approachable. It’s a refreshing perspective that makes you appreciate the person behind the celebrity persona.

Gender Inequality in the Workplace

It’s no secret that women face many challenges in the workplace, especially as they age. Christina reflects on the pervasive biases against women—societal expectations often create impossible standards for women at different stages of life. Women encounter unfair stereotypes, things like being labeled as too aggressive after divorce or deemed as too old to contribute meaningfully in their careers.

Carrie shares a poignant story about her experience speaking to a group of employees. She was the only woman in the room, and despite offering valuable insights and recommendations, her suggestions were initially dismissed until her male colleague reiterated them. Then, they received immediate approval. This pattern of being overlooked or undervalued in professional settings is unfortunately all too common for women.

This disparity in treatment based on gender is disheartening, but both Christina and Carrie express hope for positive change. There is an ongoing struggle for gender equality in the workplace, and it’s important to advocate for fair treatment and recognition of women’s talents and expertise, regardless of age or gender.

It’s Never Too Late to Start a New Chapter

Between prevalent ageism and sexism in our society, pursuing passions and overcoming self-doubt can be a very challenging endeavor for women over 55. Carrie shares her own experience of transitioning from the excitement of working in the film industry to the uncertainty of pursuing writing as a career.

Despite lingering doubts about the viability of being a writer, Carrie found herself drawn to the idea of sharing her insights and helping others uncover their own stories. She reflects on her journey of self-discovery and the pivotal moment when she decided to commit to writing her book.

Christina chimes in, sharing her own “aha” moment when she realized the power of storytelling through her podcast. Despite her initial hesitation, she found immense fulfillment that her podcast has become a platform for women over 55 to share their stories.

Challenging societal expectations and breaking free from predefined narratives are important steps on the journey of self-discovery—especially for women over 55. Christina and Carrie serve as inspiring examples of how it’s never too late to pursue your passions and rewrite your story, regardless of age or perceived limitations.

Redefining Our Narratives

Carrie beautifully likens our life journey to writing sequels, emphasizing that we have the power to update our stories at any point. Just like James Bond gets reinvented with new actors and storylines, we can redefine ourselves and our narratives as we evolve.

A pivotal moment for Carrie came when she refused to buy into the stereotypes perpetuated by insurance commercials and Medicare brochures, depicting aging as a time of decline and dependency. She boldly declared, “I’m not buying what you’re selling,” rejecting the notion that women must conform to narrow societal expectations as they age.

The pervasive influence of ageism in Hollywood and corporate settings leaves a great need for more representation and recognition of women’s achievements, regardless of age or appearance.

We have the agency to redefine our stories and shape our own destinies, regardless of the limitations imposed by society. Let this serve as a call to action to break free from outdated narratives and embrace the full spectrum of possibilities that life has to offer.

Help Writing Your Next Chapter

Carrie helps people rewrite their life stories to reflect their true passions and experiences. She emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s origin story, which serves as the foundation for who they are today. By exploring their relationships with family and upbringing, clients often have profound “aha” moments that lead to immediate change.

Part of her process involves identifying the protagonist (the client) and antagonist (anything that causes aggravation) in the story of their life. Understanding motivations is key—what drives someone to make certain choices or pursue specific paths. Carrie stresses that there’s no judgment in uncovering these motivations; the goal is simply to understand and potentially redirect the narrative in a more fulfilling direction.

Christina highlights how this process helps individuals write their next chapter, empowering them to make intentional choices aligned with their true desires. Christina and Carrie also touch on the importance of identifying themes in one’s life story—whether it’s love, success, or something else—and how changing those themes can lead to transformative shifts in perspective and behavior.

Identifying and changing themes, such as beliefs around money and success, can have a significant impact on life outcomes. Carrie shares examples of people who have successfully shifted their narratives and achieved success in unexpected ways.

With the right guidance and mindset, anyone can rewrite their life story and create a sequel that aligns with their true desires and aspirations. It’s never too late to rewrite your story, close one chapter, and start a new one filled with authenticity, purpose, and fulfillment.

A Lasting Legacy

When asked about her greatest accomplishments since turning 50, Carrie shares two significant moments. First, she talks about finding love with Simon at the age of 55, despite never being in a long-term relationship before. This unexpected connection reshaped her life story and brought immense joy. Then, Carrie discusses her upcoming book and the fulfillment she’s found in writing it, realizing that it’s the story she’s always wanted to share with the world.

Christina and Carrie reflect on the power of rewriting one’s narrative and embracing new chapters, even if they deviate from societal expectations. There are endless possibilities for growth and exploration at any age.

Consider the legacy you want to create. Remember that life is full of surprises and opportunities for reinvention, and that each of us has the power to shape our own narrative. For more information on how to work with Carrie to write your next chapter, check out her website: https://carriekcwest.com/

Watch her full interview here: