How Andrea McGinty is Changing the Online Dating Game for Women 50+

Online dating can feel like stepping into a chaotic, unfamiliar world—especially if you’re over 40, newly single, and staring at a screen full of confusing apps, blurry profile pictures, and questionable bios. It’s overwhelming, even intimidating. You might be thinking: Where do I even start? Which dating app actually works? How do I put myself out there again after all these years?

In this episode of Living Ageless and Bold, we meet Andrea McGinty, a former restaurateur turned renowned dating coach who’s redefining what love looks like after 40. With over 33,000 successful dates under her belt, Andrea isn’t just familiar with online dating—she’s mastered it. And more importantly, she’s made it her mission to help others do the same, especially women navigating second acts in life and love.

This episode unpacks Andrea’s fascinating personal and professional transformation, how she built a thriving coaching business from a very personal spark, and why her approach—equal parts tough love, tech-savvy, and deeply human—is resonating with thousands of clients across the country. Whether you’re newly single, curious about online dating, or simply searching for inspiration, Andrea’s story will leave you empowered, informed, and maybe even a little excited to give love another shot.

From Fine Dining to Fine-Tuned Matchmaking

Andrea McGinty didn’t start out in the dating industry. In fact, she was deep in the culinary world, owning and operating a successful restaurant. But after having her first daughter and selling her restaurant, Andrea took a break to travel—and life took an unexpected turn.

One day, her brother (who had once doubted her interest in dating services) called her, complaining about the awful experience he was having with online dating. Andrea, curious and ever-resourceful, asked for his login credentials. What she saw shocked her: a bad profile with terrible photos. She jumped in, revamped everything, and within two weeks, he was lining up great dates.

From that moment on, Andrea knew she had a gift.

That small gesture spiraled into a full-fledged career. Before long, she’d helped arrange over 33,000 dates, earning her national recognition and inspiring the name of her previous business. Now in her 40s and beyond, Andrea’s work has evolved to help clients in their 40s, 50s, and 60s—many of whom are navigating online dating for the first time.

Empowering the Second Act: Dating Over 40

Andrea’s clients are often entering what she calls their “second act.” These are people who have gone through divorces, lost spouses, or simply never found the right one. Now their kids are older or out of the house, and they’re finally ready to focus on themselves.

But there’s a major challenge: most of them didn’t grow up with dating apps. Platforms like Hinge, Bumble, and Raya can feel intimidating—especially when you don’t know which ones are credible, what to write in your bio, or even which app is popular in your city.

Andrea helps her clients navigate all of this. “There are 1,400 dating sites out there,” she says. “How do you pick the right one?”

Her process isn’t guesswork—it’s strategy.

She invests in premium research tools like Pew, Gallup, and Statista to understand dating trends, demographics, and behavior. She’ll plug in a client’s zip code, age, and lifestyle details to find the top five platforms that actually make sense for them.

This data-first approach makes her stand out in a sea of generalized dating advice. It also dramatically increases the chances of success.

Why Most People Quit—and Why They Shouldn’t

One of the biggest mistakes Andrea sees with online dating—especially among those over 40—is quitting too soon. “Most people give up after two weeks,” she says, and it’s often because the experience feels like a total letdown. You set up a profile, maybe swipe a few times, exchange a couple of awkward messages, and suddenly it all feels like more work than it’s worth.

The excitement fades fast, replaced by frustration. The apps seem confusing, the matches feel underwhelming, and the initial thrill gives way to disappointment when nothing clicks right away. That’s when many throw in the towel, convinced that dating apps just don’t work for “people like me.”

But Andrea urges her clients to push through the early chaos and commit to the process—for a full three months. That’s the minimum amount of time she recommends for anyone serious about finding a meaningful connection online.

Why? Because online dating is a numbers game. You’re not going to meet “the one” in week one—and expecting that only sets you up for burnout. Instead, she helps clients approach it with a strategy, patience, and realistic expectations.

That’s what Andrea brings to her coaching. She equips clients with the tools and mindset to filter through the noise, stay confident, and approach the process with curiosity instead of discouragement. Because once you stop expecting instant results and start focusing on intentional progress, online dating shifts from frustrating to empowering.

And Andrea’s clients? The ones who stick it out with her guidance often find themselves not just getting dates—but making real, exciting, and often unexpected connections.

The Profile Matters—More Than You Think

One of Andrea’s biggest areas of expertise? Crafting profiles that convert.

She customizes profiles based on the platform. For instance, on Bumble, where you only get 350 characters, brevity and creativity are key. On Match.com, she may build a longer narrative. But her advice to women remains the same: short, sweet, and unique wins.

Andrea also emphasizes the importance of choosing a platform that’s slanted in your favor. For example, she explains that Match.com is about 75–80% men, making it a great choice for women—so long as they understand how to filter and navigate the platform effectively.

Debunking the Privacy Myth

For many women over 40, the idea of putting their photo on a dating app feels deeply uncomfortable. There’s a hesitation rooted in privacy concerns, fear of judgment, or simply the vulnerability of being “seen” in a space they might not have imagined themselves navigating at this stage in life.

Andrea hears this all the time.

One of the most common objections she gets during her initial consultations is: “I don’t want to put my picture online.” It’s often said with a mix of embarrassment, worry, and hesitation. But Andrea doesn’t mince words.

“You already have an Instagram account, you already have a Facebook account—who cares?” she says bluntly. Most people already have a digital footprint far beyond what they realize. In today’s world, being online is simply part of how we connect—romantically or otherwise.

Andrea helps clients dismantle the outdated stigma around online dating by reframing it. This isn’t about broadcasting your private life to the world. It’s about showing up intentionally in a space designed for connection. And unlike the early days of online dating, where anonymity was common and risks were higher, today’s platforms have evolved significantly.

What Andrea really emphasizes, though, is the mindset shift. Online dating isn’t something to be embarrassed about—it’s smart, strategic, and incredibly effective when done right. And the first step to doing it right? Showing up with your photo, your personality, and a little confidence.

Because as Andrea shows her clients again and again: When you embrace the process, the results can be pretty amazing.

Helping Women Own Their Narrative

Christina Daves acknowledges just how daunting dating can be after decades of marriage. It’s not just the technology or the unfamiliarity of dating apps—it’s the emotional weight that comes with starting over. Andrea McGinty wholeheartedly agrees. In fact, it’s one of the main reasons she loves the work she does.

For Andrea, this phase of life isn’t a setback—it’s an opportunity. And what lights her up most is helping women reclaim and rewrite their stories after divorce, loss, or years focused on raising families or building careers.

She doesn’t just help clients “put themselves out there.” She helps them own who they are now, with no apologies and no shrinking back. That process starts not with photos or clever taglines, but with conversation and deep listening.

Andrea takes time to get to know each client individually—really know them. She dives into their past relationships, what they’ve learned, what they want (and don’t want) moving forward. She asks about their goals, values, personality traits, and what kind of partner would complement—not complete—them.

This isn’t surface-level profile editing. Andrea’s approach is part coach, part confidante, and part strategist. She knows that the stories women tell themselves—I’m too old for this, I don’t know how to date anymore, I missed my chance—are often the biggest barriers to finding love. And she gently but firmly helps them dismantle those beliefs.

Whether it’s a woman who hasn’t dated since the 1980s or someone just stepping back into the world after a painful divorce, Andrea’s message is clear: You are not starting over. You’re starting again—with more wisdom, strength, and clarity than ever before.

A Three-Month Investment in Love

Andrea offers clients a three-month coaching package where she guides them through everything—from choosing the right app to creating the perfect profile, filtering matches, and navigating conversations.

Her background in business (combined with a natural intuition for people) makes her uniquely equipped to coach clients through one of the most emotional journeys of their lives—finding love again.

She reminds everyone: dating after 40 isn’t about starting over. It’s about starting better.

Andrea’s Mission in Her Own Words

Andrea McGinty is on a mission to make dating feel doable, exciting, and worthwhile again—especially for women in midlife who’ve been through life’s ups and downs.

With over 33,000 dates set up, a powerful business-minded approach, and a deep compassion for her clients, Andrea is proof that love doesn’t have an expiration date.

Whether you’re recently single or just getting curious about dating again, her message is clear:

“Don’t give up after two weeks. Give it three months. And give yourself the chance to find something truly meaningful.

Watch her full episode here: