31. How a podcast has changed my life and helped me develop a following with Jennifer Gale

Jennifer is definitely over 50 and has a passion for helping other women find good health and fitness so they can feel fabulous and get the most out of their lives. She launched her podcast Fit’n Fifty Plus in October 2015 to help her listeners achieve the health goals they have always wanted.

Jennifer has had a long career in public health, starting as a registered nurse in intensive care and coronary care qualifications, and moving through to be a Hospital Chief Executive.

She decided at the age of 50 to become an amateur triathlete, but to do that she had to learn to ride and swim.

Jennifer holds a Masters in Science, is an accomplished international speaker, researcher, certified wellness coach and the author of a book about to be released: Fit’n Fifty Plus: How to get fit and stay that way. Everything you always wanted to know but were afraid to ask.

In this episode we talk about:

Jennifer Gale’s background as a professional in health and management
Holding a Masters in Science
Jennifer’s podcast journey and when it happened
Being fascinated by podcasting and really wanting to do it
The reason why she started her own podcast
Women over fifty
The myths of older people using technologies
How she helped her older clients become up-to-date with technology, and feel changed and amazing?
The amazing feeling that comes from doing a podcast
The obstacles that would have prevented her from creating a podcast
Podcasting 101: going back and starting from the very beginning
The little things to learn along the way in order to become proficient
How her view of podcasting has changed?
The importance in understanding the value of podcasting
The barriers to using technology
The results Jennifer has managed to achieve from having a podcast
How podcasting opened up her channels of information in a massive way and gave her access to international people?
How podcasting is an easy way to access detailed information about a variety of people?
Creating a better way of communicating detailed information
The lessons she learned from the We Are Podcast conference, 2015
Monetising a podcast
The long process of the podcasting journey and getting the product right
The amount of information she can gather from her Facebook page
Instant gratification
Jennifer’s way and process in creating a product and having someone to buy it
Creating a product out of feedback
Getting better and better as you get along
Offering something different, finding your avatar and working through it
Creating a remarkable offer
Getting over yourself in order to be simple and not overly complicated
The importance of talking to other people and learning as much as you possibly can
Trying to find a balance
Getting into the most amazing conversations through podcasting

What would’ve made it easier/What would you have changed?

“I think understanding the technical aspects in a simple way in the beginning would have made it easier for me. I think that’s the thing I struggled with, the technical aspects and getting over myself. Also, trying to get the production right. I struggled with that and I thought that was ridiculous because I’m not learning, I’m wasting my time, it’s taking me hours and hours. And then, just doing that one step with my producer, it just freaks me out to do what I love to do. So, learning to concentrate on what you do well, and getting other people to do the other things.”

When someone is considering a podcast as a medium, how do they know if it’s for them? How complicated is it to do a podcast?

“I always wanted to work for something but I wasn’t sure what it would be. Find your avatar, work through it, ask people what they think about it. Always be inquisitive.

“I guess I wanted to reach as many people as possible. It’s not something you have to do or should do, I guess it’s something you would love to do more than anything.”

What are the most important things to consider?

“I knew what was going to be important from the beginning. Once before, many many years ago, I set up a business for about eight months and it was just not good. I was lonely, I really didn’t market. And so I went back to work. In the intervening years, I thought about why. I’ve learned about myself.

“I realised that I’m the person who needs to talk to other people and that I won’t survive if I don’t. I need to learn as much as I possibly can. So, for me there’s an absolute necessity to learn quickly and get up to speed quickly and all of those things.

“You can get out of control when you work for yourself. I had to learn to put more boundaries around myself.

“I think the most important thing to do is go with the flow. Don’t try and make it so tight. I just think don’t be tight. Don’t set yourself tight rules, tight schedules, and tight anything. Just try it. Even if you only do it once every few weeks to start with it, it doesn’t really matter. Just be easy on yourself.”

Which podcast should I follow, why and how often?

“I’ve listened to some of you, Ronsley. My list is a bit sad, it’s all about content marketing, business content marketing. I have listened to some of the people from the We Are Podcast Conference. I think it’s really good for me to listen to young people and how they talk. It’s been interesting. I listen to Tim, I have the Ted ones on, I have Content Sells which is fantastic. I really love that one. I also listen to Rubbed the wrong way.”