Midlife Launch
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
According 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 into perspective for his mom. “Are you doing all you can?” he asked. “You’re in business for yourself. Get a stomach for it.”
Clearly delighted by their mom’s success and the example she has set, both Jed and Hank Harrelson are flourishing in their chosen fields of music and living out their dreams in Nashville, Tennessee. When asked about his mom’s business venture, Jed said, “Being far from home these last few years, I have still been able to witness her growing a business from the ground up. What I know is she is great at executing a vision she has in mind. With confidence and motivation, opportunities are endless. She showed me this at a very young age.”
Following her time as a stay-at-home mom, Luthringer teamed up with her long-time friend of 25 years, Theresa Fontenot Hebert, at ReNew Integrated Medical Spa. There, she practiced life coaching and physical therapy, but her ambitions eventually led her to open her own clinic right next door, aptly named Restore Physical Therapy and Wellness. “When I approached Theresa, she was happy,” Luthringer recalls. “We have a close relationship and are like sisters—two women in the same age bracket, both driven. She has lifted me, and I think she feels it, too.”
Hebert wholeheartedly agrees, “For the past 16 years, my best friend has been a vital part of my business, always doing whatever it took to make it thrive. Now, as a neighbor with her new clinic just steps away, I am beyond excited to see her start this chapter. Her hard work and dedication have always been inspiring, and watching her achieve such success is incredibly fulfilling. I’m thrilled to continue this journey together, just a few steps away!”
At her practice, Luthringer and her team are dedicated to helping patients live their best lives. Specializing in pelvic floor therapy for both men and women, she provides personalized coaching to support patients in achieving their health and wellness goals. Her passion lies in helping individuals understand the crucial connection between health, stress, pain, nutrition, and movement.
It is interesting to note that Luthringer finds her life’s work and passion much easier to discuss now than in the past. With platforms like TikTok and social media, the younger generation openly talks about topics once considered taboo, such as bowel and bladder issues or sexual health. “For our generation, pee, poop, and sex are intimate subjects, and most of us need to feel relaxed and comfortable to discuss those things,” she explains. Many men and women experience these issues at some point in their lives, making it a widespread concern.
Traditional physical therapists often face burnout, but Luthringer’s passion lies in providing personalized care to each patient. “My business plan isn’t about seeing the most patients. It’s about treating them in the best way possible so they can truly get better. We always strive for good outcomes.”
Pelvic health for women is a hot topic in the medical field, and Luthringer is one of the first practitioners in Arkansas to earn the Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner (PRPC) certification. This credential not only highlights her expertise in pelvic health but also her ability to treat patients of all genders and ages. When she decided to pursue this certification, Luthringer knew she could find someone to work for her and do it well or work for someone else and excel in the role herself. Ultimately, she chose to set no limits on what she could achieve.
As she envisioned starting her own clinic, she discussed it with her husband, Lifford, who fully supported her ambition. His encouragement made the leap into entrepreneurship that much easier. “I am fascinated by people’s behaviors, including my own,” she reflects. “Maybe I was preparing for this the whole time through my other careers. For the first time, I have the mental space to do this how I want, and I have more freedom with my finances. Since my first job, my dad and brother have kept me on a path toward saving money. What we are doing is successful, and I think my 50s are the only time I could have done it. Liff and the boys are proud, and that means a lot.”
For some, age is just a number, and new goals are the next logical step. Tammie Flanagan Luthringer’s presence reveals that this midlife launch brings her one step closer to living her dream—and the timing couldn’t be more perfect.
