Skip to main content

10 Questions With Pam Sissons

Pam Sissons of Queensbury New York recently spent the day with Meredith Vieira at NBC. After a Today Show producer came across Pam Sissons' website FiftyIsTheNewForty.net, she was called to see if she would be interested in partaking in a segment about fabulous women in their fifties. See our interview with Pam Sissons

1. What did you think when NBC first contacted you?

Pam: I thought someone was playing a joke on me! I almost didn't answer the producer's email.

2. Were you nervous?

Pam: Yes!

3. What did you discussion include?

Pam: It included a number of things that concern women in midlife, from the physical effects of aging, to changing family dynamics and relationships, finances, careers, etc. One of the things we discussed at some length was "empty nest" and what that means for women...some view it as a difficult time, while some welcome the freedom it represents with open arms.

4. What was NBC like behind the scenes?

Pam: Amazing! We went from the 'green room' at the studio to a nearby restaurant where the segment was filmed. You don't realize how much equipment, technology and coordination is involved with something like this.

5. What did you think of Meredith Vieira?

Pam: She was very warm and extremely professional. (She's a 50-something also!) It was really great fun and interesting to meet all the women - each from a very different place along the same timeline.

6. Would you do it again?

Pam: Of course!

7. When did you start FiftyIsTheNewForty.net?

Pam: I started it in 2007 when I turned 50, the same year I completed my college degree.

8. What made you decide to start this site?

Pam: It was an outlet, really. I had some of my own fears about that milestone birthday..my mother died at the age of 50 and I think it was always in the back of my mind. I wanted to learn what other women were going through, and I was quite pleasantly surprised to find that rather than slowing down, there were so many women just getting started with hobbies, begining new careers and starting businesses, and eyeing educational goals.

9. Besides a fabulous website, what else keeps you busy?

Pam: I have a pretty unique job as a Senior SEO Strategist with a fantastic company (Mannix Marketing, Inc.!) I read a lot, and writing is something I do quite bit of, particularly for FiftyIsTheNewForty.net. I have a wonderful husband and family and two gorgeous granddaughters that are at the top of my "to do" list!

10. So does life after 50 rock?

Pam: Yes, it's pretty amazing, really. The energy level at this time in my life has taken me completely by surprise! And quite honestly, when I turned 50 I didn't - and still don't - feel my age! There are so many things I'd like to do, I just don't know where to start. I wish I could share this with other women who are nearing that dreaded 50th birthday and let them know it's really more like a starting gate!