When Laraine’s husband died, her kids told her to stay put. Instead, she bought an RV, named her Matilda and drove away. Now, she’s a full-time “grey nomad,” looping Australia instead of ‘mowing lawns’.

In this episode, Laraine shares what it takes to downsize a life into a van, what her kids really think, the most breathtaking places she’s been, and when she’s felt truly afraid.Retirement doesn’t have to look like it used to—some keep working, others chase freedom.

Laraine’s is a story that proves life after work can be whatever you want it to be.

THE END BITS: 

Share your feedback! Send us a voice message or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au 

Follow us on Instagram @MidbyMamamia or sign up to the MID newsletter, dropping weekly here. 

Mamamia's new podcast BIZ is rewriting the rules of work with no generic advice - just real strategies from women who've actually been there. Listen here.

CREDITS:

Host: Holly Wainwright

Executive Producer: Naima Brown

Senior Producer: Grace Rouvray

Producer: Tahli Blackman

Audio Producer: Jacob Round

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

When Laraine&rsquo;s husband died, her kids told her to stay put. Instead, she bought an RV,&nbsp;named her Matilda and&nbsp;drove away.&nbsp;Now, she&rsquo;s a full-time &ldquo;grey nomad,&rdquo; looping Australia&nbsp;instead of &lsquo;mowing lawns&rsquo;.
In this episode, Laraine shares what it takes to downsize a life into a van, what her kids really think, the most breathtaking places she&rsquo;s been, and when she&rsquo;s felt truly afraid.Retirement doesn&rsquo;t have to look like it used to&mdash;some keep working, others chase freedom.
Laraine&rsquo;s is a story that proves life after work can be whatever you want it to be.
THE END BITS:&nbsp;
Share your feedback!&nbsp;<a href="https://help.mamamia.com.au/en-US/send-a-podcast-voice-note-467960" data-stringify-link="https://help.mamamia.com.au/en-US/send-a-podcast-voice-note-467960" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Send us a voice message </a>or email us at <a href="mailto:podcast@mamamia.com.au">podcast@mamamia.com.au</a>&nbsp;
Follow us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/midbymamamia/?hl=en">@MidbyMamamia</a> or sign up to the MID newsletter, dropping weekly <a href="https://midbymamamia.substack.com/">here</a>.&nbsp;
Mamamia's new podcast&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/biz/" data-stringify-link="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/biz/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">BIZ</a>&nbsp;is rewriting the rules of work with no generic advice - just real strategies from women who've actually been there.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/biz/" data-stringify-link="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/biz/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Listen here.</a>
CREDITS:
Host: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wainwrightholly/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;amp;ig_mid=74644078-8F28-485C-9065-97B07E9DEE99">Holly Wainwright</a>
Executive Producer: Naima Brown
Senior Producer: Grace Rouvray
Producer: Tahli Blackman
Audio Producer: Jacob Round
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Welcome to MID - the grown-up conversations women deserve.

Ever wondered what to do when your ducks don't all fit neatly into the row they're supposed to?

Each episode we bring you handpicked compelling stories discussing relationships and wellness.

Fun, frank wisdom from an impressive line up of well loved names, in the second act of life who share it all.

MID goes deep on self-care with zero shame and rich experiences you can cherry-pick for wisdom to share, changes to make and attitude we can borrow.

In MID... we're anything but.

Welcome to MID - the grown-up conversations women deserve.
Ever wondered what to do when your ducks don't all fit neatly into the row they're supposed to?
Each episode we bring you handpicked compelling stories discussing relationships and wellness.
Fun, frank wisdom from an impressive line up of well loved names, in the second act of life who share it all.
MID goes deep on self-care with zero shame and rich experiences you can cherry-pick for wisdom to share, changes to make and attitude we can borrow.
In MID... we're anything but.

EXTRA: Van Life Dream Vs Reality

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/3ea926be-9be7-482a-8ac3-a44f016e43d1/clips/836c8ec3-bead-43e2-99a9-b2ab0183dba9/transcript