“The Joy Club has actually given me a new lease of life,” says Kathy Feest, 68, who explains how membership has enabled her to draw on skills from her past
The Bristol-based author and former Special Advisor at the Department of Health has been a member of since January 2021.
After joining on the recommendation of a friend, Kathy has rapidly found herself at the heart of this online community and activities club.
“As well as being a regular contributor to The Joy Club’s blog, I’ve been presenting workshops on inner strength and empowerment for other members – something I haven’t done for a long time. It’s really exciting,” she says.
Originally from Shamokin Dam, Pennsylvania, Kathy moved to New York when she left high school to be part of the theatre scene.
Eventually becoming frustrated by the business and unable to get the foothold she wanted, at the age of 26 she travelled to England for a holiday and never left.
After her first marriage ended, she became a single mother.
Six years after meeting Terry, the love of her life, they married. Between them the couple have three children and six grandchildren and have been together for 37 years.
An unexpected change
Kathy reluctantly retired in 2009 at the age of 56 when a fractured spine prevented her from continuing full-time work.
“The unexpected change was painful,” she says, adding, “If your professional life ends suddenly it’s very, very difficult. That happened to me and I found it really excruciating.”
She continues, “Now that I’ve got through that phase I’m absolutely loving what I do. I love my life. It just happens to be a life called ‘retirement’.
“I don’t feel very retired – I feel very much like I’m living the life that I’d like to be living.”
Kathy worked in a variety of different jobs throughout her career including Managing Director of a newspaper, a writer, director producer of videos and a Post Graduate Associate Medical Dean. At the age of 50 while working as an Associate Dean she received her PhD in Medical Education.
“I was the first non-medic to be made a Post Graduate Associate Medical Dean in the country, so I’m still pretty proud of that!”
Part of a special community
Kathy’s deeper involvement with The Joy Club began when she sent the team a daily blog she’d been writing in her garden during lockdown called Feest Isolation Days.
The team was so impressed that they invited her to blog for the club’s members on a regular basis.
“Soon, I was writing a monthly blog for The Joy Club and sharing thoughts on all sorts of things,” Kathy explained.
Kathy’s blogs for The Joy Club have covered everything from the importance of self-love to lifelong learning to tips for beating the January Blues.
Kathy also runs a regular ‘Empower Hour’ series of workshops for members, which are designed to inspire attendees to think about their dreams and equip them with the confidence to achieve them.
Reflecting on her time so far as a member of The Joy Club, Kathy notes that she really feels like part of a special community.
“Being a member of The Joy Club has extended my capacity to meet other people who are retired and, to me, that’s really important.”
About The Joy Club
The Joy Club is an online activities club that runs a wide variety of classes and activities every weekday, including Pilates, aerobics, mindfulness and belly dancing, as well as offering talks from experts and music recitals.
Members also enjoy access to forums where they can connect with other members over shared interests, and a daily blog that features news, interviews and stories from subject matter experts and members alike – including regular content from Kathy Feest.
Membership is just £5 a month. All classes are live but recordings are available for members to watch again at leisure.
Become a member
All new members receive a one-month, no obligation free trial of Premium membership (normally £5 per month), which gives you access to unlimited live online events, the opportunity to connect with other members in the forums and thought-provoking content to read every day.
You won’t be asked for your card details when you sign up, so you won’t be charged unless you choose to upgrade to Premium membership at the end of your trial.
To learn more about The Joy Club, please visit .
