Hi, I’m Elaine Belansky.

I’m so glad you found your way here.

I wonder if parts of my story might sound familiar.

I've navigated my share of life transitions:

Empty nesting
Divorce and remarriage
What felt like the longest perimenopause in history
And most recently—retirement

Like many transitions, retirement brought more questions than answers.

At first, I was excited.

When I told the dean I planned to retire at the end of the academic year—after decades as a university professor—I felt hopeful, energized, even a little giddy. Of course, I tried to play it cool. But inside, I was already dreaming about what might come next.

Then, as the date got closer, the anxiety crept in.

“Who am I without my title?”
“What am I going to do all day?”
“Will I feel lonely?”
“What do I actually want now?”
“How do I move forward after working full time for so long?”

I didn’t need another financial planner.

I’d already done the money part.

What I needed was help designing a lifestyle—
a vision for what this new chapter could feel like.

That’s why I created

A Bold New Chapter: A Woman’s Path to Fulfillment
A 12- session coaching experience to help you build a retirement full of meaning, joy, and purpose.

You’ve worked hard for this chapter.
Now it’s time to make it yours.

My background:

PhD in Social Psychology
Certified Professional Life Coach
30-year career as a university professor and researcher
Developed evidence-based programs to support health, well-being, and personal growth

I’ve studied how people make meaningful change—and I’ve lived it myself.

I’m also a regular contributor to Sixty and Me, where I write about the emotional and identity shifts women face in retirement—including how to find purpose, navigate uncertainty, and design a life that feels truly yours.

I’m proud of my credentials, but I’m just as proud of how I show up.

People describe me as:

Warm and approachable
Easy to talk with
Someone who truly listens and cares

If you’re ready to design a retirement that feels like you—
I’d be honored to walk alongside you.

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Packages

Free 30-Minute Call

Curious about what's possible for you? Let's talk!

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45-Minute Retirement Clarity Session

If retirement feels underwhelming, unclear, or not quite like you hoped — you're not alone. This session gives you clarity, direction, and a doable next step toward a life that feels more purposeful, joyful, and yours.

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Testimonials

Elaine's coaching was so supportive to my process as I enter my mid-fifties. With kindness, humor, and clarity, she helped me identify and embrace the different parts of myself that were in conflict. Ultimately, I feel more in alignment with myself and clear about how I want to approach the next phase of my life. Thank you Elaine!

- Jen

Working with Elaine, I’ve grown so much. She creates a space where it’s easy to be honest and think through things out loud. She’ll give it to you straight, but always with so much care and love that you feel supported and nurtured, never judged. Working with Elaine, you’ll laugh, find your footing, and walk away with a game plan that feels sustainable.

- Savannah

Elaine was amazing! She guided me on my goals and ensured my success. Her caring demeanor makes her approachable and understanding. In every interaction, I feel like she is my biggest cheerleader and is genuinely invested in my success.

- Amy

I highly recommend working with Elaine. She is an exceptionally gifted listener and asks insightful and clarifying questions. Her warmth, humor, and intelligence make our time together productive and enjoyable. I always feel seen, energized, and supported.

- Ann

My clarity session with Elaine, in only one hour, provided me with insights that probably would have taken me months, if ever, to work out on my own! Elaine asked great questions that opened me up and before I knew it, we were talking deeply and (for me!) surprisingly about what I was experiencing as a newly retired person. She has set me on a path to figuring out how to nourish my creativity, practice more self-awareness, and feel more engaged in my post-working life. Elaine is warm, smart, intuitive and knowledgeable and I am beyond grateful for her practical help and inspirational guidance.

- Nancy H, Retired Professor