Older But Stronger, LLC

04/05/2025

My easily digestible weekly newsletter about how to move through life with a little more ease. If you like it, please share with anyone you know trying to gain a little more clarity and ease.

Less to prove. More to live.

04/03/2025

Join my my easily digestible and very helpful newsletter at

For men and women in midlife who are ready to reclaim their strength, purpose, and peace. If you're done performing, craving clarity, and seeking soulful growth in your second act—this weekly newsletter is your reset button.

01/02/2025

3 questions every seeker of self-discovery struggles to answer:

1️⃣ What truly excites me?

2️⃣ What are my unique strengths?

3️⃣ How can I align my passions with my life goals?

Share your thoughts! 🌟

10/28/2024

Full circle moments hit different (do you kids still use "hit different"?). Over a decade ago, Danielle LaPorte's Desire Map program and Fire Starter Sessions helped anchor me during one of my life's biggest storms. They gave me permission to believe in my path as a heart-centered entrepreneur. Danielle is an OG superstar in the personal development world.

This past week, I traded the quiet fields of my current home in Sunflower County, Mississippi for the vibrant backdrop of Vancouver, BC for her Inner Circle business retreat with other members of Danielle LaPorte’s Heart Centered Leadership Community.

I didn't book my flight until three days before. It was a stretch on my Mississippi nonprofit salary, but my Sri Lankan client, Savera, pestered me on Zoom and WhatsApp, to "do something for yourself! It's also going to help clients like me!"

I'm glad she stayed on me to get it done. There's absolutely no buyer's remorse here.

The contrast couldn't have been more perfect - leaving my familiar isolated (in a good way for me) rhythms of cotton, corn, and soybean, for the diverse energy of Canada's Pacific coast, where mountains meet city meet sea.

And what an amazing three days. The magic wasn't just Danielle's wisdom (though that was potent). It was the container she created - fifteen brilliant women and one other man, all coaches (much) further along in their coaching business journeys than me. Yet instead of feeling intimidated, I felt... home.

You know what's beautiful about true leadership? It makes space for everyone to shine in their own way. Each person in that circle was running successful coaching practices, yet there was zero competition. Just pure possibility.

Sometimes the teacher you needed then, shows up again exactly when you need them now. Thank you Danielle, and thank you to every person in that circle who showed up fully. You've reminded me that success isn't about keeping up - it's about being exactly who you are, right where you are.

The journey continues, and despite my advancing age, it feels clearer and brighter than ever.

09/24/2024

What's your life purpose blueprint?

Are you a woman in midlife seeking to uncover your deeper sense of purpose? Discover the strengths, passions, and challenges that define you with our insightful quiz. Explore your core values, talents, and life experiences to gain clarity on the areas you feel unfulfilled in and the activities that....

09/23/2024

Want some help with mindset? Check the bot I created:

Learn to develop Time Under Bliss™

08/21/2024

I haven't taken a vacation in over twenty years. I don't mention this to invite admiration or criticism—it's simply a fact and one I have few regrets about. My travels to Nicaragua, Sudan, Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, and India weren't exactly leisurely getaways. Instead, I was bringing students from Harlem to experience different cultures, starting schools, or working as a nonprofit executive director.

Over the years, I've accumulated many mind/body certifications: Reiki, breathwork, hypnosis, Transcendental Meditation, and Neurolinguistic Programming. These were all tools to improve personal agency for the people I serve and, admittedly, for my own healing journey as well.

In the early 2000s, I earned my Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training certification from David Swenson, a true Western pioneer in the field. One of my students from that period took her practice much further, becoming a talented yogini in her own right.

Recently, we've been discussing the possibility of leading a breathwork and yoga retreat in Sri Lanka with my coaching client, Savera, a Sri Lankan environmental and workshop leader.

We aim to make this retreat a reality in the winter or spring of 2025. It'll be a workshop for 10 women. If you know any women who might be interested in joining us for some deep introspection (and perhaps a few moments of lightheartedness), please have them reach out to me. Who knows? This might be the start of my belated career in the vacation industry.

08/13/2024

I've been sitting on this small book for more than a year. Finally, following the advice of the famous marketer Seth Godin, I decided to "just ship it."

Part of the delay is because I'm a multi-passionate Scanner (see Barbara Sher's "Refuse to Choose"). That means I've always got a lot of projects going on at once.

But I also reflected on my family's legacy in education: my mother was a teacher, my sister Erika taught for more than 30 years, my brother Ivan has been teaching for close to 40 years, I've been in the game for over 30 years, and even my ex-wife Bernadette started teaching 20 years ago at the independent high school I founded.

And now, my son Vidar, after graduating from UVA, planned to work as a roustabout in an oil field (don't ask). When that job fell through, guess what he's ended up doing?

He's teaching 5th grade in West Virginia.

So, I figured it was time to finally give birth to this book. It's only 85 pages—just the essentials, nothing too fancy. I’ll admit, I need to polish my Kindle layout skills, which I promise will be better in the second edition. The book is practical and actionable, not highfalutin. I’m not aiming for a spot on the pantheon with Howard Gardner, Jean Piaget, Maria Montessori, John Dewey, or Paulo Freire.

But it might just help a lot of young teachers stay in the profession for the right reasons and avoid burnout.

Even my ex-wife Bernadette might leave me a 5-star review! So, what are YOU waiting for? Lol.

I'm still waiting on a paperback proof, but the Kindle version is live and costs just 99 cents. If you’re so inclined, I’d greatly appreciate any purchases and 5-star reviews.

Thank you in advance. The book is called *The Joyful Teacher Blueprint.*

P.S. The Kindle cover differs from the one here, and I caught two typos, but that’s all part of the "Just Ship It" rulebook.

07/15/2024

Support for Dino Acosta - A True Friend and Hero

Hey friends,

I need your help to support someone who has been a true friend and hero to me and many others. Anthony "Dino" Acosta, a boricua from El Barrio (IYKYK), a decorated NYPD sergeant, Marine veteran, and a stalwart member of my community, recently suffered a severe motorcycle accident.

I've known Dino for about 50 years. He's been like a little brother to me. We share countless memories from his high school and NYPD academy graduations to the life-saving truce he brokered between me and a local drug crew that had threatened my brother and me due to the school we started.

Dino has always been there for others, whether breaking up a dangerous fight to protect a cab driver who was being beaten by drunk, off-duty police officers or planning charitable rides with his Black and Latino motorcycle club, which is comprised mainly of law enforcement and military veterans. His dedication and bravery have made our streets safer and built bridges in our community.

Please read the attached Village Voice article in the comments about how he crossed the blue line because it was the right thing to do. He was told to lie about the abuse by his fellow officers, and he refused. NYPD took his badge and gun for two years. He was later reinstated. He became a security contractor in Iraq and Afghanistan to support his family during that time. In Iraq, he singlehandedly quelled a riot started by Iraqi trainees who were complaining about their living conditions.

US forces were prepared to violently put down the disturbance. Dino got between the two groups and talked everyone down.

Dino was organizing a ride to present a check to me and the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute in Jackson, MS, a testament to his continuous support and commitment to my causes. Now, it’s my turn to help give back. I've already made my first donation.

In these challenging times, this is an opportunity for all of us to express what we truly value as part of Team Human. Let's unite to support Dino in his time of need, showing that we recognize heart, courage, and decency.

Please consider donating to Dino's GoFundMe campaign to help cover his medical expenses and support his recovery. Your generosity will mean the world to someone who has given so much to all of us.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-anthony-acostas-road-to-recovery?attribution_id=sl:c09b4787-1bf9-446c-a612-c0cad23e36c3&utm_campaign=pd_ss_icons&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=email

I appreciate your support!

Warm regards,
Hans Hageman

Hello. My name is Danielle and I’m starting this GoFundMe to help my dad, An… Danielle Acosta needs your support for Support Anthony Acosta's Road to Recovery

07/05/2024

It’s been a tough week. I just donated to a farmer friend’s GoFundMe after they suffered a second concussion. The animal shelters within an hour of me are full and the next closest has a 30% kill rate - so I now have three puppies to look after as I start my work at the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute. One of my closest friends- retired Marine, hero NYPD cop (trust me on that one), and security contractor in Iraq and Afghanistan, was in a bad motorcycle accident in NC. He’s on his fifth surgery and needs to be moved to Special Surgery in NYC. Among other things, he brokered the deal in 1994 between me and the drug gang that had taken a contract out on me and my brother that resulted in my carrying a 1911 .45 Caliber automatic while I taught school. But then, there’s Ced(ric). He welcomed me with venison when I first got to the Delta, and after bringing me food for Father’s Day, he brought me a plate for the 4th. I’m alone, but not lonely because of glimmers like that.

07/05/2024

It’s been a tough week. I just donated to farmer friend’s GoFundMe after they suffered a second concussion. The animal shelters within an hour of me are full and the next closest has a 30% kill rate - so I now have three puppies to look after as I start my work the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Institute. One of my closest friends- retired Marine, hero NYPD cop (trust me on that one) and security contractor in Iraq and Afghanistan, was in a bad motorcycle accident in NC. He’s on his fifth surgery and needs to be moved to Special Surgery in NYC. Among other things, he brokered the deal in 1994 between me and the drug gang that had taken a contract out on me and my brother that resulted in my carrying a 1911 .45 Caliber automatic while I taught school. But then, there’s Ced(ric). He welcomed me with venison when I first got to the Delta and after bringing me food for Father’s Day, he brought me a plate for the 4th. I’m alone, but not lonely because of glimmers like that.

06/27/2024

Older But Stronger : New Beginnings - Again 6/23/2024

In this comeback episode of Older But Stronger, host Hans Hageman opens up about recent challenges and exciting new chapters in his life. Hans shares his experience with Know Your Place Aggression and how he overcame a difficult departure from the Tutwiler Community Education Center. He then reveals...