By: Maria Williams
We recently got a chance to meet Elisabeth Villiger Toufexis, a passionate advocate for the inclusion and appreciation of older generations. With a life rich in diverse experiences, Elisabeth has traveled to over 100 countries, mastered six languages, and built a career as a Master Life Coach, Hypnotherapist, published author, and motivational speaker. Her mission is to remind society of the invaluable wisdom and experiences that older individuals bring to the table, bridging the gap between generations for mutual growth and understanding.
“In a world that often sidelines older people, I want to remind everyone that age brings wisdom,” Elisabeth asserts. “I’ve lived through so many experiences that have taught me invaluable lessons, and I love sharing these with younger generations.”
Through her popular podcast, “Most Memorable Journeys,” with 165 episodes, she shares stories and insights from her travels, emphasizing the importance of learning from diverse life experiences. As the Global Woman Club Director of New York and Cyprus, Elisabeth mentors and supports women worldwide, advocating for the inclusion of voices across all ages.
“People often think that getting older means becoming irrelevant, but that’s far from the truth,” she says. “We have so much to share, and younger people can learn a great deal from our stories and experiences.”
Elisabeth’s approach to life and coaching is rooted in the belief that everyone, regardless of age, has something valuable to contribute. Her dedication to helping others navigate common life challenges—such as procrastination, fear, and bad habits—highlights her expertise and genuine desire to see people thrive.
Can you share a bit about your journey and how your travels have influenced your advocacy for older generations?
I was born very poor and started working when I was 13 years old. I was dreaming of visiting the whole world but had no money and so I decided to become a tour guide and get paid for traveling. In the 80s, we had no internet, no cell phones, nothing digital but we saw everything through our eyes and not through a phone. Of course, people my age are less tech savvy and my advocacy for older generations is that we should exchange wisdom with the young. They can teach us technology and we can teach them tolerance and compassion. One thing that I have learned is that we are all the same wherever we go, we want to be safe and we want to be happy.
What inspired you to focus on the inclusion and value of older generations in your work?
Very often older people are looked down on by younger people because they don’t know how to use apps or online features. I think it’s a real shame that older people allow this to stop them from exploring and going on adventures. People my age have so many stories to share about times that are difficult to fathom for someone who is only 20 years old.
How do you believe younger generations can benefit from the wisdom and experiences of older individuals?
Older individuals are more community minded because when they were young, they had to meet up and get together. This has gotten lost in the virtual world; many young people isolate themselves and spend time on the phone or on a laptop. It’s a very lonely situation and there has been an increase in mental health issues including suicide rate among young people Family dynamics have changed, people don’t sit together at a table anymore.
What are some common misconceptions about aging and how do you address them in your coaching practice?
Some misconceptions about aging are that aging equals poor health. Older people are much fitter than they used to be and keeping an active lifestyle is very important. Another thing is that older people can’t learn new things. We are never too old to start something new or learn something new. Staying active and curious are the key. We need to encourage intergenerational interactions.
I listen to young people and don’t lecture them. We all have to go through some hard situations to become stronger but we can give advice to younger people and they can take it with a pinch of salt. Nobody knows everything and nobody is perfect, we are all here to learn and grow, learn from each other; the key is to listen. Nobody has only good days, if we didn’t have any downs, we wouldn’t appreciate the ups. On social media people only show their good times and that creates a lot of anxiety in those who don’t currently have a good time.
How do you maintain a balance between celebrating the wisdom of older generations and encouraging younger people to forge their own paths?
I believe it is all about tolerance and acceptance. We judge too easily, we see a young person with a different hairstyle or a tattoo and immediately judge without knowing anything about them and vice versa, young people see an old person and immediately think that they are senile. Neither is the case, we all have our place in the world but judging and lecturing aren’t helpful.
Looking ahead, what are your goals for continuing to advocate for the inclusion of older generations?
My goal is to lead by example and to accept all people no matter what age, color or religion. Listening to young people is important, they can teach us many things and their ideas can inspire us to start something new. My advice to older people is not to give but to savor life till the very end by embracing lifelong learning, maintaining strong relationships with people of all ages, staying physically active, cultivating a positive attitude and focusing on gratitude. It is important to enjoy the present moment and not worry about the past which we cannot change. We can find purpose and meaning in every situation if we adapt and are flexible. When we take time to reflect on our experiences, achievements and lessons, we can share our stories and wisdom which can be valuable for ourselves and others.
Published by: Khy Talara
