Mindy Fradkin aka Princess WOW epitomizes the concept of Ageless Wonder – right down to creating a one woman show with that name. Currently she is touring her show in NYC and I will have the pleasure to attend this November 3rd at the Triad Theater on the Upper West Side.
Mindy is colorful and lives in bright colors – not just in her clothing options. Dealing with some of the intricacies of aging – health and ageism – does NOT slow or deter Mindy.
Here is Mindy’s story:
KUELLIFE: What are you pursuing now, at this stage of your life, that surprises you or might appear to others as if it comes out of left field?
MINDY: Performing a scripted show in a theatre with a director, stage manager, and touring. I performed for many years doing an improvisational show with my designer hats to sell at the end in fancy homes and venues which led me to being booked at senior homes and women’s clubs to entertain. I seemed to attract publicity wherever I went..and still do! It could surprise others that I still am!
KUELLIFE: What’s a typical day like for you?
MINDY: I don’t have a typical day. It varies depending on what project I am working on. I do freelance house/cat sit too, make custom hats, work the Elections, part time nanny, and perform my shows. I am writing, working with my coach/Director, rehearsing, memorizing lines, promoting my show, self producing. I have to sell the tickets too!
KUELLIFE: With what do you struggle?
MINDY: I struggle with health issues from time to time and ageism in the workplace. It’s hard to even get an interview these days. It’s hard to get a date too..I can’t compete with younger women who are more beautiful and attractive than I used to be. I am divorced with no kids, but I do have hats and a cat! I am best friends and still sing and collaborate with my was-band on stage from time to time. I do have that friendship, which is good, but still would like to have a romantic relationship again.
KUELLIFE: How do you motivate yourself and stay motivated?
MINDY: How do I motivate and stay motivated? I prayed about what I am doing currently, and it felt right. I pray and pray. I am spiritually minded and study metaphysics daily which helps me stay on track.
KUELLIFE: What advice would you give fellow women about aging?
MINDY: In truth, we are not aging! It’s hard to wrap my head around this as well, and I am working on it. In quantum physics, they say there is no time therefore no age. In Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy, said the same thing in the late 1800’s! There is time that we have to be somewhere at a certain “time”, yet in the spiritual realm where we really dwell, real time doesn’t exist. I know it sounds radical, but there is documented proof of a woman who didn’t age and lost all account of time when she waited for her lover to come back from war in the late 1800’s, went insane and never aged. It’s in the medical Journal, The Lancet.
KUELLIFE: What does vulnerability mean to you? What has the ability to make you vulnerable?
MINDY: I feel vulnerable every time I walk on stage solo and speak my truth to the audience. I get good reviews; have won awards for Best Seller; sold out on Theatre Row, Best Costume Design; yet there are some who don’t like me or my show, and have told me or written a couple bad reviews. That is hard when you are being your self on stage. I was told by a good fellow solo performer that everyone gets bad reviews. It’s art and subjective and not everyone will like what you are doing!
KUELLIFE: What are three events that helped to shape your life?
MINDY: Finding Christian Science many years ago, moving to Los Angeles, then moving to NYC and writing my current show and touring with it.
KUELLIFE: Who influenced you the most in life and why?
MINDY: The biggest influence in my life is Mary Baker Eddy, founder and discoverer of Christian Science. Without this Science, which is about healing and it is metaphysics, I wouldn’t still be here and there is no way I would be performing and persevering with this. It has been, and is, a huge amount of investment in many ways.
KUELLIFE: What is the best advice you’ve been given from another woman?
MINDY: Best advice: My Mom, Muz we called her: “Actions speak louder than words.”
KUELLIFE: What woman inspires you and why?
MINDY: Mary Baker Eddy: In the 1800’s when women didn’t work or vote, Mrs. Eddy started a church, wrote a best selling book, Science and Health with key to the Scriptures, a worldwide newspaper, Christian Science Monitor, and two magazines which still exist today. Her work has healed millions of people and still does.
KUELLIFE: Are you grown-up?
MINDY: I am more mature, more settled and peaceful.
KUELLIFE: What do you do for self-care?
MINDY: Self care? I pray and study C.S. It’s a lifelong pursuit. Go to church twice a week. Volunteer at my church. I don’t eat a lot. I make art. I paint on clothing and hats and make hats. I write. I listen to music. I sing off stage and on. I love to rehearse music that Roland Mousaa and I wrote together. I also do not smoke nor drink alcohol.
KUELLIFE: And last but definitely NOT least: What are the top three things on your bucket list?
MINDY: 1. Tour my “Ageless Wonders” show in England, and spend time in London as well with my creative artist social media friends who have “Colorwalk” every 3rd Thursday and they all dress up in highly unusual rainbow clothing and hats. I join them virtually but want to connect and be part of the scene in person! 2. Go back to Ana Capri, Italy where I visited many moons ago. 3. Finish writing and touring with my new children’s show. And of course, there are always more than this…
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