The Strenght Of The Silver Phoenix Risers

We hear a lot about the Early Achievers—the wunderkinds, the prodigies, the overnight successes. We also celebrate the Late Bloomers, those who take their time to find their path and finally step into their brilliance. But there is another group of people whose story deserves to be told: the Phoenix Risers or, I would say, the Silver Phoenix Risers.

The Silver Phoenix Risers are not defined by a single path but by their extraordinary ability to adapt when life throws them a curveball, especially in the later stages of their life journey. These individuals, after decades of stability, when encountering life-altering changes—a personal or financial loss or an unexpected illness- rather than being defeated, they transform their scars into stepping stones, using them to pivot, reinvent, and redefine their futures with newfound resilience and courage.

At a time when society may have written them off, they rise again, proving that it’s never too late to soar. Often, they are those who, having almost lost it all, are able to turn adversity into an opportunity to ascend once more, no matter their age. 

The Silver Phoenix Risers: Reinventing Strength at Any Age

This fascinating concept came into my mind after a lively chat with Niccolò Marchionni, Professor of Geriatric Medicine at the University Of Florence and internationally acclaimed researcher on longevity.

According to him, “Those who change their artistic expression and modality as they age or adapt to physical limitations demonstrate an extraordinary capacity for transformation. A compelling example is Claude Monet – he explains- who, after losing his visual acuity due to illness, shifted his painting style from impressionism to a more abstract approach. His evolving perception of light and form led to a departure from the delicate details of his earlier works, embracing a broader, more expressive technique”.

Similarly, Michelangelo who underwent a profound transformation in his artistic vision.

“In his youth, he sculpted works like David and the Pietà in St. Peter’s Basilica, masterpieces of anatomical precision, embodying the idealized human form – Marchionni observes-. However, in his later years  afflicted by illness, pain, and arthritis, his final sculpture, the Pietà Rondanini, took on a drastically different character. Unlike his earlier works, this unfinished piece presents a rough, almost abstract quality. This shift in artistic expression reflects not only Michelangelo’s physical decline but also his evolving philosophical outlook. The raw, unrefined forms of the Pietà Rondanini convey a deeper existential weight—the frailty of human existence contrasted against an idealized spiritual transcendence”.

Prof. Marchionni believes that “this transformation suggests that growth is deeply intertwined with one’s ability to adapt. It’s not about achieving greatness later in life—it is about evolving in response to changing circumstances. Those who embrace change can continue to create, innovate, and express new ideas, despite the limitations imposed by age or adversity”.

Ultimately, adaptability is, in many ways, the key to a fulfilling life. The ability to evolve, to shift perspectives, and to find new modes of expression, especially when older, allows individuals to continue achieving and discovering, even as external conditions change.

Overcoming Resistance to Change

However, the challenge often lies in the resistance to change that can arise as we age. As we grow older, we sometimes become set in our ways, holding tightly to familiar routines, beliefs, and comfort zones. This reluctance to adapt can close us off to fresh possibilities, and in doing so, we may miss the chance to rise again.

The opportunity to reinvent ourselves is always present, but it requires a willingness to let go of the past and embrace the unknown.  What we often forget is that “a lifelong desire to explore, learn, and push boundaries fuels continuous growth – Prof. Marchionni concludes-. Even in retirement, intellectual curiosity can drive one to seek new knowledge, engage with emerging fields, and challenge prevailing ideas. This adaptability extends beyond art—it is a fundamental aspect of personal and professional evolution”.

For too long, society has suggested that reinvention belongs to the young and that change is for those just starting out. But the Silver Phoenix Risers understand that strength is forged in challenges, and that our best selves are often waiting just beyond the disruption. It is in the face of adversity that we discover our true resilience, emerging stronger, wiser, and more capable than ever before.

Reinvention knows no age, and for those willing to embrace the fire, transformation is always within reach.