BB&W Exclusive: Sexy at Sixty, Author Wendy Ida Talks About Her Escape from Blackistan and More!

BB&W Exclusive: Sexy at Sixty, Author Wendy Ida Talks About Her Escape from Blackistan and More!

Without even knowing it, Wendy Ida is a BWE warrior. At 60-years old, she’s living her best life–beautiful and in the best shape of her life, happily married with thriving career as a best selling author. And she has a message just for the ladies at BB&W.

Author : Christelyn Karazin

Author's Website | Articles from

Without even knowing it, Wendy Ida is a BWE warrior. At 60-years old, she’s living her best life–beautiful and in the best shape of her life, happily married with thriving career as a best selling author.

Wendy Ida and her husband, Art.

But things weren’t always so rosy for Wendy. She made her escape from Blackistan when she left 13 years of marriage to an abusive husband, even while her closest friends and relatives admonished her to stay, because according to them, it was her responsibility to be the sole person responsible to ‘hold it down.’ Unhealthy and overweight, Wendy took her two children from New Jersey to California with just the clothes on their backs. “I was an angry, overweight woman who was eating bad,” she told me. At 43, she decided to take charge of her health and has become one of the most fit and beautiful senior citizens in America. Not only that, she’s been happy married to her husband, Art, a Japanese American for 22 years.

 

She spoke with me frankly about her domestic violence experience, how she overcame it, how she met her husband, and some of the challenges they faced as an interracial couple. Listen close–she has some good advice for black women seeking relationships with Asian men (hint, we discuss it in great detail in SWIRLING).
Wendy Ida interview by Christelyn

 

For more information and to buy the book go to WendyIda.com.

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chocolate_fashionista 190 pts

what a great interview!!!!  making myself a priority is something that i struggle with.  but i understand what she's saying.  as women, we have to make ourselves valuable.  thanks so much for the interview christelyn!!!!

JannaAshley 571 pts

She is beautiful! I'm only 25 now, but I hope I can look like her at 60. I found my inspiration :)

I think I will have to check out her book.

TheMoxieSophic 67 pts

What a beautiful story! This woman is amazing. I'm going out to buy her book now. She puts most 20 year olds to shame! I LOVE LOVE LOVE HER.

Criticalthinker 385 pts

I love her. She is MY new inspiration. She is right on about the spiritual perspective of TRUTH. Your mind WILL manifest what you believe to be true physically outward. Love her, love her, love her!!!!!

Maxine 1005 pts

Awesome interview!  So much wisdom there.  I subscribed to her newsletter and plan on getting her book.  

MZ Elf 2660 pts

I just posted her on my fb page last week or so! So flipping gorgeous and so hawt! And right here in my state too. She is such an inspiration, a goddess and truly a woman warrior. I want to grow up and be like her! 

 

She and her husband are a hot couple! 22 years......Go you two! <3

joifulli 74 pts

I love the fact that she kept trying even though things did not work the first time.  She mapped out a plan to make things happen.  Funny how people who should be in your corner can turn out to be the ones who betray you and try to keep you down.

iHeartLove 804 pts

I wasn't going to go to the gym tonight, but now I am after listening to this interview. 

 

:)

BlackWomenDeserveBetter 1843 pts

 Christelyn Russell-Karazin  --Thanks for bringing us this interview...This proves that we CAN indeed change our circumstances when determined!

My latest conversation: Black Women Deserve Better™

AJ2011 2310 pts

You have some major pull Chris. She is almost as good-looking as my mom. My mommy is gorg btw:). But she is Wendy is awesome.

ELLE ROCHELLE 141 pts

Tipping my hat off to her love her positivity and confidence!  Chris thanks for this interview I am more determined than ever to live my best life now.

Brenda55 19278 pts moderator

Just downloaded her book and bookmarked her website. 

 

Wish I looked like her......oh wait wishing will not make it happen. Well I am hungry enough and I have a great life to stick around for.  Looking forward to reading her book.

 

One of many things that I took from her interview is when she said to take a hard look and listen to the people giving you advice to see if they are walking the walk.  That is key.  

 

Secondly what is it with people advising black women to stay in toxic situations that most other cultures would not tolerate. Stay there and take the abuse, you the victim must be to blame, you have to hold it down. Coddle the brother, coddle the brother while he is wiping the floor up with you. This is dysfunction at its highest degree. Other cultures are passing law, opening shelters and teaching their men that abuse is wrong and against the law, creating PSA's (public service announcements) saying that domestic violence is wrong.  We are told to endure. Hell with that.

 

I am glad Wendy got out and rebuilt her life.  I am glad she stopped listening to the naysayers and followed her dream. Look at  what she has now.  I am glad that she is shearing her experience and not keeping quiet.  It is long past time for black women to raise their voices. No.  It is not you and no you are not crazy.  The situations a lot of black women find themselves are crazy and we do not have to put up with it. 

BlackWomenDeserveBetter 1843 pts

 Brenda55 Oooh...She has a book too? Going to check it out!

My latest conversation: Black Women Deserve Better™

purplemoonflower123 350 pts

Great interview. She has such an amazing story.  A lot of women aren't able to break free of unhealthy relationships (with men, friends, family, and even food) and learn to love themselves unconditionally. 

LovingMyself 295 pts

Ma'am --- YOU ARE STUNNING! Like, really?!?!?!

You went from a place of darkness to this bright light that shines through in your photos. I only hope that I can reach a place similar to that in time.

 

I wish I could listen to the audio. If only my wifi wasn't so damn slow.

QueenOfThePen 300 pts

What an amazing story!  There is hope for me yet. LOL!!!  But seriously, she did what I had to do as well.  It takes us getting away from poison people to gain the life we've always wanted.  Way to go!

My latest conversation: Contact Us

Toni_M 18714 pts moderator

OMGGGGGGGG! She is amazing and yay way to go getting this interview. She is an inspiration to emulate and I'll definitely be valuing her advice, especially about being fit in middle age.

Karla 18221 pts

Wendy is in the top five list of my (s)heroes!  I'll be 60 in 6.5 years; my goal is to be in her shape.  Thanks for the interview!

eugeniaberg 7245 pts moderator

Oh man my best days are yet to come! Go Wendy!

m008 147 pts

 eugeniaberg  LOL.  I know, right - encouraging, isn't it? :-)

DU2 2149 pts

SHE IS NOT 60 !!!!!! NO WAY! WHAT AN INSPIRATION!!!

KingsDaughter 4584 pts

 DUsher Good genes+great regimen + great outlook on life. That's all.