2025 40 Over 40 Series: Leslie Smith
“I realized that everything I wanted to feel on the outside had to start on the inside. That how I’m viewed, treated, and received in this world begins with me.“
Leslie’s story:
There came a point in my life when I stopped waiting for joy to find me—and decided to create it myself. Through therapy, journaling, and returning to what has always stirred my spirit—dance—I began to see myself differently. I realized that everything I wanted to feel on the outside had to start on the inside. That how I’m viewed, treated, and received in this world begins with me.
Now, I move through life in full color—bold, confident, and fully aligned with who I am. I’ve surrounded myself with women who want to soar, who understand that reinvention isn’t about chasing something new, but rising into the brilliance that’s been there all along. Every chapter feels like a new stage, and in this one, I’m standing in the spotlight—courageous, authentic, and radiant. Because I’ve learned that becoming isn’t loud…it’s luminous—and I’m finally shining from the inside out.
What are some of the rewarding parts of the current decade you are in? The challenges?
This decade has been about freedom, confidence, and a little bit of “I don’t give a damn” attitude. Not in a careless way, but in the most freeing one—because I’ve learned I can’t manage other people’s thoughts, opinions, or expectations of me. I’ve embraced what I call my “let them” season: let people do what they’d rather do, let them think what they want… while I stay focused on becoming who I’m meant to be.
I’m experiencing wealth in every sense—love, laughter, friendship, and alignment. I’ve built relationships that pour back into me, where reciprocity feels natural and the love flows both ways. And my marriage has deepened into a richer rhythm—John somehow makes the best time of my life even better.
The challenges have been more about adjusting than struggling—learning my maturing body, embracing its shifts, and being thankful for it instead of critiquing it. For so long, I was focused on getting back to the size I was at 24. Now it’s about loving every part of my body because it works for me—it moves, it carries, it shows up, and I’m grateful for it. And motherhood… that’s changed too. I’m not the fixer anymore; I’m the counselor, the listener, the quiet presence when needed. Watching Taj and Nia become who they are has taught me as much as raising them ever did. I learn from them.
This season feels like my renaissance—alive with clarity, confidence, and the kind of beauty that only comes from truly knowing yourself.
What has been your favorite decade you have lived through and why?
Without question, my favorite decade is the one I’m living right now—my 50s. I have two things working for me now that I didn’t have before: curiosity and drive. The curiosity to explore and imagine, and the drive to do the work to get there. With those two traits, I feel limitless. I’m finally free from the negative self-talk that used to take up too much space in my head. I see possibilities everywhere, and I have both the confidence and the wisdom to go after them. There’s so much more I still want to do in my career and in life, and now I know I’m capable of all of it.
There’s a quote I’ve always loved: “What if I fall? Oh darling, but what if you fly?” For me, this decade is the answer to that question—I’m flying. Not once in a while, but all the time.
If given the opportunity, what would you do differently?
Honestly, I don’t think I’d change a thing. Every decision, delay, and detour brought me here—to this version of myself. If I had changed anything, I wouldn’t have met the people, had the experiences, the successes, or even the falls that shaped me. And truthfully, I’m not afraid of the fall anymore—it’s where I learned to rise and where my wings got stronger.
What was your top life lesson that you’ve never forgotten and have lived by?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned came from the book Atomic Habits. It helped me understand that real change doesn’t begin with goals—it begins with identity. Instead of asking, “What do I want to achieve?” I started asking, “Who do I want to become?”
Over time, that question reshaped everything. I wanted to become an accomplished entrepreneur, a woman who moved through life with confidence, ease, and a little glamour. I wanted a marriage that felt alive and extraordinary, not just lasting. I wanted to see the world—to travel, explore, and collect experiences that expanded my spirit as much as my passport. And I wanted to feel beautiful, inside and out.
One day, I looked up and realized I had become that woman—the one I used to picture in my mind. And when life feels off track, I don’t panic anymore; I simply return to her. Because I know who I am, and that knowing keeps me aligned with everything I was meant to be.
What has bought you the most joy in your life?
My greatest joy has come from living inside my prayer: “God, show me how good life can get.” It started as a quiet thought, something I said when I decided to stop striving and start receiving. The more I said it, the more I began to notice just how much goodness was already here.
It’s in my marriage that continues to evolve and surprise me, in friendships that pour back into me, and in the freedom to travel, create, and express myself fully. It’s also in watching what I’ve planted grow—seeing my children become independent thinkers and doers, and knowing I helped nurture that strength.
That prayer changed everything. It keeps me grateful, open, and expectant. Because the truth is, life keeps showing me how good it can get—and I’m finally saying yes to all of it.
What was your experience like working with Brandi Stage Portraiture as a part of the 40 Over 40 Project?
I wake up feeling beautiful, but this time, I saw myself in a whole new way. When Brandi and I sat down to look at the photos together, I was blown away. She didn’t just capture Leslie Smith—she captured Lez, the part of me that steps forward when I need to stand a little taller.
From the moment I walked in, every detail was intentional. The young woman who did my hair and makeup didn’t just enhanced my look—she took the time to really see me, to understand what was beneath the surface. Seeing those photos felt like looking into my own soul. I saw a woman who was grown, soulful, sultry, and sexy—and to me, that’s the epitome of womanhood.
I know this kind of experience is a luxury, but I believe every woman deserves to see herself in print—to witness how beautifully she shines and how powerfully her light radiates into the world.
You are more beautiful than you know!
To book your own fabulous Portrait Session, contact us through the inquiry form below.
Much love,
Brandi
International Award-Winning Portrait Photographer
Brandi Stage is a portrait photographer recognized by the prestigious International Photography Awards and based in Diamondhead, MS. She creates an exceptional magazine-style photo shoot and timeless heirloom portraits for women, men, children and pets in her studio or on location.