After an unsuccessful marriage and decades of relationships that left her unfulfilled and wanting more, 50-year-old Cheri D. Syphax turned to the one place she hadn't considered looking for love - online. In early 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the world to retreat indoors, she created a profile on Match.com, her picture radiating from the screen for potential suitors to take notice. A week later, one man, captivated by her smile, slid into her direct messages. That note kicked off a two-month burgeoning virtual romance filled with late night zoom calls, movie nights, and candlelit dinners. By that summer, their magnetism was bolstered by an in-person date. The couple's whirlwind courtship lasted throughout the year, complete with hiking, cruises along the Jersey Shore, and picnics on the water. Then on New Year's Eve, Syphax received the surprise of her life when her beau got on one knee to ask for her hand in marriage. From a digital exchange, she found herself standing at the altar exchanging vows with her new husband one year from when they met.
The road to love is filled with unexpected, sometimes heartbreaking, twists and turns. Never one to give up on romance, Syphax realized that to connect with someone else truly, she had to start by looking within. Her need for security and comfort left her stagnant personally and professionally for years. It wasn't until new trials - like a life-threatening condition - forced her to reevaluate and do something different. She had to overcome fears and reconcile with her childhood and past attachments by doing the necessary internal work. As she learned to trust her intuition and be honest with what she desired out of life, Syphax grew more secure with being and loving her full self. She shows that when we release what no longer serves us, we can experience the freedom and confidence to live out loud.
Second Act is the moving account of one woman's transformational journey of breaking past limiting beliefs to live boldly. Through her personal anecdotes, she redefines life's second half, proving to Black women everywhere that love and success have no limits. Her narrative removes the disparaging notion that you need to have it all figured out by a certain age and serves as a reminder that everyone is on their own journey. At any time, you can stop and rewrite your story. This book is a testament that it's never too late to revitalize your love life, social circle, or career. By following her heart's desire and opening herself up to new possibilities, Syphax was primed for true love to walk into her life. Rejecting the notion that the best years for romance and professional success are behind her, Syphax is just getting started. Alternatively, she shows that, no matter how many times it takes to design your best life, the greatest part is the journey and lessons gained along the way.
Syphax, Cheri: - Cheri Syphax is wife, mother, executive by day, and dating coach and witty host of the Leader and Lover podcast by night. She is passionate about showcasing the magic of Black women and Black love. Syphax seeks to demystify the stereotype that Black women can't have it all. An advocate for inner work and the power of healing, Syphax is living proof that Black women can have it all and do it with style, class, and grace. She's been featured in The New York Times, Oprah Daily, Essence, Forbes, Philadelphia Magazine, and on ABC 20/20 and BET Digital. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, Tracey Syphax.
