‘Golden Bachelor’ Castoffs: ‘There’s no Loss in This Experience’

Everybody who watches The Golden Bachelor cringes when it’s time for the man of the hour, Gerry Turner, 72, to reject some women and send them away from the show — and he seems to cry more than they do. But the women who got no rose in last week’s episode, Natascha Hardee and Jeanie Howard, tell AARP that they feel just fine, thank you, and give their reasons.

John Fleenor/ABC

Natascha Hardee

Age: 60

Hometown: New York City

Occupation: Pro-aging coach and midlife speaker

Favorite thing to do on a date: Laugh

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Natascha, going home roseless from The Golden Bachelor doesn’t seem to have left you feeling like a loser. Did you gain something valuable?

Absolutely. There’s no loss in this experience. I enjoyed it and I felt like I came out as a winner from every angle.

So what did you gain?

I consider myself a life learner, and every year I do something out of my comfort zone. I learned how to date. I think I completely forgot how to date and relate, because I spent the last seven years taking care of my granddaughter. I learned so much from the other women about dating and my experience of dating Gerry. I learned a lot about myself — I realized I was way more nervous than I thought I was.

And I learned I can find love for real. I don’t think I really believed it before I went on the show, but I definitely believe it’s never too late. I’m free and single and ready to mingle.

Craig Sjodin/ABC

There were tears on the show, but you seemed to laugh a lot.

We all laughed a lot. I became a laughter yoga leader last year. Laughter yoga is very good for your health — it reduces stress, improves your sleep and energizes you. I started a podcast, Let’s Talk Midlife, last year on my 60th birthday. I talk with experts about experiences women have transitioning into midlife, into their golden years.

And you teach midlife transitioning from personal experience — you went back to school in midlife, right?

I got my degree in occupational therapy at 50. Your age cannot stop you from going back to school or doing anything you want to do in life. Don’t let age stop you. Your age is just the number; it is not a limitation. And when you live from a space of aging and excellence, you will always achieve whatever it is you desire.

Some say this show makes older people look bad. Do you?

It actually changes people’s perspective about aging. People feel like these women are exciting, they’re interesting. This show is a great representation of aging in excellence. I love the whole time that I did it. I have no regrets. I’m just so happy.