The 40th year was a difficult one for counselor and coach Renee Jones, but one that shifted her perspective on life, living and her sense of self. After her mother passed away, Jones was left with the task of living without a parent's input, which she says freed up a lot of emotional energy to be herself and explore what that might mean. "In my 40th year I lost my mother, but I began to find myself," she explained. The largest take-away during this year of transformation was realizing how much of her years she spent attempting to satisfy the needs of other people and putting her own desires on the backburner. With this clarity, she sought to turn the tables. "I realized that living, serving and sharing my gifts with others was my purpose rather than trying to keep up with whatever trend or group. I was finally beginning to develop the courage to quit 'just working' and start living my purpose in my career," she said. "I had enough education, training and experience, and I had something real to offer to others. It was my time to step forward and claim my space."

Image via Renee Jones

When she turned 39, leadership consultant Froswa Booker-Drew thought life was going to come together, especially since a treasured friend reassured her all of her insecurities would disappear. After all, she says, there's a reason so many people call it '40 and fabulous.' But when they both reached this pivotal, seemingly monumental decade-eve? They knew it was time to figure out what the next 40 years would offer them. A few months from the big 4-0, Booker-Drew applied to a Ph.D. program and was accepted. Not only did she earn that degree, but she wrote two books, too -- all of which were plunges she would have thought twice about earlier in her life. "You feel as if you've paid your dues and now it's time to explore and embrace who you really are without so much criticism and judgement from yourself or listening/believing that mess from others. The bulges, stretch marks and cellulite are still ever-present, and they're proof of the struggles, successes and some sins," she said. "I think I've become much more accepting of myself and of others. I've taken risks in my 40s that I wasn't secure to pursue in my 30s."

Image via Froswa Booker-Drew

At the tail-end of her 30s, Amanda Ponzar, chief marketing officer of Community Health Charities, welcomed two children into the world, all while switching jobs, moving twice, battling health issues and attempting to balance it all together. By the time she reached her fourth decade, she was relieved to feel like 40 was, like any other combination of numerals, just a number. And with demands coming in every direction, she finally understood how impossible it is to give 100 percent, 100 percent of the time. "It's a powerful time if you know yourself and use your gifts, but trying to do everything is hard. I don't have the energy I had when I was younger to work full-time while trying to be a wife and mother, plus all the other things like daughter, sister, friend, community volunteer," she said. "I don't have much free time but I try to laser focus that free time on the family and multitask: exercising while playing with the kids, or coloring in my journal while listening to a sermon at church. The best part, though, is how happy I am. I know what I'm doing and love using my abilities to raise awareness and resources for health. I have valued relationships, both personally and professionally, at this point in my life."

Image via Amanda Ponzar

When Mary Frances McGraw, owner of a life and business improvement consulting business, turned 40 four years ago, it felt like any other birthday. Since she's never been one to shy from sharing her age, she didn't give it much thought. The only difference between her 30s and 40s was the subtle shifts in her self-esteem that fostered an even healthier outlook on living. "I like that I feel I can speak my mind without worry much more than I did when I was younger. I also don't worry about things as much as I did even a few years ago. I'm definitely more confident and accepting now of others and things that happen in life. I also don't tolerate as much bad behavior from others as I once did," she shares. Her only struggle turning 40 has been watching her friends' parents pass away, and also accepting she might not have children of her own. "We chose not to do fertility treatments when we weren't having success trying to conceive," she shared. "But we have decided that as my business grows, we'll look into fostering/adopting a child who needs a loving home."

Image via Mary Frances McGraw

When personal trainer and nutrition coach Lea Thompson imagined her 40th birthday, she had it all mapped out. She'd spend it in New York City, ringing in the New Year with a cake made by Buddy from "The Cake Boss" and party the week away until she blew out her candles on January 6. But the universe had a different plan; instead, she was home preparing to become a mom, thanks to a surprise pregnancy. As she reached this part of her life, she began thinking about not only her growing family, but her career. After two setbacks in her 30s, she was inspired to truly discover her calling. "I found out what I was really passionate about, which was helping others reach their goals in their health and wealth, and made a business out of helping women become life and world changers through my business. It's truly the best gig in town and I look forward to working with women and having them be able to advance in their lives," she said.

Image via Lea Thompson