Dr. Masha malka on the redefining of success for women above 40

Best-selling author and creator of The One Minute Coach™Masha Malka turned a life filled with upheavals into a mission to empower women. She has worked as a CEO and co-founder of ShiftHub since her early days as a refugee. Now she lives in Marbella and helps women redefine midlife, and step into leadership confidently and with clarity.

EWN: Masha, you have lived in Soviet Russia, America, and Europe. What are the ways in which this has shaped you as a woman?
Masha: Early on, growing up in the Soviet Union as a child and then later becoming a Refugee helped me develop resilience. I was not fluent in English when we arrived in the US, and I carried a dictionary with me everywhere. When my cousin stopped translating, I was forced to embrace imperfections and dive in. Those struggles gave me courage and empathy—qualities that now shape how I coach and connect with women across cultures.

EWN: Your books are best sellers. The One Minute Coach™ Leaders like Brian Tracy have praised the books as “powerful and practical, full of great ideas that you can use in order to achieve better results in all areas.” What inspired you?
Masha: As with all of my work, these pieces were inspired by my personal experiences. I was a refugee who rebuilt herself, a mother divorced three times, or a woman starting a new career after 50. I wanted my books to show people that their futures are always shaped, no matter who they are or where they have come from. Over the years, these books have been trusted by CEOs, parents and teenagers. 

EWN: Your career has been impressive. How did you find your true calling as a coach?
Masha: It was during my MBA that I took a course in coaching. I realized I had been coaching my whole life, but without a title. In 2004, when I returned to Marbella, I became the first certified professional coach in the area. I gained more experience by working with Fortune 500 companies and co-founding corporate training firms. But what lights me up most is guiding women through reinvention – especially at midlife, when so many feel unseen or uncertain about their next chapter.

EWN: Tell us more about ShiftHub. Why did you make it?
Masha: Too many women hit their forties and fifties feeling stuck – children growing up, careers plateauing, or life just not fitting anymore. ShiftHub, which I founded with two other partners – Audrey Spearing and Ken Course, was born to change that. It’s a global network for women over forty, modeled after elite peer-group forums such as YPO or WPO, but open to all.

Shift Circles bring women together in a safe environment to exchange experiences and not give or take advice. That’s the only way real transformation can occur. Connectivity, growth, and a new perspective are all part of the equation. ShiftHub offers facilitator training and business opportunities for women. It also has a marketplace where they can showcase their talent. ShiftHub was created for every woman ready to step into her next chapter – whether that means rediscovering purpose at home, seeking new meaning in leadership, or navigating physical and emotional changes with clarity. It’s all about transforming midlife into a new, powerful beginning.

EWN: What advice would give to women on the Costa del Sol looking for purpose?
Masha: From my experience, life responsibilities, careers, family roles… they can blur our sense of who we really are. When that happens, you can easily feel lost. That lack of purpose, that disconnection from yourself—it’s such a painful place to be. The first step is just giving yourself some space to reflect, to experiment, to explore—without judgment. The real magic happens when you’re surrounded by women who are walking the same path – it makes reconnecting with your values, passions, and strengths so much easier. We love to say that: Shift Happens—do it your way, but don’t do it alone.

EWN: What’s Next for You?
Masha: Right now, my focus is on expanding. ShiftHub I want to reach more women who are willing to make a change. While I continue to work closely with my clients in my coaching business, these deep, personal changes are what motivate me each day. For me, midlife isn’t a time to step back—it’s a time to step fully into who I am becoming and to create a life that inspires others.

Masha is available to help women who are ready to move on. mashamalka.com/contact/  or join a Shift Circle at www.ShiftHub.me