Honoring Cindy Joseph: A Legacy of Radiance, Resilience, and Radical Self-Love

Each July, we pause to remember and celebrate Cindy Joseph—the founder of BOOM!, a visionary who challenged beauty standards, and a beloved friend whose pro-age philosophy continues to transform lives. This month marks seven years since Cindy’s passing, yet her presence remains powerfully felt in our community and far beyond it.

In a deeply personal tribute, author and wellness advocate Pilar Gerasimo—one of Cindy’s closest friends—invites us into her own reflections. She speaks not only of grief, but of gratitude. Of impact. Of daily reminders that Cindy’s voice, her spark, and her teachings are still very much alive.

“She’s so very much still a part of my daily life… Every day when I’m putting on my Boomsilk and Boomsticks, or facing the challenges of being a woman of a certain age in a culture that tends to devalue us—I think of Cindy."— Pilar Gerasimo

A Radical Change Maker

Next to the photo of Cindy on Pilar’s kitchen bulletin board is a simple sticker: "Radical Change Maker." It’s a title Cindy wore with grace. From growing out her silver hair and modeling in her 50s, to founding a beauty brand that said no to anti-aging and yes to celebrating time, Cindy redefined what it means to age—and to do so boldly.

She taught us that beauty doesn’t diminish with time; it deepens. That self-acceptance is not passive, but revolutionary. And that joy, pleasure, and authenticity are not luxuries—they're essentials.

“She inspired me with her radical change making to become one myself.”"— Pilar Gerasimo

The Questions That Matter

Pilar reflects on the simple but powerful questions Cindy would often ask:

"What would feel good right now?"

"What are you longing for?"

"What do you have an appetite for?"

These are questions that cut through cultural noise—the endless demands to be more, look younger, achieve perfection—and guide us gently back to ourselves. Cindy helped us all remember that tuning into our desires and honoring our own rhythms isn’t selfish. It’s sacred.

A Movement Rooted in Self-Discovery

At the heart of Cindy’s philosophy was the belief that we are most beautiful when we are most ourselves. Pilar shares how Cindy encouraged her—and so many others—to reject rigid expectations and choose self-expression instead. This ethos became the soul of BOOM! and continues to shape the lives of women everywhere.

“If she hadn’t risen to the challenge of creating something new...a pro-age revolution... I think about what a different world this would be for all of us.”

That “something new” now echoes in beauty campaigns that feature silver-haired models, in media that celebrates age rather than hiding it, and in everyday women looking in the mirror with compassion instead of critique.

A Movement Rooted in Self-Discovery

“If she hadn’t risen to the challenge of creating something new...a pro-age revolution... I think about what a different world this would be for all of us.”

Cindy's Voice Lives On

Pilar’s words are a moving reminder that while Cindy is no longer physically present, her influence is woven into the everyday lives of so many. It’s in the way women support each other. In the way we laugh lines into our faces without shame. In the courage it takes to grow into ourselves with pride rather than resistance.

“I hear her voice in my head when I look in the mirror... encouraging me to find beauty in the changing texture and color of my face, my skin, my hair, my body.”

That voice—soft, bold, kind, unrelenting—is Cindy’s gift to all of us

Celebrating a Legacy That Transcends Time

Cindy Joseph was a visionary, a legend, and a light. Her message—of self-love, of beauty reimagined, of radical joy—is timeless. As Pilar reminds us, Cindy’s legacy isn’t just a memory; it’s a movement. So as we enter August, which just happens to be Pro-Age Month, we invite you to join us:

Pause. Reflect. Smile.

Feel what you feel.

Do something just for the joy of it.

Say yes to yourself.

And remember Cindy, as we do—with deep appreciation, love, and the unshakable belief that aging is not something to fear. It's something to celebrate.

“Thanks, Cindy. Let’s keep going.”

— Pilar Gerasimo