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IrelandMel Robbins's mother-in-law plans a European gap year at 90
Judie Robbins's walking conversation prompts travel wishes, requests for a follow-up and a practical question about who can afford to drop everything.
Mel Robbins
Story of Why this story? The video drew 919 comments in its first day, 6.2 times a normal first day on this channel (149).
What Are You Doing With Your Life? An 89 Year Old’s Best Advice for You
Things we can learn from the video
Press to jump
- 1:31Judie explains how a New York outing prompted her proposal to spend a year traveling Europe.
- 5:08Predictable rounds of club dinners, golf and bridge have left Judie wanting fresh experiences.
- 18:01The plan involves leaving next August and persuading John to rent out his house.
- 24:32Judie describes her purpose as connecting people and inspiring others to keep living actively.
- 29:20Her advice for being interesting is to show genuine interest in other people.
- 31:12Mel says people without travel money can still break routines and pursue curiosity close to home.
John wasn't immediately sold. When Judie Robbins proposed leaving for Europe for a year, she recalls her partner saying, "You're out of your mind!"
Judie, Mel Robbins's 89-year-old mother-in-law, is making plans anyway. On an outdoor walk with Mel, her son Chris and two dogs, she explains that a New York outing with John prompted a question: why not trade their familiar routine for a long adventure?
The November 9 episode has made the comments section unusually busy, drawing more than six times the channel's usual first-day comments, though its opening views were ordinary for Mel's regular videos. Viewers are asking for Judie's travel updates and life story. One imagines a gap-year follow-up; others describe their own unfinished travel ambitions or the tension between staying close to family and trying something different.
Judie isn't dismissing the life she has. She is tired of knowing exactly what comes next: club dinners, golf, duplicate bridge. Her proposed departure is next August, around her 90th birthday, and the preparations include persuading John to rent out his house. He already uses AI to help plot road-trip stops.
"Just remember one thing, don't wait," Judie says. Later, she offers a more everyday principle: being interesting starts with taking an interest in other people.
There is a practical counterpoint, too. Commenters discuss the money and home arrangements a year away would require. Chris raises the same question on the walk, and Mel's answer is that changing a routine needn't mean expensive travel: curiosity and a new experience can start closer to home.
The episode includes paid sponsor breaks. Back on the trail, Judie's parting suggestion is smaller than a European itinerary: call an old friend, or begin the chapter you've been postponing.
Published on Trari
Where next?
What viewers say
"My gap year at 89". The next podcast. I'd watch it !!!
@LaDolceVita-ItalianlessonsSee it on YouTubeBeing grateful for your routine and still wanting something different at 89 is permission so many of us need.
@drlepora1See it on YouTubeChris brought on a valid point, if people are struggling financially they don't tend to have the luxury of thinking about what they would like to do, it's about what they need to do to survive. Mental freedom usually comes after you have the basics covered.
@br8979See it on YouTube
4 more comments
She needs her own channel so we can follow her on her travels, so inspiring.
@cindyglaab14See it on YouTubeAt 65, I feel stuck. I made a decision to move back home to be closer to family. I love my family, but now I live every day with the knowing that my decision cost me the opportunity to experience other things in life that are equally important to me. Thank you for reminding us that it's never too late to improve the quality of our lives. ❤
@MichaelaHolmes-j8jSee it on YouTubeWow. Bless her.
She’s got more enthusiasm than many 30 year olds.
Bring her on the podcast.
Society needs more examples of this
🫶🏼@Robin.C.CSee it on YouTubeI want to hear her life story …. Her diet .. her workout routine … I wanna see her daily vlogs !❤❤❤❤❤
@janenoodles_007See it on YouTube
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- Channel
- Mel Robbins
- Subscribers
- 6,430,000 ▲ 40,000 this week
- Channel views, last 7 days
- 6,378,023
- Channel views, pace per day
- 1,640,709 (on a normal day: 789,134)
- Video published
- November 9, 2026
- Video views so far
- 389,804 (2 days online)
- Video views, pace per day
- 167,452 (on a normal day: 251,087)
The numbers
The unusual movement here is in the conversation: first-day comments rose far above Mel Robbins's norm, while views were typical.
💡 Test your knowledge
What is the capital of Vermont, where Mel's description places the family gathering?
Montpelier is Vermont's state capital.