Lori Alford, Founder and CEO of Avanti Senior Living, shares her incredible journey through the senior living industry, a personal health crisis that transformed her perspective, and how she’s built a thriving career without sacrificing wellness or family. In this episode, Lori and Matt dive into proactive aging, brain health, boundaries, parenting, and leading a mission-driven team in one of the most demanding industries out there.
Lori Alford is a visionary operator and developer reshaping the future of aging. With nearly 30 years in the industry, Lori blends fierce leadership with a passion for brain health, longevity, and proactive aging. A two-time brain surgery survivor, she advocates for wellness-first work cultures and deeply believes in modeling the behavior she expects—from setting boundaries to building resilience. She’s also a proud mom, red light therapy enthusiast, and self-proclaimed cool mom.
Timestamps:
01:03 – Lori’s unconventional start in senior living
02:57 – From market research to operations to founder
05:42 – What “proactive aging” really means
07:36 – Surviving two brain aneurysms and transforming recovery into advocacy
09:18 – Incorporating wellness into senior living teams
13:23 – Red light therapy, saunas, and the Chick-fil-A experiment
16:51 – Sleep, water, food, and rhythms: her essential wellness habits
18:03 – Raising healthy kids through modeling and gratitude
21:52 – Work-life integration vs. balance: giving yourself grace
27:02 – Parenting reflections: being real, not perfect
29:45 – Boundaries, burnout, and the future workforce
34:01 – How Gen Z is changing the aging and wellness conversation
36:33 – Advice to those just starting their journey in senior living