In Thriving after 45: is the best still to come?, Michael Netzley challenges the outdated assumption that cognitive performance inevitably declines in midlife. Drawing on neuroscience and adult development research, the article shows that many business-critical capabilities — including integrative reasoning, strategic sensemaking, and emotional judgment — can actually peak well into the second half of a career. The central message is not motivational optimism, but biological realism: judgment improves when brain health and higher-order thinking are deliberately trained. For experienced leaders navigating AI, complexity, and sustained pressure, the article reframes midlife as a strategic window — not a risk to manage, but an advantage to develop. It also makes a clear distinction between mental health and brain performance, grounding leadership effectiveness in neuroscience rather than personality or mindset alone. The result is a compelling case for investing in judgment as a performance capability, precisely when experience is deepest and stakes are highest.