Making—and keeping—friends in midlife can feel surprisingly hard. In this episode of the Total Health in Midlife podcast, I’m joined by Nina Badzin, writer and host of the Dear Nina podcast, to talk about the real stuff that comes up in adult friendships—like feeling left out, keeping score, and what to do when your once-close friends just… fade. Whether you’ve ever wondered, “Is it just me?” or you’ve found yourself ghosted or burned out from being the one who always initiates, you’re not alone—and you’re not doing it wrong. This episode is full of validation, fresh perspective, and practical tips to help you build stronger, more satisfying friendships, even if it’s been a while. ABOUT NINA BADZIN Nina Badzin is the host of the podcast, Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship. She’s a writer, teacher, and mom of four in Minneapolis who has been writing about friendship for over a decade. Read More . . .

Why is it so hard to start something you already know you want to do? In this episode of Total Health in Midlife, we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the most frustrating patterns women face when trying to improve their health: knowing what to do… but not actually doing it. If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in prep mode, endlessly planning, researching, tweaking your routine without ever taking action, this one’s for you. We’ll explore why planning feels safer than doing, how perfectionism keeps you spinning, and the powerful mindset shift that turns overwhelming change into small, doable steps. With relatable stories, gentle humor, and practical takeaways, this episode will help you move from “I’m getting ready to start” to actually making progress, with less pressure and more self-trust. What You’ll Learn from this Episode Listen to the Full Episode: Featured on the Show: Full Episode Transcript: 240 Read More . . .

“Food is fuel”. It sounds so clean and logical, doesn’t it? Like if we could just stick to that belief, everything would fall into place. We’d stop craving sweets when we’re stressed. We’d stop emotionally eating after a hard day. We’d finally be “in control.” But here’s the truth no one talks about: food isn’t just fuel. It’s comfort, connection, culture, memory, and celebration. And trying to pretend otherwise? That’s often what keeps us stuck. In this episode of Total Health in Midlife, I’m sharing why the “food is fuel” narrative might be doing more harm than good—and why giving yourself permission to enjoy food can actually lead to more peace, not less. If you’ve ever wondered why you can’t seem to stick to your “plan” or why you feel shame around emotional eating, this episode will help you see things in a whole new light. What You’ll Learn from Read More . . .

You’ve committed to eating better. Maybe you’ve even started feeling more like yourself again—more energy, fewer cravings, pants that fit the way you want them to. But then you go to dinner with friends… and suddenly, you’re halfway through a basket of fries you didn’t even want, wondering how you got there. If you’ve ever felt like changing how you eat starts messing with your relationships, you are not alone. In fact, the pressure to eat a certain way around others is one of the biggest hidden reasons women struggle to stick with new habits. In this episode of Total Health in Midlife, we’re exploring what happens when food is more than just fuel—it’s friendship, tradition, and connection. And what it means when you start making different choices. Because it’s not about discipline. It’s about belonging. And if you’ve ever felt torn between doing what’s right for your body and Read More . . .

What if the key to better health in midlife isn’t a new diet… but a new way of thinking? In this episode of the Total Health in Midlife Podcast, I’m joined by former client and fellow podcaster Lanee Blaise. Lanee shares what it actually looked like to change her habits—not just for a season, but in a way that feels good and lasts. From navigating vacations without guilt to letting go of all-or-nothing thinking, this conversation is full of relatable moments, real struggles, and practical wins. We talk about what it means to become the woman who can keep the results she creates—and why slowing down and thinking things through is the most underrated health habit of all. Lanee brings wisdom, humor, and honesty to everything she touches. If you’ve ever felt like you “should know better” but still struggle to follow through, this one’s for you. What You’ll Learn Read More . . .

You think the problem is food. Or maybe it’s your lack of motivation. If only you had more discipline, or found the right plan, then everything would finally fall into place—right? But what if the real reason you’re not making progress isn’t about food, or workouts, or willpower? In this episode of Total Health in Midlife, I’m pulling back the curtain on what’s really getting in the way of your health habits—and it’s probably not what you think. From skipping workouts to stress eating yogurt by the tub (yes, I’ve been there), we’re diving into why so many smart, capable women are solving for the wrong problem… and how that keeps us stuck in patterns that don’t serve us. If you’ve ever said, “I know what to do—I just don’t do it,” this episode is your invitation to rethink everything you thought was the issue. Because once you see what’s Read More . . .

Have you ever caught yourself wondering, How did I get here? You’re doing all the right things, checking off the to-do list, showing up for everyone else but somehow, your own joy feels like an afterthought. In this episode of the Total Health in Midlife Podcast, I sit down with Debbie Heiser, Chief Igniter of The Lit Up Life, to talk about what it really takes to build a business and a life that feels fully aligned and lit up from the inside out. Debbie and I talk about what it means to live in integrity with yourself while making good money doing work you love. We explore how so many of us, especially women, have been conditioned to downplay what we want, to stay small, and to avoid being “too much.” Debbie shares how learning to own your desires, trust your decisions, and flip the script on guilt and Read More . . .

Is this healthy… or fat as sh*t?” Why That Might Be the Wrong Question Entirely. Have you ever paused mid-scroll, staring at some sort of ‘food hack’ on Instagram, and wondered, “Wait… is that actually good for me?”  In this episode, I peel back the layers of that deceptively simple question and challenge the rigid good vs. bad food mindset that so many of us carry. Through a relatable Costco story, surprising examples (yes, even kale can be ‘unhealthy’ for some people), and a new framework called the “Three Food Buckets,” I help reframe how we think about food, moving away from judgment and toward self-trust and context. This episode dives into the exhausting cycle of all-or-nothing thinking, second-guessing every bite, and feeling like one “wrong” food choice will derail everything. I walk you through how you’ve been trained to treat food like a morality test and why that thinking Read More . . .

Have you ever noticed how you can be completely on it in one area of your life, like nailing your eating habits and moving your body, while completely bulldozing your own rules in another? You know that getting enough sleep makes you feel amazing, yet you stay up for just ‘one more’ episode. Or you set a boundary around your phone use, only to immediately check Instagram the next morning. Why do we do this?  This episode of The Total Health and Midlife Podcast dives into the deeper reasons why we override our own boundaries, and spoiler alert, it’s not about willpower. If you’ve ever found yourself breaking the very rules you set for yourself, this episode is for you.   We like to tell ourselves that discipline and self-control are the answers, but if that were true, we wouldn’t keep repeating the same patterns. The real issue? Disconnection. When we Read More . . .

What if the very thing you use to unwind is actually keeping you stuck? Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night with your heart racing and your mind spinning, wondering why you feel so anxious? Or maybe you notice a lingering unease throughout your day, a quiet hum of worry that you can’t quite place.  Most of us chalk it up to stress, hormones, or just the realities of midlife. But what if there’s another hidden factor that’s fueling your anxiety, one that’s so ingrained in our daily habits that we rarely question it? In this episode, we’re peeling back the layers on alcohol and anxiety, exploring how that evening glass of wine or celebratory cocktail might not be helping you relax as much as you think.   You don’t have to quit drinking, but what if you just paid attention? I share my personal journey of Read More . . .

What if the reason you’re struggling to follow through on your health goals isn’t a lack of willpower—but a lack of self-trust?  In this episode of the Total Health and Midlife Podcast, I sit down with Self-trust Coach and author, Dawn Ledet to unpack why we often fall off track with our wellness intentions. Dawn reveals that missed goals aren’t a sign of self-sabotage or failure; they’re simply feedback. Instead of beating ourselves up, we can rewire our inner dialogue, build trust in our decisions, and finally create lasting consistency in our habits. Dawn introduces her three-part framework for self-trust—making decisions, following through, and having your own back—while exposing the common mental traps that keep us stuck. She explains how our brains are wired to focus on past failures, distort our present, and predict future disappointment, making it easy to give up before we even begin.  But with simple shifts Read More . . .

We think that health is all about eating and exercising. But that’s not the whole story. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything “right,” eating well, exercising, and following all the health rules, but still not seeing the results you expect, this episode is for you. The truth is, diet and exercise are only part of the equation.  What’s often missing? Stress, sleep, rest, and recovery. These are the overlooked pillars of true health, especially in midlife when your body starts playing by a whole new set of rules. In today’s episode, we dive deep into why prioritizing rest isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity for real, lasting health.   We live in a world that glorifies doing more, pushing harder, and ignoring the warning signs of burnout. But as women in midlife, we can’t afford to keep running on empty. When stress levels soar and sleep suffers, our bodies Read More . . .

Have you ever made progress with your health… and then, slowly, without realizing it, started letting the little things slide?  In this episode, I dive deep into a universal experience in health journeys: the quiet backslide that happens after success. I call it the “cocky syndrome,” that phase where we get a little too confident, start cutting corners, and convince ourselves it’s just balance or moderation. But when the momentum starts slipping and we don’t feel as good as we used to, we’re left confused, frustrated, and often blaming ourselves. I share a relatable personal story involving my piriformis pain, which only flares up when I slack on my short daily routine. I use it to highlight a powerful metaphor: Just like kids, our habits need supervision, structure, and eventually, gentle maintenance. What once needed full focus now requires ongoing care, not perfection, just consistent attention. This episode breaks down Read More . . .

What if the key to transformation isn’t about doing more but about being more? In this episode, I sit down with Kim Damon, a true expert in personal growth and transformation, to explore the deep shifts that lead to lasting change. Kim shares her journey of breaking through limitations, embracing authenticity, and stepping into a life of purpose. Her insights challenge the conventional approach to self-improvement, encouraging us to move beyond surface-level tactics and into profound, identity-based transformation.   Throughout our conversation, Kim reveals the mindset shifts and emotional breakthroughs that pave the way for real success. She dives into the hidden beliefs that hold people back and offers practical strategies to rewire thought patterns for growth. Whether you’re facing a career shift, personal roadblocks, or simply looking to elevate your life, Kim’s wisdom will resonate deeply.   Join us as we uncover the power of self-awareness, the courage to embrace change, Read More . . .

Ever started strong with your health habits, only to fall off track and feel like a failure? What if I told you that relapse isn’t proof you’ve failed… it’s actually, part of the process?  In this episode of the Total Health in Midlife podcast, I’m breaking down the biggest mindset shift that separates those who succeed from those who stay stuck. You’ll learn why slip-ups happen, how to stop them from turning into full-blown backslides, and the one question that will completely change how you handle setbacks. If you’ve ever thought you just need more willpower to stay consistent, this episode will change everything.  Tune in now, because the goal isn’t to be perfect, it’s to keep going. What You’ll Learn from this Episode Listen to the Full Episode: Featured on the Show: Full Episode Transcript: How many times have you told yourself this time I’m going to stick with Read More . . .

Are you struggling with hot flashes, brain fog, stubborn weight gain, or low energy? What if I told you that the solution isn’t about pushing harder but training smarter? In this episode, I’m diving into how the right kind of exercise, especially strength training, can help ease menopause symptoms, boost energy, and keep you feeling strong and capable as you age. And the best part? You don’t need long, grueling workouts to see results.   For years, we were told that the key to fitness was spending hours sweating it out at the gym. But in midlife, that approach doesn’t just stop working, it actually works against us. I’ll break down why traditional exercise methods often fail women over 40 and how stress from overtraining can make symptoms worse. Instead, I’ll share a more effective strategy: short, strength-based workouts that build muscle, protect bone density, and improve metabolism, all in just Read More . . .

Midlife is a time of transformation, not crisis. If you’ve ever felt weighed down by emotions you can’t quite name or struggled with fatigue despite doing “all the right things,” you’re not alone.  In my conversation with Soul Alignment Coach Sarah Sparks, we explored the deep connection between emotional well-being and physical health. Sarah’s ‘HEALED’ process—a six-step journey designed to release emotional burdens and reconnect with your true self—offers a powerful way to find clarity, ease, and renewed energy.  One of the most powerful insights Sarah shared is that healing isn’t just about fixing what’s wrong; it’s about embracing who we truly are. So often, we fight against change, trying to push through discomfort instead of listening to what our emotions and bodies are telling us.  But what if midlife is an invitation to pause, realign, and step into a more authentic, peaceful version of ourselves? Through emotional release and Read More . . .

What if I told you that hitting a plateau isn’t a sign of failure, but actually proof that your body is working exactly as it should? If you’ve ever felt stuck—doing everything “right” but seeing no progress—you’re not alone. Plateaus are a natural part of any weight loss journey, yet most people aren’t prepared for them. Instead of panicking or making drastic changes, what if you could anticipate them and navigate through them with confidence?   In this episode, we uncover why plateaus happen, what they really mean for your progress, and the most effective ways to push through without resorting to extremes. You’ll learn how to track progress beyond the scale, why your body adapts over time, and how to set yourself up for success ‘before’ a plateau even happens. Plus, I share a real-life client story of how she overcame a six-week stall by trusting the process—without cutting more Read More . . .