Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife: Asking for a Friend

I loved this conversation, and any woman who struggles with setting boundaries must listen to this episode! Discover the art of becoming "unf*ckwithable" as we sit down with the inspiring Lisa Danforth, a serial entrepreneur and coach, who shares her journey of setting boundaries for self-care and success. Learn from Lisa's experiences in navigating the delicate balance between pers...

This week I am speaking to Tanja Shaw, a seasoned health and fitness coach, as she reveals her personal story from fitness enthusiast to advocate of holistic well-being. Her pivotal shift in 2014 toward intuitive eating and a mindset focus reshaped her coaching methodology, emphasizing healthier relationships with food and oneself. Tanja candidly shares how understanding the psychological aspects...

Join us as we unravel the complexities of lipedema, a widely misunderstood condition affecting countless individuals. With Kristin Richards courageously sharing her personal journey, we bring clarity to the distinction between lipedema and lymphedema and highlight the unique challenges faced by those living with lipedema. From its symmetrical impact on the body to the granular texture of affected...

Our guest this week is Dr. John Neustadt, an esteemed integrative medical expert, researcher, and author. Dr. Neustadt helps us understand how integrative medicine goes beyond the conventional approach by addressing the root causes of diseases and focusing on prevention. Through his vast experience and personal journey in the field, he enlightens us on how natural products, functional medicine, an...

Joining me is Dr. Odayme Quesada, esteemed director of the Christ Hospital Women's Heart Center, who brings invaluable insight into women's heart health. Discover the often-overlooked symptoms of heart attacks in women—like jaw pain and nausea—and understand the distinct risk factors that make women's cardiovascular health unique.  Dr. Quesada shares her extensive expertise on how c...

I'm excited to welcome Robert Whitfield, MD, a world-renowned holistic plastic surgeon with a specialization in breast implant illness (BII). Since recording this episode, I have heard two other health and fitness influencers talk about their experiences with Dr. Whitfield and explant surgery. Both raved about his knowledge and thoroughness in the process and were very happy with their result...

What is midlife and how do we define ourselves in this phase? I don't believe that we have to fit in a neat little box. Haven't we earned the right to step out with confidence, to explore what lights us up, and not be held to some outdated standard? I've always said that staying stuck because you fear change may be the scariest proposition of all. Reinvention and exploration is a gi...

I received a request from a listener to cover the topic of challenging relationships with adult children, and I was floored to get many responses from other listeners who were also having similar issues with grown kids. On this week's episode, I sit down with the esteemed Dr. Gail Saltz, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry and psychoanalyst, columnist, bestselling author, and televis...

We speak to entrepreneur Lisa Woodruff, CEO of Organize 365, who shares her inspiring journey from teacher and stay-at-home mom to organizational expert. Learn how she conquered challenges and built a thriving business dedicated to helping people rediscover the joy in a well-organized home. Our discussion dives deep into the mental toll disorganization can take on your life. Lisa and I explore the...

Have you already been diagnosed with osteoporosis or have a strong family history for fracture? Join me as I sit down with Rebekah Rotstein, the inspiring founder of Buff Bones, who shares her personal journey of overcoming an osteoporosis diagnosis in her twenties. She offers invaluable insights on bone health, especially through menopause. Discover the early interventions and consistent self-car...

We've all been there. A gurgly gut at the wrong time or place. Maybe you've experienced constipation that has lasted for days, or unexplained bloating and gas that makes you feel like you're six months pregnant. These can be occasional annoyances, but some women live with these symptoms on a daily basis. We are often quick to say it's irritable bowel syndrome, but how do we rea...

The mind is amazingly powerful, and we have more control over our brains than we sometimes think. In episode 56, we discussed dialectical behavioral therapy and midlife mental well-being. In this episode, we will dive into emotional brain training or EBT, and how it can be used in many ways with long-lasting results.  We are joined by Laurel Mellin, PhD, a pioneering health psychologist, founder o...

Is your approach to midlife health and wellness stuck in the past? On this episode of Asking for a Friend, we unravel the complexities of midlife body changes with a focus on metabolism, diet, and exercise. Join me, Michele Folan, as we challenge the myths perpetuated by diet culture and reveal the benefits of balanced nutrition and weight lifting. I'm honored to have Laura Lamb, a menopause...

Some of us have already been thrust into the role of caregiver. For many, this has meant the loving call to duty as our parents have aged or have had failing health. No one prepares you for the emotional and physical toll of, not only caring for the loved one, but also the added stress of the daily responsibilities we already had on our plates. But what if the person in our care is our spouse or p...

In this episode, we are excited to welcome back Dr. Nicole Lovat, a specialist in women's health and hormone therapy. Dr. Lovat opens up about her career transition from primary care to hormone therapy and shares the latest advancements in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and weight loss, offering invaluable insights for anyone facing midlife health challenges. Discover the profound benefits...

Can a shift in mindset revolutionize your health and wellness? Join us in this compelling episode as we explore the journey of a remarkable woman like Trish, known as This Phoenix Rising on social media. We uncover the undeniable power of mindset in achieving health goals without resorting to extreme measures. Trish shares the incredible impact a serious illness in March 2020 had on her life, driv...

Dry January, Dry July, Sober October, or a Tuesday... there never seems to be an ideal time to try white-knuckling it through 30 days of no alcohol. It is always the wedding, family reunion, vacation, or birthday that stands in the way of completing this sometimes daunting task. But what might you gain from giving your body and mind a break from drinking? Are you concerned that you might find you...

Ready to transform your midlife health and fitness journey? Join us as we explore the incredible transformation of Sarah Bradley, a certified integrative nutrition health coach and Faster Way coach. Sarah shares her compelling story of transitioning from a finance career to her current passion, emphasizing the importance of sustainable fitness and nutrition plans for women in their 40s and beyond....

Life is precious, and when we are thrown into the depths of despair after the loss of a loved one, you may never feel like you get to the other side, where every day doesn't make you wonder when the grip of sorrow will release its hold. Slowly, we gain the strength to begin to piece together what is to be.  There is a saying, "Sometimes what breaks us recreates us." How do you find...

Roughly thirty percent of women aged 50-64 are single, and while there are plenty of dating apps out there to assist in the search for companionship, they aren't always ideal and can be overwhelming. There can be important work to be done on the front end before we dive into the dating abyss.  Do you really know what you are looking for in a partner? Are you fearful of repeating past errors i...

What if navigating menopause could be a transformative phase rather than a challenging ordeal? Join us as we welcome Gabriella Espinosa, a menopause and sexual wellness coach, who shares her deeply personal journey from a passionate courtship and early motherhood to the unexpected trials of perimenopause. Gabriella’s story highlights the often-overlooked aspects of this life stage, underscoring th...

Our travel through health and wellness on the podcast doesn't end with menopause, diets, and dumbbells; today we venture into the tangled realm of cults with Shannon Payton. Her raw account, as a survivor and thriver, of a youth and adult spent within the restrictive walls of a religious cult, not only educates but also empowers, as she recounts her evolution with a resilience that's bot...

When my midlife health and wellness took a troubling turn in my fifties, I went on my own search to find answers to get my body back and feel good again. My journey sits at the heart of our latest episode, joined by the resilient Stephanie Shaw, who shares her bewildering health crisis. Stephanie's tale is a stark reminder of the crucial role self-advocacy plays, especially when navigating th...

Susie deVille, anthropologist and human behavior specialist, is the Founder & CEO of the Innovation & Creativity Institute. She joins me to impart her wisdom on building a 'moat' around yourself to concentrate energy on fresh endeavors and allowing our innate creativity to shine through. As we move through the seasons of life, creativity often blossoms in the most unexpected plac...

As life's complexities unfold, psychologist and coach Lauren Napolitano joins us to dissect the painful yet sometimes transformative nature of infidelity, providing understanding for those navigating these difficult times. Trust is the cornerstone of any relationship, yet when it's shattered by infidelity, the rebuilding process can resemble a labyrinth of emotional turns. This episode d...