Menopause Rise and Thrive | Helping Women Navigate Midlife and Menopause

Have you ever found yourself feeling lonely in midlife—even when your life is full of family, work, and responsibilities? You're not alone. As our children grow up, careers evolve, and the routines that once built friendships naturally begin to disappear, many women find themselves craving deeper connection without knowing where to find it. In this episode, I'm sharing a very personal st...

Are you confident in your financial future—or have you been leaving the money decisions to someone else? For many women, finances can feel overwhelming, intimidating, or simply easier to avoid. Whether you're married, divorced, widowed, or building your next chapter on your own, understanding your financial picture is one of the most important forms of self-care. Yet many women reach midlife...

Are you dealing with bladder leaks, pelvic pressure, constipation, or that nagging feeling that something just isn’t working the way it used to? If so, you’re far from alone. Pelvic floor dysfunction affects millions of women, especially during perimenopause and menopause, yet many are told their only options are Kegels, invasive treatments, or simply learning to live with it. In this episode, I’m...

Are you constantly being told you have a UTI—only to finish another round of antibiotics and still not feel better? If you’re in perimenopause or menopause and suddenly dealing with bladder pain, urinary urgency, painful sex, or recurrent infections, you are not alone. In this episode, I’m joined by women’s health advocate and Desert Harvest CEO Heather Florio to unpack the often-overlooked connec...

If you’re waking up tired, dragging through the afternoon, and wondering why you still feel depleted despite eating well, exercising, and getting decent sleep—you are not alone. So many midlife women are told their labs are “normal,” yet they still don’t feel like themselves. In this episode, I sit down with naturopathic doctor and functional medicine expert Jennifer Nelson-Hawks to talk about one...

Are you feeling the tension between wanting to speak up… and wondering if it’s “too much”? Or maybe you’ve noticed your confidence shifting in midlife—at work, at home, or even in your own body? In this powerful and deeply honest episode, Sara is joined by two incredible leaders—Gloria Feldt and Heather Florio—for a conversation that goes far beyond menopause. Together, they explore what it truly...

This episode explores what it truly means to feel at home in your body—something many women realize they’ve rarely, if ever, experienced. I reflect on my own journey with body image, including how early influences shaped my perception and how those patterns carried into midlife and perimenopause. We discuss the shift from viewing the body as something to evaluate or “fix” to approaching it with gr...

Are your emotions feeling a little… unpredictable lately? One moment you’re fine, and the next you’re overwhelmed, irritable, or wondering why everything suddenly feels so heavy. If you’re in perimenopause or menopause, you’re not imagining it—and you’re certainly not alone. In this episode, Dr. Sara Poldmae opens up about the emotional toll that midlife hormonal shifts can take. She breaks down w...

Are you doing all the “right” things—maybe even considering testosterone therapy—but still not feeling your best? If you listened to last week’s episode on testosterone, you know how powerful hormone therapy can be. But here’s the truth: hormones don’t act in a vacuum. Your nervous system, your nutrition, your muscle mass, your sleep—they all shape how your hormones work. In this episode, I’m walk...

Have you ever wondered if testosterone therapy is just for men—or if it might actually help you with low libido, energy dips, or stubborn vaginal dryness? You’re not alone. So many midlife women are asking questions about testosterone, but getting few clear answers. In this episode, I sit down with my fabulous nurse practitioner, Monique Willingham, for a down-to-earth conversation about what test...

Have you ever longed for a pause button—a moment where no one needs you, nothing is urgent, and you can simply breathe? In this episode, I’m sharing my deeply personal experience from a recent retreat in Costa Rica—where for the first time in a long time, I stepped out of all the roles I usually play and rediscovered what it feels like to simply be me . No titles, no to-do lists, no emotional labo...

Do you feel like the start of a new year is pressuring you into making big, sweeping changes you’re just not up for? Maybe the goals that used to excite you now feel heavy—or even irrelevant. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In this warm and honest solo episode, I’m sharing a more compassionate, curiosity-led approach to growth in midlife—one that doesn’t demand radical reinvention, but...

Have you ever woken up after just one drink feeling wired, anxious, exhausted—and wondering why it didn’t feel “worth it” anymore? If alcohol suddenly feels different in your body during midlife, you are not imagining it. In this episode, Sara continues an honest, compassionate conversation about alcohol in perimenopause and menopause—without shame, rules, or “shoulds.” This is not a sobriety epis...

Does the holiday season make you feel like pouring a glass (or two) of wine is the only way to survive the stress? Between hosting, caregiving, and the emotional weight of family dynamics, it’s no wonder alcohol can feel like a go-to solution. But what if there’s another way? In this eye-opening episode, I’m joined once again by my dear friend and sobriety coach, Maureen Benkovich. We’re talking h...

 This week’s episode is a real-life, unpolished, sit-on-the-couch-with-me kind of conversation. If you noticed there was no episode last week… you’re right. And today, I’m sharing exactly why. The last several weeks have been overwhelming in ways I didn’t fully acknowledge until everything came to a stop. After the fire at my Annapolis clinic, the smoke and water damage, the rebuild, the logistics...

Have you ever found yourself stuck—knowing you want more energy, more confidence, more joy—but unsure of where to start? Or maybe you’ve hit a roadblock that’s thrown your whole routine off course (again), and you're struggling to get back on track. If any of that sounds familiar, this episode is here to help you reconnect with your inner spark and move forward with purpose. In this uplifting...

Feeling scattered, overstimulated, and stuck in a cycle of information overload?  You’re not alone—and there’s a powerful antidote hiding in plain sight: mindfulness. In this episode, I’m joined by the incredible Tara Segree, a longtime educator, meditation coach, and author of Bringing Mindfulness Into the Classroom . Tara has a deeply calming presence and a practical approach to mindfulness that...

Are you feeling unfulfilled in your career—or wondering if it's too late to shift into something that lights you up? Maybe you're returning to the workforce after a break, or you're managing menopause symptoms that are quietly chipping away at your confidence. If that sounds like you, you're not alone—and this episode is exactly what you need. In this conversation with author,...

Are you feeling irritable, anxious, weepy, or just plain exhausted—and wondering why no one else seems to be having your kind of menopause? You're not alone. The truth is, while hormones play a role, the deeper story might be found in your unique energetic makeup. In this episode, we’re diving into one of Sara’s favorite topics—how the Five Elements of Chinese Medicine can help you better und...

Have you ever had a week that flipped your world upside down—and somehow also cracked you open in the most meaningful way? In this raw and unfiltered episode, I’m sharing something deeply personal: the fire that struck my wellness center last week and the emotional rollercoaster that followed. But more importantly, I’m opening up about the real-life practices —the ones I talk about every week—that...

Can chronic stress trigger perimenopause symptoms? Angie Hawkins says yes—and she’s lived it. If you’ve ever felt like the stress of holding everything together might actually be breaking your body down, this episode is going to feel like a breath of fresh air. I’m joined by Angie Hawkins—Inner Glow Coach, author, and fierce advocate for authentic self-love—to talk about the profound connection be...

Are you taking care of your heart—but still feeling like something’s missing? So many midlife women focus on breast health or hormone balance, yet don’t realize that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women. And the truth? It's not just about cholesterol. In this powerful and eye-opening episode, I’m joined by Angie Gallagher, cardiac rehab expert turned functional medic...

Is Your Sex Life Struggling in Midlife? You’re Not Alone. Have you ever thought, “Is this it?” when it comes to sex in midlife? Maybe intimacy feels awkward, your libido has disappeared, or it just… hurts. If so, you’re not broken—and you’re definitely not alone. In this honest and eye-opening conversation, I’m joined by certified sex educator and coach Karen Bigman to talk about the real changes...

Feeling Stuck? Here’s How to Get Moving Again—No Matter Where You Are in Life. Do you ever find yourself saying, “It’s not that bad…”—even when you know deep down something needs to change? Whether it’s your health, your relationships, or the way you’re showing up in your own life, feeling stuck is something we all go through—especially in midlife. In this powerful and deeply honest episode, I’m j...

Are you feeling like your body—and your life—aren’t quite your own anymore?  Maybe the weight gain, brain fog, sleepless nights, and emotional overwhelm have left you wondering, “Who even am I right now?” If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. In today’s deeply honest and empowering conversation, I’m joined by self-love and relationship coach Christina Ketchen to explore the concept of...