Health And Body Image Episodes

Do you feel like your body is changing, nothing fits right, and it’s easier to just wear pajama pants with a professional shirt for your Zoom calls? Giving up on getting dressed takes a heavy toll on how we feel about ourselves. In this episode, I welcome style expert Jennifer Mackey Mary. Jennifer is the founder of Everyday Style and host of the top 10 podcast, The Everyday Style School. We dive into why mindset is the critical first step to style, how to confidently dress a changing midlife bo...

Many women in their 40s, 50s, and early 60s tend to suffer in total silence when navigating changes in intimacy. We often carry shame around our shifting desires and changing bodies, falsely believing we are the only ones struggling or that we are somehow broken. In this episode, I welcome Jennifer Marie Summers, a board-certified sexologist, certified sex coach, and menopause coach who has been doing this work for nearly two decades. We dive deep into why smart, capable midlife women experience...

There is something that affects so many women in their 40s and 50s, yet we tend to suffer in total silence: emotional eating. We often carry deep shame around our eating habits and falsely believe we are the only ones struggling. In this episode, I welcome emotional eating expert Tricia Nelson . Tricia is the creator of the Heal Your Hunger system, host of the Confessions of a Binge Eater podcast, and her TEDx talk on "garbage eating" has over a million views. We dive deep into why smart, capabl...

Have you caught yourself looking in the mirror recently, grabbing a little chunk of skin around your middle, or wondering, "Whose body is this?" You are definitely not alone. We are diving deep into the reality of midlife body image. I share my own recent wake-up call after seeing a wedding photo, the difference between "fuel food" and "celebratory food," and how to finally turn the volume down on your self-criticism. If you are tired of fighting your own body and want to find a way to be happy ...

Are you in your late 30s or your 40s and wondering if your sudden mood swings, brain fog, or even itchy ears are just stress—or if they are the start of perimenopause? You’re NOT alone, and it is perfectly normal to feel confused. In this episode of Mind Your Midlife , Cheryl is joined by veteran health journalist Meghan Rabbitt , author of the incredibly comprehensive new book, The New Rules of Women’s Health: Your Guide to Thriving at Every Age . We dive into why we need to move beyond "bikini...

Have you ever walked into a room and completely forgotten why you went in there, or found yourself staring blankly in the middle of a sentence because you just cannot find the word? You’re NOT alone — and it doesn't mean you are losing your mind. In this episode of Mind Your Midlife , scientist, researcher, and health coach Dr. Christine Boev joins Cheryl to dive deep into the real brain science behind perimenopause and menopause brain fog . What You’ll Learn: ✔ The surprising root cause of brai...

Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed by the sheer volume of advice about what you "should" be doing in midlife? You’re NOT alone. After speaking to a room of over 125 women at a recent local business event about "Busting the Myths of Menopause," I realized something important: we are drowning in information, but starving for simplicity. In this episode, I’m stripping away the complicated 10-step morning routines and the overwhelming lists. Instead, we are focusing on how to filter the no...

Are you a woman over 40 feeling anxious about bladder leaks when you sneeze, laugh, or jump? You’re NOT alone — but you don't have to just live with it. In this episode of Mind Your Midlife , certified health coach and Pfilates instructor Patricia Linderman joins me to break down pelvic floor health , the reality of prolapse , and the real muscular mechanics behind why we leak and how we can stop it. What You’ll Learn: ✔ How your core acts like a "can" and why deep, three-dimensional breathing i...

Are you riding the "bumpy ride" of perimenopause and wondering if there is an alternative to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)? You’re NOT alone — and you have more options than you think. In this episode of Mind Your Midlife, Damon Iacovelli, a Master of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, joins me to break down the science behind acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and how these ancient practices offer a modern solution for hot flashes, sleep issues, and midlife anxiety. I...

Are you a woman over 40 or 50 struggling with hot flashes , battling insomnia , or feeling like you are losing control amidst the massive identity shifts of midlife? You’re NOT alone — and you’re not out of options. In this episode of Mind Your Midlife , clinical hypnotherapist Sarah Rubens joins me to demystify hypnosis and explain why it is one of only two non-hormonal treatments for menopause symptoms recognized by The Menopause Society. If you are ready to learn how to update your brain's "s...

Ever wondered what it would look like to age with energy, clarity, and confidence instead of decline? What if midlife—especially menopause—wasn’t something to just “get through,” but an opportunity to feel better than you have in years? In this episode of Mind Your Midlife , I sit down with renowned OBGYN Dr. Prudence Hall to talk about what she calls vibrant aging —a holistic, empowering approach to perimenopause, menopause, and life beyond it. This conversation builds beautifully on last week’...

Ever wonder if the way you’re feeling in midlife is just “how it’s supposed to be now”—or if something deeper is going on? In this episode of Mind Your Midlife , I’m sharing my own hormone replacement therapy (HRT) journey and what ultimately led me to say yes to exploring it. I’ve interviewed experts on menopause and hormones before, but this time, I’m telling my story. From unexpected physical symptoms to mood changes, low energy, and a surprising high cholesterol wake-up call, this episode is...

Body image — it’s one of those topics that every midlife woman can relate to, yet few of us talk about honestly. Why does it get so hard to like what we see in the mirror in our 40s and 50s? And what can we do about it? In this episode, Cheryl gets real about body image in midlife — where our insecurities come from, why they’re so hard to shake, and how to start changing the conversation in your own head. Spoiler: this isn’t about “fixing” your body. It’s about noticing the outdated stories that...

Intermittent fasting — it’s one of those topics that lights up every group chat. Is it healthy? Is it safe? Does it even work for women in midlife? In this episode, Cheryl sits down with Integrative Health Practitioner Adrian Mamikonian to get real about what intermittent fasting is and what it isn’t . Spoiler: it’s not about deprivation or starving yourself — it’s about understanding how to support your hormones, gut health, and metabolism during this season of life. Adrian shares how fasting c...

We know we should exercise. But when moving your body feels like a chore, it’s easy to resist it. What if instead of “should,” we started looking at movement as something joyful, energizing, and protective of our long-term health? In this episode, I’m joined by Erika Shannon, a fitness and wellness expert with over 20 years of experience. Erika specializes in helping women in perimenopause and menopause find sustainable, empowering ways to move their bodies—without the all-or-nothing approach. W...

Episode 50: Menopause isn’t a maybe—it’s a certainty for every woman lucky enough to live long enough. Yet despite the fact that half the population will experience it, perimenopause and menopause are still some of the most confusing, frustrating, and misunderstood stages of life. In this empowering episode, Cheryl is joined by Adrian Thompson, PA-C , founder of Vida Women’s Health, who specializes in helping midlife women navigate hormone changes with confidence. Together, we unpack the myths, ...

Ever feel like your brain just won’t stop racing? Imagine getting your steps in and finding your calm—all in just ten minutes. In this episode, I guide you through a simple but powerful walking meditation designed especially for midlife women. You’ll combine movement with mindfulness so you can release stress, clear your head, and boost your mood—without having to sit still or “do meditation perfectly.” Whether you’re walking in nature, around your neighborhood, or even pacing in your living roo...

Ever wondered why you’re wide awake at 3am—and nothing seems to help? You’re not broken, and you’re definitely not alone. In this episode of Mind Your Midlife , I sit down with sleep coach Morgan Adams to talk about why so many women over 40 and women over 50 struggle with sleep—and what actually works to get it back. Morgan shares her own journey from years of insomnia and dependence on medication to finally experiencing deep, restorative sleep. Now, she helps midlife women reclaim their nights...

Ever feel “off” in midlife but can’t quite explain why? You’re not alone—and you’re not stuck. In this episode, functional health practitioner Dee Davidson joins me to explore why so many midlife women feel out of sync, struggle with hot flashes, and don’t feel like themselves. But here’s the game-changer: Hot flashes and hormone symptoms aren’t something you have to just live with. Dee breaks down how seemingly small choices, especially around blood sugar and protein intake, can make a huge dif...

If you've ever gone searching for your phone while you're literally on your phone, you're not alone. In this episode of Mind Your Midlife, Cheryl unpacks what’s really going on with our memory in midlife — and why forgetting a name or misplacing your keys doesn’t mean you’re heading down a path of cognitive decline. Let’s be honest: midlife comes with a lot of mental tabs open. Between hormonal changes, family dynamics, career shifts, aging parents, and a culture of distraction, it’s no wonde...

Ever feel like you’re constantly falling short when it comes to fitness goals? Imagine having a way to feel better—physically, mentally, and emotionally—without needing a gym, a workout plan, or any pressure to be perfect. In this refreshing episode, Cheryl Fischer breaks down why walking might be the most underrated wellness habit for women in midlife. From processing emotions to boosting your immune system, walking offers simple, powerful benefits that go far beyond step counts and calorie bur...

Ever feel like healthy living is one long list of rules you can never keep up with? Imagine if eating well and living long could actually feel joyful, simple, and…fun. In this episode, I’m joined by the fabulous Lynne Bowman—cookbook author, grandma, and full-on wellness rebel in her 80th year of life. From reversing type 2 diabetes to thriving with energy, Lynne shares how she simplified nutrition, embraced joyful cooking, and turned midlife into her most vibrant chapter yet. BY THE TIME YOU FI...

If you’d asked me a few months ago if I’d ever do an episode on going alcohol-free, I probably would’ve laughed and said, “No way.” But the truth? This conversation matters—especially in midlife, when we’re all trying to take better care of our minds, bodies, and hearts. In this episode, I sit down with certified alcohol-free life coach Emily Allen to talk about what it’s really like to take a break from alcohol, why she chose to do it, and what changed for her when she did. Spoiler alert: Emily...

Have you ever caught yourself saying "I'm too old for that" when it comes to fitness? Laura Dow, fitness expert and author of "Mind Your Movement," has heard these self-limiting beliefs from countless midlife clients—and she's on a mission to change the conversation around aging and physical activity. In this enlightening discussion, Laura unpacks the subtle yet powerful ways ageism infiltrates fitness culture, from class names like "Chair Yoga for Seniors" to our own negative self-talk abou...