Hey Heal Squad! If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought “Is this just how it is now?” If so, this is exactly what you need to hear! In Part 1 of our conversation with Denise Kirtley, she shares how she went from burned out, binge eating, and pre-diabetic in her late 40s to competing in a bodybuilding competition in her 50s—after never having stepped foot in a gym.

Denise opens up about the moment that made her change everything, how she overcame self-doubt and shame, and how strength training helped her reclaim her body, her energy, and her confidence. She also gets real about how to make the first step when you feel stuck, how to break the cycle of emotional eating, and why midlife isn’t a decline—it’s a decision.

Whether you’re navigating perimenopause, burnout, or just feel like you’re “starting over,” Denise will remind you that it’s never too late to become the strongest version of yourself.

HEALERS & HEAL-LINERS: 

Transformation starts with one honest moment. For Denise, it wasn’t a rock bottom—it was realizing her wedding ring didn’t fit. That moment of discomfort sparked a complete lifestyle shift.

You can lose 50 pounds without extremes. Denise didn’t crash diet or obsess over perfection. She focused on consistent habits, strength training, and choosing long-term wellness over quick fixes.

Emotional eating keeps you stuck in survival mode. Denise recognized how food was numbing her stress. Once she got curious instead of judgmental, everything started to shift.

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DENISE KIRTLEY RESOURCES:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fiftyfitnessjourney/?hl=en

Website: https://rebellionbody.com/ 

Get coaching: https://rebellionbody.com/pages/coaching 

Challenge: https://my.playbookapp.io/denise-kirtley/programs/pull-up-program/23454 

ABOUT MARIA MENOUNOS:

Emmy Award-winning journalist, TV personality, actress, 2x NYT best-selling author, former pro-wrestler and brain tumor survivor, Maria Menounos’ passion is to see others heal and to get better in all areas of life.

ABOUT HEAL SQUAD x MARIA MENOUNOS:

A daily digital talk-show that brings you the world's leading healers, experts, and celebrities to share groundbreaking secrets and tips to getting better in all areas of life.

DISCLAIMER:
This Podcast and all related content ( published or distributed by or on behalf of Maria Menounos or http://Mariamenounos.com and http://healsquad.com ) is for informational purposes only and may include information that is general in nature and that is not specific to you. Any information or opinions provided by guest experts or hosts featured within website or on Company’s Podcast are their own; not those of Maria Menounos or the Company. Accordingly, Maria Menounos and the Company cannot be responsible for any results or consequences or actions you may take based on such information or opinions. This podcast is presented for exploratory purposes only. Published content is not intended to be used for preventing, diagnosing, or treating a specific illness. If you have, or suspect you may have, a health-care emergency, please contact a qualified health care professional for treatment.