For three years, I dealt with a stubborn pain radiating from just below my right knee, which was likely the result of overtraining from workouts.

But that’s a pretty dull story and we’re not here for dull stories.

Instead, picture this: Three years ago there’s a casual hike in the Connecticut woods during the summer months with family and friends. Everyone’s enjoying the fresh air, the smell of dirt, the leaves swaying in the wind, and birds calling out to each other. A simple, joyous summer day. Perfect.

But then… like a bolt of lightning from above, a strapping 6’4” man goes down without warning—brought to his knees in an instant, screaming in pain as he clutches his ankle. I call out to him, “Are you OK!? WTF just happened?!? You’re scaring the kids!! Get up…” But before I could further showcase my annoyance to my husband, I too was struck as a ninja spider latched itself to the side of my knee and began pumping it full of what can only be described as fire-venom.

For three years I carried that pain—a reminder of just how much of a bitch Mother Nature can be when you least expect it.

Now, whether that freak spider incident is the true culprit behind three years of knee pain remains a mystery 🤷🏻‍♀️. But whether it was overtraining or some wild arachnid attack, the reality was undeniable—there was pain, lots of it, and I needed a solution.

Now I like doctors, truly. I’m even friends with a few—great people. But when it comes to my body, I tend to go the DIY route first so for a while, I foam rolled, worked out, stretched, applied heat, and temporarily chased the pain away. But like a bad wine habit it always managed to return.

When the pain resurfaced again, I decided to give it a final shot before succumbing to my fears of an x-ray revealing I had three months to live (because yes, I’m dramatic like that).

Enter April Stear—the owner of Bronxville Acupuncture, whom I’ve been going to for various muscular treatments for over eight years—and why she wasn’t my first stop once the pain began is a mystery to me because she is now, officially, my fire-venom whisperer ROCKSTAR!

My life has been transformed. Huge portions of my day no longer focus on the repeated mantra of “F***ck this annoying leg pain is so annoying!”. Now I waltz about and ponder things such as, “What is this joyous ability to focus on things other than pain during my walks!?”

Thanks to her compassion, empathy, and arsenal of Chinese Medicine techniques, cupping, and E-stim (electrical stimulation), pain and I are no longer disgruntled bedfellows.

That’s why today on Aging Fiercely, I’m thrilled to talk with April about her holistic approach to healing, the magic of acupuncture, and why self-love and self-care are non-negotiable when it comes to healing.

If needles give you the heebie-jeebies, don’t worry! April’s calming presence and wealth of knowledge will ease your fears (and any residual fire-venom from rogue spider encounters).

So, if you’re curious about acupuncture or just need a little boost of inspiration, click the link below and let April work her magic through your earbuds!

Aging Fiercely is a Substack and a podcast driven by a passion to turn the “midlife crisis” into a “midlife comeback!” 👊 Subscribe today and give old middle age a kick in the pants!

Welcome to a brand new year—and the best version of you. It’s January 1st, 2026, and instead of just looking ahead, you’re strutting into the new year like you own the place. Why? Because in 2025, you didn’t just meet your goals—you obliterated them. That sense of “hell yes, I did that” is your new normal, and here’s the secret to how you got there: you stopped playing small and started playing for keeps.

In this episode, we’re diving into the 3 reasons why starting now is a great idea! No personality overhaul needed—just a little belief in your own power and a willingness to make things happen now, not someday.

I’m breaking down why "temporal landmarks" are your friend, and how taking action today sets you up for tomorrow’s victory. Ready to get inspired? Pop in your earbuds and join me for a deep dive into why starting now is the key to your 2026 success story.

Listen to the full episode and let’s start aging fiercely, today!

Are you looking for a coach to help you achieve greatness this year? I've got a four-week accountability program to help you feel insanely fit, fierce, and fabulous for 2025! Learn more at: amcostanzo.com

Welcome to the wild world of perimenopause—the houseguest who never leaves and never stops making things interesting. In this episode, we tackle the chaos that is perimenopause, from hot flashes to mood swings to that rogue internal thermostat that thinks it’s always summer. But fear not—it's not all bad news! There’s a lot you can do to regain control of your body, mood, and energy.

I’m joined by Melissa Oliveira, co-founder of Hot Pause Health, who’s here to share her expert tips on how to manage this midlife plot twist, including fitness, nutritional strategies, and the best products to make this whole thing a bit less of a hot mess.

Tune in to find out how to take charge of your perimenopause journey and make it work for you—because this ride doesn’t have to suck.

Key Takeaways:

How to take control of your hormones, sleep, and nutrition during perimenopause

The importance of mental health and what you can do to keep it in check

Expert advice on the best treatments, products, and strategies that actually work

Why perimenopause doesn’t have to be the "soul-crushing" experience we’ve been told it is

Melissa’s favorite tools and products that will have you feeling like yourself again

FOLLOW MELISSA:

WEBSITE: www.HotPauseHealth.com (Get your free menopause guide there!)

INSTAGRAM: @hotpausehealth

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/hotpausehealth

AND... If you need a fitness plan and reliable accountability to help you start 2025 feeling FIERCE, check out my 4-Week Fitness Accountability Program: amcostanzo.com

Motivation is officially a flake. She’s been spotted ghosting gym-goers, skipping out on commitments, and dodging accountability like it’s her job. (Sources confirm she’s probably at brunch.)

But don’t worry—we’re on to her. In this week’s episode of Aging Fiercely, I’m exposing motivation for the unreliable diva she is and giving you the tools to get things done without her. Spoiler: It’s about showing up for yourself—even when you don’t “feel like it.” (Gah, I know, horrible! But abso-fkn-lutely worth it!)

So, settle in, because this episode is about to remind you who’s really in charge. (Hint: It’s not motivation, and it’s definitely you.) 💪

- Want an accountability coach to help you ring in the new year with a fiery fierceness in your belly? Sign up for my 4-week Fitness Accountability Program https://www.amcostanzo.com/4-week-accountability-program

- Follow Aging Fiercely on Instagram: @aging.fiercely

- Follow Aging Fiercely on Facebook: @amcostanzowellness

Julia is a certified Somatic Breathwork Practitioner and a 500-hour certified Vinyasa and Yin yoga teacher based in the beautiful Hudson Valley. Somatic breathwork has been a transformative source of healing and growth in her own life, and she's passionate about helping others experience its power.

Through her practice, Julia guides individuals to release trauma, restore balance, and return to a state of homeostasis—ultimately reconnecting with their authentic selves. Her work taps into the creative life force and helps individuals align with their intuition.

Her class was nothing short of transformational for me. It opened my eyes to the old narratives I’d been holding onto without even realizing it. The experience was so freeing that I had to sit down with Julia and dive deeper into the inner workings of breathwork.

My hope is this conversation leaves you inspired to embrace healing, authenticity, and the life force within! (And to clean out some old farty stories you may be holding onto that serve zero purpose!)

LINKS:

To find Julia Zern:

Instagram: BreathewithJulia

Website: BreathewithJulia

EVENTS WITH JULIA:

Ascend Center (Cold Spring, NY): Sunday, Dec 8

Winter Solstice Virtual Breathwork Session on Dec 21st at 3 pm.

The holidays can be a time of joy—or the world’s largest tightly wound ball of stress and overwhelm. But here’s the thing: how you experience the season is up to you.

Between the headlines, the endless to-do lists, and the pressure to make everything just right, it’s easy to feel like the holidays are something you survive, not savor. But here’s the game-changer:

What you focus on—and how it shapes your mood—is 100% within your control.

That’s why I’m committed to enjoying this season with as little stress as possible. And I’m doing it with the help of two simple questions that have kept me focused (and sane) in years past. These questions are my go-to for cutting through the chaos and staying grounded in what really matters.

If you’re ready to enjoy the holidays without losing your mind—or your sense of humor—tune into today’s podcast. Because the holidays aren’t about doing all the things—they’re about finding the joy in what matters most.

Aging Fiercely is about helping you create a life that puts you first! Subscribe and let’s be friends! 🙌

Ready to make this the year you finally put yourself first? Let’s create a life—and a body—you love, with more confidence and less struggle. Join my 4-Week Fitness Accountability Coaching Program today and step into the new year feeling unstoppable! 💖 Learn more at www.amcostanzo.com and let’s get started before the clock strikes midnight on 2024!

Picture this: the bath is drawn, the lavender is swirling in the air, and your gel eye mask has you teetering on the edge of bliss. You’re finally winning at self-care.

And then, they find you.

The footsteps. The door creaks. And before you can even mutter, “I’m off-duty,” you’re bombarded:“Where’s my soccer jersey?”“Can I have a snack?”“What’s for dinner?”

Suddenly, your tranquil soak turns into another episode of Mom Interrupted.

If this sounds painfully familiar, it’s time to talk boundaries. Because without them, those precious self-care moments are toast.

In today’s podcast episode, I’m diving into how to set boundaries that protect your time, your sanity, and yes, even your bubble baths.

👉 Hit play now and start reclaiming your peace!

P.S. Boundaries: they’re the unsung heroes of every mom’s self-care toolkit. Let’s get you some!

Aging Fiercely is about helping you create a life that puts you first! Subscribe and let’s be friends! 🙌

Ready to make this the year you finally put yourself first? Let’s create a life—and a body—you love, with more confidence and less struggle. Join my 4-Week Fitness Accountability Coaching Program today and step into the new year feeling unstoppable! 💖 Learn more at www.amcostanzo.com and let’s get started before the clock strikes midnight on 2024!

It’s 4:30 pm. The sun’s dipping below the horizon, and you’re racing to turn on every light in the house because, in 30 minutes, it’s going to feel like midnight.

By 7:00 pm, you’re staring at the clock, shocked and bewildered. How is it only 7:00?! you cry out.

And by 8:30, crawling into bed feels less like a guilty pleasure and more like a survival strategy.

Who thought this was a good idea? What farmer do we have to thank for this—I want names!

I’ll admit it—I’ve got a bad case of the winter blues. But instead of spiraling into seasonal despair, I’ve decided to do something about it.

This week, I’m sharing how I’m shaking things up—rethinking routines, refreshing my outlook, and figuring out how to expand my life even as the world feels like it’s contracting into darkness and cold.

➡️ Tune in and let’s turn this oncoming winter slump into something brighter! ✨

Aging Fiercely is about helping you create a more active lifestyle no matter your age, and no matter the season! Subscribe and let’s be friends! 🙌

Ready to make this the year you finally put yourself first? Let’s create a life—and a body—you love, with more confidence and less struggle. Join my 4-Week Fitness Accountability Coaching Program today and step into the new year feeling unstoppable! 💖 Learn more at www.amcostanzo.com and let’s get started before the clock strikes midnight on 2024!

It’s the end of the year and instead of doing the usual “Lemmie just get through the next several weeks AND THEN, when January comes, that’ll be my time to whip this old bod into shape!”

That’s a non-starter. A dead-end. A crafty way to shelf yourself while the holidays roll over you like a fiery yule log. 🪵🔥

Instead of bringing the usual baggage into the new year (e.g., I still want to lose weight—but now I’ve got bonus pounds; I still want to eat better, but my taste buds are in a Gingerbread-Latte-Pecan-Pie coma; I still want to feel good about myself, but all I can feel is crushing pain as I try to button these god-damn pants!), let’s leave the drama and excuse-making behind.

What if you didn’t just “get through” the holidays but actually took control now? I’m talking about setting up your own self-accountability system—a little pre-holiday gift to future you. 🎁

In this week’s podcast episode, 3 Ways to Set Up Self-Accountability, I’ll show you how to keep those fitness goals alive (yes, even with eggnog and holiday parties calling your name). Here’s what we’ll cover:

* Start Tracking Your Activities – You can’t change what you don’t see.

* Take 3 Minutes Each Morning for Intentions – Just three minutes to set your goals for the day. It’s simple but powerful.

* Create a “Wins for the Week” Jar – Drop in little notes of every small success.

Catch the episode here, and let’s celebrate the end of the year by feeling smashing in our little black holiday dresses!

If you're ready for a fresh start but aren't sure where to begin, I’ve got you covered. Together, we’ll get you feeling fit, fierce, and fabulous—no need to wait for January!

Ready to dive in? Visit me at www.amcostanzo.com, and let’s get started creating a more active lifestyle fit for the new year! ❤️

Aging Fiercely is about helping you create a more active lifestyle no matter your age - because yes you can! Subscribe and let’s be friends! 🙌

In today’s episode of Aging Fiercely, we’re diving into the power of practice and the patience it takes to see real progress. Inspired by the phrase “Practice until you see progress,” we’re unpacking how a shift in mindset—from instant results to long-term commitment—can bring profound changes in our fitness, health, and overall well-being.

If you’re feeling stuck or that your progress has stalled, ask yourself:

Am I focusing more on results than on the practice itself?

What small actions can I consistently show up for each day?

How do I build momentum when change feels slow?

These questions guide us in reframing our goals, making the journey less about fast fixes and more about building lasting habits.

If you're struggling to get into a fitness groove or life keeps getting in the way, check out my new 4-Week Accountability Program, designed for women over 40 who are ready to shift their approach and create sustainable, enjoyable fitness routines.

If you’re ready to commit to your goals, stay consistent, and enjoy the process, this program is for you! Tune in, and let’s explore what “practicing until progress” can look like for you.