Dear Midlife...

Look out, ladies! Shelby, our consummate performer, is pulling out her Jazz hands for our guest today! Yes! We are rolling out the red carpet for Jenna Capozzi! Jenna has made a career working in film production and, as we found out in this episode, has worked with actors who probably once made our now midlife hearts swoon! Today, Jenna brings her over 30 years of C-level executive experience, production expertise and the leadership she provided global brands such as Samsung, Target, and BMW, to our studio!

Baby girl! Here us when we tell you that this powerhouse of a woman decided to transition from the spotlight of Hollywood to empowering the next generation of leaders at the age of 51. That's right! Girl...It is NEVER too late! Now, she leverages her extensive background in film and production to guide women over 40 towards building impactful businesses. 

Jenna dedicates herself to mentoring individuals while emphasizing the importance of community support and personal growth. She uses her vast achievements in entertainment and advertising and her passion for helping others to nurture women. Her mission is to help women in midlife achieve their goals with confidence and clarity.

So, buckle up, baby. Shelby's got her jazz hands ready! Because we KNOW our show with Jenna today will really inspire you. You know Jenna is just a woman. Just like you and me. Who at age 51 was bored with her life and felt stuck and decided to make a change. I think she said she had less than $10 in her account and when her then client called and said they didn't need her services any longer, she took it as a sign from the universe that this was her time to seize life and make it her own. In this episode, Jenna teaches us:

1. Don't think...just do! I'll say it again...don't think...just do! Girl , it is the thinking that gets in our way and keeps us stuck
2. You have to be willing to ride the roller coaster of life and know that you can solve any problem that happens. Life has its ups and downs. But you have to learn to keep going and to learn something from each new challenge.
3. Your goals and dreams need to be big enough to get you excited to just start!
4. Find someone to be your person. Surround yourself with the right people who really back you up!
5. Access Leader Builder worksheet to start your midlife adventure today...Remember Jenna's words, don't think...just do!

What are you feeling right now? Are you feeling stuck in the grind and bored with life, but afraid it is too late for you? We are here to tell you that it's' not too late. That you are worthy. We want you to know you are capable of change and we're here to support you along the way. So, go to our website, dearmidlife.com and explore the tools and resources we're creating to help you elevate YOUR midlife! We can't wait to meet you in the middle!

Cue the song "Pretty Woman"! we love this song and we love our guest today, Elysha Lenkin! Elysha is a personal stylist with a illustrious 25-year career in the fashion industry. This girl knows her stuff and has been entrusted to elevate the style for iconic personalities such as Carrie Underwood, Serena Williams, and Tina Fey. And you know what we love the most about Elysha? She specifically caters to women in midlife and she helps these women to think differently about their bodies and teaches her clients to see what they think of as liabilities, as assets.

Elysha helps every woman learn to love her body again during an age and stage in life when our physical appearance is changing SO dramatically. Do you know what we're talking about? We're putting on weight in places we normally wouldn't. Our clothes just really don't fit the same and the structure of body is definitely different than it was even just a year ago and is an ever changing target.

But, Elysha meets us where we are to helps us find our own style in a world in which some stores carry only one size made for small women's bodies which make fashion feels...demeaning...is that the right word? Or...maybe downright offensive is the better way to say it. I mean, we are women in midlife ladies...we've lived a lotta damn life, birthed babies, drank plenty of wine and we're telling you we ain't going to try to squeeze our asses into some one-sized-fits-all BS piece of clothing!

And thanks to Elysha, we don't have to! She teaches us to embrace an unconventional style and to rethink the way we wear our clothes and, frankly, to rethink the way we show up in midlife! Because, let's face it, when we look good on the outside, we feel good on the inside...And when we feel good on the inside, we hold our heads high and carry ourselves like the badass bitches we are! Ladies...if you want to look good and feel even better about yourself, follow this link to Elysha's free style quiz that is exclusive for Dear Midlife listeners.

In this episode, Elysha teaches us:

1. The first step to reinvention is to clear out, let go of, and shed what is no longer serving us. Clear it or wear it is Elysha's mantra. Then you can start wearing what you have.
2. Then we make more of what we have through mixing and matching different pieces to make them feel more accessible and more comfortable. We get used to wearing things the same way. Try wearing your things differently.
3. Finally, we evaluate what is missing and then intentionally shopping for what pulls the wardrobe together. 
4. When you put on your clothes, ask yourself how it makes you feel. Does it make you feel comfortable? Does it make you happy? Does it make you feel like yourself? Stop asking yourself what's "in style" and start asking yourself is this MY style. If you're keeping a beloved piece, play around with accessories and shoes to make the piece feel contemporary and new.
5. Finding what you LOVE, sometimes requires discovering what you DON'T love. Find one piece in your closet that you don't love any more. Identify, what it is about that piece that you no longer love. Then discard that item and then eliminate those items from your wardrobe in the future

To connect with Elysha:

Visit her website at elyshalenkin.com

Baby girl...isn't it time you gave yourself a midlife makeover?! In a surprise twist at the end of the show, Elysha is offering our Dear Midlife listeners access to this exclusive style quiz. And while our guest Elysha will help you with how you appear to the outside world, our work doesn't stop there! Rethinking our fashion is just the first step to reinvention.

Are you feeling stuck and know that you are destined for more?! Then join us in the middle by visiting our website dearmidlife.com, where we have some exciting new tools and resources in the works. 

Trinity is going on 53 this year and Shelby will be 51. but, you know what? We are just not ready to act our age, feel our age or for God's sake to look our age. Our guest today Dr. Mary Alice Mina had us so excited we almost peed our pants (or...was that another badass side effect of menopause?...Thanks midlife)! 

We've literally, become obsessed with the latest aesthetic trends and am so grateful for Dr. Mina who's here to help us set our shit straight so we (and when I say "we" we mean Trinity) can minimize some of the 47 skin care products she uses in a day to save some time and definitely some money while still maintaining the appearance of woman in her 30s because that's how we feel, ladies!

Bitch...we know YOU wanna look hot, WE wanna look hot and in today's episode, Dr Mina talks about the hot girl hamster wheel and the ridiculous double standard that society holds women to. You're not the only one who's fallen victim to all the creams and services available we are right there with you. We've tried so many things we can't even pinpoint what's working or not anymore!

Today, Dr. Mina helps us Mina-mize (did you like how we did that?! LOL) our skincare regimen by pointing out the few (like 3-4...not 91) products we DO need to keep our skin supple and hydrated!

Dr. Mary Alice Mina is a Harvard trained double-board certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon and leading expert on skin health and skincare. She is the host of THE SKIN REAL, a podcast for people looking for real skin care guidance, by true skin experts where she emphasizes a holistic and preventative approach to skin health and aesthetics. 

With over 15 years of clinical experience, she is an invited speaker on podcasts and at national conferences and is co-owner of Baucom & Mina Derm Surgery in Atlanta, Georgia where she treats patients with advanced surgical and cosmetic procedures to restore and maintain healthy skin.

In this episode dr mina teaches us:

1. write down your skin routine, products, prices, the time the process takes and the enjoyment you get. Determine what's working for you and assess if there's something you could minimize your skin care routine. 
2. Think about your skin needs and skin goals and these together should form your skin habits. the biggest problem is that we overdo it. The basics you need are a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen.
3. 90% of facial aging is UV radiation from the sun. its time to get serious about sun protection. Vitamin C Serum is a powerful antioxidant that can help with brown spots and hyperpigmentation and helps you to combat free radicals from the sun.
4. Using topical estriol and estradiol on your skin (on various parts of your body) to help replenish moisture within the skin. This has been proven not cause over absorption of estrogen and can be a helpful part of your skin regime.
5. Tretinoin is a retinoid that can help you boost collagen and give you younger looking skin. It can sometimes be harsh on sensitive skin. Allow your skin to rest after washing your face and put the cream on later or mix it with a moisturizer to prevent irritation.

To connect with Dr. Mina:

Website | theskinreal.com

YouTube | theskinreal

And, ladies, if you're like us (and I know you are) join in the chant! Hell no...we won't go! We REFUSE face aging without a fight. If you are feeling overwhelmed by all the information and also misinformation out there tune into this eye opening episode of the Dear Midlife podcast with Dr. Mina and click follow and leave us a review. We need your help to get this relevant information out into the world! And we're not just talking about this one episode...we've got a wealth of resources available to you to combat ALL the peaks and valleys of midlife (not just wrinkles girls)! Head to the dearmidlife.com website for more details and join us in the middle.

Denise Schonwald started her career as a critical care nurse and then later went into psychology. It was in this transition that she had this epiphany. It was one of those moments when all the stars aligned and she started to realize an interesting trend that the things that people we struggling with mentally, were manifesting themselves in the body.

At first, she thought it was a coincidence until she started to study energy. It was then she drew the correlation that when trauma and emotional pain begin to manifest in the body, it is because the nervous system is imbalanced and much of this is controlled by our energy and thoughts.

Her passion for holistic healing has been fueled by witnessing families cope with the emotional toll of illness during her time in the healthcare field, and her recognition that the brain-body connection is more than just a coincidence. Today, Denise extends her compassionate care nationwide through virtual sessions. As a spiritually grounded mental health counselor and medical intuitive, she provides a comprehensive approach, seamlessly merging mental and physical well-being. 

As a public speaker, spiritual teacher, and certified family mediator, Denise advocates for a harmonious integration of mind and body. Her commitment to nurturing both the body and the mind shines through in her client-centered practice, offering support to individuals, couples, and families. In her book, "Healing Your Body by Mastering Your Mind", Denise offers insights into living a physically, emotionally, and spiritually healthy life by listening to and interpreting our body's messages and how to heal.

In this episode, Denise teaches us:

1. We process different fears and emotions in different parts of the body. Fear, trust, self-worth are all processed in the stomach. Then the body tries to balance itself out and we either eat, not eat, or drink alcohol.
2. we don't have to relive our trauma to resolve it. But, we do have to come to terms with it. Suffering isn't suffering when we can find meaning within the experience or trauma.
3. If you want to know how your feeling, notice how your acting and reacting to things. These are indicators.
4. Your emotional energy can be measured in hertz. When this energy reaches a certain level (around 50) it is likely that you will become sick.
5. Medicine and supplements are necessary to provide what your body needs and help treat your illness. But, true health is a combination of high vibrational energy and balance in your body. you can maximize health by shifting your thoughts and healing your trauma.

Connect with Denise at:

 DeniseSchonwald.com

 LinkedIn | in/Denise-Schonwald

 Facebook | /DeniseWillieSchonwaldLLC

 Instagram | @DeniseSchonwald

If you are struggling physically, emotionally or spiritually, you are not alone! We all go through these tough times, especially in midlife! Girl, we are here for you and know what you're going through. Visit our website dearmidlife.com to join the conversation and gain access to tools and resources to help you survive and thrive in midlife.

The legendary Udo Erasmus, came here to discuss health with us. He is an acclaimed speaker and author (including his best-selling book "Fats That Heal, Fats that Kill), he is the co-founder of Udo’s Choice; a supplement brand, of healthy oils, probiotics, digestive enzymes, and greens, which can be found in Whole Foods and other health food stores worldwide. Further, he designed the machinery for and pioneered the manufacturing of flax oil, which is now a billion dollar industry. However, Udo walked a difficult path to become the man he is today.

Udo’s life began with intense struggle. He was a child of war and then, as an adult, he got pesticide poisoning in 1980, leaving doctors at a loss regarding treatment. After deciding to take his health into his own hands, Udo began intense research. His discoveries led him to a passion for finding the answers to life’s big questions; which he hoped would one day bring him and the world, peace. And THAT story that ended up being at the heart of our conversation today.

In this episode, Udo takes us on a winding path to remind us that all of life and all of health is created within our connection to self. As a Health, Wellness, Spiritual leader and educator of Human Nature, Udo does a masterful job of laying out and describing what he believes to be the foundation of health, peace, and harmony. He brings his theories to life in this conversation with us with energy and passion. 

Udo's accomplishments are vast. He teaches at events hosted by Tony Robbins and Deepak Chopra, has been a keynote speaker at an international brain health conferences, and has traveled to over 30 countries to conduct thousands of live presentations, media interviews, and staff trainings; impacting more than 25,000,000 lives with his message, and today he touches our lives.

In this episode Udo teaches us:

1. The cause of heartache is our disconnection from ourself.
2. We are human beings, but we act like human "doings". We need to step back and take moments each day to reconnect to self and just BE.
3. Health encompasses a connection to inner spirit. But, Udo reminds us that we need a diet of fresh, whole, raw, organic foods that are in season to feed our bodies through menopause.
4. To be here, the big picture is that you have to acknowledge you are in a terminal condition (the human body) in an infinite universe and to be ok with that. And when you're fully present despite all of this, you have a good life.
5. There is only ONE law...the law of love. If you follow the law of love, you don't need any other laws. Love conquers all.

To connect with Udo:

 UdoErasmus.com

 Facebook | /TheUdoErasmus

 Instagram | @UdoErasmus

 LinkedIn | in/UdoErasmus

The conversation with Udo is THE perfect reminder to be present to and for ourselves. To slow down, to go within, to examine our soul's desires and live through these desires everyday. But, Udo also reminds us that life is full of so many distractions that pull us away from our inner most desires. Baby girl, we are here to remind you of who you are and who you are meant to become. We're here to support you on that path...Please visit our website at dearmidlife.com to find your tribe! We are here to love you, lift you up and support you on this journey of self-discovery.

Shhhh....listen to that.... (silence). If you're listening, but don't hear anything, that's the Sound of Silence (hello darkness my old friend..) Ok, I'll spare you my homage to Simon and Garfunkel (one of my favorite all time groups), but the message in today's podcast is about getting quiet to hear what the universe is whispering to you. 

Our guest, Elaine Glass, has written a book called "Get Quiet" which is about her own transformational journey inspired by the structure of a classical labyrinth. In this book, Elaine draws on her own experiences and client transformations to clearly illuminate the path to reconnect with one's body, soul, and the universal forces around all of us, to enable each one of us to live a more joyful and purposeful life. But, what if you're like us?! We have a hard time getting quiet and like living out loud!  But, in this context, Elaine is talking about taking the time to slow down, to be present, to LISTEN to the universe and it is even HARDER for me to slow my pace than turn my volume down! 😟

Yes, honey, Elaine quotes Nathaniel Brandon, a highly respected psychotherapist, who said, "Leisure is a valid human activity". And we all know you have an aversion to slowing down. But, Elaine reminds us that, in that space... in the quiet...there is truth. There is clarity. There is your future. but you just have to be quiet enough to hear what it is saying and then be willing to surrender to and trust that life is unfolding for you as it should. But, instead...most of us worry too much about the future and fail to trust and to pay attention to the lessons life is laying out before us.

In this episode, Elaine teaches us to:

1.  Surrender to what will be and trust that life is unfolding for you as it should. Get quiet and listen to what the universe is trying to tell you. Be present.
2. Learn to rest and remember the quote from Nathaniel Brandon "Leisure is a valid human activity".
3. Go to labrynthlocator.org to find a labyrinth near you and take and excursion to one of these cosmic structures and reconnect with self and source and you walk in the beauty of nature.
4. If you're sitting at home worrying about the future, you will never give yourself space to learn and grow. You have to put yourself out there and challenge yourself. Do one thing that is a little bit out of your comfort zone every month.

To find more of Elaine: 

Website | elaineglass.net 

Book | Get Quiet on Amazon

 /Elaine Glass

Instagram | elaineglass.author

 If you feel stuck...If you're struggling...take some time today to get quiet. We want to know what that whisper is telling you? I think we are sometimes afraid to acknowledge what we know to be true in our gut. We ignore that tug at our heart that we should be somewhere else, doing something else because we 're afraid of change. we want to know what is your hearts' desire. please leave us a 5-star review and let us know what you know in your heart to be true -if only you had the courage to follow it. Then meet us at dearmidlife.com to get the support you need for success.

In 1989 our guest, Lise Janelle, made a commitment to herself that she intended to heal the hearts of millions of people using her Heart Freedom Method. She uses this method to help her client's get "unstuck" and accelerate their growth.

That's right girls...are YOU feeling stuck!? I mean...who ISN'T feeling stuck in midlife. You know, we have put so much of our time and energy into everyone else that we get to this age where we have more freedom to create a life we love...but, we are too damn tired to do so! OR our own past history is standing in our way and creating this feeling of "stuckness" that is AMPLIFIED.

Dr. Lise to the rescue! She is a renowned growth accelerator coach who’s been revolutionizing the way people achieve success with her groundbreaking Heart Freedom Method. It’s like she’s got the secret key to unlocking all those subconscious barriers holding you back. Mind-blowing, right? She’s not just some ordinary coach! She’s been featured on CBC News, CTV’s Canada AM... the list goes on. This woman knows her stuff and has the creds to prove it.

And let’s not forget, she’s the founder of the Centre for Heart Living in Toronto. Plus, she’s written these incredible books, "You are Loved" and "Conversations with the Heart." and is turning her attention to co-authoring a NEW book, which will be published later this year, called "Unstuck" with Jack Canfield of Chicken Soup for the Soul fame. Trust me, you'll want to grab a copy of every one of these books!

Oh, and did we mention she’s a former championship rower and a pioneer in women’s Ice Canoeing? And she’s even scaled Kilimanjaro! Is there anything this woman can't do. She’s literally climbed mountains, both physical and metaphorical. And if that’s not enough, she’s also a member of the Transformational Leadership Council. This means she’s mixing and mingling with the top minds in personal development. Talk about impressive!

Exactly! So, buckle up, listeners, because today’s episode is going to be packed with wisdom, resilience, and the kind of inspiring stories that make you want to jump up and take on the world. 

In this episode, Lise teaches us:

1. The only difference between someone living an ordinary life and someone living an extraordinary life is their ability to take action. But, the subconscious mind sometimes stands in our way.
2. There are 3 clues that your subconscious mind is working against you...you know what needs to be done, but you're not doing it, you do what needs to be done but it feels like drudgery, and, finally, those who do the work but are getting the opposite results that they desire.
3. The more intense situations we experience the greater probability that we'll develop a conditioned response to that situation.
4. You will always have an equal amount of support and challenge. You need to use the support to carry you where you need to go and avoid getting stuck by the challenges. When the challenges arise, ask why is this happening FOR me?What am I supposed to learn? If you are able to change your reactions to the events of your past, it will change your future imagination and transform your destiny.
5. We need to listen to and honor the purpose that is in our hearts. Not doing so is to betray ourselves. And then we need to step outside of our comfort zone to pursue our passion and, when we do, we attract support. If we stay in our comfort zone, we attract challenges.

To find more of Lise:

Website | HeartFreedomMethod.com

Website | drlisejanelle.com

LinkedIn | drlise

Instagram | @drlisejanelle

And speaking of inspiration...ladies we need you to join us at dearmidlife.com... We are SOO close to birthing some amazing content out into the world...This episode really reminded us of our true passion and purpose to bring women together in connection and provide new and unique tools that will help all of us navigate this crazy middle together. Go to dearmidlife.com to join us on this journey! Please be patient with us because we are doing it messy! We've had some stops and starts, but we want you to be there with us when the magic happens. So, become a founding member of our community today!

Dear Midlife has always been a podcast where we dive deep into the chaos, comedy, and complexities of our wonderfully messy mid-lives. In today's episode our guest, Author Boo Trundle, causes us to consider what are those deep rooted fears and truths that we've locked into these wide, deep sort of cargo trunks within our souls (or maybe in this case a WWII submarine to borrow from the metaphor our guest uses in her book), that we've gorilla glued and chained and dropped at the bottom of the ocean or the in the depths of our inner spirits...And what happens when life becomes a relentless reminder of all those buried old wounds.

You know...just when you think you’ve got it all together, something bubbles up from the depths and says, “Hey, remember me?” Our conversation with Boo today explores the scattered parts of our lives as women and how so many of us strive at this time in our lives to pick up these fractured pieces of ourselves and puzzle them together so that we somehow feel whole again

Boo said something beautiful in this episode and that is that this healing process isn't something that can happen in a week or maybe even a decade, but that the healing process is a journey and one I know I'VE been on and that really resonated with me. In her book, Boo explores Katherine's healing journey, whose story so many of us can relate to. She's an attentive mother, comfortably married, yet battling dark thoughts and fears of intimacy.

And girl, we KNOW that no matter how polished our lives appear on the outside that there is often an internal struggle that we're managing. In her book, and in this conversation, Boo beautifully portrays this inner struggle we face. In her novel, these struggles are revealed in alternating short chapters told by Katherine’s inner children—Truitt, Star, and Smooshed Bug—each with their own unique strategy for coping with her past traumas. Will they protect her from the truth, or deliver it to her? That’s the big question. Her book, and this conversation, is a wonderful rollercoaster of emotions and insights, and a perfect reflection of our midlife journey—where we’re constantly sifting through the past, trying to shape our personal narratives, and exploring who we are and who we want to become.

In this episode Boo teaches us:

1. Find the support you need to persevere. She shared with us the power of finding that someone to mentor and guide you to achieve your goals. Get out there and connect with like minded women!
2. Don't be afraid to quietly and persistently pursue your dreams...EVEN IF life "gets in the way". Don't use "life" as an excuse.
3. Our "vulnerabilities" are unique and different for each of us. There is a beauty in getting to know the vulnerabilities that each of us hold and providing space and support to another person to help them embrace and move through their own truths.
4. We often live very "linear" lives, along a timeline of happenings...get married, have children, age etc. But, there is also there is the "soul's work" that is not linear and weaves in and out of the timeline of our lives and it is a journey.

To find more of Boo:

The Daughter Ship: A Novel

Website | www.bootrundle.com

Boo shares with us her journey and how her life has shaped her and carried her to where she is today as she delivers her first published novel to the world at age 56. And if you find yourself on the same journey of healing and exploration, join us at dearmidlife.com because we have some amazing tools and resource we are creating to help you on your journey and are creating a network of supportive women who will be there to connect with you, lift you up, relate to your challenges and help you to achieve your goals. We can't wait to meet you in the middle.

There is a statistic that states that that the power of positive thinking can literally extend your life by 7 years! And, further, our guest today, Dr. Anna Marie Frank, states in this episode that positive thinking can PHYSICALLY strengthen your body and sites several studies to demonstrate that. If all women could harness a positive mindset, we feel that we could, indeed, rule the world! 

But, you know what women do? Maybe we're speaking for ourselves here, but it is our perspective that a lot of women put themselves down and cling to old negative narratives about not being good enough, smart enough, thin enough...enough...PERIOD. I mean fill in the blank, right?! As a matter of fact, women bully ourselves everyday. We know we catch ourselves doing it. And (while we don't claim to be geniuses at math), when we put two and two together...the negative thoughts we continue to carry around with us are actually taking a physical toll on our bodies.

Today, our mind-blowing guest, Dr. Anna Marie Frank, is here to rock our world as we discuss brain health, self-love, and kicking all that negative self-talk to the curb.  Dr. Frank has written a book called “Stop Bullying Yourself!” which is like a bible for anyone wanting to boost their health, wealth, happiness, and success. She is here to help us rewire our way of thinking and start living as our true, authentic selves

Now, Dr. Anna Marie Frank is not just your run-of-the-mill doctor. She's a badass Doctor of Traditional Naturopathy with a Ph.D. in Natural Medicine. She’s got credentials and training from the Gerson Institute, Amen Clinics, Integrative Nutrition Institute, Mindvalley, National Wellness Institute, and the Wellness Council of America. Talk about a lifelong learner!

She's a woman after our own heart. But let's get real here. This woman isn’t just book smart. She's lived it. She’s battled depression, dyslexia, and ADD and came out on top. She's the founder of Happy Whole You, a brain health-focused wellness center out in Bakersfield, California. And trust me, she’s bringing the sunshine to those brains!

And let’s not forget she’s the "brains" behind—pun totally intended—a line of brain nutraceuticals like “Happy You, Calm You, & Bright You.” Oh, and did I mention she just launched a new bioavailable liquid nutrition line? Because, you know, why stop at one incredible achievement when you can have a dozen?

In this episode, Dr. Frank teaches us:

1. 
   
2. You are the only person who can make you happy.
3. 
   
4. 
   
5. Our brains look for (and find) evidence to validate what we are thinking. We are witness to our own thoughts. We then have to ask ourselves, what if this (negative) thought were not true? Asking ourselves these questions pulls us away from our Limbic (or emotional) brain and back into our logical brain.
6. 
   
7. 
   
8. Women have a larger hippocampus than men, so we have a strong emotional memory!
9. 
   
10. 
    
11. Your thoughts will directly impact the biochemical makeup of your physical body. If you think positive thoughts, your body strengthens. How you're thinking is everything.
12. 
    
13. 
    
14. The first step in learning to stop bullying yourself and to love yourself instead is to let go and trust that your life couldn't have happened any other way than how it has happened thus far.
15. 
    

To find more of Dr. Anna Marie Frank:

Website | happywholeyou.com

Facebook | happywholeyou

Instagram | @happywholeyou

YouTube | happywholeyou

Apple Podcast | Happy Whole You

We want to hear from you out there?! What negative narratives are you clinging to? Have you thought about what kind of toll these negative thoughts are having on you? What if you could have an incredible network of women who are struggling with the same things to connect with and talk to? What kind of impact would that have on your life? We have exciting things coming at dearmidlife.com. We'll have curated content especially for you and a network of gal pals who get where you are and want to build connections. Come join the fun!

Man, we've overcome a lot of adversity! Shelby navigated the death of her mother at age 7 that changed the trajectory of her life. Trinity has..... But, women are resilient! It's like there is some resolve within us that pushes us to keep going. But, our next guest has faced MORE than her fair share of trials. So many it MIGHT just have a girl asking herself...why me???

We are firm believers that the obstacles we face in our lives are meant to make us stronger. We stand in our conviction that life happens FOR us and not TO us. We believe there is purpose to the challenges we endure. Our guest, Alison Jacobson, embodies this unwavering resilience, after navigating the heart-wrenching loss of her baby, weathering bankruptcy following a difficult divorce, and shouldering the role of caregiver for both her son, who has intellectual disabilities and her husband, who battles Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis.

But, TODAY, Alison calls herself the "Midlife Maverick" because at the remarkable age of 57, she conquered the iconic NYC Marathon (after never running even a mile until the prior year), serving as a living testament that it is never too late for personal transformation. Despite the obstacles in her life, Alison has become a highly accomplished coach, speaker, author, and fellow podcaster. Alison empowers women in midlife to reignite their aspirations, reconstruct self-assurance, magnify happiness, and unlock the abundance they genuinely deserve at any age. Alison’s book Daily Inspirations for Midlife Women: A Guide to Peace, Joy, Confidence, and Abundance was published last year.

Alison is a dedicated advocate for women in midlife, helping them overcome self-doubt and fear to achieve their goals and live joyful, successful, kick-ass lives in their second chapter. Through her own tragedies and adversities, she empowers women to find life after loss, regain self-confidence to bravely move forward personally and professionally, and take decisive action to make themselves the center of their own lives.

In this episode, Alison teaches us to:

1. Ask yourself how do you define happiness! She asks how will you achieve the happiness you seek if you don't even know your own definition of happiness?
2. Start with knowing your why. Having a powerful "why" or reason that is driving you towards a goal will be a powerful motivator.
3. Surround yourself with the people you aspire to be like and who can give you the knowledge and wisdom you need to be successful in your goals.
4. Set small, manageable goals that (collectively) move your forward towards your larger goal. Tracking and celebrating these smaller wins along the way make achieving big goals more realistic and helps maintain your motivation
5. Set boundaries with your loved ones in order to make time for yourself. Give yourself permission for (at least) an hour a day.

CONNECT WITH ALISON

• [email protected]
• alison-jacobson.com
• LinkedIn | alison-jacobson-midlifemaverick
• Facebook | AlisonJacobsonMidlifeMaven
• Instagram | @_alisonjacobson
• YouTube | @AlisonJacobson

And, ladies. We are kindred spirits with Alison. We know we all have our struggles...but, girl if we can take the time to lift one another up...think of the power in that. We are on the same mission as Alison. We want to hold up a mirror for you and SHOW you how strong you are. We want to support you through adversity and help you become the best version of yourself. Join us by going to dearmidlife.com and enrolling in our community.