Dear Midlife...

If you could go back to your younger self and offer her some piece of wisdom or advice, knowing what you know today, what would you tell her? Trinity would tell herself that "she belongs" in every room she walks into, every classroom that she takes a seat in, that every space where she feels different, where she doesn't look like the others or have the pedigree...she belongs. Shelby would tell her younger self that life happens for you (not to you). Life leads us where we are meant to go if we are willing to surrender to the pull of the universe. 

In her book, "I Wish She Knew," our guest, Donna Davis, contemplates this question...what words of wisdom would she share with her younger self? This thought echoes her journey and resonates with women across the globe, offering not just stories but pathways to emotional well-being and self-realization. Donna leads workshops and speaking engagements that are transformative experiences that evoke courage, instill hope, and inspire action as she helps women in midlife embark on a journey of healing and empowerment by making intentional, but incremental shifts.

Donna calls herself an "intentional shift strategist" in life and business, Donna's mission transcends beyond mere coaching; it's a heartfelt commitment to help women confront and dispel the shadows of negative emotions and imposter syndrome. Her approach, deeply rooted in holistic healing, addresses the physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions, guiding women to reclaim their stories and step into their God-given potential.

Join us as we journey with Donna on this transformative path, and become part of a movement that empowers women to break free from their emotional barriers, embrace their strengths, and boldly step into the life they are destined to live.

In this episode, Donna teaches us to:  

1. Take a step back and make small, incremental shifts in your life that will gradually move you in the right direction. Many of us try to tackle too much change and once and get discouraged when we "fail".
2. Don't be afraid to try. Get out there and do the thing, because there is no progress without trying. THEN...It IS ok to say (in the end) I'm through with trying.
3. There are 3 things we seek safety, love and boundaries. There are things that happen in life that compromise one or all of these things. Our bodies, however, are built to protect us and often the fear that holds us back is rooted in a subconscious reaction to a past trauma.
4. To move beyond that which holds us back, first acknowledge it and bring it from you subconscious mind to your conscious mind. Then you must confront and evict these negative narratives.
5. You can confront the things about yourself that you see as deficiencies and then ask...what have I gained from this or what has this kept me from to seeing these "flaws" in a new light.

To find more of Donna:

linktr.ee/donnadavispresents

If you are ready to make incremental shifts to becoming the next best version of yourself, join our membership at dearmidlife.com.  In this membership we are working to curate content that will help you to become your own hero and create a life you love while engaging in a supportive community that will help you to get there. We can't wait to meet you in the middle.

In this episode, our guest today, Jamie Cromer Grue said something so beautiful. You see...she is a board-certified Psychoanalyst and Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been trained to listen to others with purpose so that they feel heard and safe. But, the thing she wants most for us is for us to be able to listen to ourselves and then respond to our own needs.

Jamie is a Certified Chopra Ayurvedic Lifestyle Instructor and uses these techniques to teach women a framework for self-care supported by self-discovery to help them build a balanced and purposeful life. Balance and wellness is not a one size fits all journey and Jamie helps you learn the unique ways to care for yourself the way YOU need in order to grow personally and professionally. Jamie is eager and ready to help you build a personalized blueprint for self-care, self-discovery, and living your purpose. 

It's no secret that Trinity tends to deal with her shit and move on. It's the way she is and it is this resilience that has made her the successful woman she is today. But, she doesn't necessarily want to dig into the deep recesses of her past to "heal". But, while Jamie assures us that's not necessary...she also reminded us that there can also be treasure in that dark trunk where Trinity has buried all her hurt and dumped it at the bottom of the ocean...locked with chains...and guarded by a shark!

And Shelby is the opposite. She needed to have someone stand in witness to her story. Because there is power in sharing our stories and having another person empathize with us or VALIDATE our experience or tell us we're NOT crazy! But, we loved that, Jamie reminds us that, regardless of our approach, there is healing in our stories. There are gems in the depths of our souls and subconscious mind if we're willing to mine them. 

And to our listener out there...what is your story? What if would it mean to you to have a safe place to share your story? We're creating this beautiful community where you have a supportive tribe to lift you up. You know...we appreciate you. All of you beautiful women out there (and 3 guys) who listen. We value your continued support and appreciation. It takes a LOT for us to bring this content to you week in and week out and we're really putting ourselves out there and we're doing it imperfectly right now because we're on a mission! We want to unite women in the middle all over the world because no one needs to be on this roller coaster alone. So, Thank you to those of you who have supported and joined us thus far! 

Thank you to: 

Rhonda Osborn

Martina Rehm

Ami Maxine

Debby Cutts (especially for lending us her song a few episodes ago) 

Maria Gruber 

Carl E. 

Ann Damaschino

Lauren Napolitano 

Tanya Greenfield 

Stefani Tygert 

Alexandra Faltecini

and Birgess Angeles who recently met Shelby during a visit to Houston, TX!

We love and respect each of you and value your support! And if you're interested in joining us in the middle, visit our website dearmidlife.com and join us!

To find more of Jamie Cromer Grue:

https://www.windowstowisdomretreats.com

Those of you who know Shelby knows that she goes non-stop! She's up at 5am to work on this side hustle, she does more before 8 am that some people do in a day and, most of all, she PRIDES herself on the fact that she gets shit done!  BUT, she is also SO tired!

Girl, listen up out there and raise your hand if you are feeling just like Shelby?! How many of you are feeling like you want to take control of your life, ditch the "good girl story" ...you know, the one where you think you have to take care of everyone else but yourself...and you, instead want to get your stress under control and rediscover your inner spark?!

Today, our guest, Jana Fuchs, who is a Licensed Psychotherapist and Soul Coach for burnt out women, helps provide us some practical tips on HOW we can do just that. She has 15 years of experience in private practice treating adults with a special focus on boundaries, and women's stress and burnout.

Through her years of training and experience, she has had the privilege and honor of bearing witness to her clients' soul transformations as she helps them reframe their relationship with guilt, give themselves compassion, and taking value based action. She is the host of internationally ranked podcast "She Illuminated" and is here today to discuss with us the resilience of the human spirit.

Girl....trust me! You are not going to want to miss this episode today!! And if you are enjoying the value we bring you each week with these episodes, please be sure to follow this show by clicking on the subscribe button in the upper corner of the screen.

In today's episode, Jana teaches us that:

1. We lose ourselves in taking care of everyone else. We need to give ourselves permission to take up space in our own lives.
2. We can start to heal by understanding the circumstances that are creating a trigger, then ask what are the thoughts we have about the circumstances and then what are the feelings. we then have to learn to FEEL our feelings.
3. Focus on what you DO want vs what you DON'T. Your brain doesn't know the difference and brings to life just what is top of mind. So the key is to spend more time and energy focused on what is the good you desire.
4. If you need to, write down a short list if the 4-5 values that you want to live by. It is one thing to have values and then LIVE IN ALIGNMENT with those values.

To find more of Jana:

Website | janafuchscoaching.com

Instagram | @janafuchscoaching

She Illuminated Podcast

And if you want MORE...more tips, more insights, more CONNECTION, visit our website at dearmidlife.com and join our community "The Middle". Here we are really working to curate content that will be most relevant to you as you embark on this journey of midlife. Join us because we are all stronger with our girl tribe behind us.

What if we gave you permission to eat whatever you wanted to? Would you find it difficult  to reprogram that little voice inside my head saying "put down the cookie?" Lol. You know, over the decades, women have been fed a LOT of negative body image narratives. We are forced to believe that our worth centers around looking thin, having a perfect figure, or is equated to a number on the scale. Raise your hand if you've ever felt pressure to eat a certain way and look a certain way and if YOU associate YOUR self-worth to "Thinness"! 

If you feel this way YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Our guest today, Elizabeth Harris, states that girls as young as 3 have been shown to be aware of their body image. She is here to teach us that there is truly a better way. Elizabeth is a registered dietitian, certified Intuitive Eating counselor, speaker, entrepreneur, and co-host of the podcast Wellness Rebranded. She’s passionate about empowering people to drop out of diet culture and reimagine their relationship with food, movement, and their bodies so they can prioritize their whole health with Intuitive Eating, gentle nutrition, and body image healing.

Elizabeth’s motto is “self-care, not self-control.” Because food is meant to be enjoyed, movement should make you happy, and we’ve all got better things to do than counting carbs or calories! This is sooo true, Elizabeth! Please teach us!! I mean, she even calls the practice of intuitive eating a self-care framework.

Well, we all know that's where we both fall down on the job! lol Let's be honest, Shelby, is notoriously bad at self-care practices. And, well...Trinity loves herself so much that she's willing to eat an entire box of Girl Scout cookies to prove it. Lol But, Elizabeth shows us that this is NOT self-care or intuitive eating either. Instead, initiative eating IS  living in atunement with your body and is a blend of instinct, emotion and thought.

In this episode, Elizabeth teaches us:

1. Intuitive eating is a blend of instinct, emotion, and thoughts and would be what eating were like if diet culture didn't exist and we listened to our bodies instead.
2. Guilt is not a food group, we all have a right to eat things we enjoy. One of the principles of Intuitive Eating is to have unconditional permission to eat any food you want in atunement with your body and it's cues.
3. Diet culture is a pressure to eat a certain way, exercise a certain way and look a certain way so that we begin to equate self-worth with the way we look and health with being thin. These are false narratives we need to let go of.
4. Intuitive eating starts with examining your own relationship with food. "Challenge your own food police". What are the rules that you follow when it comes to food. Making a list of these rules when they pop into your head can give you an understanding of this relationship
5. The first step to implementing an intuitive eating philosophy is to start by setting up a consistent eating schedule by eating your meals at the same time every day. In this way you'll become more aware of fullness and hunger cues.

For more of Elizabeth:

Website | elizabethharrisnutrition.com

Facebook | elizabethharrisnutrition 

And we loved this conversation because life in the middle is also a blend of instinct, emotion, and thought and we believe these drive not just EATING but, literally, everything we do. How are you feeling about your life these days? Have you ever felt stuck, like you don't know who you are anymore? If the answer is yes...you're not alone! Meet us in "The Middle" at dearmidlife.com to join our community for women in midlife just like you. Here you can build connection and find space to be honored where you are! 

Whooo wee! Our next guest brings the heat! And when I say "heat" I'm talking about the one and only "Hot Flash Mama", Pamela Mitchell. Pam is the Host of Hot Flash Mama Podcast and an expert on all things menopause because, where most women go through menopause once, Pam has been through it TWICE. You see, the 1st time she was unintentionally forced into menopause was due to medically prescribed use of synthetic hormones, and now (again) naturally at 54. Needless to say, she's got some tea to spill on why this happened and how to balance and normalize menopausal symptoms naturally.

She is incredibly passionate about helping women that are going through menopause and that are wanting to slow the aging process! Pamela is a Certified Nutritional Counselor and has been in the Natural Health industry for over 25 years, specializing in anti-aging and women's health.

Girl...have you snapped at your partner or kids lately and thought....wow! who the hell was THAT woman? Or maybe you can't seem to remember ANYTHING! Or if you wake up in the middle of the night and you're soaking wet...Or if you can't sleep at all...We hate to say it, but you are probably in menopause! But, the good news is that you CAN do something about it.

In this episode, Pam teaches us:

1. Some prescribed forms of birth control can send women into a "simulated" and premature menopause. So, ladies pay attention to your body, energy and moods. It may not be a mental health issue. Your hormones may simply be out of balance
2. Saliva is the best way to test your hormones because it can provide the most current data about your hormone levels and where you are currently in your cycle. Ideally, you're testing between days 19-21 in your cycle
3. If you're experiencing symptoms or not, a progesterone cream will help you navigate the perimenopausal/post-menopausal effects of declining hormones. (ask for links for saliva tests or other products). When applying, be sure to sync to a "cycle" (or would be cycle), and look for those products brands that give you this guidance.
4. Listen to your body and pay attention to your symptoms. While tests can provide a benchmark for health and start you on the right path, you know your own body best. The symptoms are your tell tale sign if the measures you're taking are working or not.
5. Try one thing at a time. If you try everything at once, it is difficult to know what is or is not working. And remember...you don't have to suffer!

To find more of Pamela:

IG | @hotflashmamapodcast

Hot Flash Mama Podcast

And if you're out there listening, please know you don't have to go on this journey alone. We're here every week to support you and we want to give a shout out to Toniy Douglas who left us a 5-star review on Apple podcast and stated "This podcast is a must listen because the two hosts, Shelby and Trinity, are so relatable. They aren't preaching or pretending; they are two real women who show their strength through their vulnerability and life experience. The podcast does a great job of creating a space for its guests to share their journey which, in turn, helps us gain insights into OUR journey. The show's topics vary greatly, but each episode has some humor, information, and most of all some heart. If you are on a journey through midlife, this one is a keeper on your podcast rotation!"

Thank you Toniy for your kind words of support. It takes a lot of work to publish this show each week and we appreciate knowing that the content we're putting out into the universe is making an impact on our listeners. So, if you're loving this show, make sure you're suscribed to the podcast. Please take the time to provide a 5-star review like Toniy. Toniy...THIS review was the catalyst we needed to keep going and we can't tell you how much we appreciate you!

We also give a shout out to Belladeb, who reached out to us with her song "Midlife Crisis", which is found on Spotify!

And if you don't want to do the middle alone...visit our website dearmidlife.com. We are starting a community were we can all connect. And have patience with us gals! We're juggling all the balls right now...but we KNOW this is our calling in life to bring women together in connection. So, join us in the middle and let's get this conversation started!

This episode was fascinating. I think we learned more in this one podcast than maybe any other conversation we've had. Dr. John Neustadt has an international reputation as a Doctor, researcher, and integrative medical expert on the topic of Osteoporosis. He became renowned in his field through his nutritional medicine research, clinical work, books he wrote, and his work with the FDA on evaluating the use of natural products for the potential treatment of rare diseases. He has developed million-dollar businesses, educated physicians on improving patient outcomes and the general public on how to make sure they’re getting the care they need and the results they want, and now has his own line of supplements to treat the adverse effects of Osteoporosis.

Dr. Neustadt has published more than 100 medical articles, written four health and wellness books and is now a #1 Amazon Best Selling Author in the field of Osteoporosis. His most recent book is, Fracture-Proof Your Bones: A Comprehensive Guide to Osteoporosis.

We love the fact that Dr. Neustadt is working to educate other physicians on using functional medicine with their patients. Dr. J (as we like to call him) is a highly sought out speaker at medical conferences he was recognized as one of the Top Ten Cited Authors in the world for his work. Over the years he has specialized in hard-to-treat, chronic degenerative diseases through an integrative approach that emphasizes identifying and correcting the underlying causes of disease. AND He was the first naturopathic doctor to be voted Best Doctor among all physicians in his area. When the award was announced, the local newspaper stated: “It is noteworthy that Dr. Neustadt did not win ‘best naturopathic doctor;’ he won best doctor.

Today, he is the Founder and President of Nutritional Biochemistry, Inc. (NBI). And let me tell you what...this man, genuinely, want to heal people and educate the general public (and doctors) how to ensure quality care is provided and received.

In this episode Dr. J teaches us:

1. Osteoporosis is a disease in which the degenerative forces are "winning" and outpacing your body's ability to build new bone. Essentially, you're losing bone density at a faster pace that new bone can be rebuilt, increasing your likelihood of fracture.
2. The bone is a living and dynamic tissue and there are things what we can to build the bone back up and reverse osteoporosis. We also have to be weary of what breaks bone down.
3. A bone density test is the primary test modern doctors use to measure of the effects of osteoporosis today and the only tool most doctors speak to their patients about. However, new research reflects that the dangers of osteoporosis largely occur due to factors other than loss of density.
4. Many medications we are prescribed today weaken our bones and put us at risk for osteoporosis. These medications include those that treat depression and acid blockers. It is recommended you read the inserts that come with your prescribed medications or ask the pharmacist to see if there is an osteoporosis related side effect.
5. The mediterranean diet has been shown to reduce the risk for osteoporosis by 20% and reduce hip fractures by 21%, the most dangerous type of fracture. With every forkful of food you are either feeding the disease or improving your health.

Dr. John has a mission and so do we! We want you to be the best version of yourself. That means we want you to be strong and healthy so you can rock midlife! THIS Is your time! And we want to give you the tools and resources to get unstuck and create your best life ever. So, go to our website at Dearmidlife.com and join our community!

Find more of Dr. Neustadt:

Website | nbihealth.com

LinkedIn | john-neustadt-nd

 Instagram | @JohnNeustadt

Have you ever stood on the verge of making a big decision that you knew would change your life forever? We can think of only a handful of moments like this is in our lives...when it came to shifting jobs or, perhaps, saying "yes" to marriage...deciding to leave our marriages (lol). These moments are pivotal and, to be honest, we wish we were brave enough to take more of these leaps in life!

Today our guest, Laura Ericson, did just that. One day, she found herself with her finger hovering over the "send" button on her computer hesitating only briefly before sending a communication that would forever change her life. Today, Laura is living the life of her dreams as a female nomad and travel influencer to thousands of followers. She's got some serious mojo when it comes to globe-trotting after having played travel guide to over 150 people across 7 countries. She's practically the Pied Piper of travelers, leading her loyal following to exotic destinations while dropping wisdom bombs along the way.

That's not just a vacation; that's a movement! And her mantra? "Just do it. Make it happen. No regrets. Laura loves travel because it provides perspective. Traveling opens your eyes to the struggles and triumphs of people worldwide, making you appreciate the heck out of your own situation. Laura inspires us so much with her life's too short attitude. We're seriously ready to grab my passport, pack my bags, and go! Who's in?!

But, Laura reminds us that it is also about the journey sometimes and she puts out the rallying cry for camaraderie. Her trips bring people together and create connections that may not have otherwise occurred, reminding us that we don't have to go it alone on this crazy journey called life. Laura's reminds us to find your tribe and to embrace adventure.

Life's too short for solo missions. And Laura's living proof that age ain't nothing but a number. Divorce might feel like the end of the world, but she's here to remind us that it's just the beginning of a new chapter, baby! She is like a beacon of hope, shining a light on the endless possibilities that await those brave enough to take the leap.

In this episode, Laura teaches us: 

1. Just do it. Make it happen. No regrets. You'll miss out on a lot of lessons in life if you don't just take a leap sometimes.
2. Focus on what you DO have, instead of what you don't. Traveling can offer you perspective on the struggles and challenges that so many face around the world. Appreciate where you are and what you have.
3. You don't have to do life alone. There are always people out there to go along for the ride, to do the "thing" with you, to take the adventure, to support your dreams. Find your people.
4. Life goes on! You still have opportunity to live. No matter your age. Divorce may feel like a death. But, there is so much more life to live!

To find more of Laura:

website | lauraericson.com

[email protected]

Instagram | @lolawhiskey

To all you listeners out there, what are you waiting for? Embrace the unknown, seize the day, and let's make some damn memories! If you're looking to level up your life and find your tribe go to our website dearmidlife.com. Join our community of like minded women and let's do life in the middle together.

You know, we spend so much of our lives taking care of other people. Many of us are parents and raise and nurture our children. Many of us are not parents, but we care for and nurture spouses, parents, neighbors, and colleagues. Caring for others feels instinctive to women. However, we rarely take the time or have the inclination to care for our own social or emotional needs.

So true! It is especially this time in midlife when women long for more emotional depth, connection, and closeness in their relationships with their older children, female friendships, and intimate partners. And yet, if you're like us....we have struggled in so many ways to cultivate the kind of relationships that really feel nourishing and mutually fulfilling. If you're also feeling this way, our guest today, Deb Blum, reminds us that building deep and meaningful relationships with others ALWAYS starts with our relationship to ourselves. 

Deb teaches us how to use EVERYTHING that happens in life as a way to learn more about ourselves. If we pay attention to our triggers or gaps, we can see reflected back to us those places where we are still not accepting ourselves, where we are defensive, or otherwise resisting ourselves, others, or life.  These idiosyncrocies often stem back to our childhood and the way we've interpreted and internalized certain occurrences or consistent messaging from our caretakers.

Deb is an expert in reparenting our inner child. She guides her clients to understanding and learning to relate to their emotional triggers in a much more self-compassionate and self-aware way. She advocates a hand to heart technique in which we can all speak to our inner child in a way that evokes a renewed sense of calm and safety so that our protector parts can become less vigilant over time allowing our true self to emerge.

Her approach helps us to learn more about what we need what our inner child needs, especially when we really don't even think we have needs or don't know what we need. And THEN the magic happens because when we learn how to start bringing ourselves more into our lives - we can then also start to bring our opinions about little things like what to eat for dinner, what movie to watch and, ultimately, find our voice for the larger more important things in life...

We have long recognized the fact that women in midlife have gotten lost somewhere along the way. Maybe we've allowed the past to override our voice. Or, perhaps, we've just given ourselves over to so many other priorities that we've lost ourselves along the way. But, NOW is your time to find yourself and your voice. Deb says her goal is to remove all of the barriers to love so that she eventually becomes love in its fullest and purest form! I think that is so beautiful and if you are in this place and space and don't know where to start, go to our website dearmidlife.com and tap into the resources we have available for you there.

In this episode, Deb teaches us...

1. When we are young, do to conditioning or parenting, we are taught that who we are is not "good" or "right" and, as a result, turn away from our authentic selves to become who we believe mommy or daddy want us to be. As an adult, it becomes difficult to break out of those patterns because these were our survival patterns
2. We have many "parts" that live within us. There is the adult self, the protector, the inner child and even a higher self. Oftentimes, the person we believe we are is truly a protector part masquerading as an adult.
3. Put your hand on your heart and you speak to yourself with compassion, in the way you would speak to a good friend. This motion will build a connection to self and demonstrate that you are there to give your inner child a voice.
4. When doing parts work, there are many possible parts that live within you. Meet the one that is there and meet them where they are.
5. There are also shadows that live within you. Although the shadow self can include negative impulses, such as anger and resentment, some believe the shadow also holds the potential for positive impulses, such as creativity and give us an opportunity to explore and unpack the less desirable part of ourselves.

To find more of Deb:

Website | thewholesoulway.com

tiktok | @deb.blum

And, if you're like so many of us in midlife and feel lost, stuck, or know you were meant for more, join our community at dearmidlife.com. We're ready to fridge level up our lives. We are tired. Tired of pouring everything we have into others. it is time to pour into ourselves. If you relate to this, we have the tools and resources you need to find yourself, find your voice and start living the life you were meant to live!  We have community, education, and connection that will help you make change possible. What are you waiting for?

Our guest today, Lynne Golodner did something brave and bold. She pursued her dreams and stepped into the role of author, writing coach, marketing entrepreneur and host of the Make Meaning Podcast. Lynne writes emotional novels with compelling Jewish characters who are determined to fill their lives with passion, purpose and love.

That's right! so many of us have these dreams or beliefs that we are meant for more, but are too afraid to pursue them. We allow our own internal negative narratives to hold us back. But, in this episode, Lynne encourages us to live lives of passion and purpose, just like the strong female characters in her novel. 

Lynne's first novel, Woman of Valor, debuted on September 26, 2023 and is a story about the courage to love the ordinary and seek satisfaction where you are, while shedding the need to please others. Lynne draws from her life experience as an Orthodox Jew for ten years to allow the reader a glimpse into what that world looks like. 

Lynne is an inspiration not only in her ability to help others become better writers, but also in her life experiences and own personal career pivots. Lynne found the courage to launch her own business as a single mom, utilize her skills and ultimately, embrace what she's always wanted to do, become a writer, and find success! 

Lynne has worked hard to hone her writing skills and has had the courage to decide that writing is what she wants to focus on in the future. She is no longer going to listen to those who say she won't make any money at it and she has moved past her own self-doubt to set a goal of publishing a book a year moving forward and she's been featured on Character Development, The Book Marketing Action Podcast, Savvy Social podcast and in a number of other outlets.

In today's episode, Lynne teaches us;

1. Become a perpetual student.
2. Allow yourself to pursue creative endeavors.
3. Follow your dreams and do the "thing" (whatever that thing is for you). Do it messy and then...make it better. Don't wait for perfection to get started.
4. Explore the "what-ifs" or the "worst case scenarios" that live in our brain and prevent us from moving forward to step into our purpose. You may just find that these are not as scary as you think!
5. Find your people! Whether you want to write a book or pursue another endeavor, find the people and community to support you.

To find more of Lynne:

Website | lynnegolodner.com

Instagram | @lynnegolodner

Twitter.com | @YourPeople

Facebook | @lynnegolodner

LinkedIn | @lynnegolodner

So, here's the thing, ladies. If Lynne can do it...so can you. It is NEVER too late to define and pursue the life of your dreams. It is TIME to step into your purpose and we're here to help you. Go to our website at dearmidlife.com and join our community. There you will find so many tools and resources to help you reclaim who you are and figure out who in the hell you want to become.

Before we ever interview any guests, we share with them this one disclaimer...Trinity raises her hand and says, "I'm the cusser"...and Shelby follows with, "...and I'm the cryer." And, of course, If you have been listening to our pod for any amount of time, you realize that this is true (though, I'm sure Shelby has thrown out a few choice words as well! And Trinity reminds us that this damn podcast has even made her shed a tear or two! 

Our guest today, Aoife (pronounced "ee-fuh") McCormack, helps us understand that certain people (Shelby may just be one), known as "highly sensitive", have more sensitive nervous systems in which they see, sense, feel, and simply absorb more of the world and people around them. This can make it difficult for their bodies to process all of these feelings and emotions. Further, we've spoken on numerous occasions as to how these emotions can remain stuck in your nervous system and create disease in the body. This manifests itself in many ways such as pain and illness.

Aoife is a transformational health coach for highly sensitive women. She teaches her clients how to heal themselves without diets, supplements and health gimmicks. She does this by teaching women how to get laser clear on the real root of their symptoms and make some mental shifts that will help them to reclaim their past, shift limiting beliefs and start to be able to build a future they thought they had lost. 

In this episode, Aoife teaches us:

1. Highly sensitive people have more sensitive nervous systems in which they see, sense, feel, and absorb things more of the world and people around them and this can make it difficult for your body to process all of these feelings and emotions, which can create disease in the body.
2. when you feel triggered, get curious. Begin to question, what about the situation at hand has made you angry or feel unsafe. Armed with this information, you can start to do the work within your nervous system to begin to create a space of safety.
3. Stop berating yourself. Give yourself compassion.
4. When we are small, we are taught that our gifts of creativity, empathy, joy are not valued. Parents of our generation taught us to be seen, not heard. So, we had no outlet in which to express any emotions.

To Find more of Aoife:

Website | aoifemindbody.com

Instagram | @aoifemindbodycoaching

Speaking of building a future you thought you'd lost...this is mid life...not the end of your life! You still have a lot of life left to live. Are you out there living the way you want to. Do you scroll social media wishing you could have someone else's life? Well, this is your chance to recreate your life to be exactly how you want it to be. Here's the beautiful thing...you don't have to do it alone. You have the Dear Midlife tribe behind you. Go to our website dearmidlife.com and join one of our communities to gain access the tools, resources, and community you need to live your best life!