In this episode of Rewired Sober, I sit down with Michelle Folan, certified health and nutrition coach and host of the globally ranked podcast Asking for a Friend. Known for her no-BS, sassy approach to midlife wellness, Michelle helps women over 50 lose fat, build strength, and reclaim their vitality using evidence-based fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle strategies.

Michelle shares her personal journey with alcohol, from corporate entertaining and pandemic drinking to her realization that moderation wasn’t serving her anymore. Together, we dive into the intersection of sobriety, menopause, and midlife health—and the empowering freedom that comes when women take the reins on their wellbeing.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Michelle’s honest story of how her relationship with alcohol shifted during the pandemic.
• Why midlife is often the breaking point where women realize alcohol is not their friend.
• The science behind how alcohol impacts hormones, sleep, mood, and weight gain in perimenopause and menopause.
• The myth of moderation and why it doesn’t work for everyone.
• The often-ignored role of sleep, hydration, protein, and strength training in women’s midlife health.
• How conversations around alcohol and menopause are finally becoming less taboo—and why that matters.

Michelle’s work is all about helping women stop settling and start showing up for themselves. This episode is packed with real talk, science, and encouragement for anyone navigating sobriety and the massive physical changes of midlife.

Connect with Michelle:

Instagram: @askingforafriend_pod

Mentioned in this episode:

Gut Check: A Private Self-Inquiry Course