In this heartfelt and insightful episode of The Life Mastery Lounge, I’m joined by Michele Schalin, Mental Fitness Coach, to explore what it truly means to care for our mental and emotional well-being — especially in midlife.Michele shares her personal journey and professional insights into mental health, emotional intelligence, and self-compassion, offering practical tools that women can apply immediately in everyday life. We talk about the power of simple brain-training practices like the 30-30 challenge, how technology impacts our mental well-being, and why meditation doesn’t have to be complicated to be transformative.This conversation also touches on the importance of movement, forgiveness, and choosing joy — even when life feels uncertain or heavy. Michele’s grounded approach reminds us that healing and personal growth don’t require perfection, just presence and kindness toward ourselves.If you’re navigating a season of change, feeling emotionally stretched, or craving more calm and clarity in your life, this episode offers gentle guidance and practical support you can start using today.

Learn more about Michele Schalin and her work:https://mschalin.com/https://micheleschalin.com/book/https://www.linkedin.com/in/micheleschalin/https://www.instagram.com/mschalinhttps://www.youtube.com/mschalin

Subscribe to LM Magazine. - it's FREE, for real stories and reflections for midlife women: https://go.thesarafernandes.com/introduction-page-6095And if you are ready for more: Join Life Mastery Circlehttps://lifemasterycircle.teachery.co/life-mastery-circle-membership-indigo

00:00 Introduction to Mental Fitness Coaching02:59 Exploring Mental Fitness Techniques06:02 The 30-30 Challenge for Mental Wellbeing08:59 Navigating Technology's Impact on Mental Health11:55 The Connection Between Mind and Body15:05 The Journey of Healing and Self-Compassion18:04 Meditation as a Tool for Transformation20:46 Movement and Its Role in Mental Fitness23:56 Lifestyle Changes for Better Mental Health26:42 The Joy of Not Driving27:36 Lessons from a Healing Journey28:44 Surrendering to Life's Challenges30:15 Embracing Emotions and Grief32:40 The Power of Self-Perception34:44 The Importance of Forgiveness36:53 Deep Empathy and Compassion38:59 Transformative Healing and Self-Love40:40 Living Joyfully and Embracing Fun45:27 Connecting and Working with Michele48:30 Rapid Fire Questions and Final Thoughts

mental fitness coach, mental health midlife women, emotional intelligence for women, self compassion in midlife, meditation for beginners, mental well-being podcast, women over 50 personal growth, life transitions midlife, emotional healing podcast#MentalFitness #MidlifeWellbeing #EmotionalHealth #SelfCompassion #WomenInMidlife #LifeMasteryLounge #PersonalGrowthPodcast #MentalWellbeing #MidlifeReinvention

In this conversation, Dr. Sharon Yeh shares her transformative journey from being a clinical pharmacy specialist to becoming an integrative nutritionist and cellular health specialist. She discusses the importance of community in healing, recognizing personal values, and the courage it takes to embrace change. Dr. Yeh emphasizes that healing is a collective effort and highlights the significance of finding alignment in personal and professional relationships. The conversation concludes with rapid-fire questions that reveal her current life philosophy and self-care practices.

Connect with Dr Sharon Yeh:

Dr. Sharon Yeh is an integrative nutritionist and cellular health specialist. She transitioned from a clinical pharmacy career to focus on holistic health. Community support is crucial for healing and personal growth. Recognizing and honoring one's desire for change is essential. It's okay to feel different from peers when pursuing personal values. Healing takes a village; multiple supports are often needed. Self-care involves letting go of what no longer serves you. Dr. Yeh emphasizes the importance of alignment in health relationships. The courage to live authentically is key to well-being. Nature's rhythms can guide personal healing and nourishment.

https://www.facebook.com/sharon.yeh.779

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsharonyeh/

#lifemastery #empoweringwomen #womenover50 #self-care #selfgrowth

In this engaging conversation, Sara Fernandes interviews Norma Powers, a retirement coach dedicated to empowering women through transitions in their lives. Norma shares her journey from a fulfilling career in pharma to becoming a mentor and coach, emphasizing the importance of community, accountability, and following one's passion. The discussion highlights the significance of connection among women, especially in times of change, and offers insights into finding fulfillment and motivation in life. Norma also provides practical advice for women seeking to navigate their own transitions and shares her personal practices for self-care and grounding.

connect with Norma:

Norma Powers, Founder of Mind, Body, Vitality. After 33 years in the pharmaceutical industry, her work now centers on supporting high-achieving women as they navigate life transitions and rediscover who they are beyond career and titles. Norma's focus is on identity, purpose, and confidence guiding women to reconnect with what truly energizes them and move forward with clarity and intention. If living unapologetically and shaping what’s next on your terms speaks to you, she’d love to connect. For deeper conversation and community, The Legacy Studio (https://yourlegacystudio.com/home), offers a warm gathering space for connection, growth, and real support for women navigating life transitions or retirement. You can also find me at https://mindbodyvitality.net/ and LinkedIn group: The Purposeful Retirement: Find Clarity, Purpose and Joy after 55 https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14571170/

Connect with Sara:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-fernandes-lm-magazine/

Join Life Mastery Circle

#lifemastery #empoweringwomen #community #selfgrowth

This amazing conversation between Sara and Stone Gye explores the critical role of community and deep connections in the lives of neurodivergent individuals, especially middlife perimenopausal or menopausal women, highlighting the stark differences in life expectancy compared to neurotypical individuals.

It emphasizes the importance of cultivating meaningful relationships and the impact of effective communication on longevity and overall well-being.

Takeaways

if there's a topic that you can't discuss and you don't have a community, it becomes a situation that is just untenable.

Neurodivergent people tend to die 38 years earlier than neurotypical people.

deep purposeful connections, but not just deep purposeful connections in a silo, community or collectivistic deep purposeful connections.

This is one of the reasons why women live longer because they communicate effectively.

If a woman is not cultivating deep purposeful connections in her tribe, in her community, over her lifetime, that can make any type of business activity more fraught.

About Stone Gye:

is a US combat veteran and multi-disciplinary health practitioner who understands and relates to the challenges and strengths of neurodivergent perspectives. As a late-diagnosed autistic person with several co-occurring conditions, his exceptionally unique background allows him to deliver a holistic approach to self-care.

Recommended book: The Upgrade by Dr Louann Brizendine

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stonegye/

https://stonegye.agency/cofffee

#midlifewomen #community #neurodivergent #womenover50 #entrepreneurship #sidehustle #womeninbusiness #deepconnections #longevity #support #relationships #wellbeing

In this episode of The Life Mastery Lounge, host Sara Fernandes sits down with Kathy Scatena, Feng Shui expert, entrepreneur, and proud member of the Life Mastery Circle.

Kathy opens up about what it truly means to grow with others — how belonging to a supportive community has helped her build momentum, take bold action, and find the courage to try new things in her business.

Together, we explore: ✨ The power of community in personal and professional growth ✨ How support can help you move from stuck to unstoppable ✨ Why progress doesn’t require perfection — just courage ✨ The fearless mindset that helps midlife women reinvent with purpose

If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt or wished for a space where women genuinely celebrate each other’s growth — this conversation will remind you that you don’t have to do it alone.

Kathy Scatena is a designer, certified home stager, and residential real estate broker who’s passionate about creating spaces that help people feel good and live better. For years, she’s been transforming homes through simple styling and budget-friendly remodels — but in 2022, she discovered the missing piece that changed everything: Feng Shui.

Now, Kathy blends design with the ancient wisdom of Feng Shui to help her clients create harmony, balance, and positive energy in their homes. She believes that when your space feels aligned, your life flows more easily — and she’s dedicated to helping others thrive through intentional design.

As a proud member of the Life Mastery Circle, Kathy has embraced courage, connection, and community — proving that fearless growth happens when you stop trying to do it alone.

Free Offer: Declutter Made Easy

The Life Mastery Circle is more than a membership — it’s a sisterhood of midlife women who are redefining what’s possible together. Inside, you’ll find: 💬 Daily co-working and coaching sessions 🎓 Masterclasses and guest experts 🧭 Practical tools for clarity and growth

✨Weekly Low Content Publishing Lab and PLR templates 💗 A supportive, judgment-free space where you’ll actually take action

Because you don’t need another course — you need connection.

💫 About Kathy Scatena
Join the Life Mastery Circle
👉 Join the Life Mastery Circle

#FengShui #personalgrowth #communitysupport #interiordesign #nature #businessjourney #mindfulness #selfcare #creativity #empowerment

Building Authentic Connections with Kay McKenzie — Inside Women In Alignmen

In this inspiring episode of The Life Mastery Lounge, host Sara Fernandes sits down with Kay McKenzie, the powerhouse founder behind Women In Alignment — a thriving networking community of over 85,000 women dedicated to collaboration, visibility, and genuine connection.

Kay shares the story behind building one of the most engaging women’s networks online, what “alignment” truly means in business and life, and how cultivating authentic relationships can transform not only your career but your confidence and sense of purpose.

Together, Sara and Kay dive into: ✨ The power of collaboration over competition ✨ How to find and nurture your own aligned community ✨ The mindset shifts that help women in business lead with heart ✨ Why connection is the key to long-term success

If you’ve ever felt isolated as an entrepreneur or wished for a space where real women support one another’s growth — this conversation will remind you that you’re not alone.

About Kay McKenzie:

Kay is the founder and leader of Women In Alignment, a global networking and business community empowering women to connect, collaborate, and rise together. Through live networking events, educational workshops, and a vibrant Facebook group, Kay helps women gain visibility, expand their reach, and build meaningful relationships that lead to real results.

Learn more about Women In Alignment at thewomeninalignment.com

Join the Facebook community → Women In Alignment on Facebook

Follow Sara Fernandes, Clarity & Growth Coach and founder of Life Mastery Magazine and the Life Mastery Circle, where mindset meets midlife — and your next chapter begins.

🔗 Learn more at lifemasterymagazine.com

#communityforwomen #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurs #womenover50 #mindset

Mary Farias is the Founder and Coach inside Magnet Mind Development, a transformational coaching community inspired by the teachings of Bob Proctor. As a certified Bob Proctor Consultant, Mary helps individuals shift their mindset, elevate their self-image, and align their thoughts and actions with the results they truly desire.

A firm believer that everyone has the power to create their own economy, Mary guides her clients in designing personalized roadmaps that turn vision into tangible success. Deeply passionate about the art of self-image scripting, she teaches people to consciously reprogram their minds for growth, confidence, and fulfillment.

With her blend of clarity, insight, and heart-centered guidance, Mary empowers others to step into their highest potential and build lives they truly love.

You can connect with Mary:

https://www.magnetminddevelopment.com/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/bornrichfoundations

I’m Sara Fernandes, Clarity & Growth Coach and founder of Life Mastery Magazine — a free digital publication created to inspire everyday midlife women to reinvent their lives with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Inside this podcast, we bring the stories and insights from the magazine to life — real conversations with women who’ve turned change into possibility.

If you’re ready for deeper support, join the Life Mastery Circle — our warm, affordable community where growth feels personal, practical, and deeply supported. Because you don’t need another course — you need connection.

Connect with us:

https://lifemasterymagazine.com

Subscribe to LM Magazine - FREE

https://go.thesarafernandes.com/life-mastery-magazine

Join Life Mastery Circle membership

It's Time To Get Professional Help - Controlling Your Money

I had the most wonderful conversation with my friend Valorie on personal finance, a conversation you need to listen to.

Valorie Smith and Wealth with Valor's mission is to help everyday people take control of their money, build brighter futures, and grow lasting wealth—with education, encouragement, and a mindset for success.
She takes the fear and overwhelm out of financial planning. Procrastination is real, but she will show you that building wealth is possible, affordable, and secure.

Find out more about Valorie here:

https://www.wealthwithvalor.com/

http://www.calendly.com/Valoriesmith

Visit the Money, W(h)ine & Cheese Blog here:

https://www.moneywhineandcheese.com

Sunday evenings are meant to be a gentle wind-down, a time to recharge before the start of a new week. But for some of us, those final hours of the weekend can feel like the walls are closing in, like a heavy blanket of dread has been thrown over our shoulders. We sit there, frozen, as the sun goes down, paralyzed by the fear of what lies ahead. I can still feel the anxiety and my throat closes up as I write this.

THANK YOU FOR SUBSCRIBING

As usual you can find me:

https://moneywhineandcheese.com

[email protected]

https://linktr.ee/Thesparklingbudgeteer

NOW also:

https://lifemasterymagazine.com

[email protected]

It's not always easy to live life on our terms. How does that impact our Sunday Evening anxiety?

As always you can find me:

https://moneywhineandcheese.com

[email protected]

And NOW also as Editor in Chief:

https://lifemasterymagazine.com

[email protected]

LM Magazine is your go-to digital publication crafted for midlife women seeking inspiration, growth, and empowerment. Each issue dives into topics that matter most to you, from personal development and wellness to mindful living and financial wisdom. Our mission is to help you create the best life possible with practical advice, uplifting stories, and a supportive community. Whether you’re navigating life’s transitions, setting new goals, or simply looking for motivation, LM Magazine is here to accompany you on your journey to a fulfilling life.

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