Are These Midlife Health Questions Keeping You Up at Night?

Have you ever found yourself deep in a 2 a.m. Google rabbit hole, trying to figure out if collagen powder is worth it, or whether that weighted vest in your closet could actually help your bones? You’re not alone. Midlife brings a flood of changes—and questions—and it can be hard to know what advice to trust.

In this episode, I’m answering the most common (and most Googled!) health questions I hear from women in midlife. From supplements and strength training to anxiety and brain fog, I’ll guide you through it all with honest insights from both a functional medicine and Chinese medicine perspective—plus a whole lot of compassion.

In this episode:

• Whether a weighted vest can really help support bone health (hint: it can!)
• What to look for in a quality collagen powder—and why cycling your supplements might be a good idea
• The truth about NAD for energy and healthy aging (and whether oral supplements are worth it)
• Why walking is great—but heavy lifting may be even better for midlife wellness
• What might actually be causing your brain fog (spoiler: it’s not just low estrogen!)
• How to nourish your skin from the inside out as it becomes thinner and drier
• Why anxiety may spike in your 40s and 50s—and what your nervous system really needs

Connect with me, Dr. Sara Poldmae:

Website: https://risingwomanproject.com

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/drsarapoldmae

Email: [email protected] 

Have a question I can answer? Send me a message! I love to hear from my listeners!

Do you ever feel like you’re just faking it—like you’ve somehow fooled everyone into thinking you’ve got it all together, even as you’re quietly doubting your worth behind the scenes? If that resonates, this episode is for you.

Today, I’m sharing a deeply personal and honest conversation about imposter syndrome in midlife. This isn't just a mindset issue—it’s something so many women silently carry as we face big life transitions, career shifts, hormonal changes, and old stories from our past. I’ll walk you through how it’s shown up for me, why it often resurfaces during perimenopause, and how we can gently rewrite the narrative and reclaim our confidence.

This one’s part therapy, part storytime, and part pep talk—because you are not alone, and you are not behind.

In this episode:

• What imposter syndrome really feels like in midlife (and why it can sneak in even after big accomplishments)
• How hormonal changes during perimenopause stir up self-doubt and old emotional patterns
• The childhood stories we carry—and how they still affect how we see ourselves today
• Why you can feel wildly competent and still deeply insecure (you’re not broken!)
• How to reframe negative self-talk and quiet your inner critic
• Simple mindset shifts that can help you move forward even when you don’t feel ready
• A powerful question to ask yourself when self-doubt strikes

Resources Mentioned:

Meadow Hill Wellness: https://www.meadowhillwellness.com/renewher 

Connect with me, Dr. Sara Poldmae:

Website: https://risingwomanproject.com

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/drsarapoldmae

Have a question I can answer? Send me a message! I love to hear from my listeners!

Are GLP-1 Medications Right for You? What You Really Need to Know First

Have you been hearing a lot about GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and wondering if they might be the magic fix—or if they’re just another fad? Maybe you’ve already started using one, but feel unsure how to support your body while you’re on it. In this honest and empowering episode, I sit down with certified nutrition coach Danielle McColloch to talk about what no one else is saying: how to use GLP-1s safely, effectively, and with your long-term wellness in mind.

Whether you’re just curious or deep in the journey already, you’ll walk away with practical strategies and a whole lot of reassurance that you don’t have to do it perfectly—you just have to do it intentionally.

In this episode:

• Danielle’s personal journey from food perfectionism to freedom—with the help of GLP-1s
• How GLP-1 medications can change your metabolism and relationship with food
• The 4 non-negotiables every woman needs to support her body on these medications
• Why building muscle is critical (and what to do if you don’t know where to start)
• A mindset shift that helps reduce food guilt and rebuild trust with your body
• How stress and shame affect digestion, metabolism, and weight
• Why the “calories in, calories out” model is too simplistic for women in midlife

Connect with Danielle McColloch:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniellemccolloch 

Connect with me, Dr. Sara Poldmae:

Website: https://risingwomanproject.com

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/drsarapoldmae

Have a question I can answer? Send me a message! I love to hear from my listeners!

Are you noticing more hair in your brush, thinning at your part, or just feeling like your ponytail isn’t what it used to be? You’re not imagining things—and you’re definitely not alone. Hair loss is one of the most emotionally distressing symptoms women face in midlife, and yet it’s still not talked about enough. In this powerful episode, I’m joined by Dr. Mary Wendel, a board-certified internist and founder of Medi Tresse, a clinic dedicated to women’s hair loss.

Dr. Wendel brings her decades of experience—and deep compassion—to break down the root causes of hair loss during perimenopause and menopause, plus what you can do about it. If you’ve ever felt dismissed, overwhelmed, or just plain lost trying to understand your changing hair, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, informed, and empowered.

In this episode:

• Why hair loss is so common (but rarely discussed) during perimenopause and menopause
• The emotional toll of thinning hair—and why it deserves serious attention
• Common causes of hair loss in midlife: from hormones and genetics to stress and nutrition
• How to recognize patterns of hair loss—and what they might be telling you
• The role of stress, iron levels, thyroid, and autoimmune dysfunction in hair health
• Why getting a thorough medical workup is crucial before starting treatment
• Treatment options that actually work—from minoxidil and light therapy to functional medicine support

Resources Mentioned:

• Medi Tresse Clinic: https://www.meditresse.com 
• Learn more about laser light therapy for hair regrowth: https://www.meditresse.com/treatments/low-level-laser-therapy/ 

Connect with Dr. Mary Wendel:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MediTresse 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/medi_tresse/ 
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyMPQuRkP_SxTtfwZ1eYUnw 

Connect with me, Dr. Sara Poldmae:

Website: https://risingwomanproject.com

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/drsarapoldmae

Have a question I can answer? Send me a message! I love to hear from my listeners!

Are mood swings running the show lately—and leaving you feeling like a stranger in your own life? If you've ever cried over a commercial, snapped at your partner for simply breathing, or found yourself thinking “Who even am I right now?”, you’re in good company. In this episode, we’re diving into the emotional whirlwind that so often comes with midlife—and unpacking what’s hormonal, what’s situational, and what’s actually a powerful wake-up call.

Yes, estrogen and progesterone are shifting—but so are your boundaries, your priorities, and your willingness to carry everyone else’s emotional weight. This conversation will help you reframe the chaos and find clarity in the middle of it all.

In this episode:

• Why mood swings during perimenopause aren't “just hormonal”—and why that matters
• How hormonal changes amplify (but don’t invent) deeper emotional truths
• The surprising wisdom behind your midlife rage, tears, or numbness
• The essential questions to ask when everything feels “too much”
• What estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol are doing behind the scenes
• Why gut health and adrenal balance are key to emotional stability
• How to turn midlife mood swings into a map for real, sustainable change

Resources Mentioned:

Meadow Hill Wellness Concierge Program (for Maryland residents): https://www.meadowhillwellness.com/renewher 

FREE RESOURCE: Download your guide to thriving in midlife: risingwomanproject.com

Connect with me, Dr. Sara Poldmae:

Website: https://risingwomanproject.com

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/drsarapoldmae

Have an idea for a future episode? I’d love to hear it! Send me your thoughts at [email protected]

Have a question I can answer? Send me a message! I love to hear from my listeners!

Is your heart suddenly racing out of nowhere—and you're not even stressed? You’re not alone. Many midlife women are blindsided by unexpected heart symptoms like palpitations, racing pulses, and sudden spikes in blood pressure. It’s terrifying, confusing, and all too often dismissed as “just anxiety.”

In this heartfelt episode, I share my own journey with perimenopausal tachycardia—when my resting heart rate soared to 170 BPM—and the deeper discoveries that followed. If you’ve ever wondered whether your heart symptoms are hormonal, this episode is for you.

In this episode:

• My personal story with unexplained heart racing during perimenopause
• Why midlife heart symptoms are often misunderstood or dismissed
• The powerful role estrogen and progesterone play in cardiovascular health
• How hormone shifts affect blood pressure, heart rate variability, and anxiety
• Wearable tech (like WHOOP and Oura) as tools to track heart and hormone changes
• Functional medicine insights into cortisol, histamine, and HPA axis dysfunction
• When to seek emergency care—and when to explore deeper hormone testing

Resources Mentioned:

WHOOP wearable tracker: https://www.whoop.com

Oura Ring: https://ouraring.com

Learn more about Meadow Wellness and our Renew Her program: https://www.meadowhillwellness.com/ 

Connect with me, Dr. Sara Poldmae:

Website: https://risingwomanproject.com

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/drsarapoldmae 

Have a question I can answer? Send me a message! I love to hear from my listeners!

Big News: Our Midlife Concierge Program Is Launching!

Hi ladies, it’s Dr. Sarah here with something incredibly exciting I’ve been waiting to share. Monique, our amazing nurse practitioner, and I are launching a brand-new Concierge Membership Program exclusively for women in midlife right here in Maryland!

This high-touch, deeply personalized program is designed to support you through every phase of perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. We’re combining the best of functional medicine, Chinese medicine, lifestyle coaching, and bioidentical hormone therapy—plus weekly coaching calls and advanced lab testing—to give you the care and attention you truly deserve.

To celebrate the launch of our concierge membership program, I’m doing a special fan-favorite replay! We're bringing back Monique’s wildly popular episode, Hormones 101. Whether you missed it the first time or want a refresher, it’s the perfect companion to this exciting announcement.

👉 Interested in becoming a founding member? Email us at [email protected] to learn more or reserve your spot. (Maryland residents only!)

We can't wait to support your midlife journey in a whole new way —and I hope you enjoy this encore episode!

Did you know you can start experiencing perimenopausal symptoms as early as your mid-thirties?
 
 Many women feel confused and alone during perimenopause because the world totally fails to prepare them for it. If you relate to that, you’re in good hands because my guest, Monique Willingham, and I are passionate about helping women understand what’s happening in their bodies during this time.
 
 This episode of Midlife Rise + Thrive will help you understand your hormones and empower you to reclaim your health. Welcome to the Hormones 101 class you never got.
 
 Monique is a Nurse Practitioner who has been practicing in oncology for over 15 years and uses a holistic approach to help patients reduce inflammation and improve energy and mental clarity.
 
 
 In this episode:

• The basic roles of your hormones 
• Why your symptoms might feel inconsistent 
• How to make your hormones happy

 Resources Mentioned:

Visit Monique’s Website: www.remedygreenwellness.com 

Learn About the Midlife Concierge Program: [email protected] 

Connect with me, Dr. Sara Poldmae:

Website: https://risingwomanproject.com

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/drsarapoldmae

Have a question I can answer? Send me a message! I love to hear from my listeners!

 Is your mind constantly racing, your body feeling depleted—and you’re wondering if you’ll ever feel grounded again? If so, this episode is your gentle nudge to slow down and reconnect. Midlife is often a whirlwind of change, and sometimes, what we need most is to simply pause.

Today, I’m joined by my friend and fellow yoga teacher, Alicia Sweeney, for a heartfelt conversation about the transformative power of yoga in midlife—especially the deeply nourishing practice of Yin Yoga. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or a curious beginner, you’ll walk away with a new appreciation for how yoga can become your anchor through change.

In this episode:

• Why midlife is the perfect time to return to—or begin—a yoga practice
• The emotional and spiritual benefits of slowing down through Yin Yoga
• How yoga teacher training can transform your life (even if you never teach!)
• The power of consistency over intensity in movement and life
• How Yin Yoga supports your nervous system and emotional release
• Letting go of friendships that no longer align—and finding connection through community
• Why authenticity is the highest vibration you can live in

Resources Mentioned:

• Book: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
• Book: Atomic Habits by James Clear
• Blue Lotus Yoga Studio (Annapolis): https://www.bluelotusannapolis.com/ 
• 2026 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Info: https://www.bluelotusannapolis.com/200-hour-ytt
• 50-hour Yin Yoga Teacher Training (Fall 2025, for RYTs): https://www.bluelotusannapolis.com/yin-yoga-training
• Yoga Festival – Alicia in Maine July 25-27 (with 10% discount code: ASWEENEY25): https://www.maineyogafest.com/festival
• Yoga Festival – Sara in Asheville July 24-27 (with 10% discount code: spoldmae2025): https://www.loveshineplay.com
• Alicia Sweeney’s Website: www.yogalicias.com
• Follow Alicia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yogalicias and IG: https://www.instagram.com/yogalicias 

Connect with me, Dr. Sara Poldmae:

Website: https://risingwomanproject.com

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/drsarapoldmae

Have a question I can answer? Send me a message! I love to hear from my listeners!

Are your relationships leaving you feeling like a turtle—or a honey badger?
If you’ve ever found yourself second-guessing your instincts in love, friendships, or even with your kids, this episode is for you. We’re exploring how attachment styles don’t just show up in your relationships with others—but in your relationship with yourself. And learning to feel secure with you can change everything.

In this heartfelt and insightful conversation, I’m joined by Amanda Fuenzalida, an attachment therapist and coach I met during our Panama retreat. She brings a playful but powerful perspective to understanding emotional patterns through “animal-style” attachment metaphors that make the science click. You’ll come away with a deeper sense of why you might respond the way you do—and how to start building true inner safety.

In this episode:

• Why your attachment style isn’t fixed—and how it changes in midlife
• What it means to have an attachment style with yourself
• The animal metaphors that help you spot your emotional patterns (koala, turtle, honey badger, dragon!)
• How childhood messaging shaped your ability to trust your gut
• Why self-trust is key in navigating dating, divorce, and relationships in midlife
• How to spot old wounds when they’re triggered in current relationships
• First steps to healing: learning to hear and honor your own voice

Resources Mentioned:

• Website: https://www.attachmentlabs.com/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/attachmentlabs

Connect with me, Dr. Sara Poldmae:

Website: https://risingwomanproject.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarapoldmae

Have a question I can answer? Send me a message! I love to hear from my listeners!

 Is Online Menopause Care Really Helping You? The Hidden Risks You Need to Know Are you feeling dismissed, rushed, or just plain confused by the options for menopause care? You’re not alone—and you’re not crazy. In this episode, I’m diving into a growing trend that’s both promising and problematic: online telehealth services offering hormone therapy and quick-fix prescriptions.

If you've ever felt tempted to click "buy" on a hormone treatment without a proper medical evaluation, this conversation is for you. I’m breaking down why this new wave of care might be missing the mark—and what true, holistic midlife care should actually look like.

In this episode:

• Why fast online hormone prescriptions may be doing more harm than good
• The problem with “one-size-fits-all” menopause solutions
• Real risks of taking medications without lab work or proper medical guidance
• The missing piece in online care: lifestyle medicine as your superpower
• What comprehensive midlife healthcare really looks like
• Why menopause deserves more than a Band-Aid—and so do you
• The power of seeing this life phase as a creative, vibrant transition

Resources Mentioned:

 FREE RESOURCE: Download “Exhausted to Empowered” — your guide to lifestyle shifts that support your health in midlife

Connect with me, Dr. Sara Poldmae:

Website: https://risingwomanproject.com

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/drsarapoldmae

Have a question I can answer? Send me a message! I love to hear from my listeners!