Message in the Middle: Midlife Women, Reinvention & Personal Growth

Join us for a powerful episode of Message In the Middle, as we sit down with Dr. Robb Kelly, PhD, a globally recognized addiction and recovery expert who has lived the extremes of addiction firsthand and now works to empower others to reclaim their lives.  

Episode Highlights

Dr. Robb Kelly’s Backstory

• Early Years of Addiction: At just 9 years old, Dr. Kelly started drinking, escalating into heavy alcoholism as a teen and into his early twenties. By his late twenties, he hit rock bottom but began his recovery journey.
• From Wealth to Homelessness: Dr. Kelly recounts his descent from a life of financial success to losing everything, including his family, and living on the streets.
• Defining Moment: Hear the turning point and how Dr. Robb found his path to sobriety.

Insights on Addiction and Recovery

• Addiction and Mental Obsession: Dr. Kelly discusses addiction as a mental obsession and explores whether everyone has an addiction.
• The Role of Trauma: “Trauma is the Gateway Drug,” says Dr. Kelly, who dives into how childhood trauma influences addiction. He shares surprising examples of trauma and practical steps for identifying and processing these experiences at home.
• Neuroplasticity in Recovery:  Dr. Kelly explains the importance of neuroplasticity in addiction recovery and offers actionable tips listeners can use to start reshaping their neural pathways, whether to overcome an addiction or to make positive life changes.

Advice for Families Affected by Addiction

• For Partners and Families: As someone who’s been on both sides of addiction, Dr. Kelly shares heartfelt advice for spouses and loved ones deciding whether to stay or walk away.
• Words of Wisdom: Dr. Kelly’s best advice on recovery.

Links & Resources

• Save 👪 families from addiction by donating here ⬇️  💊 💉 🍷 🍺
  https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=TN5H8K9Y4C9MJ
  Website:  https://therobbkellyfoundation.org/
  Link Tree:  https://linktr.ee/drrobbkelly?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=a3a9a3a4-ee1d-463c-850d-a9c3ad956280

Connect with Marianne:

• Website:  Message In The Middle with Marianne
• Message In the Middle Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/422430469323847/
• YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@MessageInTheMiddle/playlists
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-demello-smith-678b9966
• Email:  Contact | Message In The Middle with Marianne

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In this solo episode of Message In the Middle, host Marianne explores what it means to live intentionally, shares examples from her own life, offers insights on key areas to look at if you want to get out of auto pilot and move to a more intentional way of living, and shares some of the benefits of doing so.  

Key Topics Discussed

• Understanding Intentional Living: We begin by defining intentional living as making conscious choices to shape your life, rather than simply reacting to circumstances. 
• Foundational Components of Intentional Living: Learn about key principles like self-reflection, goal setting, mindfulness, being present, and building a support system to support you as you integrate these practices into your daily routine and learn about the changes you might experience once you make the shift.

Takeaways

• Be Proactive, Not Reactive: Embrace a proactive approach to your life by making conscious choices that align with your values.
• Self-Reflection is Key: Regular self-reflection can help you identify what truly matters, allowing you to set meaningful goals.
• Goal & Priority Alignment:  Revisit goals and priorities regularly to ensure they stay in alignment with core values. 
• Being Mindful and Present:  You can't focus your time and energy on living in the past or over planning the future. 
• Support Matters:  Surrounding yourself with supportive, and like-minded people will help keep you propelling forward.  

In closing, Marianne shared a John Maxwell quote "Intentional living is about making conscious decisions every day that move you toward the life you want."

Connect with Marianne:

• Website:  Message In The Middle with Marianne
• Message In the Middle Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/422430469323847/
• YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@MessageInTheMiddle/playlists
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-demello-smith-678b9966
• Email:  Contact | Message In The Middle with Marianne

Subscribe to Message In the Middle:

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• Spotify
• YouTube

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If you've ever struggled with feeling constantly tired, experiencing unexplained weight gain, or dealing with persistent inflammation and puffiness, this episode is for you. Today, we're diving into the world of anti-inflammatory nutrition with Ashley Malik, who has navigated her own health journey, including overcoming Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism. Through over a decade of research and personal experience, Ashley has developed an anti-inflammatory approach to help women transform their health, boost energy, reduce inflammation, and feel their best—all while navigating busy family life.

In this episode, we cover:

• Ashley's personal health story: Overcoming Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism, and the journey that led her to specialize in anti-inflammatory nutrition.
• What an anti-inflammatory diet really means, and how it can positively impact your overall health and well-being.
• Practical tips for getting started without feeling overwhelmed, even if you're new to this approach.
• How to make anti-inflammatory eating family-friendly when cooking for others who may not want to follow the same diet.
• The benefits of trying a-typical breakfast ideas and how they can set the tone for a healthier day.
• Ashley's favorite brands for healthy snacks, chocolate, and other essentials that align with an anti-inflammatory lifestyle.
• The reality of maintaining a healthy lifestyle for the long term and why it still requires ongoing effort—even years into the journey.
• One thing Ashley wishes she had known at the start of her health transformation.

Connect with Ashley:
Website: https://ashleymalik.com
7-Day Meal Plan: https://ashleymalik.myflodesk.com/thefamilyforkplan

Connect with Marianne:

• Website:  Message In The Middle with Marianne
• Message In the Middle Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/422430469323847/
• YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@MessageInTheMiddle/playlists
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-demello-smith-678b9966
• Email:  Contact | Message In The Middle with Marianne

Subscribe to Message In the Middle:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• YouTube

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Today’s episode is a must-listen for anyone striving to build a healthy lifestyle, maintain weight loss, or just stay consistent with exercise and movement.

Joining me today is Jodi Dolo, a certified nutritionist and personal trainer who has an inspiring journey of losing and maintaining a 90-pound weight loss after a health scare in 2017. She's the co-host of the Mindful Muscle podcast and actively supports body positivity through community leadership.

Discussion Points:

1. Journey to Health:
   • Jodi shares her personal journey from a health scare to transforming her lifestyle and achieving better health than ever before.
2. Sustainable Changes:
   • Jodi and Gio focus on helping beginners make sustainable changes. She highlights key small changes that can lead to lasting improvements in health and fitness.
3. Beating the Odds:
   • Insights into the statistics of weight regain and what strategies Jodi used to maintain her weight loss successfully.
4. Parenting and Health:
   • How Jodi approaches food and exercise with her kids to foster a healthy relationship from a young age.
5. Body Positivity Community:
   • Discussing the importance of body positivity groups and the support they provide in overcoming body image struggles and building confidence.
6. Navigating Social Media Realities:
   • Jodi shares her experience with misleading social media trends and discusses the importance of authenticity in portraying health and fitness journeys.
7. Top Healthy Living Advice:
   • Jodi's best advice for adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Connect with Jodi

Instagram: http://instagram.com/liviakaos/

Mindful Muscle podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@F5mindfulmuscle

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

YouTube:  https://youtube.com/@mindfulmusclepodcast?si=_vhYEoKDFlNWS_Hn

To listen to the podcast with Tara De Leon, a highly credentialed personal trainer, professor of Health, Fitness, and Exercise Studies, podcaster, speaker, and Amazon best-selling author check out this link:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1938384/episodes/15737642

Connect with Marianne:

• Website:  Message In The Middle with Marianne
• Message In the Middle Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/422430469323847/
• YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@MessageInTheMiddle/playlists
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-demello-smith-678b9966
• Email:  Contact | Message In The Middle with Marianne

Subscribe to Message In the Middle:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• YouTube

Leave Us a Review: If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review and share your favorite takeaway. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and bring you even more valuable content.

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In this candid solo episode of Message In the Middle, host Marianne reflects on a deeply personal moment of self-realization. After years of striving for perfection and external validation, and driving from a place of control, Marianne shares a transformative experience that happened during her nightly routine—a moment when she looked in the mirror and, for the first time, truly saw her middle-aged self with softness and acceptance.

She opens up about how her evolving hairstyle mirrored her internal journey, from tightly controlling every aspect of her life to learning to let go, live in the present, and embrace imperfection. Marianne encourages listeners to take a moment to really look at themselves, both inside and out, and celebrate the progress they've made, even if it doesn’t look like they expected.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of truly seeing yourself, beyond the surface.
• Letting go of the need for perfection and embracing the natural, authentic self.
• How external changes, like a hairstyle, can reflect deeper emotional and personal growth.
• Encouragement for listeners to celebrate their own journeys and the distance they've traveled, regardless of where they are now.

Connect with Marianne:

• Website:  Message In The Middle with Marianne
• Message In the Middle Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/422430469323847/
• YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@MessageInTheMiddle/playlists
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-demello-smith-678b9966
• Email:  Contact | Message In The Middle with Marianne

Subscribe to Message In the Middle:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• YouTube

Leave Us a Review: If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review and share your favorite takeaway. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and bring you even more valuable content.

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In today's episode of Message in the Middle, host Marianne is joined by health industry veteran Esther Avant, who brings over 18 years of experience in fitness, nutrition, and wellness. Together, they take a deep dive into the "Six Big Rocks of Exercise and Nutrition" and explore Esther's "Gone For Good" framework, designed to help individuals build a sustainable, healthy lifestyle. 

The 6 Big Rocks of Nutrition and Exercise

Esther advocates for focusing on six core "rocks" to establish a healthy lifestyle:

• Incorporating movement
• Strength training
• Rest and recovery
• Calorie intake
• Protein intake
• Fiber intake

She explains why these components are crucial and how they form the foundation of sustainable health practices.

Building Sustainable Health Habits

Even armed with knowledge, many struggle to maintain healthy habits. Esther shares insights from her coaching business, emphasizing mindset and lifestyle adjustments within her "Gone For Good" framework. Discover the secrets to sustainable weight loss and achieving confidence through health.

Navigating Food Rules

Esther encourages breaking free from restrictive food rules while building your own behavioral guidelines. Learn how to distinguish healthy from harmful food habits and foster a positive relationship with food.

Industry Surprises and Best Nutrition Advice

Esther reflects on industry insights and shares the best nutrition advice she's ever received, offering practical tips for listeners.

If you would like to learn more about Esther:

Grab her “Big Rocks” Habit Tracker: https://www.estheravant.com/habits

Find out more about her: https://www.estheravant.com

Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esther.avant

Listen to her podcast Live Diet-Free: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-live-diet-free-podcast/id1543658046

Connect with Marianne:

• Website:  Message In The Middle with Marianne
• Message In the Middle Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/422430469323847/
• YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@MessageInTheMiddle/playlists
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-demello-smith-678b9966
• Email:  Contact | Message In The Middle with Marianne

Subscribe to Message In the Middle:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• YouTube

Leave Us a Review: If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review and share your favorite takeaway. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and bring you even more valuable content.

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Hello and welcome to Message In the Middle. Joining me today is Elizabeth Harris. Elizabeth’s motto is “self-care, not self-control because food is meant to be enjoyed, movement should make you happy, and because we’ve all got better things to do than counting carbs or calories!" Elizabeth is a certified Intuitive Eating counselor, a registered dietitian, speaker, entrepreneur, and co-host of the podcast Wellness Rebranded. 

Topics Discussed:

1. Healing Our Relationship with Food
   • Signs that our relationship with food needs healing.
   • Shifting our relationship with food: Best practices.
2. Hidden Rules and Patterns in Diet Culture
   • How hidden rules sabotage us even after leaving diets behind.
3. Navigating the Fitness and Nutrition Industry
   • Challenges and confidence in promoting a weight and size inclusive approach.
   • Overcoming stereotypes in the dietitian profession.
4. Finding Peace in Nutrition and Body Image
   • Effective strategies to overcome discomfort with weight and body image.
   • Key ingredients for changing eating habits and body image perceptions.
5. Surprises in Health and Fitness
   • Unexpected insights from years in the health and fitness industry.
6. Best Nutrition Advice
   • Personal or general advice on nutrition.

Elizabeth's FB Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/healthandhealingwithintuitiveeating

Wellness Rebranded Podcast:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wellness-rebranded-intuitive-eating-diet-culture-food/id1651744916

Free Guide to Unlock Your Hidden Diet:
https://calendly.com/app/scheduled_events/user/me?period=past&status_ids%5B%5D=active&host_ids%5B%5D=host#:~:text=https%3A//elizabethharrisnutrition.com/invisible%2Ddiet

Podcast Episodes mentioned by Marianne:
https://www.messageinthemiddle.com/are-you-tired-of-chronic-fatigue-hot-flashes-weight-gain-or-heavy-periods-you-could-be-dealing-with-a-hormonalgut-imbalance/

Connect with Marianne:

• Website:  Message In The Middle with Marianne
• Message In the Middle Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/422430469323847/
• YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@MessageInTheMiddle/playlists
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-demello-smith-678b9966
• Email:  Contact | Message In The Middle with Marianne

Subscribe to Message In the Middle:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• YouTube

Leave Us a Review: If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review and share your favorite takeaway. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and bring you even more valuable content.

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In this empowering episode of Message In the Middle, host Marianne sits down with Tara De Leon, a highly credentialed personal trainer, professor of Health, Fitness, and Exercise Studies, podcaster, speaker, and Amazon best-selling author. Tara has helped hundreds of women feel confident and empowered by teaching them how to lift weights, get strong, and embrace their bodies without apology. Tara is also the co-host of the Wellness Rebranded podcast, where she collaborates with a dietitian and a mental health therapist to help listeners redesign their relationship with food, fitness, and themselves. 

During the conversation, Tara shares valuable insights into:

• The importance of personal health and fitness assessments: what they are, why they matter, and how you can do them at home.
• How to use assessment results to shape your fitness journey.
• Body confidence and busting stereotypes in the fitness world, especially as a size 18 fitness expert.
• Her secret to self-acceptance and not caring what others think, despite societal expectations.
• Surprising aspects of the health and fitness industry after years of experience.
• The best fitness advice she’s ever received or can give.

Connect with Tara De Leon:

• Podcast: Wellness Rebranded
• Instagram: http://Www.instagram.com/tara_de_leon_fitness
• Book: https://a.co/d/9rjgPrj 
• Podcast Episodes mentioned by Tara:
  • https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wellness-rebranded-intuitive-eating-diet-culture-food/id1651744916
  • https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wellness-rebranded-intuitive-eating-diet-culture-food/id1651744916?i=1000638398387

Connect with Marianne:

• Website:  Message In The Middle with Marianne
• Message In the Middle Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/422430469323847/
• YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@MessageInTheMiddle/playlists
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-demello-smith-678b9966
• Email:  Contact | Message In The Middle with Marianne

Subscribe to Message In the Middle:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• YouTube

Leave Us a Review: If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review and share your favorite takeaway. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and bring you even more valuable content.

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In this episode of Message In the Middle, host Marianne is joined by the inspiring Lunaria Gaia, a dynamic speaker, coach, podcast host, and 2-time Amazon best-selling author of “Get Happy & Free: Unlocking the Happiness Code” and “Perfectly Imperfect: Your Complete Guide to Loving Yourself and Loving Your Body.”

Lunaria shares her journey from self-hatred to self-love and uses her lived experience to help other women cultivate confidence, self- love, and an unshakable connection to their true selves, especially during middle age—a time she believes is perfect for discovering your most authentic self.

Key Topics:

• Lunaria’s Journey: Discover how Lunaria overcame her struggles with self-hatred and found a path to self-love, leading her to a career dedicated to empowering women.
• Middle Age as a Turning Point: Explore why middle age is a powerful time to reconnect with your authentic self and embrace your true identity.
• The Power of Self-Love: Learn about the transformative power of self-love, how to cultivate it, and how it can improve every aspect of your life.
• Invisibility as a Superpower: Lunaria offers a fresh perspective on the common feeling of invisibility as women age, suggesting that it might actually be a superpower.
• Chasing Happiness: Delve into why so many of us may need to rethink our definition of happiness.

Guest Links:

• https://www.facebook.com/lunariagaia
• https://www.instagram.com/lunariagaia/
• http://www.moreconfidence.com.au/perfectlyimperfectbook
• and for a free magnetic confidence guidebook head to www.lunariagaia.com

Connect with Marianne:

• Website:  Message In The Middle with Marianne
• Message In the Middle Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/422430469323847/
• YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@MessageInTheMiddle/playlists
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-demello-smith-678b9966
• Email:  Contact | Message In The Middle with Marianne

Subscribe to Message In the Middle:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• YouTube

Leave Us a Review: If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review and share your favorite takeaway. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and bring you even more valuable content.

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Welcome to another episode of Message In the Middle with Marianne. Today, we're diving into a topic that’s more relevant than ever—rethinking retirement. But instead of discussing traditional retirement, we're exploring the concept of “rewirement.” Joining us for this conversation is Jeri Sedlar, a globally recognized author, speaker, and expert on the evolving topic of retirement. Jeri is the co-author of the highly acclaimed book, DON’T RETIRE, REWIRE! 5 Steps to Fulfilling Work That Fuels Your Passion, Suits Your Personality, and Fills Your Pocket. She's also served as Senior Advisor to The Conference Board on the Mature Workforce, a member of the AARP Executive Council, and a Delegate to the White House Conference on Aging.

Areas of Focus:

• Jeri’s Journey to the "Rewirement" space - Jeri’s diverse background and how it uniquely positioned her to understand the evolving needs of those approaching retirement and how it led her to co-authoring Don’t Retire, Rewire! with her husband. 
• Understanding “Rewirement” vs. Retirement - Jeri breaks down the concept, explaining how shifting our mindset from traditional retirement to "rewirement" has been proven to lead to more fulfilling and purpose-driven lives.
• Exploring Your Drivers - In this segment, Jeri and Marianne delve into the importance of understanding your personal drivers—those core motivators that influence your decisions and bring fulfillment to your life. Jeri shares insights from her book, Don't Retire, Rewire!, where she outlines 30 different categories of drivers and guides readers through identifying which ones resonate most with them.
• Linking Drivers to Activities: Marianne and Jeri discuss the significance of connecting these drivers to specific activities through a practical calendar exercise. Jeri explains how this exercise helps individuals align their daily actions with their core motivations. 
• Dream Catching & Dream Stealers: Marianne and Jeri introduce the concept of dream catching—an exercise designed to help individuals uncover and articulate their deepest aspirations. Jeri also touches on the idea of “dream stealers,” those external and internal factors that can hinder us from pursuing our dreams.
• Navigating Identity Shifts: For those whose identities are closely tied to their careers, Jeri offers thoughtful advice on managing the potential identity shifts that can come with retirement. She highlights strategies for embracing this new chapter with confidence and clarity, ensuring that your sense of self remains intact and vibrant beyond your career.

Connect with Jeri:  https://dontretirerewire.com/

Connect with Marianne:

• Website:  Message In The Middle with Marianne
• Message In the Middle Facebook Group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/422430469323847/
• YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@MessageInTheMiddle/playlists
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-demello-smith-678b9966
• Email:  Contact | Message In The Middle with Marianne

Subscribe to Message In the Middle:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• YouTube

Leave Us a Review: If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review and share your favorite takeaway. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and bring you even more valuable content.

Keep the conversation going - Join us for more insightful conversations in the Message in the Middle Private Facebook Community & subscribe to Message in the Middle podcas...