Why does chronic pain continue long after an injury has healed? Could stress, emotions and your nervous system be playing a bigger role than you realise?

In this episode of Midlife Answers, I’m joined by Stress and Chronic Pain Coach Jeannie Kulwin to explore the science behind chronic pain, neuroplasticity and the mind-body connection.

This is also a deeply personal conversation for me. After living with chronic back pain and sciatica for the past 18 months, I reached a point where I needed to look beyond scans, medication and treatments. Discovering neuroplasticity has completely changed the way I think about pain and, for the first time in a long time, given me genuine hope.

Together, we explore why chronic pain is always real, how stress and fear can influence the nervous system, and the simple first steps that can help break the cycle of persistent pain.

In this episode:

• What chronic pain actually is
• The difference between structural pain and neuroplastic pain
• How stress and emotions can affect physical symptoms
• Why MRI scans don't always explain ongoing pain
• The role of perfectionism, people-pleasing and fear
• Practical first steps to begin supporting recovery

Whether you're living with back pain, sciatica, migraines, IBS or another persistent symptom, this episode offers reassurance, practical guidance and hope.

Resources from Jeannie Kulwin

🎥 Watch the FREE workshop replay: Exactly What to Do When Symptoms Flare
https://jeannie-kulwin.lpcontent.net/tms-when-symptoms-flare

📞 Interested in Jeannie's Chronic Pain Group Coaching Programme or 1:1 support?
Book a free discovery call:
https://calendly.com/jkulwin/coaching

📱 Follow Jeannie on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/jeanniekulwincoaching/

🌐 Visit Jeannie's website:
https://www.jeanniekulwin.com/

🎧 Follow this link to explore more episodes of Midlife Answers wherever you get your podcasts.

Continue listening:

• Why Am I So Angry in Midlife? Choosing Joy Over "Why Me?" (#35)

✨ RISE is my midlife coaching programme, helping women rebuild confidence, reconnect with themselves, and navigate midlife with greater clarity, courage and self-belief. Discover more at midlifeanswers.com.

☕ If you enjoy Midlife Answers and would like to support the podcast, you can buy me a coffee via this link. Your support helps cover the behind-the-scenes costs of creating these conversations and allows me to keep bringing expert answers to the questions women are asking in midlife.

Have a midlife question you'd love covered in a future episode? Send it via the link in the show notes or DM me on Instagram @midlifeanswers.

If anything discussed in this episode raises concerns about your own health or brings up difficult feelings, please speak with your GP, another qualified healthcare professional, or a registered therapist who can provide personalised advice and support.

What happens to your identity when your children leave home, and how do you find yourself again while still being a mother?

In this episode of our midlife podcast for women, I’m joined by author Cosima Somerset to explore motherhood in midlife, the emotional shift of the empty nest years, identity changes, and what happens when a role that has shaped so much of your life begins to evolve.

Cosima shares her deeply personal story of navigating this new chapter after her children left home, and how meeting Father Joe - the Catholic priest and yoga teacher at the centre of her debut book The Catching Force - changed the way she viewed herself, healing, pain and the future ahead.

We talk about the idea of being “Still a Mother, Still Me” — why motherhood doesn’t end when children leave home, but changes shape — and how this stage of life can become an opportunity to reconnect with yourself and build a life that still feels meaningful.

We explore:

* The emotional reality of the empty nest years

* How motherhood changes when children leave home

* Identity, purpose and finding yourself again in midlife

* Why a new chapter doesn’t mean losing who you are

* Cosima’s journey with Father Joe, yoga and healing

* How travel, spirituality and new experiences shaped her life after motherhood

* Building a full and meaningful life in your 50s and beyond

This episode is about understanding that motherhood can evolve — and that you can continue to grow, change and rediscover yourself without leaving that part of you behind.

🎧 Follow this link to explore more episodes of Midlife Answers wherever you get your podcasts.

You might also enjoy:

✨ Feeling Lost in Midlife: Why You Don’t Feel Like Yourself & How to Find Your Way Again #29

✨ Why Do I Suddenly Feel Unsure of Myself? Rebuilding Confidence in Midlife #30

✨ RISE is my midlife coaching programme helping women rebuild confidence, reconnect with themselves, and navigate midlife with more clarity and self-belief. Discover more at midlifeanswers.com

☕ If you enjoy Midlife Answers and would like to support the podcast, you can buy me a coffee (or green tea!) via this link. Your support helps cover the behind-the-scenes costs of creating these conversations and allows me to keep bringing expert answers to the questions women are asking in midlife.

Have a midlife question you’d love covered in a future episode? Send it via this link or DM me on Instagram @midlifeanswers.

If anything discussed in this episode brings up difficult feelings for you, please consider speaking with your GP, a healthcare professional, or a qualified therapist who can offer personalised support.

Why do so many women reach a point in midlife where they start asking… what’s next for me?

In this episode of our midlife podcast for women, I’m joined by Chinese Medicine practitioner, best-selling author and podcaster Katie Brindle to explore reinvention in midlife, identity shifts, purpose, confidence, menopause, and why this stage of life can actually become one of the most powerful transitions a woman experiences.

We explore:

• Why so many women experience a “what now?” moment in midlife
• The “matriarch” phase and stepping into a new kind of power
• Reinvention, identity shifts and purpose after 40
• Why midlife can feel overwhelming and emotionally complex
• The Chinese Medicine concept of the “second spring”
• How small shifts can create meaningful change over time
• The importance of community, support and shared experiences
• Gratitude, mindset and simple ways to feel more grounded and positive

This episode is about understanding that midlife isn’t the end of something — it can also be the beginning of a completely new chapter.

You can also explore more from Katie Brindle on her podcast Own Your Health and in her book Yang Sheng.

🎧 Listen and follow this link to discover more episodes of Midlife Answers.

You might also enjoy:

• Confidence & Reinvention in Midlife with Holly Ziff #30
• Strength Training & Fitness in Midlife with Sue Parkyn #32
• Cognition, Brain Fog & Mental Clarity in Midlife with Natasha Banks #33

✨ RISE is my midlife coaching programme helping women rebuild confidence, reconnect with themselves, and navigate midlife with more clarity and self-belief. Discover more at midlifeanswers.com

Have a midlife question you’d love covered in a future episode? Send it via this link or DM me on Instagram @midlifeanswers.

If anything discussed in this episode brings up difficult feelings for you, please consider speaking with your GP, a healthcare professional, or a qualified therapist who can offer personalised support.

Why does anger show up so strongly in midlife — especially after life-changing experiences like illness, divorce, burnout or loss — and why do so many women find themselves stuck in “why me?” thinking?

In this episode of Midlife Answers, I’m joined by Marina Efraimoglou, entrepreneur and founder of the award-winning Euphoria Retreat in Greece, to explore anger, acceptance, and what it really takes to move from victimhood into a more conscious, intentional way of living after trauma and disruption.

After surviving a cancer diagnosis with just a 20–25% chance of survival, Marina completely redefined her life — stepping away from a successful career in banking and business to create one of Europe’s leading holistic wellness retreats, blending ancient Greek and Chinese therapies with modern science, nutrition and emotional healing.

We talk about:

* Why anger often appears after major life transitions and emotional shock

* The difference between feeling anger and being defined by it

* Moving from “why me?” into acceptance and responsibility

* How midlife can amplify misalignment in our lives and choices

* Why anger isn’t always negative — and how it can become a catalyst for growth

* The impact of societal conditioning on how women experience and express anger

* What it really means to step into emotional maturity and self-leadership in midlife

This conversation is about understanding anger differently — not as something to suppress or judge, but as something that can guide us towards change, clarity and a more aligned way of living.

🎧 Listen now — and follow this link to explore more episodes of Midlife Answers.

You might also enjoy:

* Resentment in Midlife Relationships: How to Talk to Your Partner Without Blame #26

* Feeling Lost in Midlife: Why You Don’t Feel Like Yourself & How to Find Your Way Again #29

* Life After Divorce: How Do I Rebuild My Life in Midlife? Emotional & Practical Steps #27

✨ RISE is my midlife coaching programme helping women rebuild confidence, reconnect with themselves, and navigate midlife with more clarity and self-belief. Discover more at midlifeanswers.com

☕ If you enjoy Midlife Answers and would like to support the podcast, you can buy me a coffee (or green tea!) via this link. Your support helps cover the behind-the-scenes costs of creating these conversations and allows me to keep bringing expert answers to the questions women are asking in midlife.

Have a midlife question you’d love covered in a future episode? Send it via this link or DM me on Instagram @midlifeanswers.

If anything discussed in this episode brings up difficult feelings for you, please consider speaking with your GP, a healthcare professional, or a qualified therapist who can offer personalised support.

Why does our face suddenly seem to change in midlife — with more sagging around the jawline, cheeks and eyes — even when our skincare routine hasn’t really changed?

In this episode of our midlife podcast for women, I’m joined by face fitness expert Philippa Mitchell, founder of Luminous Face Yoga, to explore face yoga in midlife, facial ageing, collagen loss, muscle tone, stress, posture, and the everyday habits that quietly affect how our skin looks and feels over time.

We also talk about the pressure many women feel around ageing, unrealistic beauty expectations, and what it really means to age naturally whilst still wanting to look and feel our best.

We explore:

~ Why skin changes in our 40s and 50s
~ Collagen loss, muscle tone and facial ageing
~ Stress, tension and how they affect the face
~ What face yoga actually is — and how it works
~ Whether facial muscles can really be trained
~ The most common face yoga mistakes people make
~ Lifestyle habits that support healthier skin ageing
~ A simple face yoga exercise to start trying today

This episode is about understanding what’s happening beneath the surface — and exploring realistic, supportive ways to care for yourself in midlife, without pressure or judgement.

🎧 Listen now — and follow this link to explore more episodes of Midlife Answers.

You might also enjoy:
Cognition in Midlife with Natasha Banks #33Strength Training & Fitness in Midlife with Sue #32

Stop Caring What Other Think with Tara Lynn #31

✨ RISE is my midlife coaching programme helping women rebuild confidence, reconnect with themselves, and navigate midlife with more clarity and self-belief. Discover more at midlifeanswers.com

Have a midlife question you’d love covered in a future episode? Send it via this link or DM me on Instagram @midlifeanswers.

If anything discussed in this episode brings up difficult feelings for you, please consider speaking with your GP, a healthcare professional, or a qualified therapist who can offer personalised support.

Why does cognition feel harder in midlife — with more forgetfulness, brain fog, and mental fatigue — even when nothing else has changed?

In this episode of our midlife podcast for women, I’m joined by wellness consultant Natasha Banks to explore cognition in midlife, brain fog, memory changes, hormones, stress, sleep, nutrition, and why so many women feel less mentally sharp during perimenopause and menopause.

We also talk about the brain–body connection, why the brain uses so much energy, and the role of nutrients, strength training and lifestyle in supporting mental clarity.

We explore:

• Brain fog, memory changes and cognition in midlife
• Why hormones affect focus, mood and mental clarity
• Stress, cortisol and cognitive function
• Why the brain is such an energy-demanding organ
• Key nutrients for memory, focus and brain health
• Creatine, strength training and cognition
• Simple ways to support mental clarity day to day

This episode is about understanding what’s happening in your brain — and what you can actually do to support it in midlife.

🎧 Listen now — and follow this link to explore more episodes of Midlife Answers.

You might also enjoy:
Confidence in Midlife with Holly #30
Strength Training & Fitness in Midlife with Sue #32

✨ RISE is my midlife coaching programme helping women rebuild confidence, reconnect with themselves, and navigate midlife with more clarity and self-belief. Discover more at midlifeanswers.com

Have a midlife question you’d love covered in a future episode? Send it via this link or DM me on Instagram @midlifeanswers.

If anything discussed in this episode brings up difficult feelings for you, please consider speaking with your GP, a healthcare professional, or a qualified therapist who can offer personalised support.

Interested in trying Creatine for yourself? For 20% off Creatine Monohydrate - shop here and use code W-TWC20 at checkout.

Why does belly fat seem to appear more easily after 40 — even when your diet and exercise haven’t changed?

In this episode of our midlife podcast for women, I’m joined by personal trainer Sue Parkyn to talk about midlife belly fat, hormones, strength training, cardio, cortisol, and why some workouts can actually work against women in perimenopause and menopause.

We explore:

• Why belly fat changes in midlife
• Why sit-ups and excessive cardio often don’t work
• The role of hormones, stress and sleep
• Why strength training matters after 40
• How to lose belly fat in midlife without exhausting yourself

This episode is about understanding what’s happening in your body — and learning how to work with it, not against it.

🎧 Listen now — and follow this link to explore more episodes of Midlife Answers.

✨ RISE is my midlife reinvention coaching programme helping women rebuild confidence, reconnect with themselves, and navigate midlife with more clarity and self-belief. Find out more at midlifeanswers.com

Have a midlife question you’d love covered in a future episode? Send it via this link or DM me on Instagram @midlifeanswers.

If anything discussed in this episode brings up difficult feelings for you, please consider speaking with your GP, a healthcare professional, or a qualified therapist who can provide personalised support.

Sue Parkyn:

www.sueparkynwellness.com

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/sueparkynwellness?igsh=OGpwY2dmdHlmMG82&utm_source=qr

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/share/16uEvg5kFy/?mibextid=wwXIfr

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sueparkynwellness?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios

Still worrying about what other people think — even in midlife?

In this episode of our midlife podcast for women, I’m joined by transformational coach Tara Lynn to explore why people-pleasing runs so deep — and how to start letting it go.

We unpack the link between conditioning, your nervous system, and the fear of judgement… and why it can feel so hard to speak up, even when you know what you want.

Plus, simple, practical ways to:

• Stop overthinking conversations
• Set boundaries without over-explaining
• Trust your own voice again
• Shift from “what will they think?” to “what do I want?”

If you’re ready to feel more confident, more authentic, and less influenced by others’ opinions — this episode is for you.

If this resonates, you might also enjoy episodes on midlife confidence, boundaries, and managing emotional overwhelm.

If anything discussed in this episode brings up difficult feelings for you, please consider speaking with your GP, a healthcare professional, or a qualified therapist who can provide personalised support.

🎧 Follow Midlife Answers for more bite-sized episodes on hormones, health, confidence and wellbeing in midlife.

About RISE Coaching

RISE is my midlife reinvention coaching programme for women who want to rebuild confidence, reconnect with themselves, and navigate this stage of life with more clarity and self-belief.

If you’ve been caring for everyone else while quietly losing yourself, this is a space to pause, reflect, and focus on what you need now.

Through practical tools and supportive guidance, RISE helps you move beyond self-doubt, set boundaries without guilt, and step into a more grounded, confident version of yourself.

Find out more at midlifeanswers.com

A little note from me…

If you enjoy listening to Midlife Answers and know others who would too, I’d really appreciate your support:

• Subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen
• Rate and review — it helps more women find the podcast
• Share or tag @midlifeanswers on Instagram
• Support the podcast via Buy Me A Coffee

Find Out More

Tara Lynn
https://www.taralynncoaching.com/

Podcast Editor — Mike Roberts
https://vault.makingdigitalreal.co.uk

Feeling unsure of yourself can be shocking — especially when you’ve built a career, raised a family, and always tried to ‘have it together.’

In this episode of our midlife podcast for women, I’m joined by Holly, a psychotherapist specialising in self-doubt, anxiety and self-worth, and we talk about why confidence often dips in midlife — what’s happening biologically, psychologically and socially — and how to start rebuilding it.

We explore why so many women in their late 30s, 40s and early 50s begin to question their decisions, their voice, and even their value — and, importantly, what you can do about it.

This is a reassuring, practical conversation designed to help you feel more like yourself again — and to remind you that you’re not alone in this.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why confidence often drops during perimenopause and midlife
• The biological, psychological and social factors at play
• How self-doubt becomes more entrenched over time
• The link between stress, overwhelm and confidence
• A powerful reframe: why confidence comes after action, not before
• Simple, realistic ways to start rebuilding self-trust

A note on support:

If anything discussed in this episode brings up difficult feelings for you, please consider speaking with your GP, a healthcare professional, or a qualified therapist who can provide personalised support.

🎧 Listen now — and follow this link to explore more episodes of Midlife Answers.

About RISE Coaching:

RISE is my midlife reinvention coaching programme for women who want to rebuild confidence, reconnect with themselves, and navigate this stage of life with more clarity and self-belief. If you’ve been caring for everyone else while quietly losing yourself, this is a space to pause, reflect, and focus on what you need now. Through practical tools and supportive guidance, RISE helps you move beyond self-doubt, set boundaries without guilt, and step into a more grounded, confident version of yourself.

Find out more by visiting midlifeanswers.com

About Midlife Answers:

Midlife Answers is a midlife podcast for women where each episode focuses on one real question about hormones, health, wellbeing and confidence — answered clearly, practically and compassionately with expert insight.

Have a question?

Send it via this link or DM me on Instagram @midlifeanswers — no topic is off-limits.

A little note from me…

If you enjoy listening to Midlife Answers and know others who would too, I’d really appreciate your support:

• Subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen
• Rate and review — it helps more women find the podcast
• Share or tag @midlifeanswers on Instagram
• Support the podcast via Buy Me A Coffee (or green tea!)

Find Out More:

Holly Ziff: Psychotherapy & Counselling: https://www.hollyziff.com

Podcast Editor — Mike Roberts:
https://vault.makingdigitalreal.co.uk

Feeling lost in midlife is more common than you might think — but it can feel incredibly isolating when you’re in it.

In this episode of Midlife Answers, we explore one of the most searched and quietly felt questions:
Why do I feel like I’m not myself anymore?

In this episode of our midlife podcast for women, I’m joined by Suzette, a therapist specialising in identity, relationships and emotional wellbeing, to unpack what’s really going on when you feel lost — and how to start reconnecting with yourself again.

We talk about the impact of midlife transitions, including hormonal changes, career shifts, family dynamics and emotional load — and why this stage of life can trigger a deeper sense of disconnection or lack of direction.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why feeling “lost” in midlife is different from stress or burnout
• Midlife identity shifts and the pressure of time and life decisions
• Hormones, perimenopause and emotional wellbeing
• Guilt, expectations and putting yourself last
• Signs you may need professional support
• Practical ways to reconnect with yourself today
• Simple tools like the five senses exercise, gratitude and time in nature

Suzette shares how feeling lost is often not a failure, but a signal that something within you is ready to change. With small, intentional steps, it is possible to find clarity, direction and a renewed sense of self.

✨ If you’re feeling disconnected, overwhelmed or unsure of your next step, this conversation will help you feel less alone — and more grounded.

If anything discussed in this episode brings up difficult feelings for you, please consider speaking with your GP, a healthcare professional, or a qualified therapist who can provide personalised support.

🎧 Listen now — and follow this link to explore more episodes of Midlife Answers.

If this resonated, you might also find these episodes helpful:

• Burnout in Midlife: When Rest Isn’t an Option — when feeling lost is actually exhaustion
• Resentment in Midlife Relationships — when disconnection starts showing up in your relationship
• Menopause 101 — understanding the hormonal changes that can affect mood, identity and how you feel day to day

About Midlife Answers

Midlife Answers is a midlife podcast for women where each episode focuses on one real question about hormones, health, wellbeing and confidence — answered clearly, practically and compassionately with expert insight.

Have a question?

Send it via this link or DM me on Instagram @midlifeanswers — no topic is off-limits.

A little note from me…

If you enjoy listening to Midlife Answers and know others who would too, I’d really appreciate your support:

1. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen
2. Rate and review — it helps more women find the podcast
3. Share or tag @midlifeanswers on Instagram
4. Support the podcast via Buy Me A Coffee (or green tea!)

Find Out More:

Suzette Castle-Mackie:
https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/suzette-castle-mackie

Podcast Editor — Mike Roberts:
https://vault.makingdigitalreal.co.uk