Midlife Rise + Thrive | Helping Women Navigate Midlife and Menopause

What if microdosing psychedelics could transform your mental well-being and success?

What exactly is microdosing? In this episode, I sit down with Peggy Van de Plassche, to explore  the benefits of using psilocybin, and how it helps with performance, mental wellness, connecting with your true self, and how it can improve life for women navigating midlife transitions.

Peggy is a former financial services executive turned expert in the psychedelic space. She is the founder of The Microdose Diet, a holistic program that utilizes microdosing psilocybin, alongside other alternative therapies, to rewire the brain, reduce stress, and elevate emotional and physical well-being. Her book, More: The Microdose Diet – The 90-Day Plan for More Success, Passion, and Happiness, shares a step-by-step guide to unlocking these benefits.

Peggy also explains the importance of using high-quality products and integrating holistic practices like journaling, meditation, tapping to maximize the effects of microdosing, as well as her own experience microdosing psilocybin!

Topics covered in this episode include:

• What microdosing is and how it works
• The benefits of microdosing psilocybin for mental wellness, anxiety, and performance
• Peggy’s experience with microdosing and how it can help other women in midlife experiencing menopause and perimenopause
• How microdosing can rewire the brain and foster emotional healing
• The importance of high-quality products and mindful protocols
• How to combine microdosing with practices like journaling, meditation, and therapy for best results

Resources Mentioned:

Visit Peggy’s website: themicrodosediet.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peggy.vdp/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-van-de-plassche/
Peggy’s Book, MORE! The Microdose Diet: The 90 Day Plan for More Success, Passion and Happiness: https://www.amazon.com/MORE-Microdose-Diet-Success-Happiness/dp/B0CLKJ3J8S?crid=H85579UFZTHH&keywords=microdose%20diet%20peggy&language=en_US&linkCode=sl1&linkId=c94767745adf6f37702a719247063cec&qid=1698420583&ref_=as_li_ss_tl&sprefix=microdose%20diet%20peggy%2Caps%2C79&sr=8-2&tag=poshilpre06-20

Connect with me, Sara Poldmae:

Website: https://risingwomanproject.com

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

Learn more about my upcoming retreats to Panama: https://risingwomanproject.com/retreats/

Ready To Take The Next Step To Thriving In Midlife? Download Your Free Hot Sheet With The Top 3 Things You Can Do Today To Rise + Thrive! https://risingwomanproject.com/contact/

What if midlife could be a time of renewal rather than overwhelm?

In this episode, I sit down with Stacy Brix, a dedicated health and wellness coach and board-certified family nurse practitioner specializing in women's health. Stacy empowers women navigating perimenopause and menopause, focusing on the intersection of mental health and physical well-being.

As a dedicated Health and Wellness Coach, she empowers women through the transformative stages of perimenopause and menopause with a holistic and evidence-based approach. Her background includes comprehensive training from Well Coaches and mindfulness training at the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine. Additionally, she is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with over 7 years of experience in women's health and is pursuing a specialty certification as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Her diverse expertise ensures that her coaching programs support women in achieving their best selves during life transitions.

In this episode, we talk about the unique challenges women face during midlife, including burnout, hormonal changes, and the juggling act of careers, aging parents, and growing children. We also talk about the importance of pausing to create a vision for the future, cutting through the noise of social media, and finding reliable resources and support systems.

All show notes are available at risingwomanproject.com!

In this episode:

• Recognizing and addressing burnout in midlife, and what to do if you are burnout.
• The importance of creating a personal vision for the future.
• Real advice for navigating the overwhelm of hormonal shifts and life transitions.
• The role of coaching and community support in women's health, and more about how Stacy helps women.
• Practical steps to improve mental and physical well-being during perimenopause and menopause.

Resources Mentioned:

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

Website: https://brixwellnessnp.com

Link to Freebie: https://30d3-info.systeme.io/17f538e5

Connect with me, Sara Poldmae:

Website: https://risingwomanproject.com

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

Learn more about my retreats: https://risingwomanproject.com/retreats/

Ready To Take The Next Step To Thriving In Midlife? Download Your Free Hot Sheet With The Top 3 Things You Can Do Today To Rise + Thrive! https://risingwomanproject.com/contact/

What if you could achieve consistently clear skin and better gut health with a science-driven approach?

In this episode, I sit down with Dina Rasutis. From Civil Engineer to Nutrition Therapist Master, Daina utilizes her science background to implement a bio-individualized approach to nutrition. Diana shares her personal health journey, from struggling with adult acne and fatigue to discovering the power of nutrition and functional testing. We discuss the benefits of the GI map stool test and food sensitivity testing, exploring how these tools can identify internal triggers and guide personalized dietary changes for lasting results.

She explains why addressing both food sensitivities and gut health together is essential for effective healing, and how targeted testing helps pinpoint the foods and supplements that are right for your body.

Tune in to learn how targeted testing can guide your path to optimized gut health, reduce inflammation, and help you thrive!

All show notes are available at risingwomanproject.com!

In this episode include:

• Dina’s personal health journey and how it inspired her transition from civil engineer to nutrition therapist.
• The GI map stool test: What it reveals about your gut health, such as parasites, yeast overgrowth, and digestive enzyme imbalances.
• Food sensitivity testing: How it helps heal the gut and prevent irritation
• Why you need to address both food sensitivities and gut health simultaneously for effective healing.
• All about functional tests: What types of tests are out there, and what to know about them! 
• The importance of a bio-individualized approach to nutrition and why one-size-fits-all diets don’t work.
• The importance of gut health in managing skin conditions like adult acne.
• Why functional testing is an essential tool for women in midlife navigating hormonal changes and digestive issues.

Resources Mentioned:

Visit Dina’s website: tabletocrave.com

Follow Dina on Instagram: @tabletocrave

Download Dina’s free gut health resources on her website and start your journey to better health today! https://www.tabletocrave.com/freebies

MegaSporeBiotic by Microbiome Labs

Connect with me, Sara Poldmae:

Website: https://risingwomanproject.com

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

Learn more about my retreats: https://risingwomanproject.com/retreats/

Ready To Take The Next Step To Thriving In Midlife? Download Your Free Hot Sheet With The Top 3 Things You Can Do Today To Rise + Thrive! https://risingwomanproject.com/contact/

What if it’s never too late to start taking care of yourself?

I hear you, oftentimes it feels like maybe your goals are too far out of reach, or you don’t have enough time to start a new routine, or maybe even you feel like you are too old to change your habits. I am thrilled to be joined this week by Terry Tateossian, the founder of T.H.O.R. Wellness to show you that it is never too late to reclaim your health! 

At 42, Terry embarked on a profoundly life-altering journey, successfully shedding over 80 lbs in her mid-forties, overcoming emotional eating and discovering an untapped source of incredible physical and emotional strength. 

Terry's passion & experience of helping women regain confidence, ignite wellbeing and find their true purpose has been propelling her forward for the past 25 years. Terry has been recognized as Inc. 5000's Fastest Growing Companies in America 2020, Inc. 2020 Best Places to Work, NJBIZ Top 40 Under 40, Future 50 Fastest Growing companies in NJ/NY, WPO 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies, Top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneurs, Top Female CEO Brava Award Winner, Best Company Culture in NJ and Top Women to Watch by HudsonMOD.

All show notes are available at risingwomanproject.com!

In this episode include:

• The wake-up call Terry received about her health that changed her trajectory. 
• Overcoming emotional eating and negative self-talk
• The physical, emotional and mental shifts that Terry experienced, and now coaches her clients through. 
• The power of resistance training for reversing aging.
• The importance of Setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care.
• Transforming your mindset to achieve lasting results.
• How you can start addressing and identifying self-sabotaging behaviors that might be holding you back! 

Resources Mentioned:

Visit Terry's website: thehouseofrose.com

Follow Terry on Instagram: @how.good.can.it.get

Connect with me, Sara Poldmae:

Website: https://risingwomanproject.com

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

Learn more about my retreats: https://risingwomanproject.com/retreats/

Ready To Take The Next Step To Thriving In Midlife? Download Your Free Hot Sheet With The Top 3 Things You Can Do Today To Rise + Thrive! https://risingwomanproject.com/contact/

What happens when we give away our power, and how can we reclaim it?

In this episode, I sit down with Alicia Rodriguez, a published author, storyteller, and slow living evangelist. Alicia shares her transformative journey of reclaiming her agency after giving it away in a complex relationship, a central theme in her upcoming memoir, “The Shaman's Wife: A Mystical Journey of Surrender and Self-Discovery.” 

Alicia discusses the impact of societal and generational messaging on women’s sense of power and the spiritual voids that can make us vulnerable. She shares her story of surrender and self-discovery, which can inspire you to reclaim your power and live with intention. 

Alicia is a published author, storyteller, slow-living evangelist, and catalyst for personal growth. She works with individuals committed to making quantum leaps in their lives. Alicia is passionate about writing, Portugal, rich coffee, her dog Sophie, courageous conversations, and work with heart and meaning. As a published author and spiritual woman, she nurtures her creativity and soul in the beauty of the Algarve. Alicia’s memoir, The Shaman’s Wife, will be published on September 10, 2024.

All show notes are available at risingwomanproject.com!

Topics covered in this episode include: 

- Reclaiming agency in complex relationships 

- The role of spiritual voids in vulnerability 

- Forgiveness and self-compassion in healing 

- The power of retreats for self-care and transformation 

Resources Mentioned: 

Media: https://aliciamrodriguez.com/media

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/aliciamrodriguez

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MsAliciaMRodriguez/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/msaliciamrodriguez

Substack: Nothing Is Ordinary – https://substack.com

Amazon Author page: www.amazon.com/author/aliciamrodriguez

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/aliciamrodriguez

Simple Wisdom & Daily Inspiration: https://alicia-m-rodriguez.ck.page/simple-wisdom-daily

Connect with me, Sara Poldmae:

Website: https://risingwomanproject.com

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

Learn more about my retreats: https://risingwomanproject.com/retreats/

Ready To Take The Next Step To Thriving In Midlife? Download Your Free Hot Sheet With The Top 3 Things You Can Do Today To Rise + Thrive! https://risingwomanproject.com/contact/

What if just 15 minutes of daily exercise could transform your midlife experience?


In this episode, I sat down with Kim Rahir, a 60-year-old European champion weightlifter and health coach who overcame MS to reclaim her vitality through strength training. Kim and I chat about her journey from MS diagnosis to European weightlifting champion, the power of strength training for midlife women and how to start a simple, effective home workout routine.


Tune in to learn how you can tap into an abundant source of vitality and thrive in midlife through strength training and proper nutrition. Kim's story will inspire you to take charge of your health and embrace new possibilities, no matter your starting point.


Topics covered in this episode include:

• Kim's 15-minute daily workout program for busy midlife women
• The importance of assessing your current fitness level
• How strength training improves energy, confidence, and overall well-being

All show notes are available at risingwomanproject.com!


Resources Mentioned:

Access a Free Assessment Tool about Your Health and Strength: https://kimrahir.com

Connect with Kim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-rahir/

Connect with Kim on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.rahir/

Follow Kim on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kim.rahir/ 

Are you constantly dealing with mystery aches and pains in your body that never seem to go away? Many people do in midlife, but what if you didn’t have to just power through it?


In this episode of Midlife Rise + Thrive, I’m joined by Dr. Jeffrey Gross to talk all about regenerative medicine. You might have heard of stem cell medicine (and that’s a good place to start) but this episode explores even more of the groundbreaking options available to help you beat your pain. 


Licensed in California and Nevada, Dr. Jeffrey Gross has SPINE practices in Orange County and Henderson, Nevada. A trained neurological surgeon, he specializes in athletic injuries and spine procedures and offers longevity and biohacking consultations. He founded ReCELLebrate to focus on anti-aging and regenerative medicine, offering modern biochemical treatments and treating surgery as a last resort. 


Topics covered in this episode include:

• How to heal your achy joints and muscles once and for all
• A little-known alternative to surgery to help with your pain 
• How to save money on your health costs 

If you’re wondering how you can feel better without going straight to surgery, the answer lies in this episode.


All show notes are available at risingwomanproject.com!


Resources Mentioned:

Check Out ReCELLebrate: https://recellebrate.com/

Follow @recellebrate on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recellebrate/

Follow @recellebrate on on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@recellebrate

Subscribe to Dr. Gross’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@stemcellwhisperer

Connect with Dr. Gross on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-gross-md-5605605/

Are you ready to start working on your health goals but don’t know where to begin? 


I get it. There’s so much information online now and it seems like everyone has a different opinion on what works and what doesn’t. That’s why our guest in this episode of Midlife Rise + Thrive is taking us back to basics. 


Esther Avant is here to teach us the big rock approach to better health. This approach is based on establishing six simple habits to kick-start your health journey so that you don’t get bogged down in the details. 


Esther Avant is a health industry veteran with over 18 years of experience in fitness, nutrition, and wellness-related roles. She is known for making exercise and nutrition simple and helping her clients address the root issues that have been standing between them and results that last. 


Topics covered in this episode include:

• An easy way to integrate movement into your life 
• One type of workout that will transform your health 
• How to improve your health in just a few minutes each day 

Tune in to find out what Esther's six big rock habits are and how they make weight loss simple when nothing seems to be working.


All show notes are available at risingwomanproject.com!


Resources Mentioned:

Visit Esther’s Website: www.estheravant.com

Follow @esther.avant on Instagram: www.instagram.com/esther.avant

Join Esther’s Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/livedietfree

Listen to Esther’s Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-live-diet-free-podcast/id1543658046

Get Esther’s Free Menopause Guide: https://estheravant.com/menopause/

How do you learn to love yourself after divorce or trauma?


We’re jumping in at the deep end this week to tackle a pretty heavy and emotional topic, but things take an unexpectedly beautiful turn at the end that you’re going to want to stick around for. 


This conversation with Magic Barclay is definitely an instant favorite of mine, so don’t miss this episode of Midlife Rise + Thrive, all about self-love, female friendship, and… kangaroos. 


Magic Barclay is the lead practitioner at Wholistic Natural Health Australia and host of A Magical Life: a podcast all about health, wealth, and weight loss. She helps women aged 45-65 who feel unheard or misled by mainstream medicine or anyone who wants to bring their health back to basics. 


Topics covered in this episode include:

• A telltale sign that you’re not comfortable with yourself 
• What we have in common with children when it comes to being ourselves
• An equation to help you identify how you show up for yourself 

If you’re just as confused as I was about what kangaroos have to do with self-love, you’ll have to tune in for answers!


All show notes are available at risingwomanproject.com!


Resources Mentioned:


Visit Magic’s Website: www.wholisticnaturalhealth.com.au

Follow Wholistic Natural Health Australia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wholistic-natural-health-australia/

Follow @wholisticnaturalhealth on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wholisticnaturalhealth/

Follow Wholistic Natural Health Australia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wholisticnaturalhealthaustralia

Get Your Free Root Cause Health Analysis: https://www.wholisticnaturalhealth.com.au/health-assessment-form/

Inflammation. It’s a word that gets thrown around a lot, but how much do you know about it?


In this episode of the Midlife Rise + Thrive podcast, special guest Heather Glenn is teaching us the basics of what inflammation is, how to reduce it, and why it’s so important in midlife. Heather and I could talk about this forever, but we intentionally made this episode simple and digestible so that you can find all the information you need to get started in one place. 


Certified Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and Holistic Health Coach Heather Glenn will be your health detective, guide, companion, and biggest cheerleader on the road to reclaiming your health! 


Topics covered in this episode include:

• The type of inflammation that is causing your health problems 
• Practical things you can do to reduce inflammation in your body 
• The easiest ways to make your diet less inflammatory

If you want to find out how your body feels when it’s not in a constant state of inflammation (causing fatigue, aches and pains, mood swings, and more) this is for you.


All show notes are available at risingwomanproject.com!


Resources Mentioned:

Visit Heather’s Website: www.heatherglenn.com

Follow @heatherglennwellness on Instagram: www.instagram.com/heatherglennwellness

Get Heather’s Free Immunity Booster Meal Plan:: https://www.heatherglenn.com/boost-your-immune-system