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Turning 40 isn't the time to slow down - it’s time to step up! I'm your host Anneli Marinovichi and in this solo episode of the Mind and Muscle Beyond 40 podcast, I pull back the curtain on why I wrote Project 80 and how navigating a challenging 2025, including perimenopausal chaos and losing my mum, shaped the ultimate blueprint for midlife health. 

If you're ready to reject crash diets, stop exhausting yourself with insane cardio burnout, and start building long-term physical and metabolic strength, this episode is for you beautiful AND gives you a good insight on what you'll find inside the Project 80 book.

In this episode, we cover:

• The shift in mindset: Why midlife isn't a slow downhill fade, but a launchpad for future resilience. 
• Metabolic resilience: How prioritising protein, healthy fats, and proper carbs turns your body into a fat-burning machine.
• Building your 80-year-old frame: Why strength training at least three times a week protects your bones and mobility long-term.
• Self-advocacy: The importance of annual Well Woman blood panels to understand important wellness markers like thyroid, iron and keep track of hormone shifts.
• The MMB40 pillars: Mindset, Muscle, Nutrition, Biohacking, and Owning Your Hormonal Power - all deciphered in the Project 80 book.

Episode Chapters:

00:00:45 - Turning 40 Is Your Prime Time
00:01:30 - Welcome & Episode Overview
00:02:55 - Rewriting the Midlife Narrative
00:04:05 - The Personal Story Behind Project 80
00:06:00 - Core Blueprint: Muscle, Nutrition & Metabolic Resilience
00:09:00 - Book Launch & Reader Impact
00:09:47 - Building Metabolic Resilience & Smarter Nutrition 
00:11:19 - The Power of Muscle & Strength Training for Bone Density and Perimenopause
00:12:12 - Self-Advocacy & The Well Woman Blood Panel 
00:13:36 - Belly fat and body composition changes after 40
00:14:25 - Visualising and building your independent 80-year-old self 
00:15:24 - Podcast Intro
00:15:44 - The Kent Wellness Festival & mum's story as a nurse
00:16:35 - Strength training for beginners 
00:17:34 - How to build your 80yr old frame using the Project 80 blueprint
00:21:30 - How to fuel your body in midlife
00:22:08 - Project 80 cuts through the noise and encourages self-experimentation
00:23:14 - How your habits might be keeping you stuck
00:24:11 - Reader Feedback, Ebooks, & The "Pulse Check" Tool 
00:27:14 - My WHY: Project 80 is a global mission
00:27:38 - What’s Next: Speaking Events, Corporate Workshops, & 2026/2027 Plans

Connect & Resources:

• Prefer Video? Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Iaor-WmlhQU?si=2-FcoNGuMtjRMjIN
• Get the Book: Grab your copy of Project 80 on Amazon here: https://amzn.eu/d/06ZK05tC or get a signed copy via the MMB40 website: https://www.mindandmuscle40.com/project-80-book
• Corporate & Speaking Inquiries: Get in touch with Anneli for corporate wellness workshops on annelimarinovich[at]gmail[dot]com
• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindmusclebeyond40/

If you enjoyed this episode, please hit Follow and leave a 5-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify - it helps more women discover the show!

Thank you for listening. Be sure to hit the SUBSCRIBE button if you enjoyed the episode and share it with friends wherever you're listening.

Follow MMB40 on social media for more tips & free content:

Instagram, YouTube, Facebook

Check out the Club MMB40 exclusive membership: https://www.mindandmuscle40.com/club-mmb40-membership 

Interested in 1:1 coaching with Anneli? Learn more about the Legacy Body Programme here: https://www.mindandmuscle40.com/the-legacy-body-programme 

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Are you doing everything "right" but still swimming upstream?

If you're over 40 and feel like you're ticking every single box, you’re getting your steps in, lifting weights, obsessing over calories, and keeping your discipline dialed in, but the scale refuses to budge and you’re still completely exhausted, this episode is your wake-up call.

Today, I’m joined by the absolutely incredible Maggie Topham, an Integrative Health Coach and author of the game-changing workbook Metabolic Me. Maggie has a jaw-dropping background: she was a marathon runner, a triathlete, and a dance studio owner, yet despite all that activity, she found herself at her largest size and pre-diabetic just as she was about to become a grandmother.

Maggie didn’t starve her way back to health. Instead, she cracked the code by biohacking her own insulin resistance and shifting to a muscle-centric lifestyle, which is exactly what the Mind and Muscle Beyond 40 (MMB40) philosophy is all about.

In this episode, we unpack:

💪🏻The "Fit but unhealthy" paradox: How Maggie was running triathlons on 800 calories a day while her metabolism was silently backfiring.

💪🏻Fasting done right: How to use fasting to reverse insulin resistance without destroying your hard-earned muscle.

💪🏻The truth about midlife belly fat: Why the "fat makes you fat" myth is keeping you stuck, and how hidden sugars are the real culprit behind midlife hormonal weight gain. PLUS why protein is the answer to all your problems.

💪🏻The missing hormone connection: The shocking link between low testosterone, antidepressants, and perimenopause that conventional doctors completely missed.

💪🏻Muscle as our ultimate currency: Why Maggie swapped chronic cardio for lifting weights like a football player with her son, and how it completely rewrote her identity.

💪🏻Gym anxiety vs. home workouts: Honest, practical advice on how to start lifting heavy (even if you're intimidated by the weights section in the gym!).

💪🏻Advocating for your health: Why you can talk back to your doctor and bring your own data to the table.

💪🏻Small habits, massive results: Maggie and Anneli share their non-negotiable daily micro-habits that take minimal effort but yield massive metabolic wins over time.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
02:27 The Athlete's Dilemma: Metabolic Health vs. Activity
04:56 The Search for Answers: Hormones and Health
08:49 The Journey to Understanding: Integrative Health Coaching
11:17 Advocating for Yourself: Navigating Healthcare
14:11 Personal Experiences with Hormone Therapy
17:41 The Transformation: Embracing Weight Training
21:13 Building Strength and Identity
23:59 Overcoming Gym Intimidation
28:04 The Journey to Muscle Building
30:31 Understanding Insulin Resistance
35:54 The Role of Protein in Muscle Growth
37:27 Metabolic Signals and Energy Sources
40:42 The Benefits of Fasting for Women
45:41 Fasting and Protein Intake
47:03 Eating Windows and Circadian Rhythms
48:00 The Importance of Muscle and Nutritional Flexibility
50:40 Tracking Nutrition for Success
52:30 Understanding Metabolic Health and Aging
58:50 Introducing 'Metabolic Me' and Its Pillars
01:02:36 Final Thoughts on Muscle, Nutrition, and Sleep


Maggie’s vulnerability, humour, and no-nonsense approach are exactly what we need as women navigating midlife and beyond. It’s time to stop starving ourselves and start building the strong, vibrant bodies we deserve. Let’s get into it!

Connect with Maggie:

• Website: https://www.integrative-health-coach.com/
• Instagram: @func_health
• Get her workbook: Metabolic Me

Subscribe & Support: If this episode clicked for you, please hit that subscribe button and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! It helps our small, growing community of strong women find us.

Thank you for listening. Be sure to hit the SUBSCRIBE button if you enjoyed the episode and share it with friends wherever you're listening.

Follow MMB40 on social media for more tips & free content:

Instagram, YouTube, Facebook

Check out the Club MMB40 exclusive membership: https://www.mindandmuscle40.com/club-mmb40-membership 

Interested in 1:1 coaching with Anneli? Learn more about the Legacy Body Programme here: https://www.mindandmuscle40.com/the-legacy-body-programme 

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The Self-Love Revolution: Reinventing Life After 50 with Lu.

What happens when you stop shrinking and start taking up space? 

In this episode of the Mind and Muscle Beyond 40 podcast, I chat with Lu - a 55-year-old women’s empowerment activist, "accidental influencer," and professional shame-buster. 

Lu’s journey isn’t a straight line; it’s a collection of wild, messy, and beautiful chapters. 

From her childhood as a vicar’s daughter to her days as a Club 18-30 rep, and eventually a 10,000-mile solo bus tour across America, Lu has mastered the art of "reckless optimism". 

She joins me to share how she navigated divorce, perimenopause, and financial "crickets" to build a life centered on being radically REAL!

Inside this episode:

• The power of chapters: Why viewing your life as a book helps you sit in peace with the "sh*t bits". 

• That naked volcano photo: The viral moment that sparked an unraveling of Lou's old life and a new era of body confidence. 

• Finding your squad: How a hiking group in Oregon became the catalyst for physical and mental strength. 

• Winner winner chicken dinner: Lu’s simple but powerful tool for retraining your brain to focus on the wins. 

• The Unshrunk Collection: How Lu is bringing fun, flair, and relief to the menopause space. 

• Shapeshifting with the sh*t: Practical advice on how to handle viral hate and judgment while staying true to yourself.

About Lu:

Lu is a disruptor and the founder of the Unshrunk Collection and Self-Love Camp. She is dedicated to helping women navigate the "messy middle" of ageing with confidence, humour, and a lot of "giving fewer funks". 

Connect with Lu:

• Website: https://luinluland.com/
• Instagram: @luinluland

Connect with MMB40

• Subscribe: Don’t miss an episode of the Mind and Muscle Beyond 40 podcast - hit that subscribe button!

• Review: If this episode inspired you to "shapeshift with the sh*t," please leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

• Follow Anneli: @mindmusclebeyond40

#SelfLove #LifeAfter50 #Perimenopause #Mindset #WomenEmpowerment #MMB40

Timestamp chapters:

0:00 Introduction to The Mind and Muscle Beyond 40 podcast

1:05  In today's episode: The audacity of the pivot

3:28 Meeting Lu at an event in Brighton & the importance of mindset after 40

6:24 Life Chapters and Personal Growth

9:24 Community and Connection

12:24 The Journey of Self-Discovery

15:27 Fitness and Confidence Transformation

18:25 Navigating Relationships and Change

21:25 Embracing Menopause and Personal Boundaries

24:00 Embracing Vulnerability and Boldness

26:20 The Journey of Self-Discovery

28:38 Reinventing Life After Divorce

30:22 The Bus Tour: Connecting Women Across America

33:14 Empowering Women Through Fashion and Fun

39:02 The Accidental Influencer: Authenticity in Marketing

43:29 Challenging Societal Norms and Body Image

46:51 Planting Seeds of Confidence

50:21 Embracing Vulnerability and Authenticity

54:18 The Unshrunk Collection: A New Venture

56:55 The Self-Love Camp Experience

1:00:33 Journaling: A Tool for Reflection and Growth

1:05:07 Celebrating Wins: Shifting Perspectives

Thank you for listening. Be sure to hit the SUBSCRIBE button if you enjoyed the episode and share it with friends wherever you're listening.

Follow MMB40 on social media for more tips & free content:

Instagram, YouTube, Facebook

Check out the Club MMB40 exclusive membership: https://www.mindandmuscle40.com/club-mmb40-membership 

Interested in 1:1 coaching with Anneli? Learn more about the Legacy Body Programme here: https://www.mindandmuscle40.com/the-legacy-body-programme 

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"Stop fighting your body and start fueling your future."

In Episode 4 of the MMB40 podcast, we go deep into the "engine room" of midlife health: the gut. If you’re a woman over 40 struggling with energy crashes, stubborn bloating, or that frustrating perimenopausal brain fog, this conversation is your roadmap to feeling like yourself again.

I’m joined by Cara Wheatley-McGrain, author of The Mindful Gut, who shares her journey from a life-threatening health crisis to becoming a leading voice in gut-health advocacy. We discuss why a resilient microbiome is the secret to staying strong, sharp, and vibrant in your 40s and beyond.

In this episode, we explore:

• The Estrobolome: How your gut bacteria manage your hormones.
• The 30-Plant Rule: Why diversity is the key to energy and balance.
• The Vagus Nerve: Connecting your mental resilience to physical strength.
• Self-Compassion as Biology: Why "gut-kindness" beats "gut-restriction."
• A 5-min gut check: Follow along as Cara takes us through a compassionate 5-min exercise to check in with your gut and prepare your body for food.

🔗 QUICK LINKS & RESOURCES:

🥗 THE RAINBOW BOWL CHEAT SHEET (£9.50): Take the thinking out of healthy eating. Get the simple, "pick-and-mix" guide to hitting your protein and fiber targets: SHOP HERE: https://www.mindandmuscle40.com/offers/mDbQPi4E/checkout?coupon_code=TREATYOURSELF

💪 JOIN CLUB MMB40: Ready to stop guessing and start fueling your workouts properly? Get the protein & fiber focused meal plans and join our community HERE: https://www.mindandmuscle40.com/offers/fbc88Szo/checkout

📖 CARA’S BOOK: Find The Mindful Gut by Cara Wheatley-McGrain here: https://amzn.eu/d/0aNoH7h4

TIMESTAMP CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to Gut Health and Midlife Resilience 

01:30 The Importance of Gut Health for Women Over 40 

04:29 Cara's Journey with Ulcerative Colitis 

09:26 Listening to Your Body: The Role of Intuition 

10:32 The Unique Gut Microbiome of Women 

12:06 Navigating Dietary Trends and Confusion 

17:21 The Impact of Fiber and Hydration on Gut Health 

20:29 Movement and Its Role in Digestive Health 

23:53 Managing Inflammation and Stress in Midlife 

27:47 The Importance of Self-Compassion for Women 

32:59 Understanding the Vagus Nerve and Gut Health 

39:17 Mindful Eating vs. Restrictive Eating 

46:30 Do a gut-check with Cara & Anneli

52:13 Incorporating Diversity into your Diet

Thank you for listening. Be sure to hit the SUBSCRIBE button if you enjoyed the episode and share it with friends wherever you're listening.

Follow MMB40 on social media for more tips & free content:

Instagram, YouTube, Facebook

Check out the Club MMB40 exclusive membership: https://www.mindandmuscle40.com/club-mmb40-membership 

Interested in 1:1 coaching with Anneli? Learn more about the Legacy Body Programme here: https://www.mindandmuscle40.com/the-legacy-body-programme 

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Are we becoming "invisible" over 40, or are we just getting started?

In the very first guest episode of the Mind and Muscle Beyond 40 (MMB40) podcast, I sit down with Vanessa Ridout, the founder of The Epiphany Closet. Vanessa doesn't just make clothes; she hand-designs and presses "emotional armour" for women navigating the highs and lows of midlife!

We dive deep into our shared history - from a chance meeting at a Manchester networking event in 2024 to our exciting International Women’s Day 2026 collaboration. We’re getting real about the menopause and perimenopause transition, reclaiming our bodies through physical strength, and why "wearing your feelings" is a radical act of self-love.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

💗 The "Epiphany" that led Vanessa to start a motivational wellbeing brand from her kitchen table.
💗 Why physical muscle and emotional expression are the two pillars of ageing strong.
💗 How to navigate the "identity crisis" of menopause and perimenopause.
💗 The exclusive reveal of the MMB40 x The Epiphany Closet IWD 2026 collaboration.

Find out more about Club MMB40 here: https://www.mindandmuscle40.com/club-mmb40-membership

Join the MMB40 email newsletter here: https://www.mindandmuscle40.com/MMB40newsletter

Free resources here: https://www.mindandmuscle40.com/resources

Connect with Anneli / MMB40:
Website: https://www.mindandmuscle40.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindmusclebeyond40/?hl=en

Connect with Vanessa & The Epiphany Closet
Website: https://theepiphanycloset.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopc4nNxcxFjIoPudZ268C7Mjw7B2pywWOO5UoATy7hYe8l7CEBR
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theepiphanycloset/?hl=en

#AgeingStrong #MenopauseAwareness #WomenOver40 #SelfLove #MMB40 #TheEpiphanyCloset #IWD2026 #WearYourFeelings

Thank you for watching. Be sure to hit the SUBSCRIBE button if you enjoyed the episode and share it with friends wherever you're watching. For more episodes - click on The Mind and Muscle Beyond 40 Podcast Playlist

Let us know in the comments: If you could wear one word on your chest today - what would it be? 

Thank you for listening. Be sure to hit the SUBSCRIBE button if you enjoyed the episode and share it with friends wherever you're listening.

Follow MMB40 on social media for more tips & free content:

Instagram, YouTube, Facebook

Check out the Club MMB40 exclusive membership: https://www.mindandmuscle40.com/club-mmb40-membership 

Interested in 1:1 coaching with Anneli? Learn more about the Legacy Body Programme here: https://www.mindandmuscle40.com/the-legacy-body-programme 

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In this deeply personal episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on why I’m choosing a "slow start" for 2026. After a 2025 that brought the unexpected loss of my mum, complex family transitions, and the physical toll of perimenopause, I’m sharing how I’ve had to reframe what "strength" really looks like.

If you’ve ever felt the pressure to "grind" while your heart is breaking, or if you're struggling to balance hormonal changes with the "invisible load" of midlife, this episode is your permission slip to breathe. I’m getting honest about why you can’t biohack a broken heart, how grief and perimenopause overlap, and why filling your "oxytocin tank" is the most productive thing you can do this year.

In this episode, I’m diving into:

💗The 2025 Year-in-Review: Lessons from a "Perfect Storm."
💗Why "sucking it up" is a one-way street to burnout.
💗Navigating the loss of a parent while running a business.
💗Why mindset must come before muscle in 2026.
💗Practical "Slow Goals" for sustainable resilience.

About Me & MMB40: I’m Anneli, a Perimenopause Strength Coach and founder of Mind and Muscle Beyond 40. My mission is to help you age with power, purpose, and confidence by working with your body, not against it.

Thank you for listening. Be sure to hit the SUBSCRIBE button if you enjoyed the episode and share it with friends wherever you're listening.

Follow MMB40 on social media for more tips & free content:

Instagram, YouTube, Facebook

Check out the Club MMB40 exclusive membership: https://www.mindandmuscle40.com/club-mmb40-membership 

Interested in 1:1 coaching with Anneli? Learn more about the Legacy Body Programme here: https://www.mindandmuscle40.com/the-legacy-body-programme 

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In this episode, I share my own personal transformation journey. It wasn't so long ago that I was feeling the frustration of not recognising my own reflection and wanting desperately to feel healthy, strong, and happy in my skin again. My own mind & muscle journey over two decades has given me a deep understanding of what it takes to transform and in this episide recorded on a beach in Marbella, you'll hear all about it!

If you prefer to watch the video - find it here on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/VtL4jBrDH60?si=bAHCTpfPD_qiqj64

Thank you for listening. Be sure to hit the SUBSCRIBE button if you enjoyed the episode and share it with friends wherever you're listening.

Follow MMB40 on social media for more tips & free content:

Instagram, YouTube, Facebook

Check out the Club MMB40 exclusive membership: https://www.mindandmuscle40.com/club-mmb40-membership 

Interested in 1:1 coaching with Anneli? Learn more about the Legacy Body Programme here: https://www.mindandmuscle40.com/the-legacy-body-programme 

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Welcome to Mind and Muscle Beyond 40 (MMB40). In this intro episode, your host, Anneli Marinovich (founder of MMB40) gives you a taste of what to expect from MMB40 episodes. 

Thank you for listening. Be sure to hit the SUBSCRIBE button if you enjoyed the episode and share it with friends wherever you're listening.

Follow MMB40 on social media for more tips & free content:

Instagram, YouTube, Facebook

Check out the Club MMB40 exclusive membership: https://www.mindandmuscle40.com/club-mmb40-membership 

Interested in 1:1 coaching with Anneli? Learn more about the Legacy Body Programme here: https://www.mindandmuscle40.com/the-legacy-body-programme