Ever look back and realize you’ve been on a completely transformative journey—without even noticing it in the moment? That’s exactly what happened to me when I looked at the calendar and saw the date: May 9, 2023. Two years to the day since I launched this podcast. (Totally unplanned. Total goosebumps.)

To celebrate this anniversary, I’m taking you behind the scenes of the pivot that changed everything—from a podcast that tried to be “clever” to one that’s truly clear. I’m sharing how I went from “OMG Teach Me” (yes, based on my love of saying oh-my-goodness) to Mind Your Midlife, and why that shift—fueled by you and your real-life midlife questions—was the turning point.

In this episode, I open up about:

• The biggest mistake I made when I first launched
• Why trying to speak to everyone meant I was connecting with no one
• The moment I realized I was serving myself more than my audience
• How clarity, not cleverness, became my guiding star
• And how you helped shape this podcast into what it is today

Whether you're building a business, starting a passion project, or simply navigating a new season of life, the lesson is the same: when you stop trying to sound smart and start getting specific about who you're really here to help, everything shifts.

Have you had a moment like this in your own journey? I’d love to hear about it! Find me on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook @CherylPFischer—or visit cherylpfischer.com and say hello.

And hey, if this episode resonated with you, sharing it with a friend is the biggest compliment you can give. 💛

Find all podcast and coaching resources at cherylpfischer.com.

Make sure you're on the waitlist for the Patreon Midlife Pivot community launching June 1st and free all summer.  You do not want to miss this!

Send Mind Your Midlife a note.

The Midlife Pivot Patreon Community launches June 1st! Find out all the details and grab your spot on the waitlist at cherylpfischer.com/midlifepivot. 

Ever wonder if what you wear at home really makes a difference? Imagine if your outfit—even your soft pants—could shape your mindset, productivity, and confidence for the entire day.

In this episode, I dive into the science and psychology behind what we wear and how it impacts the way we feel and function, especially in midlife. Whether you work from home, head into an office, or are somewhere in between, this conversation is about more than clothes—it’s about identity, intention, and how we want to show up in our own lives.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

✔ What “enclothed cognition” is and how your brain responds to what you’re wearing
✔ Why getting dressed can actually change your mindset and boost confidence
✔ How to use clothing as a tool to signal the mood, energy, and focus you want to have
✔ Why it’s time to clean out anything in your closet that makes you feel less than your best

🎯 OMG Moment: What you wear isn’t just about style—it’s a signal to your brain that says, “I’m ready. Let’s go.”

Take Action
Ask yourself each morning: How do I want to feel today? Then get dressed in a way that reflects that intention. Your clothes aren’t just an outfit—they’re your energy.

Listen to Cyndy Porter share more powerful style and personal branding tips on this episode.

Why This Episode Matters
In midlife, how we think and feel about ourselves shapes everything. Choosing what to wear with purpose can help you feel more confident, take action on your goals, and interact with the world in a way that feels authentic and aligned.

🎧 Hit follow now and join me next week as I sit down with a 79-year-old cookbook author for a surprising conversation about health, food, and living with energy at any age.

Find all the podcast and coaching resources at cherylpfischer.com.

Send Mind Your Midlife a note.

The Midlife Pivot Patreon Community launches June 1st! Find out all the details and grab your spot on the waitlist at cherylpfischer.com/midlifepivot. 

If you’d asked me a few months ago if I’d ever do an episode on going alcohol-free, I probably would’ve laughed and said, “No way.” But the truth? This conversation matters—especially in midlife, when we’re all trying to take better care of our minds, bodies, and hearts.

In this episode, I sit down with certified alcohol-free life coach Emily Allen to talk about what it’s really like to take a break from alcohol, why she chose to do it, and what changed for her when she did. Spoiler alert: Emily didn’t hit rock bottom. She was just a midlife woman who wanted to feel better—and ended up transforming her life.

Whether you’re sober-curious, thinking about cutting back, or just wondering what this lifestyle is all about (while sipping your glass of wine), I think you’ll find this conversation enlightening and empowering.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

✔ Why you don’t need a crisis to reevaluate your relationship with alcohol
 ✔ How Emily replaced wine nights with self-care, clarity, and confidence
 ✔ The surprising midlife benefits of drinking less (think sleep, energy, and mood!)
 ✔ Why you’re not “doing it wrong” if you feel unsure about where you stand

🎯 OMG Moment: Midlife is already full of change—so why not make one that brings true freedom?

Take Action
Curious about cutting back or going alcohol-free? Emily offers one-on-one coaching to help women navigate that journey. You can learn more at livingfreewithemily.com or follow her at @livingfreewithemily on social.

Why This Episode Matters
This isn’t about judgment, labels, or rules—it’s about awareness. In midlife, how we treat ourselves matters more than ever. Whether or not you’re ready to rethink your happy hour, this episode invites you to check in with your intuition and give yourself permission to choose what feels right.

🎧 Hit follow now and join me next week as we talk about my favorite topic (believe it or not): mornings! We’ll explore how to make mornings work for you—without a 5 a.m. wake-up call or a laundry list of habits.

Find all podcast and coaching resources at cherylpfischer.com.

Send Mind Your Midlife a note.

The Midlife Pivot Patreon Community launches June 1st! Find out all the details and grab your spot on the waitlist at cherylpfischer.com/midlifepivot. 

The Midlife Pivot Patreon Community launches June 1st! Find out all the details and grab your spot on the waitlist at cherylpfischer.com/midlifepivot. 

Ever find yourself looking at an old photo or hearing a throwback song and suddenly you're smiling... then cringing? One minute it's nostalgia, and the next you're thinking, “Why did I do that?” Been there.

In this episode, we're diving into what I like to call the “midlife memory seesaw”—that mental tipping point between warm, fuzzy memories and the sting of regret. I’m sharing some of my own stories (yes, including questionable 90s haircuts), along with brain science and practical tools that will help you shift how you think about your past. The goal? More joy, less guilt, and a lot more grace for the person you used to be.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

✔ Why our brains tend to cling to the negative—and how to gently train them to do otherwise
✔ My go-to “regret reframe” that shifts self-criticism into appreciation
✔ How writing a thank-you note to your younger self can change your perspective
✔ What positive nostalgia can do for your self-esteem and emotional well-being

🎯 OMG Moment: Looking back with joy and appreciation is power. Looking back with self-criticism is a trap—and it’s one you don’t have to fall into.

Take Action
Next time you catch yourself slipping into regret, try asking, “What good came from that moment?” or “How far have I come since then?” That one simple reframe can change everything. You deserve to look back with kindness.

Grab your free Story Cycle resource to help you recognize these emotions and the thoughts behind them at www.cherylpfischer.com/storycycle.

Why This Episode Matters
Midlife naturally brings a lot of reflection—but how we relate to our past directly shapes our peace and happiness now. I want you to see how much gold is in your story, even the messy chapters. You’ve lived a lot of life. Let’s honor that—together.

🎧 Hit follow now and join me next week as I sit down with a guest to talk about the alcohol-free movement and what it means to redefine your relationship with habits in midlife.

Find all podcast and coaching resources at cherylpfischer.com.

Send Mind Your Midlife a note.

The Midlife Pivot Patreon Community launches June 1st! Find out all the details and grab your spot on the waitlist at cherylpfischer.com/midlifepivot. 

The Midlife Pivot Patreon Community launches June 1st! Find out all the details and grab your spot on the waitlist at cherylpfischer.com/midlifepivot. 

Drowning in stuff while navigating midlife transitions? Professional organizer Mary Beth McKinnon reveals why decluttering now might be the greatest gift you'll ever give your family.

Mary Beth shares her personal journey of helping clear out her mother's home after a move to assisted living—a process made doubly painful because her mother was simultaneously grieving her husband and her possessions. This experience transformed Mary Beth's perspective on our relationship with our things and sparked her mission to help others avoid leaving this burden for their children.

Far from just practical advice, this conversation explores the profound emotional aspects of our belongings. 

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: 

• Compassionate strategies for getting started without becoming overwhelmed
• The best tip I've ever heard for cleaning out photos on your phone
• Ideas for helping family and friends with the clean out or downsizing process
• Ways to make the entire decluttering process less stressful

 🎯 OMG Moment: Give yourself grace throughout the decluttering process. Perfectionism is the enemy of progress, and even small improvements create a sense of lightness and accomplishment that motivates continued effort.

TAKE ACTION:

Find Mary Beth on Instagram @marybeth.mackinnon - and keep enjoying her tips and tricks!

Grab your free StoryCycle resource from Cheryl to navigate the emotional challenges of this process as well.

Listen to Cheryl’s interview with paper organizing expert C. Lee Cawley.

WHY THIS EPISODE MATTERS: 

Whether you're considering downsizing, helping parents through transitions, or simply feeling weighed down by decades of accumulated possessions, this episode provides both the practical tools and the mindset shifts needed to create more space—both physical and emotional—in your midlife.

Find all the coaching and podcast resources at cherylpfischer.com. 

Send Mind Your Midlife a note.

The Midlife Pivot Patreon Community launches June 1st! Find out all the details and grab your spot on the waitlist at cherylpfischer.com/midlifepivot. 

The Midlife Pivot Patreon Community launches June 1st! Find out all the details and grab your spot on the waitlist at cherylpfischer.com/midlifepivot. 

Feeling isolated in midlife? Trying new hobbies might help—but your mindset determines whether these new pursuits become sources of joy or frustration.

Drawing from her personal experiences with golf, violin, and mahjong in her 50s, Cheryl shares powerful insights about embracing the beginner's journey when we're accustomed to being experts in other areas of life.

Lisa Alfano, of agelessadventures.life, joins Cheryl with her wisdom on sports and community in your 50s and beyond.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

✔ Why mindset—not motivation—is the key to consistency
✔ How humor can be your most powerful tool
✔ The power of community for motivation and success
✔ How to avoid the comparison trap

🎯 OMG Moment: Sports and activities in midlife are meant to bring us joy and help us prioritize movement and community.  When it stops being fun and satisfying, it's ok to do something new.

TAKE ACTION: 

Grab your free StoryCycle resource to help you pause and identify the emotions and thoughts that are impacting you.

Visit cherylpfischer.com/coaching and set up a free consultation on creating a positive mindset and action items you actually look forward to for your next adventure.

Listen to episode 17 on isolation in midlife and episode 6 on laughter yoga!

WHY THIS EPISODE MATTERS:
The real question isn't whether you're instantly good at something new—it's whether it brings you joy and connection. There are endless opportunities to find exactly that.

Find all the podcast and coaching resources at cherylpfischer.com. 

Send Mind Your Midlife a note.

Have you ever caught yourself saying "I'm too old for that" when it comes to fitness? Laura Dow, fitness expert and author of "Mind Your Movement," has heard these self-limiting beliefs from countless midlife clients—and she's on a mission to change the conversation around aging and physical activity.

In this enlightening discussion, Laura unpacks the subtle yet powerful ways ageism infiltrates fitness culture, from class names like "Chair Yoga for Seniors" to our own negative self-talk about what our bodies can and cannot do. With over 20 years of experience working specifically with midlife and older adults, she offers a refreshing perspective: focus on ability, not age.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

✔ How to embrace midlife with confidence and vitality, 

✔ The unexpected ways strength training transformed not just your body, but your entire outlook on aging. 

✔ Why it’s never too late to start something new—and how to push past the fear of trying. 

✔ Practical ways to challenge the limiting beliefs society places on women over 40.

🎯 OMG Moment: The way you talk to yourself about aging shapes how you experience it. Shift your mindset, and you shift your reality.

Take Action

Want to feel stronger and more confident in midlife? Connect with Laura at stifftofit.com and get her book at cherylpfischer.com/read. 

Find Laura on YouTube and LinkedIn as well.

Why This Episode Matters

Aging doesn’t have to mean decline—it can mean growth, strength, and reinvention. Laura’s journey is proof that midlife can be your most powerful season yet.

🎧 Hit follow now and join me next week as we dive into another game-changing conversation on sports and mindset!

Find all podcast and coaching resources at cherylpfischer.com.

Send Mind Your Midlife a note.

Have you ever talked yourself out of something before you even tried? Maybe you thought, That business idea is too hard, They probably wouldn’t want to be friends, or I won’t get that job, so why bother applying?

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In this episode, Cheryl dives into the psychology behind self-rejection—why we shut down possibilities before they even have a chance to unfold. Whether it’s a career move, a relationship, or simply putting yourself out there, you’ll learn how to break free from self-doubt and step into new opportunities with confidence.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• Why we reject things before we’re rejected—and how it’s keeping you stuck.
• The hidden role self-doubt and past experiences play in holding you back.
• How to recognize when fear of rejection is making decisions for you.
• A simple mindset shift to help you say yes more often and open new doors.

🎯 OMG Moment: You cannot create a life you love without experiencing some rejection—if you’ve never heard no, you’re playing too small.

Take Action

Want to stop holding yourself back? Download Cheryl’s free Story Cycle resource at cherylpfischer.com/storycycle and start rewriting the beliefs that keep you stuck.

Let's Connect

Come join us in the Mind Your Midlife Podsquad on Facebook for extra content, input into the episodes, coaching, and more.

Why This Episode Matters

So many midlife women play small out of fear of rejection, missing out on opportunities for growth, success, and joy. This episode will help you recognize self-sabotaging patterns and step into the confidence you deserve.

🎧 Hit follow now and join me next week for a powerful conversation about ageism, movement, and how to stay active and strong as we get older!

Find all podcast and coaching resources at cherylpfischer.com.

Send Mind Your Midlife a note.

We all know we should drink more water—but did you know that most people are still dehydrated, even if they drink all day?

In this episode, Cheryl sits down with Kristen Coffield, hydration and wellness expert, to reveal why proper hydration is about more than just drinking water. Learn why hydration is important for energy, brain health, and longevity—and how to hydrate the right way to actually absorb water into your cells.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• Why most midlife women are dehydrated (even if they drink plenty of water).
• The best ways to hydrate with electrolytes—and which hydration powders to avoid.
• How proper hydration reduces fatigue, brain fog, and cravings.
• Simple changes to absorb water better and stay hydrated all day.

🎯 OMG Moment: If hydration came in a $7 can, you’d buy it—but the real fountain of youth is free and flowing from your faucet! Start now!

Take Action

Want to reset your hydration habits? Download Kristen’s free 14-day hydration training at TheCulinaryCure.com and start feeling the benefits today!  Connect with Kristen on Instagram at @kristencoffield (and Cheryl @cherylpfischer).

Join us in the Mind Your Midlife Podsquad on Facebook!

Why This Episode Matters

Staying hydrated is about more than just drinking water—it’s about giving your body what it needs to function at its best. If you’ve ever wondered "Are hydration powders good for you?" or why you still feel thirsty despite drinking all day, this episode will give you the answers!

🎧 Hit follow now and join me next week as we talk about overcoming self-rejection before it stops you from going after what you want!

Find all podcast and coaching resources at cherylpfischer.com.

Send Mind Your Midlife a note.

Ever feel like the number on your birth certificate doesn’t quite match how you feel inside? Imagine having a mindset shift that helps you embrace aging with confidence—without worrying about how others perceive you.

In this week's episode, Cheryl shares how redefining your age can help you unlock a sense of empowerment and freedom in midlife. Let's talk real age instead of chronological age and see how powerful the change can be.

BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• How to stop obsessing over the number and embrace how you feel,
• You have the freedom to wear what you want,
• The truth about professional success and midlife, and
• The potential to be attractive every single day!

🎯 OMG Moment: Age isn’t just a number—it’s a reflection of how you feel about yourself. You always get to decide.

Take Action

Download the free Story Cycle resource at cherylpfischer.com/storycycle to start finding the hidden stories that are keeping you stuck believing that you are too old or too forgettable to be creating an amazing midlife.

Why This Episode MattersIf you’ve ever felt like aging is something to be feared, here's a new perspective. You are exactly as awesome - and young or old - as you believe you are.

🎧 Hit follow now and join me next week as we dive into HYDRATION! You are absolutely going to learn something new.

Find all the podcast and coaching resources at cherylpfischer.com.  Mb2xX16Bot0qAKvRDKf2

Send Mind Your Midlife a note.