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In today’s episode, I’m joined by one of my founding members — Jo — for a powerful and uplifting conversation about what can happen when a midlife woman decides she’s ready for more strength, more energy, and more knowledge.

At 56, Jo joined The Midlife Reset thinking she wanted to do something purely for herself and her body. Strength training was not something she had ever done before and she was getting message loud and clear - keeping muscle strong protects our health and our bones! What she didn’t really appreciate before joining was just how much strength she’d quietly lost over the years — and how quickly it could come back with the right support.

Jo is an avid skier, and the year before she’d struggled with a knee strain and limited energy on the slopes. This season, after incorporating focused strength work into her weekly routine and optimising nutrition that actually supported her body… she skied the best she had since her 30s. Stronger and faster with more endurance.
 
And she didn’t think that was even possible.

Her energy, recovery, and resilience improved too — both on the snow and in everyday life. And through learning more about what really happens to our bodies in midlife, Jo felt empowered to seek further care and advocate for herself with her local doctor.

She also spoke about how meaningful it was to be part of a group of like-minded women — seeing their progress, cheering each other on, and feeling she wasn’t alone in what she was experiencing. 

Now, 4.5 months on, Jo is continuing to build strength, has made movement a consistent part of her life, and is feeling the changes in her body composition (including around the midsection) in a way that feels encouraging and sustainable.

Her story is such a beautiful reminder that midlife isn’t an ending — it’s a turning point.

Tune in to hear Jo’s journey, the surprises along the way, and the sparks of confidence she didn’t expect to rediscover.

Doors Opening Again Soon

I’ll be opening the doors to a new group of the Midlife Reset in January.
If you’d like to learn more or join the waitlist click HERE

Let’s Stay Connected:

• Join the Opt to Thrive mailing list: Here
• Follow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothrive
• Connect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)
• Opt to Thrive official website

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In this gentle and reflective episode, Dr Corina takes you on her slow walks with Jazzie — her old Kelpie whose aging paws have become a powerful reminder to slow down, be present, and focus on what truly matters.

What began as daily exercise has turned into a mindfulness practice — a space to breathe, reflect, and reconnect with joy. Through stories of Jazzie’s adventures (and escapes!), Corina shares what her dog has taught her about letting go of drama, meeting life’s challenges with grace, and choosing to thrive rather than just survive.

If you’ve been moving too fast or feeling weighed down by the small stuff, this episode will remind you that peace and perspective are often found in the simplest moments.

💛 Listen now to rediscover what it means to slow down, reflect, and find joy in the everyday.

Let’s Stay Connected:

• Find out more about the Midlife Reset Program: Here
• Join the Opt to Thrive mailing list: Here
• Follow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothrive
• Connect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)
• Opt to Thrive official website

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend who may enjoy it too.🫶

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In this warm Sunroom conversation, Dr Corina Sims welcomes educator, counsellor, coach, and long-time friend Tasha Morath to explore a common but rarely named midlife experience: social withdrawal. Is it “normal”? When is it a red flag? Together they unpack the biology (oestrogen, serotonin, oxytocin), the psychology (mood, anxiety, identity), and the cultural lens that can turn “withdrawing” into wise selectivity—quality over quantity. You’ll leave with practical ways to support mood, connection, and confidence through perimenopause and beyond.

Key topics

• Midlife identity shifts and choosing depth over volume in relationships
• Emotional regulation, energy budgeting, and setting gentler social boundaries
• Reframing “I’m becoming less social” → “I’m becoming more selective.”

Practical takeaways

• Try one meaningful connection each week (walk with a friend, book club, small dinner)
• Support oxytocin: touch/therapy massage, warmth, kind interactions, time in nature
• Support serotonin: consistent movement, morning light, protein-forward meals (eggs, dairy, turkey, legumes, nuts/seeds), brief mindfulness
• Red flags to discuss with your clinician: persistent low mood, anhedonia, high anxiety, panic/heart palpitations, significant sleep disruption, withdrawal driven by distress rather than preference

About our guest – Tasha Morath M. Ed., M. Couns.
Tasha is an educator turned counsellor/coach with advanced training and a deep interest in mindset, behaviour change, and women’s midlife wellbeing. She blends evidence-based tools with practical, compassionate support—and she asks the best questions.

Chapter markers 

• Welcome & why this topic matters 05:30
• “Is it normal?” What the lived experience looks like 09:50
• Symptoms → social life: hot flushes, sleep, brain fog, mood 11:32
• Hormones 101: estrogen, serotonin, oxytocin 15:33
• Oxytocin/serotonin boosters you can use today 27:04
• Cultural reframes: renewal, wisdom, leadership 23:55
• When to seek help + simple next steps 43:16
• Closing reflections & encouragement 45:46

Links & resources

• Book a check-in with your GP if red flags resonate
• Find Tasha on instagram at @think_it_live_it or at www.thinkitliveit.com
• Connect with Dr Corina:
  • Join the Opt to Thrive mailing list: Here
  • Visit the official website at: Opttothrive.com
  • Follow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothrive
  • Connect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)
  • Find out more about the Midlife Reset Program: Here
  • Join the Midlife Reset Program priority list: Here

Disclaimer
This podcast is for information only and is not medical advice. Please seek personalised care from your healthcare professional.

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If you are going through the midlife transition and if you ever feel you are very much alone, this podcast episode was meant for you. In this episode Dr Sims shares her personal reflections on how her symptoms impacted her work and how they also influenced some of the big career choices she has made. 

This episode is about changing the narrative and appreciating that whether we are one of the 20% who will have very mild symptoms, the 20% who will have severe symptoms or the 60% in between we are all going through this together. 

💬 Connect & Share

Follow me on Instagram @drcorinasimsopttothrive
Join the Opt to Thrive mailing list → Join Here

Save your spot for the upcoming webinar/masterclass:  Practical Evidence-Based Strategies to Gain More Energy, Strength, and Confidence (With Less Body Fat) in Midlife 

If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to rate and review the show—it helps more women discover Opt to Thrive.

💛 Until next time, keep thriving, not just surviving.

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It’s the most beautiful time of year here—sunshine, blooming gardens, and bird songs filling the air. But amidst the calm, today’s episode dives into a topic that’s affecting more and more midlife women: the growing risk of type 2 diabetes after menopause.

Dr Corina shares real stories from her menopause clinic, where women are often surprised to learn they’re already prediabetic. But here’s the good news—you have agency. You have the power to change your trajectory, prevent diabetes, and even put it into remission.

In this evidence-based yet practical conversation, we’ll unpack:

• What actually happens in the body as blood sugar regulation starts to shift
• The difference between type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes
• Key risk factors every midlife woman should know
• The best tests to monitor your blood sugar health
• And most importantly—how to prevent or put type 2 diabetes into remission through lifestyle and movement

💪 Key Takeaways

• Type 2 diabetes may not be totally inevitable—it may be preventable and, in some cases, managed through lifestyle change.
• Building and protecting muscle mass is one of the most powerful tools for improving blood sugar control.
• Regular screening after age 40 (or earlier if high-risk) is essential.
• Small, consistent actions—nutrition, strength training, movement, and mindful habits—create long-term protection.

🧠 Dr Corina Mentions

• The role of insulin and what “insulin resistance” really means
• HbA1c and other key tests your doctor may order
• How resistance training improves glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity
• Exercise targets: 150 minutes per week of aerobic activity + 2 sessions of strength training

🌸 Free Resources Mentioned

• Midlife Reset Guide
• 7-Day Roadmap for Midlife Body Recomposition
• Bone Health Quiz
• Exercise Quiz: Are You Doing the Right Workouts for Midlife?
• Join the mailing list to get access to upcoming masterclasses and free tools → Join Here
• Save your spot for the upcoming FREE Live Masterclass - Practical Evidence-Based Strategies to Shift Midlife Weight
  
  

💬 Connect & Share

If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to rate and review the show—it helps more women discover Opt to Thrive.
Follow me on Instagram @drcorinasimsopttothrive
for daily insights, or visit www.opttothrive.com
for resources and coaching.

💛 Until next time, keep thriving, not just surviving.

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This episode is a little more personal — and a little more emotional.
Today Dr Corina opens up about her brother: a man of immense creativity, complexity, and struggle. Through his story, she reflects on how our early experiences shape our choices, how easy it is to judge what we don’t understand, and how healing begins when we learn to see the human before the circumstance.

In this heartfelt conversation, Corina explores:

• What it means to offer compassion without enabling
• How codependence quietly shows up in relationships
• The power of acceptance when you can’t “fix” someone you love
• How her medical background and life experience changed the way she sees people living with addiction

This episode is both raw and tender — a reminder that empathy and boundaries can coexist, and that sometimes the most loving thing we can do is to simply see someone.

Connect with Dr Corina:

• Join the Opt to Thrive mailing list: Here
• Visit the official website at: Opttothrive.com
• Follow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothrive
• Connect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)
• Find out more about the Midlife Reset Program: Here
• Join the Midlife Reset Program priority list: Here

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When you hear the word creatine, do you picture bulky bodybuilders and gym bros? I used to as well—until I started lifting weights myself and kept hearing about its potential benefits beyond muscle.

In this episode, I break down the science of creatine in simple, practical terms. We’ll cover what it actually is, how it works as a quick energy backup system, and why it might be worth considering in midlife. Beyond its well-known role in helping with strength and recovery, creatine has also been studied for brain health, menopause-related brain fog, concussion recovery, and even mood. But what does the evidence really say?

I’ll walk you through what’s fact, what’s hype, and what’s still unknown, along with the safety basics, common side effects, and how to take it if you decide to give it a try.

If you’ve ever wondered whether creatine belongs in your midlife health toolkit, this episode will help you make an informed choice without the noise of social media trends.

Let’s Stay Connected:

• Join the Opt to Thrive mailing list: Here
• Visit the official website at: Opttothrive.com
• Follow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothrive
• Connect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)
• Find out more about the Midlife Reset Program: Here
• Join the Midlife Reset Program priority list: Here

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Spring is springing here in Australia — while for many of my listeners on the other side of the world, fall is falling. These seasonal shifts always get me reflecting on cycles of growth, change, and what needs to be cleared away.

On today’s episode of Opt to Thrive, I share a story from our property about weeds, fruit trees, and even a plant called Pigface (yes, really!) — and the surprising lesson they hold for us in midlife.

Just like our pomegranate trees flourished once the weeds stopped stealing their water and nutrients, we too can lose our vibrancy when surrounded by people or situations that constantly drain us. In this episode, we’ll explore:

✨ How to spot the “weeds” in your life — the drama magnets, gossipers, and negative energies that leave you feeling depleted
 ✨ Why boundaries are not selfish but an act of self-care
 ✨ Simple ways to protect your energy without confrontation
 ✨ How to plant and nurture more of what truly lights you up

As the seasons shift, maybe it’s time to ask yourself: what weeds need pulling, and what flowers deserve more of your care?

Let’s Stay Connected:

• Find out more about the Midlife Reset Program: Here
• Join the Opt to Thrive mailing list: Here
• Follow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothrive
• Connect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)
• Opt to Thrive official website

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend who may enjoy it too.🫶

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What if the number on the scale wasn’t the most important measure of your health?

In this episode, I share a powerful conversation from inside the very first round of my Midlife Reset program. As we near the end of our 12 weeks together, the women took it upon themselves to reflect on why they joined and what they’ve gained. Their words moved me deeply — and reminded me why I started this journey in the first place.

You’ll hear themes that so many of us in midlife can relate to:
✨ Breaking free from yo-yo dieting and confusion
✨ Discovering the strength and energy that comes from fueling with purpose
✨ Realising the scale is just data - NOT some of the other things we tie it to
✨ The confidence that grows when your body feels stronger and healthier
✨ The importance of connection and community during life’s transitions

This isn’t about chasing numbers. It’s about shifting perspective — from weight loss to body composition, from scale obsession to strength, from going it alone to thriving together.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, anxious, or unsure about your next steps in midlife, this conversation will remind you of the power you have to change your story.

Let’s Stay Connected:

• Find out more about the Midlife Reset Program: Here
• Join the Opt to Thrive mailing list: Here
• Follow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothrive
• Connect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)
• Opt to Thrive official website

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend who may enjoy it too.🫶

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Have you ever found yourself in midlife looking around and thinking… is this really it?

In this episode of Opt to Thrive, I share a story many of us will find uncomfortably familiar — a woman who worked tirelessly for her family, on the property, in her job, and in her home, only to arrive in midlife feeling resentful, unseen, and unappreciated. Her story opens up a bigger conversation about what was modeled for us growing up, how those patterns can follow us into our own relationships, and what it means when we finally stop to question them.

We’ll talk about the weight of invisible labour, the baggage of generational roles, and the resentment that can build when gratitude and affection are absent. But we’ll also explore creative ways women are finding solutions, compromises, and sometimes even humour, in the everyday balancing act of domestic life.

If you’ve ever felt the sting of being taken for granted, if you’ve ever wondered how much of your life has been shaped by “the way things have always been done,” or if you just need a reminder that you’re not alone in navigating these messy midlife dynamics — this episode is for you.

💛 Because sometimes it’s not about throwing the baby out with the bathwater… it’s about finding a way to clean up the water (especially when someone keeps making a mess of it).

Let’s Stay Connected:

• Join the Opt to Thrive mailing list: Here
• Follow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothrive
• Connect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)
• Opt to Thrive official website
• Join the Midlife Reset Program priority list: Here

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend who may enjoy it too.🫶