Most midlife women I work with know they should take care of themselves—but guilt and old conditioning still whisper, “That’s selfish.”

My guest today, Robin Brock, shares how she flipped that narrative through the SHE Mindfulness Program. Once she began prioritizing her own health and happiness, her relationships deepened, her confidence grew, and life opened up in new and beautiful ways.

“It’s like an awakening.”

Cheryl: The funny thing is, once you started looking at life that way, your communication with your sons got richer, your health improved, and you became more vibrant in your community. You’re even doing more community service—you’re probably a better partner to your husband, too.

Robin: There are so many benefits for the people around you. For women who say, “I don’t have time,” or “It feels selfish to do something for myself,” I’d say this: when you take care of yourself, everyone benefits.

Cheryl: Exactly. You can bring your better self to everything you do. If you’re babysitting, you’ll have more energy. If you want to go back to school, your brain will be sharper.

Robin: That’s exactly what happened. I see things more clearly now. My relationships are stronger because I no longer feel that everything is solely my responsibility.

“Enhancing my life enhances everyone around me.”

Robin: My role in life may look different now than when my kids were little, but it’s just as important. My focus is on enhancing my own life—which enhances everyone around me. The stronger and healthier I am, the more I can give.

I can volunteer at the Humane Society, go back to school, or chase new dreams. I see those 90-year-old women getting their degrees and think, That’s going to be me one day!

What women gain from this program is the strength to try new things—without embarrassment or shame—even later in life.

“We were taught to serve first.”

Cheryl: I can relate. I grew up with strong messages—both from family and culture—that women were supposed to serve others. We made sure everyone else was happy before we were allowed to rest. The house had to be spotless before we could sit down with a book.

So when a woman says, “I’m going to prioritize my own needs,” she’s often labelled selfish.

Learning how to set loving boundaries and prioritize your health—that’s revolutionary.

In the SHE Mindfulness Program, we focus on three pillars:

* Losing weight through mindful eating

* Sleeping better through non-sleep deep rest

* Getting stronger through yoga and resistance training

Did those things come true for you?

“All of them.”

Robin: All of them!

I’ve always been a nighttime snacker. I could go all day without eating until dinner—but by 8 p.m., I was in the fridge, hunting for chips or chocolate.

Through mindful eating, I learned to pause. It takes about 90 seconds for a craving to pass if you let it. That’s when I’ll grab water or a book instead. And planning ahead is a game changer.

“Sleep was a big one.”

Robin: I used to sleep anywhere, anytime. But recently, I’d wake up every couple of hours—wide awake at midnight or 2 a.m.

Now, if I can’t sleep, I use the breathwork we practiced in the SHE Mindfulness Program. It calms my nervous system and quiets the racing thoughts. I’m not much of a journaler, but those few minutes of breathing do the same thing.

And I’ve stopped judging myself for resting. I used to think naps were for old people! Now, I’ll do Legs-Up-the-Wall in the afternoon, and sometimes I’ll end up resting for 20 minutes. I feel re-energized afterward.

Cheryl: That’s non-sleep deep rest—it’s one of the best things you can do for your nervous system.

Robin: Exactly. When I’m rested, I can handle cravings, stress, and emotions so much better.

“I’m more comfortable in my own skin.”

Robin: Life feels peaceful now. I’m more comfortable in my own skin.

I’ve always been confident, but the SHE Mindfulness Program gave me permission to fully embody that strength. I can say, proudly, that I’m a strong woman—without shame or apology.

“The habit brain runs the show.”

Robin: One of the biggest things I learned was how much control my habit brain had over my life. Those patterns—eating, thinking, reacting—were running automatically.

I realized how much energy it takes to fight against those patterns and how easy it is to fall back into them. That’s why I used to feel like a failure when I couldn’t stick to a plan.

The SHE Mindfulness Program helped me understand and change that. Once you know how to work with your habit brain, it’s not hard—it’s empowering.

Cheryl: That’s incredible. Thank you for sharing that. I didn’t realize just how deeply the program had impacted you. It means a lot to hear this.

Robin: You’ve changed my life, Cheryl.

“A few next steps…”

Cheryl: If you’re listening and curious about the SHE Program—but not quite ready to dive in—I have two great places to start:

* The Free Mindful Eating Guide — it teaches you the foundational practices Robin mentioned, including planning and mindful pauses.

* The Sleep Solutions Course ($29) — a mini course that includes meditations, breathwork, and tools for calming your nervous system and improving your sleep.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cherylgordonyt.substack.com