2024 The GOOD Games are back for a third year of fun, competition, and inspiration. Canada’s biggest festival of sport will take place from July 6 th to 7th at the University of Guelph. Situated on the treaty lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, The GOOD Games are honoured to partner this year with the Indigenous Sport and Wellness Council of Ontario as The GOOD Games become a stop on their "Road to the Masters Indigenous Games."

Since 2020, The GOOD Games have emphasized wellness, inclusion, and the transformational power of sport for people of all ages and abilities. The event combines sports competitions for all levels of athletes, and a free family-friendly festival of activities.

But that’s not the most exciting part. Did I mention who some of the top athletes are? These incredible women are coming in for all over to compete and they are showing off their strength, talent, and A-game in their 50s, 60s, 70’s AND 80s! They are living proof that age is nothing more than a number and attitude is everything.

In this episode I’m talking to Helen Stoumbos, Founder and CEO of the GOOD Games. How is she changing the way women look at sports and aging? Tune in to find out!

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As the days get shorter and winter settles in, many people notice changes in their mood, energy, sleep, and motivation. For some, these symptoms may be more than just a dislike of winter. They may be signs of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

In this episode, Jacquie speaks with Dr. Ariel Dalfen, MD, FRCPC, psychiatrist, women's mental health specialist, and co-founder of BRIA, a virtual mental health clinic dedicated to evidence based care.

Together they discuss:

• What Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) actually is

• Common symptoms of winter depression

• Why some people are more susceptible than others

• The impact SAD can have on work performance, relationships, and daily life

• Evidence based treatment options and coping strategies

• When it's time to seek professional support

Whether you experience seasonal mood changes yourself or support someone who does, this conversation offers practical information and expert guidance to help navigate the challenges of winter mental health.

If you've ever wondered why your energy, motivation, or mood changes dramatically during the colder months, this episode is for you.

I'm a personal believer that you dress for your style and your energy - not your 'age'. What does age-related style look like, anyway? Imagine being confined to a certain wardrobe because you fall into a specific age group? How limiting! And where is the self-expression?

I click away from articles that talk about how to dress 'for your age. or how to style your hair 'for your age'. Time to throw away those old, ageist attitudes and find our fashion flair.

To tell us how to seek out our style is personal wardrobe stylist, Scarlett De Bease. Scarlett shows women how to create fabulous, customized outfits, regardless of size or age, so they can show up to anything on their calendar with absolute confidence!

Tune in!

If anyone loves their wine, it's me! I don't drink liquor or beer, but I am a huge sucker for a Californian Cab Sav. I love the flavour and I love the warm feeling I get in my belly after a few sips. It makes me feel calm, peaceful, and relaxed. Even when I don't want a glass, I am easily swayed when others around me are enjoying a glass and I inevitably give in and succumb to a full-bodied, jammy glass of heaven.

I'm also post-menopausal and still suffer from hot flashes and weight gain. Alcohol is not my friend. However, we've all been so conditioned to drinking – just looking at old movies and tv shows. Booze is all around us. It makes it hard to cut it out when we feel so immersed. It has become a social lubricant and a reward at the end of a hard or challenging day.

Sarah Kate, the 'mocktologist' behind Some Good Clean Fun dishes up the details on the benefits of going alcohol free and some great substitutes. Spoiler Alert: remember when non-alcoholic wines used to suck? Not anymore! Sarah also brings up some interesting facts that we should all know about cocktails and calories.

All of this is just to provide you with a new perspective on our alcohol habits. It's down to personal choice though. Some of us might want to cut back, some may want to cut it out all together and others are fine with things the way they are. I'm good with any and all decisions. I just want to provide you with all possible options. So tune in and let me know what you think!

If you've reached midlife and suddenly feel like the strategies that used to work no longer do, you're not imagining it.

Many women notice changes in their weight, energy, metabolism, and overall health during perimenopause and menopause. The challenge is figuring out what actually works and what is simply another wellness trend.

One approach that continues to generate both interest and controversy is intermittent fasting.

Can intermittent fasting help with menopause weight gain?

Is it safe for women in perimenopause and post menopause?

Does fasting support metabolic health or can it negatively affect hormones?

In this episode, we explore the science, myths, and practical realities of intermittent fasting for women over 50.

Together we discuss:

• Why weight loss becomes more challenging during menopause

• The connection between hormones, metabolism, and body composition

• Whether intermittent fasting is effective for women in midlife

• Common misconceptions about fasting and women's health

• How to get started safely and realistically

• Simple strategies to improve energy, health, and long term wellness

Most importantly, we explore how women can feel more informed, empowered, and in control of their health during this stage of life.

If you've been curious about intermittent fasting or frustrated by changing health and weight loss patterns in menopause, this episode will help you separate fact from fiction.

Can functional mushrooms really help women navigate perimenopause and menopause?

As more women look for natural ways to support energy, stress, sleep, focus, and overall wellbeing during midlife, interest in functional mushrooms and adaptogens continues to grow. But what does the evidence actually say?

In this episode, Jacquie sits down with Emily Wagner, founder of Micropause and a longtime health and wellness journalist, to explore the role functional mushrooms may play in supporting women through the hormonal changes of perimenopause and menopause.

After experiencing her own frustrating symptoms and finding limited non prescription options, Emily began researching functional mushrooms, adaptogenic herbs, and plant based wellness approaches designed to support women in midlife.

Together we discuss:

• Common symptoms of perimenopause and menopause

• What functional mushrooms and adaptogens are

• Why these ingredients are gaining attention in women's health

• Natural approaches women are exploring alongside traditional treatments

• The challenges of finding reliable menopause support

• What women should know before adding supplements to their routine

This conversation offers a balanced look at one of the fastest growing areas in wellness and explores why so many women are looking beyond conventional solutions to support their health during midlife.

If you've been curious about functional mushrooms, adaptogens, or natural menopause support, this episode is worth a listen.

Can simple lifestyle changes make a meaningful difference during menopause?

For many women, menopause brings frustrating changes that seem to arrive overnight. Weight gain, poor sleep, low energy, brain fog, mood shifts, and changes in overall wellbeing can leave you wondering what happened and what to do next.

In this episode, Jacquie sits down with Dr. Daniela Steyn, physician and author of Thrive Through Menopause, to discuss practical, evidence informed ways women can support their health during perimenopause and menopause.

Together, we explore:

• Why menopause symptoms can affect far more than hormones

• The connection between sleep, stress, weight gain, and overall wellbeing

• How nutrition and gut health may influence your menopause experience

• Lifestyle strategies that can help improve energy and resilience

• Common misconceptions about menopause and aging

• How women can feel more informed and confident during this stage of life

This conversation takes a whole person approach to menopause, focusing on practical tools that may help women improve quality of life while navigating hormonal change.

If you've been wondering whether lifestyle changes can really make a difference during menopause, this episode offers an informed and encouraging place to start.

Eating well. Exercising consistently. Doing all the "right" things.

So why won't the weight move?

If you've found yourself frustrated by stubborn weight gain, changing body composition, or a metabolism that suddenly seems to have a mind of its own, you're not imagining it. For many women, midlife weight loss is about far more than calories in and calories out.

In this episode, I sit down with Monika Tupholme, performance coach, nutrition specialist, and expert in women's metabolic health, to unpack what may really be standing between you and your health goals.

Together, we explore:

• Why losing weight after 40 can feel dramatically different

• The impact of hormones, stress, and metabolism on body composition

• Why doing more exercise isn't always the answer

• The role mindset and self-talk play in long term health changes

• How emotional patterns and limiting beliefs can affect physical results

• Practical strategies for women navigating midlife weight gain

Monika's approach goes beyond quick fixes and diet culture. Instead, she focuses on helping women understand the physical and mental factors that influence lasting change.

If you've ever wondered why the scale won't budge despite your best efforts, this conversation may help you look at the problem differently.

The other week I scrolled through one of my favourite newsletters and came across an image of Kate and Meghan. I am so over the royal family and their war. And just as I was about to carry on, the headline hit me. "The ugly truth about girl power'. Wow. I always thought girl power was a good thing.

So how does this relate to aging and menopause? As I read quite a few articles online about menopause and how the author/journalist felt about the experience, I expected to read words of support and encouragement in the comments section. You know – girl 'power'. Not so. In fact, not at all!

I reached out to Monica, the author of the newsletter that caught my eye, and I wanted her take. Why do women do this to each other? Is it our fault or have we been positioned like this by society and the patriarch? This is a time when we should be supporting each other so what gives?

MONICA CORCORAN HAREL is a journalist, screenwriter, and the founder of PRETTY RIPE, If you haven't heard of it, you'll want to subscribe right away like I did. Pretty Ripe is a multi-media platform for women (proudly) over 40. Monica is a self-described I "midlife midwife," easing women over 40 into middle age. As a journalist who's written for The New York Times for over 20 years, Monice brings research and reporting to all her content.

She has been profiled in WWD and quoted in Time and InStyle. She also writes about beauty, fashion, midlife and the culture of modern women for The New York Times, New York Magazine, and The Hollywood Reporter. She has moderated programming for South by Southwest (SXSW), The Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Soho House—and created award-winning content for companies like Estee Lauder and Morgan Stanley.

Monica's first feature film about two middle-aged women who swap bodies with Gen Z influencers is set up at Netflix with Eva Longoria attached to star and direct. She is currently adapting her magazine essay "My Mom Has No Friends" into a sitcom for 20th Television and Mandy Moore. She lives in L.A. with her family and really loves being an "older woman."

Isn't it amazing how a little loss of estrogen can cause a ton of fuss in our bodies? If you're like me, you've probably noticed your hair is thinning, becoming a bit coarser and/or frizzy all the damn time?

Ena Bentzen, CEO of Bioscal Canada joins me to talk about how our hair changes as we age and the science behind Bioscal which keep the scalp clean, clean out the clogs and prevent buildup. And the best part is, it stimulates hair growth. I can say that because I've tried it and I see little baby hairs growing back for the first time in years!