✨ Show Notes:

Welcome back to The Midlife Edit!

In this solo episode, Jen gets real about a question so many women in their 40s and 50s are asking:

Fatigue, brain fog, mood swings, anxiety, poor sleep — sound familiar? You’re not alone. But here’s the tricky part: perimenopause symptoms and burnout from chronic stress often overlap — and sometimes they pile on top of each other.

In this honest, relatable episode, we dive into:
 ✅ How perimenopause and burnout mimic each other
 ✅ How to start untangling what’s really going on
 ✅ Why you don’t need a perfect diagnosis to start caring for yourself
✅ Practical ways to support your mind and body — no matter the cause

Jen also shares her personal story of chasing hormone solutions, only to realize that sometimes the biggest healing comes from slowing down and saying no.

💛 If you’ve been feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or “off,” this episode is your reminder that you are not broken — and you are definitely not alone.

📩 Contact & Connect:

Got a topic or story you want to share? Email me at [email protected] — I love hearing from you!

Follow along for more midlife real talk:
 👉 Instagram: @thejenweinstein
 👉 TikTok: @thejenweinstein
 👉 Website: www.themidlifeeditco.com

Episode Summary: 

In this episode, I’m joined by Shannon Johanson, owner of Lady Warrior, for a powerful conversation about navigating perimenopause and menopause with strength, knowledge, and grace. 

When I first launched this podcast, I planned to focus mainly on fitness and nutrition — but it’s become so much more. We’re now talking about reinvention, confidence, and embracing the Midlife Women Aesthetic — and today’s episode is the perfect example of that evolution. 

Shannon opens up about her personal journey, from feeling confused and frustrated by perimenopause symptoms to finding her power through holistic health, smart training, and mindset shifts. We talk about what it really means to work with your hormones (not against them), why so many women feel like they’re “broken” in midlife, and how we can flip that narrative to one of empowerment and thriving.  

What We Cover in This Episode: 

✨ Shannon’s personal perimenopause story — and what finally clicked
 ✨ Why toughing it out isn’t the answer
 ✨ The myths and misconceptions keeping women stuck
 ✨ What it means to train and fuel with your hormones
✨ How Shannon’s Menocore program is helping women reclaim their strength
✨ Why thriving in midlife is messy, sweaty, and absolutely worth it  

Connect with Shannon Johanson & Lady Warrior: 

🌟 TikTok: @ladywarriorshannon
🌟 Instagram: @shannon_ladywarrior
🌟 Website: ladywarrior.com  

Don’t Miss This Episode If You… 

✅ Feel lost or frustrated in perimenopause or menopause
 ✅ Want real-talk (not fluff) on midlife health and fitness
 ✅ Are ready to take charge of your body and thrive — no matter what season you’re in  

✨ Same podcast, new look — and we’re just getting started. Tune in, share with a friend, and let’s keep rewriting the midlife script together. 💛 

💬 Episode Summary: 

In this raw and reflective episode, Jen opens up about the emotional weight of being haunted by the woman she used to be—the version of herself that spent years performing, people-pleasing, and conforming to be accepted. 

From doing things she didn’t want to do just for attention (good or bad), to losing sight of who she really was (or maybe never fully knowing), this is a vulnerable look at how many of us, especially in midlife, are finally waking up to the realization that we don’t want to go back—we want to come home to ourselves. 

If you’ve ever felt like you were building your identity on what everyone else needed from you… this episode will speak to your soul.  

🔑 In This Episode, Jen Talks About: 

• How and why we shapeshift to gain approval and love
• The exhaustion of constantly performing for acceptance
• What happens when you wake up and realize you don’t know who you are anymore
• Grieving your former self—with compassion
• The hard lesson that you can’t change people who don’t want to change
• Reclaiming your voice, boundaries, and identity in midlife
• Letting go of the old you, so you can finally meet the real you

🔗 Connect with Jen:
 

• Instagram: @thejenweinstein
• Website: www.themidlifeeditco.com
• Email: [email protected]

Have an idea for a future episode? Want to share your story? Send Jen a message—she’d love to hear from you!
 
 
⭐️ If You Enjoyed This Episode:
 
Please leave a rating or review! It helps more women in midlife find the show—and feel a little less alone in their journey.
 

Episode Summary:

Do you ever feel like you're behind—like you missed some invisible deadline for happiness, success, or having it all figured out? In this solo episode, Jen dives into the pressure so many of us feel in midlife to measure up to a timeline that was never really ours to begin with.

From career changes and health goals to relationships and self-worth, this conversation explores what happens when you give yourself permission to ditch the timeline—and start defining life on your own terms.

If you’ve ever thought, “I should be further along by now,” this episode is your reminder: You’re not late. You’re right on time.

What You’ll Hear:

• Why so many women feel “behind” in midlife
• The invisible timeline we’ve been conditioned to chase
• Jen’s personal story of redefining what “on track” really means
• How to shift from deadlines to aligned milestones
• A powerful journal prompt to reset your mindset this week

Journal Prompt:

🖊️ What would you do differently if there were no deadline to meet?

Connect with Jen:

• Website: www.themidlifeeditco.com
• Instagram: @thejenweinstein
• Email: [email protected]

Love the show?

Please consider rating, reviewing, or sharing this episode with someone who needs the reminder that midlife isn’t a crisis—it’s a creative reset.

✨ Episode Description:

In this episode of The Midlife Edit, I’m calling out the trendification of perimenopause—and why we should all be angry about it.

Recently, I heard someone say perimenopause is the “next big thing” in wellness. And while yes, it’s great that more women are finally talking about this stage of life… calling it a trend? That’s not it.

Worse? Social media is now flooded with fear-based messaging designed to sell you supplements, hormone “hacks,” and overnight transformations—all while making you feel broken, lost, or too late.

This week, I’m breaking down:

• Why perimenopause is not a trend (and never will be)
• The harm of fear-based marketing in midlife wellness
• How to spot social media red flags and take your power back
• What midlife women actually need to thrive through this transition

If you're tired of being sold to instead of supported, this episode is for you.

🔗 Resources & Mentions:

• Follow me on Instagram: @thejenweinstein
• Join The Midlife Gains Club: here

🧭 Related Episodes:

• Midlife Nutrition Made Simple – Part 1: The Truth About Metabolism
• The Midlife Mindset Reset: How to Ditch the Crisis Narrative

💬 Connect with Me:

• Website: www.themidlifeeditco.com
• TikTok: @thejenweinstein
• Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review if this episode made you feel seen.

📄 Episode Summary: 

In this deeply personal solo episode, Jen shares her recent experience with the Everlywell Women’s Hormone Test—and the surprising results that confirmed what she’d been feeling: low estrogen and elevated FSH. She breaks down what these results actually mean (especially if you’ve had a partial hysterectomy with your ovaries intact), and what it looks like to navigate perimenopause with clarity and strength. 

Jen dives into the exact ways she’s supporting her body through this transition—from nutrition and strength training to the mindset shifts that are helping her stop the spiral and reclaim her energy. If you’ve been feeling off, tired, or just “not like yourself,” this episode will hit home.  

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 

• Why low estrogen and high FSH levels matter in midlife
• How a partial hysterectomy can complicate hormone awareness
• Key nutrition strategies to support hormone health
• Why strength training is more important than ever in perimenopause
• How mindset, therapy, and self-compassion play a crucial role in this season
• Why you're not "falling apart"—you're shifting into a new version of you

 
🛠 Resources & Mentions:
 

• Everlywell Women's Hormone Test: Get Yours HERE
• Have a question or story to share? Email Jen at [email protected]

 
💬 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going:
 
If this episode resonated with you, please leave a review, share it with a friend, or tag @thejenweinstein on Instagram. Your voice matters—and it might just help another woman feel less alone in her midlife journey.
 

What does it look like to truly live your best life in midlife? For Jen Ryder, it looks like lifting heavy weights, booking trips every month, walking her dog Luna, and blasting Dave Matthews Band on the regular. 

In this episode, I sit down with Jen—911 dispatcher by day, CrossFitter and adventurer by choice—to talk about how shifting her fitness focus from endurance to strength training has transformed not only her body, but her mindset. We get into what it’s like starting CrossFit in your 40s, how fitness helps her handle high-stress situations, and why she’s making it a mission to find joy and freedom in every season of life. 

We also talk about: 

• Why Jen traded Orangetheory for CrossFit after 10 years
• The power of lifting heavy and feeling strong in midlife
• Her monthly travel challenge (and tips for making it happen)
• Finding joy in concerts, movement, and meaningful connection
• What midlife actually looks like—vs. what we were told it would

Whether you're curious about CrossFit, craving more adventure, or just need a reminder that midlife can be your best chapter yet—this one's for you.
 
💬 Want to connect or share your story? I’d love to hear from you!
Email me at: [email protected]

🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with a friend who lifts (or wants to)!
 

Episode Summary:

In this solo episode, we’re flipping the script on guilt and embracing the unapologetic power of midlife. I’m sharing the raw, real truth about the things I used to feel bad for — and why I’m done saying “sorry” for who I am, what I want, and how I live.

From saying no without over-explaining to owning your need for rest, this episode is all about giving yourself permission to evolve out loud. If you’ve ever felt the pressure to shrink, please, or perform, this is your sign to stop apologizing and start owning your space.

What You’ll Hear:

• Why midlife is the perfect time to let go of people-pleasing
• My personal “no-more-apologies” list — and why each one matters
• How this mindset shift can change your health, confidence, and clarity
• A journal prompt to help you release guilt and rewrite your story
• An invitation to share your own list with me for a future episode!

💌 Journal Prompt:

What are you no longer apologizing for — and what freedom does that give you?
Send your thoughts to [email protected] — I’d love to hear what’s on your list.

💬 Love the show?

Share this episode with a friend who’s ready to ditch the guilt and filter their life on their own terms. And don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and connect with me on Instagram or TikTok @thejenweinstein!

🔗 Episode Summary: 

 In this inspiring episode, Sairan joins Jen to talk about how to navigate transitions like returning to the workforce, shifting careers, or launching your own business in midlife. 

Together, they explore the emotional and practical aspects of change, the fears that hold people back, and how to tap into your “hidden gems”—those often-overlooked strengths that lead to passion, purpose, and powerful reinvention. 

Whether you’re feeling stuck in your current path or simply ready to evolve into your next chapter, this episode is packed with encouragement, wisdom, and actionable takeaways.  

🔍 What You’ll Learn: 

• How Sairan transitioned from engineering to entrepreneurship in midlife
• The biggest fears people face when starting over—and how to overcome them
• Why midlife is actually the perfect time to reinvent yourself
• How to uncover your hidden passions and align them with purpose
• Practical advice for women launching a business later in life
• The mindset shifts that make reinvention possible at any age

 
🧭 Connect with Sairan Aqrawi:
 
📸 Instagram: @sairanaqrawi


✉️ Have a topic you'd love to hear on the podcast?

Send your suggestions to Jen at [email protected] — your ideas might just shape a future episode!
 
 
🔔 Don’t Forget:
 
If this episode spoke to you, share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe so you never miss a moment of midlife magic.
 

Do you ever open your closet and wonder why you’re still holding onto that one dress from ten years ago—or those jeans that belong to another version of you?

In this week’s episode of The Midlife Edit, we’re diving into the powerful metaphor of the closet clean-out. But spoiler alert: this episode goes far beyond fashion. We're talking about all the things in midlife that may no longer “fit”—from outdated beliefs to draining relationships, worn-out habits, and roles we’ve outgrown.

I’ll walk you through:

• Why your physical closet reflects deeper layers of identity
• The four areas of life that deserve a fresh edit (mindsets, relationships, habits, roles)
• How to let go without guilt and make space for who you're becoming
• A mindset shift that reframes midlife not as a crisis, but as a beautifully intentional reset

This episode is your permission slip to say, “This no longer fits—and that’s okay.”

👉 I’d love to hear from you!
If you have a topic you’d like to hear on the podcast or a question you want answered, reach out to me anytime at [email protected]. I read every message, and your input helps shape future episodes.

Don't forget to visit themidlifeeditco.com for blog posts, merch and more! 

Join the Midlife Gains Club here!

Thanks for tuning in—and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review if this episode resonates with you.