Join me at this year’s National Menopause Show, October 17 and 18 at the International Centre in Mississauga. Go to https://nationalmenopauseshow.com/ and use code TRANSFORM45.

For years, Jessica Holmes built a career playing other people. Now, in midlife, she is discovering the freedom of becoming more fully herself.

In this episode of Transforming 45, Lisa and Jessica talk about the pressure Gen X women inherited to do everything, the fear of having a professional “best-before date,” and the identity shift that arrives when children leave home. Jessica shares the phrase guiding her life now: “I travel at the pace of my own well-being.”

Together, they explore why boundaries are not the same as abandoning community, how self-kindness changes with age, and why workplace well-being cannot be used as a bandage for unsafe systems. There is also a giant sun hat, a rebellious braless dog walk and a reminder that midlife liberation can be both meaningful and gloriously ridiculous.

If this episode connected with you, share it with the woman who needs permission to stop racing a clock she never chose.

Jessica Holmes is a celebrated Canadian comedian, speaker, author and mental health advocate. She has opened for Ellen DeGeneres, Jerry Seinfeld and Oprah Winfrey; performed with Just for Laughs and The Second City; and starred in The Holmes Show and Royal Canadian Air Farce. Her book, Depression The Comedy: A Tale of Perseverance, uses humour and honesty to explore resilience, mental health and joy.

Website: https://jessicaholmes.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happyfunholmes/

00:45 – Meet Jessica Holmes: comedy, mental health and finding funny when life goes off-book

03:30 – From playing other people to learning to play yourself

04:23 – Empty-nest identity and having something hopeful to move toward

06:49 – The invisible backpack of work, motherhood and pressure

09:51 – Ageism and the myth of a professional best-before date

13:30 – “I travel at the pace of my own well-being”

18:08 – Comparison, rejection and running your own race

20:17 – The self-kindness that can arrive with age

21:20 – Practising no without over-explaining

24:18 – Self-care, service and community are not opposites

27:58 – UV clothing and the everyday rebellion of dressing for yourself

31:44 – What midlife parents can model for young adults

34:48 – Achievement, money and what actually supports well-being

38:13 – Psychological safety must come from leadership

42:55 – Why workplace well-being cannot be a bandage

44:05 – What makes Jessica feel most alive

Learn more about Lisa and Liberated Menopause:

https://liberatedmenopause.ca

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Together, they unpack the modern midlife experience through the lens of nervous system health, depletion, minerals, emotional overwhelm, identity shifts, connection, and what happens when women stop abandoning themselves.

This conversation moves beyond surface-level wellness trends and into the deeper questions so many women are asking right now:

Why am I exhausted? Why doesn’t my body feel like mine anymore? Why do I still feel depleted even after “doing all the things”?

Expect a spicy, thought-provoking conversation about modern health culture, human connection, nervous systems, emotional load, and how we move from survival mode into possibility.

Episodes of Transforming 45 drop every Thursday on all listening platforms and YouTube.

Chapters:

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What if aging isn't something that simply happens to us?

This week's conversation completely shifted how I think about longevity.

Not because it promised magic supplements or miracle cures.

Because it reminded me that the goal isn't living longer.

It's protecting the years we're living.

If you've ever wondered…

✨ Should I take supplements?

✨ Does intermittent fasting really work?

✨ What happens to our bodies during menopause?

✨ How do I know what's real?

...this conversation is for you.

Chapters:

02:39 Why Do We Age?

08:25 Why Aging Sneaks Up on Gen X

10:00 What Menopause Has to Do With Aging

12:06 When Should You Seek Menopause Treatment?

13:19 The 7 Biological Causes of Aging

18:58 Mitochondria, Energy & Aging

20:01 Why Sleep Changes As We Age

21:07 Estrogen's Effect Throughout the Body

23:40 Inflammation and the Aging Immune System

27:07 Glucose, Insulin Resistance & Aging

29:25 Lifespan vs Healthspan

33:50 Which Supplements Actually Have Evidence?

40:03 Where Do You Start?

42:15 Exercise, Bones & Women's Longevity

52:58 What Quality of Life Do You Want?

Connect with Dr. Kaufmann:

Connect with Lisa:

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In this fierce, funny and deeply cathartic conversation, Lisa sits down with the award-winning filmmaker, photographer and musician behind MENOPUNKS—a documentary, podcast and growing movement using punk-rock rebellion to challenge menopause misinformation and demand hormonal justice.

Alicia shares her own path from medical dismissal to becoming “hormonally radicalized,” why music remains one of Gen X’s most powerful languages, and what happens when midlife rage is channeled into creativity, community and action. Lisa and Alicia also unpack the cultural fallout from decades of fear surrounding hormone therapy, the stories Alicia is hearing from iconic musicians, and the electric energy of Menopunkapalooza.

This episode is for anyone who has wondered whether the problem was their body—or a system that never gave them the information, care and choices they deserved.

Content note: This conversation contains strong language and discussion of medical dismissal, cancer, dementia, reproductive rights and political systems. It shares lived experience and advocacy perspectives and is not personal medical advice. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional about your individual circumstances.

What we talk about:

Chapters:

About Alicia and the MENOPUNKS team: https://www.menopunks.com/about-1

Alicia J. Rose: https://www.aliciajrose.com/bio

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/menopunks/

Email: [email protected]

Podcast, merch, documentary updates and donations are available through the MENOPUNKS website.

The Estrogen Dilemma - Historical Article

Connect with Lisa:

Lisa Boate | Menopause Consultant, Coach and host of Transforming 45

Website: https://liberatedmenopause.ca/

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lboate/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join me at the National Menopause Show, October 17–18 at the International Centre in Mississauga! Get your tickets at nationalmenopauseshow.com and use code TRANSFORM45 at checkout.

What happens when you stop trying to hold it all together… and start laughing instead?

This week, Lisa sits down with Kara Murray—aka MediocreMom76—former teacher turned viral content creator and now stand-up comedian.

Kara built a massive audience by telling the truth about motherhood, menopause, and the absolute chaos of midlife—and people felt it.

In this episode, we explore what happens when you stop striving for perfection and start embracing “good enough.”

About Kara Murray

Kara Murray (MediocreMom76) is a former teacher turned social media personality and emerging stand-up comedian. She shares honest, hilarious takes on

motherhood, menopause, and midlife identity, building a community through truth and humour.

Instagram: @mediocremom76

Merch Shop: https://mediocremom76.com/

Connect with Lisa

Website: https://www.liberatedmenopause.ca/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lboate/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leaninfindyourwayhome/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245092311417467 Email: [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join me at this year's National Menopause Show, October 17th and 18th at the International Center in Mississauga. Go to https://nationalmenopauseshow.com/ and use code :TRANSFORM45

In this episode of Transforming 45, Lisa sits down with functional medicine practitioner and nutritionist Cindy Dupuie to talk about what happens after menopause and why women need to pay attention to their health long after the hot flashes fade.

Together they tackle hormone therapy myths, the lasting impact of the WHI study, bone health, vaginal estrogen, inflammation, muscle loss, heart disease risk, and the importance of becoming the CEO of your own health.

If you've ever thought "I'm past menopause, so I'm done worrying about it," this episode may change the way you think about your future health.

✔ Why post-menopause deserves more attention

✔ The lasting impact of the WHI study

✔ What estrogen actually does throughout the body

✔ Why heart disease is the leading cause of death for post-menopausal women

✔ Bone density, osteoporosis and preventing fractures

✔ The role of vaginal estrogen in preventing UTIs

✔ Why muscle matters more than ever

✔ The importance of building your healthcare team

✔ How to advocate for yourself in medical appointments

✔ Why it's never too late to improve your health

Connect with Cindy:

Website: alivingbalance.net https://alivingbalance.net 

Instagram: @cindy_dupuie https://www.instagram.com/cindy_dupuie/

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@alivingbalance

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cdupuie/

Signature Course: Grace In Transition for Women Of A Certain Age https://alivingbalance.net/course/

Free Download Lab Checklist for The Pause Years https://mailchi.mp/ec838eef0e74/lab-checklist

Connect with Lisa

Website: https://liberatedmenopause.ca

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lboate/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leaninfindyourwayhome/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245092311417467

Email: [email protected]

New episodes of Transforming 45 drop every Thursday.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’re not stuck—you’re running patterns. And patterns can be rewritten.

In this episode of Transforming 45, Lisa sits down with Thayne Martin, creator of ELAH™ and an experiential neuroscience entrepreneur helping people rewire emotional patterns in real time.

After surviving severe childhood trauma, addiction, and a near-death experience, Thayne rebuilt his life by understanding one powerful truth:

👉 Most of what drives us isn’t conscious—it’s subconscious programming.

What we cover:

Chapters:

02:30 Childhood stories that shape your identity

05:00 Trauma, addiction, and hitting rock bottom

08:00 The “armor” we wear to survive

12:30 Near-death experience + wake-up call

18:00 Heart-brain coherence explained 23:00 Why your body knows before your brain 32:00 Life review + emotional impact on others

37:00 The 3 things every human must learn

46:00 The mirror exercise that changes everything

Connect with Lisa:

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lboate/

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leaninfindyourwayhome/

👥 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245092311417467

📩 Email: [email protected]

Connect with Thayne Martin:

itspurelove.com

linkedin.com/in/thaynemartin

https://www.facebook.com/thaynemartin

instagram/thaynemartin

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Midlife isn’t a breakdown—it’s a signal.

In this episode, Lisa sits down with Harmony Slater to explore how menopause, burnout, and body image conditioning disconnect women from their bodies—and how somatic practices, breathwork, and nervous system regulation can help you reconnect.

What this episode covers:

Key Takeaways:

Standout Insights:

Chapters:

00:00 The biggest lie we’ve been taught

03:30 Living in your head vs your body

07:00 The war women have with their bodies

12:30 Overtraining, burnout, and guilt

18:00 The 8:30am exhaustion moment

23:00 What somatic work actually is

31:00 Why your body doesn’t feel safe

34:00 “When did you decide you had to earn rest?”

40:00 Simple practices to reconnect

44:00 Rewiring what you notice about yourself 

If you’re navigating menopause symptoms, stress, or burnout, start here:

This supports nervous system regulation, stress reduction, and body awareness.

Harmony Slater is a somatic coach and certified Ashtanga yoga teacher who helps people reconnect with their bodies through breathwork, movement, and nervous system healing.

Her work focuses on helping individuals move beyond stress, anxiety, and physical tension to create more aligned, energized lives.

Tickets for the National Menopause Show: https://nationalmenopauseshow.com/ - use my exclusive code TRANSFORMING 45 and be my guest!

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What happens when the life you built no longer fits the woman you’re becoming?

In this episode of Transforming 45, Lisa sits down with Kim Costa—author of Live in Your Wheelhouse and creator of The Wheelhouse Method—to explore the powerful connection between identity, environment, and midlife reinvention.

Because here’s the truth no one talks about: Sometimes the most “perfect” life… is the most misaligned one.

From a life-altering accident to walking away from a home that looked beautiful on paper but felt completely off, Kim shares how midlife has a way of shaking loose everything that no longer fits—and how your physical space might be the first place you feel it.

Together, we explore:

✨ Why your home can start to feel like a job instead of a sanctuary

✨ The hidden emotional weight of “having it all”

✨ How misalignment shows up in subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways

✨ The connection between your internal world and your physical space ✨ Simple ways to start realigning your life—without blowing everything up

00:00 The Journey of Self-Discovery

01:13 Recognizing Misalignment in Life

04:06 The Impact of Physical Space on Well-Being

08:45 The Weight of Expectations

11:30 Midlife Transitions and New Beginnings

15:05 Finding Bravery in Change

20:29 Taking Action in Physical Spaces

21:10 Creating Intentional Spaces

23:59 The Wheelhouse Framework for Life Reflection

26:58 Shifting Energy Through Home Environment

30:00 The Impact of Clutter on Emotional Well-being

33:01 Navigating Change in Family Dynamics

36:03 Aligning Home with Personal Growth

40:03 Finding Your True Self in Midlife

If you’ve been feeling restless, disconnected, or like something just isn’t right… this conversation will hit.

Because sometimes it’s not you that needs fixing— it’s the life you’ve outgrown.

Website: https://www.liberatedmenopause.ca/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lboate Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leaninfindyourwayhome/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245092311417467 Email: [email protected]

Website:  https://lifestylefoundations.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/kim.e.costa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimecostarealtor

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimecosta

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If you’ve been told your symptoms are “just aging,” this episode will challenge everything you’ve been taught.

Lisa sits down with biologist and holistic nutritionist Laura McLennan to unpack what’s actually happening in the perimenopausal and menopausal body—and why working harder isn’t the answer.

This is a conversation about metabolism, insulin resistance, and the truth about why what used to work…doesn’t anymore.

Why “eat less, move more” stops working in midlife

What insulin resistance actually means (in real life terms)

The biggest mistake women make with food

Why skipping meals is backfiring on your body

How to start feeling better without overhauling your life

Your body isn’t broken—it needs different support now

Metabolism shifts are real—but they are not permanent damage

Undereating is one of the biggest drivers of fatigue and weight gain

Protein + consistent meals = foundational change

Small shifts create massive results

“It’s not about working harder—it’s about working smarter.”

“Your body isn’t failing you—it’s asking you for something different.”

“Would you drive to Montreal on an empty tank?”

“We’ve been trained to look for what’s wrong instead of appreciating what’s working.”

Perimenopause metabolism changes

Insulin resistance explained simply

Nutrition vs. hormone therapy

Intermittent fasting in midlife

Body image + identity shifts

Connect with Laura:

Biologist, Holistic Nutritionist, Founder of HealthScope Specializing in personalized, lab-based nutrition for midlife women.

Website: www.health-scope.ca

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077078720014

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauramwellness_/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lauramclennan2865

Connect with Lisa:

Website: https://www.liberatedmenopause.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lboate Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leaninfindyourwayhome/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/245092311417467

📩 [email protected]

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