Pursue Your Spark

Midlife symptoms have a way of turning up the volume on everything you've been ignoring—fatigue, restlessness, burnout, or that persistent feeling that "this just isn't working anymore." In Episode 248: What Your Midlife Symptoms Are Really Telling You, I'm joined by functional nutritionist and educator Andrea Nakayama for a powerful reframe: your symptoms aren't failures—they're feedback. Andrea brings a fresh lens to midlife wellness, one that goes far beyond quick fixes and trendy biohacks. She invites us to listen—to treat our midlife symptoms as messengers, not mistakes. These signals often point to something deeper: a misalignment between how we live and what truly fuels us. We explore why burnout and fatigue might be guiding you toward your next act, not just another supplement. Andrea shares how functional nutrition, narrative medicine, and deep self-awareness can create real, lasting healing. She also shares her own midlife story—navigating profound personal loss, raising a child, ma

You're eating well, staying active, and doing everything that used to work—so why are you feeling tired, stuck, and frustrated with your results? In episode 247, "Why Cardio Backfires in Midlife—and What to Do Instead," I break down why your once-trusted workout strategies may be failing you now—and what to do about it. If you're still relying on cardio as your go-to solution, it's time to reassess. Midlife changes everything, from hormones to muscle mass to recovery time. That means your fitness approach needs a serious upgrade. I explain why too much steady-state cardio raises stress hormones, drains your energy, and accelerates muscle loss. In contrast, strength training becomes essential for metabolism, bone health, and long-term vitality. Even just a few pounds of muscle can increase your resting metabolism and give you more daily energy. Plus, I walk you through my SPARK framework to help you shift toward smarter, more effective habits that support your midlife body—not fight it. You'll discov

Have you ever felt like you were finally okay—only to be blindsided by a wave of emotion you didn’t see coming? In this episode of Pursue Your Spark, “When Childhood Trauma Reawakens: Stacey Hettes on Healing After Midlife,” I sit down with Dr. Stacey Hettes, scientist, college professor, and author of Dispatches from the Couch, to explore how deeply buried childhood trauma can resurface in midlife—and how we begin to heal truly. We dig into the ACEs framework (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and how Dr. Hettes used it to make sense of emotional shutdown, people-pleasing, and her own journey through PTSD. With her background in neuroscience, she explains how trauma physically rewires the brain—especially the amygdala and hippocampus—and how therapy helped her retrain those fear-based circuits over time. This conversation challenges the idea that healing is quick or clean. We unpack what it means to "fawn" as a trauma response, why shame keeps us silent, and why therapy isn't about being fixed—it's abo

Do you find yourself dragging through the afternoon, reaching for coffee or snacks just to stay awake? You’re not alone. After 40, those 2 p.m. crashes become more common—and it has nothing to do with motivation. It’s your hormones and nutrition working differently now, and midlife nutrition plays a much bigger role than it used to. In Episode 245: What To Eat After 40 To Boost Energy, I explain how hormone shifts, stress, and sleep all affect your energy. As estrogen trends down, your body becomes more sensitive to carbs. Add cortisol spikes from stress and poor sleep, and suddenly the same lunch that worked fine at 30 can leave you foggy and sluggish at 45. The solution isn’t another latte—it’s learning how to time and balance your meals so you get steady energy that lasts. You’ll hear the stories of three women who represent different stages of the journey. Emma often skipped lunch and rode the day out on coffee, Lisa ate pretty healthy but leaned on bars and lattes, and Jasmine was highly active

Struggling with stiff joints, low energy, or feeling unsure how to move your body without hurting it? You’re not alone—and in Episode 244: Aqua Yoga for Midlife Strength, we explore how the pool might just be your new best friend. I talk with Christa Fairbrother, a former farrier turned aqua yoga teacher, who shares how a painful autoimmune diagnosis changed her path—and how movement in the water gave her strength, balance, and confidence again. We go deep into why aqua yoga is one of the best low-impact workouts for midlife bodies, especially when arthritis or chronic illness makes land-based fitness feel impossible. You’ll hear how the water supports you, how balance improves quickly, and how even simple yoga poses become powerful arthritis exercises for women—no yoga experience required. We also tackle the emotional aspects: feeling exposed in a swimsuit, feeling like you’re “not a yoga person,” and how shifting your mindset can change everything. This episode is real talk for real women. It’s

After a season of rosé, ice cream, and skipped workouts, many women feel the urge to “start over.” But here’s the truth: restriction and guilt aren’t the answer. Instead of punishing yourself for summer indulgences, you can embrace a different approach—one that feels empowering, sustainable, and kind. That’s exactly what I share in my new post, Reset After Summer: A Midlife Healthy Eating Guide. This isn’t about diets, detoxes, or a perfect Monday plan. It’s about creating a realistic reset for midlife women—one rooted in food freedom, energy, and confidence. A healthy eating reset works best when you incorporate nourishing habits, rebuild routines that make you feel steady, and engage in activities that feel joyful, not forced. Instead of tracking every calorie, you can check in with how food makes you feel. Instead of dragging yourself back to punishing workouts, you can choose movement that feels like self-care. Instead of cutting things out, you can add habits that actually energize you. A reset

Ever been told “it’s all in your head” when you know your body is asking for help? That disconnect is more than frustrating—it’s often the very thing that deepens our stress, amplifies burnout, and keeps us stuck. In Episode 242: Holistic Psychology for Stress Relief: Bridging Eastern and Western Healing, I sit down with holistic psychologist Tatiana Miller to explore what happens when we stop chasing symptoms and start listening to our whole selves. Tatiana’s story is powerful—from years of being dismissed by Western doctors to discovering healing through yoga, breathwork, and the philosophies of Eastern medicine. Her journey shows what’s possible when we combine modern psychology with mindful movement and emotional intelligence. In this conversation, we talk about why traditional therapy often misses the mark, especially for women navigating midlife burnout. Tatiana explains how holistic psychology utilizes the four pillars of emotional intelligence—self-awareness, reflection, regulation, and soci

Ever walk away from a conversation thinking, “Why didn’t I just say what I meant?” That gut punch isn’t just frustration—it’s a sign of something deeper. In episode 241, The Confidence Gap No One Talks About, we unpack why so many midlife women silence themselves—and how to break that cycle. This episode is about power. The quiet kind. The kind you feel when you reclaim your voice in midlife and finally say what you mean. We explore what the confidence gap really looks like. It’s not always obvious. Sometimes it hides behind people-pleasing, over-explaining, or brushing off your own needs to keep the peace. But the cost? It’s your clarity, energy, and self-trust. You’ll learn five powerful mindset shifts that help you set boundaries without guilt, stop second-guessing, and speak up—without apologizing for it. We discuss emotional strength in the same way we discuss physical strength. You build it with reps. Practice. One honest sentence at a time. If you’re tired of feeling invisible or like yo

Sometimes the most powerful journeys begin not with a step forward, but with a fall that forces you to rise differently. Amy Thurman’s life changed in an instant after a traumatic brain injury left her unable to walk, talk, or see clearly. In Episode 240: From Trauma to Times Square, Amy shares her raw and remarkable story of healing and personal growth in midlife. But her story isn’t just about recovery—it’s about rediscovering purpose and becoming a guide for others. Now a speaker, author, and founder of the Mirror Collective, Amy created the “Polish the Mirror” framework to help women rebuild their confidence, reconnect with joy, and reclaim who they are, beyond their roles, pasts, or setbacks. This empowering podcast episode is for anyone navigating change, loss, or reinvention. Especially for midlife women who feel stuck, this conversation reminds them that they can turn pain into power and that joy can be their North Star. We talk about: How Amy redefined her identity after trauma The m

You know that moment when you’re standing in the kitchen, staring at two different snacks, and you just can’t decide? It’s not really about the snack. It’s the mental spiral that’s running the show. In midlife, overthinking becomes the default. You’re juggling shifting roles, changing bodies, and trying to keep up with everything that used to feel automatic. But now? Every decision feels heavier. You’re constantly planning, researching, second-guessing… and feeling more stuck than ever. In episode 239, “Why Overthinking Keeps You Stuck in Midlife,” we explore how mental clutter, perfectionism, and people-pleasing can quietly drain your confidence and energy and how what feels like “playing it safe” is actually keeping you from moving forward. You’ll hear relatable stories—including one about a client who spent so much time creating the perfect workout plan… she never actually worked out. You’ll learn why more effort isn’t what’s missing—and why what you genuinely need is clarity, movement, and self-

What happens after the kids leave? For many parents, the empty nest phase brings a flood of emotions—relief, sadness, confusion, even identity loss. But what if this transition could be your most powerful opportunity for growth, reconnection, and joy? In Episode 238: Navigating the Empty Nest Transition, I sit down with award-winning author Anthony Damaschino, whose Empty Nest Blueprint books offer wisdom, humor, and practical advice for parents ready to reclaim their spark. A former HR executive, father of three, and now a full-time advocate for thriving in midlife, Anthony shares why this season is the most underrated phase in a parent’s life. We talk about what happens when the house gets quiet, how to stop helicopter parenting before it pushes your kids away, and why “just surviving” these years misses the point. Anthony opens up about his emotional shifts, including the bittersweet moment his daughter left home (again), and how he and his wife rekindled their relationship without the kids at the

You’re doing all the “right” things—getting enough sleep, eating healthy, even squeezing in workouts—but you still feel tired all the time. Sound familiar? In Episode 237: What’s Secretly Draining Your Energy in Midlife, we’re uncovering what’s really behind that constant fatigue—and why more effort isn’t the answer. Midlife women are often told to try harder. Sleep more. Eat cleaner. Push through. But here’s the truth: your exhaustion might not be about what you’re doing—it’s about what’s quietly draining you. These are energy leaks—the hidden mental, emotional, and physical drains that slowly wear you down no matter how much you try to recharge. Think of your energy like a bucket. You keep pouring in rest, food, and self-care, but if there are holes in the bottom, it’ll never stay full. This episode breaks down the three biggest energy leaks most midlife women deal with: saying yes to everything but yourself, mental overload and decision fatigue, and the “someday” mindset that delays your needs. Yo

What happens when life throws you a curveball you never saw coming, like becoming a mom to triplets? For Marta Spirk, it wasn’t the end of her identity. It was the beginning of something powerful. In Episode 236: Balancing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship with Confidence, Marta shares how navigating life with three newborns became the catalyst for her business journey and how she now helps other women do the same. Marta is a business coach, TEDx speaker, and author of The Empowered Woman: The Ultimate Roadmap to Business Success. In this episode, she opens up about the reality of balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, the messy, beautiful, and empowering. She and Heike explore how to manage imposter syndrome, build confidence as a mom and entrepreneur, and show up in life and business with authenticity and presence. You’ll learn practical strategies for developing poise and power, from Heike’s signature Pilates Body posture technique to Marta’s insights on how your voice and body language shape how o

You start strong, full of motivation. Then life happens. You get busy, tired, or just lose steam. Before you know it, you’re back at square one, wondering why fitness after 50 feels so hard. In episode 235 of the podcast, Struggling with Fitness After 50? Find Your WHY First, we’re uncovering the real reason consistency feels impossible—and how finding your WHY can change everything. The problem isn’t willpower. It’s clarity. Staying consistent will always be a struggle if you don’t know why movement matters. But when you connect fitness to something bigger, it becomes something you want to do—not just another task on your list. Your WHY is personal. Maybe you want to stay strong for travel. Keep up with your grandkids. Protect your independence. But your Purpose? That’s even bigger. It’s the long-term vision of the life you refuse to lose. Motivation fades, but a strong WHY keeps you going. Struggling to stay consistent with exercise in midlife? Stop chasing motivation and ask yourself: Why do

What if your biggest heartbreak became your most extraordinary mission? After losing his mother to Parkinson’s, Dr. George Ackerman turned grief into purpose—creating a movement that’s shaking up awareness around this devastating disease. In this powerful episode, George shares what Parkinson’s looks like, what most caregivers never talk about, and why his mission, Together for Sharon, inspires a global fight for change. You’ll hear his full story in Episode 234: Caregiving, Parkinson’s, and a Son’s Mission. George opens up about the early signs of Parkinson’s disease are stiffness, internal tremors, changes in movement—and how his mom lived with symptoms for years before being diagnosed. He also dives into the emotional toll caregiving takes, especially when you’re doing it all out of love and without a roadmap. His honesty about guilt, exhaustion, and the need to “just be there” is something every caregiver will relate to. As a law enforcement professional and educator, George is using his unique bac

You know that feeling—you want to start fresh with your health, maybe try a new workout or finally commit to better nutrition, but something stops you. That nagging thought: What if I fail? We're tackling exactly that in Episode 233: Overcoming Fear of Failure in Midlife. Fear of failure feels bigger after 50 because you’ve tried before, and maybe it didn’t stick. Maybe past diets left you feeling like a failure, or life got in the way of your best intentions. But what if failure wasn’t proof you can’t do this—what if it was just part of learning? Midlife brings enough change as it is. Your energy fluctuates, your body feels different, and let’s be real—your schedule is packed. The idea of starting over again can feel exhausting. But the truth? You don’t need a total life overhaul. Breaking past fitness failures after 50 and figuring out how to make fitness and nutrition work after 50 starts with small, sustainable steps. So many midlife women tell me they feel stuck because they’ve “failed” be

What if everything you’ve been told about confidence, desire, and pleasure in midlife is completely wrong? For so many women, midlife feels like a turning point—you’ve checked the boxes, followed the rules, and still wonder… is this it? In Episode 232: How to Own Your Power and Pleasure in Midlife, we’re diving deep into what it takes to break free from limiting beliefs, embrace confidence, and own your desires without apology. I’m joined by Sue Camaione, author of The Practical Seductress: How I Learned to Take My Hat and Run. She’s sharing her powerful journey of self-discovery, pleasure, and stepping into her full power. We talk about reclaiming pleasure and desire in midlife, shedding outdated expectations, and feeling confident and sexy after 50, even if you've been stuck in old narratives. Too often, women in midlife feel like they have to tone it down, play small, or shrink themselves to fit outdated roles. But what if this stage of life is actually your time to expand, own what you want,

Life is full of unexpected twists and turns. One moment, you’re managing your routine, tackling your to-do list, and feeling in control. And then, something happens—a phone call, a change in the weather, or news you weren’t prepared for—and suddenly, your world feels upside down. In Finding Strength and Resilience During Uncontrollable Events, we’re diving into what it means to navigate life’s most challenging moments with clarity and confidence. While we can’t control every curveball life throws, we can control how we respond. In this episode, I share personal stories, real-life examples, and practical tools to help you build resilience so you can stay grounded even when life feels uncertain. We’ll explore the emotional impact of unexpected challenges, why resilience is a game-changer, and how my S.P.A.R.K. framework can guide you toward clarity, action, and lasting momentum. We’ll also discuss how to build resilience after loss—whether that’s the loss of a loved one, a shift in identity, or a si

Feeling like self-care is selfish? You’re not alone. For midlife women over 50, guilt often sneaks in and stops us from putting ourselves first. And let’s be honest—Why Self-Care Feels So Damn Hard for Midlife Women is something we’ve all wondered about. Here’s the truth: self-care isn’t about spa days or bubble baths. It’s about creating habits that help us thrive. Setting boundaries. Avoiding burnout. Showing up as our best selves. In episode 230, I’m joined by Lesley Logan, a second-generation certified Pilates teacher, author, and host of the Be It Till You See It podcast. Lesley is passionate about helping women prioritize themselves through movement, mindset, and self-care. She shares her journey of overcoming perfectionism and embracing guilt-free self-care. Her advice is simple: Focus on the basics—sleep, movement, and proper nutrition. These small but powerful habits create the foundation for thriving in midlife. We also discuss the guilt many women feel when prioritizing themselves. Les

Ever feel like you’ve hit a wall and can’t figure out why your motivation has disappeared? Here’s the thing: losing motivation isn’t your fault. Motivation isn’t some steady, unshakable thing. It changes as we go through life, just like we do. What lit you up in your 20s and 30s might not feel right now, and that’s okay. Life throws us curveballs—work, family, caregiving—and sometimes it feels like there’s no room left for you. Add in sneaky traps like comparing yourself to others (or your younger self), trying to do everything at once, or waiting for the “perfect” moment, and it’s no wonder we feel stuck. But here’s the thing: losing motivation isn’t failure—it’s growth in disguise. In this episode, I’m breaking down why motivation fades, how to stop beating yourself up over it, and what you can do to feel excited again. Spoiler: it doesn’t involve drastic changes or all-or-nothing thinking. This episode is for you if you’re ready to ditch the guilt and rediscover your spark. Let’s talk about what r