More Beautiful Podcast

Feeling out of balance in midlife? If so, you're not alone. Whether you're striving for balance of the body, mind or spirit, yoga can be a great place to start. It's a healing and transformative practice, offering both physical benefits and increased spiritual alignment. On this episode, holistic yoga teacher Susie Lee tells us how to achieve all kinds of balance, both on and off the yoga mat.

Among the topics Susie and I discuss:

• What being "in balance" looks like from physical and spiritual perspectives, and how the two are deeply connected
• What types of balance her midlife clients are seeking and why they're sometimes difficult to achieve
• Why people over 50 represent one of the fastest growing yoga-practicing populations
• Why physical balance starts to deteriorate as we age, and what we can do to help maintain it
• The best yoga poses and movements to keep you healthy and energized
• How the "worldly winds" can guide you in achieving balance in yoga and life
• Why you should strive for alignment in your work, personal relationships and health
• What the concept of yin yang can teach you about balance
• Where to start if you're a yoga virgin
• How you can learn to "go with the flow," finding peace and happiness at every life stage

Suzy also explains why it's important to take care of your feet (yes, your feet) as you age, and reveals the big question you should always ask yourself before you speak. Plus: Susie leads us through a meditation exercise that will relax you like nobody's business—and set the tone for the rest of your day.

Whether you're a yoga pro or have never set foot on a yoga mat, there's something in this episode for you. Full show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.

About More Beautiful

Founded by journalist Maryann LoRusso, the More Beautiful Project is a podcast, online magazine and community for women navigating midlife. Join Maryann and her guests on the More Beautiful Podcast as they strive for a life that’s more joyful, more fulfilling and more beautiful than ever before. Because this is not your mama’s midlife.

Not too long ago, it was taboo to openly discuss menopause. So many women were reluctant to share their experiences and symptoms related to a life transition that affects half the world's population. Fortunately, major change is in the air, as more and more women are coming out of the shadows and exchanging important information related to menopause. My guest on this episode is Sheilisa McNeal, creator of a new product designed to alleviate one of the most prevalent symptoms of menopause, the ubiquitous hot flash. Sheilisa is also helping to spread awareness about menopause and encouraging women to embrace it as one of the most powerful times in their life.

Among the topics Sheilisa and I discuss:

• How we can do better supporting one another through menopause and identifying our symptoms
• Why ageist attitudes in the workplace is a missed opportunity for our society
• How Sheilisa is trying to help corporations support their employees as they traverse menopause
• Ways you can talk to your partner, your boss and other people in your life about what you're going through
• How to jumpstart change within your own workplace or organization
• How this generation of women is setting the foundation so the next generation won't suffer in silence
• Why you should honor your body during this important life stage
• How Sheilisa got the idea for her product, a piece of jewelry that uses hydro technology to alleviate hot flashes

If you're ready for some real girl talk about meno, this episode is for you. Full show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.

Founded by journalist Maryann LoRusso, the More Beautiful Project is a podcast, online magazine and community for women navigating midlife. Join Maryann and her guests on the More Beautiful Podcast as they strive for a life that’s more joyful, more fulfilling and more beautiful than ever before. Because this is not your mama’s midlife.

Please note that this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to replace individualized health and medical advice.

Hey ladies, do you support other women? I mean,really support other women in everything you do, say and think? On the flip side, do you feel supported by other females? Have you ever felt judged, or caught yourself being judgmental toward another woman?

Today I’m going there, ladies, yes I am. Because women supporting women is sometimes more complex than we realize. Because there’s a lot of psychology going on beneath the surface. Because cultural norms and old habits die hard. And because last I checked, women are not yet running the world, so obviously we still have work to do.

Together, let’s take an honest look at how we’re actually showing up for one another, and how we can do a better job lifting one another up in midlife and beyond. Because life truly is more beautiful when we've got each other's back.

About More Beautiful

Founded by journalist Maryann LoRusso, the More Beautiful Project is a podcast, online magazine and community for women navigating midlife. Join Maryann and her guests on the More Beautiful Podcast as they strive for a life that’s more joyful, more fulfilling and more beautiful than ever before. Because this is not your mama’s midlife.

Complete show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.

I can't think of one midlife woman I know who hasn't hit a snafu when it comes to fitness. Thanks to hormone shifts and aging, you may feel your body changing, your weight redistributing, or your energy levels plummeting. Maybe you're frustrated because your tried-and-true workouts and meal plans are suddenly no longer yielding the same results. Or maybe you're facing emotional roadblocks that are sabotaging your efforts. Well, if you're looking for a way back to feeling great, you're gonna love this episode. My guest is Kelly Howard, a fitness consistency expert who has some fantastic tips and tricks to help get you motivated and back on track toward getting healthy and fit, and keep you in that sweet spot over the long haul. The best part? She wants you to experience fun and adventure in the process.

Among the topics Kelly and I discuss:

• The one question you need to ask yourself before you embark on a fitness routine
• How exercise has a cascading effect on your physical and emotional health
• Why you should "shift" your habits instead of changing them
• The major "consistency killers" that Kelly says can prevent you from reaching your fitness goals
• How to change up your workouts for your changing body
• How to stop procrastinating and get the motivation to begin
• How to identify your personal "kryptonite" that can sabotage you
• Why you need a North Star for long-term motivation and success, as well as a Passion Plan rather than a bucket list
• Some tips to relieve age-related aches and pains
• The three stages to getting physically fit
• How to inject more fun and adventure into your workouts—and your life

Plus, Kelly reveals the mobility test she does every night, as well as her 10-20-30 strategy for more consistent workouts.

If you're ready to get moving and feel great, you're going to love this motivating conversation with Kelly! Full show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.

If you're in perimenopause or menopause, you probably have questions. But sometimes the answers are hard to come by. Truth is, few OB/GYNs receive significant training around menopause. There are so many symptoms that can be difficult to untangle. And because there's conflicting information out there about hormone therapy, it can be challenging to determine the right course of treatment.

Well, sit tight. Our guest today is Dr. Stephanie Culver, a Menopause Society-certified OB/GYN and part of a women-founded, women-led company that provides customized hormone treatment for menopause. On this episode, Dr. Culver is addressing all your concerns about menopause and hormone therapy, and breaking down the range of treatments that can help alleviate your symptoms—so you can start to feel better and more like yourself again. And for those women who are not yet in perimenopause, remember that knowledge is power and you don't want to enter this part of your life without having all the information to navigate it.

Among the topics Dr. Culver and I discuss:

• How women's health and menopause education should be integrated into every medical specialty
• Besides the ubiquitous hot flash, the myriad of other symptoms that are associated with estrogen decline
• How to distinguish from depression/anxiety and menopause, and why some doctors are quick to prescribe meds before hormone therapy
• How patients are now self-educating about menopause, and how this is affecting the doctor/patient relationship
• How hormone treatment got a bad rap, and why it can safely be used to treat many of your symptoms
• What customized hormone treatment looks like, and how it works in your body
• How to know if you're a good candidate for hormone therapy—and when it's too late to start
• From the patch to the pill, how to determine which kind of hormone therapy is right for you
• Whether or not hormone therapy should be prescribed for the prevention of Alzheimer's and other conditions
• Why hormone tests are often unreliable—but sometimes necessary
• For women who can't or don't want to go on hormones, the lifestyle modifications that can help alleviate perimenopause and menopause symptoms
• How Dr. Culver's company, Pandia Health, is helping to educate corporations about supporting their employees who are traversing menopause
• What you can do to start feeling better and taking care of yourself NOW

Dr. Culver also tells you if CBD can help with menopause symptoms, explains why there's still a scary label on your box of vaginal estrogen cream, and answers the million-dollar question: In addition to addressing your symptoms, will hormone therapy make you look and feel younger? Ladies, this is one episode you don't want to miss!

Full show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.

Interior design for people over 40? You better believe it. On this episode, Maryann chats with designer Elizabeth Becken, who specializes in helping midlife clients align their intimate surroundings with their vision for a spectacular second act. Elizabeth believes that midlife is a time of tremendous change, growth and opportunity, so your home should reflect the sexy-cool person you're becoming. Whether you're downsizing after an empty nest or relationship change, moving into a new place, or simply looking to refresh your home to reflect where you are now in life, there is so much fun to be had in the decorating! Join me and Elizabeth as we talk about:

• Why she loves designing for people traversing midlife
• The number-one reason her clients want to re-energize their personal space
• Interior design considerations that are exclusive to people in midlife
• The latest home trends that are taking the interior-design world by storm (separate bedrooms, anyone?)
• Some of the creative ways empty nesters are transforming basements, older kids' rooms and other family spaces
• The home-design features you will probably need less of as you get older—and the ones you may want to embrace
• Design elements to consider if you plan to live in your home forever
• How to dabble in color (even if you love neutrals) while still maintaining a soothing space
• What design trends may be going out of style—and you may want to be aware of, if you're thinking about selling your home
• Whether or not open floor plans and other long-running trends are here to stay

Plus, Elizabeth offers tips on how you can refresh your personal space on a budget, create flattering light in every room of the house (and who doesn't want that, right?), and how to make your bedroom your personal sanctuary.

Whip out your tape measure and a notepad, and get inspired to transform your personal space to reflect a bold new you! Full show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.

What do house repairs, the Barbie movie, an ancient Japanese philosophy, and your beautiful aging body have to do with one another? More than you know.

On this solo episode of the More Beautiful Podcast, Maryann talks about how important and life-changing it is to let go of the quest for perfection. She discusses an ideology called wabi-sabi that is deeply rooted in Japanese culture. The word “wabi” means simplicity, humility and living in tune with nature. The word “sabi” refers to what happens with the passage of time; it's about accepting the the transience of beauty and embracing the authenticity of age. Practicing wabi-sabi is learning to accept the natural cycle of growth and decay, life and death. It’s finding harmony and serenity in the uncomplicated and organic. It’s finding perfection in what is imperfect. And, yes, it's about accepting that things change and evolve and even grow old—and finding beauty and joy in that.

So come on this short 11-minute journey with More Beautiful and learn to find peace in the impermanence, wisdom in the wrinkles and cracks, and joy in this mess that is midlife. Full show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.

About More Beautiful

Founded by journalist Maryann LoRusso, the More Beautiful Project is a podcast, online magazine and community for women navigating midlife. Join Maryann and her guests on the More Beautiful Podcast as they strive for a life that’s more joyful, more fulfilling and more beautiful than ever before. Because this is not your mama’s midlife.

Have you been finding yourself a little out of whack? Have you been struggling with the physical and emotional changes related to perimenopause or menopause? Are you dealing with a new health issue, or trying to avoid one? Are you trying to lose weight, gain more energy, or just feel like yourself again? On this episode of the More Beautiful Podcast, I chat with Skye Dale, a functional medicine health and wellness coach who once struggled with her own health challenges. We address all the stuff that may be bogging you down, and dishing out tips on how you can feel better, get your health back on track, and enjoy a long, fulfilling second act.

Among the topics Skye and I talk about:

• What drove Skye to take inventory of her own health and wellness
• Why it’s so hard to lose weight in midlife, and how to set yourself up for success
• The complex relationship between increased belly fat and insulin resistance in midlife
• What she thinks is the most important indicator of whether or not you will reach your health goals
• The pros and cons of Ozempic and other diabetes/weight-loss drugs
• How taking stock of your relationships is a non-negotiable part of your health journey
• How you can start to boost your self-esteem and confidence on a deep level
• Why you may need to change your relationship with food
• How our generation needs to rewrite the outdated health and beauty messages we grew up with
• What exactly sugar does to your body and why Skye believes in sugar detoxes
• Whether or not counting calories and owning a scale are good thing
• How to slow down muscle loss, burn more fat, and get in your best shape right now
• What ubiquitous 1980s “diet” food is back in a big way

Skye's message: Love and respect the skin you're in, and start enjoying every moment of your beautiful life. Full show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.

Is there a prediabetes epidemic among midlife women? In this episode, we tackle an issue that concerns many of us. It feels like more and more women who are journeying through menopause are being told they're in the prediabetes range for insulin resistance—even those who have worked hard to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle habits. Currently, more than a third of Americans have prediabetes, which is a precursor to type 2 diabetes. Most of the people who have it don't know it. And for many women, especially those with a family history, prediabetes seems to crop up suddenly in midlife when hormonal changes peak.

On the show today, I interview Dr. Parveen Verma, an endocrinologist and diabetes specialist, about this rising health issue. We talk about what prediabetes is, what it does to your body, and how to find out if you have it. We also discuss how insulin resistance can be prevented, reversed, or stopped from progressing into type 2 diabetes. And we chat about Ozempic and similar diabetes drugs that are being prescribed for both on- and off-label purposes. Among the questions I ask Dr. Verma:

• What exactly is insulin resistence and what causes it? What risks does it present to us?
• Why are more midlife women being diagnosed with prediabetes—even otherwise healthy and active women?
• How much does genetics factor into insulin resistance?
• Can prediabetes be prevented? If you already have it, how can you reverse it or stop it from evolving into type 2 diabetes?
• What's the relationship between our changing hormones during perimenopause and menopause and insulin resistance? What does weight redistribution (which is common during and after menopause) have to do with insulin resistance?
• What's the link between diabetes and Alzheimer's and other medical conditions?
• What lifestyle tweaks can help you manage your blood sugar? What should you be eating and how should you be exercising? How do sleep and stress come into play? How does cortisol aggravate insulin resistance?
• How do Ozempic and similar drugs help to regulate blood sugar? What are the risk factors of taking these drugs, and are they safe to use off label for weight loss?
• What tests should you ask your doctor for, to determine your level of insulin resistance?*

Don't miss this important discussion about your health. Complete show notes available at Morebeautifulproject.com.

*Please note that this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to replace individualized medical advice.

Wendy Valentine says her mess is her message. Six years ago, at age 45, she had a midlife meltdown. She was in debt, unemployeed, going through a divorce, grieving the death of her brother, suffering from anxiety and chronic illness, and emotionally paralyzed. Today, Wendy is financially and emotionally liberated. She's enjoying her life traveling across the country in an RV, living part-time on the Portuguese island of Madeira, and spreading the message that you can survive the midlife madness and come out the other side better than ever. On today's epsisode, Wendy and I talk about the techniques she employed to dig herself out of her depression, turn her financial situation around, and create the kind of life she was craving for herself.

We also discuss:

• How Wendy overcame loneliness and learned to fall back in love with herself
• How she let go of most of her material possessions, moving from a 5,000-square-foot house into a 150-square-foot RV
• Why learning how to play again is crucial to aging well
• Why your life's purpose may not be what you think it is
• the difference between happiness and fulfillment—and why you should be seeking one more than the other
• How you know when something isn't right for you—and let it go
• (*my personal favorite) Why Wendy leaves her finished journals in airports for strangers to pick up!

Wendy's message: I did it, so you can too. You can savor life instead of sleepwalking through it. You can become your own best friend and enjoy every drop of this beautiful life. This inspiring conversation is one you don't want to miss! Full show notes available atMorebeautifulproject.com.