Girls Talk Healthy Aging

135: Why "Normal" Labs Don't Mean You're Healthy | Functional Medicine & Longevity: With Jessica Tsang

Why are so many women exhausted, inflamed, struggling with weight gain, poor sleep, hormone imbalance, and burnout — even when their labs look "normal"? In this powerful episode of the Girls Talk Healthy Aging Podcast, co-hosts Shawna Kaminski and Alli Kerr interview Jessica Tsang about functional medicine, healthy aging, women's wellness, hormone health, prevention, and the root causes behind many chronic health symptoms women experience in midlife and beyond. Jessica explains how functional medicine differs from traditional healthcare by focusing on whole-body wellness instead of simply masking symptoms. Together, they discuss how stress, sleep, inflammation, hormones, nutrition, and lifestyle habits all impact longevity, energy, metabolism, and aging. Jessica also shares exciting details about launching her new longevity clinic in Calgary later this year, where she'll help patients take a more proactive and personalized approach to preventative health and long-term wellness. If you're dealing with fatigue, brain fog, hormone changes, poor sleep, stubborn weight gain, chronic stress, inflammation, or simply want to optimize your health as you age, this episode is filled with practical strategies and empowering insights. In this episode, you'll discover: • What functional medicine really is and why it's growing rapidly • The difference between symptom management and root-cause healing • Why women's hormones, sleep, stress, and inflammation are deeply connected • The most overlooked habits affecting healthy aging and longevity • How to advocate for yourself when your doctor isn't focused on prevention • Simple foundational wellness habits that create lasting health • Warning signs your body may be asking for a deeper investigation • How preventative healthcare can improve quality of life as we age • Jessica's vision for the future of longevity-focused healthcare This conversation is empowering, educational, and packed with practical wellness advice for women over 40 who want to feel stronger, healthier, more energized, and more confident as they age. 🎧 If you're interested in functional medicine, women's health, longevity, preventative healthcare, hormone balance, healthy aging, and holistic wellness, this episode is a must-listen. Learn more about Jessica Tsang here: https://directhealthcanada.ca [https://directhealthcanada.ca/] #FunctionalMedicine #HealthyAging #WomenOver40 #Longevity #HormoneHealth #HolisticHealth #PreventativeHealth #MidlifeHealth #Women'sWellness #GirlsTalkHealthyAging *Subscribe, Share, & Rate our Show. And follow us on social media:** 📷 Instagram: @GirlsTalkHealthyAging Facebook Group: Girls Talk Healthy Aging: https://www.facebook.com/groups/330434366004030 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/330434366004030] 🌐 Website: GirlsTalkHealthyAging.com 📧 Email: sapodcast23@gmail.com [sapodcast23@gmail.com] Follow & Message Shawna on Instagram: @shawnakaminski Grab Shawna's book 'Lose Your Menopause Belly' and other freebies here: https://shawnakworkouts.com [https://shawnakworkouts.com/] Follow & Message Alli on Facebook & Instagram: Alli Kerr and @allikerrfitness (respectively). Train with Alli at The Pink Physique in person in Macon, Georgia or Online here: https://www.thepinkphysique.com [https://www.thepinkphysique.com/]

134: Single, Married, Divorced or Widowed: Smart Housing Decisions for Every Woman: With Mindy Attaway

Your home impacts far more than your address—it shapes your finances, relationships, safety, stress levels, independence, and even how well you age. On this episode of the Girls Talk Healthy Aging Podcast, women's wellness coaches Alli Kerr and Shawna Kaminski sit down with award-winning Macon Realtor Mindy Attaway for an eye-opening conversation about how housing decisions shape women's lives through every stage. With 20 years of experience in real estate, Mindy shares powerful insights from working with buyers, sellers, and women investors across Macon and Middle Georgia. As the 2025 President of the Middle Georgia Association of Realtors, a multi-million dollar producer, 2023 Realtor of the Year, and commissioner on the Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission, Mindy brings a unique perspective on the connection between real estate, financial empowerment, community planning, and healthy aging. In this episode, we discuss: • The biggest housing mistakes women make—and how to avoid them • How homeownership impacts financial freedom and long-term security • Smart real estate strategies for single, married, divorced, and widowed women • What women at different ages and stages should consider before buying or selling a home • How real estate investing can help women build wealth at any age • Emotional vs. strategic decision-making during life transitions • Current housing market trends women should understand right now • Questions every woman should ask before choosing a Realtor Whether you're buying your first home, navigating divorce, planning for retirement, downsizing, investing, or simply thinking about your future, this conversation will help you make smarter housing decisions that support your health, happiness, and financial future. If you care about healthy aging, women's financial empowerment, real estate investing, or creating a lifestyle that supports longevity, this is an episode you don't want to miss. 🎧 Subscribe to the Girls Talk Healthy Aging Podcast for expert conversations on women's health, fitness, mindset, aging well, longevity, strength, and building a vibrant life. Learn more about Mindy Attaway here: https://mindyattaway-crowerealty.sites.c21.homes [https://mindyattaway-crowerealty.sites.c21.homes/] *Subscribe, Share, & Rate our Show. And follow us on social media:** 📷 Instagram: @GirlsTalkHealthyAging Facebook Group: Girls Talk Healthy Aging: https://www.facebook.com/groups/330434366004030 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/330434366004030] 🌐 Website: GirlsTalkHealthyAging.com 📧 Email: sapodcast23@gmail.com [sapodcast23@gmail.com] Follow & Message Shawna on Instagram: @shawnakaminski Grab Shawna's book 'Lose Your Menopause Belly' and other freebies here: https://shawnakworkouts.com [https://shawnakworkouts.com/] Follow & Message Alli on Facebook & Instagram: Alli Kerr and @allikerrfitness (respectively). Train with Alli at The Pink Physique in person in Macon, Georgia or Online here: https://www.thepinkphysique.com [https://www.thepinkphysique.com/]

133: She Lost 60 Pounds — Then Gained Some Back. Here's What Happened Next: With Kate Young

What happens after the "before and after" photo? In this inspiring and deeply relatable episode of the Girls Talk Healthy Aging Podcast, co-hosts Alli Kerr and Shawna Kaminski sit down with former Pink Physique client Kate Young to discuss the real journey of weight loss, setbacks, identity, confidence, and finding your way back to fitness. Fifteen years ago, Kate began her transformation journey training with Alli and the team at The Pink Physique, where she lost 60 pounds and completely changed the direction of her life. But like so many women experience, life happened. After moving out of state and losing her routine, Kate found herself struggling again and regaining some of the weight she had worked so hard to lose. Instead of giving up, Kate chose to begin again. Now in her 30s, Kate has discovered a new passion through Olympic weightlifting and has transformed herself into an international weightlifting competitor — while still embracing her unique identity as a self-proclaimed "gothy nerd," now with more muscle and confidence. In this honest conversation, Alli and Shawna break down: * Why weight regain is incredibly common after major weight loss * The emotional side of getting off track * How routines change through different life stages * Why consistency matters more than perfection * How finding a fitness style you truly love changes everything * The mindset shifts that help women keep going after setbacks This episode is a powerful reminder that your story doesn't end when you stumble. Sometimes the comeback becomes the best chapter yet. Whether you're trying to lose weight, get back into a routine, rebuild confidence, or simply believe in yourself again, Kate's story will leave you inspired and motivated to keep moving forward. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a woman who needs encouragement on her own fitness journey. Kate Young on Instagram: @darksosu *Subscribe, Share, & Rate our Show. And follow us on social media:** 📷 Instagram: @GirlsTalkHealthyAging Facebook Group: Girls Talk Healthy Aging: https://www.facebook.com/groups/330434366004030 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/330434366004030] 🌐 Website: GirlsTalkHealthyAging.com 📧 Email: sapodcast23@gmail.com [sapodcast23@gmail.com] Follow & Message Shawna on Instagram: @shawnakaminski Grab Shawna's book 'Lose Your Menopause Belly' and other freebies here: https://shawnakworkouts.com [https://shawnakworkouts.com/] Follow & Message Alli on Facebook & Instagram: Alli Kerr and @allikerrfitness (respectively). Train with Alli at The Pink Physique in person in Macon, Georgia or Online here: https://www.thepinkphysique.com [https://www.thepinkphysique.com/]

132: Think You're Too Old? She Climbed El Capitan at age 70: With Dierdre Wolownick

What if everything you've been told about aging is wrong? In this unforgettable episode of Girls Talk Healthy Aging, co-hosts Alli Kerr and Shawna Kaminski sit down with the extraordinary Dierdre Wolownick—a woman who didn't just defy aging stereotypes… she shattered them. Dierdre started rock climbing at age 60. At 70, she climbed Yosemite's legendary El Capitan—becoming the oldest woman to ever do it. Oh—and she also happens to be the mother of world-renowned climber Alex Honnold of Free Solo fame. But this conversation goes far beyond climbing. It's about curiosity, courage, reinvention, and what's truly possible when you stop listening to the noise telling you to slow down. Dierdre shares: * Why fear is often just a lack of knowledge—and how learning dissolves it * How curiosity became her greatest superpower (and how to reignite yours) * The moment she decided she didn't just want to watch climbers… she wanted to be one * Why society's expectations around aging are limiting—and how to break free from them * Her powerful philosophy: stop consuming media that tells you how to age * How to listen to your body and mind instead of external pressure * The biggest mistake people make when starting a new goal (and why it causes them to quit) Dierdre also breaks down her award-winning framework from her book Success in 7 Steps—a simple, actionable system to help you achieve any goal at any age. You'll learn the three key categories that drive real success and how to start in a way that actually sticks. With a life that spans continents and careers—teacher of five languages, international speaker, musician, marathoner, artist, and founder of a community orchestra—Dierdre is the definition of lifelong growth. Her story is living proof that it's never too late to start… and never too late to become someone new. If you've ever thought, "Maybe I'm too old for that"… this episode will change the way you see your future. Because aging isn't about slowing down—it's about deciding how far you still want to go. Watch the video trailer for Climbing Into Life: The Dierdre Wolownick Story: https://youtu.be/Q6JXH1mdWIM?si=Z-0gjstM995I73vt [https://youtu.be/Q6JXH1mdWIM?si=Z-0gjstM995I73vt] Get Deirdre's book Success in 7 Steps here: https://www.amazon.com/Success-7-Steps-Dierdre-Wolownick/dp/B0DXDK3P5F [https://www.amazon.com/Success-7-Steps-Dierdre-Wolownick/dp/B0DXDK3P5F] Follow Deirdre on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dierdre_wolownick_honnold/ [https://www.instagram.com/dierdre_wolownick_honnold/] *Subscribe, Share, & Rate our Show. And follow us on social media:** 📷 Instagram: @GirlsTalkHealthyAging Facebook Group: Girls Talk Healthy Aging: https://www.facebook.com/groups/330434366004030 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/330434366004030] 🌐 Website: GirlsTalkHealthyAging.com 📧 Email: sapodcast23@gmail.com [sapodcast23@gmail.com] Follow & Message Shawna on Instagram: @shawnakaminski Grab Shawna's book 'Lose Your Menopause Belly' and other freebies here: https://shawnakworkouts.com [https://shawnakworkouts.com/] Follow & Message Alli on Facebook & Instagram: Alli Kerr and @allikerrfitness (respectively). Train with Alli at The Pink Physique in person in Macon, Georgia or Online here: https://www.thepinkphysique.com [https://www.thepinkphysique.com/]

131: Midlife Shift for Women: Reclaiming Purpose, Identity & Confidence in Your 40s and Beyond | With Fazilah Shariff

What if midlife wasn't a crisis… but a powerful recalibration? In this transformative episode of Girls Talk Healthy Aging, co-hosts Shawna Kaminski and Alli Kerr sit down with therapist and women's health advocate Fazilah Shariff to unpack one of the most misunderstood—and underestimated—seasons of a woman's life. Midlife is more than hormones and hot flashes. It's a profound reorganization of identity, relationships, and purpose. The beliefs, roles, and routines that once defined you may no longer fit—and that's not a problem… it's an invitation. Fazilah shares how women can: * Navigate shifting identities and evolving relationships with clarity and confidence * Let go of outdated societal expectations around how they "should" look, act, and live * Reclaim personal values and redefine what truly matters in this next chapter * Strengthen the mind-body connection as it changes through each decade * Use physical activity as a tool to rebuild confidence, resilience, and self-trust Backed by research and real-world experience, this conversation highlights a powerful truth: many women actually become more confident in midlife than ever before. With lived experience comes discernment—the ability to filter out the noise, set stronger boundaries, and cultivate deeper, more supportive relationships. As a Registered Social Worker and Registered Marriage and Family Therapist with dual Master's degrees in Social Work and Health Administration, Fazilah brings a unique lens to the conversation—blending clinical expertise with practical, relatable guidance. Through her work with adolescents, parents, and families, and as the curator of She Rises: A Women's Health Series, she is helping women everywhere rise into this next phase with strength and intention. Whether you're in the thick of midlife transitions or just beginning to feel the shift, this episode will challenge what you thought you knew—and empower you to step into what's next with confidence. Listen now and discover why midlife might just be your most powerful chapter yet. To learn more about Fazilah or connect check out: Fazilah Shariff, MSW, MHA, RSW, RMFT Child and Family Therapist, YYC Family Therapy [http://www.yycfamilytherapy.ca/] Curator, She Rises: A Woman's Health Series [http://www.sherisescalgary.ca/] Email: info@yycfamilytherapy.ca [info@yycfamilytherapy.ca], sherisescalgary@gmail.com [sherisescalgary@gmail.com] *Subscribe, Share, & Rate our Show. And follow us on social media:** 📷 Instagram: @GirlsTalkHealthyAging Facebook Group: Girls Talk Healthy Aging: https://www.facebook.com/groups/330434366004030 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/330434366004030] 🌐 Website: GirlsTalkHealthyAging.com 📧 Email: sapodcast23@gmail.com [sapodcast23@gmail.com] Follow & Message Shawna on Instagram: @shawnakaminski Grab Shawna's book 'Lose Your Menopause Belly' and other freebies here: https://shawnakworkouts.com [https://shawnakworkouts.com/] Follow & Message Alli on Facebook & Instagram: Alli Kerr and @allikerrfitness (respectively). Train with Alli at The Pink Physique in person in Macon, Georgia or Online here: https://www.thepinkphysique.com [https://www.thepinkphysique.com/]