Create The Best Me

Why Intimacy Feels Different After 40

In this episode, I speak with Elana Auerbach, author of The Sure Thing: A Pleasure Practice to Revive the Spark, about intimacy, desire, shame, body confidence, communication, and reconnecting with yourself in midlife. Elana shares how a simple weekly practice helped transform her marriage after years of frustration, resentment, and emotional distance. But this conversation goes far beyond physical intimacy. It is about learning what you want, understanding how desire can change, feeling more comfortable in your body, and giving yourself permission to stop disappearing from your own life. Elana and I also discuss spontaneous desire, responsive desire, body confidence after 40, self-love, and how couples can begin honest conversations when intimacy has changed. Please note: This episode includes mature topics around intimacy, pleasure, and relationships and may not be suitable for younger listeners. Music: Epidemic Sound Call to Action: If this conversation helped you, please like, share, subscribe, and come back next week for another episode created just for you. Until then, keep dreaming big, take care of yourself, and remember you are beautiful, strong, and capable of creating the best version of yourself.   📕 Resources:  https://createthebestme.com/ep172 [https://createthebestme.com/ep172] https://surethingexperiment.com/ [https://surethingexperiment.com/]   Related Episode: 🎧 Listen to this episode next: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/18377811 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/18377811-the-conversation-that-makes-couples-want-each-other-more.mp3?download=true]     #IntimacyAfter40 #MidlifeWomen #CreateTheBestMe #WomenOver40 #WomenOver50 #MidlifeRelationships #DesireAfter40 #BodyConfidence #SelfLoveAfter40 #MarriageConnection #ResponsiveDesire #ElanaAuerbach #TheSureThing 📨 Newsletter: https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/ [https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/]   👀 Connect With Me: Website: https://createthebestme.com [https://createthebestme.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme [https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/ [https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/] TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox [http://www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox] YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme [https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme] LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox [http://www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox]   📽️ Video Request: https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv [https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv]

The Truth About Skincare Over 40 (Stop Wasting Money!)

Are you spending more money on skincare over 40 but still feeling like your skin looks dry, dull, or irritated? You are not alone. In this episode, I’m joined by Lindsay Nahmiache, owner and CEO of Veriphy Skincare, for a real conversation about what happens to our skin in perimenopause, menopause, and midlife, and why buying more products is not always the answer. Lindsay shares how she first discovered Veriphy as a customer, what made her believe in the brand enough to take it over, and why the line has only five products on purpose. We talk about PhytoSpherix, hydration, skin barrier support, retinol and tretinoin dryness, ingredient overload, and the TikTok skincare trends that can be a little too much for midlife skin. You’ll also hear the simple washcloth method Lindsay learned from her grandmother, why she believes less can be more, and how women over 40 can start simplifying their skincare routine without feeling like they have to throw everything away. If your skin has changed and your skincare shelf is starting to feel like a science experiment, this episode will help you think about your routine in a calmer, simpler, and more confident way.   Music: Epidemic Sounds   #VeriphySkinCare #SkincareOver40 #MenopauseSkincare #MidlifeSkin #CreateTheBestMe   📕 Resources:  https://createthebestme.com/ep170 [https://createthebestme.com/ep170] Use this link for a discount: https://veriphyskincare.com/discount/Carmen25 [https://veriphyskincare.com/discount/Carmen25]   Related Episodes: 🎧  Listen to these episodes next: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/18709719 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/18709719] https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/18340310 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/18340310]   skincare over 40, skincare over 50, menopause skincare, perimenopause skincare, dry skin over 40, midlife skincare, skin barrier, retinol dry skin, skincare routine over 40, skin minimalism, clean skincare, clinical skincare, Veriphy Skincare, Lindsay Nahmiache, PhytoSpherix, Create The Best Me 📨 Newsletter: https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/ [https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/]   👀 Connect With Me: Website: https://createthebestme.com [https://createthebestme.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme [https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/ [https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/] TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox [http://www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox] YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme [https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme] LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox [http://www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox]   📽️ Video Request: https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv [https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv]

ADHD or Perimenopause? Why Women Over 40 Get Misdiagnosed

Have you ever felt like your brain was replaced overnight, focus gone, memory slipping, and a fog you just can’t clear? As someone who’s navigated both adult ADHD diagnosis and the rollercoaster of perimenopause, I’ve experienced firsthand how the intersection of hormones and brain chemistry can turn your world upside down. In this episode of Create The Best Me, I break down the real science behind why so many women over 40 are suddenly being diagnosed with ADHD (or thinking they have it), why your medication may have stopped working, and the role estrogen plays in keeping our brains firing on all cylinders. I also share the three most common misdiagnoses women receive, plus, I give you a playbook to approach your doctor armed with the facts and confidence you need. This episode is for every woman who feels like she’s “losing it.” You’re not alone, and there’s a reason for what you’re experiencing!   What You'll Learn 1. The real connection between estrogen and dopamine: Why perimenopause can upend years of mental clarity and what’s really happening beneath the surface. 2. Why your ADHD meds might feel useless now: How hormonal changes impact the effectiveness of stimulant medications as you move through midlife. 3. The three most common misdiagnoses to watch out for: How anxiety, depression, and even early-onset dementia can mask underlying hormone-related ADHD symptoms. 4. How to prepare for your doctor’s visit: The steps to build your case, track symptoms, and ensure you’re seen and heard in the medical system. 5. Why holistic strategies matter: From external systems, sleep, and routines to hormone therapy conversations, how to support every part of your life, not just your diagnosis.   Music by:  Epidemic Sound   Call to Action:  If this episode helped you, share it with a woman who may be sitting there with a diagnosis that does not quite fit and wondering what is wrong with her. This may be the piece that helps connect it all.   📕 Resources:  https://createthebestme.com/ep169 [https://createthebestme.com/ep169]   Related Episodes: 🎧 Listen to these episodes next:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/19143428 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/19143428]  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/19069119 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/19069119]    ⚖️ Disclaimer: This episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please talk with your qualified healthcare provider about your symptoms and treatment options.   #ADHDAfter40 #Perimenopause #WomenWithADHD #MidlifeWomen #BrainFog #CreateTheBestMe  📨 Newsletter: https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/ [https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/]   👀 Connect With Me: Website: https://createthebestme.com [https://createthebestme.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme [https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/ [https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/] TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox [http://www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox] YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme [https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme] LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox [http://www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox]   📽️ Video Request: https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv [https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv]

Why Your Doctor Says You’re “Normal” But You Feel Like Crap (Perimenopause vs. Burnout)

Are you tired of being told your labs are “normal” when you know something is off? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Will Haas, founder and CEO of VYVE Wellness in Charlotte. Together, we discuss the frustrations so many high performers (especially women) face when they hit that midlife wall: unexplained fatigue, brain fog, stubborn weight, and a new reality where old routines just don’t work anymore. We dive into: * The difference between burnout and perimenopause (and why they so often overlap) * Why standard labs don’t always reveal the real cause behind your symptoms * What deeper tests really show about hormones, recovery, and cellular health * How to use heart rate variability (HRV) as your “check engine” light for burnout * The truth about GLP-1 drugs, “skinny fat,” and rebuilding your metabolism the right way If you’ve ever left the doctor’s office feeling dismissed or confused…the conversation is about to change. Music from: Epidemic Sound   Call to Action:  Ready to stop settling for "normal"? Hit Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode! * Comment below: What is one change you are going to make to your recovery routine this week? * Share: Send this to a friend who needs to hear this exact message today. Make sure to come back next week, we have another amazing episode lined up with more strategies to help you navigate midlife with energy and confidence!   📕 Resources:  https://createthebestme.com/ep168 [https://createthebestme.com/ep168] https://vyvewellness.com/get-started [https://vyvewellness.com/get-started]   Related Episodes: 🎧 Listen to these episodes next:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/19143428 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/19143428]  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/19069119 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/19069119]    #vyvewellness #DrWillHaas #Perimenopause #MidlifeHealth #FunctionalMedicine #BurnoutRecovery #GLP1 #MitochondrialHealth #CreateTheBestMe #takecontrolofyourhealth  📨 Newsletter: https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/ [https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/]   👀 Connect With Me: Website: https://createthebestme.com [https://createthebestme.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme [https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/ [https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/] TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox [http://www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox] YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme [https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme] LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox [http://www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox]   📽️ Video Request: https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv [https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv]

Perimenopause Brain Fog vs. Memory Loss: What's Normal vs. What's Not

Is it just brain fog or something more serious? In this episode, I dive into one of midlife’s most misunderstood and frightening symptoms: perimenopause brain fog. If you’ve ever lost your train of thought mid-sentence, missed a word that was right there, or worried that these slips mean you’re starting to lose your memory for good, you’re not alone. Together, we cut through the confusion between brain fog and true memory loss. I give you a clear checklist of what’s a normal (if frustrating) part of perimenopause and what signs signal it’s time to check in with your doctor. I’ll walk you through the brain biology behind the “vocabulary gap,” how estrogen and acetylcholine affect your mind, the best foods to support cognitive health, and the science-backed habits that help your brain stay sharp through every hormonal shift life throws your way. What You’ll Learn: * The difference between brain fog and permanent memory loss (why worry isn’t always warranted) * Seven completely normal symptoms of perimenopausal brain fog and the five that mean it’s time to call your doctor * How estrogen and acetylcholine shape your memory, and why word-finding gets harder in midlife * The foods and nutrients that protect your brain and support memory (hello, blueberries and eggs!) * How “cognitive reserve” can help your brain reroute around fog and the three habits that build it, starting today Music by:  Epidemic Sound Call to Action: Drop a comment and tell me: which of the 7 brain fog symptoms did you recognize in yourself? I read every single one. 📕 Resources:  https://createthebestme.com/ep167 [https://createthebestme.com/ep167]   Related Episodes: 🎧  Listen to these episodes next:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/19069119 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/19069119]  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/18414779 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/18414779]   #perimenopausebrainfog #menopausebrainfog #brainfogsymptoms #brainfogcauses #menopausememoryloss  📨 Newsletter: https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/ [https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/]   👀 Connect With Me: Website: https://createthebestme.com [https://createthebestme.com] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme [https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/ [https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/] TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox [http://www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox] YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme [https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme] LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox [http://www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox]   📽️ Video Request: https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv [https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv]