Why Am I Gaining Weight in My 40s? Perimenopause, Hormones & Midlife Weight Gain Explained | Dr Sharma #28

Why Am I So Forgetful? Brain Fog, Memory & Mental Clarity in Midlife #33

Why does cognition feel harder in midlife — with more forgetfulness, brain fog, and mental fatigue — even when nothing else has changed? In this episode of our midlife podcast for women, I’m joined by wellness consultant Natasha Banks [https://www.thewellnessconsultant.co.uk]to explore cognition in midlife, brain fog, memory changes, hormones, stress, sleep, nutrition, and why so many women feel less mentally sharp during perimenopause and menopause. We also talk about the brain–body connection, why the brain uses so much energy, and the role of nutrients, strength training and lifestyle in supporting mental clarity. We explore: * Brain fog, memory changes and cognition in midlife * Why hormones affect focus, mood and mental clarity * Stress, cortisol and cognitive function * Why the brain is such an energy-demanding organ * Key nutrients for memory, focus and brain health * Creatine, strength training and cognition * Simple ways to support mental clarity day to day This episode is about understanding what’s happening in your brain — and what you can actually do to support it in midlife. 🎧 Listen now — and follow this link [https://linktr.ee/midlifeanswers] to explore more episodes of Midlife Answers. You might also enjoy: Confidence in Midlife with Holly #30 Strength Training & Fitness in Midlife with Sue #32 ✨ RISE is my midlife coaching programme helping women rebuild confidence, reconnect with themselves, and navigate midlife with more clarity and self-belief. Discover more at midlifeanswers.com [http://midlifeanswers.com] Have a midlife question you’d love covered in a future episode? Send it via this link or DM me on Instagram @midlifeanswers [https://www.instagram.com/midlifeanswers/]. If anything discussed in this episode brings up difficult feelings for you, please consider speaking with your GP, a healthcare professional, or a qualified therapist who can offer personalised support. Interested in trying Creatine for yourself? For 20% off Creatine Monohydrate - shop here [https://w-wellness.co.uk/products/meteron-labs-liposomal-creatine-monohydrate?_pos=1&_psq=creatine+mono&_ss=e&_v=1.0] and use code W-TWC20 at checkout.

Belly Fat After 40: Best Workouts for Midlife Belly Fat Loss #32

Why does belly fat seem to appear more easily after 40 — even when your diet and exercise haven’t changed? In this episode of our midlife podcast for women, I’m joined by personal trainer Sue Parkyn [https://www.sueparkynwellness.com] to talk about midlife belly fat, hormones, strength training, cardio, cortisol, and why some workouts can actually work against women in perimenopause and menopause. We explore: * Why belly fat changes in midlife * Why sit-ups and excessive cardio often don’t work * The role of hormones, stress and sleep * Why strength training matters after 40 * How to lose belly fat in midlife without exhausting yourself This episode is about understanding what’s happening in your body — and learning how to work with it, not against it. 🎧 Listen now — and follow this link to explore more episodes of Midlife Answers [https://linktr.ee/midlifeanswers]. ✨ RISE is my midlife reinvention coaching programme helping women rebuild confidence, reconnect with themselves, and navigate midlife with more clarity and self-belief. Find out more at midlifeanswers.com [http://midlifeanswers.com] Have a midlife question you’d love covered in a future episode? Send it via this link or DM me on Instagram @midlifeanswers [https://www.instagram.com/midlifeanswers/]. If anything discussed in this episode brings up difficult feelings for you, please consider speaking with your GP, a healthcare professional, or a qualified therapist who can provide personalised support. Sue Parkyn: www.sueparkynwellness.com [http://www.sueparkynwellness.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sueparkynwellness?igsh=OGpwY2dmdHlmMG82&utm_source=qr [https://www.instagram.com/sueparkynwellness?igsh=OGpwY2dmdHlmMG82&utm_source=qr] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16uEvg5kFy/?mibextid=wwXIfr [https://www.facebook.com/share/16uEvg5kFy/?mibextid=wwXIfr] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sueparkynwellness?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sueparkynwellness?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios]

How to Stop Caring What People Think in Midlife | Confidence, Boundaries & People-Pleasing #31

Still worrying about what other people think — even in midlife? In this episode of our midlife podcast for women, I’m joined by transformational coach Tara Lynn to explore why people-pleasing runs so deep — and how to start letting it go. We unpack the link between conditioning, your nervous system, and the fear of judgement… and why it can feel so hard to speak up, even when you know what you want. Plus, simple, practical ways to: * Stop overthinking conversations * Set boundaries without over-explaining * Trust your own voice again * Shift from “what will they think?” to “what do I want?” If you’re ready to feel more confident, more authentic, and less influenced by others’ opinions — this episode is for you. If this resonates, you might also enjoy episodes on midlife confidence, boundaries, and managing emotional overwhelm. If anything discussed in this episode brings up difficult feelings for you, please consider speaking with your GP, a healthcare professional, or a qualified therapist who can provide personalised support. 🎧 Follow Midlife Answers for more bite-sized episodes on hormones, health, confidence and wellbeing in midlife. About RISE Coaching RISE is my midlife reinvention coaching programme for women who want to rebuild confidence, reconnect with themselves, and navigate this stage of life with more clarity and self-belief. If you’ve been caring for everyone else while quietly losing yourself, this is a space to pause, reflect, and focus on what you need now. Through practical tools and supportive guidance, RISE helps you move beyond self-doubt, set boundaries without guilt, and step into a more grounded, confident version of yourself. Find out more at midlifeanswers.com [http://midlifeanswers.com] A little note from me… If you enjoy listening to Midlife Answers and know others who would too, I’d really appreciate your support: * Subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen * Rate and review — it helps more women find the podcast * Share or tag @midlifeanswers [https://www.instagram.com/midlifeanswers/] on Instagram * Support the podcast via Buy Me A Coffee [http://buymeacoffee.com/midlifeanswers] Find Out More Tara Lynn https://www.taralynncoaching.com/ [https://www.taralynncoaching.com/] Podcast Editor — Mike Roberts https://vault.makingdigitalreal.co.uk [https://vault.makingdigitalreal.co.uk/]

Why Do I Suddenly Feel Unsure of Myself? Rebuilding Confidence in Midlife #30

Feeling unsure of yourself can be shocking — especially when you’ve built a career, raised a family, and always tried to ‘have it together.’ In this episode of our midlife podcast for women, I’m joined by Holly, a psychotherapist specialising in self-doubt, anxiety and self-worth, and we talk about why confidence often dips in midlife — what’s happening biologically, psychologically and socially — and how to start rebuilding it. We explore why so many women in their late 30s, 40s and early 50s begin to question their decisions, their voice, and even their value — and, importantly, what you can do about it. This is a reassuring, practical conversation designed to help you feel more like yourself again — and to remind you that you’re not alone in this. In this episode, we cover: * Why confidence often drops during perimenopause and midlife * The biological, psychological and social factors at play * How self-doubt becomes more entrenched over time * The link between stress, overwhelm and confidence * A powerful reframe: why confidence comes after action, not before * Simple, realistic ways to start rebuilding self-trust A note on support: If anything discussed in this episode brings up difficult feelings for you, please consider speaking with your GP, a healthcare professional, or a qualified therapist who can provide personalised support. 🎧 Listen now — and follow this link [https://linktr.ee/midlifeanswers] to explore more episodes of Midlife Answers. About RISE Coaching: RISE is my midlife reinvention coaching programme for women who want to rebuild confidence, reconnect with themselves, and navigate this stage of life with more clarity and self-belief. If you’ve been caring for everyone else while quietly losing yourself, this is a space to pause, reflect, and focus on what you need now. Through practical tools and supportive guidance, RISE helps you move beyond self-doubt, set boundaries without guilt, and step into a more grounded, confident version of yourself. Find out more by visiting midlifeanswers.com [https://www.midlifeanswers.com/] About Midlife Answers: Midlife Answers is a midlife podcast for women where each episode focuses on one real question about hormones, health, wellbeing and confidence — answered clearly, practically and compassionately with expert insight. Have a question? Send it via this link or DM me on Instagram @midlifeanswers [https://www.instagram.com/midlifeanswers/] — no topic is off-limits. A little note from me… If you enjoy listening to Midlife Answers and know others who would too, I’d really appreciate your support: * Subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen [https://linktr.ee/midlifeanswers] * Rate and review — it helps more women find the podcast * Share or tag @midlifeanswers [https://www.instagram.com/midlifeanswers/] on Instagram * Support the podcast via Buy Me A Coffee [buymeacoffee.com/midlifeanswers](or green tea!) Find Out More: Holly Ziff: Psychotherapy & Counselling: https://www.hollyziff.com [https://www.hollyziff.com] Podcast Editor — Mike Roberts: https://vault.makingdigitalreal.co.uk [https://vault.makingdigitalreal.co.uk/]

Feeling Lost in Midlife: Why You Don’t Feel Like Yourself & How to Find Your Way Again #29

Feeling lost in midlife is more common than you might think — but it can feel incredibly isolating when you’re in it. In this episode of Midlife Answers, we explore one of the most searched and quietly felt questions: Why do I feel like I’m not myself anymore? In this episode of our midlife podcast for women, I’m joined by Suzette, a therapist specialising in identity, relationships and emotional wellbeing, to unpack what’s really going on when you feel lost — and how to start reconnecting with yourself again. We talk about the impact of midlife transitions, including hormonal changes, career shifts, family dynamics and emotional load — and why this stage of life can trigger a deeper sense of disconnection or lack of direction. In this episode, we cover: * Why feeling “lost” in midlife is different from stress or burnout * Midlife identity shifts and the pressure of time and life decisions * Hormones, perimenopause and emotional wellbeing * Guilt, expectations and putting yourself last * Signs you may need professional support * Practical ways to reconnect with yourself today * Simple tools like the five senses exercise, gratitude and time in nature Suzette shares how feeling lost is often not a failure, but a signal that something within you is ready to change. With small, intentional steps, it is possible to find clarity, direction and a renewed sense of self. ✨ If you’re feeling disconnected, overwhelmed or unsure of your next step, this conversation will help you feel less alone — and more grounded. If anything discussed in this episode brings up difficult feelings for you, please consider speaking with your GP, a healthcare professional, or a qualified therapist who can provide personalised support. 🎧 Listen now — and follow this link [https://www.midlifeanswers.com] to explore more episodes of Midlife Answers. If this resonated, you might also find these episodes helpful: * Burnout in Midlife: When Rest Isn’t an Option [https://open.spotify.com/episode/4FZxMSa3zxI0IUXLCNOIt8?si=737c8d26580f48a8] — when feeling lost is actually exhaustion * Resentment in Midlife Relationships [https://open.spotify.com/episode/0e0AkUbe2aP7gGZDdoSqrf?si=f159c0a9228d43f1]— when disconnection starts showing up in your relationship * Menopause 101 [https://open.spotify.com/episode/6siiD1YTbZ4cAAeRxsEVfc?si=d5284d6a8cd84811]— understanding the hormonal changes that can affect mood, identity and how you feel day to day About Midlife Answers Midlife Answers is a midlife podcast for women where each episode focuses on one real question about hormones, health, wellbeing and confidence — answered clearly, practically and compassionately with expert insight. Have a question? Send it via this link [https://www.midlifeanswers.com] or DM me on Instagram @midlifeanswers [https://www.instagram.com/midlifeanswers/] — no topic is off-limits. A little note from me… If you enjoy listening to Midlife Answers and know others who would too, I’d really appreciate your support: 1. Subscribe [https://www.midlifeanswers.com] on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen 2. Rate and review — it helps more women find the podcast 3. Share or tag @midlifeanswers [https://www.instagram.com/midlifeanswers/] on Instagram 4. Support the podcast via Buy Me A Coffee [buymeacoffee.com/midlifeanswers] (or green tea!) Find Out More: Suzette Castle-Mackie: https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/suzette-castle-mackie [https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellors/suzette-castle-mackie] Podcast Editor — Mike Roberts: https://vault.makingdigitalreal.co.uk [https://vault.makingdigitalreal.co.uk/]