I’m Not Fine, and That’s Okay: Why Showing Up Messy is the Ultimate Badass Move

I’m Not Fine, and That’s Okay: Why Showing Up Messy is the Ultimate Badass Move

Welcome back to Midlife Strategies for Badass Women! In today's solo episode, host Sue Willoughby is getting real, raw, and a little bit messy. The original plan for this episode was to record something light and sunny to celebrate the start of summer and an upcoming vacation. But what happens when you try to cram 8,000 projects into the day before a trip, your automatic Roomba repeatedly gets stuck in the same corner, and your nervous system is completely fried? You show up authentically and admit: "I'm not fine." In this beautifully vulnerable "freight train of crazy" episode, Sue talks about the immense pressure we put on ourselves to constantly be "fine" and manage our emotional state for everyone else. She shares her real-time strategies for coping with anxiety, like getting outside, breathing fresh air, and reminding yourself that there is enough in your life right now. If you are feeling the heavy weight of midlife or just having one of those days where everything goes sideways, this episode is your permission slip to just be. You do not owe anyone a tidy resolution. In this episode, we cover: * The myth of "I'm fine" and why it's okay to admit when you're feeling overwhelmed. * Pre-vacation anxiety and the trap of trying to finish 8,000 projects before leaving the house. * The hilarious reality of battling a stubborn Roomba when you're already stressed. * Why you don't owe anyone a tidy resolution to your bad day. * Simple, grounding reality checks: stepping outside, looking at the blue sky, and reminding yourself that you are safe. Call to Action: * Do you have any go-to tips or tricks for coping with stress, anxiety, or a little bit of "freight train crazy"? Share it in the comments or send me a DM - IG @sue_willoughby * If this episode sang your song today, share it with a badass friend who might need to hear it too. * Listen to my interview with Libby Bunten here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stop-outsourcing-your-worth-the-path-to-radical-self/id1753943662 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stop-outsourcing-your-worth-the-path-to-radical-self/id1753943662?i=1000769580124] Are you Pod Curious? Check out my new audio course -  "Podcast Authority Blueprint" and get off the marketing hamster wheel!  👉🏻https://stan.store/sue_willoughby/p/the-podcast-authority-blueprint-audio-course👈🏻 FOLLOW and CONNECT Website - https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willoughbycoaching/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sue_willoughby/ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suewilloughby/ If you want to start your own podcast feel free to reach out to me. I would love to help you on your journey to sharing your story and passion. #LifeWorthBeing #Transformation #LifeCoach #Women #Empowerment #PersonalGrowth #InnerStrength #PurposefulLiving #MidlifeTransformation #Mindfulness #Mindset #SelfDiscovery #WomenEmpowerment #midlifestrategies  🔥 Welcome to Midlife Strategies for Badass Women 🔥 I’m Sue Willoughby—Badass Midlife Strategist, life coach, and your partner in breaking rules, rewriting the script, and thriving unapologetically after 40. This channel is for women who are DONE playing small. If you’re ready to ditch the “shoulds,” reclaim your power, and live a bold, joyful, purpose-driven life—you’re in the right place. Each week, you’ll get real talk, raw stories, and badass strategies to help you: ✨ Smash through self-doubt and limitations ✨ Reclaim your confidence and clarity ✨ Build resilience and embrace reinvention ✨ Create a midlife that feels authentic, aligned, and f*cking powerful This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. A community of women who are tired of waiting and ready to step into their next-level life, unapologetically. 👉 Hit subscribe and turn on the bell so you never miss an episode. Let’s rise, rebel, and reinvent midlife—together.

Menopause, Anxiety, and Insomnia: How to Sleep Better in Midlife

What if your midlife sleep struggles are not just “part of getting older,” but a sign that your body and mind need better support? In this episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue Willoughby sits down with sleep coach Morgan Adams for a candid, practical conversation about why so many midlife women struggle with insomnia, nighttime wakeups, anxiety, and restless sleep. Together, they unpack the real reasons sleep gets harder in midlife, from hormone shifts and stress to nervous system overload and the nonstop demands of modern life. Morgan shares her own journey from chronic insomnia and years on sleep medication to becoming a certified sleep coach who now helps women sleep better without fear, shame, or silence. This episode is packed with helpful strategies and powerful reminders that you do not have to accept exhaustion as your normal. Show notes If you are a midlife woman who wakes up at 3 a.m., stares at the ceiling, worries about everything, or feels exhausted but still cannot sleep, this episode is for you. Sue talks with sleep coach Morgan Adams about the most common causes of sleep issues in midlife and what women can start doing right now to improve the quality of their rest. Morgan explains how hormone changes, anxiety, depression, stress, and the “sandwich generation” years can create the perfect storm for insomnia and poor sleep. She also shares why sleep medication is not always the long-term answer, what role hormone replacement therapy can and cannot play, and how women can stop suffering in silence and start getting curious about what their sleep struggles are really trying to tell them. This conversation is both validating and practical, with simple tools listeners can try right away, including worry journaling, mindfulness breaks, morning light exposure, sleep consistency, and ways to handle those frustrating middle-of-the-night wakeups. In this episode: * Why midlife women struggle with sleep more than they used to * The connection between hormones, anxiety, and insomnia * Why women in midlife are especially vulnerable to sleep disruption * Morgan’s personal story of chronic insomnia and sleep medication * How to handle 3 a.m. wakeups without spiraling * What “constructive worry time” is and how it helps * Why morning light and movement matter for better sleep * The truth about sleep trackers, sleep stages, and the “8-hour myth” * Why consistency may matter more than chasing perfect sleep numbers Listener takeaway: You do not have to settle for poor sleep just because you are in midlife. Better sleep is possible, and often it starts with small, consistent changes that help your body feel safe enough to rest again. Chapters: [00:00:00] Sleep regularity health benefits [00:00:55] Podcast intro and guest welcome [00:03:34] Morgan’s insomnia and recovery story [00:09:17] Why midlife women lose sleep [00:14:41] Root causes and bedtime worry [00:27:23] Handling middle-of-night wakeups [00:34:08] Sleep trackers and sleep numbers [00:42:20] How much sleep is enough [00:50:52] Screens, evening habits, and naps [00:55:48] Best starting steps for better sleep Connect with Morgan Adams: Website: https://www.morganadamswellness.com/ [https://www.morganadamswellness.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morganadams.wellness/ [https://www.instagram.com/morganadams.wellness/] Free Gift: https://www.morganadamswellness.com/awake-again [https://www.morganadamswellness.com/awake-again]   *************************************************************** Become a UGC creator! UGC Megan Collier - The Ultimate UGC Course - https://stan.store/affiliates/096f07b4-4dc5-41d1-831e-2404e8dc03ba [https://stan.store/affiliates/096f07b4-4dc5-41d1-831e-2404e8dc03ba] Are you Pod Curious? Check out my new audio course -  "Podcast Authority Blueprint" and get off the marketing hamster wheel! 👉🏻https://stan.store/sue_willoughby/p/the-podcast-authority-blueprint-audio-course [https://stan.store/sue_willoughby/p/the-podcast-authority-blueprint-audio-course]👈🏻 FOLLOW and CONNECT Website - https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willoughbycoaching/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sue_willoughby/ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suewilloughby/ If you want to start your own podcast feel free to reach out to me. I would love to help you on your journey to sharing your story and passion. #LifeWorthBeing #Transformation #LifeCoach #Women #Empowerment #PersonalGrowth #InnerStrength #PurposefulLiving #MidlifeTransformation #Mindfulness #Mindset #SelfDiscovery #WomenEmpowerment #midlifestrategies  🔥 Welcome to Midlife Strategies for Badass Women 🔥 I’m Sue Willoughby—Badass Midlife Strategist, life coach, and your partner in breaking rules, rewriting the script, and thriving unapologetically after 40. This channel is for women who are DONE playing small. If you’re ready to ditch the “shoulds,” reclaim your power, and live a bold, joyful, purpose-driven life—you’re in the right place. Each week, you’ll get real talk, raw stories, and badass strategies to help you: ✨ Smash through self-doubt and limitations ✨ Reclaim your confidence and clarity ✨ Build resilience and embrace reinvention ✨ Create a midlife that feels authentic, aligned, and f*cking powerful This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. A community of women who are tired of waiting and ready to step into their next-level life, unapologetically. 👉 Hit subscribe and turn on the bell so you never miss an episode. Let’s rise, rebel, and reinvent midlife—together.

Badass Reboot with Helena Rodgers—Coffee, Cheerios & Wacky Dog

Welcome back to Midlife Strategies for Badass Women—and happy podcast anniversary to us! 🥳 Host Sue Willoughby is celebrating two full years and over 107 episodes of incredible conversations with badass women from all over the globe. First and foremost, thank YOU for showing up week after week and making this community so special. To celebrate this massive milestone, Sue is dipping into the archives to bring back one of her very first, and most inspiring, episodes featuring her dear friend and the ultimate renaissance woman: Helena Rogers. Helena is the absolute definition of a badass. In her mid-70s, she is a talented artist, a woman who successfully navigated a late-in-life tech career at Boeing, and a musician who literally "got the band back together." Helena’s band, Student Nurse, is back to playing gigs in the Seattle music scene and releasing new records! If you need a reminder that it is never too late to claim your "me time," pick up an instrument, or completely reinvent yourself, this is the episode for you. In this episode, we cover: *  A heartfelt thank you to the listeners as we celebrate the 2-Year Anniversary of the podcast and over 107 episodes. *  The vital importance of unapologetic "me time" and trying new things in midlife. *  Helena’s incredible story of reuniting her band, Student Nurse, and actively rocking the Seattle music scene in her 70s. *  Navigating a late-in-life career shift into the tech world at Boeing. *  Why being a "renaissance woman" means giving yourself the freedom to be an artist, a musician, and whatever else lights you up. Chapters: [00:00:00] June finale and gratitude [00:02:38] Encouragement to try new things [00:05:00] Transferable skills and host examples [00:09:06] Setting up Helena’s story [00:11:10] Introducing Helena Rogers [00:17:23] Reinvention through tech work [00:20:47] Equinox studio and painting life [00:28:13] Writing songs and reviving Student Nurse [00:35:03] Age, motivation, and creative advice [00:38:19] New vinyl release mentioned Resources & Links Mentioned: 🎸Check out Helena's band, Student Nurse, and support their latest record! Facebook: Student Nurse https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18ud7XBYJ6/ [https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18ud7XBYJ6/] Helena Artwork: https://www.facebook.com/helena.rogers100 [https://www.facebook.com/helena.rogers100] 🤩Be a Badass and share this anniversary episode with a friend to help us kick off year three! UGC Megan Collier - The Ultimate UGC Course - https://stan.store/affiliates/096f07b4-4dc5-41d1-831e-2404e8dc03ba [https://stan.store/affiliates/096f07b4-4dc5-41d1-831e-2404e8dc03ba] Are you Pod Curious? Check out my new audio course -  "Podcast Authority Blueprint" and get off the marketing hamster wheel!  👉🏻https://stan.store/sue_willoughby/p/the-podcast-authority-blueprint-audio-course👈🏻 FOLLOW and CONNECT Website - https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willoughbycoaching/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sue_willoughby/ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suewilloughby/ If you want to start your own podcast feel free to reach out to me. I would love to help you on your journey to sharing your story and passion. #LifeWorthBeing #Transformation #LifeCoach #Women #Empowerment #PersonalGrowth #InnerStrength #PurposefulLiving #MidlifeTransformation #Mindfulness #Mindset #SelfDiscovery #WomenEmpowerment #midlifestrategies  🔥 Welcome to Midlife Strategies for Badass Women 🔥 I’m Sue Willoughby—Badass Midlife Strategist, life coach, and your partner in breaking rules, rewriting the script, and thriving unapologetically after 40. This channel is for women who are DONE playing small. If you’re ready to ditch the “shoulds,” reclaim your power, and live a bold, joyful, purpose-driven life—you’re in the right place. Each week, you’ll get real talk, raw stories, and badass strategies to help you: ✨ Smash through self-doubt and limitations ✨ Reclaim your confidence and clarity ✨ Build resilience and embrace reinvention ✨ Create a midlife that feels authentic, aligned, and f*cking powerful This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. A community of women who are tired of waiting and ready to step into their next-level life, unapologetically. 👉 Hit subscribe and turn on the bell so you never miss an episode. Let’s rise, rebel, and reinvent midlife—together.

No Map Included: Navigating Creative Ambition and Personal Identity with Yessi Sanchez

Welcome back to another episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women! Today, host Sue Willoughby sits down with the incredibly talented Yessica (Yessi) Sanchez. Yessi is a Swiss-Mexican podcast host, producer, and the co-founder of Artak Pictures—a badass women-owned production company based in Los Angeles that is dedicated to championing underrepresented voices. In this beautiful and vulnerable conversation, Yessi opens up about growing up in the film and television industry and the unique challenges that come with such a glamorous but demanding world. We explore the deep, emotional realities of pursuing a creative career, the themes she tackles on her own podcast, No Map Included, and the complex relationship between our ambition and our true identity. Yessi also shares profound insights on why it is so crucial to figure out what lights you up—and what you need to let go of—at a younger age so you don't carry unnecessary baggage into the next chapter of your life. If you're navigating a creative pivot, dealing with burnout, or trying to establish healthier boundaries, this episode is going to resonate deeply with you! In this episode, we cover: * The realities of growing up in the fast-paced film and television industry. * The emotional truth behind creative careers, including navigating reinvention, burnout, and uncertainty. * How to separate your identity from your ambition and set healthy boundaries. * Exploring the "work behind the work"—the invisible struggles of creative lives that are rarely discussed. * Why letting go of unnecessary baggage at an earlier age is essential for long-term fulfillment. Resources & Links Mentioned: * Connect with Yessi Sanchez and explore her work at Artak Pictures. https://artakpictures.com/ [https://artakpictures.com/] * Instagram: https://instagram.com/yessisth [https://instagram.com/yessisth] Listen to her podcast, No Map Included, wherever you get your podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-map-included/id1881695755 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-map-included/id1881695755]🎙️Are you Pod Curious? Check out my new audio course - "Podcast Authority Blueprint" and get off the marketing hamster wheel! 👉🏻https://stan.store/sue_willoughby/p/the-podcast-authority-blueprint-audio-course👈🏻 FOLLOW and CONNECT Website - https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willoughbycoaching/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sue_willoughby/ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suewilloughby/ If you want to start your own podcast feel free to reach out to me. I would love to help you on your journey to sharing your story and passion. #LifeWorthBeing #Transformation #LifeCoach #Women #Empowerment #PersonalGrowth #InnerStrength #PurposefulLiving #MidlifeTransformation #Mindfulness #Mindset #SelfDiscovery #WomenEmpowerment #midlifestrategies 🔥 Welcome to Midlife Strategies for Badass Women 🔥 I’m Sue Willoughby—Badass Midlife Strategist, life coach, and your partner in breaking rules, rewriting the script, and thriving unapologetically after 40. This channel is for women who are DONE playing small. If you’re ready to ditch the “shoulds,” reclaim your power, and live a bold, joyful, purpose-driven life—you’re in the right place. Each week, you’ll get real talk, raw stories, and badass strategies to help you: ✨ Smash through self-doubt and limitations ✨ Reclaim your confidence and clarity ✨ Build resilience and embrace reinvention ✨ Create a midlife that feels authentic, aligned, and f*cking powerful This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. A community of women who are tired of waiting and ready to step into their next-level life, unapologetically. 👉 Hit subscribe and turn on the bell so you never miss an episode. Let’s rise, rebel, and reinvent midlife—together.

Midlife, Millennials, and Giving Fewer F*cks with Deanna Dolecki & Ashley Ruggeri

What happens when women from different generations sit down to talk about burnout, boundaries, dating, motherhood, work, and learning to care less about what other people think? You get a funny, honest, and unexpectedly deep conversation about what it really means to grow into yourself and define success on your own terms. In this episode of Midlife Strategies for Badass Women, Sue is joined by Deanna Dolecki and Ashley Ruggeri of Ducks Unplugged for a candid, multi-generational conversation about life, business, podcasting, and the freedom that comes from giving fewer fucks as you get older. What starts as a playful discussion about generational differences quickly turns into real talk about boundaries, burnout, self-trust, motherhood, dating, curiosity, and why “having it all” should only ever be defined by you. This episode is full of laughter, personality, and a whole lot of truth. It is a reminder that you do not need to keep proving yourself, pleasing everyone, or living by someone else’s rules. You get to protect your energy, honor what matters to you, and create a life that actually feels good from the inside out. In this episode: * Multi-generational perspectives on life, work, and success * Why “having it all” needs to be defined by you * Boundaries, burnout, and learning to slow down * Dating, motherhood, and midlife transitions * Why curiosity matters more than perfection * The freedom that comes from caring less about what people think * Plus a few hilarious detours into soap, bed-making, ketchup on eggs, and pop culture references Chapters: [00:00:00] Ketchup-on-eggs cold open [00:01:01] Show and guests introduced [00:03:46] Ashley and Deanna backgrounds [00:08:52] How they met at work [00:13:30] Generational gaps and references [00:19:12] Podcast impact on business [00:22:46] Soap, loofahs, and bed debates [00:28:51] Balancing life and boundaries [00:43:40] Relationship and dating stories [00:49:01] Final advice and takeaways [00:55:27] Closing debate and sign-off Connect with Deanna and Ashley Website Link: https://www.ducksunplugged.com/ [https://www.ducksunplugged.com/]   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Ducks-Unplugged/61574095989194 [https://www.facebook.com/people/Ducks-Unplugged/61574095989194]   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ducksunplugged/ [https://www.instagram.com/ducksunplugged/]   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Are you Pod Curious? Check out my new audio course -  "Podcast Authority Blueprint" and get off the marketing hamster wheel!  👉🏻https://stan.store/sue_willoughby/p/the-podcast-authority-blueprint-audio-course👈🏻 FOLLOW and CONNECT Website - https://www.willoughbycoaching.com/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willoughbycoaching/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sue_willoughby/ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/suewilloughby/ If you want to start your own podcast feel free to reach out to me. I would love to help you on your journey to sharing your story and passion. #LifeWorthBeing #Transformation #LifeCoach #Women #Empowerment #PersonalGrowth #InnerStrength #PurposefulLiving #MidlifeTransformation #Mindfulness #Mindset #SelfDiscovery #WomenEmpowerment #midlifestrategies  🔥 Welcome to Midlife Strategies for Badass Women 🔥 I’m Sue Willoughby—Badass Midlife Strategist, life coach, and your partner in breaking rules, rewriting the script, and thriving unapologetically after 40. This channel is for women who are DONE playing small. If you’re ready to ditch the “shoulds,” reclaim your power, and live a bold, joyful, purpose-driven life—you’re in the right place. Each week, you’ll get real talk, raw stories, and badass strategies to help you: ✨ Smash through self-doubt and limitations ✨ Reclaim your confidence and clarity ✨ Build resilience and embrace reinvention ✨ Create a midlife that feels authentic, aligned, and f*cking powerful This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a movement. A community of women who are tired of waiting and ready to step into their next-level life, unapologetically. 👉 Hit subscribe and turn on the bell so you never miss an episode. Let’s rise, rebel, and reinvent midlife—together.