Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife

Michele Henning Folan

Interested in making your midlife years amazing but not feeling your best and that perhaps, menopause has not been necessarily kind? Do you want to get focused on setting realistic fitness goals, refining your nutrition, and improving your overall physical and mental well-being, but don't know where to start?
Asking for a Friend is a midlife podcast that gets your health, wellness, and fitness questions answered by experts in their fields and features women just like you, who are stepping out to make their lives and the lives of others more fulfilled.
Host Michele Folan is a 26-year veteran of the health industry, coach, mom, wife, and self-professed life-long learner, who wants you to feel encouraged to be all you were meant to be. How do you want the next 20+ years to look? What do you control? Aren't you worth it?
Tune in to celebrate this time of our lives with honesty, wisdom, and humor, because no one said we have to go quietly into this chapter.
Michele Folan is a certified nutrition coach with the FASTer Way program. If you would like to work with her to help you reach your health and fitness goals, sign up here:
https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/?aid=MicheleFolan
If you have questions about her coaching program, you can email her at [email protected]
Follow us on Facebook at @Asking for a Friend Pod and on Instagram @askingforafriend_pod.
https://www.youtube.com/@askingforafriend_pod/featured
This podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

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Top 10 Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Ep.45 It's Never Too Late

Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife

03/20/23 • 50 min

What does the phrase, "It's never too late," mean to you? I like to think that for me, it means that I am never too old to be whom I've always wanted to be or live a life that I love. Our guest on this episode decided in her early sixties it was time to change up her health and her mindset. The first step was to find a coach and then kick her Chardonnay and Thai food habit.
Tired of living a life of being invisible, Susan Guidi began a physical transformation that was astounding, but not just due to her more than fifty pound weight loss, but also how finding courage and self love and putting herself first, opened up a whole new world of opportunity, joy, and confidence.
You are just going to love Susan's life journey, energy, and sense of humor. She is a 66 year-old digital creator, comedian, business owner, body builder, and motivational speaker, who wants to be an example of what is possible for women at any age!
In this episode Susan Guidi and I discuss:
- Susan's childhood and how this formed her attitude and confidence in adulthood
- Her marriage and having the courage to walk away
- The beginning of her comedy career and how humor helped her deal with the pain of her childhood
- How her career in research propelled Susan to becoming an entrepreneur
- Her son's trip to Haiti was the catalyst for Susan's desire to get in shape and take better care of herself
- The importance of Wonder Woman in Susan's life journey
- How Train with Joan (Joan McDonald) transformed her body and mindset
You can find Susan Guidi at:
https://www.instagram.com/kikimousegetsfit/
https://www.facebook.com/susan.guidi

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Are you ready to reclaim your midlife body and health? I went through my own personal journey through menopause, the struggle with midsection weight gain, and feeling rundown. Faster Way, a transformative six-week group program, set me on the path to sustainable change. I'd love to work with you! Let me help you reach your health and fitness goals.
https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/?aid=MicheleFolan
Have questions about Faster Way? Feel free to reach out.
[email protected]
Follow Asking for a Friend on Social media outlets:
https://www.instagram.com/askingforafriend_pod/
https://www.facebook.com/askforafriendpod/
Please provide a review and share. This helps us grow!
https://lovethepodcast.com/AFAF
*Transcripts are done with AI and may not be perfectly accurate.
**This podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

Ep.44 Pivot on Purpose

Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife

03/13/23 • 33 min

Do you ever have a sense of untapped potential and purpose as you've hit the second half of life? Have you asked yourself what you can offer the world? This week's podcast guest has created a resource to help you get the clarity and confidence that you need to pivot to a life reimagined, informed by meaning and inner trust instead of external validation and hustle.
Career and life pivot coach, Anne Pillsbury, calls it pivot paralysis, and how it relates to perfectionism, people pleasing, and priorities. Those three things are signs that your inner critic is keeping you stuck. She believes that the first step to taking the leap towards your next chapter is to get a clear definition of what you want it to look like. How does she know this? Because she, too, followed the expected path and rang the bells of achievement and success, but was feeling dissatisfied with the status quo.
In this episode Anne and I discuss:
- Why she became a coach and stopped hustling for external validation
- How she took an 8 week internship at the age of forty-five to land a permanent position at her dream company
- The 10 clues to clarify your pivot on purpose
- Pivots are not always career changes, it can be a creative project, self-care routine or relationship shift
- The Meant for More Program starts with three steps:
1. Reclamation
2. Release
3. Rise
The Bloom Retreat will be Sunday, March 26, 2023 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Please website below for more details
Anne Pillsbury does a live program bi-weekly on Facebook and Linked-In
Where to find Anne:
https://www.instagram.com/awpillsbury/
https://www.facebook.com/anne.pillsbury.7
https://www.annepillsbury.com/

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Ep.42 Different After You

Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife

02/27/23 • 39 min

Loss can come in many forms. It can be a beloved career, a pet, the unfathomable loss of a child, or perhaps a marriage or life partner. The grief and trauma that can follow such life events can be daunting. Sometimes awful things happen to us, and we somehow gather up the courage to handle whatever life puts in our way, but how we get there is different for everyone.
When you are ready to heal from the grief, the important thing is to recognize that you not only choose growth but embrace the new you that came out on the other side of the trauma. Michele Neff Hernandez did just that, and she now shares with other widowed people her innovative grief support through Soaring Spirits International, a nonprofit providing research-based programs and a community of peers for anyone who has experienced the death of a spouse or partner.
Michele Neff Hernandez is the author of the book Different After You : Rediscovering Yourself and Healing After Grief or Trauma, nonprofit leader, compelling speaker, and a 2021 CNN Hero. Her story is one of grit, determination, and self-discovery. Under Michele's leadership, Soaring Spirits has grown from a dream on a napkin to a global nonprofit serving over four million people to date.
In this episode Michele and I discuss:
Grieving what you lost
Inventory what you have
Deciding what you want to build next
Allowing yourself to be changed by trauma
Michele is currently working on a book on self-love. The love of self is the first piece to healing.
Camp Widow is part of Soaring Spirits International. There will be a PBS special about Camp Widow in November of 2023.
If you would like to request a Newly Widowed packet for you or someone else, it will provide an orientation to all Soaring Spirits' programs. (Requests for someone other than yourself, will be sent to the requester.)
Soaring Spirits International
https://soaringspirits.org/
Michele Neff Hernandez
https://micheleneffhernandez.com/
Different After You : Rediscovering Yourself and Healing After Grief or Trauma is available at most booksellers.

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Ep.37 Thrive Post Divorce

Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife

01/23/23 • 32 min

January has been dubbed Divorce Month, likely because couples wait until after the holiday to initiate filing. If you have been through a divorce or someone close to you is struggling with this life-changing experience, please listen to this episode. There is coaching out there to help you reevaluate and rethink how you are going to recover and get your life back.
Peg Ruppert has spent the bulk of her career as a very successful executive coach. As she was dealing with her own traumatic divorce, after infidelity on the part of her spouse, she realized that she needed to apply, what she was teaching her clients, to her own life. This has led her to a new passion, which is to guide women to rediscover their confidence and reclaim life post-divorce. Her coaching platform, Thrive Post Divorce, is available to anyone who is ready to move forward and look toward their future.
In this episode Peg Ruppert and I discuss:
- Peg's divorce journey
- The grief process and deciding when it is time to move forward
- When children are involved - what you shouldn't do
- The work that needs to be done before you start dating
- Five Modules to moving forward
1. Discovering Your Strengths
2. Activating Your Core Values
3. Habits and Habit-Stacking
4. What is Your "Why"?
5. The Windshield of Life - Looking Toward Your Future
She is also working on modules for dating , navigating dating apps and re-entering the workforce.
How to find Peg Ruppert and Thrive Post Divorce
https://thrivepostdivorce.com/
Peg also has a private Facebook page for members
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/thrivepostdivorce/
Asking for a Friend listeners will only pay $39.00 for the Thrive Post Divorce program with the discount code AFAF!

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Ep.35 Finding Your Gentle Warrior

Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife

01/09/23 • 38 min

When you decide to write a book in your fifties, no one prepares you to be named as best motivational read of the new year, by a best-selling author on the Today Show. That is what happened to our podcast guest, Andrea DeWitt! Her book, Name Claim & Reframe , is more than a self-help book. It is really an expression of her very relatable journey to calming her own inner critic and limiting beliefs to help others access their power and potential in ultimately finding their truth,
Known for her infectious energy, Andrea Mein DeWitt is an author, speaker, and life coach. Her career path is proof that it is never too late to transition, modify, revise, and rewrite your life story! It takes courage to live your truth, and part of living an authentic life is stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing your Gentle Warrior.
In the episode Andrea and I discuss:
- Why she decided to leave her long career in academia to become a life coach and write a book
- The foundation of Name Claim and Reframe
- Reacting or responding to situations - Balancing your response by being aware of feminine and masculine traits
- Defining your core values
-Who is the Gentle Warrior?
Andrea is going to have a pilot Name Claim Reframe small group coaching program in February. Interested participants should reach out to Andrea directly.
How to find Andrea DeWitt:
[email protected]
Instagram - @andreadewittcoaching

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Ep.34 The Midlife Fitness Formula

Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife

01/02/23 • 53 min

"I think you always hold back when you have a net," says Debra Atkinson, women's fitness expert. In the thick of midlife changes of her own, at the age of forty-nine, she felt the itch to do more and take a huge risk. Debra quit her very secure positions in academia and as a personal training director, packed up her house, and moved to another city to start her new adventure. Talk about a midlife pivot!
Today, Debra Atkinson is a respected author, lecturer, trainer of other coaches, podcaster, and a leader in the industry, working with women on hormone balancing fitness. Her own menopause journey has provided her important insights into the special challenges that the fifty plus crowd faces in their desire for long-term health. Debra has cracked the code on the hormone-exercise connection for thousands of women in her Flipping 50 programs and coaching services. Her very impressive credentials are just too long to list!
In this episode Debra and I discuss:
-Why she left her secure position to academia to become a fitness entrepreneur
-Perimenopause and menopause changes that require women to look at their fitness routines differently
-The impact of hormones - estrogen and cortisol
-The pros and cons of Keto and intermittent fasting and why we shouldn't work out in a fasted state
-Why weight and resistance training is a MUST and how to safely get started if you haven't done weights before
-Protein - why women need more of it for muscle and bone
-The best protein sources - If it runs (beef/pork) higher in amino acids
If it flies - the next best - If it swims - not as high in amino acids but does contain Omega-3
-High protein smoothies are a great way to get extra, needed protein
Be sure to add fruit, greens, fiber, and healthy fat for a balanced shake
Debra will be holding a May 1-7, 2023, that focuses on the science of midlife women and fitness. The effects of trauma on fitness goals, such as chronic disease and long Covid, will also be discussed. So interesting!
Flipping 50 offers 2 protein products
https://www.flippingfifty.com/product-category/protein-powders/
Debra's bestselling books:
You Still Got It, Girl! The After 50 Fitness Formula for Women
Hot, Not Bothered: 99 Daily Flips to Slimmer, Trimmer, Fitter Faster
You can f

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Ep.33 A Fashion Expert Weighs-In

Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife

12/19/22 • 41 min

"Fashion is like art. It means something different to everyone," says Deborah Sorlie, a former Nordstrom show coordinator and personal shopper. What could be more fun than wrapping up 2022 than talking about fashion and the latest trends for spring?
Deborah Sorlie is now a personal stylist and wardrobe consultant, who has a large Instagram following. She is very passionate about helping midlife women feel more confident in embracing their age. I love her clean, classic style and her mission to push aside ageism.
In this episode Deborah and I discuss:
-The basics every woman needs
-Cleaning out the closet
-Hot trends for spring 2023
-Color trends - Pantone color of the year is Viva Magenta
-Shoe and boots
-Fast fashion

Deborah loves Herbal Face Food plant-based products for her skin care routine. She is particularly fond of the the Serum and The Cure. She is not a company spokesperson.
You can follow Deborah Sorlie at:
https://deborahsorlie.com/
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/deborahsorlie/
I am a huge fan of Revaree for vaginal dryness, and I have been a very happy customer for almost two years!
Check out all Bonafide's sexual health and wellness products at https://hellobonafide.com/
Use discount code AFAF25 at checkout for 25% off on any subscription purchase.

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Ep.32 Women and ADHD

Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife

12/12/22 • 44 min

After a recent conversation about ADHD with a family member, it dawned on me that this subject is not really discussed much in women and is typically considered a disorder in children, particularly boys. I started looking into ADHD in midlife women, and I was surprised to find that it goes largely undiagnosed in women and girls, as the signs are not as obvious as they are in males.
Katy Weber, coach, author and podcaster, took her own diagnosis of adult ADHD to build a platform to support other women, who want to explore and understand who they are through this new lens of ADHD. She wants clients to lean into their strengths and use them to their advantage to move forward, to identify obstacles, and create strategies to live a more fulfilling and gratifying life. Not only does Katy Weber have a successful coaching business, but she has a very popular podcast called Women and ADHD.
In this episode Katy and I discuss:
- Her own journey to get to the diagnosis of ADHD
- Deciding to do a podcast to help other women with ADHD
- The differences between males and females in regard to signs of ADHD and eventual diagnosis
- The impact of ADHD in adult women - relationships/work/dealing with everyday tasks
- Executive Function and its definition
- Medication and self-medicating - the importance of nutrition and movement
- Our children with ADHD
- What Katy has learned from her podcast guests
Recommended reading:
Katy Weber wrote an excellent book on ditching diets and getting back to a whole food philosophy called Worth It: A Journey to Food & Body Freedom: Six Essential Steps to Ditching the Diets & Nourishing Your Body From the Inside Out
A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD by Sari Solden MS, Michelle Frank PsyD
This is the workbook to which Katy refers in the podcast. Sari Solden has written other books on the topic of women and ADHD.
ADDitude Magazine - https://www.additudemag.com/
ADHD self-test - https://www.additudemag.com/self-test-adhd-symptoms-women-girls/
Where to find Katy:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/katyweber.adhd/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/womenandadhd
Women and ADHD Podcast - https://w

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EP.31 Infidelity and Ethical Non-Monogamy

Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife

12/05/22 • 42 min

One of our most popular guests is back! In episode 8 we chatted about midlife relationships and intimacy, especially important in the wake of menopause and the many life changes thrown at us in midlife. This time Julie Hattershire, a licensed sex and relationship therapist, and I discuss infidelity, its aftermath, and we unpack ethical non-monogamy.
A staggering 40-45% of marriages are rocked by infidelity, with about 60% of those marriages opting to stay together. The divorce rates for open or ethical non-monogamous relationships are surprisingly not that promising. In Julie's experience many marriages can come out on the other side of infidelity stronger and healthier than they were before the crisis of the betrayal.
In this episode Julie Hattershire and I discuss:
- Infidelity and the aftermath - how you heal whether you decide to stay in the marriage or not
- Can marriages be repaired after infidelity?
- What to do and not do in regard to children who are caught in the middle of infidelity
- Defining ethical non-monogamy and polyamory
You can find Julie Hattershire MSW, LISW-S at
Be Connected Counseling and Coaching
https://bconnected.care/
or [email protected]
I am a huge fan of Revaree for vaginal dryness, and I have been a very happy customer for almost two years!
Check out all Bonafide's sexual health and wellness products at https://hellobonafide.com/
Use discount code AFAF25 at checkout for 25% off on any subscription purchase

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Ep.134 Alison Bruhn on Midlife Fashion Reinvention, Personal Styling, and the Trends

Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife

12/09/24 • 49 min

Transform Your Style with Alison Bruhn: A Fashion Journey for Women 50+

Join Alison Bruhn, a former teacher turned fashion expert, as she shares her inspiring journey into the world of personal styling. Alongside her daughter Delia Folk, Alison co-founded The Style That Binds Us, a platform dedicated to celebrating fashion for women of all ages and sizes. In this empowering episode, Alison reveals how she reinvented her career and now helps women like you embrace fashion as a tool for self-expression and transformation.

As we enter midlife, our bodies and lifestyles evolve, and so should our wardrobes. This episode offers valuable insights on how to navigate these changes with confidence and grace. Alison shares expert tips on how to avoid the trap of holding onto outdated styles and how to adapt your wardrobe to reflect your current self. Learn how to embrace your body with self-acceptance, build a wardrobe that suits both your personality and lifestyle, and move beyond the casual staples that dominated the pandemic years.

Discover how to approach fashion with a fresh perspective, no matter your size or shape. We’ll explore the latest trends, including the chaotic world of denim, and offer practical advice on finding the perfect fit—especially if you're on the shorter side. From the rich colors of fall to the lively hues of spring, Alison explains how to incorporate these seasonal trends into your wardrobe effortlessly. Plus, get excited about the return of preppy and nautical styles with a modern twist that promises to elevate your look.

Whether you’re looking to refresh your wardrobe or gain confidence in your personal style, Alison’s expert guidance and services, from virtual consultations to personalized styling sessions, offer the perfect solutions. Alison’s recent recognition by Fashion Group International highlights her commitment to making sure all women feel seen and stylish, no matter their age.

Tune in to learn how fashion can be your key to personal reinvention and expression at any stage of life.
You can find Alison Bruhn and her daughter, Delia Folk, at https://thestylethatbindsus.com/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thestylethatbindsus/

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FAQ

How many episodes does Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife have?

Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife currently has 136 episodes available.

What topics does Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife cover?

The podcast is about Finances, Health & Fitness, Nutrition, Society & Culture, Career, Beauty, Divorce, Women, Mental Health, Family, Wellness, Aging, Podcasts, Marriage, Relationships and Health.

What is the most popular episode on Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife?

The episode title 'Ep.44 Pivot on Purpose' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife?

The average episode length on Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife is 39 minutes.

How often are episodes of Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife released?

Episodes of Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife?

The first episode of Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife was released on Apr 11, 2022.

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Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife

Michele Henning Folan

Top 10 Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife have?

What topics does Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife cover?

What is the most popular episode on Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife?

What is the average episode length on Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife?

How often are episodes of Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife released?

When was the first episode of Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife?

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