Midlife & Beyond with Jo Blackwell

Joining Jo this week is Siobhan Daniels, who reacted to workplace bullying by donning a backpack and taking a grown up Gap year! This proved a good training ground for her unusual "retirement" - determined not to give in to the "beiging" of older women, Siobhan sold her flat and most of her possessions, bought a motorhome and hit the road... welcome to the Retirement Rebellion!
In her own words: "I retired 2yrs ago at 60yr after 30 years Presenting, Reporting and Producing in BBC Radio/Television.I am part of the Retirement Rebellion, travelling solo around GB in my motorhome. Ageing positively through adventures and challenging ageist stereotypes. I want to inspire young and old women to age positively. Advertisers and businesses need to reflect that we are not invisible and have strong voices. I’m writing a book: Ageless, Fearless women:You can do it too!"
You can follow Siobhan's adventures on her blog: www.shuvonshuvoff.blogspot.com and on Instagram
About the Midlife and Beyond Podcast.
Like all transitions, midlife can be messy and sad and glorious all at once, leaving many midlife women feeling rather alone and somewhat invisible. But what does this transition we are experiencing lead to?
I'm Jo Blackwell, a photographer, author and coach for women who want more from their lives post 50, and I'm here to remind you that if we manage our health and embrace it, growing older can lead to one of the greatest periods of growth and transformation of our lives.
The Midlife Movement was created to change minds about midlife and growing older, one story at a time. Because we only become invisible when when we stop seeing ourselves. email [email protected] to take part in the podcast or suggest guests.
See The Midlife & Beyond section of my website for more information and resources to help you navigate change with less stress and more joy! www.joblackwell.co.uk

I always feel inspired when I encounter people 70 plus who live life on their terms, much as I used to be inspired by vibrant 50 somethings when I was in my forties! At 75, Val Adaway runs her own business as a Utility Warehouse Authorised Partner and has no plans to retire. In this episode, Val tells us about the example set by her mother, still working until the day before she died at 95, Val’s previous career in motorsport and what drives her to continue with her career. We also talk about the value of "old fashioned" communication methods and the part a positive attitude plays in staying happy throughout life. Part of the "Life Stories" series, recognising the extraordinary in the every day. You can contact Val via her LinkedIn profile.
About the Midlife and Beyond Podcast.
Like all transitions, midlife can be messy and sad and glorious all at once, leaving many midlife women feeling rather alone and somewhat invisible. But what does this transition we are experiencing lead to?
I'm Jo Blackwell, a photographer, author and coach for women who want more from their lives post 50, and I'm here to remind you that if we manage our health and embrace it, growing older can lead to one of the greatest periods of growth and transformation of our lives.
The Midlife Movement was created to change minds about midlife and growing older, one story at a time. Because we only become invisible when when we stop seeing ourselves. email [email protected] to take part in the podcast or suggest guests.
See The Midlife & Beyond section of my website for more information and resources to help you navigate change with less stress and more joy! www.joblackwell.co.uk

Dementia affects most of us one way or another, whether caring for parents or worrying about our own health and future. Today’s guest, neuropsychologist, Dr Mitchell Clionsky, talks to Jo about the latest research, reasons for hope and what we can do to decrease our risk.
Key takeaways:
Surprising facts about dementia: 50% of dementias are preventable and less than 5% of dementias are genetically caused.
There are no “dementiaologists”
Childhood trauma can play a role in dementia risk
Higher Education can have a protective effect on the brain
Midlife medical conditions increase risk, especially:

• • Hypertension
  • Diabetes
  • lack of exercise
  • sleep apnea
  • hearing loss
  • depression
  • stress

There is a link between sleep apnea and

• • gout
  • erectile dysfunction
  • frequent night peeing
  • alcohol consumption - 3 or more drinks per night is considered dangerous, binge-drinking more so

You can buy Dr Clionsky’s book, co-written with his wife, Emily Clionsky MD, here: Dementia Prevention: Using Your Head to Save Your Brain (Johns Hopkins Press)
About the Authors
EMILY CLIONSKY, MD, completed residencies in internal medicine and in psychiatry, and is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
MITCHELL CLIONSKY, PhD, is a board-certified neuropsychologist who specializes in evaluating and treating patients with cognitive impairment, dementia, ADHD, and traumatic brain injury.
A husband-and-wife team, they have a combined 70 years of professional and clinical experience in medicine and neuropsychology and have treated 20,000 patients. They partner at a private practice, Clionsky Neuro Systems, Inc., based in Springfield, Massachusetts.
More information - and the dementia risk assessment Jo and Mitchell discuss - is available on their website: www.BRAINDOC.com
About the Midlife and Beyond Podcast Like all transitions, midlife can be messy and sad and glorious all at once, leaving many midlife women feeling rather alone and somewhat invisible. But what does this transition we are experiencing lead to?
I'm Jo Blackwell, a photographer, author and coach for women who want more from their lives post 50 and I'm here to remind you that if we manage our health and embrace it, growing older can lead to one of the greatest periods of growth and transformation of our lives.
The Midlife Movement was created to change minds about midlife and growing older, one story at a time. Because we only become invisible when when we stop seeing ourselves. email [email protected] to take part in the podcast or suggest guests.
See The Midlife & Beyond section of my website for more information and resources to help you navigate change with less stress and more joy! www.joblackwell.co.uk
#dementia #midlife #dementiaprevention

Did you know that the methods you used when you felt the need to lose a few pounds in your twenties and thirties just stop working when you reach perimenopause? Why? Hormones.
This week I’m talking to weight loss expert, Dr Heather Awad about the fact that, as she puts it, “calories are not math at midlife.” We talk about the difference between adipose and and the more insidious visceral fat, and what we need to do reach and maintain a healthy weight in midlife and beyond. (Hint: this is not a diet plan!)
You can access Dr Awad’s free mini course for weight loss on her website: https://www.vibrant-md.com/
About Dr Heather Awad Heather Awad, MD is the founder and CEO of Vibrant Weight Loss Age 50+ where she helps professional women over age 50 lose weight for the last time through a virtual platform. She offers a simple system that saves them time and helps them achieve their health and weight loss goals. They discover how to say no to foods they don’t want without using willpower, and create an eating protocol that they will enjoy going forward so that their weight loss is permanent. Dr. Awad is also the host of the Vibrant-MD podcast where she talks about weight loss, women’s health, and food.
About the Midlife and Beyond Podcast Like all transitions, midlife can be messy and sad and glorious all at once, leaving many midlife women feeling rather alone and somewhat invisible. But what does this transition we are experiencing lead to?
I'm Jo Blackwell, a photographer, author and coach for women who want more from their lives post 50 and I'm here to remind you that if we manage our health and embrace it, growing older can lead to one of the greatest periods of growth and transformation of our lives.
The Midlife Movement was created to change minds about midlife and growing older, one story at a time. Because we only become invisible when when we stop seeing ourselves. email [email protected] to take part in the podcast or suggest guests.
See The Midlife & Beyond section of my website for more information and resources to help you navigate change with less stress and more joy! www.joblackwell.co.uk

Join me and Geriatric Pharmacist and nutrition coach, Amy K Wilson, as we talk about the shocking truth about constant dieting, ozempic and nursing home admissions - Nursing Homes in the US are seeing younger people arriving - in some cases 50-55 years old!
0:00 Seeing the outcome of poor nutrition and poor fitness
4:20 The role of inflammation and over processed food
7:02 the health halo and ingredients to avoid
8:40 "low calorie" or "fat free"
10:30 frozen and canned foods
13:00 what happens when we diet?
15:00 why constant dieting is dangerous
16:15 The good, the bad and the ugly lowdown on ozempic
19:00 Why building muscle mass is the fountain of youth
21:00 Creating Balance
23:40 Free safe fat loss recipes
Connect with Amy: www.amykwilson.com
If you've enjoyed this conversation, PLEASE LIKE & SUBSCRIBE. Thank you for your support!
About the Midlife and Beyond Podcast.
Like all transitions, midlife can be messy & sad & glorious all at once, leaving many midlife women feeling rather alone & somewhat invisible. But what does this transition we are experiencing lead to?
I'm Jo Blackwell, a photographer, author and coach for women who want more from their lives post 50 and I'm here to remind you that if we manage our health and embrace it, growing older can lead to one of the greatest periods of growth and transformation of our lives.
The Midlife Movement was created to change minds about midlife and growing older, one story at a time. Because we only become invisible when we stop seeing ourselves. And see my LinkTree, where you can also buy my books and subscribe to my Newsletter for free resources: https://linktr.ee/joblackwelluk