
Ep. 8 - "It's Not Too Late" with Gabby Reece
11/06/24 • 52 min
This is episode (8) of our special nine-part series entitled It’s Not Too Late. Our hosts Julie Flakstad & Dr. Taz Bhatia, welcome Gabby Reece - volleyball legend, inspirational health and fitness leader, podcast host, corporate speaker, New York Times bestselling author, wife, and mother. In this conversation, Gabby shares her own personal experience navigating midlife and her perspective and advice on fostering a positive mindset, prioritizing self-care + the power of taking personal inventory. Together we discuss why it’s "never too late" for anything; new pursuits, fitness, relationships and instead how to lean into curiosity and play with flexibility and grace.
Here are some key themes + takeaways ...
- Midlife + Adolescence: similar to adolescence, we can either buy into what society tells us that we should be thinking and feeling in midlife, or we can avoid the noise and take charge of what we can control.
- We’re not invisible, it’s simply nature: at the end of the day, humans are animals. As we reach midlife, we’re not emitting signals to make people look at us, because we’re NOT having babies anymore. That doesn’t mean we’re invisible. Midlife is nature’s way of freeing us up, so we can move on and add value in different ways.
- Preserve your inner ‘girl’: as we age, remember to have fun, not just on Saturday nights but also on everyday afternoons. Lety’s “sharpen the blade of being ‘naughty’ and be more playful, have more levity and take ourselves less seriously.
- The distinction between curiosity and searching: recognize that the answer is not “out there” for us to search for, it’s ‘within’ us. Ultimately there really aren’t any ‘answers’ anyway. Curiosity is about waking up everyday with your beliefs but being willing to question them, listen to other ideas and learn new concepts.
- As long as you’re ALIVE, be ALIVE: don’t fall into the trap of ‘you’re either young or old’. Instead, lean into the fact that you’re either ALIVE or DEAD, and as long as you’re alive, BE ALIVE. We’re all here to connect and contribute something for as long as we’re alive.
- Life is school: we’re learning - let go of all the expectations and live.
- All you need is 90 days: Create a plan for movement + nutrition. There is nothing more painful than not moving. You can change anything if you give it 90 days
About Our Guest, Gabby Reece
Gabby Reece is a former professional volleyball player, fitness icon, model, and entrepreneur known for her powerful presence both on and off the court. With a career that began in sports and extended into wellness advocacy, she has inspired countless individuals to pursue active, healthy lifestyles. Beyond her athletic achievements, Reece is a successful businesswoman, author, and podcast host who champions the importance of mental resilience, self-care, and balance. As a wife and mother, she seamlessly integrates her experiences and insights into relatable discussions about navigating life’s transitions, emphasizing that it’s never too late to embrace growth and transformation.
Connect with Our Hosts and Conversation Partner!
Gabby Reece
- Podcast
- Book
- Laird Superfood
- XPT
- High X
- Gabby Apparel
- Website: https://gabriellereece.com/
- Instagram: @gabbyreece
Julie Flakstad
- https://julieflakstad.com/
- Instagram @julieflakstad
- Facebook @thejulieflakstad
Dr. Taz Bhatia
- YouTube: @DrTazMD
- Instagram: @drtazmd
- Website: doctortaz.com
- Order The Hormone Shift book HERE
- Practice - Centre Spring MD: https://centrespringmd.com/
Tune in next Wednesday, 11/13, when we drop our next episode in this special (9) part series, called “C...
This is episode (8) of our special nine-part series entitled It’s Not Too Late. Our hosts Julie Flakstad & Dr. Taz Bhatia, welcome Gabby Reece - volleyball legend, inspirational health and fitness leader, podcast host, corporate speaker, New York Times bestselling author, wife, and mother. In this conversation, Gabby shares her own personal experience navigating midlife and her perspective and advice on fostering a positive mindset, prioritizing self-care + the power of taking personal inventory. Together we discuss why it’s "never too late" for anything; new pursuits, fitness, relationships and instead how to lean into curiosity and play with flexibility and grace.
Here are some key themes + takeaways ...
- Midlife + Adolescence: similar to adolescence, we can either buy into what society tells us that we should be thinking and feeling in midlife, or we can avoid the noise and take charge of what we can control.
- We’re not invisible, it’s simply nature: at the end of the day, humans are animals. As we reach midlife, we’re not emitting signals to make people look at us, because we’re NOT having babies anymore. That doesn’t mean we’re invisible. Midlife is nature’s way of freeing us up, so we can move on and add value in different ways.
- Preserve your inner ‘girl’: as we age, remember to have fun, not just on Saturday nights but also on everyday afternoons. Lety’s “sharpen the blade of being ‘naughty’ and be more playful, have more levity and take ourselves less seriously.
- The distinction between curiosity and searching: recognize that the answer is not “out there” for us to search for, it’s ‘within’ us. Ultimately there really aren’t any ‘answers’ anyway. Curiosity is about waking up everyday with your beliefs but being willing to question them, listen to other ideas and learn new concepts.
- As long as you’re ALIVE, be ALIVE: don’t fall into the trap of ‘you’re either young or old’. Instead, lean into the fact that you’re either ALIVE or DEAD, and as long as you’re alive, BE ALIVE. We’re all here to connect and contribute something for as long as we’re alive.
- Life is school: we’re learning - let go of all the expectations and live.
- All you need is 90 days: Create a plan for movement + nutrition. There is nothing more painful than not moving. You can change anything if you give it 90 days
About Our Guest, Gabby Reece
Gabby Reece is a former professional volleyball player, fitness icon, model, and entrepreneur known for her powerful presence both on and off the court. With a career that began in sports and extended into wellness advocacy, she has inspired countless individuals to pursue active, healthy lifestyles. Beyond her athletic achievements, Reece is a successful businesswoman, author, and podcast host who champions the importance of mental resilience, self-care, and balance. As a wife and mother, she seamlessly integrates her experiences and insights into relatable discussions about navigating life’s transitions, emphasizing that it’s never too late to embrace growth and transformation.
Connect with Our Hosts and Conversation Partner!
Gabby Reece
- Podcast
- Book
- Laird Superfood
- XPT
- High X
- Gabby Apparel
- Website: https://gabriellereece.com/
- Instagram: @gabbyreece
Julie Flakstad
- https://julieflakstad.com/
- Instagram @julieflakstad
- Facebook @thejulieflakstad
Dr. Taz Bhatia
- YouTube: @DrTazMD
- Instagram: @drtazmd
- Website: doctortaz.com
- Order The Hormone Shift book HERE
- Practice - Centre Spring MD: https://centrespringmd.com/
Tune in next Wednesday, 11/13, when we drop our next episode in this special (9) part series, called “C...
Previous Episode

Ep. 7 - "Plan Ahead" with Jean Chatzky
This is episode (7) of our special nine-part series entitled Plan Ahead. Our hosts Julie Flakstad & Dr. Taz Bhatia, welcome Jean Chatzky - CEO and Founder of HerMoney, journalist, author, and former financial editor of NBC’s Today Show. The conversation addresses both the practical and emotional aspects of financial planning, especially for women in their 40s and 50s. Chatzky shares insights into why financial planning is inherently challenging, particularly due to human behavioral tendencies, and emphasizes the importance of understanding personal "money types" to overcome financial roadblocks.
Here are some of the themes we discuss ...
- What ‘planning ahead’ means in our 40s + 50s: Jean offers perspective on why we’re not necessarily wired to plan ahead ahead, how planning ahead has evolved, and what we should be thinking about today.
- Emotional and Behavioral Aspects of Money Management The episode underscores that money management isn’t just numbers—it’s tied deeply to emotions and behaviors, and understanding this connection can help individuals make better, less reactive financial decisions.
- Understanding Personal “Money Types” She explains that one of the first steps to planning ahead is to better understand your relationship with money and finances. Jean recommends taking a money personality quiz (see link below) to provide insight on why you are the way you are, and, if you’re in a relationship, how your partner is wired too.
- Building an Emergency Fund Jean highlights the importance of a dedicated emergency fund (aka the “oh shit” fund) for life’s unexpected expenses, including tips on how much we should have saved for unforeseen circumstances.
- Empowering Women in Financial Decision Making The conversation explores how many women in midlife feel unprepared to handle or even talk about personal finances, the need to insert oneself in financial conversations, and advice on how to take a more active role in managing day-to-day finances.
- Setting Realistic Financial Goals Jean offers valuable benchmarks for savings and retirement, insight on how to talk more openly with your partner/spouse about your future goals, and broader perspective on how to avoid FOMO relative to what one can and can’t afford.
About Our Guest, Jean Chatzky
Jean Chatzky, CEO and co-founder of HerMoney is the former financial editor of NBC’s Today Show, a coach on the PBS show Opportunity Knocks, a New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-selling author, the financial ambassador for AARP and the host of the HerMoney podcast. Through decades of reporting on personal finance, she learned that a) the jargon-filled speak of the financial industry was created (largely by men) to sell you stuff you don’t need, and b) if you eliminate the jargon there is absolutely no rocket science to money. She knows that a full, successful financial life is within every woman’s grasp — and with the HerMoney team, she’s on a mission to help you get it.
Connect with Our Hosts and Conversation Partner!
Jean Chatzky
- HerMoney Podcast
- Books
- Speaking
- Website: https://jeanchatzky.com/
- Instagram: @jeanchatzky
Resources noted
Julie Flakstad
- https://julieflakstad.com/
- Instagram @julieflakstad
- Facebook @thejulieflakstad
Dr. Taz Bhatia
- YouTube: @DrTazMD
- Instagram: @drtazmd
- Website: doctortaz.com
- Order The Hormone Shift book HERE
- Practice - Centre Spring MD: https://centrespringmd.com/
Tune in next Wednesday, 11/6, when we drop our next episode in this special (9) part series, called “It’s Not Too Late” with former professional volleybal...
Next Episode

Ep 9 “Connect The Dots” with Sara Blakely
This is episode (9) of our special nine-part series entitled Connect The Dots. Our hosts Julie Flakstad & Dr. Taz Bhatia welcome serial entrepreneur, visionary and dedicated philanthropist Sara Blakely. As the founder of Spanx, a now billion-dollar global brand that revolutionized women’s apparel and, more recently, Sneex, the world’s first high-heel sneaker, Sara shares her midlife journey as a time of transformation and growth. She highlights the importance of mindset, intuition, and carving out moments for self-connection, all of which have guided her major decisions in life, including selling Spanx. She also gives valuable advice + insight on how to embrace fear and stay connected to one's "why" - especially in midlife.
Here are some key themes + takeaways ...
- Midlife as a "Chrysalis": Rather than seeing midlife as a crisis, Sara sees it as a transformative period of shedding, growth and inner reflection, where ego-driven motivations give way to purpose-driven ones driven more by spirit.
- The Power of Visualization: Sara shares her approach on visualization where she focuses on creating mental space for her mind to wander, daydream and allowing ideas to surface naturally.
- Connecting with Intuition: From an early age, Sara explains how she learned to connect with herself, embrace intuition and manifest what she wants. She talks openly about her ongoing process of becoming intentional and clear about key decisions as well as asking the universe for specific signs to guide her.
- Overcoming Fear: “The only way to overcome your fear, is to do it,” Sara says, explaining that continues to be committed to saying YES to challenging situations that could be embarrassing. Embarrassing situations become funny, vulnerable stories, she explains, and these experiences make us more resilient and allow us to embrace our imperfections.
- Struggling with Perimenopause: Sara opens up about her own vulnerable experience and confusion dealing with perimenopause including extreme hormone fluctuations, sleep struggles, massive weight fluctuations and severe emotional lows.
- Philanthropy and Purpose-Driven Work: Passionately dedicated to empowering women, she talks about her personal, and at times playful, approach to philanthropy, including lending out her wedding dress to women during COVID, creating a "wedding dress sisterhood."
About Our Guest, Sara Blakely
Sara Blakely is a serial entrepreneur and the visionary founder of Spanx, a brand that revolutionized women’s shapewear by turning her personal frustration with traditional hosiery into an innovative solution. Beyond her business, Blakely is committed to empowering women globally through her Sara Blakely Foundation, and became the first female billionaire to join the Giving Pledge, promising to donate at least half her wealth to charity. Today, she continues to inspire as an investor on Shark Tank, a frequent speaker, and a champion for women achieving their dreams, all while aiming to create the world’s most comfortable high-heel shoe, Sneex.
Connect with Our Hosts and Conversation Partner!
Sara Blakely
Julie Flakstad
- https://julieflakstad.com/
- Instagram @julieflakstad
- Facebook @thejulieflakstad
Dr. Taz Bhatia
- YouTube: @DrTazMD
- Instagram: @drtazmd
- Website: doctortaz.com
- Order The Hormone Shift book HERE
- Practice - Centre Spring MD: https://centrespringmd.com/
Tune in next Wednesday, 11/20, when we drop our bonus episode to this special (9) part series, called “Stronger ...
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