01: Welcome to Midlife and Glowing: Your New Go-To for Midlife Wellness, Real Talk, and Self-Care

Welcome to Midlife and Glowing: Embracing Perimenopause with Energy, Confidence, and Joy
In this inaugural episode of the 'Midlife and Glowing' podcast, sisters Alicia and Nicole introduce themselves and the mission behind their new venture. 

They discuss their backgrounds—Nicole as a chiropractic doctor with extensive experience in wellness, and Alicia as a former HR professional and beauty enthusiast. The episode delves into their inspiration for starting the podcast, stemming from a personal loss that led them to focus on joy and meaning. They emphasize the importance of celebrating perimenopause as a positive transition rather than a challenging phase. 

Listeners can expect future episodes to cover topics like hormone health, self-care, beauty, fashion, and overall wellness, along with practical advice and community support to navigate midlife with confidence and joy.

00:00 Welcome to Midlife and Glowing
00:28 Meet Your Hosts: Alicia and Nicole
00:49 Our Personal Journey and Inspiration
01:08 Nicole's Wellness Expertise
01:57 Alicia's Passion for Beauty and Fashion
02:56 The Springtime Rebirth and Perimenopause
04:13 Understanding Perimenopause: More Than Hot Flashes
05:35 Embracing Midlife Changes
08:06 Reinventing Yourself in Midlife
09:49 Creating Community and Connection
17:10 What to Expect from Midlife and Glowing Podcast
18:18 Join Us Next Week

Find the Glow Letters here 👉 https://selfcare.dailyglowlife.com/glowletters

Transcript

0:00

Welcome to Midlife and Glowing, where we're all about glowing through midlife with more energy, confidence, and joy. We're sisters, Alicia and Nicole, wellness lovers, beauty enthusiasts, and your new midlife Hype squad. Here we talk about the real stuff, wellness rituals, hormone health, self-care, beauty style, and everything that helps you feel like yourself again, because midlife doesn't have to be a downward spiral. It could be your best era yet, let's glow through it together.

Alicia: 0:28

Hey there, and welcome to this very first episode of Midlife and Glowing podcast. We're so excited to kick off this journey

Nicole: 0:34

with you. Today we're keeping it real and wanted to share who we are, why we started this podcast, why perimenopause deserves way more love and attention, and why we think midlife is just the beginning of your best era yet. Let's get into it.

Alicia: 0:49

We are sisters, and this show really came out of a moment in our lives that made us stop and reevaluate everything. Losing our dad put things into perspective. It reminded us how short life really is and how much we wanted to spend our time doing something that felt joyful, meaningful, and truly connected. So a little

Nicole: 1:07

bit about us. I'm Nicole. I'm a chiropractic doctor with a master's of science and nutrition and functional medicine, practicing for 16 years. And while nutrition functional medicine are extremely important to me, I've deepened my knowledge with yoga and meditation teacher training, and have certificates in restorative yoga, yin yoga and yoga nira practices. I also have an acupuncture certificate, a sleep science coaching certificate. I actually began my career as a massage therapist. And I also have completed a perimenopause and menopause coaching certificate. So wellness, natural health optimization and lifestyle practices are truly my passion and it's my intention and desire with this podcast to share these tools with you to help you ease through this perimenopause transition, which can otherwise feel a little chaotic to say the least.

Alicia: 1:57

I'm Alicia, wife and mom of three. I worked in HR and accounting for 20 plus years. And a lot of that time I spent chasing my kids and traveling all over the US with my twin sons hockey. Now that my kids are older, I decided to step away from my job and switch gears into things I'm passionate about. I've always had a love for fashion and make up and all things beauty, and that started at a very young age. When it comes to this podcast, I'll be bringing the mom perspective to the conversations around perimenopause and asking questions of our resident wellness expert to make sure that the conversations are understood by those of us that don't have a medical background. And then I'm also excited to champion the conversations around fashion and beauty, and using these tools to not only survive, but thrive in this perimenopause transition. I'm a big believer in the look good, feel good vibe. I can speak to this personally that if I put on a cute outfit and do my makeup, it changes the tone for the entire day and gives me an extra boost in confidence.

Nicole: 2:56

Something that I was thinking about, that I really love is we're starting this podcast in the spring and spring, just kind of has that rebirth and renewal and that fresh energy. So we're both just super excited about this in general, but I love that we're starting it in a time that everything feels fresh and new and it just feels really good.

Alicia: 3:18

Yes. There's just something about spring that's gives you that excitement. You know, the flowers are blooming. Things are turning green. I mean, here in the Midwest, the winters get real long. Oh yeah. And you know when you have that first little bit of seeing the flowers peek out, your whole being just kind of comes back alive. Yeah.'cause you kind of go into hibernation in the winter and it's like so exciting to see those, blooms and

Nicole: 3:46

Green again. Exactly. Hear the birds, all the things. Mm-hmm. Yeah. It feels just really fresh and, and new and like a new beginning and the transformation that happens in the springtime kind of ties into perimenopause in general too, right? Like it is definitely a, a transition, a shift from one phase of life to another, one season to another. So. It feels like really fun energy and I'm just really excited to be here doing this. And when it comes to perimenopause, I think people think of it as hot flashes and night sweats, but it is so much more than that. It's this transition from one stage to another and there's so many emotional and obviously hormonal and identity shifts that happen. It's like a rollercoaster. It's a bit of a rollercoaster. And I think there's a lot of confusion in this time of life because a lot of women don't understand what's happening. They don't know what's going on. They might need not even tie how they're feeling to the shift in hormones or recognize that that's what's happening in their body. So that's one of the things that we are excited about with this podcast is to shed some light around some of those things to bring awareness to what's happening in your body and all of these shifts and the different aspects of these shifts, right?'cause it's not just the hormones, it's also a lot of it is role changes. Your identity is shifting and your perspective on life does change in midlife, you are just a different person. So we really do want to change the conversation around all of the confusion and the negative, chaotic aspect that a lot of women think of when they hear the word perimenopause.

Alicia: 5:27

Yeah. We really want this phase to feel positive because it doesn't have to have that negative light on it. Exactly. Yeah.

Nicole: 5:35

And also we are in this transition ourselves. We are in our perimenopause years, so were ready and wanting to just fully embrace it and create connection and community and practical support around this phase of life.

Alicia: 5:49

Yeah, I think we can raise one another up as we navigate this journey together.

Nicole: 5:55

Yeah, perimenopause doesn't have to suck. In fact, we think midlife could be the beginning of your best era yet. There's a lot of different things that happen, like we've alluded to with your identity and roles and different things in your life changing. so I'm staying at mom's and she has a sign in the bedroom that I stay in that I noticed when I, I mean I've noticed it before, but I feel like this quote really. Brings into light exactly this conversation. It's Life isn't about just learning to survive the storm, it's learning to dance in the rain. And I think love that. Yeah. It's such a good quote, right? I feel like in our twenties and early thirties, it's kind of survival mode where we are literally just trying to survive the storm, right? And and

Alicia: 6:44

figure yourself out,

Nicole: 6:46

right? I mean, you're. Really kind of coming into your identity at that time. Yeah you don't fully know all of the things that you want and some of your identity is put on you by external factors, right? Like being a mother or, having a certain role at work or whatever and you just are trying to survive. You're trying to get through it the best that you can. And I think your awareness around learning to dance in the storm, really you can appreciate it so much more after you've kind of been through some of that like survival mode stuff, right? You've kind of been through the things. you can really appreciate the need to learn to dance through the storm.

Alicia: 7:30

In your twenties and thirties, you're pleasing, proving, performing. Yeah. Just trying to figure yourself out and maybe going along with things that aren't as

Nicole: 7:41

genuine. Mm-hmm. Just to kind of get through it because at that point you may not know any better. After going through those things, you're more aware of what actually matters. Mm-hmm. And what doesn't what's important to you and what isn't. Yeah. Those life

Alicia: 7:56

experiences. Mm-hmm. Really can shift your perspective. Yeah. And, make

Nicole: 8:03

you who you are. Right. And in perimenopause, I feel like you, you see those things. You're clear on your boundaries, what your needs are, and you're ready to step into that more than you are when you're younger. Mm-hmm. When you're younger, you're still, you're in that pleasing, and proving stage and in midlife and in your forties, fifties, you are more clear and more ready to step into the person that you choose, that you want to be. You have that

Alicia: 8:30

bit of confidence and your experiences have shaped you into who you're becoming,

Nicole: 8:35

And also you're more willing to be honest, right? To kind of shedding the facade that maybe you put on because you think this is how you're supposed to act in this role. This is how you're supposed to do things, or this is the socially accepted way to handle this. And in midlife you just are kind of ready. Your give-a-damn's are busted a little bit. Yeah. Yeah. You're ready to give no ef's and take away the filter. Yeah. And ready to just be yourself and not worry about what everybody else else's. Yeah. Trying to, thinking or being

Alicia: 9:10

that person people have this expectation of you and. By midlife, you're kind of just like, well, I'm just gonna be me. Right? And if you have that expectation, that's your fault,

Nicole: 9:20

yes, exactly. And I feel like that honesty kind of stepping into the transformation and the season shift, the identity shift that comes with midlife is that honesty creates the space for it. I don't know if there's that aha moment for everyone. It kind of just shifts into all of a sudden you're just feeling why would I not be my truest self? And just done, with the people pleasing and the pretending.

Alicia: 9:48

Mm-hmm.

Nicole: 9:49

I do also think that maybe mothers especially, and I can't speak to to this personally, but it's just an observation that I have that mothers do tend to, and maybe this is women in general, I don't know but we tend to put others first, right? Mm-hmm. Like, especially mothers, because obviously it makes sense at some point in your life, you have no choice. You have to, right. But I think once that role changes for women, there's the realization that, you don't have to be last all the time. You don't have to be the forgotten one. And

Alicia: 10:19

as your kids get older and they need you a little less, then you're kind of left with, okay, well my identity and what I've been doing for this big chunk of my life has been caring for other people. And then you're kind of like, well, they don't really need me as much. What am I supposed to do now? Who am I? Right? What do I want to do with my life? What do I even like? Yeah. I, I don't even know, you know, like, what is gonna fill my cup? Because I've been filling mm-hmm. Everybody else's cups for how long? Yeah. Literally and figuratively. Right? And at first it's scary, but then you get that excitement like, well, I get this great opportunity to kind of reinvent myself. And figure out who I want to be. And then yes, you have these added hormone changes, right? So then, you know, that kind of adds a little fun, fun to the equation. But it's really exciting to be able to reinvent and figure out. Who you are, what you want to do, and who you want to take along for that ride. Because as you get to that stage, it's easy to figure out who your true friends are. Mm-hmm. And at this stage in your life, you're a little unfiltered. So if that person doesn't fit in your life. Sorry, but

Nicole: 11:44

bye. Yeah. Mel has a saying and I'm probably going to botch it, but it's something like, there are some people that are meant to come into your lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime, and she says don't try to force them into a category they don't belong in. I love her and I love that. I love her. Yeah. She's amazing. Yeah. It's funny, so you think of a midlife crisis and you think of the all of the things that you just said about being a mother, and all of a sudden you're like, well, what do I like? And that has to feel like a little bit of a midlife crisis and mm-hmm. In one way. But I think we think of midlife crisis as this, negative thing, like this really traumatic or there's a lot of negative connotation around it, but. All the things you just said sound actually exciting and sort of fun. I mean, obviously there's the challenge aspect of changing those things. Yeah. Like,'cause change is difficult. Scary. Right, right. But also I love the idea of reframing it and shifting the mindset around it in the way that you just described it's. Kind of exciting. All of a sudden you get to think about what you actually enjoy. Mm-hmm. And I think that's a pretty cool shift in mindset and thinking of it that way. It feels a lot more empowering mm-hmm. Than, thinking about midlife as oh, lost. Yeah. Right. And

Alicia: 13:06

you do have that, I mean Oh, sure. I've definitely been in that spot where it's like, okay. My kids are older. I'm feeling a little lost. Mm-hmm. Where do I belong now?

Nicole: 13:16

Yeah, that's good point. That shift in your sense of belonging. Mm-hmm. Changing too, can kind of rock your world right.

Alicia: 13:23

I mean, we spent so much time, my boys played hockey so, so many years with our hockey families. Mm-hmm. And love'em, miss those days. Your friends when you have kids and they're involved in activities your friends wind up being the parents of your kids' friends, right. So then it's like, okay, well. My kids aren't, they're involved, but they're living their own life. Yeah. And you don't have as much of the other parents' interaction. Mm-hmm. Naturally. Right. You have to actually work at that.

Nicole: 13:59

Yeah.

Alicia: 14:00

And you kind of like, okay, well shoot now my friends. I mean, yeah. You can keep in touch with them and Right. But that takes work. You gotta be willing to do that. I'm the worst at keeping in touch with people. Introvert here for sure. And then it's not as easy and natural. Mm-hmm. And so you're like, well, shit, I just lost all my friends now too. Right Now that the kids are not in, well, my kids still play hockey,

Nicole: 14:27

but

Alicia: 14:27

they're in

Nicole: 14:27

college, so it's like, yeah. That can feel a little bit traumatic. And especially for women, connection and community is super important. Yep. Which is why we're excited about this podcast to create that for women around this topic. But all of that shifts then your kids. Move on from the stage at which you had this built in group of mm-hmm. Of friends and now your network is shifting and your sense of community is, is changing. So there is a lot of, I mean, it's obvious when we talk about it in that way, why there's a little bit of a negative connotation with midlife crisis because it's a lot of change and can feel a little bit lonely. Mm-hmm. Can feel scary, all of those things. But I think there's also so much opportunity, right? It's a great opportunity into the best life and lifestyle. Mm-hmm. And person that you want and you want to be. Yeah. Let's choose to make it the best era yet. Yeah. And really there's so much life left to live after this phase, after this stage of life, once you're through menopause, the average age of menopause is about 51, 52 years old. If you're living into your eighties and nineties, which is what I, I'm sure most of us hope to achieve. You are having so many years post menopause of a beautiful life to live, and I think that's. Pretty spectacular too. It's gonna feel maybe a little rocky going through this perimenopause transition. But I think the goal and what we're hoping to help you with is to help you ease through that a little bit more comfortably and with community and support. And then knowing that you still have so much fun ahead of you. And we have so much to look forward to.

Alicia: 16:11

Absolutely.

Nicole: 16:12

And also the thing to keep in mind is you actually have more control than you think. I think a lot of women think about perimenopause as this shit storm of hot flashes and night sweats, and feeling not your best. But there really is a lot that can be done in the way of lifestyle, and what we're hoping to bring to the table and to the conversation and to the way that we support you is bringing to light lifestyle pieces and wellness things that you can do to support that shift to make things feel easier and, when you understand your hormones and when you understand what's happening in your body. And have simple tools that you can use to shift how you're feeling both in the moment and, more supportive, longer term tools. I think that really shifts things for you, and feeling a little bit more empowered instead of feeling like something is happening to you that you have no control of. Right.

Alicia: 17:10

Yeah.

Nicole: 17:10

So we wanna share what to expect from the Midlife and Glowing podcast. We are going to have weekly main episodes, which we're going to aim for around 30 to 40 minutes. And then we'll have glow bites, which are mini episodes. That will also be weekly, and will be around five to 15 minutes.

Alicia: 17:27

The topics we'll be covering, are wellness, hormone health, mindset, self-care, real talk about perimenopause, beauty, makeup, skincare,

Nicole: 17:38

and fashion.

Alicia: 17:39

Okay.

Nicole: 17:40

Our aim is to always be practical, honest, and actionable. There's no judgment here. This is just real conversations about this real life inevitable transition. If you're watching us on YouTube, say hi in the comments. We'd love to get to know you, and if there's anything you hope we'll cover on the podcast, please let us know. We're here to serve you and support you through this time in your life, so let us know what questions you have. And hey, before you go, if you're

Alicia: 18:05

craving a little more support and inspiration, subscribe to our free five day glow letters, where we share notes straight to your inbox. Full of wellness tips, mindset shifts, and midlife glow boost to support you through perimenopause.

Nicole: 18:18

Next week we're diving into when perimenopause actually starts, what it looks like and what's really going on inside your body.

18:25

Thanks for hanging out with us on Midlife and Glowing. If you love this episode, it would mean the world to us. If you'd follow the show, leave us a review or share it with a friend who's glowing through midlife right alongside you. Let's make it our best era yet. We'll see you next time.