The Blog

Did you know that only 7% of our genes predict longevity? That means 93% of longevity is under our control. I always say, “what I do today predicts my future.” Not saying that I’m anywhere near perfect in self-care daily, but I have found a healthy balance that supports my mindset first, which helps my overall wellness. 

I learned this information from my excellent guest, Annie Gaudreault, when I interviewed her for episode 128 of the To 50 and Beyond podcast. 

Annie had three different careers before coming to holistic nutrition and wellness in her early forties. Space beginning in childhood, Annie experienced numerous health issues, including living with cystic fibrosis. This genetic disease affects the pancreas, which prevented her from being as active as other children.

Losing her mom to cancer and her brother to suicide in her early twenties caused her to retreat and into what she considered a “safe...

In 2020 there are so many different options to help you stop drinking long-term, but that isn't always a good thing. It's the day and age of information overload! So, what is a midlife gal who has been drinking since she was a teenager do? Which option should she choose? 

First of all, take a deep breath in through your nose and exhale out through your mouth. I've got you! 

Second of all, you are not alone in feeling overwhelmed, along with the back-and-forth indecision of quitting; it's too much! I speak with women over 40 every day, fighting with themselves on not only how to stop but also if they need to. 

Let's end the fight together, shall we? 

In episode 126 of the To 50 and Beyond podcast, I talk about how to quit drinking and make it stick because I know how hard it is to maintain long-term sobriety. 

This photo was taken in 2009 right before my mom was going into surgery...

Some of us have an easier time than others putting themselves out there to make new friends, especially as we age. Our "in-real-life" relationships may start to change due to your career, divorce, or lifestyle change, like getting sober. 

Sometimes, a relationship from yesteryear fades away without reason. Have you ever been left holding the "old friend" bag of confusion and heartbreak? I think we all have at one point or another, so what is a midlife gal to do? 

Where do you meet new female friends who "get you" and share your same passion and purpose? 

If it were last year at this time, I would say go to a live event focused on a topic you are interested in or take an exercise class or cooking class. But, in 2020, our live events have been canceled, and our get-togethers in person are rare. 

In 2020, our mental health needs friendship and connection more than ever, and so many women are struggling with loneliness...

National Sober Day is September 14th, but you don't have to wait to celebrate! 

Getting sober in the middle of life is one of the hardest, messiest, joyful, exhilarating experiences you will ever have. It's an event that needs recognition and celebration every chance you get. 

When I first got sober, I kept it to myself for the most part. Sure, my husband and son knew, but my close friends were on a need to know basis. Why? Because I felt like getting sober was embarrassing, it was something to feel shameful of and hide. 

Well, not anymore! 

In 2015, I joined Instagram under the anonymous handle "To 50 and Beyond" to talk about the Whole30. I quickly realized that other people were talking about sobriety. 

Who knew?! 

I began to come out of the sobriety closet and share my most profound darkest moments. I was sweaty and scared every time I hit publish on a post, but the more I posted, the more I felt heard and...

For decades, you have been a daughter, a mom, a wife, a sister, a friend, an employee, and whatever other roles you have played. Midlife is the time to claim who you are and align yourself with who you want to become.  If not, when?!

If you are here because you feel lost in an identity crisis, you are not alone. It's a typical conversation that I have with many women over 50 who are searching for something else but just aren't sure of what it is. 

Amy Schmidt of Fearlessly Facing Fifty joined me on the To 50 and Beyond podcast to share her wisdom and story with us. Amy talks about the day her husband called her mom, and she realized that she didn't know who she was. 

Amy guides us through her story as it unfolds into learning more about who she is and what she wants to do as she ages. The day Amy decided to start a podcast, write a book, and empower women to share their stories with others. 

It's a wonderful...

I can not go back in time, I wouldn't want to, and I'm definitely not sharing this post because I feel like I'm going to relapse. I'm writing this to share with women in the middle of life who are struggling to make sobriety stick. 

I'm here for you. I know how hard it is to make the decision to quit drinking, so this is my rewind for you to share what worked, and what didn't after I quit drinking.

On August 11, 2013, I didn't know anyone else like me, a woman on the brink of a breakdown trying to escape life through two bottles of Chardonnay in one sitting. 

I started drinking in 1982; alcohol was literally my lifeline.

I was scared and clueless when I announced (to myself) I can't drink anymore; I have to quit. But how?! As I stood over the sink pouring out my sweet (pricey) Chardonnay, I cried like a baby! 

My first thought was, I will not give in, and if I do, I will go to AA. 

Let me tell you, I...

Chaos is a complete disorder and confusion; it mayhem, disorganization, Chaos, and disruption in midlife. I say Chaos has no place in the middle of life or sobriety.

2020 has been a whirlwind. From the pandemic to the murder of George Floyd, and racial injustice happening every time we turn around, we live in a world of disarray. 

To control what we can in our lives and unplug from negative energy and behaviors and people who add madness to our life is a must right now. 

As I decided to record an episode about removing drama and Chaos, I came off of a chaotic experience in my life. This experience added to the stress to 2020, now that it's over, I feel as though I can breathe better, think better, and create more freely. 

The first half of 2020 has taught me how to re-prioritize and get quiet. Some of the things I was worried about and thought that I needed to do in January, just don't matter now. 

There is...

If you are trying to come to terms with your drinking in the middle of life, you are in the right place. Drinking isn't the same as it used to be, and your mind and body are changing, can alcohol co-exist in midlife? 

I was a go-all-in drinker. From the time I took my first sip at fourteen to my last sip at forty-five, I pounded beer, wine, and champagne; lot's of time all three together. 

At forty-five, during perimenopause, I began to ask myself (regularly), how much is too much, and will it ever be enough?

I tried making rules only to drink red wine, not my beloved Chardonnay. 

I tried drinking only on Saturday even though Sunday was my most favorite day to get drunk. Also, Friday. 

I tried to convince myself that I didn't have a "problem" and that everyone drank. 

I tried believing my excuses and justifications, but they were no longer convincing. 

I tried. 

I tried to make "alcohol...

Changing careers and her relationship with alcohol to pivot midlife is the topic of Episode 121 of the To 50 and Beyond podcast, with Juju Hook. 

Juju Hook, consultant, coach, and speaker.  Juju shares how her drinking was showing up in binge drinking, seeing an addiction coach, and how he helped her change her relationship with alcohol, taking naltrexone to curb her pleasure from alcohol and drinking.

As women in the middle of life, we are searching for purpose and answers to questions that we didn't ask when we were younger.

Juju talks about how she went through a crisis in her late forties and made the decision to change her future by pivoting into a new career as a coach, consultant, and speaker. 

Juju shares how to build a brand with soul and purpose, and what it means to be a Prime Time woman, branding and social media and change your brand even if you don’t have a business, and social media tips for the PT gal

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FOMO in the middle of life takes on a new meaning. The biggest question is not what you will miss out on if (fill in the blank) but what you will miss out on in life if you don't (fill in the blank.) 

In episode 120 of the To 50 and Beyond podcast, I talk about the fear when I quit drinking and challenging belief's that alcohol is fun in midlife and how to lean into fear instead of embrace it to start living your desired life.

The Fear of Missing Out overall is a feeling that you are not included. 

The inclusion of people of all races, sexual preferences, and people who don't have the physical capability to do what I can do. I don't want to ever take anything for granted - this year has changed me, but I don't know the realm of the change, and that's okay. 

Inclusion coincides with the questions I have been asking myself to learn about my privilege and where I've...