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

Today’s episode feels like catching up with a friend—but one who challenges you to stop playing small.
I’m joined again by Susan Guidi, who first appeared back in Episode 45. A lot has changed since then—and this chapter might be her most powerful yet.
Susan started over as a single mom, built a business from scratch, discovered stand-up comedy, lost 45 pounds at 63, and stepped on a bodybuilding stage at 65. Most recently, she navigated a hip replacement and came out stronger—with a completely new perspective on resilience, recovery, and what it really means to keep showing up for yourself as you age. 
This conversation is honest, funny, and deeply real.
We talk about:
 Why it’s never “too late” to reinvent yourself 
 The mindset shift that changes everything in midlife 
 What recovery, strength, and resilience actually look like after surgery 
 The truth about aging, identity, and starting over 
 Why lifestyle—nutrition, strength training, sleep—still comes first 
 And Susan’s powerful concept: “the dress of possibility”
What if nothing is actually “too late”… and you’ve just been playing it safe?  Still waiting for the “right time”? This is your wake-up call. 
You can find my friend Susan Guidi on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kikimousegetsfit/
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If you’re doing “all the right things” and still feel stuck, adding a layer of support may be an option. I’ve partnered with a trusted telehealth platform offering modern solutions for women in midlife—including micro-dosed GLP-1 and other peptide therapies.
https://elliemd.com/michelefolan - Create a free account to view all products.
Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/askingforafriend_pod/
✨ Sign up for my weekly newsletter:
https://michelefolanfasterway.myflodesk.com/i6i44jw4fq
Like to connect? Email me at askingforafriendpodcast1@gmail.com 
Transcripts are created with AI and may not be perfectly accurate.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional healthcare services. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition.

If midlife wellness feels overwhelming, you’re not imagining it.
Everyone has an opinion. Every scroll brings a new protocol. Eat this. Don’t eat that. Lift heavier. Do less. Fix your hormones. Try this supplement.
And most women? They’re trying to do all of it—and still not feeling better.
In this episode of Asking for a Friend, Michele sits down with Raquel Cartagena and Kristin Brucker, hosts of the Functional Moms Podcast, to cut through the noise and have an honest conversation about what it really takes to feel good in midlife.
This is not a surface-level conversation. It’s real, nuanced, and at times uncomfortable—because the truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
We cover:
 Why midlife health feels so confusing and overwhelming 
 The biggest missing piece for women over 40 (and it’s not another diet) 
 Functional medicine vs. traditional health approaches 
 The reality behind GLP-1s—benefits, concerns, and real-world experiences 
 Blood sugar, CGMs, and why “healthy foods” don’t always work for your body 
 Fiber, protein, and the habits that actually move the needle 
 Alcohol in midlife—and the trade-offs most women ignore 
 Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): what to consider and why it’s not one-size-fits-all 
 Supplements: what actually matters vs. what’s just noise 
 Longevity strategies to stay strong, capable, and independent 
This episode is about taking your power back—learning to filter the noise, understand your body, and build a lifestyle that actually works for you.
Functional Moms - https://functionalmoms.com/
https://www.instagram.com/functionalmomspodcast/
Save 25 percent off every supplement order courtesy of the Functional Moms:
Functional Moms Fullscript Store
Michelle Doel and Alicia Harding
Metabolism Mastery Class with CGM
https://www.instagram.com/metabolism_mastery_coaches/
https://metabolism-mastery.com/
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If you’re doing “all the right things” and still feel stuck, adding a layer of support may be an option. I’ve partnered with a trusted telehealth platform offering modern solutions for women in midlife—including micro-dosed GLP-1 and other peptide therapies.
https://elliemd.com/michelefolan - Create a free account to view all products.
Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/askingforafriend_pod/
✨ Sign up for my weekly newsletter:
https://michelefolanfasterway.myflodesk.com/i6i44jw4fq
Like to connect? Email me at askingforafriendpodcast1@gmail.com 
Transcripts are created with AI and may not be perfectly accurate.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional healthcare services. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition.

This is Episode 200—and one of the most meaningful conversations I’ve ever had with you.
After four years, nearly 200 episodes, and a podcast that grew into the top 1.5% globally, I’m pressing pause on Asking for a Friend.
This wasn’t a quick or easy decision. This podcast has been more than a platform—it’s been part of my identity. It’s been a space where we’ve had honest conversations about midlife, health, hormones, relationships, and the things women often keep to themselves.
In this solo episode, I’m reflecting on what this journey has meant, what I’ve learned from you, and why I’m choosing to step into a new chapter.
We talk about:
 Why midlife conversations matter more than ever—and how far we’ve come 
 The power of speaking up about your health and advocating for yourself 
 What I’ve learned after coaching and connecting with hundreds of women 
 A major shift in my approach to nutrition, metabolism, and intermittent fasting 
 Why strength—not skinny—is the goal as we age 
 The reality of building something meaningful… and knowing when it’s time to pivot 
I also share what’s next for me, including a new venture with my husband in the nutrition space, and why I’m choosing to be more intentional with my time and energy moving forward.
This isn’t necessarily goodbye—but it is a pause.
If there’s one thing I hope you take from this episode, it’s this:
You don’t settle. Not with your health, not with your body, and not with your life.
We still have a few more shows to come, so stick around!
Thank you for being part of this journey. Truly.
_________________________________________
If you’re doing “all the right things” and still feel stuck, adding a layer of support may be an option. I’ve partnered with a trusted telehealth platform offering modern solutions for women in midlife—including micro-dosed GLP-1 and other peptide therapies.
https://elliemd.com/michelefolan - Create a free account to view all products.
Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/askingforafriend_pod/
✨ Sign up for my weekly newsletter:
https://michelefolanfasterway.myflodesk.com/i6i44jw4fq
Like to connect? Email me at askingforafriendpodcast1@gmail.com 
Transcripts are created with AI and may not be perfectly accurate.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional healthcare services. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Is this all there is?”—this episode is for you.
In this powerful conversation, Michele sits down with Angela Burk, author of The Real Girl’s Guide to Midlife, to unpack what’s really happening during midlife—and why it’s not a crisis, but a turning point.
From hormonal shifts and identity loss to reclaiming your voice, your body, and your desires, Angela shares a refreshingly honest take on what it means to evolve in your 40s, 50s, and beyond.
This episode dives into the emotional, physical, and psychological changes women experience—and how to stop shrinking, stop apologizing, and start living with intention.
You’ll learn:
Why midlife feels chaotic (and why that’s completely normal)
The connection between hormones, mood, and identity shifts
How to stop people-pleasing and start setting boundaries
Why strength—physical and emotional—is the foundation of longevity
How to let go of who you were and step into who you’re becoming
Simple ways to reclaim your voice, energy, and confidence
This isn’t about chasing your 30-year-old body.
 It’s about building the life your 80-year-old self will thank you for becoming.
👉 If this episode resonates, share it with a friend who needs to hear it. We’re not meant to figure this out alone.
You can find Angela Burk's book, The Real Girls Guide to Midlife, on Amazon and other booksellers.
https://www.realgirlsguide55.com/
https://www.instagram.com/realgirlsguide55/
_________________________________________
If you’re doing “all the right things” and still feel stuck, adding a layer of support may be an option. I’ve partnered with a trusted telehealth platform offering modern solutions for women in midlife—including micro-dosed GLP-1 and other peptide therapies.
https://elliemd.com/michelefolan - Create a free account to view all products.
Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/askingforafriend_pod/
✨ Sign up for my weekly newsletter:
https://michelefolanfasterway.myflodesk.com/i6i44jw4fq
Like to connect? Email me at askingforafriendpodcast1@gmail.com 
Transcripts are created with AI and may not be perfectly accurate.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional healthcare services. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition.

Before you assume this episode isn’t for you—stick with me.
Because narcissistic relationships don’t always look toxic on the surface. They often start off feeling too good to be true… and that’s exactly the problem.
In this episode, I sit down with Melissa Rymer of the Victim to Warrior Method to break down what these relationships actually look like in real life—beyond the buzzwords.
We talk about:
Why narcissistic relationships often start like a fairy tale—and why that’s a red flag
The subtle signs: gaslighting, passive-aggressive comments, and slowly losing your confidence
The difference between someone who’s difficult… and someone who is truly a narcissist
Why strong, capable women are often the ones who get pulled in 
What happens to your health—sleep, anxiety, burnout—when you stay too long
How to set boundaries (with a spouse, parent, or even a friend)
Why you can’t “fix” the relationship—and what actually moves you forward
Melissa also shares her personal story of recognizing the pattern, navigating a difficult exit, and rebuilding her life—along with practical steps if you’re starting to question your own situation.
If you’ve ever felt like something is off but couldn’t quite explain it… this conversation will put words to it.
And if this isn’t you, there’s a good chance you know someone who needs to hear it.
You can find Melissa Rymer at:
https://bio.victimtowarriormethod.com/home
https://www.instagram.com/v2w_victimtowarrior/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@v2wvictimtowarrior
Are they a narcissist? Take the quiz: https://bio.victimtowarriormethod.com/are-they-a-narcissist

_________________________________________
If you’re doing “all the right things” and still feel stuck, adding a layer of support may be an option. I’ve partnered with a trusted telehealth platform offering modern solutions for women in midlife—including micro-dosed GLP-1 and other peptide therapies.
https://elliemd.com/michelefolan - Create a free account to view all products.
Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/askingforafriend_pod/
✨ Sign up for my weekly newsletter:
https://michelefolanfasterway.myflodesk.com/i6i44jw4fq
Like to connect? Email me at askingforafriendpodcast1@gmail.com 
Transcripts are created with AI and may not be perfectly accurate.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional healthcare services. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition.