F*ck, I'm Nearly 50

SEASON 2 > EPISODE 5
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In this episode of F*ck, I’m Nearly 50!, I’m joined by wellbeing coach, PSYCH-K® facilitator, Reiki practitioner and founder of Be Your Happy, Elkie Hughes.
And honestly… this conversation challenged so much of what I thought personal growth was supposed to look like.
Because like a lot of women, I’ve spent years trying to become a better version of myself.
A fitter version.
A more productive version.
A more successful version.
A calmer version.
A more organised version.
But what if the goal isn’t to become someone better?
What if the goal is to stop rejecting the parts of ourselves we’ve been trying so hard to fix?
Elkie believes that so much of the pressure we put on ourselves comes from subconscious beliefs we picked up long before we were old enough to question them.
Beliefs about being good enough.
Being lovable.
Belonging.
Being worthy.
And often those beliefs are quietly driving our decisions, relationships, reactions and happiness without us even realising it.
One of the biggest takeaways for me?
The idea that we’re not broken.
We’re programmed.
And once we understand the stories we’re carrying around in our metaphorical backpack, we have the power to choose whether we keep carrying them.
✨ If you’ve ever thought:
“Why do I keep reacting like this?”
“Why do I care so much about what other people think?”
“Why do I feel like I’m constantly trying to improve myself?”
“Why can’t I just accept myself as I am?”
“Why do I feel exhausted trying to be everything to everyone?”
This episode is for you.
THIS EPISODE GETS INTO:
🧠 What subconscious limiting beliefs actually are
🎒 The “backpack” we all carry from childhood experiences
💭 Why we’re operating from our subconscious far more than we realise
⚡ How seemingly small moments can shape us for decades
❤️ Why the pursuit of the “best version of yourself” can actually create suffering
🌗 The importance of accepting both the light and the shade within ourselves
👧 How childhood experiences influence our sense of worth and belonging
🔍 Why awareness is often the first step towards freedom
🫁 The power of pausing before reacting
🌊 How self-acceptance is about going with the flow rather than constantly resisting reality
💔 Understanding trauma beyond the big dramatic events we usually associate it with
🧬 How PSYCH-K® works to help shift subconscious beliefs and stored trauma
✨ Why healing isn’t about becoming someone else, it’s about reconnecting with who you already are
🌱 The difference between thinking your feelings and actually feeling them
👣 Practical ways to start connecting with yourself in everyday life
🔥 Why women underestimate their own strength
🕯 How just one minute of stillness each day can begin changing your relationship with yourself
❤️ What it really means to become whole
WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THIS CONVERSATION
What I loved most about this conversation was how much permission it gave.
Permission to stop striving.
Permission to stop trying to optimise every part of ourselves.
Permission to acknowledge that life isn’t meant to be all joy, positivity and perfectly curated moments.
Elkie talks about something I’ve been thinking a lot about lately.
The idea that we spend so much time chasing happiness somewhere outside ourselves that we forget to listen to what’s already inside.
There was one moment that really stayed with me when she said:
“The whole is the perfect.”
Not the polished version.
Not the edited version.
Not the Instagram version.
The whole version.
The messy bits.
The beautiful bits.
The grief.
The joy.
The uncertainty.
The confidence.
The fear.
All of it.
Because maybe self-acceptance isn’t about finally fixing what’s wrong with us.
Maybe it’s about realising there was never anything wrong with us in the first place.
ABOUT ELKIE HUGHES
Elkie Hughes is the founder of Be Your Happy and works as a PSYCH-K® Facilitator, Reiki Practitioner and Integrative Health & Wellbeing Coach.
After a successful career in advertising and production, Elkie followed a very different path, dedicating her work to helping people identify and shift subconscious limiting beliefs, release stored trauma and reconnect with their authentic selves.
Through a combination of science-based and holistic approaches, she supports women to navigate stress, anxiety, grief, self-worth challenges and major life transitions.
Her philosophy is simple but powerful:
You are already whole.
And sometimes the greatest transformation comes not from becoming someone new, but from accepting all of who you already are.
🌐 Website: https://www.beyourhappy.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyourhappy.co/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elkie-hughes-72ba18222/

Let me know what you'd love to hear about next.
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🔥 Let’s keep the conversation going…
If this episode made you think differently, I’d love you to be part of the F*ck, I’m Nearly 50! community.
⭐ Loved the episode? Leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify is one of the best ways to help more people discover these conversations.
🌐 Explore more: Visit www.fckimnearly50.com to find your next conversation. Explore the Start Here guide, browse episodes by topic, and discover practical tools and resources to help you navigate the second half of life.
💌 Subscribe to F*ck Notes for behind-the-scenes reflections and practical ideas inspired by each conversation.
📺 Watch on YouTube, and let’s keep the conversation going on Instagram (@fckimnearlyfifty) or LinkedIn. I’d genuinely love to hear what resonated with you.
❤️ If someone came to mind while you were listening, send them this episode. Midlife is better when we figure it out together.
Because f*ck, we’re nearly 50… and isn’t that amazing? 🚀
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SEASON 2 > EPISODE 4
In this episode of F*ck, I’m Nearly 50!, I’m joined by coach, facilitator, speaker and all-round bullshit detector Vashti Whitfield.
And honestly… this conversation felt less like an interview and more like a mirror.
Because over the past few months I’ve been doing Vashti’s Radical Reframe program and it has challenged me to look at some things I’d never really stopped to question before.
The stories I’ve been carrying.
The beliefs driving my behaviour.
The patterns that have quietly shaped my relationships, decisions and sense of self for years.
And one of the biggest realisations?
You can be successful. You can be capable. You can be high-functioning. And still be running on old code.
✨ If you’ve ever thought:
“Why do I keep doing the same thing over and over?”
“Why do I know what I should do but still don’t do it?”
“Why do I feel like something’s off, even though my life looks pretty good on paper?”
“Why do I keep putting everyone else’s needs before my own?”
This episode is for you.

THIS EPISODE GETS INTO:
🧠 What a Radical Reframe actually is
💭 How our thoughts become beliefs and our beliefs become behaviour
🔍 Why it’s so hard to see our own patterns
⚡ Why so many people reach their 40s and 50s and realise they’ve been living on autopilot
❤️ The powerful concept that your behaviour is your beliefs
📖 Looking at your life in chapters and what those chapters reveal
🎯 The difference between attachment and commitment
💡 Why replacing “should” with “could” creates more freedom and choice
📝 How a Bucket List and a Fuck It List can expose what you truly want
🎭 The inner characters and stories that hijack us when we’re stressed, scared or threatened
🫁 The power of pause, breath and creating space before reacting
🌱 Why personal growth isn’t about becoming someone else, but remembering who you are
💬 What it means to live intentionally rather than automatically
❤️ Grief, resilience and rebuilding life after loss
🎬 The story behind Vashti’s beautiful documentary Be Here Now
👩‍👧‍👦 What she learned about presence, perspective and raising two young children after losing her husband Andy to cancer

WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THIS CONVERSATION
What I love about Vashti is that she doesn’t tell you what to do. She helps you see what you’re doing. And once you see it… you can’t really unsee it.
There were a few moments in this conversation where I found myself thinking: “Shit… I’ve been doing that for years.” Not because anything was wrong.
But because some of the ways I’d learned to operate no longer fit the life I’m trying to create.
What Vashti’s work has reminded me is that awareness isn’t the end goal.
Choice is. The ability to pause. To notice. To question.
And then consciously decide who you want to be in that moment.
Because maybe the next chapter of our lives isn’t about becoming someone new. Maybe it’s about letting go of everything we’re not.

ABOUT VASHTI WHITFIELD
Vashti Whitfield is an executive coach, facilitator, speaker and creator of Radical Reframe, a transformational coaching program that helps people uncover the beliefs, patterns and stories shaping their lives.
Following the death of her husband Andy Whitfield from cancer, Vashti became known for her powerful documentary Be Here Now, which chronicles their family’s journey through illness, grief, love and resilience.
Today she works with individuals, leaders and organisations helping people navigate change, challenge old thinking and create lives that feel more aligned, intentional and meaningful.
🌐 Learn more: https://www.vashti-whitfield.com
🎬 Watch Be Here Now: https://www.beherenowfilm.com
🎙 Listen to the Radical Reframe Podcast
Connect with Vashti on insta
Connect with Vashti on LInkedIn
Let me know what you'd love to hear about next.
--------
🔥 Let’s keep the conversation going…
If this episode made you think differently, I’d love you to be part of the F*ck, I’m Nearly 50! community.
⭐ Loved the episode? Leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify is one of the best ways to help more people discover these conversations.
🌐 Explore more: Visit www.fckimnearly50.com to find your next conversation. Explore the Start Here guide, browse episodes by topic, and discover practical tools and resources to help you navigate the second half of life.
💌 Subscribe to F*ck Notes for behind-the-scenes reflections and practical ideas inspired by each conversation.
📺 Watch on YouTube, and let’s keep the conversation going on Instagram (@fckimnearlyfifty) or LinkedIn. I’d genuinely love to hear what resonated with you.
❤️ If someone came to mind while you were listening, send them this episode. Midlife is better when we figure it out together.
Because f*ck, we’re nearly 50… and isn’t that amazing? 🚀
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SEASON 2 > EPISODE 3
Dr Mark Williams
In this episode of F*ck, I’m Nearly 50!, I’m joined by neuroscientist, author and speaker Dr Mark Williams, one of Australia’s leading voices on the impact of screens, devices and technology on the brain.
And honestly… this conversation scared me a little.
Because I went into it asking a question I think a lot of us are quietly wondering:
👉 Is my screen time making me less sharp?
👉 Is it making my kids less focused?
👉 Are we losing our ability to think deeply, remember things, be bored, connect properly and just… be?
And what Mark makes really clear is this:
It’s not just about screens.
It’s about what screens are replacing.
Stillness.
Boredom.
Face-to-face connection.
Movement.
Sleep.
Nature.
Real conversations.
Real life.
✨ If you’ve ever thought:
“Why can’t I focus anymore?”
“Why am I always reaching for my phone?”
“Is this affecting my kids more than I realise?”
“Am I modelling the behaviour I’m trying to stop?”
This episode is for you.
THIS EPISODE GETS INTO:
🧠 What screens are actually doing to our brains
📱 Why phones, notifications and constant switching are making us more distracted
👧 Why children’s developing brains are especially vulnerable
🚨 Mark’s view that this generation may be the first to be “dumber” than their parents
🏫 Why screens in schools and edutech may not be helping kids learn
😬 The link between screens, stress, cortisol, behaviour and attention
💬 Why real-life social connection is one of the best things we can do for brain health
🌿 Why nature, boredom and unstructured time are essential, not optional
🔕 Why turning off notifications is one of the simplest ways to improve focus
🍽 Why phones don’t belong at the dinner table, in bedrooms or in bathrooms
💡 Why social media isn’t actually social
🤖 What Mark really thinks about AI, smart glasses and the next wave of tech
💪 Why creatine may help with memory, attention and brain energy for some people
❤️ Why volunteering, community and “gas bagging” might actually help us live longer
WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THIS CONVERSATION
Mark doesn’t make this feel like a guilt trip.
He makes it feel like a wake-up call.
Because this isn’t about being anti-technology.
It’s about using technology well.
It’s about remembering that our phones are supposed to work for us, not the other way around.
And the bit that really stayed with me was this:
When we choose presence over distraction…
Connection over convenience…
Real life over constant scrolling…
We’re not just managing screen time.
We’re shaping how our kids think, feel, connect and experience the world.
And maybe we’re also giving ourselves back something we didn’t realise we’d lost.
Our attention.
Our memory.
Our creativity.
Our calm.
Our ability to just be.
ABOUT DR MARK WILLIAMS
Dr Mark Williams is a neuroscientist, author and speaker who helps people understand how the brain works and how modern technology is changing the way we think, learn, focus and connect.
His book Screen Smart Children is a practical guide for parents who want to help their kids thrive in a world that never switches off.
🌐 Learn more: https://www.drmarkwilliams.com/
📘 Read Mark’s book: Screen Smart Children

Let me know what you'd love to hear about next.
--------
🔥 Let’s keep the conversation going…
If this episode made you think differently, I’d love you to be part of the F*ck, I’m Nearly 50! community.
⭐ Loved the episode? Leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify is one of the best ways to help more people discover these conversations.
🌐 Explore more: Visit www.fckimnearly50.com to find your next conversation. Explore the Start Here guide, browse episodes by topic, and discover practical tools and resources to help you navigate the second half of life.
💌 Subscribe to F*ck Notes for behind-the-scenes reflections and practical ideas inspired by each conversation.
📺 Watch on YouTube, and let’s keep the conversation going on Instagram (@fckimnearlyfifty) or LinkedIn. I’d genuinely love to hear what resonated with you.
❤️ If someone came to mind while you were listening, send them this episode. Midlife is better when we figure it out together.
Because f*ck, we’re nearly 50… and isn’t that amazing? 🚀
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SEASON 2 > EPISODE 2
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In this episode of F*ck, I’m Nearly 50!, I’m joined by superannuation and wealth expert, founder of Pascale HM, and one of the most important voices in Australia when it comes to women and money, Pascale Helyar-Moray.
And honestly… this is a conversation most of us have been avoiding.
Because money, and especially super, can feel confusing, overwhelming… and let’s be real… a bit boring.
But here’s what hit me during this conversation.
👉 Super isn’t boring.
👉 It’s not optional.
👉 And it might actually be the most important financial asset you have outside your home.
And yet, so many women don’t really understand it.  
This episode is that moment where we stop… and go: “Okay… it’s time to actually look at this.”
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✨ If you’ve ever thought:
“I should probably understand my super…”
“I don’t really know what mine is doing…”
“I’m hoping it’s all just fine…”
This episode is for you.
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THIS EPISODE GETS INTO:
💰 Why women retire with less super than men — and what’s really driving the gap
📉 How career breaks, part-time work, and even menopause impact long-term wealth
🧠 The real reason women feel less confident about money (it’s not what you think)
🔥 Why doing nothing with your money is the biggest risk of all
📊 What super actually is (in simple terms) and why it’s your future bank account
👀 The one thing every woman should check in her super today
💡 Practical, simple steps to start building wealth — even in your 40s and 50s
🏡 The truth about “pay off the mortgage vs build super”
⚖️ What women need to know about super in divorce (this is a big one)
📈 Why women are about to control trillions in wealth — whether we’re ready or not
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WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THIS CONVERSATION
Pascale doesn’t make money feel intimidating.
She makes it feel like something you can actually understand… and take control of.
She reframes super from:
❌ confusing
❌ boring
❌ something you’ll deal with “later”
To:
✨ your biggest asset
✨ your future freedom
✨ your ability to have choice in your life
Because at the end of the day… Money isn’t about money.
It’s about:
Freedom
Choice
Independence
And not being stuck in situations you don’t want to be in.
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ABOUT PASCALE HELYAR-MORAY
🌐 Learn more: https://pascalehm.com.au/
📘 Read Pascale’s book:
Rich Woman, Poor Woman - How to Break the Cycle of Financial Overwhelm
https://www.amazon.com.au/Rich-Woman-Poor-overwhelm-financial/dp/192318623X
Pascale is a leading voice in financial services, superannuation and women’s wealth, helping reshape how women engage with money and build long-term financial independence.
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Let me know what you'd love to hear about next.
--------
🔥 Let’s keep the conversation going…
If this episode made you think differently, I’d love you to be part of the F*ck, I’m Nearly 50! community.
⭐ Loved the episode? Leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify is one of the best ways to help more people discover these conversations.
🌐 Explore more: Visit www.fckimnearly50.com to find your next conversation. Explore the Start Here guide, browse episodes by topic, and discover practical tools and resources to help you navigate the second half of life.
💌 Subscribe to F*ck Notes for behind-the-scenes reflections and practical ideas inspired by each conversation.
📺 Watch on YouTube, and let’s keep the conversation going on Instagram (@fckimnearlyfifty) or LinkedIn. I’d genuinely love to hear what resonated with you.
❤️ If someone came to mind while you were listening, send them this episode. Midlife is better when we figure it out together.
Because f*ck, we’re nearly 50… and isn’t that amazing? 🚀
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SEASON 2 > EPISODE 1
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In this episode of F*ck, I’m Nearly 50!, I’m joined by longevity doctor, founder of AgeVantage, and all-round genius when it comes to decoding the science of ageing, Dr Mary Revelas.
This felt like the perfect way to kick off Season 2.
Because let’s be honest… something shifts in your 40s.
What used to work doesn’t.
Your energy changes.
Your body feels different.
And suddenly you’re asking bigger questions about how you want to age.
Mary brings a completely different lens to that conversation.
She takes genetics, hormones, lifestyle and everything in between and makes it feel clear, empowering and actionable.
✨ If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t feel like myself anymore, but I don’t know where to start” — this episode is for you.
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This episode gets into:
🧬 The truth about your genes and why they’re not your destiny
🧠 How biology, mindset and environment shape how you age
⚡ Why the “health hacks” that used to work suddenly stop working
🔍 How to take a “total view” of your health (instead of chasing quick fixes)
😴 What’s really behind low energy, poor sleep and midlife shifts
💡 How to move from information overload to clarity and action
🔥 The biggest myths about ageing well that need to go
📈 The 3 most important things to focus on after 45

What I love about Mary is that she doesn’t make health feel overwhelming or clinical.
She makes it feel like self-awareness.
Like understanding your body instead of fighting it.
Like having agency again.
Because here’s the truth:
✨ You can’t change your genes.
✨ But you can change how they behave.
And that’s where everything shifts.
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🎯 The “Try This Before 50” Challenge
If you could stop guessing… and actually understand what your body needs - what would change?
This episode is your starting point.
Because this isn’t about chasing youth.
It’s about owning your next decade with clarity, energy and intention.
Because f*ck… we’re nearly 50. And isn’t it amazing that we still get to evolve?
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LEARN MORE ABOUT DR MARY REVELAS
🌐 Learn more: https://www.agevantage.com.au/
📲 Follow: https://www.instagram.com/agevantage_livebetter_longer/
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Let me know what you'd love to hear about next.
--------
🔥 Let’s keep the conversation going…
If this episode made you think differently, I’d love you to be part of the F*ck, I’m Nearly 50! community.
⭐ Loved the episode? Leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify is one of the best ways to help more people discover these conversations.
🌐 Explore more: Visit www.fckimnearly50.com to find your next conversation. Explore the Start Here guide, browse episodes by topic, and discover practical tools and resources to help you navigate the second half of life.
💌 Subscribe to F*ck Notes for behind-the-scenes reflections and practical ideas inspired by each conversation.
📺 Watch on YouTube, and let’s keep the conversation going on Instagram (@fckimnearlyfifty) or LinkedIn. I’d genuinely love to hear what resonated with you.
❤️ If someone came to mind while you were listening, send them this episode. Midlife is better when we figure it out together.
Because f*ck, we’re nearly 50… and isn’t that amazing? 🚀
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