#195 Available As Is: A Midlife Widow’s Search for Love/ ft. Debbie Weiss
Pursue Your Spark - Midlife, Fitness, Nutrition, Mindset, Health, women over 50
Release Date: 08/01/2023
224. Build Your Caregiving Dream Team/ft. Lynn Smargis
Pursue Your Spark - Midlife, Fitness, Nutrition, Mindset, Health, women over 50
Are you feeling the weight of caring for aging parents while juggling everything else on your plate? You’re definitely not alone. So many of us are in this boat, wondering if we’re doing enough or if it’s time to get extra support. That’s why I’m sitting down today with Senior Care Advisor for Pacific Northwest Seniorcare, Lynn Smargis, to find out how to build your caregiving dream team. Lynn, who’s encountered the Gen X “sandwich generation” challenge firsthand, shares practical advice on distinguishing between Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care. She...
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223. Why You Need To Change Your Workout After 40
Pursue Your Spark - Midlife, Fitness, Nutrition, Mindset, Health, women over 50
Ever struggle with something as simple as putting on socks or lifting a bag of groceries and think, "Is this what getting older feels like?" You're not alone. We tackle these common frustrations head-on in Podcast Episode 223: Why You Need to Change Your Workout After 40. Picture this: you're battling your socks every morning, hopping around on one foot, maybe even taking a tumble. It could be a more graceful way to start your day. But what if I told you there's a type of exercise that can make these everyday tasks easier, boost your strength, and keep you moving effortlessly through life?...
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222. Stop Settling for 'Fine'—Fight Cancer Now/ft. Deb Krier
Pursue Your Spark - Midlife, Fitness, Nutrition, Mindset, Health, women over 50
Cancer doesn't wait, nor should you. Whether you're facing cancer yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode with Deb Krier will give you the tools and mindset to take action today. Don’t settle—fight back now. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and today's episode, 'Stop Settling for 'Fine'—Fight Cancer Now,' is a must-listen. Deb Krier is an entrepreneur, cancer advocate, and the visionary behind tryingnottodie.LIVE. Diagnosed with Stage 4 triple-positive breast cancer in 2015 and thyroid cancer in 2023, Deb has transformed her challenges into a mission to help...
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221. Transform Your Relationship with Alcohol Now
Pursue Your Spark - Midlife, Fitness, Nutrition, Mindset, Health, women over 50
Are you curious about how to rethink your relationship with alcohol, especially as we head into fall and the holiday season? It’s that time of year when we reflect on our habits, and for many of us, that includes those casual evening drinks that might have crept into our routine over the summer. We'll In Episode #221 – Transform Your Relationship with Alcohol Now, I dive into how to create a healthy, mindful relationship with alcohol that works for you, without the pressure to go all-in or all-out. Whether you’ve tried Sober October or another month-long break from alcohol, you may...
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220. What Your Midlife Insomnia Is Trying to Tell You/ft. Martha Lewis
Pursue Your Spark - Midlife, Fitness, Nutrition, Mindset, Health, women over 50
Struggling with insomnia in midlife? It might be trying to tell you something important. In “What Your Midlife Insomnia Is Trying to Tell You,” we explore how sleep patterns change as we age and the unexpected reasons behind restless nights. Our expert guest, Martha Lewis, founder of The Sleep Detective, shares how mastering your sleep routine can be life-changing. Her journey started with her son Parker's sleep troubles, leading her to help others find their way to restful nights. Tune in to learn how you can finally get the sleep you deserve. Martha is not just any...
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219. Flip-Flops to Focus: Reclaim Your Fall Routine Today
Pursue Your Spark - Midlife, Fitness, Nutrition, Mindset, Health, women over 50
Can you believe summer is over already? If you’re struggling to shift gears, I've got the perfect tip to help you find your footing this fall. From flip-flops to focus, it’s time to reclaim your fall routine! Trust me, you won’t want to miss this! After a busy summer, taking a moment to reclaim our personal space and time is essential. It helps us prioritize our mental well-being and boost productivity. Today, I’m sharing how to find clarity after summer with a powerful yet simple practice that can make all the difference in your routine. What’s this game-changing tip? It...
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218. Organize And Simplify Your Midlife/ft. Janet M. Tailor
Pursue Your Spark - Midlife, Fitness, Nutrition, Mindset, Health, women over 50
Ready to declutter your midlife? Join us as we chat with Janet M. Taylor, the "Clutter Free Queen," who has been transforming lives since 1994. Discover practical strategies and emotional insights to simplify and organize your daily life. This episode, "Organize and Simplify Your Midlife," is packed with expert tips to bring harmony and peace to your home and mind Janet M. Taylor, who pioneered her path with Totally Organized, LLC in 1994, brings more than just her title, she brings a lifetime of transforming chaos into harmony. Her journey from the Rachael Ray Show to speaking engagements...
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217. Lessons From The Blue Zones
Pursue Your Spark - Midlife, Fitness, Nutrition, Mindset, Health, women over 50
Ever wonder what the secret to a long, healthy life is? In this episode, "Lessons from the Blue Zones," we're exploring the fascinating lifestyles of the world’s healthiest and longest-living people. These are places where folks live well into their 90s and beyond, staying vibrant and happy. One of the biggest takeaways is their primarily plant-based diet. They fill their plates with a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. They follow a principle that means eating until you’re 80% full, which helps with better digestion and prevents overeating. Physical activity...
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216. How Black Women Advocate for Better Healthcare
Pursue Your Spark - Midlife, Fitness, Nutrition, Mindset, Health, women over 50
Healthcare advocacy for Black women took center stage as Elaine Curry and Brenda Barbour, the Body Wealth Sisters, joined us. Their expertise and personal journeys shed light on the critical path of navigating the healthcare system as a Black or African American woman. "How Black Women Advocate for Better Healthcare" wasn't merely an episode title—it transformed into a manifesto, resonating with Elaine and Brenda's dedication to tearing down systemic barriers and equipping our listeners with the tools necessary for self-advocacy. They also are the hosts of the Body Wealth Sister podcast. ...
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215. 5 Transformative Habits for Midlife Mastery
Pursue Your Spark - Midlife, Fitness, Nutrition, Mindset, Health, women over 50
Are you ready to turn midlife from a challenge into your greatest opportunity? Today on '5 Transformative Habits for Midlife Mastery,' we’re shedding old labels and forging new paths! Let’s explore how the simple choices we make every day can lead to profound transformations in the prime of our lives. Habits often boxed into 'good' or 'bad' categories are about alignment. How well do your daily routines mesh with your life goals and values? We explore this question deeply, shedding light on the power of conscious decision-making in crafting a fulfilling midlife. We dive into...
info_outlineIn 2013, at the age of 50, Debbie faced one of the most devastating losses imaginable - the death of her partner, George, of 32 years. A year spent as a caregiver, watching him fade, left her with a profound void, alone for the first time in her life, grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder. But Debbie's resilience emerged in her widowhood, guiding her through the enveloping loneliness, bit by bit.
She shares how she embraced her lifelong passion for writing and earned her Master in Fine Arts in Creative Writing at the impressive age of 56. Her transformative experience and dealing with grief became the centerpiece of her critically acclaimed book, 'Available As Is: A Midlife Widow's Search for Love,' a candid, darkly humorous account of rebuilding a life and finding hope after widowhood.
Throughout the episode, Debbie's story is not just about loss and rediscovery. It's also about challenging societal norms. From being a respectful widow, Debbie transformed into a vibrant, adventurous woman, exploring the uncharted waters of midlife dating. Despite the highs, the lows, and even the absurdities of dating multiple men, including a family-shy politician, she found herself and created personal growth.
We're excited to have Debbie with us today to share her incredible journey to self-discovery. We'll hear how she navigated grief, embraced fitness and yoga, discovered the liberating power of writing, and found love and companionship again with her second life partner, Randal.
Debbie's story shows us that no matter what happens, life can always take a new turn, and we can start a new chapter.
How to reach Debbie and get her book:
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