217. Lessons From The Blue Zones
Pursue Your Spark - Midlife, Fitness, Nutrition, Mindset, Health, women over 50
Release Date: 07/11/2024
231. Finding Strength and Resilience During Uncontrollable Events
Pursue Your Spark - Midlife, Fitness, Nutrition, Mindset, Health, women over 50
Life is full of unexpected twists and turns. One moment, you’re managing your routine, tackling your to-do list, and feeling in control. And then, something happens—a phone call, a change in the weather, or news you weren’t prepared for—and suddenly, your world feels upside down. In Finding Strength and Resilience During Uncontrollable Events, we’re diving into what it means to navigate life’s most challenging moments with clarity and confidence. While we can’t control every curveball life throws, we can control how we respond. In this episode, I share personal stories,...
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230. Why Self-Care Feels So Damn Hard For Midlife Women/ft. Lesley Logan
Pursue Your Spark - Midlife, Fitness, Nutrition, Mindset, Health, women over 50
Feeling like self-care is selfish? You’re not alone. For midlife women over 50, guilt often sneaks in and stops us from putting ourselves first. And let’s be honest—Why Self-Care Feels So Damn Hard for Midlife Women is something we’ve all wondered about. Here’s the truth: self-care isn’t about spa days or bubble baths. It’s about creating habits that help us thrive. Setting boundaries. Avoiding burnout. Showing up as our best selves. In episode 230, I’m joined by Lesley Logan, a second-generation certified Pilates teacher, author, and host of the Be It Till You See It ...
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229. Why Losing Motivation Is Not Your Fault
Pursue Your Spark - Midlife, Fitness, Nutrition, Mindset, Health, women over 50
Ever feel like you’ve hit a wall and can’t figure out why your motivation has disappeared? Here’s the thing: losing motivation isn’t your fault. Motivation isn’t some steady, unshakable thing. It changes as we go through life, just like we do. What lit you up in your 20s and 30s might not feel right now, and that’s okay. Life throws us curveballs—work, family, caregiving—and sometimes it feels like there’s no room left for you. Add in sneaky traps like comparing yourself to others (or your younger self), trying to do everything at once, or waiting for the “perfect”...
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228. Building a Business That Aligns with Your Purpose/ ft. Shannon Russell
Pursue Your Spark - Midlife, Fitness, Nutrition, Mindset, Health, women over 50
Has your 9-5 lost its spark? If what once excited you now feels like a grind, it might be time for a change. Shannon Russell, CEO of Second Act Success, joins me to share her journey and expert advice on transitioning to a career that aligns with your purpose and brings fulfillment. After a successful career in TV production, Shannon pivoted to entrepreneurship to gain freedom and flexibility. Through self-reflection, she identified her values—family time and creating meaningful work—and built a business on her own terms. Key Lessons from Shannon: Overcome Self-Doubt: Your skills and...
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227. Break Through Overwhelm To Find Your Focus and Energy
Pursue Your Spark - Midlife, Fitness, Nutrition, Mindset, Health, women over 50
Feeling overwhelmed and stuck in midlife? You’re not alone. For many women over 50, juggling commitments and trying to keep up with wellness trends can feel like an uphill battle. The good news? Overcoming overwhelm doesn’t require big resolutions or drastic overhauls—it’s about starting small and focusing on what truly matters. That’s exactly what we explore in episode 227: Tiny Shifts to Beat Overwhelm in Midlife. We explore why feeling stuck is common and how recognizing it is the first step toward change. Whether repeating the same routines or saying yes when you want to say...
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226. Shifting from Wanting Change to Making It Happen/ft. Allan Misner
Pursue Your Spark - Midlife, Fitness, Nutrition, Mindset, Health, women over 50
Ever feel like you’re caught in that cycle of wanting to make a change, but somehow, it never quite sticks? Maybe you’re searching for that spark—that extra push to finally put yourself first and see actual results. But what if it’s not about wanting at all but actually committing? Today, we’re diving into this big shift with Allan Misner, a fitness and nutrition coach for people over 40 who has been right where you are. He knows what it takes to turn the desire for change into real, lasting action. Together, we’ll explore his story, the lessons he’s picked up along the way,...
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225. Building Strength Without Self-Judgement in Midlife
Pursue Your Spark - Midlife, Fitness, Nutrition, Mindset, Health, women over 50
Ever feel like you’re showing up and putting in the work, but somehow, it doesn’t seem to add up? Building Strength Without Self-Judgment in Midlife can be tricky, especially when you’ve set a strength goal—like lifting heavier, trying a new move, or just feeling stronger every day—but it feels like no matter what you do, it’s never quite enough. Sound familiar? In today’s episode, we’re diving into that feeling we know too well: the self-judgment that sneaks in and makes us feel like we should be further along. We’ll unpack why this happens, especially for those of us...
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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...
info_outlineEver 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 is woven into their daily lives. Instead of hitting the gym for intense workouts, they stay active through simple, enjoyable activities like walking, gardening, and other forms of natural movement. This sustainable approach keeps them fit and healthy.
Community plays a huge role, too. Strong social ties and a sense of belonging are crucial. A great example is having supportive social circles that encourage healthy habits and provide emotional support.
Stress reduction is another key aspect. These people practice mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing to manage stress and promote well-being.
Finally, having a sense of purpose is vital for their longevity. A clear purpose motivates them and reduces stress, adding quality years to their lives.
Throughout this episode, I’m sharing practical tips to help you make food and exercise changes that you can start implementing right away. These small, sustainable steps will help you take action toward a healthier, more fulfilling life. Let’s get started!
Links mentioned:
- The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who've Lived the Longest
- Delicious Recipe Packs
- What’s The Difference Between Mindful vs Intuitive Eating?
- #090. The Best Exercises For Women Over 50
- #205 - 6 Ways To Double Down On Your Midlife Wellness
Action Steps
I’d love to hear your feedback and stories about integrating these Blue Zone habits into your life. Please send me an email with the subject line “Blue Zone” to share your experiences or thoughts on this episode.
Additionally, I’m offering a free 20-minute Spark Breakthrough call to help you create your own Blue Zone-inspired life. It’s a great opportunity to get personalized advice and support. Sign up today and start your journey to a healthier, more fulfilling life.