228. Building a Business That Aligns with Your Purpose / Shannon Russell
Pursue Your Spark: Fitness, Confidence & Clarity in Midlife
Release Date: 01/09/2025
251. Why Your Metabolism Isn’t the Main Villain in Midlife Weight Gain
Pursue Your Spark: Fitness, Confidence & Clarity in Midlife
Midlife weight gain can feel like a mystery—one day, everything works, the next, nothing does. You’re eating less, staying active, maybe even doubling down on healthy habits, but your body just isn’t responding. In Episode 251: Why your metabolism isn't the main villain in midlife weight gain, I dig into a hard truth most women haven’t been told: the weight gain, fatigue, and body changes you're feeling aren’t just about a slower metabolism. Yes, metabolism plays a role. But it’s not the whole story—and believing it is may be exactly what's keeping you stuck. What if the...
info_outline
250. Midlife Skin, Decoded: What Women 40+ Really Need for Healthy, Glowing Skin / Dr. Mary Alice Mina
Pursue Your Spark: Fitness, Confidence & Clarity in Midlife
Is your skin changing — and not in ways you love? In episode 250 of Pursue Your Spark, titled “Midlife Skin, Decoded”, I sit down with dermatologist Dr. Mary Alice Mina to decode what’s really happening to your skin after 40 — and what actually works to care for it. If you’ve been doing “all the right things” but still feel frustrated with dullness, dryness, or a lack of results, you’re not alone. We’re talking about the hormonal shifts, collagen loss, and lifestyle factors that start showing up in your skin in midlife — and how to respond with science-backed,...
info_outline
249. How to Ditch the All-or-Nothing Mindset and Set Goals That Stick
Pursue Your Spark: Fitness, Confidence & Clarity in Midlife
Tired of starting over every Monday? You’re not alone — and it’s not your fault. In How to Ditch the All-or-Nothing Mindset and Set Goals That Stick, I break down the real reason your workouts and nutrition plans don’t last: perfectionism disguised as discipline. So many midlife women believe if they can’t do it all — the perfect routine, the flawless food tracking, the six-day workout plan — then it’s not worth doing at all. But that mindset drains your energy and kills your progress. In this episode, I show you how to reframe the all-or-nothing fitness mindset into...
info_outline
248. What Your Midlife Symptoms Are Really Telling You / Andrea Nakayama
Pursue Your Spark: Fitness, Confidence & Clarity in Midlife
Midlife symptoms have a way of turning up the volume on everything you’ve been ignoring—fatigue, restlessness, burnout, or that persistent feeling that “this just isn’t working anymore.” In Episode 248: What Your Midlife Symptoms Are Really Telling You, I’m joined by functional nutritionist and educator Andrea Nakayama for a powerful reframe: your symptoms aren’t failures—they’re feedback. Andrea brings a fresh lens to midlife wellness, one that goes far beyond quick fixes and trendy biohacks. She invites us to listen—to treat our midlife symptoms as messengers,...
info_outline
247. Why Cardio Backfires in Midlife—and What to Do Instead
Pursue Your Spark: Fitness, Confidence & Clarity in Midlife
You're eating well, staying active, and doing everything that used to work—so why are you feeling tired, stuck, and frustrated with your results? In episode 247, “Why Cardio Backfires in Midlife—and What to Do Instead,” I break down why your once-trusted workout strategies may be failing you now—and what to do about it. If you’re still relying on cardio as your go-to solution, it’s time to reassess. Midlife changes everything, from hormones to muscle mass to recovery time. That means your fitness approach needs a serious upgrade. I explain why too much steady-state cardio...
info_outline
246. When Childhood Trauma Reawakens: Stacey Hettes on Healing After Midlife
Pursue Your Spark: Fitness, Confidence & Clarity in Midlife
Have you ever felt like you were finally okay—only to be blindsided by a wave of emotion you didn’t see coming? In this episode of Pursue Your Spark, “When Childhood Trauma Reawakens: Stacey Hettes on Healing After Midlife,” I sit down with Dr. Stacey Hettes, scientist, college professor, and author of Dispatches from the Couch, to explore how deeply buried childhood trauma can resurface in midlife—and how we begin to heal truly. We dig into the ACEs framework (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and how Dr. Hettes used it to make sense of emotional shutdown, people-pleasing, and...
info_outline
245. What To Eat After 40 To Boost Energy
Pursue Your Spark: Fitness, Confidence & Clarity in Midlife
Do you find yourself dragging through the afternoon, reaching for coffee or snacks just to stay awake? You’re not alone. After 40, those 2 p.m. crashes become more common—and it has nothing to do with motivation. It’s your hormones and nutrition working differently now, and midlife nutrition plays a much bigger role than it used to. In Episode 245: What To Eat After 40 To Boost Energy, I explain how hormone shifts, stress, and sleep all affect your energy. As estrogen trends down, your body becomes more sensitive to carbs. Add cortisol spikes from stress and poor sleep, and...
info_outline
244. Aqua Yoga for Midlife Strength / Christa Fairbrother
Pursue Your Spark: Fitness, Confidence & Clarity in Midlife
Struggling with stiff joints, low energy, or feeling unsure how to move your body without hurting it? You’re not alone—and in Episode 244: Aqua Yoga for Midlife Strength, we explore how the pool might just be your new best friend. I talk with Christa Fairbrother, a former farrier turned aqua yoga teacher, who shares how a painful autoimmune diagnosis changed her path—and how movement in the water gave her strength, balance, and confidence again. We go deep into why aqua yoga is one of the best low-impact workouts for midlife bodies, especially when arthritis or chronic illness...
info_outline
243. How to Reset After Summer Without Diets or Guilt In Midlife
Pursue Your Spark: Fitness, Confidence & Clarity in Midlife
After a season of rosé, ice cream, and skipped workouts, many women feel the urge to “start over.” But here’s the truth: restriction and guilt aren’t the answer. Instead of punishing yourself for summer indulgences, you can embrace a different approach—one that feels empowering, sustainable, and kind. That’s exactly what I share in my new post, Reset After Summer: A Midlife Healthy Eating Guide. This isn’t about diets, detoxes, or a perfect Monday plan. It’s about creating a realistic reset for midlife women—one rooted in food freedom, energy, and confidence. A healthy...
info_outline
242. Holistic Psychology for Stress Relief: Bridging Eastern and Western Healing/ Tatiana Miller
Pursue Your Spark: Fitness, Confidence & Clarity in Midlife
Ever been told “it’s all in your head” when you know your body is asking for help? That disconnect is more than frustrating—it’s often the very thing that deepens our stress, amplifies burnout, and keeps us stuck. In Episode 242: Holistic Psychology for Stress Relief: Bridging Eastern and Western Healing, I sit down with holistic psychologist Tatiana Miller to explore what happens when we stop chasing symptoms and start listening to our whole selves. Tatiana’s story is powerful—from years of being dismissed by Western doctors to discovering healing through yoga,...
info_outlineHas 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 experiences form a "lifelong resume" that proves you can succeed in a new venture.
- Redefine Success: Moving to a purpose-driven career means shifting your definition of achievement to align with what truly matters to you.
Practical Steps for Your Career Transition:
- Reflect: List all your personal and professional titles to recognize your skills and unique experiences.
- Research: Explore 2-3 business ideas you’re passionate about while still in your current job.
- Start Small: Take consistent, small steps daily to build momentum toward your dream career.
Shannon’s story reminds us that career transitions take perseverance and purpose. By focusing on your values and taking actionable steps, you can create a career you love at any stage of life.
Episode links:
Register for Heike's Pursue Your Spark Blueprint Course
Connect with Shannon: