Let’s be honest — our bodies after 40 don’t always stick to the script. Hormones shift. Recovery slows. Joints get opinionated. And that “morning energy” we once bragged about? Yeah… she retired early. But here’s the empowering truth: Getting older doesn’t mean getting weaker. This chapter can be your strongest, sexiest, most confident era if  you train smarter. ⭐ Why Fitness Feels Different After 40 As we enter our 40s and 50s, several changes happen for everyone — women, me

Midlife can feel like a juggling act performed on a rollercoaster. Work stress, family drama, and that inner critic whispering, “You’re not enough.” But here’s a truth bomb: you don’t have to be perfect . Embracing your messy, fabulous self is the key to thriving. Here’s how to sprinkle a little self-compassion into your daily chaos without turning your life into a meditation retreat. 1. Talk to Yourself Like a Friend Swap the harsh self-talk for encouraging, supportive word

Understanding Midlife Glam Anything can throw you off your game—divorce, death, loss of a career, or even something as subtle as menopause, hair loss, unwanted hair, or mood swings. The list goes on, and all of these can derail your self-confidence. Self-confidence influences how you feel, how you look, and what you expect from yourself. Recently, my daughter was dramatically horrified by the return of 90s fashion. Meanwhile, I spent the 90s in maternity clothes or anything t

This episode was easier to do than I anticipated—filled with stories about my vagina (AI rant not included). At first, I thought it would be fun to use AI to generate a title for this episode. According to AI, my vagina is a “sensitive subject” and it offered no suggestions. When I tried again for the blog, it flagged my vagina as “offensive content.” With everything out there, how is the word vagina  offensive? Love your body How My Lady Bits Made It Through It All: Love You

I knew I could do it, well, I know now! Season 2 Episode 4: Holy crap I did a photo shoot! Is That Really Me? So, there I was — 55, standing in front of a camera, wearing lingerie I hadn’t touched in years. Was it crazy? Absolutely not. Was it terrifying? Oh, yes. But also… exhilarating, empowering, and honestly, life-affirming. Sharing my photos with a few people, I realized: this experience wasn’t just about pictures. It was about reclaiming my body, my confidence, and my j

It all started a few years ago when my sister did a boudoir shoot. Since then, I’ve been following studios on social media — for years — admiring the art, the courage, and the confidence that radiated from every client. Recently, a local studio sent me a promotional text. Without overthinking it, I replied YES . And that’s when the adventure — and panic — began. My trust went into Valerie The Nerves Are Real Immediately after saying yes, I thought: “What have I done?” “Am I r

Our Childhoods Shape Us We carry our childhoods with us — the good, the bad, and the messy in-between. In this episode, I get personal. I share stories from my own childhood struggles — experiences that weren’t always easy, and moments that still echo in my adult life. The truth is, those challenges helped shape the person I am today . Facing the Past to Build the Present Acknowledging your past isn’t about blame or shame. It’s about understanding: How your early experiences

Toss the Negative Thoughts Away Take all the negative thoughts about yourself and throw them out. Seriously — you don’t need that crap anymore. I often wonder how young people navigate the constant noise of social media, advertising, and society while trying to maintain a positive self-image. Back in the 80s, it was hard enough. I struggled with comparing myself to models and celebrities — wondering if anyone would ever see me as enough . When Self-Image Is Tested In my late

Thirty. Flirty. And Thriving.... I wish. We all know the mantra from 13 going on 30. But what they don't mention is that as your 30th birthday approaches you are actually thinking: "Thirty, Hurty & Crying". Its about this time that it hits you that this is life, you are NEVER going to figure it out, no-one ever has. While no-one seems to have figured out the secret to life, we have found many ways to work on self-care and self-growth so that we may actually enjoy this planet

What We Don’t Owe Anyone Being shamed, guilt-tripped, or emotionally manipulated does not create debt . Holding someone emotionally hostage to force them to act—or act the way you think they should—is not a thing . You and I owe nothing  when it comes to emotional currency. Not our time, not our energy, and certainly not our peace. This episode reflects on life lessons that sneaked into a current situation, reminding me (and you) that: “You do you, and I will do me.” …isn’t j

Still Wild at Heart: Owning Your Midlife Confidence As I gaze into the mirror, I can’t help but wonder— how did time fly by so fast? The woman staring back at me has a few more lines, softer skin, and a body that tells the story of years lived fully. But inside, I still feel like her—that curious, adventurous, sometimes reckless version of me who believed the world was wide open. It’s funny how the outside changes, but the inside? She’s still ready for a little trouble. The M

Why Do Women Need to Feel Beautiful? Every day, we’re bombarded with images of women that set unrealistic standards for beauty. From magazines and billboards to social media feeds, we’re constantly told what sexy looks like. Professional models, filters, and Photoshop have created ideals so polished they’re nearly impossible to match—and yet we try. It’s no wonder many women question their bodies: “Am I enough?” “Do I measure up?” The beauty and cosmetic industries make it wo

How many times have you heard "Life got in the way" ? How about "That is way out of my comfort zone!"? Can I do this? Feeling Stuck Before 50 As I approached my fifties, I felt trapped in an “it is what it is”  mindset. Somehow, I had learned to let my age define me and what I was “supposed” to do. Looking back, I realize how much I had been stuck on a predefined path—one I didn’t consciously choose. After my mom’s funeral, leaving her house was surreal. The world felt closed

Aging, Environment, and Skin Care Our skin reflects our age, environment, and diet  from head to toe. Yet, when faced with a long list of beauty products—moisturizer, eye cream, serum, exfoliant, cleanser, night cream—it can feel overwhelming. How many products do we really need? The truth is, we can’t stop aging , and sometimes we can’t control environmental factors. But we can eat healthier  and strategically use anti-aging products to keep our skin vibrant and youthful. Ke

Fifty seemed like a never number . When you’re in your twenties, it doesn’t exist. And then… suddenly, there it is. Right in your face. Like someone spun you around and you are standing in front of the 50 door . All you have to do is wake up and walk through it . Fifty has so many perks—but until you get there, they are a well-kept secret. A Fifty-Year-Old Walks Into a Bar A fifty-year-old woman walks into a bar… and the rest is history. This episode explores what turning 50

De’-col-le-tage. If you want to hear the proper pronunciation, give it a quick listen [here]. Once you know it, it just sticks—and it’s much nicer than saying “turkey neck” or “crepey chest.” I didn’t really think about my decolletage until I splurged on Cindy Crawford’s Meaningful Beauty kit—a whole lineup of face and neck creams. I used it for a while until it leaked onto my dresser, ruining the finish. Not the product’s fault—cheap furniture, I guess—but that experience ta

Sitting still for 20 minutes has never been easy for me—but podcasts and audiobooks make it a lot more enjoyable. And now, adding Legs Up the Wall  to my routine has become a favorite way to relax and rejuvenate. This simple inversion pose—also known as Viparita Karani —is easy to do at home and provides multiple benefits. Lying on your back with your legs resting vertically against a wall may feel like “exercise” for the body in a totally different way: restorative and heali

Because we can’t stop time—but we can stop wasting money pretending we can The quest for youth has made millions  for companies who know exactly how to sell us on our vanity. Someone, somewhere, is raking in the dough—because we can’t stand looking like dough. You can spend $10 or $200  on anti-wrinkle creams (depending on how desperate you are), but the truth is this: wrinkles happen. They’re part of the deal. First, they have cute little names like “smile lines”  and “crow’

A Real Talk About Body Image, Media Illusions & Learning to Like Ourselves Again Barbie was normal when I was a young girl — dressing her up, brushing her hair, and trying to find matching shoes before the dog ate them. Marsha Brady brushed her long blonde hair a hundred times before bed. Twiggy was impossibly thin with no breasts — I related to that part. I was called “bean pole.” Meanwhile, Farrah Fawcett and Cheryl Tiegs were plastered on boys’ walls. That was my normal —

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.” — Dr. Seuss We live in a world overflowing with self-help quotes and motivational mantras. Scroll through social media, and you’ll see: “Live your best life,” “Choose joy,” “Good vibes only.” Yet, despite all the inspiration, many of us are still putting on masks—pretending to be fine when we’re not. Even Steve Jobs reminded us: “Your time is limited, so don't waste it