In this episode of Rock the Damn Boat, I’m joined by Ellen Scherr—licensed therapist, midlife coach, and Substack writer whose work on midlife and people-pleasing has resonated with women around the world.

Ellen shares her midlife pivot from a successful career in sales to becoming a therapist, and how that transition reflects the deeper shifts many women experience in midlife. We explore how changes in neurochemistry and hormones affect emotional regulation, tolerance, and boundaries—and why people-pleasing often becomes unsustainable during this stage of life.

We also break down Ellen’s viral Substack article, which offers direct, practical guidance for anyone ready to stop over-explaining, over-giving, and prioritizing everyone else’s comfort over their own.

Ellen also previews her upcoming Midlife Clarity Assessment, designed to help women better understand where they are in midlife, what’s changing internally, and how to move forward with confidence and clarity.

✨ In this episode, we discuss:

• How midlife neurochemical changes impact boundaries and emotional tolerance
• Why people-pleasing is replaced by raw truth in midlife
• Career pivots, identity shifts, and redefining success in the second half of life
• Steps women can take at any age for more direct communication

Learn more about Ellen and her work at https://lifebranches.com, and watch for the launch of her Midlife Clarity Assessment.

Read the article that launched a movement here!