In this episode, I’m reflecting on something I think about often… what would I tell my 40-year-old self if I had the chance?

Midlife has taught me a lot about hormones, strength training, mindset, relationships, and the importance of actually designing the life you want to live.

I talk about why so many women ignore hormone symptoms in their 40s, the biggest misconceptions I had about lifting weights, and why muscle becomes so important as we age.

I also share some of the mindset shifts that have helped me embrace midlife rather than fear it, and why Randy and I now have regular conversations about where we want our life to go in the next decade.

If you’re in your 40s, think of this episode as your head start.

And if you’re in midlife already, maybe it will remind you that the best chapters may still be ahead.

In this episode I’m sharing some thoughts about travel in midlife… what I’ve loved, what surprised me, what went wrong, and what I’ve learned along the way.

When our kids were younger, travel looked very different. Honestly, I mostly wanted to sit on a beach chair and recover from life. But once Randy and I started traveling on our own, we became much more adventurous and started exploring places all over the world.

Over the years I’ve realized that travel isn’t just about seeing new places. It expands your perspective, wakes up your curiosity, and pulls you into the present moment in a way everyday life sometimes doesn’t.

But travel also tests your mindset. Flights get cancelled. Plans change. You get lost in Barcelona or find yourself in a city during protests. Things go sideways. Those moments can be stressful in the moment but they also tend to become the stories you laugh about later.

In this episode I also share some of our favorite travel experiences, including:

• Why Switzerland completely stole our hearts• Why Italy is always a standout (but getting crowded)• Why Spain and Mallorca surprised us in the best way• Our surreal trip to Japan right before the world shut down in 2020• Why South Africa may have been our most incredible adventure ever• Why the British Virgin Islands are one of our favorite island escapes

I also talk about something that has dramatically improved many of our trips: tours. From Devour food tours in Barcelona to a night lights tour in Paris and private tours in Rome and London, I’ve learned that the right tour can reduce stress and help you experience a place in a deeper way.

We also talk about:

• Why trains are one of the best ways to travel through Europe• Why shoulder season travel is often the sweet spot• The mindset that helps when travel inevitably goes wrong• Why pacing, sleep, and margin make trips far more enjoyable in midlife

And if international travel isn’t your thing, that’s okay too. There are incredible places to explore right here in the U.S. and Canada. Maine in August, the Rocky Mountains, national parks, Sedona, and the California coast are all unforgettable in their own way.

Travel has taught me that the goal isn’t just seeing the world. It’s staying curious about your life and remembering that there is always more to experience.

I also share where we’re headed next… including another European trip and our annual “escape the August heat” getaway to Northern California.

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What does Lent and a visit to the dentist have in common? Absolutely nothing! But here we are.

First… I tell you about my absolutely awful trip to the dentist. Because sometimes midlife isn’t about deep wisdom. It’s about surviving the dental chair.

Then we shift gears into something a little more reflective as I talk about Lent — what it means, the history behind it, and why this penitential season is about so much more than just giving something up.

This episode is a mix of humor, perspective, and a reminder that personal growth and everyday annoyances often coexist.

• My marathon dentist visit• Why certain experiences just hit harder in midlife• What Lent actually is• The meaning of a penitential season• Why fasting is about discipline, not punishment• A modern, practical reflection on Lenten resets

Life doesn’t separate the sacred from the silly. One minute you’re reflecting on spiritual growth… the next you’re gripping the dentist chair wondering why this is your destiny.

If this episode made you laugh or nod along:

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