“You are already enough. Even in the ways you feel like you’re falling short.” - M.J. Schwartz

Perfectionism shows up in sneaky ways in midlife. You might feel stuck, unable to start something until you know you can do it perfectly. Or you may find yourself people-pleasing, overthinking, shutting down when you feel overwhelmed, or getting frustrated that your old coping strategies no longer work. With shifting hormones, a more sensitive nervous system, and the emotional weight midlife brings, perfectionism hits harder and takes a bigger toll on your health.

Today, I’m joined by M.J. Schwartz, a specialist in perfectionism, intuitive eating, and mind-body healing. M.J. and I talk about the difference between helpful striving and harmful perfectionism, why freeze mode is so common for women in midlife, how people-pleasing drains your energy, and how perfectionism shows up in your health choices. We also explore why anger becomes more accessible in this season of life and how intuitive eating can help you reconnect with your body’s cues.

By the end of this episode, you’ll understand why perfectionism intensifies during perimenopause and have the practical tools to move through midlife feeling steadier, more compassionate with yourself, and much less overwhelmed.

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Your Takeaways

How perfectionism hides behind people-pleasing, procrastination, and overwhelm

Why “My life is a mess” is actually perfectionism undercover

How midlife hormones amplify perfectionist stress and emotional sensitivity

The link between rigid thinking, freeze responses, and stalled health goals

How intuitive eating and mindfulness help you soften perfectionist patterns

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Episode Resources

Website: https://studio138healingcenter.com

M.J. Schwarz's Free Workshop: Perfectionism, People Pleasing, and Perimenopause on January 8 at 3pm EST. Register here: https://www.studio138healingcenter.com/classes-and-workshops

Check out the full show notes at https://leslieduffycoaching.com/18

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Connect with Leslie

Connect with me and learn more at LeslieDuffyCoaching.com (https://leslieduffycoaching.com/)

Send me a message and follow me on Instagram @LeslieDuffyCoaching (https://www.instagram.com/leslieduffycoaching/)

Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube @TheHormoneShiftShow (https://www.youtube.com/@TheHormoneShiftShow)

I love hearing from listeners! Email your questions or topic requests to Leslie@TheHormoneShiftShow.com

Check out Leslie’s favorite things: Amazon Storefront (https://www.amazon.com/shop/leslieduffycoaching)

“Women over 40 are entering the holidays carrying an invisible load, an emotional backpack that nobody sees.” - Leslie Duffy

The holidays hit differently when you’re a woman in midlife. You’re trying to keep work on track, manage family dynamics, support aging parents, show up for your kids, and hold everything together at home. Then the holiday season arrives with parties, more expectations, food triggers, social pressure, and a calendar that feels like it’s filling itself. It’s a lot, and most of us are already running on fumes before the season even begins.

What makes it even more challenging is that your body is changing at the same time that life is asking more of you. Shifting hormones make your stress response stronger, your sleep lighter, and your tolerance for chaos lower. Your nervous system is more sensitive, your energy isn’t as predictable, and the emotional labor you carry often goes unseen. So when the holidays layer gatherings, decisions, and obligations on top of that, even small stressors feel bigger. It’s not in your head. Your body is telling the truth.

Today, I’m walking you through a simple, three-step plan to help you move through the holiday season with less overwhelm. We’ll look at what actually worked last year, what didn’t, and how to decide ahead of time how you want to feel when January arrives. I’m also going to share practical grounding practices you can use, how to navigate tricky conversations, what to do when old patterns show up, and how to set boundaries that feel supportive instead of stressful.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear, doable roadmap for getting through the holidays feeling calmer, more centered, and more like the woman you want to be heading into the new year.

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Your Takeaways

Why midlife holidays feel overwhelming and how to reset expectations

Three reflection questions to filter what actually matters this season

The “hell yes” test for protecting your time, energy, and emotional bandwidth

Simple nervous system tools like the zip-up technique and intentional boundaries

How small, meaningful rituals create more joy than big plans or perfectionism

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Episode Resources

Grab your FREE Listener Guide at https://leslie-duffy-coaching.kit.com/ebe895d464

Check out the full show notes at https://leslieduffycoaching.com/17

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Connect with Leslie

Connect with me and learn more at LeslieDuffyCoaching.com (https://leslieduffycoaching.com/)

Send me a message and follow me on Instagram @LeslieDuffyCoaching (https://www.instagram.com/leslieduffycoaching/)

Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube @TheHormoneShiftShow (https://www.youtube.com/@TheHormoneShiftShow)

I love hearing from listeners! Email your questions or topic requests to Leslie@TheHormoneShiftShow.com

Check out Leslie’s favorite things: Amazon Storefront (https://www.amazon.com/shop/leslieduffycoaching)

“It’s never too late to start exercising.” - April Hattori

Almost every midlife woman describes the 80-year-old that she wants to be as strong, steady, mobile and living life on her own terms. An essential part of getting there is incorporating movement in your daily life. The good news is, movement doesn’t have to mean a long run, a heavy gym session, or 45 minutes of intense cardio. Our bodies are changing, our energy isn’t the same every day, and forcing yourself into a workout you dread is the quickest way to do nothing. What you need is a movement plan that feels doable, supportive, and meets you where you are.

Today, I’m joined by April Hattori, the amazing woman behind the Yes2Next YouTube channel. If you haven’t seen her and her 84-year-old mom working out together, you are missing out. April’s whole approach is about making movement approachable again and showing that even five minutes of movement counts. When you stack those tiny, consistent moments together, you build a body that feels stronger and more capable over time.

In this conversation, April and I talk about how to start moving again when you feel tired, overwhelmed, or out of practice, why mobility is so important in midlife, how to make movement a habit that actually sticks, and why perfection has no place in your workout routine, practical and simple ways to start incorporating movement in your life, April’s favorite balance builders, and more.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have simple, manageable ways to get moving again so you can build your strength and confidence, and improve the way you feel in your 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond.

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Your Takeaways

How to rethink exercise in midlife

Why small, consistent movement matters more than long workouts

Simple ways to start exercising again when you feel tired or out of shape

How mobility, balance, and community support healthy aging

The power of movement for confidence, independence, and longevity

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Episode Resources

Yes2Next Website https://yes2next.com

Check out the full show notes at https://leslieduffycoaching.com/16

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Connect with Leslie

Connect with me and learn more at LeslieDuffyCoaching.com (https://leslieduffycoaching.com/)

Send me a message and follow me on Instagram @LeslieDuffyCoaching (https://www.instagram.com/leslieduffycoaching/)

Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube @TheHormoneShiftShow (https://www.youtube.com/@TheHormoneShiftShow)

I love hearing from listeners! Email your questions or topic requests to Leslie@TheHormoneShiftShow.com

Check out Leslie’s favorite things: Amazon Storefront (https://www.amazon.com/shop/leslieduffycoaching)