Now What

Squad, she's back — Lori Montry, author of You Are Not The Problem, joined us back on Episode 58 and I took approximately 47 mental notes I'm still unpacking. This time she's got an update, and it is NOT the one either of us expected. Meet Lori Montry: Somatic practitioner, author of You Are Not The Problem, and proof that even the person who wrote the book on not being broken can still fully spiral over a race. Also: a brand-new National Senior Games gold medalist, which — yeah, we're getting into that. 🔥 In This Episode We Get Into: 📚 The book launch update — and why something she didn't expect to be stressful nearly took her out 💥 The full crash: overtraining, an Oura Ring basically begging her to stay in bed, and the trainer conversation that stopped her in her tracks ("What's your priority?") 🏅 The National Senior Games plot twist — she almost didn't show up at all, switched to a race she hadn't run in 35 years with zero training, and then... won gold 🧠 Her reframe on hormones and midlife that made me physically gasp (estrogen is doing WHAT for us?) 💍 Why "I can be mediocre for free" might be the most useful sentence you hear all week 💥 Plot Twist Takeaway You don't have to be the superstar version of yourself to show up. Lori almost skipped her own comeback because she couldn't guarantee she'd be perfect at it — and she won gold anyway. Squad, that's the whole show in one sentence. Go be imperfect and show up anyway. Because midlife isn't a crisis — it's a plot twist. xoxo melis 🔗 Connect with Lori: 📸 [Lori's IG handle] 🌐 LoriMontry.com 📚 You Are Not The Problem — book one of a three-part series, get it wherever you buy books 📧 Weekly Readers Circle — Zoom, Mondays 5pm MT, kicks off August 17th, open enrollment anytime ⭐️ Loved this episode? Leave a 5-star review ONLY (we're not accepting anything less, respectfully 😌) 👉 RateThisPodcast.com/nowwhatwithmelis 📸 @motivatewithmelis ▶️ @NowWhatPodcastwithMelis 🎵 open.spotify.com/show/0MbAB2rFGYnUijWehLtN4C 🎙️ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/now-what/id1828005485 🌐 motivatewithmelis.com 📧 [email protected]

Squad, most of us spend years becoming really good at something — a career, a role, a title — until that thing quietly becomes who we are. My guest today didn't get to ease into that realization. A car accident took the one thing this sharp, strategic corporate attorney depended on most: her brain. Overnight. What she found in that silence, and what she built from it, became a bestselling, award-winning book and a framework that's now helping high achievers everywhere strip back the layers keeping them stuck. Meet Martine Cohen: Two law degrees. A career built on being the sharpest person in the room. Then a 2016 car accident took her cognitive function overnight, and she had to rebuild her sense of self from scratch. Now she's an award-winning author (No More Layers), speaker, and self-leadership coach who teaches people how to do the identity work she was forced into — without the concussion. 🔥 In This Episode We Get Into: 🚗 The car accident that took Martine's brain overnight, and the terrifying question that followed: "Who am I if I'm not this?" 🛁 The bathtub epiphany that started her healing, and the "layers" she found underneath (perfectionism, worthiness, control, and more) 🧠 Why "turn your fear into curiosity" might be the single best brain hack we've ever had on this show — and why fear and curiosity literally cannot coexist 😤 The fight Melis has with her alarm clock every single morning, and why Martine says nobody wins that fight ☕ The cappuccino ritual that sounds silly and isn't — a two-minute reset that changes your entire day 💍 Guilt, motherhood, and why "I love my kids AND I wish I worked at Dunkin' Donuts today" can both be true at once 💥 Plot Twist Takeaway You don't need a concussion to lose yourself. Midlife will do it just fine — a divorce, a layoff, an empty nest, a body that stops cooperating. Martine's plot twist is that the identity crisis isn't the end of the story. It's the invitation to finally ask who you actually are underneath the layers everyone else built. Because midlife isn't a crisis — it's a plot twist. xoxo melis 🔗 Connect with Martine 📸 @martinecohen_ 🌐 martinecohen.com 💼 LinkedIn: Martine Cohen NML 🎁 Free 2-day Mindset Reset (gift for the Squad!) — martinecohen.com/connectwithme 📚 Grab the book, No More Layers — on Amazon, Indigo, and Barnes & Noble ⭐️ Loved this episode? Leave a 5-star review ONLY (we're not accepting anything less, respectfully 😌) 👉 RateThisPodcast.com/nowwhatwithmelis 📸 @motivatewithmelis ▶️ @NowWhatPodcastwithMelis 🎵 open.spotify.com/show/0MbAB2rFGYnUijWehLtN4C 🎙️ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/now-what/id1828005485 🌐 motivatewithmelis.com 📧 [email protected]

Squad, we're going international today. My guest lives in London, and he just informed me that men have their own midlife hormone crisis and nobody bothered to tell us. It's called andropause, and yes, my first reaction was exactly what yours is about to be. Meet James Davis: Coaching psychologist, men's health advocate, keynote speaker, and author of The Midlife Male Handbook: A Man's Guide to Thriving Through Andropause. Spends his days explaining menopause to rooms full of confused men and andropause to rooms full of skeptical women (me). Married to his own midlife journey — he lived through a full andropause dip himself, in Marbella, of all places. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE WE GET INTO: 🎙️ I ask James point blank if men are just trying to steal menopause now too — his answer changed my mind 📉 What andropause actually is, why it creeps up over decades instead of hitting all at once, and why that makes it so easy for men to write off as "just getting older" 💬 Why most men have zero language for what they're feeling — and how that silence is quietly wrecking marriages and mental health 💍 The real talk on what happens when a menopausal woman and an andropausal man are living in the same house at the same time (spoiler: it's not pretty) 🧠 The "do I want to be right or do I want to be happy" line that's staying in my head rent-free 💥 PLOT TWIST TAKEAWAY This isn't about men stealing your moment, Squad. It's about realizing your husband, your brother, your dad might be going through his own quiet identity collapse — and he doesn't have the words for it. Start the conversation. It might save more than his mood. Because midlife isn't a crisis — it's a plot twist. xoxo melis 🔗 Connect with James 📚 The Midlife Male Handbook — available on Amazon now (buy it for the man in your life, he won't ask for it himself) 🌐 jamespdavis.com 🌐 themidlifementors.com ⭐️ Loved this episode? Leave a 5-star review ONLY (we're not accepting anything less, respectfully 😌) 👉 RateThisPodcast.com/nowwhatwithmelis 📸 @motivatewithmelis ▶️ @NowWhatPodcastwithMelis 🎵 open.spotify.com/show/0MbAB2rFGYnUijWehLtN4C 🎙️ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/now-what/id1828005485 🌐 motivatewithmelis.com 📧 [email protected]

Squad, I have a confession — I have always wanted to be an actress. Always. And today I'm sitting across from someone who has literally helped women bust down the doors of Hollywood by making people laugh first. Meet Lynn Harris: culture-shifting producer, award-winning journalist, author of six books, former Tonya Harding lookalike (yes, we get into it), and founder of Gold Comedy — the comedy school, professional network, and content studio where women and non-binary creators build real entertainment careers, find their people, and make funny stuff that actually gets seen. This conversation is not just for people who want to do stand-up. It's for anyone who has an idea — a show, a podcast, a business pitch, a creative dream — stuck in a drawer on their heart. Lynn's message is simple and it wrecked me: you already have everything you need. The skills you build through comedy unlock every other thing you want to create. And the only thing stopping you? Probably the patriarchy. (Her words. I love her.) 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE WE GET INTO: 🎭 The Tonya Harding lookalike saga — figure skates, Geraldo, Ricky Lake, and a feminist crisis in her 20s 😂 Why comedy is an art form that doesn't get the credit it deserves — and what the cast of Somebody Somewhere has to do with it 🔑 The skill that changes everything: "noticing that you're noticing" — and why it makes you funnier AND more creative in everything you do 🏆 Why your life being "boring" is actually the perfect starting point (not the excuse you think it is) 💥 What Gold Comedy actually is — and why it's built for women in midlife who have a creative idea they've been putting off for 10 years 🚀 The one class that women 40+ keep gravitating toward — and what it really teaches you (hint: it's not how to write a pilot) 🎤 "The fury is the fuel" — Lynn's drop on why frustration with the status quo is actually your greatest creative asset 💥 PLOT TWIST TAKEAWAY You don't need more confidence. You don't need more time. You don't need to wait until your kids are grown, your schedule clears, or you feel "ready." You have lived to this point in the world — that's the material. The idea in the drawer on your heart? It's been waiting long enough. Comedy school, pilot pitch, podcast, talk show — whatever it is — you're already ready. Now go do it. Because midlife isn't a crisis — it's a plot twist. xoxo melis 🔗 Connect with Lynn Harris & Gold Comedy: 🌐 goldcomedy.com 📸 Find Lynn at goldcomedy.com — free trial + annual membership available 🎓 Ask about the "Develop and Pitch Any Idea" premium class with Ryan Elizabeth Cunningham (former producer on Inside Amy Schumer, Broad City, Search Party) ☕ Free consultation with Lynn available at goldcomedy.com   ⭐️ Loved this episode? Leave a 5-star review ONLY (we're not accepting anything less, respectfully 😌) 👉 RateThisPodcast.com/nowwhatwithmelis   📸 @motivatewithmelis ▶️ @NowWhatPodcastwithMelis 🎵 open.spotify.com/show/0MbAB2rFGYnUijWehLtN4C 🎙️ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/now-what/id1828005485 🌐 motivatewithmelis.com 📧 [email protected]  

Squad, it's Father's Day, which means Papi is back in the chair — and within the first 90 seconds I'm already mad at him for something he did in my dream last night. Welcome to marriage. Meet Papi: Husband. Father of three. Professional avoider of feelings until cornered on a podcast. Wore a visor through two birth experiences for reasons he still cannot explain. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE WE GET INTO: 🎙️ The microphone confession nobody asked for (you'll know it when you hear it) 😴 Why I woke up furious at my own husband over something that happened in a dream — and he's still paying for it 👶 Rapid-fire dad questions: favorite kid, most expensive kid, who gave him the most gray hair (he answered honestly, mostly) 💍 The real talk on co-parenting, therapy, and the years it took us to stop attacking each other and start listening 😭 Papi gets emotional talking about losing his own dad — and what he hopes our kids take from watching him 💥 PLOT TWIST TAKEAWAY Father's Day isn't about the perfect gift or the perfect dad. It's about showing up, owning your fails, and letting your kids watch you keep trying. Papi's no hero in my dreams — but he's the real deal when it counts. Because midlife isn't a crisis — it's a plot twist. xoxo melis 🔗 Connect with Papi: 📸 Find him hiding behind the camera, never in front of it 🌐 He lives at motivatewithmelis.com whether he likes it or not ⭐️ Loved this episode? Leave a 5-star review ONLY (we're not accepting anything less, respectfully 😌) 👉 RateThisPodcast.com/nowwhatwithmelis 📸 @motivatewithmelis ▶️ @NowWhatPodcastwithMelis 🎵 open.spotify.com/show/0MbAB2rFGYnUijWehLtN4C 🎙️ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/now-what/id1828005485 🌐 motivatewithmelis.com 📧 [email protected]

Squad, we talk a lot about reinventing ourselves in midlife — new career, new mindset, new body. But what about the actual physical space you come home to every single day? Because if your environment isn't aligned with who you are becoming, it is quietly working against you. Kim Costa is here to fix that. 🏠 Meet Kim Costa: She's a top 5% realtor, author of Live in Your Wheelhouse, and creator of the Wheelhouse Method — a framework that helps women figure out whether to stay, renovate, or move when life shifts. This isn't just a real estate conversation. This is about identity, intention, and why your home might be the missing piece of your reinvention. And yes — she broke her back falling off a horse to figure this out. So you don't have to. 😄 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE WE GET INTO: 🏠 The Wheelhouse Method — the 8-spoke framework that helps you figure out if your home is aligned with who you're becoming 🛑 The "Stay, Go, or Reno" decision — and how to know which one is right for you RIGHT NOW 📸 Why the wall of kids' photos might be holding you back — and what to put up instead (spoiler: it's YOU) 🎨 The Divine Goddess painting that changed Kim's life after divorce — and why your artwork should reflect who you're becoming 🚴 The one thing in your home that's giving you guilt every single day — and why you need to get rid of it NOW 💥 PLOT TWIST TAKEAWAY You've been putting everyone else on the wall. Your kids. Your wedding. Your family. But where are YOU? Your home should reflect who you are BECOMING — not just who you've been. Stay. Go. Reno. But whatever you do — put yourself on the wall. 🔥 Because midlife isn't a crisis — it's a plot twist. xoxo melis 🔗 Connect with Kim Costa: 📸 @kimecosta 🌐 lifestylefoundations.com 📚 Live in Your Wheelhouse — available on Amazon AND at lifestylefoundations.com (get free bonus chapters + a masterclass with your purchase!) ⭐️ Loved this episode? Leave a 5-star review ONLY (we're not accepting anything less, respectfully 😌) 👉 RateThisPodcast.com/nowwhatwithmelis 📸 @motivatewithmelis ▶️ @NowWhatPodcastwithMelis 🎵 open.spotify.com/show/0MbAB2rFGYnUijWehLtN4C 🎙️ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/now-what/id1828005485 🌐 motivatewithmelis.com 📧 [email protected]

Squad, if you've ever looked in the mirror, seen one breakout, and immediately questioned every decision you've made since 1997 — this episode is for you. Zhanna Gavrilov is about to completely change how you think about your skin, your self-talk, and what's actually going on beneath the surface. Meet Zhanna Gavrilov: She's a European-born, California-based holistic skin specialist, licensed esthetician, certified life coach, meditation instructor, Reiki practitioner, and founder of Integrative Esthetics and Radiance Coach. With over 25 years of experience, Zhanna helps women end what she calls "Skin Exile" — that quiet separation from your own confidence because of what you see in the mirror. She's not just treating your skin. She's helping you come home to yourself. ✨ 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE WE GET INTO: • ✨ What "Skin Exile" actually means — and why so many women are living in it right now without realizing it • 🧠 Why your skin is a messenger, not the enemy — and what it's trying to tell you • 🌿 The holistic approach to skin health that goes way beyond products — connecting skincare, nutrition, stress, mindset and emotional wellness • 💧 The surprising thing you should be thinking about when you apply your skincare products every single day • 🛑 The biggest mistake women make when they get a breakout — and what to do instead 💥 PLOT TWIST TAKEAWAY Your skin isn't broken. It's talking. And the way you talk BACK to it — in the mirror, in your head, while you're applying your products — matters more than any cream you'll ever buy. Stop exiling yourself. Start coming home. Because midlife isn't a crisis — it's a plot twist. xoxo melis 🔗 Connect with Zhanna Gavrilov: 📸 @radiancecoach 🌐 radiance-coach.com (online platform) 🌐 integrative-esthetics.com (in-studio skincare — Newport Beach, CA) 📘 Facebook: Radiance Coach 🎵 TikTok: @radiancecoach 🎁 FREE Radiance Reset Guide — download at radiance-coach.com. 3 science-backed daily habits for healthier skin, glow-boosting recipes and simple holistic skincare resets. No harsh chemicals. Just real results. ⭐️ Loved this episode? Leave a 5-star review ONLY (we're not accepting anything less, respectfully 😌) 👉 RateThisPodcast.com/nowwhatwithmelis 📸 @motivatewithmelis ▶️ @NowWhatPodcastwithMelis 🎵 open.spotify.com/show/0MbAB2rFGYnUijWehLtN4C 🎙️ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/now-what/id1828005485 🌐 motivatewithmelis.com 📧 [email protected]  

Squad, we are talking about money today. Your money. Your next chapter. Your plan. And I brought in the guy who makes this stuff actually make sense — without the intimidation, without the jargon, and without making you feel behind. This conversation is going to fire you up in ways you did not expect from a money episode. Meet Mike Milligan: He's a certified financial planner, fiduciary, founder of Ideas by Mike and One Oak Financial, and author of The One-of-a-Kind Financial Plan. Mike has spent 30 years helping people turn financial chaos into a real plan — and he lives in Puerto Rico because taxes are THAT big of a deal to him. Yeah. He's that good. 💸 🎉 This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth. Squad, our friends at Cozy Earth are hooking you up — use code MELIS at cozyearth.com for up to 30% off now through June 1st. And make sure to mention Now What?! in the post-purchase survey so they know we sent you. 😌 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE WE GET INTO: 💸 Why money is just a tool — and how shifting that mindset changes everything about how you earn, save and spend 🏠 The $10,000 gift that could give your kids $500,000 in equity — and why giving money NOW beats leaving an inheritance later 🧾 The Augusta, Georgia tax hack that lets you rent your home tax-free — and yes, it applies to YOU too 😴 The "sleep meter" approach to financial risk — and why there's no one-size-fits-all answer for midlife investing 📖 Why your first memory of money is running your financial life right now — and what to do about it 💥 PLOT TWIST TAKEAWAY Your financial plan shouldn't be built around a spreadsheet. It should be built around your life — your why, your goals, your laundry preferences. 😄 It's never too late to get this right. And the cost of NOT having a plan is always higher than the cost of getting one. Because midlife isn't a crisis — it's a plot twist. xoxo melis 🔗 Connect with Mike Milligan: 🌐 mikemilligan.com 📚 The One-of-a-Kind Financial Plan — available on Amazon. Search "Mike Milligan One of a Kind Financial Plan" Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1oakfinancial/ Website: https://1oakfinancial.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemilligancfp/overlay/about-this-profile/ ⭐️ Loved this episode? Leave a 5-star review ONLY (we're not accepting anything less, respectfully 😌) 👉 RateThisPodcast.com/nowwhatwithmelis 📸 @motivatewithmelis ▶️ @NowWhatPodcastwithMelis 🎵 open.spotify.com/show/0MbAB2rFGYnUijWehLtN4C 🎙️ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/now-what/id1828005485 🌐 motivatewithmelis.com 📧 [email protected]  

Squad, if you've ever thought your body was broken, your metabolism was shot, or it was just too late — Michelle MacDonald is about to blow your mind. This conversation is one of the most science-packed, myth-busting, fire-starting episodes we've ever done. Buckle up. Meet Michelle MacDonald: She's a world-renowned strength and transformation coach, four-time FMG champion, founder of The Wonderwomen, and the woman behind her mom Joan MacDonald's viral fitness transformation that took the internet by storm. Michelle helps women over 40 build muscle, reclaim their health, and lead themselves with unshakable discipline. Her mission? End the obsession with shrinking and show women how to rise. She lives between San Miguel and Tulum. And yes — she lifts heavy. 💪 🎉 This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth. Squad, our friends at Cozy Earth are hooking you up — use code MELIS at cozyearth.com for up to 30% off now through June 1st. And make sure to mention Now What?! in the post-purchase survey so they know we sent you. 😌 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE WE GET INTO: • 💪 The biggest lie women over 40 believe about their bodies — and the truth that will change everything • 🔬 Why Michelle's approach is science-based AND results-proven — and how to spot the difference between real coaching and cheerleading • 🍽️ The real reason you can't out-train a decade of undereating — and what it actually takes to build the body you want in midlife • 💊 The honest truth about GLP-1s — what they can do, what they can't, and what you absolutely must be doing alongside them • 🏆 Why bodybuilding is actually a team sport — and how The Wonderwomen community is changing what's possible for women in midlife 💥 PLOT TWIST TAKEAWAY Your body isn't broken. Your approach was. Your current picture will one day be your before picture — but only if you stop shrinking and start building. Women can do hard things. Michelle just proved it with her mom. Now it's your turn. Because midlife isn't a crisis — it's a plot twist. xoxo melis 🔗 Connect with Michelle MacDonald: 📸 @michellemacdonaldofficial 📸 @thewonderwomenofficial 🌐 michellemacdonaldofficial.com 📧 [email protected] 🔗 Don't miss Joan: 📸 @trainwithjoan 📱 Train with Joan App — plankk.partners/trainwithjoan 📣 UPCOMING FROM MICHELLE: 🏋️ 24-Week Transformation Program — launching June 15th. Very limited spots. Email [email protected] to get on the waitlist. 🌴 2027 Annual Retreat — February 21st, Amansala in Tulum. 35 spots only. Waitlist opening next month. Email [email protected] to get on the list. ⭐️ Loved this episode? Leave a 5-star review ONLY (we're not accepting anything less, respectfully 😌) 👉 RateThisPodcast.com/nowwhatwithmelis 📸 @motivatewithmelis ▶️ @NowWhatPodcastwithMelis 🎵 open.spotify.com/show/0MbAB2rFGYnUijWehLtN4C 🎙️ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/now-what/id1828005485 🌐 motivatewithmelis.com 📧 [email protected]  

Squad! She raised me, outlasted a game show circuit, survived sepsis at 84, and still showed up to this podcast with curled hair and a matching leather jacket. This one is for every mother, daughter, and woman who refuses to slow down — no matter what life throws at them. 🎉 This episode is brought to you by Cozy Earth. Squad, our friends at Cozy Earth are hooking you up — use code MELIS at cozyearth.com for 20% off. And make sure to mention Now What?! in the post-purchase survey so they know we sent you. 😌 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE WE GET INTO: 🎰 How Wawa won a station wagon, a trip to Europe & $11,000 on game shows — and the strategy behind it all 😂 The story of how "Wawa" got her name (hint: it involves a painter named Wa Lo and a toddler named Tyler) 🚨 The health scare that almost took her from us — a UTI, a gallstone, sepsis & the ICU stay that changed everything 💡 What surviving a near-death experience at 84 taught her about not wasting a single moment ❤️ The advice she'd give every woman in midlife: stop missing the moments, take up space & go do the thing NOW 💥 PLOT TWIST TAKEAWAY Wawa survived sepsis, came home from rehab, and her first question was whether Melis made it to Tyler's party. That's the energy. Stop waiting. Stop stressing. Go do the thing — because we are not done, and neither is she. Because midlife isn't a crisis — it's a plot twist. xoxo melis 🔗 Connect with Wawa: 📸 She doesn't have Instagram. She's 84 and living her best life. Respect it. 😌 ⭐️ Loved this episode? Leave a 5-star review ONLY (we're not accepting anything less, respectfully 😌) 👉 RateThisPodcast.com/nowwhatwithmelis 📸 @motivatewithmelis ▶️ @NowWhatPodcastwithMelis 🎵 open.spotify.com/show/0MbAB2rFGYnUijWehLtN4C 🎙️ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/now-what/id1828005485 🌐 motivatewithmelis.com 📧 [email protected]

"You're not stuck… you're stalling." Gloss Squad… you didn't just press play — you signed up for a challenge. After a slightly woo-woo but wildly eye-opening hypnosis session (yes, in my closet 😅), I had a realization I couldn't ignore: I'm not confused… I've been playing small. And I know I'm not the only one. So welcome to Make Shiz Happen May — where we stop waiting, stop overthinking, and finally start doing the thing. 🔥 In This Episode, We Get Into: The surprising breakthrough from my hypnosis session (and what it revealed about playing small) Why "I don't have time" might be the biggest lie we tell ourselves The difference between being stuck vs. stalling (this one hits 😏) Why clarity and confidence only come after you take action 🚀 Your Challenge (Yes, You Have Homework): Pick ONE thing you've been putting off… And take ONE step toward it within 24 hours. Not a plan. Not a list. Action. If you're in, DM me "MAY" — I'm holding you accountable 👀 And remember...Midlife isn't a crisis — it's a plot twist. xoxo melis 💬 Connect with Me: Email: [email protected] Instagram: @motivatewithmelis YouTube: @MelissaMurphyNowWhatPodcast Website: https://motivatewithmelis.com ⭐️ Loving the show? Leave a 5-star review (only the 5-star energy allowed 😏): RateThisPodcast.com/nowwhatwithmelis  

"It's not just our kids graduating… we are too." Graduation season hits different when you're the parent. One minute you're clapping, cheering, taking a million photos… …and the next you're crying in your car over the last lunchbox. Because here's the truth no one talks about: This isn't just their transition—it's yours too. In this solo episode, Melis gets real about the emotional whiplash of graduation season, the identity shift that follows, and the big question lurking underneath it all… Now What?! 🎧 In This Episode, We Get Into: Why graduation feels like an emotional identity crisis no one warned you about The quiet reality of being needed less… and what the hell to do with that The toxic pull of comparison season (aka everyone's highlight reel vs your real life) Your official permission slip to stop living for everyone else and start your reset 🔥 REAL TALK MOMENT: You don't have to have it all figured out. Melis is 53 and still asking "what do I want to be when I grow up?"—and guess what… that's not failure. That's freedom. Graduation isn't just a milestone for your kids… It's a mirror. Everything is shifting. And maybe—just maybe—that's exactly what you needed. And remember, midlife isn't a crisis - it's a plot twist. xoxo melis 📲 CONTACT Email: [email protected] Instagram: @motivatewithmelis YouTube: @MelissaMurphyNowWhatPodcast Website: https://motivatewithmelis.com ⭐️ RateThisPodcast.com/nowwhatwithmelis (5 stars only… we're fragile in midlife, okay? 😂)

GLOSS SQUAD… buckle up because PAPI is BACK and this one? This one is unfiltered, slightly chaotic, and accidentally turned into a couples therapy session 😅 We talk a lot about midlife for women… but today? We flipped the mic and got REAL about what's actually going on in a man's head. And let's just say… they're feeling it too 👀 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE GET INTO: 💭 Do men actually feel the midlife shift… or just joke their way through it? (hint: they feel it… they just don't talk about it) 💼 The silent pressure men carry: career, money, kids, and figuring out what's next at 50+ ❤️ What men wish women understood (this got REAL fast 😅) including the gym vs. couch debate that almost ended us 🤯 The unexpected part of midlife no one talks about: identity shifts, empty-ish nests… and suddenly not knowing what to do at night 💡 REAL TALK TAKEAWAY Men might not say it out loud… but midlife hits them too. It just shows up as: pressure quiet stress and a lot of "I'll deal with it later" energy So maybe… we all just talk about it more. (Or at least argue about it on a podcast 🤷‍♀️) Because midlife isn't a crisis — it's a plot twist. xoxo melis Email: [email protected] Instagram: @motivatewithmelis YouTube: @MelissaMurphyNowWhatPodcast Website: https://motivatewithmelis.com ⭐️ Loved this episode? Laugh, relate, and then go do us a favor…. leave a 5-star review ONLY (we're not accepting anything less, respectfully 😌) 👉 RateThisPodcast.com/nowwhatwithmelis     

HOOPS & GLOSS! Do you have teens? Are you around teens? Do you have younger kids who will become teens at some point in their lives? Then you DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS EPISODE! Melis has the most fascinating conversation with Communication Strategist Maria Iams. Maria gives simple communication tools on how to connect with your teenager…and they're easier than you think! Here's what's coming at ya: "Parents…you need to be better listeners!" …Maria explains why this is crucial! Learn how to communicate with your teens from a language of "compliance (don't touch the stove, you will burn yourself), to a language of "connection" and "collaboration" FInd out the #1 tip of what NOT to do when you first see your teenager (and learn how Melis already broke that rule first thing that morning ;) This episode is a GAME CHANGER and will help you become closer to your teenagers! Check it out, Glossers! xoxo melis 🎧 Listen Now: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/now-what/id1828005485 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MbAB2rFGYnUijWehLtN4C 💬 Let's Stay Connected: 📲 CONTACT Email: [email protected] Instagram: @motivatewithmelis YouTube: @MelissaMurphyNowWhatPodcast Website: https://motivatewithmelis.com ✨ And Remember… Midlife isn't a crisis — it's a plot twist. xoxo melis

"Maybe the problem isn't that you want more… maybe you've outgrown what you built." Midlife isn't where you slow down — it's where you expand. This week, Melis is calling it out: 👉 This is the season of disruption. You can have a life that looks good on paper… and still feel restless. That doesn't make you ungrateful — it means you're evolving. 🔥 In This Episode: Why "I should be happy" is keeping you stuck The guilt around wanting more (and why it's not the problem) The truth about feeling restless or "off" The reframe: you've outgrown what you built Why midlife is your expansion era — not your ending 💥 Mic-Drop Moments: "Wanting more does not make you ungrateful." "You can love your life and still outgrow it." "Two things can be true at the same time." "We are not done." 🚀 Your Challenge: Do one thing today. Send the email Sign up for the class Start the thing you've been putting off Because clarity doesn't come from thinking — it comes from moving. 🎧 Listen Now: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/now-what/id1828005485 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0MbAB2rFGYnUijWehLtN4C 💬 Let's Stay Connected: 🌐 https://motivatewithmelis.com 📩 [email protected] 📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motivatewithmelis ✨ And Remember… Midlife isn't a crisis — it's a plot twist. xoxo melis

SQUAD! In Part 2 of this conversation, digital creator and athlete Elle Cassellman shares what happens when you decide to dream bigger than the plan you originally had for your life. From getting into UCLA after being told she never would… to building confidence through faith, consistency, and bold action… this episode is about showing up even when nothing feels guaranteed. In this episode, they talk about: • chasing purpose • creating impact through content • taking risks — like walking into a Baywatch audition without registration • trusting that imperfect progress can still lead somewhere powerful Because reinvention doesn't have an age requirement. and remember, midlife isn't a crisis, it's a plot twist. xoxo melis 🏃‍♀️ Elle's LA Marathon Training Partner Elle is training with Endorphins Running. Use code ELLE for training plans and support. 📲 CONNECT WITH ELLE Instagram: @elleevancasselman 💌 CONNECT WITH MELIS Instagram: @motivatewithmelis YouTube: Melissa Murphy Now What Podcast Email: [email protected] Website: https://motivatewithmelis.com

Nobody talks about reinvention starting this early. In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, Melis sits down with digital creator and lifelong athlete Elle Cassellman — someone she has known since Elle was a teenager, and who is now boldly carving her own path at just 21. From navigating COVID during high school to rediscovering purpose through running, transferring colleges against the norm, and training alone before sunrise, Elle shares what it really looks like to bet on yourself before the world expects you to. This episode is about discipline. It's about courage. It's about choosing growth over comfort — even when it feels lonely. And just when Elle begins creating a life she loves… an unexpected opportunity changes everything. Part 2 drops next week. Because reinvention isn't reserved for midlife. Sometimes the plot twist begins at 21. 📲 Connect with Elle Instagram: @elleevancasselman 💌 Connect with Melis Instagram: @motivatewithmelis YouTube: Melissa Murphy Now What Podcast Email: [email protected] Website: https://motivatewithmelis.com

SQUAD! What happens when a political science major pivots to acting, travels the world, builds a career in tech… and then decides to run for mayor? This week on Now What?!, I sit down with my friend, former Microsoft coworker, proud UCLA Bruin, and current Walnut Creek Mayor Kevin Wilk to talk about reinvention, leadership, and why it's never too late to change direction. We get real about local politics, community challenges, standing up against hate, and yes… we still make time to talk Original Joe's, retro dance nights, and Bruins basketball. In this episode we talk about: • Kevin's full-circle journey from corporate tech to public service • Why purpose and happiness matter more than titles or income • The biggest issues facing Walnut Creek today • How local leaders are working together — and what gives him hope Enjoy and remember...midlife isn't a crisis - it's a plot twist! xoxo melis 🎙️ Guest Info Instagram: @kevin_wilk Facebook: Kevin Wilk 💌 Connect with Melissa / Now What?! 📩 Email: [email protected] 🌐 Website: https://motivatewithmelis.com 📱 Instagram: @motivatewithmelis ▶️ YouTube: @MelissaMurphyNowWhatPodcast

SQUAD… this one is a deep exhale and a full-body "oh my God… same." In this episode, I'm joined by Lori Montry — somatic healing practitioner, author of You're Not the Problem, and creator of the Freedom Formula (a nervous system–based roadmap for sustainable behavior change). Lori's message is simple… and life-changing: you are not the problem. Your patterns aren't proof you're broken — they're proof you adapted. And the best part? You can adapt again… this time to return to you. What we get into Why trauma isn't logical — it lives in the nervous system Dissociation as a brilliant survival strategy (and why it can follow you into adulthood) The moment survival stops protecting you… and starts suffocating you The 3 foundational ingredients for real change: safety, capacity, and energy Lori's big promise: there is a pathway out — and it's clear If you've been feeling… Overwhelmed. Stuck. Like you "should" be able to get it together by now… This episode is your permission slip to stop blaming yourself and start getting curious about what your nervous system has been carrying. And remember, midlife isn't a crisis...it's a plot twist. xoxo melis Connect with Lori Montry Instagram: @lorimontry Website: lorimontry.com (book + resources) Book: You're Not the Problem (available in print, ebook/Kindle, and audiobook) — Lori shares that it's releasing April 25. Connect with me (Melis) Website: motivatewithmelis.com Instagram: @motivatewithmelis Email: [email protected]

Gloss Squad… today's guest is proof that sometimes the algorithm understood the assignment. I discovered La-Toya (aka Toy Toy 💁🏽‍♀️) on Instagram after reposting a mindset clip about Olympic skier Eileen Gu — and two days later? She's on the pod. That's how we move. La-Toya is the founder of Girl Talks Sports, a growing global media platform and community created by women who love sports — and who are done waiting for permission to take up space. We talk about: • Growing up between Jamaica 🇯🇲 and Canada 🇨🇦 and falling in love with hockey • Why women have always been sports fans — the media just hasn't reflected it • Periods at the Olympics (yes, we went there 👏) • Why Serena Williams is the GOAT. Pregnant Australian Open win. End of debate. And the mic-drop moment? "We're not trying to play catch up. We're trying to surpass." Chills. La-Toya created Girl Talks Sports because she didn't see a welcoming, judgment-free space for women who love the game. So she built one. Global. Inclusive. Engaged. And growing. Now What for her? Sponsors. Expansion. More women's voices in sports. Bigger rooms. Louder conversations. Gloss Squad — if you love sports, mindset, confidence, or powerful women building tables instead of waiting for invites… this episode is your vibe. Because midlife isn't a crisis — it's just a plot twist. 💄✨ 🔗 Connect with La-Toya 📸 IG: @girl_talks_sports 🎙️ Now What?! Podcast by Motivate with Melis 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple 📸 IG: @motivatewithmelis 📺 YouTube: @MelissaMurphyNowWhatPodcast 🌐 https://motivatewithmelis.com 📩 [email protected]

If your sex life feels more like a chore than a connection, this episode is for you. I'm joined by Elana Auerbach, author of The Sure Thing, to talk about how a simple weekly pleasure practice can rebuild intimacy — on purpose. This isn't about pressure or performance… it's about presence. ✨ In This Episode: The difference between spontaneous desire vs. responsive desire (game changer) Why scheduling intimacy can actually make it hotter The 3 essentials for a lasting practice: commitment, effort & devotion How pleasure fuels connection, confidence, and courageous kindness Grab Elana's book + learn more: 👉 SureThingExperiment.com 📖 Available on Amazon & Barnes & Noble (online only) — See you next time on Now What?!, and remember… Midlife isn't a crisis — it's just a plot twist. 💄✨ xoxo melis 🎙️ Now What?! Podcast by Motivate with Melis 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple 📸 IG: @motivatewithmelis 📺 YouTube: @MelissaMurphyNowWhatPodcast 🌐 motivatewithmelis.com 📩 [email protected]

💖 Valentine's Week Special Show Notes Gloss Squad… it's your girl Melis — but after this episode, you can just call me Cupid. 🏹✨ This Valentine's Day special is not just cute. It's not just romantic. It's not just "awww." It's actual, real-life, midlife magic that started… right here on Now What?!  In this Valentine's Week Special, you'll hear: ✨ How a podcast episode sparked a real-life relationship ✨ Why friends setting you up might be the move ✨ The surprising truth about "butterflies" vs. feeling safe ✨ And why Christmas wrapping paper in April might actually be a green flag If you've ever wondered: 💭 "Should I let my friend set me up?" 💭 "Why doesn't this feel dramatic… is that bad?" 💭 "What does healthy love actually feel like in midlife?" This episode is your Valentine. Because sometimes love doesn't come from an app. Sometimes it comes from hitting play. Happy Valentine's Day, Gloss Squad. 💕 And remember… midlife isn't a crisis — it's just a plot twist. 💄✨ xoxo melis

✨ Episode Highlights In this powerful and eye-opening conversation, Christina and I unpack why so many smart, capable women still struggle with self-sabotage, procrastination, and feeling "off" — especially in midlife. In this episode, we talk about: 🧠 Self-sabotage & procrastination — why they're not character flaws, but subconscious protection patterns 🔁 The internal dialogue & stories we tell ourselves ("I'm always tired," "I should know better") — and how repetition becomes belief 🧘‍♀️ Why calm can feel unsafe when stress and pressure have become familiar 🌱 Midlife awakenings — feeling grateful for your life, yet knowing something is missing (and why that doesn't make you ungrateful) 🔓 How hypnotherapy helps rewire old beliefs and create new neural pathways for lasting change If you've ever thought "Why do I keep doing this when I KNOW better?" — this episode is for you. Because midlife isn't a crisis — it's a plot twist. 💄✨ xoxo, melis If it's a 5-star vibe, please click below and leave a review 💄✨ 👉 https://ratethispodcast.com/nowwhatwithmelis 🔗 Connect with Melissa 🎙️ Podcast: Now What?! Podcast (available on Apple & Spotify) 🌐 Website: motivatewithmelis.com 📸 Instagram: @motivatewithmelis 📩 Email: [email protected] 🔗 Connect with Christina 🌐 Website: ChristinaLWoods.com ✨ Free Clarity Call: A space to gain clarity and explore next steps for support 👉 https://BookChristinaRTT.as.me/30ClarityCall 🌀 The Reset Room: A free hypnosis and healing space to reset and reconnect 👉 https://christinalwoods.mykajabi.com/theresetroom 💫 About the Guest Christina L. Woods is an internationally recognized Clinical Hypnotherapist, Subconscious Expert, Energy Healer, and Author. She's the founder of Wise Woods Hypnotherapy and creator of the Wise Woods Method™, helping women reconnect with their intuition and create deeply fulfilling lives. 💄 About Your Host Melissa Murphy is an ACE Certified Group Fitness Coach, Nutrition Coach, and FMG Competitor. She's the creator and host of the Now What?! Podcast, a space for honest conversations about midlife reinvention, mindset, health, confidence, and asking the question so many women quietly carry: Now What?!

Hey Gloss Squad — returning guest alert! 🚨✨ You met Jodi Echakowitz back in March 2024 on Episode 21 (From Weight Watchers to Wonder Woman)… and since then? This woman has been BUSY becoming her strongest self. 💪🔥 In this episode, Jodi gets real about the part of transformation people whisper about but rarely say out loud: plastic surgery after major weight loss — and why choosing it wasn't "cheating," it was reclaiming her body, confidence, and athlete identity. In this episode, we dig into: ✨ When Jodi first started considering surgery (and the exact moment she couldn't unsee the loose skin) 🧠 The mindset shift that changed everything: "Why can't my scars be my reminder?" (GOOSEBUMPS) 🔍 How she researched surgeons like a CEO (Facebook groups, RealSelf, before/afters, ALL the receipts) 👙 What she actually had done (tummy tuck + breast lift) and how she decided what was right for HER This one is empowering, informative, hilarious, and honest — and if you've ever wondered, "Is this for me?" or "Am I allowed to want this?" …you're going to feel so seen. And remember Gloss Squad...midlife isn't a crisis… it's just a plot twist. 💄✨ xoxo melis 👉 Don't forget to leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify (because you're THE BEST!) 👉 Tag me @motivatewithmelis and share with a friend 🎧 Listen Now On: Spotify | Apple Podcasts 👯‍♀️ Guest: @jodi.echakowitz 📧 [email protected] 🌐 https://motivatewithmelis.com

Hey Gloss Squad — I'm kicking off 2026 with a simple question that might change everything: what's the hard thing you've been avoiding… and why? 👀✨ Yes, I finally did the scary thing I'd been talking myself out of for years (👙), but this episode isn't about the stage — it's about what came after. Because doing the hard thing is only half the story. The real magic is standing in it… and asking yourself, now what?! In this episode, we dig into: 🔥 Why confidence isn't loud — it's built quietly by showing up for yourself 🧠 How discipline is actually self-respect (not punishment) 😂 Laughing through fear instead of waiting to feel "ready" 👯‍♀️ Why the people you surround yourself with either expand you or keep you stuck ✨ Why midlife is the perfect time to choose yourself without apology 📌 The challenge I'm giving you for 2026: commit to one hard thing — not because it's easy, but because it's yours If you've been playing small, waiting for permission, or telling yourself "maybe next year"… this episode is your sign. You don't need a perfect plan. You don't need to be fearless. You just need to decide. Midlife isn't a crisis… it's just a plot twist. 💄✨ xoxo melis 👉 Don't forget to leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify (because you're THE BEST!) 👉 Tag me @motivatewithmelis and share with the friend who needs this nudge 🎧 Listen Now On: Spotify | Apple Podcasts 📧 [email protected] 🌐 https://motivatewithmelis.com

Why is self-love the hardest love to give? You can hype your kids, cheer on your friends, support your partner… but when it comes to YOU? Suddenly the inner critic takes over. In today's episode, I'm joined by intuitive empath and seven-time author Karen Blaine to break down what real self-love looks like—beyond the quotes, the memes, and the "just be kind to yourself" advice we all roll our eyes at. We get into: • Why women (especially in midlife) struggle to give themselves the compassion they give everyone else • How being "too sensitive" can actually be your superpower • Practical tools to stop negative thought loops in their tracks • The grounding + gratitude practices you can start TODAY • And why self-love isn't a mood… it's a muscle you build If you've ever felt stuck, unworthy, or like your own worst critic—this convo will help you shift the energy and finally show yourself the love you've been giving away for years. PLUS: Karen answers the signature "Now What?" question… and shares a surprising update about what's coming next for her. Enjoy! xoxo melis ✨ Connect With Karen Blaine Website: https://karenblaine.com Instagram: @karenblaineauthor Books on Amazon: Search "Karen Blaine" ✨ Connect With Me (Melis) Website: https://motivatewithmelis.com Instagram: @motivatewithmelis Email: [email protected]

Episode Description Today Melis is joined by Marie Crews—certified health & wellness coach, retreat facilitator, and bestselling author of Even When… She Rose—to talk about the healing power of journaling, her four-step Nautilus Way, and how she rebuilt her life after unimaginable loss. In This Episode, We Explore: The Nautilus Way: Write Your Way Free Why you don't need to be a "writer" to journal The four steps of her method: Reveal: Stream-of-consciousness writing Review: Spotting pain points & patterns Rewrite: Giving yourself permission, validation & compassion Rewire: Practicing new thoughts and responses Journaling Through Grief How writing supported Marie through the sudden loss of her mother Why she couldn't journal immediately after losing her son—and what happened when she finally could Loss, Healing & Self-Compassion Acceptance vs. "giving someone a pass" Why staying stuck is often more painful than starting to heal Retreats for Moms Who Have Lost a Child Marie's Gulf-front retreat space in Navarre Beach, Florida Why grieving mothers need a room of women who truly get it Connect with Marie Crews Website: www.mariecrews.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marieeurecrews  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@empowermentandgriefguide Book: Even When… She Rose Connect with Melis Website: motivatewithmelis.com Email: [email protected] IG/TikTok/Facebook: @motivatewithmelis

Hoops & Glossers… grab your gloss and maybe a fan — because this one's spicy. 🌶️ In Part 2 of The Midlife Flame, Melis and Aimee Ames turn up the heat and get real about physical intimacy, body confidence, and what happens when you decide midlife doesn't have to mean "meh." Aimee opens up about her Somatica coaching practice — yes, including the now-famous "throw me against the wall" exercise — and how learning new ways to connect can reignite passion in long-term relationships. They talk about shame, kink, curiosity, and the beauty of being fully seen (clothes on or off). If Part 1 was therapy, this is your permission slip to get bold, curious, and maybe a little wild. In this episode, we talk about: 🔥 Why desire shifts in midlife (and how to find it again) 💋 The power of Somatica work — fully clothed, deeply connected 💫 The link between body confidence, pleasure, and trust 🖤 How kink and BDSM can actually be healing and nurturing ✨ Inside The Rekindle Program: retreats, group calls, and relationship rebrands 💥 Why it's time to invest in your love life — not a lawyer Aimee's new Rekindle Program for couples launches this month, and it's all about helping midlife couples rebuild emotional attunement, intimacy, and fun — together. xoxo melis Connect with Aimee: Rekindle Program Info & Application → www.aimeeames.com Podcast → There She Is (on Apple & Spotify) Instagram → @aimeeamescoaching Connect with Melissa: Website → motivatewithmelis.com Instagram → @motivatewithmelis Email → [email protected]

Hoops & Glossers, this one's a must-listen. 💋 In this first half of The Midlife Flame series, Melis sits down with Aimee Ames — a Somatica-trained Sex & Relationship Coach, Breathwork Facilitator, Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, and host of the There She Is podcast — to unpack what actually happens in long-term relationships once midlife hits. They dive into everything from perimenopause and the emotional load of motherhood to that weird "parallel lives" phase where you realize you and your partner are running the household but forgetting to actually connect. It's real, hilarious, and surprisingly hopeful. If you've ever wondered whether your relationship is stuck… it might just need a rekindling. In this episode, we talk about: 🔥 Why so many couples start feeling disconnected in midlife 🧠 How hormones and perimenopause actually affect relationships ❤️ The myth that you're "broken" if your marriage feels off 🔥 The "embers" metaphor that will change how you see your relationship Make sure to come back next week for Part 2, when we get into physical intimacy, desire, kink, and what actually happens in a Somatica coaching session. Trust me… it gets good. 😉 And remember, midlife doesn't have to be a crisis-it can be your identity rebrand! xoxo melis Connect with Aimee: Rekindle Program Info & Application → www.aimeeames.com Podcast → There She Is (on Apple & Spotify) Instagram → @aimeeamescoaching Connect with Melis: Website → motivatewithmelis.com Instagram → @motivatewithmelis Email → [email protected]  

The quick "why listen" When your old playbook for success stops working, Johanna Danaher helps you write a new one. She's the Founder & Chief Energy Officer of Anchor to Aspire and a former global HR leader at Pfizer. Using Energy Leadership (ELI), Positive Intelligence, HBDI, and happiness science, she coaches mid-life, mid-career pros (hi, that's us) through pivots—so you stop reacting on autopilot and start choosing your response, your energy, and your next chapter. What you'll learn "Have to" → "Choose to": a tiny language shift that unlocks better decisions. Transferable brilliance: how to turn "I've been out of the game" into real, marketable value. GAIL (Gremlin, Assumption, Interpretation, Limiting belief): the 4 mental blocks to spot—and what to say back. How to measure impact when your strengths aren't "numbers on a dashboard." Protecting your energy with tricky bosses… and at holiday dinners. 😅 Links & goodies Johanna's site: AnchorToAspire.com (ELI info + free webinars) LinkedIn: Johanna Danaher Book an ELI debrief/coaching: via her site contact "When we understand what influences our energy, we stop operating on autopilot—and become limitless." - Johanna Danaher Share-love + subscribe If this gave you an "aha," share with a friend who's in a pivot and tap ★★★★★ on Apple & Spotify so more midlife women find us. Host: Melissa "Melis" Murphy • https://motivatewithmelis.com • IG: @motivatewithmelis • [email protected] Cause Midlife doesn't have to be a crisis...it's a time for your REMIX! xoxo melis  

🥂 (#46) HAPPY 1st Bday, "Now What?!" — A Birthday Bash with OG guest + college bestie, Kelly Huber Hoops & Glossers… grab your gloss, pour something bubbly (sparkling water totally counts 🥂), and join the celebration — because Now What?! just turned ONE! And what's a birthday without your bestie? 🎉 This week, I'm celebrating with my college bestie and OG podcast guest, Kelly Huber — the woman behind the legendary quote: "Don't just be a rad mom… be a rad woman." 🙌 This isn't an interview — it's a catch-up between two lifelong friends. We're recapping the year, laughing about midlife mayhem, talking Lexapro and rebrands, and setting goals for what's next. Think of it as friendship therapy with a mic on. 💬 It's funny, honest, and a reminder that the best part of growing through midlife is doing it together. My hope? That this episode inspires you to reach out to your own bestie — catch up, dream big, and hype each other up for what's coming next. Because women supporting women is the real glow-up. ✨ In this episode: 💞 The magic of midlife friendship & supporting each other's goals 💊 Real talk on Lexapro, hormones & emotional resets 📚 Kelly's next chapter: yoga, pickleball & purpose 🎙️ Highlights and lessons from a year of Now What?! 🎯 How to set fun, meaningful goals with your girlfriends So plug in, laugh with us, and celebrate this wild, wonderful, one-year ride. Because midlife's weird — but it's way more fun with friends who remind you who you are and where you're headed. 🧡 Midlife isn't a crisis - it's your REBRAND! xoxo melis Listen now on Apple Podcasts + Spotify 🎧 Apple Podcasts 🎧 Spotify Connect with Melis: 🌐 motivatewithmelis.com 📩 [email protected] 📱 @motivatewithmelis Connect with Kelly Huber: 📸 Instagram: @kellyhuber721

💋 Hoops & Glossers… it's REBRAND TIME! Melis is doing it too — sparkly bikini, big dreams, and zero apologies — and this is your sign to join her. This isn't about starting over; it's about unleashing the next you — the louder, freer, more confident version that's been waiting to take the mic. 🎙 Episode Vibe: If you've been feeling stuck, stale, or like your spark dimmed somewhere between carpools and career changes — this one's your pep talk. Melis gets real about her own "midlife rebrand" (yes, including the spray tan and clear heels 😅) and walks you through how to relaunch you — body, mindset, and energy — with humor, grit, and gloss. 💥 What You'll Hear: How to stop saying "I'm too old for that" (you're not) Why fear is a compass, not a stop sign The truth about consistency, boundaries, and messy progress The secret sauce of every glow-up: community And the exact steps to kick off your midlife rebrand — Melis-style 🔥 The Midlife Rebrand Playbook 1️⃣ Audit Your Old Brand: Which labels, roles, or excuses don't fit anymore? (Retire them with love 💅) 2️⃣ Pick Your Color Palette: Life is not meant to be beige. Let's bring back bold. 3️⃣ Announce the Launch: Start living and speaking like your next-level self. 4️⃣ Find Your Hype Squad: Surround yourself with women who clap when you win (or DM Melis and she'll coach you there 💪). 🎁 The Challenge + Giveaway Send this episode to 5 girlfriends who need a reminder that midlife is their magic era. Tag @motivatewithmelis on IG and you'll be entered to win a $25 Starbucks gift card ☕ (because coffee = confidence). 💫 Ready to Rebrand IRL? Melis can help you do it — through food, movement, mindset, and a plan that actually fits your real life. The Reset Session → Lifestyle support for hormone shifts & energy resets DM "RESET" on Instagram: @motivatewithmelis Or email [email protected] Visit motivatewithmelis.com 💭 "You're not the same woman you were at 30 — and that's your superpower. Midlife isn't a crisis. It's your rebrand." Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Follow: @motivatewithmelis Email: [email protected]

Hoops & Glossers, 👀 What if hot flashes, brain fog, and memory loss could start reversing in 7 days—no meds? That's what Sarah Lynn Wayne did with her Peri PEACE Protocol—a body • mind • spirit reset that turns peri chaos into calm. You'll hear: 💥 Sarah's 7-day turnaround (hot flashes ↓, memory ↑) 🧘 Why a regulated nervous system makes change stick 🥩🥦 How to tune into your body (no one-size-fits-all) 📝 The 4-step PEACE Protocol: Presence • Exchange beliefs • Attune/Purify • Calm • Envision ✨ Quotes: 🔑 "Your symptoms are data, not destiny." 💡 "Don't fear your body—let it guide you." Connect with Sarah: 🌐 sarahlynnwayne.com 🎥 Start here → sarahlynnwayne.com/assessment Connect with Melis: 🌐 https://motivatewithmelis.com 📩 [email protected] 📸 IG: @motivatewithmelis 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts + Spotify Hoops & Glossers—let's get your sparkle back. ✨💃🔥 Because midlife isn't a crisis—it's a plot twist. And with the right tools, you don't just survive it… you thrive. xoxo melis 👉 Don't forget to leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify (because you're THE BEST!) 👉 Tag me @motivatewithmelis and share with a friend    

✨ What if your birthday could be the reset button you've been waiting for in midlife? If you've ever looked in the mirror and thought, I don't even recognize this woman anymore — this episode is your permission slip to stop dreading birthdays and start celebrating them. My guest, Tamar Hurwitz Fleming, author of How to Have a Happy Birthday, shares why birthdays are our most spiritually powerful day of the year and how to: 🎂 Break old patterns of disappointment 🎂 Ask for what you want without guilt 🎂 Stop birthday sabotage (yes, even the "mystery illness" kind) 🎂 Celebrate aging with courage instead of fear It's time to reclaim birthdays as an excuse to honor yourself, laugh a little louder, and take up space — because you deserve it. xoxo melis 📍 Listen now, share with a friend, and then go buy yourself the cake you actually want. 🎂💃 ✨ Connect with Tamar Hurwitz Fleming 📚 How to Have a Happy Birthday — wherever books are sold 📘 How to Have a Happy Birthday Workbook — exclusively on Amazon 🌐 howtohaveahappybirthday.com ✨ Connect with me 📧 info@motivatewithmelis 📲 IG: @motivatewithmelis 🎧 Listen to Now What?! on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Hoops & Glossers, It's our anniversary pod! 🎉 Papi's back—and yes, his microphone decided to go on sabbatical. Consider this your official disclaimer: I did not turn him down on purpose (tempting, but no). You can still hear him—and he is witty, even when he's whispery. In this episode, we talk about: The truth about "24 long years" (said with love… and eye rolls). Why marriage is more blooper reel than montage—and why that's normal. Raising kids → living parallel lives → finding our way back (hi therapy, we love you). Grief & real life: losing our sweet Roxy and helping Toby (our golden) through it. Big goals in midlife: Melis' first bodybuilding competition (Mexico, Dec 6) and what that's really been like for both of us. Recreating "us" in the empty-nest era: new roles, new rhythms, and saying yes to walks (Papi… put the phone down 😜). Real Talk Takeaways Marriage is work—not punishment. It's reps. Some days feel heavy; some feel hilarious. Therapy helps. Shoutout to Rupa for keeping it neutral and helping us actually listen. Midlife reinvention is for both partners. Women and men lose and rebuild roles; make space for each other's "what now?" Community Qs (tell us in reviews/IG!) Puppy poll: Should Toby get a sister or a brother golden? Mic magic: Best budget-friendly couple-podcast mic recs? (Because… yeah.) Empty-nest rituals: What weekly "we" ritual brought you back together? Melis' Reset Offer Feeling blah at 2pm? Want simple food + movement tweaks that actually fit real life? DM me "RESET"—I'm taking new clients and would love to help you feel your best. Quick Disclaimer Papi's mic dips in and out (happy anniversary to us 🎧). Stick with it—his quiet one-liners still land. Share the Love If this episode made you feel seen (or made you snort-laugh), share it with your person or your bestie who's in the thick of it. Rate & review so more midlife humans find our unfiltered corner of the internet. xoxo melis

Hoops & Glossers! Buckle up—today we're going where few podcasts dare to go: the messy, confusing, sometimes downright bizarre world of perimenopause. Hot flashes? Weight gain? Brain fog? Gas that could clear a room? (Yeah, we said it.) If you've ever felt like your body came with a secret manual that no one bothered to give you, this episode is your missing chapter. My guest, Dyna Vink, a certified Integrative Health Practitioner and founder of Holistic Nutrition Lifestyle, is here to spill the tea on all things midlife. She's walked the perimenopause path herself, turned her frustration into research, and now helps women uncover the real root causes behind their symptoms. And here's the jaw-dropper: 👉 One hidden culprit might just be… PARASITES! Yep. Not sexy. Not talked about. But way more common than you think. From bloating and brain fog to sleep struggles and skin issues, parasites could be part of the puzzle—and Dyna explains how to spot them, test for them, and (most importantly) kick them to the curb. In this episode, we cover: Why perimenopause is still wildly misunderstood (and ignored in med school 🤯) The surprising first signs of perimenopause (spoiler: it's not just hot flashes) How the gut, hormones, and parasites are all linked Why traditional medicine often misses the root cause—and what functional medicine can offer instead And yes, the truth about colonics, biofilms, and parasite cleanses 👀 If you're in perimenopause (or think you might be), this convo will give you clarity, relief, and maybe a whole new perspective on what's really going on inside your body. Because midlife isn't a crisis—it's a plot twist. And with the right tools, you don't just survive it… you thrive. xoxo melis 👉 Don't forget to leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify (because you're THE BEST!) 👉 Tag me @motivatewithmelis and share with a friend 🎧 Listen Now On: Spotify | Apple Podcasts https://motivatewithmelis.com ✨ Resources & Links: Connect with Dyna Vink: [Insert her discovery call link or website] Website: https://holisticnutritionlifestyle.com/; LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dynavink/ ; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dyna.vink/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerimenopauseRelief Para Support Parasite herbal rebalancing protocol: https://equi.life/products/parasite-cleanse-protocol?irad=909171&irmp=5705922

Hey Hoops & Glossers — today's guest is proof that you can be strong, healthy, and still grow your own garlic braid worthy of a Pinterest board. Meet Kim Eagle — fitness coach, nutrition expert, Ironman times two (yes, TWO), and the green thumb behind Grow a Healthy Garden. She's the founder of Earn That Body, where she's been helping clients ditch the diet drama since 2009 with a "real food, no gimmicks" approach. And now, she's teaching people everywhere to plant, grow, and eat organic goodness right from their own backyards (or balconies). In this episode, we dig into: 🚴‍♀️ How training for an Ironman changed her everything (and why she'd do it again in a heartbeat) 🍠 Why perimenopause had her swapping marathons for muscle and sweet potato harvests 🏋️‍♀️ The myth-busting truth about weight training, carbs, and why eating more can actually help you lose weight 🥗 Why Ozempic isn't the magic fix most people think it is — and the ripple effects we're not talking about enough 🌿 How growing your own food can boost your health, your mood, and maybe your social life (neighbors love free tomatoes) Kim's energy is contagious, her advice is practical, and her passion for helping people feel their best is next level. You'll leave this episode ready to rework your workouts… and maybe plant a basil plant while you're at it. Links from the episode: Kim's fitness + nutrition programs: www.EarnThatBody.com Start your own organic garden: www.GrowAHealthyGarden.com Because whether you're building muscle or growing garlic, midlife is all about planting seeds you actually want to see grow. 🌸 xoxo melis 👉 Don't forget to leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify (because you're THE BEST!) 👉 Tag me @motivatewithmelis and share with a friend 🎧 Listen Now On: Spotify | Apple Podcasts https://motivatewithmelis.com  

Hoops & Glossers - What if your next breakthrough wasn't in another to-do list… but in the pause? This week on Now What?!, Melis sits down with the radiant and real Karen Bartholomew — life coach, speaker, and creator of The Pause Method. Her work helps women (and leaders who feel like they're juggling flaming swords) slow down long enough to actually hear themselves again. We dive into how overachievement, past conditioning, and people-pleasing can leave us burned out and disconnected from who we really are — and how the power of intentional pause can unlock clarity, peace, and your next big move. 👠 What We Talk About: Karen's own "Now What?!" moment as a single mom of three Breakdown of the PAUSE Method  — and why you'll want it in your back pocket The stories we tell ourselves (and how to stop believing the lies) How burnout, hustle culture, and childhood beliefs keep us in a loop The truth about being "selfish" (spoiler: it's a superpower) Practical ideas for reclaiming your joy, your purpose, and your peace 🌀 Karen's PAUSE Method (teaser version!): P – Perceive: Identify patterns and subconscious stories A – Acknowledge & Accept: Without judgment, see what's really there U – Unwind: Untangle the mental spaghetti of outdated beliefs S – Shift: Reframe the narrative and reclaim your voice E – Expand: Practice new behaviors, embody the change 💥 Hot Quote Moments: "The brain is designed to keep you safe. Not fulfilled." "What story are you telling yourself right now — and is it even true?" "The hustle isn't a badge of honor. It's a red flag." 🌱 Want to Dive Deeper? Karen's free 30-day PAUSE journal: karenbartholomew.com DM "Sanctum" to Karen on Instagram for info about her new community circle Follow her on IG: @karenbartholomew 🎧 Listen Now On: Spotify | Apple Podcasts 🔁 Share this with your favorite overwhelmed overachiever She might be one pause away from her power. xoxo melis 👉 Don't forget to leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify (because you're my friend, right? RIGHT??) 👉 Tag me @motivatewithmelis and share with a friend  

Hey Hoops & Glossers — ever find yourself eating a cold nugget off your kid's plate and wondering, "Now what?" You're not alone. In this no-shame, no-diet-culture deep dive, Melis is keeping it real (and hilarious) as she tackles one of the most asked questions: "What the heck do I eat?" From ex-fad dieter to macro-based mindset queen, Melis shares her simple, doable approach to nutrition — without the guilt, without the gimmicks, and definitely without the 100-year-old shelf-stable snack bars. 🧃🍗🥦 You'll learn: Why nutrition feels so confusing (hint: $$$) The basics of macros (and why you don't need a PhD to figure them out) What to eat more of (protein is queen 👑) The reason you must eat to lose weight (yes, you read that right) Real-life meal prep tips for the busiest midlife mama And the free gift you didn't know you needed 👀 📩 BONUS: Get your Free Nutrition Guide — just DM Melis the word "guide" on Instagram @motivatewithmelis Because life is complicated enough — your food shouldn't be. xoxo melis 👉 Don't forget to leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify (because you're THE BEST!) 👉 Tag me @motivatewithmelis and share with a friend

Hey Hoops & Glossers — Buckle up for a road trip recap that turns into a full-blown midsummer meltdown (with a dash of Gaga fever and Bieber breakdown concerns thrown in for good measure). In this unfiltered solo episode, Melis recaps her California college tour with daughter Devyn (yep, the baby's driving now 😱), shares her manifestation station dreams of living that Montecito life, and spirals just a tiny bit into pop culture chaos. We're talking Justin, Britney, Gaga, and why Meghan Markle deserves a break. Oh—and yes, she's still trying to snag last-minute tickets to Gaga's Mayhem Ball. Because obviously. ✨ In this episode: Devyn's volleyball camp + Melis' UCSB nostalgia trip Mama's dream life: a future house in Montecito (watch out, Oprah) Lady Gaga obsession hits peak level Midsummer burnout and back-to-school countdown feels A reminder: You're not alone if this summer feels a little… unhinged If you're feeling off, overstimulated, or just done with summer chaos, this one's for you. We're in it together. 🌀 Come hang. Laugh. Vent. Manifest something wild. xoxo melis —---------------------------- ✨ Love this kind of chaotic honesty? Subscribe, leave a review, and text your fellow midlife mamas who are ready to scream "Now What?!" into the August abyss 👉 Tag me @motivatewithmelis on IG and share with a friend

Hey Hoops & Glossers — Happy 4th of July! Fire up the grill, grab a hot dog (mustard only, according to Papi), and buckle up because this week's episode is officially off. the. rails. 🎙️ Featuring: Shannon "Sexy Papi" Murphy — aka my husband, baby daddy, and completely unfiltered co-host for this holiday chaos special. We're talking… 💥 Club sports: the travel, the cost, the trauma, and why we're still here 💥 The volleyball tournament that gave me a black eye (true story) 💥 A deep dive into Speedos, co-ed swim, and… high school grooming habits? 💥 A very American 4th of July trivia game (Papi shockingly nails it) 💥 Fireworks safety PSA that turns into a full-blown hot take 💥 Nutrition tip: Watching the news might be making you fat 🚨 Caution: This episode includes overshares, unfiltered memories, and a strong opinion about Piccolo Petes. So whether you're road-tripping, BBQing, or just trying to survive family time without starting a political debate — press play, laugh with us (or at us), and celebrate this beautiful, messy, overcaffeinated American life. 🇺🇸 Happy 4th of July, friends. May your burgers be juicy, your flags un-ironed, and your Speedos retired. xoxo melis 👉 Don't forget to leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify (because you're my friend, right? RIGHT??) 👉 Tag me @motivatewithmelis and share with a friend  

Hey Hoops & Glossers — She's back! In Part 2 of this powerhouse conversation, Brittany Carbone returns to share what happened when she stopped waiting for the perfect time — and just did the thing. From leaving L.A. to start a new chapter in Tulum to trusting her gut through grief, fear, and big transformation, Brittany gets real about what it takes to live in alignment (even when it's scary). This episode is full of powerful mindset shifts, emotional breakthroughs, and practical tools you can start using today to stop second-guessing and start listening to your inner knowing. 💬 In this episode: Why Brittany left LA to follow a bold new path The real reason we struggle to trust our intuition — and how to fix it What happens when you stop numbing and start feeling The "Sally Jo" strategy for shutting down your inner critic How grief shaped Brittany's most powerful win yet A mic-drop reminder: You're allowed to take up space. You belong here. 🎧 If you've ever felt stuck in fear or unsure what your next move should be — let this be your nudge. Do it scared.  xoxo melis 👉 Don't forget to leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify (because you're my friend, right? RIGHT??) 👉 Tag me @motivatewithmelis and share with a friend 👉Follow @brittneycarbone on IG

Hey Hoops & Glossers — Ever feel like the underqualified one in the room? SAME. In Part 1 of this powerhouse convo, Melis sits down with fitness champ and mindset coach Brittany Carbone to unpack the sneaky grip of imposter syndrome — and how to shake it loose. From body image battles and binge cycles to the bodybuilding stage and building a business, Brittany shares how she found confidence, clarity, and community. 💬 In this episode: The hilarious way Melis found Brittany (spoiler: Instagram stalking) How Brittany rewrote her story around food, fitness, and fear What finally helped her kick the shame spiral The truth bomb we all need: "You are who you surround yourself with — so own it." 🎧 If you've ever felt like a fraud in your own life, hit play. This one's for you.  xoxo melis 👉 Don't forget to leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify (because you're my friend, right? RIGHT??) 👉 Tag me @motivatewithmelis and share with a friend

Hey Hoops & Glossers — can you believe it? 33 episodes together! This week, Melis is flying solo to reintroduce herself, reflect on what's brought us here, and celebrate YOU — the community showing up every week with messy buns, full hearts, and maybe a little midlife rage. (Same.) 👋 Get to know your host: Melis is a 53-year-old mom of three, wife, former stay-at-home burnout survivor, and current queen of "WTF is happening to my hormones?" She started "Now What?!" because one day she looked around and thought… well ,NOW WHAT?! 🌀 In this episode: Why this podcast was born from a midlife identity shake-up What it means to hit the "messy middle" of parenting, purpose, and perimenopause A big thank you to past guests and the magical moments they've shared The power of community when everything feels like too much Why we're done pretending and fully embracing the ragey, raw, real stuff 🚨 Plus, a lil announcement: Melis is launching her brand-new 1:1 Reset Coaching Session — a private, no-judgment zone to get unstuck and feel like you again. Spots are limited, but Hoops & Glossers get first dibs. Because you deserve it. 📣 If you've been loving the pod: Share it with a friend who's midlife flailing with you Leave a 5-star review (1-star people may exit to the left, respectfully) Slide into Melis' DMs with topic ideas. Nothing's off the table. NOTHING. 🎧 Press play if you need a reminder that you're not alone in this wild, sweaty, hilarious midlife ride. Until next week… 💋 Stay messy, stay marvelous, and keep asking: Now What?! xoxo melis 👉 Don't forget to leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify (because you're my friend, right? RIGHT??) 👉 Tag me @motivatewithmelis and share with a friend

Grief isn't a dirty word. It's part of life — and it deserves to be talked about. In this deeply moving episode, Melis sits down with her close friend Ashley — a wife, mom, and interior designer — who shares her story of losing her son, Alex, to cancer seven years ago. With honesty, heart, and strength, Ashley opens up about what grief really looks like, and why she's on a mission to bring these conversations into the light. Whether you've experienced loss or want to better support someone who has, this episode is a powerful reminder that you're not alone — and you don't need to have the perfect words to be present. In this episode, we talk about: Ashley's mission to normalize grief and open up real conversations about loss The truth about what grief looks and feels like — years later How to support a grieving parent (and what not to say) Keeping Alex's memory alive in everyday, meaningful ways Why talking about grief helps us all feel more human and less alone Please listen with an open heart — and share with someone who needs to hear it. xoxo melis 👉 Don't forget to leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify (because you're my friend, right? RIGHT??) 👉 Tag me @motivatewithmelis and share with a friend

Hey Hoops & Glossers, Grab your tissues and your tassels — we're going there. This solo episode is for all the parents hiding their ugly cries behind sunglasses and wondering why the end of the school year feels like an identity crisis wrapped in a slideshow. In this graduation-season rollercoaster, Melis gets real (and weepy) about: Why you might actually be the one graduating — from carpool duty, form-signing, and snack-pack life The bittersweet shift from parenting chaos to "Wait… who am I now?" How her own "Now What?!" moment started the day her son walked across that stage Reclaiming your time, purpose, and passion — even if you're still figuring out what that looks like (Same.) 🎉 Bonus: A sneak peek at Melis' upcoming "reset" coaching offer (because it's time to put yourself back on your own to-do list) A very real, very unfiltered midlife pep talk from someone who's navigating it right beside you So if you're mid-sob, mid-scroll, or mid-"WTF am I doing with my life now?" — you're in the right place. 🎧 Hit play, DM "reset," and let's graduate from putting ourselves last. Together. xoxo melis 🌎 Check out how we can work together → https://motivatewithmelis.com/  📸 Follow me on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/motivatewithmelis/ 🖥️ Let's get connected on Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/motivatewithmelis/ 📱 Follow me on Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@motivatewithmelis   

Hey hey, Hoops & Gloss crew!  Today's episode is serving up real estate with a side of real life — think heart, humor, and just a sprinkle of tough love (glossed up, of course). 💄 We're hanging out with the amazing Tina Frechman — realtor, investor, and all-around boss and trust us, this chat goes way beyond open houses and "sold" signs. If you've ever felt torn between your memory-filled home and that dream of something new? This one hits home.  Here's what's on the table: ・Home = memories – Every corner tells a story, and yeah, it's emotional. ・ More than money – Happiness matters just as much as resale value. ・ Upgrade now – Don't wait to love your space. Make it magical today. ・ Downsizing? – It's not a step back, it's a glow-up with less clutter. ・ Kids returning home – Turns out, they do want to raise their kids where they grew up. ・ Letting go is real – But you're not saying goodbye to memories, just turning the page. ✨ Real talk: Your home isn't just a place — it's a whole mood. So don't wait for the "For Sale" sign to start living in the space you've always dreamed of. Throw on your hoops, swipe on that gloss, and dive into this heartfelt convo with us. Because real estate? It's personal, babe. And that's exactly why we're talking about it.   —-------   🌎 Check out how we can work together → https://motivatewithmelis.com/  📸 Follow me on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/motivatewithmelis/ 🖥️ Let's get connected on Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/motivatewithmelis/ 📱 Follow me on Tiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@motivatewithmelis 

Hoops & Glossers… if you're feeling meh, moody, or just mildly ragey, this episode is the warm hug (and possibly the estrogen patch) you didn't know you needed. Meet Kelly Brooks Huber: mom of four (two human, two furry), businesswoman, college roommate, and—fun fact—bikini wax spirit guide. We go way back, and this convo? It's real, ridiculous, and ridiculously relatable. We cover: That time both of us broke up with Lexapro (and how we knew it was time) Why the estrogen patch might deserve its own holiday Parenting adult daughters (and teenage ones who suddenly don't like you anymore 🙃) Midlife pivots after 25+ years in the same career The magic of radical female friendship—especially the ones that know your college GPA and your current HRT dosage 💥 Midlife Question of the Week: "How do I know when it's time to stop doing what I've always done—and trust there's something better ahead?" This one's for the women who are showing up, even if they have no idea what they're doing (spoiler alert: same). So grab your half-caff, text your bestie, and hit play—because life doesn't come with a manual, but it's a lot easier with a hype squad. 👊 If this episode made you laugh, cry, or reconsider your current meds, send it to your favorite rad woman and leave a review!

What do you get when two midlife moms trade stories about protein shakes, pelvic floors, and fighting for their identity one workout at a time? THIS episode. Melis sits down with Skyler Burton — fellow mom, awesome human, and accountability buddy on the same fitness and mindset journey — to talk about what it really looks like to try and reclaim your energy, your confidence, and maybe even your abs (no promises) while raising kids and holding onto your sanity. In this episode: 🏋️‍♀️ Why starting a fitness routine in midlife is about so much more than the scale 🤪 How being home with kids can leave you craving adult connection and your old self 👟 The power of finding a community (and a coach!) that sees you even when you feel invisible 🥲 The behind-the-scenes truth of showing up for yourself when motivation is MIA "I felt like I was disappearing… and lifting weights reminded me I was still in there." – Skyler 💪 👯‍♀️ Have you ever tried to do squats with a toddler hanging on your leg? Then you're going to love this one. Share it with a friend who's also trying to find herself somewhere between the laundry and leg day. xoxo melis 👉 Don't forget to leave a 5-star review on Spotify (because you're my friend, right? RIGHT??) 👉 Tag me @motivatewithmelis and tell me how you're taking a break today!

Welcome to this week's from-the-bed episode, where your host Melis, wrapped in cozy PJs and channeling her inner Sara Foster, shares the wild tale of what happens when you don't listen to your body… until it shouts "STREP AND BRONCHITIS" through a megaphone. Midlife women, it's time to ditch the guilt and reclaim rest—not as a luxury, but as a necessity (and yes, even a performance strategy if you're chasing that 53-year-old booty gain like Melis). ✨ In this episode: The true story of how ignoring a cough turned into an urgent care wake-up call What a bodybuilding butt has to do with bronchitis (spoiler: a lot) Why rest isn't weakness—it's muscle-building, brain-repairing magic How we got conned into thinking hustle = worth (and how to unsubscribe) The science behind why 6 hours of sleep = pulling an all-nighter (yikes!) A hilariously honest look at sleep, guilt, and doomscrolling Harvey from Suits 📍 Your Rest Homework: Start by going to bed just 15 minutes earlier than last night. That's it. Baby steps toward badassery. Because, Hoops & Glossers, you can't run the world if you're running on empty. xoxo melis 👉 Don't forget to leave a 5-star review on Spotify (because you're my friend, right? RIGHT??) 👉 Tag me @motivatewithmelis and tell me how you're taking a break today!