Menopause Rise and Thrive | Helping Women Navigate Midlife and Menopause
Dr. Sara Poldmae | Healer, Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese medicine, and Functional Medicine Practitioner
131 episodes
6 days ago
Have you ever found yourself stuck—knowing you want more energy, more confidence, more joy—but unsure of where to start? Or maybe you’ve hit a roadblock that’s thrown your whole routine off course (again), and you're struggling to get back on track. If any of that sounds familiar, this episode is here to help you reconnect with your inner spark and move forward with purpose. In this uplifting and empowering conversation, I’m joined by midlife fitness expert and author Heike Yates, creator of ...
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Have you ever found yourself stuck—knowing you want more energy, more confidence, more joy—but unsure of where to start? Or maybe you’ve hit a roadblock that’s thrown your whole routine off course (again), and you're struggling to get back on track. If any of that sounds familiar, this episode is here to help you reconnect with your inner spark and move forward with purpose. In this uplifting and empowering conversation, I’m joined by midlife fitness expert and author Heike Yates, creator of ...
Have you ever found yourself stuck—knowing you want more energy, more confidence, more joy—but unsure of where to start? Or maybe you’ve hit a roadblock that’s thrown your whole routine off course (again), and you're struggling to get back on track. If any of that sounds familiar, this episode is here to help you reconnect with your inner spark and move forward with purpose. In this uplifting and empowering conversation, I’m joined by midlife fitness expert and author Heike Yates, creator of ...
Feeling scattered, overstimulated, and stuck in a cycle of information overload? You’re not alone—and there’s a powerful antidote hiding in plain sight: mindfulness. In this episode, I’m joined by the incredible Tara Segree, a longtime educator, meditation coach, and author of Bringing Mindfulness Into the Classroom. Tara has a deeply calming presence and a practical approach to mindfulness that helps you take your power back—even if you’ve been deep in the scroll hole. We talk about ho...
Are you feeling unfulfilled in your career—or wondering if it's too late to shift into something that lights you up? Maybe you're returning to the workforce after a break, or you're managing menopause symptoms that are quietly chipping away at your confidence. If that sounds like you, you're not alone—and this episode is exactly what you need. In this conversation with author, coach, and former professor Dr. Jodi Vandenberg-Daves, we explore how midlife can be the most powerful chapter of you...
Are you feeling irritable, anxious, weepy, or just plain exhausted—and wondering why no one else seems to be having your kind of menopause? You're not alone. The truth is, while hormones play a role, the deeper story might be found in your unique energetic makeup. In this episode, we’re diving into one of Sara’s favorite topics—how the Five Elements of Chinese Medicine can help you better understand your menopause experience. Whether you’re hot-flashing through meetings, suddenly feeling deep...
Have you ever had a week that flipped your world upside down—and somehow also cracked you open in the most meaningful way? In this raw and unfiltered episode, I’m sharing something deeply personal: the fire that struck my wellness center last week and the emotional rollercoaster that followed. But more importantly, I’m opening up about the real-life practices—the ones I talk about every week—that are helping me stay grounded and present during an incredibly difficult time. If you’re navigatin...
Can chronic stress trigger perimenopause symptoms? Angie Hawkins says yes—and she’s lived it. If you’ve ever felt like the stress of holding everything together might actually be breaking your body down, this episode is going to feel like a breath of fresh air. I’m joined by Angie Hawkins—Inner Glow Coach, author, and fierce advocate for authentic self-love—to talk about the profound connection between stress, emotional suppression, and perimenopause. Angie vulnerably shares her personal jour...
Are you taking care of your heart—but still feeling like something’s missing? So many midlife women focus on breast health or hormone balance, yet don’t realize that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women. And the truth? It's not just about cholesterol. In this powerful and eye-opening episode, I’m joined by Angie Gallagher, cardiac rehab expert turned functional medicine coach, to talk about the real root causes of heart disease—and what you can do to prevent it. Whet...
Is Your Sex Life Struggling in Midlife? You’re Not Alone. Have you ever thought, “Is this it?” when it comes to sex in midlife? Maybe intimacy feels awkward, your libido has disappeared, or it just… hurts. If so, you’re not broken—and you’re definitely not alone. In this honest and eye-opening conversation, I’m joined by certified sex educator and coach Karen Bigman to talk about the real changes that happen in our sex lives during perimenopause and menopause—and what you can actually do abou...
Feeling Stuck? Here’s How to Get Moving Again—No Matter Where You Are in Life. Do you ever find yourself saying, “It’s not that bad…”—even when you know deep down something needs to change? Whether it’s your health, your relationships, or the way you’re showing up in your own life, feeling stuck is something we all go through—especially in midlife. In this powerful and deeply honest episode, I’m joined by Yvette Salva—personal trainer, life coach, and survivor—who shares her inspiring journey...
Are you feeling like your body—and your life—aren’t quite your own anymore? Maybe the weight gain, brain fog, sleepless nights, and emotional overwhelm have left you wondering, “Who even am I right now?” If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. In today’s deeply honest and empowering conversation, I’m joined by self-love and relationship coach Christina Ketchen to explore the concept of acceptance—not as giving up, but as a powerful path to freedom and healing during midlife tr...
Ever feel like you’re losing yourself somewhere between hot flashes, brain fog, and trying to remember where you left your coffee (again)? You’re not alone—and this conversation is for you. In this very special episode, Sara takes the guest seat as she’s interviewed on a local Annapolis-based podcast. What unfolds is a lively, honest, and often hilarious conversation about the very real experiences of women in perimenopause and menopause. From heart palpitations to sleep struggles to relation...
Are you crying over dog food commercials… or impulse-buying your fourth pair of reading glasses? Welcome to the wild ride of Cougar Puberty—yes, it’s a thing, and no, you’re not the only one living it. In this short but laughter-filled episode, we’re talking about the hormonal chaos of perimenopause and menopause… and why comparing it to puberty might just be the most accurate (and hilarious) take out there. If you’ve ever felt like you’re reliving the emotional roller coaster of your teen ye...
Are You Saying "Yes" When You Really Want to Say "No"? If your calendar is packed, your energy is drained, and you're constantly “should-ing” yourself through the week, you’re not alone. In this short but powerful episode, I’m talking about one of the most freeing things you can do in midlife: say no. This isn’t just about boundaries—it’s about reclaiming your joy, your time, and your health. Saying no is the first step toward letting go of what no longer serves you… and making space for what...
Are These Midlife Health Questions Keeping You Up at Night? Have you ever found yourself deep in a 2 a.m. Google rabbit hole, trying to figure out if collagen powder is worth it, or whether that weighted vest in your closet could actually help your bones? You’re not alone. Midlife brings a flood of changes—and questions—and it can be hard to know what advice to trust. In this episode, I’m answering the most common (and most Googled!) health questions I hear from women in midlife. From supplem...
Do you ever feel like you’re just faking it—like you’ve somehow fooled everyone into thinking you’ve got it all together, even as you’re quietly doubting your worth behind the scenes? If that resonates, this episode is for you. Today, I’m sharing a deeply personal and honest conversation about imposter syndrome in midlife. This isn't just a mindset issue—it’s something so many women silently carry as we face big life transitions, career shifts, hormonal changes, and old stories from our past....
Are GLP-1 Medications Right for You? What You Really Need to Know First Have you been hearing a lot about GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and wondering if they might be the magic fix—or if they’re just another fad? Maybe you’ve already started using one, but feel unsure how to support your body while you’re on it. In this honest and empowering episode, I sit down with certified nutrition coach Danielle McColloch to talk about what no one else is saying: how to use GLP-1s safely, effectivel...
Are you noticing more hair in your brush, thinning at your part, or just feeling like your ponytail isn’t what it used to be? You’re not imagining things—and you’re definitely not alone. Hair loss is one of the most emotionally distressing symptoms women face in midlife, and yet it’s still not talked about enough. In this powerful episode, I’m joined by Dr. Mary Wendel, a board-certified internist and founder of Medi Tresse, a clinic dedicated to women’s hair loss. Dr. Wendel brings her decad...
Are mood swings running the show lately—and leaving you feeling like a stranger in your own life? If you've ever cried over a commercial, snapped at your partner for simply breathing, or found yourself thinking “Who even am I right now?”, you’re in good company. In this episode, we’re diving into the emotional whirlwind that so often comes with midlife—and unpacking what’s hormonal, what’s situational, and what’s actually a powerful wake-up call. Yes, estrogen and progesterone are shifting—bu...
Is your heart suddenly racing out of nowhere—and you're not even stressed? You’re not alone. Many midlife women are blindsided by unexpected heart symptoms like palpitations, racing pulses, and sudden spikes in blood pressure. It’s terrifying, confusing, and all too often dismissed as “just anxiety.” In this heartfelt episode, I share my own journey with perimenopausal tachycardia—when my resting heart rate soared to 170 BPM—and the deeper discoveries that followed. If you’ve ever wondered wh...
Big News: Our Midlife Concierge Program Is Launching! Hi ladies, it’s Dr. Sarah here with something incredibly exciting I’ve been waiting to share. Monique, our amazing nurse practitioner, and I are launching a brand-new Concierge Membership Program exclusively for women in midlife right here in Maryland! This high-touch, deeply personalized program is designed to support you through every phase of perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. We’re combining the best of functional medicine, Chinese ...
Menopause Rise and Thrive | Helping Women Navigate Midlife and Menopause
Have you ever found yourself stuck—knowing you want more energy, more confidence, more joy—but unsure of where to start? Or maybe you’ve hit a roadblock that’s thrown your whole routine off course (again), and you're struggling to get back on track. If any of that sounds familiar, this episode is here to help you reconnect with your inner spark and move forward with purpose. In this uplifting and empowering conversation, I’m joined by midlife fitness expert and author Heike Yates, creator of ...
