In this episode, I’m getting real about what it takes to keep a relationship strong when life throws something at you that you never saw coming.
Four weeks after I got remarried, my husband was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. Overnight, I went from being a newlywed to being a caregiver. Fifteen years later, I can honestly say that while love is amazing — it’s not enough to make a marriage last when things get hard.
This conversation isn’t just for current caregivers — it’s for anyone who’s ever believed that “love conquers all.” I share the lessons I’ve learned about flexibility, boundaries, humor, and respect — and how I’ve learned to build a marriage that looks completely different from what I once imagined… but is filled with a deeper kind of love.
In This Episode, I Talk About:
How I realized that “love conquers all” is a myth
What becoming a caregiver taught me about marriage and identity
Why flexibility keeps relationships from breaking
The boundaries I’ve had to set to protect my energy and mental health
The role humor plays in surviving the hard days
Why respect matters even more than romance
If you’re caring for a partner, a parent, or anyone you love — I’d love to hear how you’re navigating it. Come join me and other women in our Midlife Mavericks Facebook community, where we share, vent, laugh, and remind each other that we’re not alone.
👉 Join here: Facebook.com/groups/MidlifeMavericks
Let’s be honest — you can’t live authentically if you’re still hiding behind excuses, blame, or the stories you tell yourself.
In this episode of Midlife Mavericks, I talk with transformative coach and author Martine Cohen about what it really means to take ownership of your life. Martine’s philosophy is simple but powerful: before you can be authentic with others, you have to be authentic with yourself.
We dig into the mindset shifts that help you stop people-pleasing, quiet that critical inner voice, and start leading from a place of truth. Because the moment you own your choices, your reactions, and your growth — that’s when real freedom begins.
✨ Why authenticity starts from the inside out
✨ How to silence the 2 a.m. inner critic
✨ Martine’s “inner boardroom” technique for confronting your old stories
✨ The difference between blame and ownership — and why it matters
✨ How to move from fear and survival mode into curiosity and confidence
✨ Why midlife is your best opportunity to rewrite your story
Martine Cohen is an author, speaker, and transformative coach helping women peel back the layers of expectation and rediscover who they truly are. Her book, No More Layers: Discover Your Inner Power and Reclaim True Freedom from the Inside Out, offers the tools and insights to build that authentic life from within.
🎁 Free Resource: Get Martine’s 4-Minute Mindset Reset at www.martinecohen.com/connectwithme
Ready to get past fear and live confidently and HAPPY? Let's talk - connect with me here.
🎧 Subscribe to Midlife Mavericks wherever you listen to podcasts.
Have you ever said, “I could never handle that”? I used to say it too—until life handed me situations I never could have imagined.
In this episode, I open up about the hardest chapters of my life: losing my first son to SIDS, becoming a caregiver just weeks after getting married, raising a child with intellectual disabilities, and facing bankruptcy after a divorce. These were the moments I once thought I couldn’t survive. And yet, I did. Not only did I survive, but I created a life I truly love.
I’ll share how I shifted from saying “I can’t imagine it” to asking myself “Why not me?”—and how you can use the proof of your own resilience to step into new risks and opportunities.
What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
Why I stopped saying “I could never handle that”
How I learned to focus on one step at a time when life felt overwhelming
The importance of support, community, and mindset in making it through the hard stuff
How I turned pain into purpose and built a life that lights me up
Journaling prompts to help you tap into your resilience
Journaling Questions for You:
What’s one challenge you thought was impossible—but you survived?
How can that remind you of your strength the next time you hesitate to take a risk?
What’s one thing you’ve been holding off doing that you’re ready to try handling now?
Resources & Links:
👉 Join my Midlife Mavericks Facebook Group for encouragement and support.
👉 Learn more about my coaching and how I can help you go after your goals.
If my story resonates with you, please share this episode with another woman who needs the reminder that she’s stronger than she knows.
This week on Midlife Mavericks, I sat down with Dr. Angela Zhang, a Missouri-based scientist, entrepreneur, and mother who transformed her passion for holistic wellness into Karviva a company that creates functional juices and smoothies that nourish the body and delight the senses With a PhD in pathology and an MBA, Angela bridges the gap between modern scientific rigor and the ancient healing wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine.
Angela shares her journey from medical research to launching a beverage company, including the challenges of entrepreneurship, the courage to pivot in midlife, and why she believes food is truly medicine. She also offers practical advice for women on listening to their bodies, making confident health choices, and stepping into a second chapter with passion and purpose.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why Angela pivoted from science and research to founding Karviva Beverages.
How she combines traditional Chinese medicine with modern clinical insights.
Lifestyle shifts that can help prevent chronic disease, especially for women.
The importance of listening to our bodies and reconnecting with nature.
Why midlife is the perfect time to pursue your passion—even without a perfect plan.
Angela’s advice to women: embrace your wisdom, confidence, and inner beauty.
Resources & Links Mentioned:
Learn more about Angela and Karviva: Karviva.com
Follow Alison’s work at alison-jacobson.com
Divorce in midlife isn’t just a life event—it’s a full-body, full-soul transformation. In this episode, Alison gets real about the fear of starting over alone and offers a fresh, empowering perspective: what if that fear isn’t a red light, but a green light?
Whether you’re knee-deep in paperwork, crying over another pizza and ice cream dinner, or just wondering how to make it through the day, this episode is your reminder that showing up is enough.
Here's what we're talking about:
✅ Why the fear of being alone is really a deeper desire for connection and freedom
✅ How small routines help you reclaim emotional control
✅ A powerful mantra to keep you grounded when everything feels like too much
✅ Tips for staying strong—even when you're barely holding it together
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about resilience, reinvention, and realizing that midlife can be your most powerful chapter yet.
👉 For more resources, support, and midlife reinvention inspiration, visit alison-jacobson.com
In this episode of Midlife Mavericks, I'm talking with attorney-turned-author Heidi B. Friedman, whose journey through heartbreak and healing led her to write the deeply personal and powerful book, Love Lessons.
Heidi opens up about life after divorce, rediscovering her voice, and what it means to truly love yourself first. Through the lens of real experiences, she shares insights on resilience, rewriting your story, and how the most painful chapters can spark your most profound transformation.
You’ll hear:
How Heidi navigated life transitions in midlife
The surprising lessons that came from heartbreak
Why she believes vulnerability is the path to empowerment
Her message to any woman wondering, “Is this all there is?”
📚 Learn more about Heidi and her book Love Lessons: https://halopublishing.com/authors/heidi-b-friedman
📸 Follow her on Instagram: @heidibfriedmanauthor
Learn more about me and my work here.
Let’s be real—feeling like a failure sucks.
Whether it’s a business that didn’t launch, a relationship that unraveled, or just waking up wondering “What am I even doing with my life?”—we’ve all had those moments where it feels like we’re getting it wrong.
But what if those moments aren’t setbacks… but signals?
What if feeling like a failure is actually a sign that you’re in motion, on the edge of growth, and becoming the version of yourself you’re meant to be?
In this episode of Midlife Mavericks, I’m breaking down the truth no one talks about:
You don’t succeed your way into reinvention—you fail your way there.
We’ll talk about:
✨ Why “failing” is actually a power move in midlife
✨ How to take small, bold steps even when you feel lost
✨ Real examples of what growth looks like in the messy middle
✨ How to shift from self-doubt to self-trust—one action at a time
✨ And why your daily struggles might just be the proof you’re doing it right
If you’re stumbling, second-guessing, or starting over, this episode is your reminder:
You are not behind. You are not broken. You are becoming.
In this episode I sit down with 72 year-old Pauline Adeleke, founder of Ageless Fitness Lifestyle, to talk about what it really means to reclaim your health, vitality, and confidence in midlife—and beyond. And let me tell you, this woman is a bad-ass!
Pauline shares her journey from burnout to bold reinvention, her passion for empowering women over 50 to build strength (both physically and mentally), and the mindset shifts that helped her stop shrinking and start thriving.
If you’ve ever thought, “Is it too late for me to start over?”—this conversation is for you.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
💪 Why strength training is essential in midlife (and not just for your body)
🧠 How to shift your mindset from limitation to possibility
🔥 The power of starting small—and staying consistent
🌟 How Pauline is redefining what aging looks and feels like
Connect with Pauline Adeleke:
🔗 Website: www.agelessfitnesslifestyle.com
📸 Instagram: @paulineadeleke
Subscribe to Midlife Mavericks for more bold conversations with women who are rewriting the second half of life on their own terms.
Are you constantly replaying the past or worrying about the future?
In this episode of Midlife Mavericks, Alison shares how the true power of midlife comes from anchoring yourself in the present moment.
You’ll learn:
✨ The three simple questions to ground yourself right now
✨ How letting go of internal blockages unlocks real love, joy, and inspiration
✨ Why mindfulness isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence
✨ Practical ways to stop overthinking and start living freely
If you’re ready to stop chasing happiness and start feeling it, this episode is your invitation to come back to yourself—and step fully into your next chapter.
🎧 Listen now and start living your most powerful life today!
If you're thinking of getting a divorce, are in the middle of one or just coming out the other side, this episode is for you!
I'm sharing everything I wish someone had told me before my divorce! From the painful reality of co-parenting with someone whose values don’t align, to the unexpected shifts in friendships and the quiet empowerment found in doing things solo—this episode is a raw and real reflection on what life after divorce actually looks like.
This episode will remind you that you are not alone—and you are stronger than you think.
What You’ll Learn:
✨ Why you can’t control how your ex shows up as a parent
✨ The surprising ways friendships will shift (and why that’s okay)
✨ How doing things on your own builds unstoppable confidence
✨ Why quiet time alone isn’t something to fear—it’s something to savor
✨ What kids really need (hint: it’s not stuff—it’s a happy, whole mom)
Need support navigating divorce, mindset shifts, or starting over in midlife?
Let’s talk. Book a free discovery call here.
After years of raising kids, managing a household, and putting everyone else first, stepping back into thecorporate world in midlife can feel both exciting and terrifying.
If you’ve been out of the workforce for a decade (or more), you might be wondering:
💼 Do my skills still matter?
💼Will I be able to compete in today’s job market?
💼How do I even begin to rebrand myself professionally?
In this episode of Midlife Mavericks, I’m talking to Kelly K. James, author of The Book that (Almost) Got Me Fired: How I (Barely) Survived a Year in Corporate America. We divedeep into the realities of returning to corporate America after years at home.
We’ll cover:
In this episode, you'll learn:
Overcoming the Fear of the Unknown:
How to combat self-doubt and rediscover your professional identity after years at home.
Translating Home Management Skills to Corporate Success:
Discover the hidden strengths you gained as a stay-at-home parent and how they can give you a competitive edge in the workplace.
Practical Strategies for a Smooth Transition:
Tips on updating your resume, networking, and preparing for interviews that acknowledge your unique life experience.
Balancing Work and Life on Your Own Terms:
Strategies for managing work-life balance as you step back into a corporate environment.
Mindset Shifts and Building Confidence:
Insights on how to embrace this new chapter as an opportunity for reinvention, growth, and empowerment.
Change is scary. And the worst part? It often hits when we least expect it—a sudden breakup, job loss, health diagnosis, or a life shift we never saw coming.
In this episode of Midlife Mavericks, we dive into:
🔥 Why resisting change only drains your energy—and what to do instead.
🔥 How to shift from Why me? to What’s next?
🔥 The hidden gifts in unexpected life shake-ups.
🔥 The power of small steps and why you don’t need to have it all figured out today.
🔥 A reminder: You’ve handled hard things before, and you will again.
If you’re facing a big life transition and wondering how to move forward, this episode will help you turn fear into fuel.
Need some guidance making your next moves and overcoming the fear of change? Let's chat!
Let’s be real—many of us have spent decades burying parts of ourselves to fit a role, to be the 'good' wife, mom, friend, daughter, or employee. We put our needs last because we were taught that’s what ‘good’ women do.
But what’s the cost of that?
In this episode I'm diving deep into how to reclaim your energy, your power, your spark.
Want some support in achieving your dreams? Let's talk!
Click here to set up a complimentary session with me.
Need a daily dose of kick-ass motivation? Grab my book:
Daily Inspiration for Midlife Women: A Guide to Peace, Joy, Confidence and Abundance.
In this episode of Midlife Mavericks, I'm sitting down with the incredible Deb Krier, an entrepreneur, cancer advocate, and founder of TryingNotToDie.live. Deb's journey through stage 4 triple-positive breast cancer, thyroid cancer, and her resilience through adversity will leave you in awe.
Together, we discuss:
Deb also shares the story behind her initiative, TryingNotToDie.live, a platform offering resources, support, and a community for those navigating cancer. Plus, hear the heartfelt tale of Warrior, the little bear that embodies strength and comfort for those in the fight.
Key Takeaways:
Connect with Deb Krier:
If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and review the show. Share it with someone who could use a little inspiration today!
January is the month many people contemplate divorce and one of the reasons I started my coaching practice is I wanted to help women get through it confidently and successfully.
Divorce can be overwhelming and, as I say, knowledge is power. So, I wanted to share with you some of the most important things to consider as you move into this next chapter of your life. First - YOU WILL BE OK!
Here are some of the things I'm talking about:
I've got you!
If you need some guidance and support before, during or after your divorce, let's talk! I offer a complimentary 45-minute session that you can schedule here.
Share the Love:
If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with friends or family who might benefit from this advice. Your support helps other women find the Midlife Mavericks podcast!
Whether you want to leave a job, end a relationship, or finally start your own business, fear can sideline you if you don't deal with it.
If 2025 is the year you want to make big changes, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you move forward with confidence and clarity.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
✨ How to visualize your ideal future and feel it before it happens.
✨ Why fear is a powerful indicator that you’re growing—and how to embrace it.
✨ The first steps to creating a plan that aligns your goals with your actions.
✨ Practical strategies for shifting self-doubt into self-belief.
Your midlife isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of something extraordinary. If you’re ready to break free from fear, uncertainty, or limiting beliefs, this episode is your roadmap to creating a bold and fearless second act.
💬 Ready to take the first step? Schedule a free consultation with Alison to start manifesting the midlife you deserve! Schedule a time here.
From the time we're kids we're taught what to believe. We fall into the habits of our parents.
But if you want to break cycles and live fully in midlife we need to unlearn and unbelieve.
That's what I talked about with my guest, Anne-Sophie Reinhardt. Anne is a mind-body coach, known for empowering women in midlife to embrace self-worth and positive body image.
Some of the things we covered:
- How to navigate and manage the invisible workload.
- Easy steps for building self-esteen in midlife.
- Creating morning rituals for a stress-free day.
You can learn more about Anne-Sophie Reinhardt and her coaching practice here.
And, if you're ready to break out of old patterns and relationships that are no longer serving you, schedule a free consultation with me here.
As we step into 2025, it’s time to ask yourself three life-changing questions:
✨ Are you Living—fully embracing life and saying YES to adventure?
✨ Are you Loving—building meaningful, authentic relationships with others and yourself?
✨ Do you Matter—making an impact and leaving a legacy that’s uniquely yours?
In the latest episode of Midlife Mavericks, we’re diving deep into these three transformative goals and how they can guide you to a year filled with purpose, joy, and bold decisions.
I’ll walk you through:
✅ How to embrace life and step outside your comfort zone.
✅ Why authentic connections are key to fulfillment—and how to nurture them.
✅ Ways to make an impact and align your actions with what truly matters to you.
👉 If you’re ready to make 2025 YOUR year, this episode is for you.
Ready to kick your life into high gear in 2025 but need some support? I'm here to help - set up a free session session with me on how we can work together to achieve your goals. Click here to schedule some time.
My guest this week is holistic nutritionist Gaylene Gomez, owner of Compass Rose Nutrition & Wellness.
Gaylene shared how our nutrition needs change during menopause and how stress and exercise can impact this as well.
Plus I took her quiz LIVE to figure out which of the four pillars of health I needed focus on.
Some of the things we discussed:
- What are the four pillars of health?
- What is holistic nutrition?
- How we need to change our diet during menopause.
- The first thing you can do when you're feeling overall "blah."
Plus, you can take her quiz as well to find out the areas you need to focus on. Take the quiz here.
To learn more about Compass Rose Nutrition click here.
I think many of us have been feeling despair since last week.
Over the years I've experienced the death of my baby to SIDS, the loss of a dear friend, the devastating diagnosis for my husband of Primary Progressive MS and, yes, the election.
Many women right now are trying to process their grief and despair and are unsure how.
I'm providing a few pieces of advice that have helped me get through all of these situations in my life. I hope they help you.
For more information on my coaching practice click here.