Opt to Thrive…for Midlife Women

Dr Corina Sims
  • 5.0 (26)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Opt to Thrive is a health and wellness podcast designed to support, educate, inspire, empower and motivate midlife women to live their healthiest, happiest most fulfilled lives. Motivated by her own life experiences and challenging midlife transition, Dr Corina Sims created Opt to Thrive. Dr Sims is a rural GP Obstetrician and Menopause Specialist who has a passion for connecting with and empowering other women to be the best version of themselves. Disappointed with the vast amount of contradictory information targeted at menopausal women, Dr Sims also recognised the gap in medicine that has been identified around the globe in managing women going through it.  Dr Dims strives to bring evidence based information to those who are searching for answers. Listen in every week where on one week you’ll find either a short and sweet episode designed to uplift, inspire and give helpful tips to manage your mind and a longer episode the next created to educate and inform. 

  1. 17 HRS AGO

    When You're Told You're "Fat and Lazy" But It's Actually Lipoedema: This Is Chantel's Story

    Send us Fan Mail This is an eye-opening episode that brings awareness to a condition that is not very well known and often confused with being overweight. Chantel, a Registered Nurse married to a doctor, suffered with Lipoedema from her teenage years but wasn't diagnosed until her mid-thirties.  Throughout these years she was subject to comments from "you've really let yourself go" to unhelpful advice like "you just need to lose weight", sadly often from health professionals. Eventually she discovered the name of the condition she was suffering from when she googled "cankles" and was confronted with images that mirrored her own body.  In this heartfelt episode Chantel bravely tells us her story and sheds light on what this condition is, what it is like living with it and how to recognise and treat it.  If you or someone you know has carried painful fat in the legs, and possibly the arms, that doesn't appear in the hands and feet and you've never put a name to it - or you're just interested in what it must be like to live with this condition - you'll want to listen to this episode. Let’s Stay Connected: Get your free Midlife Health & Body Reset Guide: HereFind out more about the Midlife Reset Program: HereJoin the Opt to Thrive mailing list: HereFollow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothriveConnect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)Opt to Thrive official websiteIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend who may enjoy it too.🫶

    40 min

  2. 29 APR ·  BONUS

    Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment: A Powerful Strategy for Managing Cravings

    Send us Fan Mail In this week’s Mindful Moment, we’re exploring something that quietly works against so many midlife women trying to improve their health, body composition, and energy… cravings. Those moments — often at night — when you’re not truly hungry, but still find yourself reaching for something.  In this short, powerful episode, I share a simple question that can help you pause, reflect, and shift out of automatic habits: We’ll look at what might actually be driving those cravings — from stress and fatigue to habit and emotional needs — and how learning to respond differently can support not just your goals, but your overall wellbeing. This isn’t about willpower.  It’s about awareness, self-support, and learning to have your own back in midlife. A gentle, practical reset you can come back to anytime 💛 Let’s Stay Connected: Sign up for the upcoming free live talk HereGet your free Midlife Health & Body Reset Guide: HereFind out more about the Midlife Reset Program: HereJoin the Opt to Thrive mailing list: HereFollow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothriveConnect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)Opt to Thrive official websiteIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend who may enjoy it too.🫶

    11 min

  3. 22 APR

    Because Walking Is Great but It's Not Enough in Midlife: Keeping Muscle & Bone Strong With Damien Crettenden

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with local Exercise Physiologist, Damien Crettenden, for a conversation every midlife woman needs to hear. From somewhere around 40 we start to naturally lose muscle and this process will continue unless we do something about it. Only 8% of Australian women are doing what it takes to maintain their muscles.  But muscle isn't the whole story. We also lose bone strength as we age and in fact this process is accelerated around the final menstrual period when we lose bone faster than any other time in our lives.  In this episode, we unpack what you really need to know about maintaining muscle and bone health in midlife. So, if you’ve ever wondered:  “Is walking and Pilates enough?”  “Should I avoid weights because of joint pain?”  “What does a safe and effective strength program even look like?” "Where can I go for help?""Should I be seeing an exercise physiologist?"…this episode will give you clarity. We talk about why strength training becomes non-negotiable in midlife—not from a place of fear, but from a place of empowerment. You’ll learn how it supports bone health (including osteoporosis prevention), improves joint pain and function (yes, even with osteoarthritis), and helps you feel stronger, more capable, and more confident in your body. Damien also breaks down what an Exercise Physiology professional actually does, and why having the right guidance can make all the difference—especially if you’re feeling unsure where to start. This is a grounded, practical, and reassuring conversation with someone who truly meets women where they’re at. If you’re ready to move beyond confusion, fear, or “just walking more”… this episode is for you. Let’s Stay Connected: Sign up for the upcoming free live talk HereGet your free Midlife Health & Body Reset Guide: HereFind out more about the Midlife Reset Program: HereJoin the Opt to Thrive mailing list: HereFollow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothriveConnect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)Opt to Thrive official websiteIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend who may enjoy it too.🫶

    44 min

  4. 15 APR ·  BONUS

    Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment: What Are You Making It Mean?

    Send us Fan Mail Have you ever had a moment where something small completely derailed your mood… and you weren’t even sure why? In this week’s episode I'm getting uncomfortably vulnerable to give a real-life example of how to use one of my favourite mind management tools. In this episode I'm sharing a real-life moment from my Easter weekend that left me feeling hurt, embarrassed, and unexpectedly emotional—and how I used this simple but powerful mindset tool to shift myself out of it within minutes. We talk a lot about how our thoughts create our feelings… but this episode takes it one step deeper. Because often, it’s not just the circumstance or even the thought that’s causing the pain— it’s what we’re making that thought or circumstance mean. Inside this episode, I walk you through:  Why strong emotional reactions are actually a signal (not a problem)  The powerful question that can instantly change how you feel  How to challenge the meaning your brain is assigning to a situation You’ll hear exactly how I unpacked a thought in the moment to uncover the deeper belief that was actually causing the hurt. And most importantly, how I shifted it. We can’t always control what happens. We can’t control what other people think. But we can question the meaning we give it. And that is where your power is. If you’ve ever found yourself spiraling over something small…  or carrying around feelings that don’t quite make sense… This episode will give you a practical tool you can use immediately. Takeaway to reflect on: 👉 What am I making this mean… and is that actually true? Let’s Stay Connected: Register your interest for the Wellbeing program HereGet your free Midlife Health & Body Reset Guide: HereFind out more about the Midlife Reset Program: HereJoin the Opt to Thrive mailing list: HereFollow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothriveConnect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)Opt to Thrive official websiteIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend who may enjoy it too.🫶

    14 min

  5. 8 APR

    From Menopause Mess to Thriving: The Mindset Shift That Changed Everything – This is Trish’s Story

    Send us Fan Mail Trish describes herself as being in a “menopause mess”—gaining weight without changing her diet, waking daily with headaches, dealing with pain, and feeling like she’d been “hit by a truck” with no light in sight. In this episode, she shares how discovering a new approach—and making one powerful mindset shift—changed everything. Now, over six months after completing the Midlife Reset, Trish is strong again in both mind and body. She’s back to strength training without pain, has clarity and confidence around her nutrition, and no longer feels stuck or controlled by the scales. This is a real and honest conversation about what’s possible in midlife when you have the right support, the right tools, and a new way of thinking. Let’s Stay Connected: Register your interest for the Wellbeing program HereGet your free Midlife Health & Body Reset Guide: HereFind out more about the Midlife Reset Program: HereJoin the Opt to Thrive mailing list: HereFollow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothriveConnect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)Opt to Thrive official websiteIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend who may enjoy it too.🫶

    46 min

  6. 1 APR ·  BONUS

    Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment: The Power of Purpose in Midlife

    Send us Fan Mail When was the last time you started something new? Something that challenged you… stretched you… and at the same time lit you up from the inside out? In this episode, I’m sharing what I’ve learned over the past two years of building Opt to Thrive, and why stepping outside your comfort zone might be one of the most powerful things you can do in midlife. We talk about growth, confidence, and doing things before you feel ready… but also the deeper reason this matters more than ever. Because this isn’t just about trying something new. There’s actually strong evidence that having a sense of purpose—especially in midlife—can improve your mental health, your brain function, your relationships… and even how long you live. If you’ve been thinking about starting something, but keep putting it off… consider this your nudge. Your future self will thank you. Let’s Stay Connected: Register your interest for the Wellbeing program HereGet your free Midlife Health & Body Reset Guide: HereFind out more about the Midlife Reset Program: HereJoin the Opt to Thrive mailing list: HereFollow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothriveConnect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)Opt to Thrive official websiteIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend who may enjoy it too.🫶

    12 min

  7. 25 MAR

    Swollen Legs: The Difference Between Lipoedema, Lymphoedema and Excess Weight

    Send us Fan Mail Not all leg swelling is the same. In this episode, I unpack a topic that isn’t talked about nearly enough—lipoedema—and how it differs from lymphoedema and more common causes of swollen legs. If you’ve ever experienced heavy, painful, or swollen legs… or felt frustrated that your legs don’t seem to respond the way the rest of your body does… this is an important conversation. We’ll walk through: The key differences between lipoedema, lymphoedema, and excess weightCommon signs and clues that are often missedWhy these conditions are frequently misdiagnosedWhat can actually help manage symptoms and improve quality of lifeIf something about your legs has never quite felt “normal”… this might give you the answers you’ve been looking for. Let’s Stay Connected: Access Printable fibre cheat sheetRegister your interest for the Wellbeing program HereGet your free Midlife Health & Body Reset Guide: HereFind out more about the Midlife Reset Program: HereJoin the Opt to Thrive mailing list: HereFollow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothriveConnect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)Opt to Thrive official websiteIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend who may enjoy it too.🫶

    21 min

  8. 18 MAR ·  BONUS

    Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment: Active Acceptance When Your Daughter Lives Next to a War Zone

    Send us Fan Mail What do you do when something you can’t control suddenly feels very close to home? In this episode, I share a personal experience of supporting my daughter while she lives in Dubai during this period of rising tension in the region. It has been confronting, emotional, and a real test of how I manage my own mind. Because when uncertainty hits, our brains often want to go straight to the “what ifs.” But what if there’s another way to meet those moments? We explore the concept of active acceptance—a powerful shift that helped me move from fear and overthinking to a surprising sense of calm and clarity. This conversation is for you if you: Find yourself worrying about things outside your controlStruggle with uncertainty or worst-case thinkingWant to feel more grounded and steady, even when life feels unpredictableSometimes the situation doesn’t change…  but the way we meet it can change everything. 🌿 Takeaway You can’t control everything that happens—  but you can choose how you respond. Let’s Stay Connected: Register your interest for the Wellbeing program HereGet your free Midlife Health & Body Reset Guide: HereFind out more about the Midlife Reset Program: HereJoin the Opt to Thrive mailing list: HereFollow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothriveConnect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)Opt to Thrive official websiteIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and share it with a friend who may enjoy it too.🫶

    13 min
See All (96)

Trailer

5
out of 5
26 Ratings

About

Opt to Thrive is a health and wellness podcast designed to support, educate, inspire, empower and motivate midlife women to live their healthiest, happiest most fulfilled lives. Motivated by her own life experiences and challenging midlife transition, Dr Corina Sims created Opt to Thrive. Dr Sims is a rural GP Obstetrician and Menopause Specialist who has a passion for connecting with and empowering other women to be the best version of themselves. Disappointed with the vast amount of contradictory information targeted at menopausal women, Dr Sims also recognised the gap in medicine that has been identified around the globe in managing women going through it.  Dr Dims strives to bring evidence based information to those who are searching for answers. Listen in every week where on one week you’ll find either a short and sweet episode designed to uplift, inspire and give helpful tips to manage your mind and a longer episode the next created to educate and inform. 

Information

You Might Also Like