Honestly, Carly

Carly Corrigall

If you're a woman over 40 and your old workouts have stopped working, your jeans feel tighter, and your brain can’t decide if it’s burnt out or buzzing - you’re in the right place. This is midlife, just not how they sold it to you. Honestly, Carly is where fitness, hormone health, and real life collide. Hosted by Carly Corrigall, midlife PT (and former lawyer), each week we get honest about what it actually takes to feel strong, confident and capable over 40, without overtraining, overcomplicating, or outsourcing your self-worth to scales and step counts. Expect science-backed strategies you can use today, the pep talk you didn't know you needed, and more than the occasional “oh my god, SAME.” This is the podcast to help you train smarter, feel better, and make this your strongest chapter yet. Educational content only; not a substitute for medical advice.

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    The Power of the Pause - Why Your Rest Days are Working Harder than You Think (with Karen Wilson)

    This week I'm joined by yoga teacher and mindset and self-care specialist, Karen Wilson, for a conversation that challenges one of the most persistent myths in midlife fitness: that more is always better. If you've ever felt guilty on a rest day, pushed through a workout when your body was begging you to stop, or wondered why doing all the things still isn't producing the results you want, this episode will reframe all of it. Karen brings a grounded, practical lens to nervous system regulation, breathwork and recovery, and together I think we make the case that intensity and rest aren't in opposition. They're in partnership. What You'll Hear in This Episode The stress bucket: why everything goes in, the good stuff and the bad, and what happens when it tips over.Why your capacity and your capability are two completely different things, and confusing them is costing you more than you realise.What's actually happening in your muscles on a rest day, and why that day is doing more work than your hardest session.The nervous system in plain English: what sympathetic overdrive actually looks like, and the subtle signs you might be missing in yourself.How breathwork and yoga aren't the soft option. They're the performance tool most women are leaving on the table.Why the women who train hardest are often the least good at recovery, and what to do about it.Karen's ANCHOR framework, and how tiny practices woven into your day are more powerful than one big weekly session.The teeth brushing analogy that will change how you think about daily practice. A Line That Will Stay With You "Capacity doesn't equal capability. You can have all the skills in the world and still have nothing left to give." Find Karen Wilson Karen's website, programme details and upcoming workshops are linked in her website here - www.samanyayoga.co.uk You can connect with Karen on Instagram @Samanyayoga AND IF YOU LOVED THIS EPISODE... Come and tell me what you think over on Instagram - I always love to get your messages. I'm @carlycorrigall If you can spare the time to rate and review the podcast then that would be incredible too, it really helps me to reach more women.

    1hr 1min

  2. 23 APR

    Doing All The Workouts...But Not Seeing Results? This is Why

    If you’re doing all the workouts… ticking all the boxes… and still not seeing the results you used to - this episode is for you. Because more often than not, it’s not about how much you’re training. It’s about how hard you’re actually working. In this episode, I’m breaking down why intensity matters (especially in midlife), the difference between movement and training, and why living in that comfortable “middle zone” might be the exact thing holding you back. This is the most common training mistake I see when clients come to work with me, so absolutely no shame if you feel called out by this one! 🎯 Practical takeawayThis week, I want you to: 👉 Pick one workout 👉 And genuinely push to an 8/10 effort Not for the whole session Just for those key moments that actually drive change 📥 Free resourceIf this episode has hit a nerve and you’re thinking “ok… but how do I actually do this?” - I’ve got you. Download my free Training Tweak Guide, where I walk you through exactly how to dial up your effort (without burning out): 👉 Grab the Training Tweak Guide 💪 Want more support?If you want that extra nudge (and someone telling you when to push), you can try one of my strength + HIIT classes inside Train with Carly: 👉 Train with Carly 💬 Let’s chatGot questions or thoughts from this episode? Come and find me on Instagram: 👉 @carlycorrigall

    30 min

  3. 16 APR

    BITESIZE | Why You Feel Better On Holiday (and how to bottle that feeling)

    We've just had the Easter break here in the UK (and have the May bank holidays to look forward to next month!) so I wanted to give you a bitesize nugget of an episode on something that's been coming up with my clients. Ever noticed how you feel better on holiday… even when you’re moving less, drinking more wine (!), and completely out of your usual routine? In this short, punchy episode, I’m unpacking what’s actually going on - and why it’s not that your routine at home is broken. Because here’s the truth: It’s not the workouts. It’s not better weather. And it’s not just “having more time”. Your environment is doing more of the heavy lifting than you think. Inside this bitesize episode, I’m breaking down: Why you often move more on holiday without realising itThe impact of reduced pressure (and why your body responds so well to it)What’s happening with your nervous system when you finally switch offWhy you feel more in tune with your body - and what that changes as a result. And most importantly… How to bring those benefits into your everyday life - without needing a plane ticket or a week off work. If you’ve ever come back from a holiday thinking “why can’t I feel like this at home?” - this one’s for you. Links & Resources:👉 Learn more about The Reboot (my holistic coaching programme): The Reboot 👉 Try my free mini HIIT workout: Grab it here 👉 Follow me on Instagram @carlycorrigall If this episode resonated, I’d love you to share it with a friend - or pop into my DMs and tell me what your “holiday effect” looks like. I always love hearing from you.

    13 min

  4. 9 APR

    I Thought I Was Active... Apparently Not.

    I nearly ticked "sedentary" on a medical form. And I'm a personal trainer. I had to tick a box describing my activity level - you know the ones. Sedentary. Lightly active. Moderately active. Highly active. And for years, I’ve ticked the top one without thinking. This time… I actually read it. And realised I couldn’t. Despite being a personal trainer. Despite training regularly. Despite doing all the “right” things… I was, at best, lightly active. Some days? Probably sedentary! In this episode, I’m unpacking how that happened - and why I know I’m not the only one. Because this is something I see all the time with the women I work with in midlife. In this episode, I talk about: Why "formal" exercise alone isn’t enoughThe hidden impact of sitting on your long-term healthWhat NEAT (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis) actually is - and why it mattersThe truth about step counts (and why 10,000 isn’t a magic number)Why walking is one of the most underrated tools we haveAnd the small, practical ways I’ve started building more movement back into my day This isn’t about doing more workouts. It’s about looking at how you live. Because your body isn’t just responding to your training… it’s responding to your entire day. 🔬 Research & ReferencesPaluch AE et al. (2021)Steps per Day and All-Cause Mortality in Middle-aged Adultshttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8417757/Paluch AE et al. (2022)Daily steps and all-cause mortality: a meta-analysis of 15 cohortshttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9289978/Dunstan DW et al. (2012)Breaking Up Prolonged Sitting Reduces Postprandial Glucose and Insulin Responseshttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3329818/Loh R et al. (2019)Effects of Interrupting Prolonged Sitting with Physical Activity Breakshttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6985064/ 💬 Come and chatDid this resonate? Come and tell me - I’d genuinely love to know. Find me on Instagram: @carlycorrigall 🔗 Work with meIf this episode hit a bit of a nerve - this is exactly the kind of thing I help women with inside my programmes. 👉 Check out The Reboot (holistic coaching for midlife women) here.

    26 min

  5. 2 APR

    Why I Haven't Dropped HIIT In Midlife (And You Shouldn't Either)

    HIIT has got a bad reputation in the midlife fitness world. And honestly? I think it needs new PR. In this episode, I’m digging into why high intensity interval training has been painted as the villain for women in their 40s and beyond, and why I think that’s a massive oversimplification. Because the problem isn’t HIIT itself. The problem is poor programming, too much of it, no progression, and expecting random online workouts to do the job of proper training. I’m talking about why HIIT still deserves a place in your week, why plyometric work is one of the most overlooked tools for midlife women, and why this kind of training can support not just your fitness, but your bones, tendons, balance, power, confidence and resilience too. We also get into the cortisol conversation, injury fears, pelvic floor worries, and why avoiding impact altogether may be doing you no favours at all. If you’ve been told to slow everything down, cut out anything intense, and stick to gentle movement only… this one is for you. Links & resources:Try a free mini HIIT & plyo class by tapping here: https://www.clcfitness.co.uk/mini-class Join my HIIT Classes here: Train with Carly Drop me a note over on Instagram @carlycorrigall And don't forget to rate and follow the pod if you're loving these episodes. This really helps the podcast reach more brilliant women like you ❤️

    33 min

  6. 26 MAR

    Stop looking for the perfect training plan - do this instead

    Do you keep searching for the perfect training plan… but never quite stick to one? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m unpacking a conversation I’ve been having on repeat with so many women lately: “Do you write training programmes?”“What should my plan look like?” And here’s the truth… In midlife, chasing the “perfect” plan might actually be the thing holding you back. Because your body isn’t static anymore. It’s changing. Constantly. So instead of handing you a rigid programme, I’m sharing the exact framework I use with my clients to help them build something far more powerful: The ability to adjust, adapt, and actually listen to their bodies What you’ll learn in this episode:Why midlife women often lose trust in their bodies (and what to do about it)The problem with constantly looking for external validation in your trainingWhy cookie-cutter plans stop working in this phase of lifeThe biggest mistake I see women making with their workouts (hint: the “mid zone”)How to stop second-guessing yourself and start training in a way that actually works Links & Resources:🎯 Download my free Training Tweak Guide (this will change how you approach your workouts): Get the Tweak Guide here 💪 Join Train with Carly (my weekly classes built around this exact framework): check it out here 🔥 Want personalised support? Come and join The Reboot. Let’s connect:Come and tell me what landed for you from this episode over on Instagram: @carlycorrigall

    34 min

  7. 19 MAR

    BITESIZE | Why I Talk About Belly Fat…When What I Actually Care About Is Your Bones

    Last week I did something I’ve never done before. I went for a DEXA scan. And it didn't just tell me about how my bones are doing - it made me think about the whole conversation around getting fitter and stronger in midlife. In this bitesize episode I’m sharing: • What a DEXA scan actually is and what it measures • Why bone density declines during perimenopause and menopause • What your results might reveal • Key risk factors for reduced bone density in midlife women • Why strength training and impact exercise are so important for bone health • The long game of midlife fitness and why it matters more than short-term aesthetics Many women come to fitness worried about things they can see: belly fat, changing shape, feeling less fit. And I completely understand that. But the things that matter most for our health over the next 20–30 years are often the things we can’t see. Short-term motivation might get us through the door. But long-term thinking is what keeps us strong enough to keep moving for decades to come. Links & ResourcesI arranged (and paid for - this is not an ad!) my DEXA scan privately via Clinic51 who offer this as part of their Prevent51 package. It was carried out at i-Thrive. If you’re interested in trying the kind of training that supports strength, muscle and bone health in midlife, you can explore my programmes here: 👉 Train with Carly the complete training system for 40+ women 👉 The Reboot midlife coaching programme - this is the full shebang 👉 Download my free Training Tweak Guide (because fat loss is just the beginning 😉) I love hearing from you so please feel free to drop me a DM on Instagram @carlycorrigall and don't forget to subscribe or follow the pod on your favourite platform.

    17 min

  8. 12 MAR

    Hormones, Health & HRT with Dr Katie Armstrong: This Will Change How You Think About Perimenopause

    In this episode of the Honestly, Carly Podcast, I’m joined by an incredible guest, Dr Katie Armstrong, GP of 20+ years and founder of Clinic51, a private GP-led women’s health and menopause clinic. This is not “just an HRT chat”. We talk about the real-life overlap between medicine and lifestyle, why perimenopause can feel like you’ve got 20 tabs open in your brain, and how to think about symptoms as information, not a personal failure. This conversation will change the way you think about the menopause transition. WHAT WE COVERWhy hormones are powerful, but never the only factorThe “cliff edge” metaphor: why HRT can help, but won’t fix your entire lifeWhat perimenopause can look like across the yearsWhat HRT tends to help most (and when it doesn't)Breast cancer risk: what the evidence actually saysMetabolic change in midlife: insulin sensitivity, central weight gain, and what to do differentlyHow to prep for a GP appointmentWhy “quick fixes” often backfire in midlife, and what to focus on instead LINKS & RESOURCESGreene Climacteric Scale (symptom questionnaire you can take to your GP) - there are loads available online - just pop it in your search engine.Breast cancer risk pictogram / infographic (British Menopause Society)Women’s Health Concern factsheet: HRT benefits & risks Find Dr Katie Armstrong + Clinic51 here: https://www.clinic51.co.uk ABOUT DR KATIE ARMSTRONGDr Katie Armstrong is a GP and the founder of Clinic51, a GP-led women’s health and menopause clinic based in West Sussex, with in-person and video consultations available. IMPORTANT NOTEThis episode is for general education and isn’t personal medical advice. If you’re making decisions about HRT or your health, speak with your GP or qualified clinician. ENJOYED THIS EPISODE?If this helped, please follow/subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs to hear it. I always love to hear from you. If you've found this episode helpful, drop me a DM on Instagram @carlycorrigall.

    1hr 19min
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4.7
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About

If you're a woman over 40 and your old workouts have stopped working, your jeans feel tighter, and your brain can’t decide if it’s burnt out or buzzing - you’re in the right place. This is midlife, just not how they sold it to you. Honestly, Carly is where fitness, hormone health, and real life collide. Hosted by Carly Corrigall, midlife PT (and former lawyer), each week we get honest about what it actually takes to feel strong, confident and capable over 40, without overtraining, overcomplicating, or outsourcing your self-worth to scales and step counts. Expect science-backed strategies you can use today, the pep talk you didn't know you needed, and more than the occasional “oh my god, SAME.” This is the podcast to help you train smarter, feel better, and make this your strongest chapter yet. Educational content only; not a substitute for medical advice.

Information

  • Creator
    Carly Corrigall
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Carly Corrigall
  • Show Website
    Honestly, Carly

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