Create The Best Me

Carmen Hecox
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

We're an age-positive podcast that celebrates the richness of midlife and beyond. Hosted by Carmen Hecox, a seasoned transformational coach, our platform provides an empowering outlook on these transformative years. With a keen focus on perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause, Carmen brings together thought leaders, authors, artists, and entrepreneurs for candid conversations that inspire and motivate.   Each episode is packed with expert insights and practical advice to help you navigate life's challenges and seize opportunities for growth, wellness, and fulfillment. From career transitions and personal development to health, beauty, and relationships, "Create The Best Me" is your guide to thriving in midlife. Tune in and transform your journey into your most exhilarating adventure yet.

  1. 4d ago

    Menopause Weight Loss: What Actually Works After 40

    I would make these somewhat different from YouTube. Podcast listeners don't need quite as much search-oriented formatting or the YouTube-style engagement language. Perimenopause didn’t quietly tap Terry Tateossian on the shoulder. It arrived during a time when burnout, weight gain, emotional eating, and years of pushing herself had already taken a toll. In this episode, Terry shares how that wake-up call eventually changed the way she approached food, movement, and her health. After trying diet after diet, Terry realized that temporarily restricting food wasn't teaching her how to live differently. She began learning about nutrition, prioritizing strength training, and creating habits she could sustain beyond a short-term weight-loss goal. Terry ultimately lost more than 80 pounds, but some of the biggest changes she describes had nothing to do with the scale. We talk about what happens when healthy choices stop feeling like something you're constantly forcing yourself to do and gradually become part of your identity. Terry also shares what she noticed as burnout began to lift and why that change wasn't one dramatic moment, but something she recognized little by little. You'll also hear practical ideas for simplifying nutrition when you're busy, including ways to build protein-forward meals without cooking three elaborate meals every day. In this conversation, we discuss: • Terry's perimenopause and burnout wake-up call  • Why repeatedly dieting wasn't creating the lasting change she wanted  • Learning nutrition differently in midlife  • Why strength training became an important part of her routine  • Building meals around protein, fiber, and foods you actually enjoy  • Giving yourself time while new habits are still difficult  • The point where healthy behaviors begin to feel automatic  • Recognizing when burnout is finally beginning to lift  • How Terry's personal transformation became a new professional purpose  • Easy meal ideas for women who don't have hours to spend in the kitchen Terry Tateossian is the founder of THOR — The House of Rose and works with women through wellness retreats and coaching focused on midlife strength, nutrition, movement, and well-being. Music by:  Epidemic Sound Call to action: If today's conversation made you think differently about your own habits, share this episode with another woman in midlife who may need the reminder that she doesn't have to completely overhaul her life overnight. Small choices practiced consistently can become something you no longer have to fight yourself to maintain. This episode is for educational and informational purposes and should not be considered individualized medical advice. 📕 Resources:  https://createthebestme.com/ep185 https://www.thehouseofrose.com/womens-wellness-retreats/ Instagram: @how.good.can.it.get Related Episodes: 🎧 Listen to these episodes next:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/18261094 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/16530035  ⚖️ Disclaimer: This conversation is for educational and informational purposes and is not intended to replace individualized medical advice from your healthcare professional. #MenopauseWeightLoss #Perimenopause #MidlifeHealth #WomenOver40 #StrengthTrainingForWomen #TerryTateossian #CreateTheBestMe  📨 Newsletter: https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/   👀 Connect With Me: Website: https://createthebestme.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox   📽️ Video Request: https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv

  2. Sep 25

    Why You Don’t Feel Like Yourself—Even When Life Looks Fine

    Does your life look fine from the outside, but you quietly feel disconnected from it? In this episode of Create The Best Me, I explore why that feeling can surface in midlife and walk you through a simple exercise to help you recognize what still fits—and what may need your attention. You may still be handling responsibilities, showing up for the people who depend on you, getting things done, and keeping everything moving. So why does part of you keep wondering: Why doesn’t this feel like my life anymore? Midlife can bring several transitions at once. Children grow up. Parents age. Bodies change. Careers shift. Relationships enter new seasons. Friendships change. Responsibilities increase. And sometimes the identities and roles that once made complete sense no longer answer the question: Who am I now? I explore what can happen when temporary sacrifices quietly become a permanent way of living—when you become so good at meeting everyone else’s needs that your own preferences, interests, and desires become difficult to recognize. But wanting something different does not make you ungrateful. You can appreciate the life you’ve built and still recognize that parts of it need attention. Sometimes your discomfort is asking for evolution, not destruction. The Alive, Heavy, Empty Exercise During the episode, I guide you through a simple three-column reflection. Alive: What makes you feel most like yourself? Heavy: What repeatedly drains you or creates resistance, resentment, tension, or dread? Empty: What parts of your life aren’t necessarily bad but no longer seem to give anything back? The exercise isn’t about immediately eliminating everything in the Heavy or Empty columns. It’s about noticing. Then ask yourself: How much room does the woman in my Alive column actually get in my week? You don’t need to know exactly who you’re becoming yet. You simply need to begin paying attention to what matters to you now.   Music by:  Epidemic Sound Call to Action:  Try This for the Next Seven Days Notice: When do I feel most like myself? When do I feel like I’m performing a version of myself? What do I keep thinking about changing? Write down your answers. You don’t have to make a giant decision. Start by noticing the patterns. For more information and resources from this episode, click the links below. In the next episode, I will explore how to decide what stays, what needs to change, what needs a boundary, what deserves more attention, and what may finally be ready to end.   📕 Resources:  https://createthebestme.com/ep184    Related Episode: 🎧 Listen to this next:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/19745777   #MidlifeWomen #FindingYourself #MidlifeTransformation #SelfDiscovery #CreateTheBestMe 📨 Newsletter: https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/   👀 Connect With Me: Website: https://createthebestme.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox   📽️ Video Request: https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv

  3. Sep 18

    Strength After 50: Why It’s Never Too Late to Start

    What if getting stronger didn’t require completely changing your life overnight? What if it started with one push-up? In this episode of Create The Best Me, I sit down with Kari Fraser, former All My Children actress turned fitness and longevity advocate, whose daughter unknowingly helped her discover a new passion when she suggested that Kari try boxing. Kari walked into a boxing gym at 58. Four years later, boxing has become one of the ways she continues challenging herself physically and mentally, and an example of why she believes women should never allow age to decide what they are capable of. But this conversation isn’t about becoming a boxer or matching Kari’s workout routine. It’s about starting where you are. We talk about why consistency matters more than doing everything perfectly, how physical strength can help protect your independence, and why trying one new thing can make you curious about what else might be possible. Kari also shares why she believes keeping a promise to yourself matters. One push-up becomes ten. One walk around the block becomes a little farther tomorrow. One new activity may introduce you to a part of yourself you didn’t know was still waiting to come forward. Her practical advice later in the conversation repeatedly returns to starting small rather than trying to match her own fitness level. We also talk about the expectations women absorb about aging — what we’re supposedly too old to wear, try, become, or begin — and why midlife can be the perfect time to question those rules. Because you don’t have a shelf life. And becoming stronger isn’t simply about sculpted arms or how your body looks. It can be about having the strength, confidence, and freedom to fully participate in your own life. In this episode, you’ll hear about: How Kari discovered boxing at 58Why starting small makes consistency easierBuilding strength for independence rather than appearanceThe power of keeping promises to yourselfChallenging age-related expectationsTrying new things instead of assuming they’re “not for you”Why confidence can grow through actionTaking the first step toward becoming strongerMusic from: Epidemic Sound Call to Action: One of my favorite reminders from this conversation is that you don’t have to begin where Kari is today. You can begin where you are today. Take a walk around the block. Try one push-up. Choose one activity that sounds interesting. Then show up again tomorrow. Kari puts it beautifully: consistency comes from keeping the promises you make to yourself. What is one small thing you could start doing today that would make you feel stronger six months from now? Tell me in the comments. I’d love to hear it. 📕 Resources:  https://createthebestme.com/ep183  Follow Kari on Instagram: @therealkarifraser Follow Kari on TikTok: @therealkarifraser Neat The Agency: https://neattheagency.com Related Episode: 🎧 Listen to this episode next:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/18885092    #StrengthAfter50 #MidlifeFitness #WomenOver50 #WomenInMidlife #HealthyAging #MidlifeConfidence #TheRealKariFraser #CreateTheBestMe 📨 Newsletter: https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/   👀 Connect With Me: Website: https://createthebestme.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox   📽️ Video Request: https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv

  4. Sep 3

    Why Rest Isn’t Fixing Your Midlife Burnout

    You can be getting everything done and still be burned out. For many high-achieving women, burnout does not look like falling apart. It looks like continuing to work, care for other people, meet expectations, and handle responsibilities while feeling emotionally numb, mentally foggy, or disconnected inside. And when you finally stop to rest, you may discover that rest does not make you feel restored. In this episode, I sit down with transformational coach, author, and speaker Laura Cardwell to talk about functional freeze and what may be happening when your nervous system has been under pressure for too long. Laura explains the difference between ordinary stress and burnout, why productive women can miss the warning signs, and how perfectionism, people-pleasing, and over-responsibility can train us to ignore our limits. We also explore why midlife can change what our bodies are willing or able to tolerate. The strategies that once helped us push through may no longer work, and that does not mean we are becoming weak or losing our edge. Laura introduces the idea of “tough care,” which goes beyond temporary self-care. Tough care may involve setting a boundary, changing an expectation, asking someone else to participate, or restructuring a part of life that continually drains your capacity. During this conversation, we discuss: • What functional freeze looks like when you are still productive • Why burnout can leave you feeling numb or disconnected • Why rest alone may not calm an overwhelmed nervous system • How perfectionism and people-pleasing contribute to depletion • Why midlife may make the nervous system more sensitive • The difference between temporary self-care and structural “tough care” • Small practices that can help communicate safety to the body • How to reconnect with purpose when you feel emotionally flat This conversation is an important reminder that you are not lazy, broken, or failing because you cannot continue carrying everything in the same way. Your body may not be betraying you. It may finally be refusing to participate in a life that is asking too much from you. ABOUT LAURA CARDWELL Laura Cardwell is a transformational coach, author, and neuroscience-informed speaker who helps women in midlife recover from burnout, reconnect with themselves, and create lives that reflect who they are becoming. She co-authored Unstuck Yourself: Thrive Beyond Burnout & Discover Your True Purpose. Music by: Epidemic Sound Call to Action: If this conversation helped you understand what your body may be communicating, please share it with another woman who keeps saying, “I’m fine. I’m just tired.” Subscribe for honest conversations about navigating change, rebuilding confidence, reconnecting with yourself, and creating a fulfilling next chapter. 📕 Resources:  https://createthebestme.com/ep181 Initiation Code Quiz: https://initiationcodes.lauracardwell.com/ https://lauracardwell.com  Related Episode: 🎧 Listen to this episode next: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/18220882    #MidlifeBurnout #FunctionalFreeze #NervousSystemRegulation #WomenOver40 #BurnoutRecovery #LauraCardwell #CreateTheBestMe 📨 Newsletter: https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/   👀 Connect With Me: Website: https://createthebestme.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox   📽️ Video Request: https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv

  5. Aug 20

    Stop Waiting to Lose Weight Before You Start Living

    Have you ever told yourself that you would take the photo, attend the event, wear what you wanted, or become more visible after losing weight? That belief can quietly place years of your life on hold. In this episode, I’m joined by body image expert and certified intuitive eating counselor Anne Poirier for an honest conversation about body shame, food guilt, negative self-talk, and the “when I, then I” bargain so many women make with themselves. Anne explains how early labels and comments about our bodies can become part of our identity. We explore how the inner critic grows louder over time, why emotional eating is often connected to feelings we do not want to experience, and how midlife body changes can intensify the feeling that we are failing. We also talk about a more realistic alternative to forcing yourself to love every part of your body. Through body neutrality, appreciation, curiosity, and compassion, you can begin separating who you are from what you weigh. In this conversation, you’ll learn: Why body shame often begins much earlier than we realizeHow labels can shape identity and self-confidenceWhat the “when I, then I” mindset costs usHow food rules can create guilt and emotional eatingWhy your changing midlife body may require a new perspectiveHow to interrupt automatic negative thoughtsWhy your worth is not connected to a number or sizeYou do not have to wait for a different body before allowing yourself to be seen or fully participating in your life. Music by:  Epidemic Sound Call to Action:  For Anne’s books, free Body Competence resource, and everything mentioned in this episode, click the links below. After listening, ask yourself: What have I been postponing while waiting for my body to change? Please follow or subscribe to Create The Best Me, share this episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help more women in midlife find these conversations. 📕 Resources:  https://createthebestme.com/ep179 Free resource: The Body Competence Unlocked https://shapingperspectives.com/confidence/ https://shapingperspectives.com/ https://linktr.ee/annepoirier11 Related Episode: 🎧 Listen to this episode next:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/16187066  ⚖️ Disclaimer: This conversation is educational and is not intended to replace medical, nutritional, or mental-health care.   #BodyNeutrality #MidlifeWomen #BodyImage #SelfWorth #IntuitiveEating #CreateTheBestMe #AnnePoirier 📨 Newsletter: https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/   👀 Connect With Me: Website: https://createthebestme.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox   📽️ Video Request: https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv

  6. Aug 6

    Why Weight Regain Happens After GLP-1s or Bariatric Surgery

    What happens when the surgery, medication, or number on the scale does not create the lasting change you expected? In this episode, I’m joined by Shenelle Green, founder of Bariatric Rewrite, for an honest conversation about weight regain, food noise, sugar cravings, emotional eating, and the realities many people are never prepared for after bariatric surgery or while taking a GLP-1 medication. Shenelle shares how getting sober in 2020 eventually led to bariatric surgery and why changing her stomach did not automatically change her relationship with food. When her hunger returned seven months after surgery, she began looking more closely at the protein products, artificial sweeteners, ultra-processed foods, habits, and emotional patterns influencing her choices. We discuss why bariatric surgery and GLP-1 medications are not the easy way out, why some people continue struggling even after significant weight loss, and how unresolved stress, resentment, fear, and shame can keep the cycle going. Shenelle also shares the unforgettable story of the hot pink couch she believed would finally make her feel satisfied. Instead, it helped her recognize that no purchase, relationship, business achievement, or number on the scale could fill what she was trying to resolve internally. We also explore menopause and weight gain, transfer addiction, whole-food protein, accountability without shame, GLP-1 plateaus, and why lasting change often begins with one small, consistent decision. This conversation is for anyone who has ever reached a goal and quietly wondered, “Why don’t I feel different?” Music by:  Epidemic Sound Call to Action: Have you ever reached a goal and realized it did not fix what you thought it would? Share your experience in the comments. Your story may help someone else feel less alone. 📕 Resources:  https://createthebestme.com/ep177 https://bariatricrewrite.com/ Join Bariatric Rewrite Private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bariatricrewrite Related Episodes: 🎧 Listen to these episodes next:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/19069119  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/18438445  ⚖️ Disclaimer: IMPORTANT: This episode contains personal experiences, opinions, and coaching perspectives and is intended for educational purposes only. It is not medical, nutritional, or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing your medication, dosage, nutrition plan, or treatment. #GLP1 #BariatricSurgery #WeightRegain #FoodNoise #MidlifeWomen #BariatricRewrite #CreateTheBestMe  📨 Newsletter: https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/   👀 Connect With Me: Website: https://createthebestme.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox   📽️ Video Request: https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv

  7. Jul 24

    Why Survival Mode Leaves You Emotionally Disconnected

    You can do everything right, hold everyone and everything together, and still wonder why you feel so far away from yourself. In this episode, I sit down with psychotherapist, licensed marriage and family therapist, certified sex therapist, and sexuality educator Todd Malloy to explore why high-achieving women can remain in survival mode long after the original danger or hardship has passed. Todd explains how unresolved childhood wounds, emotional neglect, imposter syndrome, and family-of-origin patterns can follow us into adulthood. These experiences can affect how we value ourselves, communicate with our partners, respond to conflict, and experience emotional and physical intimacy. We discuss why women often remain silent about what they need, how resentment builds when difficult conversations are repeatedly avoided, and why your partner cannot understand your experience unless you learn to communicate it clearly. Todd also introduces the “soft start,” a more thoughtful way to begin difficult conversations without immediately creating defensiveness. He shares how asking for clarity, listening to what was actually said, and stating the positive intention behind a conversation can help couples move from reacting to genuinely connecting. You’ll also hear a powerful story about a woman who confronted the wounds of her childhood, stopped abandoning herself, established boundaries, and created an entirely different life. Her transformation offers an important reminder that the life you live does not only affect you. It also teaches your children what they should accept, expect, and believe is possible. Todd leaves you with three places to begin: tell yourself the truth, understand your why, and question whether the standards you have been living by reflect your authentic values or someone else’s expectations. You may have become exceptionally good at surviving, but you are still allowed to choose honesty, connection, self-worth, and a life worth celebrating. Music by: Epidemic Sound Call to Action: What part of this conversation felt most familiar to you? Share your thoughts in the comments. Subscribe to Create The Best Me for weekly conversations that help women in midlife reconnect with themselves, navigate change, and create lives that feel meaningful and fulfilling. 📕 Resources:  https://createthebestme.com/ep175 https://toddmalloy.com/ Related Episodes: 🎧 Listen to these episodes next:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/18793435  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/18628192  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/18550342     #SurvivalMode #MidlifeWomen #EmotionalIntimacy #EmotionalDisconnection #MidlifeRelationships #RelationshipCommunication #SelfWorth #WomenOver40 #ToddMalloy #CreateTheBestMe 📨 Newsletter: https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/   👀 Connect With Me: Website: https://createthebestme.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox   📽️ Video Request: https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv

  8. Jun 19

    Is Perimenopause Destroying Your Joints? Here's Why

    Have you ever wondered why your joints suddenly feel achy, stiff, or even “old” long before you imagined they would? If every morning feels like you’re waking up in someone else’s body, you’re not alone, and you’re not simply “getting older.” In this episode, I break down the hidden, hormonal reasons behind perimenopausal joint pain. From unexplained stiffness and tendon pain to frozen shoulder, I reveal how estrogen decline and the body’s inflammatory response are hijacking your mornings and what you can actually do about it. I’ll walk you through the three most common ways this pain presents, why most doctors miss the connection, and the practical steps every woman deserves to know to help you reclaim your mobility, energy, and confidence. What You’ll Learn: The Real Reason Behind Perimenopausal Joint Pain: How declining estrogen acts as your body’s anti-inflammatory and what happens when it disappears.Three Common Ways Inflammation Shows Up: What to look for in joint stiffness, tendon and connective tissue pain, and the increasing prevalence of “frozen shoulder” in women over 40.Why the Medical System Gets It Wrong: How your symptoms get treated in isolation, and the critical hormonal questions most providers never ask.The Power of Naming and Tracking Your Symptoms: How to walk into your next appointment prepared with the right evidence (and questions) to finally get answers.My 5-Step Action Plan to Support Your Joints: Practical steps to address hormonal imbalances, reduce cortisol, move safely, and advocate for your full-body health.Music by: Epidemic Sound Call to Action: 🔔 New videos every week for women navigating midlife with clarity and confidence. Subscribe so you don't miss what's coming.  💬 Have you been dealing with joint pain or frozen shoulder in perimenopause — and did your doctor ever connect it to your hormones? Tell me in the comments. 📕 Resources:  https://createthebestme.com/ep171    Related Episodes: 🎧 Listen to these episodes next:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/19069119 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/18438445  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949561/episodes/18414779   #frozenshouldermenopause #menopausejointpain #estrogeninflammation #menopausebodyaches #menopausearthritis 📨 Newsletter: https://createthebestme.com/newsletter/   👀 Connect With Me: Website: https://createthebestme.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createthebestme Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmenhecox/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@carmenhecox YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@createthebestme LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-hecox   📽️ Video Request: https://forms.office.com/r/LvLV1AsBfv

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About

We're an age-positive podcast that celebrates the richness of midlife and beyond. Hosted by Carmen Hecox, a seasoned transformational coach, our platform provides an empowering outlook on these transformative years. With a keen focus on perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause, Carmen brings together thought leaders, authors, artists, and entrepreneurs for candid conversations that inspire and motivate.   Each episode is packed with expert insights and practical advice to help you navigate life's challenges and seize opportunities for growth, wellness, and fulfillment. From career transitions and personal development to health, beauty, and relationships, "Create The Best Me" is your guide to thriving in midlife. Tune in and transform your journey into your most exhilarating adventure yet.

Information

  • Creator
    Carmen Hecox
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    175
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Create The Best Me
  • Show Website
    Create The Best Me