Midlife Glow Up: Simplifying Fitness, Nutrition and Healthy Habits for Women over 40

Joan Dandeneau - Midlife Health & Wellness Coach
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Fitness

Are you ready to glow up in midlife? You’ve spent years putting everyone else first, but now it’s your turn - and you deserve to feel strong, energized, and confident in this next chapter. I’m Joan Dandeneau, your Midlife Health & Wellness Coach. I help women over 40 simplify fitness and nutrition so you can build habits that actually stick - without the guilt, confusion, or overwhelm. If you’ve ever asked yourself questions like: How do I lose weight in my 40s or 50s without dieting?What workouts are best for women over 40?How can I eat healthy without spending hours in the kitchen?How do I stay consistent when life gets busy?How do I bounce back after “falling off the wagon”?What habits will help me age strong, healthy, and confident? Then this show is for you. Each Thursday, tune in for simple, practical, and encouraging episodes that help you feel good now while building the foundation for your future strong self.

  1. Jul 30

    44. Client Transformation Story - Through Divorce Into Sustainable Nutrition Habits

    In this episode, Joan shares one of the most meaningful client transformation stories she's told on the podcast: the story of AM, a longtime one-on-one client who came to her through a referral from menopause clinician Stephanie Elder. AM had recently gone through a divorce and was learning to cook for one for the first time in her adult life. She was already fit and eating healthy, so this wasn't about weight loss. It was about building a system that took the daily stress out of breakfast, lunch, and dinner, one that could hold up through travel, caregiving, and even a move. If you're newly divorced, a new empty nester, or navigating any shift that's changed how you cook and eat, this one is for you. Together, Joan and AM built a kitchen system around her real life, so she now has sustainable nutrition habits that last even during the chaos of midlife.  Ready for your kitchen to finally work for the life you're living now? Joan's one-on-one coaching program has a couples spots open, so check out the link below to learn more and apply.  https://www.joandandeneau.com/coaching Here's how we can stay connected: Follow @joansfitzone on Instagram → for simple, sustainable fitness and nutrition tips for women in midlife to create lasting change.  Join the The Midlife Glow Up Collective FREE Facebook community → a supportive space for women 40+ who want accountability, encouragement, and realistic ways to stay consistent with health and self-care. Apply for 1:1 coaching with Joan → Ready to take your fitness, nutrition, and healthy habits to the next level with a customized plan and one-on-one support + accountability? Apply here!

  2. Jul 23

    43. Stop Chasing Balance, Start Creating Harmony

    For years, Joan believed the goal was balance. Equal time for work, family, health, and everything else life demands. But the more she chased it, the more she felt like she was falling short in every area. In this episode of The Midlife Glow Up Podcast, Joan shares the mindset shift that changed everything: stop striving for balance and start creating harmony. You’ll discover why harmony is a much more realistic approach for women in midlife, how your daily habits shape your identity, and why your health deserves to be one of the “big rocks” in your life instead of something you squeeze in when there’s time. If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, overwhelmed, or like you’re constantly trying to keep all the plates spinning, this episode is for you. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why balance is an unrealistic goal in midlifeThe difference between balance and harmonyHow your identity influences your daily habitsTwo simple rituals that reinforce a healthy lifestyleWhy your health needs to become a non-negotiableA practical question to help you realign your priorities this weekReady for more support? If you’re ready to stop putting your health on the back burner and want personalized fitness, nutrition, and accountability, learn more about Joan’s 1:1 Coaching here:  https://www.joandandeneau.com/coaching Here's how we can stay connected: Follow @joansfitzone on Instagram → for simple, sustainable fitness and nutrition tips for women in midlife to create lasting change.  Join the The Midlife Glow Up Collective FREE Facebook community → a supportive space for women 40+ who want accountability, encouragement, and realistic ways to stay consistent with health and self-care. Apply for 1:1 coaching with Joan → Ready to take your fitness, nutrition, and healthy habits to the next level with a customized plan and one-on-one support + accountability? Apply here!

  3. Jul 16

    42. The Hormone Conversation Every Woman Over 40 Needs to Hear: Interview with Dr. Stephanie Elder

    Women are often told their symptoms are simply part of getting older. They’re tired. Their joints hurt. They can’t sleep. Their anxiety is through the roof. They’re gaining weight despite doing “everything right.” But what if there was more to the story? In this episode, Joan sits down with Stephanie Elder, founder of Evolve Menopause Clinic, cardiometabolic specialist, and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, for an honest conversation about what really happens during perimenopause and menopause. Stephanie shares her own frustrating journey of searching for answers before realizing hormones were at the root of so many symptoms - and why she built a practice dedicated to helping women finally feel heard. Together, Joan and Stephanie discuss why so many women dismiss their symptoms, how hormone changes impact far more than hot flashes, and what women can do to advocate for themselves and protect their long-term health. Whether you’re just beginning to notice changes or have been struggling for years, this conversation will leave you feeling informed, encouraged, and empowered. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why perimenopause symptoms often begin years before menopauseThe surprising symptoms many women never realize are hormone-relatedWhat hormone therapy actually looks like today - and why it’s very different from decades agoThe connection between estrogen, bone health, heart health, and brain functionWhy normal lab work doesn’t always tell the whole storyHow to become a stronger advocate for your own healthLifestyle habits that work alongside hormone therapy to help you feel your bestResources Mentioned The New Perimenopause Dr. Mary Claire HaverThe Perimenopause Survival Guide by Dr. Heather HirschThe Menopause Moment by Dr. Kelly CaspersonUnbreakable by Dr. Vonda WrightThe New Menopause by Dr. Mary Claire HaverEstrogen Matters by Avrum Blooming Connect with Stephanie Elder: Evolve Menopause Clinic Menopause Society Providers If you are ready to focus on your health and wellness during this time, Joan has a couple 1:1 spots opening soon. Learn more and apply: https://www.joandandeneau.com/coaching Here's how we can stay connected: Follow @joansfitzone on Instagram → for simple, sustainable fitness and nutrition tips for women in midlife to create lasting change.  Join the The Midlife Glow Up Collective FREE Facebook community → a supportive space for women 40+ who want accountability, encouragement, and realistic ways to stay consistent with health and self-care. Apply for 1:1 coaching with Joan → Ready to take your fitness, nutrition, and healthy habits to the next level with a customized plan and one-on-one support + accountability? Apply here!

  4. Jul 9

    41. The Most Common Injuries Women Face After 40

    Have you noticed that your shoulder suddenly hurts when you reach overhead? Or your hip aches when you sleep on your side? Maybe your feet hurt with those first few steps in the morning, and you’re left wondering… “Is this just what happens after 40?” The answer might surprise you. In this episode, Joan explains why so many women begin experiencing aches, pains, and injuries during perimenopause and menopause, and why it’s about much more than simply “getting older.” You’ll learn: Why these common injuries become more common in midlifeThe surprising role estrogen plays in keeping your muscles, joints, tendons, and bones healthyThe most common aches and injuries women experience after 40Five simple habits that can help protect your body for years to comeIf you’ve ever worried that your body is starting to fall apart, this episode will leave you feeling informed, empowered, and equipped with practical steps you can start today. Ready to get stronger? Check out Fit Zone, Joan’s LIVE virtual workout program and on-demand workout library for women over 40 who want to build muscle, improve bone density and join a supportive community of midlife women. Inside you'll have access to LIVE strength training workouts Monday-Friday with modifications for every fitness level and minimal equipment needed paired with a complete library of workouts to watch on your own time. Learn more & Join here: https://www.joandandeneau.com/fitzone Here's how we can stay connected: Follow @joansfitzone on Instagram → for simple, sustainable fitness and nutrition tips for women in midlife to create lasting change.  Join the The Midlife Glow Up Collective FREE Facebook community → a supportive space for women 40+ who want accountability, encouragement, and realistic ways to stay consistent with health and self-care. Apply for 1:1 coaching with Joan → Ready to take your fitness, nutrition, and healthy habits to the next level with a customized plan and one-on-one support + accountability? Apply here!

  5. Jul 2

    40. You Can't Out-Exercise a Day of Sitting

    You got your workout in this morning… so you’re good for the day, right? Not necessarily. In this episode, Joan explores why prolonged sitting may be quietly undoing some of the hard work you’re putting into your health. She explains why movement throughout the day matters just as much as your scheduled workout and shares a few simple ways to make it happen without overhauling your routine. If you spend most of your day at a desk, in the car, or on the couch, this episode is for you. In this episode: Why sitting is more harmful than most of us realizeThe surprising reason one workout doesn’t tell the whole storyThe two forms of movement every woman over 40 should prioritizeSimple ways to move more throughout your dayRemember: your body doesn’t need perfection. It needs regular movement. And if you know you need to add in strength training and regular movement, but you are not sure where to begin, come try Fit Zone - my online live and on-demand workout membership specifically for women over 40. You can learn more and try a free class by visiting https://www.joandandeneau.com/fitzone Cheers to lifting and walking...NOT sitting all day long.  Here's how we can stay connected: Follow @joansfitzone on Instagram → for simple, sustainable fitness and nutrition tips for women in midlife to create lasting change.  Join the The Midlife Glow Up Collective FREE Facebook community → a supportive space for women 40+ who want accountability, encouragement, and realistic ways to stay consistent with health and self-care. Apply for 1:1 coaching with Joan → Ready to take your fitness, nutrition, and healthy habits to the next level with a customized plan and one-on-one support + accountability? Apply here!

  6. Jun 25

    39. Joan's Sleep Non-Negotiables: The Tools That Changed the Game in Midlife

    Sleep isn’t a luxury - it’s one of the most powerful foundations of health, especially during midlife. In this episode, Joan shares her personal experience with severe night sweats during perimenopause and how they became the catalyst for prioritizing her sleep. She explains what happens inside the body during sleep, why getting enough quality sleep is essential for women over 40, and the simple strategies that have made the biggest difference in her own life. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why sleep is foundational to overall health - not something to prioritize only after everything else is doneHow poor sleep impacts the brain, muscle recovery, immune function, and emotional well-beingWhy sleep disturbances become so common during perimenopause and menopauseThe role deep sleep plays in protecting brain health and supporting muscle growthHow sleep deprivation can affect cravings, patience, stress, and recoveryJoan’s favorite sleep tools and habits, including:Eight Sleep cooling mattress coverOura RingContoured sleep maskWhite noise machineDyson Air purifierSide sleeper body pillowsYou don’t need to change everything at once. Even one small improvement to your sleep routine can have a ripple effect on your energy, mood, workouts, recovery, and overall health. Here's how we can stay connected: Follow @joansfitzone on Instagram → for simple, sustainable fitness and nutrition tips for women in midlife to create lasting change.  Join the The Midlife Glow Up Collective FREE Facebook community → a supportive space for women 40+ who want accountability, encouragement, and realistic ways to stay consistent with health and self-care. Apply for 1:1 coaching with Joan → Ready to take your fitness, nutrition, and healthy habits to the next level with a customized plan and one-on-one support + accountability? Apply here!

  7. Jun 18

    38. Your Plain-English Guide to Midlife Hormones

    "Sweetie, that's just part of being a woman and getting older." A doctor actually said that to Joan - and it lit a fire in her that motivated her to seek a different path, and to help other women advocate for themselves too. If you're doing everything right and your body still isn't cooperating, here's what you need to know: there is nothing wrong with you. It's hormonal, it's biological, it's chemical. AND it's NOT your fault. You deserve to feel better, and you deserve to be taken seriously. In this episode, Joan breaks down what's actually happening inside your body in midlife - in plain English, no jargon, no overwhelm - so you can stop blaming yourself and start working with your body instead of against it. She walks through the five hormones running the show in this season: EstrogenProgesteroneTestosteroneCortisolInsulin…plus the lifestyle levers you can pull. You have so much control over how you feel, and there's a lot in your power still! Joan is a health and wellness professional, not a physician. This is general education, not medical advice. Coming in July: her very first guest interview - a female menopause clinician and hormone & cardiometabolic specialist for women in midlife. She's going to answer the questions you didn't even know to ask! 👉 Speaking of which, Joan wants YOUR questions! What do you want to know about your hormones, your symptoms, or your next appointment?  DM her on Instagram @joansfitzone or send her an email (joandandeneau@gmail.com), and she'll bring your question into the interview. Here's how we can stay connected: Follow @joansfitzone on Instagram → for simple, sustainable fitness and nutrition tips for women in midlife to create lasting change.  Join the The Midlife Glow Up Collective FREE Facebook community → a supportive space for women 40+ who want accountability, encouragement, and realistic ways to stay consistent with health and self-care. Apply for 1:1 coaching with Joan → Ready to take your fitness, nutrition, and healthy habits to the next level with a customized plan and one-on-one support + accountability? Apply here!

  8. Jun 11

    37. The Internal Work Behind Lasting Change

    Most women focus on the external parts of health: the workouts, the meal plans, the habits, and the goals. But lasting change is about more than what you do. It’s also about what you believe about yourself, how you talk to yourself, and whether you trust yourself to follow through when motivation fades. In this episode, Joan explores the deeper internal work that supports lasting transformation. Drawing from her own personal growth journey - from training for a figure competition while raising three young children to years of coaching women through midlife - she walks through the layers of self-development that influence every health goal. Joan unpacks the connection between self-worth, self-awareness, self-compassion, self-trust, self-discipline, confidence, acceptance, and growth. She explains why lasting change starts long before a workout is completed or a meal is prepared, and how the relationship women have with themselves often determines whether their habits become sustainable. This conversation is especially meaningful for women who spend most of their time caring for everyone else and are ready to begin showing themselves the same level of care, attention, and compassion. Cliff Notes: Self-Worth: The belief that you are worthy of care and attentionSelf-Awareness: Seeing yourself clearly without judgmentSelf-Compassion: The voice that supports growthSelf-Criticism: The inner voice that tears you downSelf-Trust: Keeping the promises you make to yourselfSelf-Discipline: Following through consistentlySelf-Care: The daily practice of taking care of yourselfSelf-Confidence: The result of repeated actionSelf-Acceptance: Making peace with where you are todaySelf-Growth: The lifelong process of becomingInterested in working with Joan through personalized fitness and nutrition coaching? Apply for 1:1 Coaching and learn more about creating a sustainable approach to health, fitness, and nutrition designed specifically for women in midlife. Here's how we can stay connected: Follow @joansfitzone on Instagram → for simple, sustainable fitness and nutrition tips for women in midlife to create lasting change.  Join the The Midlife Glow Up Collective FREE Facebook community → a supportive space for women 40+ who want accountability, encouragement, and realistic ways to stay consistent with health and self-care. Apply for 1:1 coaching with Joan → Ready to take your fitness, nutrition, and healthy habits to the next level with a customized plan and one-on-one support + accountability? Apply here!

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5
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8 Ratings

About

Are you ready to glow up in midlife? You’ve spent years putting everyone else first, but now it’s your turn - and you deserve to feel strong, energized, and confident in this next chapter. I’m Joan Dandeneau, your Midlife Health & Wellness Coach. I help women over 40 simplify fitness and nutrition so you can build habits that actually stick - without the guilt, confusion, or overwhelm. If you’ve ever asked yourself questions like: How do I lose weight in my 40s or 50s without dieting?What workouts are best for women over 40?How can I eat healthy without spending hours in the kitchen?How do I stay consistent when life gets busy?How do I bounce back after “falling off the wagon”?What habits will help me age strong, healthy, and confident? Then this show is for you. Each Thursday, tune in for simple, practical, and encouraging episodes that help you feel good now while building the foundation for your future strong self.

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