The Sleep Coach Podcast

Shelley Simpson
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Alternative Health

Improve sleep, restore energy, balance hormones, and wake up restored for the midlife woman

  1. Sep 29

    EPISODE 14: MENOPAUSE IS WEIRD: 7 FACTS NOBODY WARNED US ABOUT

    One minute you’re cold. The next you’re kicking off the covers like they personally offended you. And why did you walk into this room again? After a few deeper episodes, we’re taking a lighter turn. Join me for seven surprising facts about menopause, a few relatable midlife moments, and permission to laugh at how strange this transition can be. It’s a short episode for anyone who has ever thought, Wait—is this a menopause thing too? Listen in, then send this episode to a friend who could use a laugh (and perhaps a fan). Sources and further reading: National Institute on Aging: What Is Menopause?The Menopause Society: PerimenopauseThe Menopause Society: Menopause SymptomsNational Institute on Aging: Sleep Problems and MenopauseFind more from The Sleep Coach at thesleepcoachpodcast.com or connect with me on Instagram.

  2. Sep 22

    Episode 13: What Poor Sleep Is Doing to Your Midlife Brain

    Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten why you’re there—or reread the same sentence three times because your brain simply refuses to cooperate? It may not be “just aging.” Poor or disrupted sleep can affect attention, memory, concentration, decision-making, mood, and your ability to regulate emotions. And during midlife—when hormonal shifts, stress, and nighttime wake-ups often collide—those effects can feel even more noticeable. In this episode, Shelley explains: Why sleep is essential for learning and memoryHow poor sleep contributes to brain fog and difficulty concentratingWhy you may feel more forgetful, scattered, or mentally drainedHow sleep loss can lower your emotional capacitySimple ways to support better sleep and clearer thinkingYour brain may not be failing you. It may simply be tired. Listen now and discover why protecting your sleep is one of the most powerful ways to support your midlife brain. 🌐 Visit: The Sleep Coach Podcast 📱 Follow Shelley on Instagram: @shellfitmom References and further reading: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: How Sleep Deprivation and Deficiency Affect Your HealthAlhola & Polo-Kantola: Sleep Deprivation: Impact on Cognitive PerformanceGoldstein & Walker: The Role of Sleep in Emotional Brain FunctionTomaso, Johnson & Nelson: The Effect of Sleep Deprivation and Restriction on Mood, Emotion, and Emotion RegulationThis podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice.

  3. Sep 15

    Episode 12: After the Reaction—How to Repair Without the Guilt Spiral

    You snapped, shut down, or said something you wish you could take back. Now what? In the final episode of the emotional regulation series, Shelley shares how to repair a difficult moment without drowning in guilt, over-apologizing, or pretending nothing happened. You’ll learn how to take responsibility with compassion, address what was underneath your reaction, and calm the mental replay that often follows you into bed and tries to steal your sleep. Because one reactive moment doesn’t define you—and beating yourself up at 2 a.m. isn’t a repair strategy. In this episode:  The difference between guilt and accountability  How to make a genuine repair without over-apologizing  Why unresolved emotions can interfere with sleep  A simple process for reflecting, repairing, and moving forward Follow The Sleep Coach so you don’t miss future conversations about midlife health, sleep, and whole-body wellness. 🌐 Visit The Sleep Coach website  📱 Follow Shelley on Instagram

  4. Sep 8

    Episode 11 - From Reaction To Response

    Understanding your emotions is one thing. Knowing what to do when they show up in real life is another. In Part Three of the emotional regulation series, Shelley explores what it actually means to work with your emotions instead of suppressing them, judging them, or letting them take over. You’ll learn how to recognize what’s happening inside you, create space between a feeling and your response, and choose a next step that supports you—even when life feels messy. In this episode, we’ll cover: Why emotional regulation isn’t the same as staying calm all the timeHow to pause before automatically reactingSimple ways to help your nervous system feel saferHow to respond to yourself with curiosity instead of criticismWhat emotional regulation can look like in everyday midlife momentsYou don’t need to control every emotion or handle every situation perfectly. The goal is to understand what your emotions are communicating—and build the capacity to respond with greater intention. Follow The Sleep Coach so you don’t miss future episodes, and share this episode with a woman who has been feeling emotionally stretched thin. Connect with Shelley Simpson: 📲 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shellfitmom/ 🌐 Podcast Website: https://www.thesleepcoachpodcast.com

  5. Sep 1

    Episode 10 - Your reaction may happen in a split second—but it didn’t begin there.

    In Part Two of this emotional regulation series, Shelley explores what happens beneath an emotional reaction and why certain situations can feel so intense, especially when you’re already stressed, exhausted, or carrying more than you realize. You’ll learn: • Why your nervous system may react before your logical brain catches up • How past experiences and accumulated stress influence present-day reactions • Why emotional regulation isn’t the same as suppressing your feelings • How to become curious about your emotions instead of criticizing yourself • Simple ways to create space between what you feel and what you do next You don’t need to become less emotional. You need tools that help you understand what your emotions are communicating—and respond with greater awareness. Follow the show so you don’t miss Part Three, where we’ll explore what emotional regulation can look like in everyday life. Resources & Links: 🌐 Podcast Website: https://www.thesleepcoachpodcast.com 📲 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shellfitmom/ If this episode helped you, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and review, and share it with another woman who could use a better night's sleep.

  6. Aug 25

    Episode 9: Why Everything Feels Like Too Much Lately—Emotional Reactivity in Midlife

    Why do small things suddenly feel so big in midlife? In Episode 9, we’re beginning a new series on emotional regulation and exploring why you may feel more reactive, overwhelmed, impatient, or unlike yourself lately. You’ll learn how hormonal changes, chronic stress, poor sleep, mental overload, and nervous-system strain can lower your emotional capacity—and why your reactions aren’t simply a personality flaw or a lack of self-control. In this episode, we’ll discuss: What emotional regulation actually meansWhy your emotional threshold may change during midlifeThe physical and emotional factors behind a shorter fuseHow to identify what may be driving your reactionsA simple pause practice to help you respond more intentionallyYour emotions aren’t the enemy. They’re information—and understanding them is the first step toward feeling more like yourself again. Listen now and begin building a healthier relationship with your emotions. Resources & Links: 🌐 Podcast Website: https://www.thesleepcoachpodcast.com 📲 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shellfitmom/ If this episode helped you, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and review, and share it with another woman who could use a better night's sleep.

  7. Aug 18

    Episode 8: Bloating, Brain Fog & Bad Sleep?

    Have you noticed that foods you’ve eaten for years suddenly don’t agree with you? More bloating, constipation, digestive changes, brain fog—or even changes in your mood and sleep? It may not be a coincidence. In this episode of The Sleep Coach Podcast, we’re moving beyond sleep and diving into what may be happening inside your gut during perimenopause and menopause. You’ll learn how changing estrogen levels may influence your gut microbiome, why your gut bacteria play a role in estrogen metabolism, and what scientists mean when they talk about the estrobolome. We’ll also explore the fascinating gut-brain connection and how your digestive system communicates with your brain, immune system, hormones, and nervous system—and why those connections may matter for your mood, energy, inflammation, and sleep. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why gut health can change during perimenopause and menopauseHow estrogen and your gut microbiome influence one anotherWhat the estrobolome is and why it mattersWhy digestive symptoms may suddenly show up in midlifeHow the gut-brain axis connects digestion, mood, stress, and sleepSimple ways to support a healthier microbiomeIf you’ve been wondering, “Why does my body suddenly react differently to everything?” this episode will help you start connecting the dots. Resources & Links: 🌐 Podcast Website: https://www.thesleepcoachpodcast.com 📲 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shellfitmom/ If this episode helped you, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and review, and share it with another woman who could use a better night's sleep.

  8. Aug 11

    EPISODE 7: Why You’re Still Exhausted After a Full Night’s Sleep

    What if your biggest sleep problem isn't actually happening in your bedroom... but inside your brain? If you've ever climbed into bed exhausted only to have your mind suddenly come alive with tomorrow's to-do list, replay old conversations, or spiral into worry, you're not alone. In this episode of The Sleep Coach, we're digging into why your brain has such a hard time "switching off" during midlife—and what you can do to calm your nervous system before your head ever hits the pillow. You'll learn: ✨ Why your brain feels "stuck on" at night  ✨ The connection between chronic stress, your nervous system, and insomnia  ✨ How perimenopause can amplify racing thoughts  ✨ Simple, science-backed strategies to quiet your mind naturally  ✨ Why calming your body—not forcing sleep—is often the missing piece If you're tired of feeling exhausted but unable to sleep, this episode will help you understand what's happening inside your body so you can begin working with your brain instead of against it. Resources & Links: 🌐 Podcast Website: https://www.thesleepcoachpodcast.com 📲 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shellfitmom/ If this episode helped you, please follow the podcast, leave a rating and review, and share it with another woman who could use a better night's sleep.

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About

Improve sleep, restore energy, balance hormones, and wake up restored for the midlife woman

Information

  • Creator
    Shelley Simpson
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Sleep Coach Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Sleep Coach Podcast