Total Health in Midlife with Elizabeth Sherman

Elizabeth Sherman
  • 4.9 (46)
  • ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Midlife doesn’t have to mean slowing down, feeling out of control, or resigning yourself to being frumpy & invisible. On the Total Health in Midlife Podcast, seasoned health coach Elizabeth Sherman cuts through the noise of fad diets and contradictory wellness advice. In warm, relatable chats, you’ll discover straightforward strategies for managing hormonal shifts, optimizing nutrition, and prioritizing emotional wellness—so you can experience genuine energy and comfort in your body. Whether you’re juggling an empty nest, a changing career, or simply trying to keep up with everyday demands, each episode offers practical insights that fit into your real life. Tune in to hear expert interviews, personal stories, and encouraging tips designed to help you embrace this stage with confidence. It’s time to unlock sustainable habits that support your physical health, nurture your mental well-being, and truly bring you peace of mind in your 40s, 50s, and beyond. Visit https://elizabethsherman.com/habits to download the 8 Basic Habits that Healthy People Do Guide & Checklist to start your journey focusing on the basics of good health for your body today!

  1. 1D AGO

    244: Having Your Own Back

    Ever catch yourself thinking, “I’ll do it later” — only to realize later is even more chaotic than now? In this episode of Total Health in Midlife, we’re unpacking the subtle, sneaky ways we make life harder for ourselves without even realizing it. From moldy broccoli to missed workouts and late-night wine that wrecks your sleep, these aren’t just random moments — they’re patterns. And those patterns can be shifted. I’ll share the real story behind how one freezing night at a gas station changed the way I treat myself — and why learning to “have your own back” isn’t about doing more, but about making life easier for future-you. This episode isn’t about being perfect. It’s about getting curious, noticing the friction, and choosing one small way to stop boobytrapping yourself.   WHAT YOU’LL LEARN Why “I’ll do it later” feels harmless — but quietly undermines your health and peace How to shift from chaos to ease with small, boring acts of self-respect The one question that can help you build self-trust without shame or guilt   RESOURCES Download the 8 Basic Habits of Healthy People Guide & Checklist Podcast Listener’s Roadmap Total Health in Midlife Podcast Episode 227: The Thing Before the Thing   Get full show notes and more information here: https://elizabethsherman.com/podcast/241

    18 min

  2. 6D AGO

    243: High Functioning Co-Dependency with Sara Fisk

    What happens when you're so good at keeping everything together… that you forget to take care of yourself? In this episode of The Total Health in Midlife Podcast, I’m joined by Master Certified Coach and people-pleasing expert Sara Fisk to explore a surprising culprit behind so many women’s exhaustion, resentment, and stalled health goals: high-functioning codependency. We’re not talking about the kind of codependency tied to addiction. This is the polished, over-performing version that shows up in moms, partners, daughters, and leaders—the women who hold everything and everyone together… and quietly fall apart in the process. Sara shares how people-pleasing, perfectionism, and control patterns drain your energy, chip away at your physical and emotional health, and keep you stuck in a cycle of doing for others while ignoring your own needs. If you've ever found yourself running ragged fixing other people’s problems, this episode will help you come back to yourself—with honesty, compassion, and a few practical tools to help you start saying yes to you again. About Sara Fisk Sara Bybee Fisk is a Master Certified Coach and Instructor who teaches women how to tame the rampant people-pleasing, perfectionism, and codependency that is causing them so much frustration and resentment.  She is an anxious optimist and born-again feminist who listens to more books than she sits down to read. She loves a good hike, good dark chocolate, and good conversations.  Her big dreams include learning to sail and to sing and dance like JLo and helping thousands of women create the big, juicy lives they want to be living. She is a wife and mom of 5 and she enjoys those roles most of the time.  WHAT YOU’LL LEARN What high-functioning codependency looks like (and why most women don’t recognize it in themselves) How trying to “help” others can actually be a way to avoid our own discomfort Why over-controlling others can sabotage your health, relationships, and peace of mind—and how to shift the pattern RESOURCES Too Much by Terri Cole The Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner Sara Fisk’s Free Guide: How to Have a Difficult Conversation The Ex Good Girl Podcast with Sara Fisk Sara’s Stop People Pleasing Group Program Total Health in Midlife Podcast Episode 160: Ex-Good Girl with Sara Fisk Total Health in Midlife Podcast Episode 161: People Pleasing & Self-Care Total Health in Midlife Podcast Episode 127: Best Supporting Actress In Your Life Get full show notes and more information here: https://elizabethsherman.com/243

    52 min

  3. SEP 30

    242: Ask Better Questions to Get Better Answers

    Have you ever asked yourself, “Do I want to go to the gym?” or “Do I feel like making dinner?”—and then beat yourself up when the answer was no? In this episode of Total Health in Midlife, we’re exploring how the questions we ask ourselves—especially around our health—can either sabotage our best intentions or support the version of ourselves we’re trying to become. You’ll hear a story about a real-life conversation with my husband that sparked this whole idea, plus my own recent experience with a motivation slump. And most importantly, we’ll unpack the powerful shift from asking reactive, yes/no questions to practicing real self-leadership. This isn’t just about working out. It’s about learning how to talk to yourself in a way that actually moves you forward—without shame, guilt, or waiting around for motivation to strike. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN Why “Do I feel like it?” is a trap that keeps you stuck How to ask better questions that lead to better decisions What self-leadership actually looks like in midlife health habits Simple strategies to help you follow through—even when you’re not feeling it RESOURCES Download the 8 Basic Habits That Healthy People Do Guide + Checklist Listen to More Episodes of Total Health in Midlife Get full show notes and more information here: https://elizabethsherman.com/242

    18 min

  4. SEP 23

    241: Making and Keeping Friendships with Nina Badzin

    Making (and keeping) friends in midlife can feel surprisingly hard. In this episode of the Total Health in Midlife podcast, I’m joined by Nina Badzin, writer and host of the Dear Nina podcast, to talk about the real stuff that comes up in adult friendships, like feeling left out, keeping score, and what to do when your once-close friends just… fade. Whether you’ve ever wondered, “Is it just me?” or you’ve found yourself ghosted or burned out from being the one who always initiates, you’re not alone—and you’re not doing it wrong. This episode is full of validation, fresh perspective, and practical tips to help you build stronger, more satisfying friendships, even if it’s been a while. Get full show notes and more information here: https://elizabethsherman.com/241   WHAT YOU’LL LEARN Why friendship often gets harder—not easier—as we age The difference between “reciprocity” and “keeping score” in adult friendships What to do when you’re always the one reaching out—or when a friend fades away How friendship fits into your total health—and why it’s not just “a nice-to-have” ABOUT NINA BADZIN Nina Badzin is the host of the podcast, Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship. She's a writer, teacher, and mom of four in Minneapolis who has been writing about friendship for over a decade. You can find her newsletter at dearnina.substack.com, join her Facebook group all about friendship at Dear Nina: The Group, and she’s on Instagram at @dearninafriendship.

    45 min

  5. SEP 16

    240: How to Start

    Why is it so hard to start something you already know you want to do? In this episode of Total Health in Midlife, we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the most frustrating patterns women face when trying to improve their health: knowing what to do… but not actually doing it. If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in prep mode—endlessly planning, researching, tweaking your routine without ever taking action—this one’s for you. We’ll explore why planning feels safer than doing, how perfectionism keeps you spinning, and the powerful mindset shift that turns overwhelming change into small, doable steps. With relatable stories, gentle humor, and practical takeaways, this episode will help you move from “I’m getting ready to start” to actually making progress—with less pressure and more self-trust. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN Why planning feels productive—but might actually be keeping you stuck How to shift from all-or-nothing thinking to “B-minus” action A fresh way to think about starting that makes it less scary—and way more sustainable RESOURCES 8 Basic Habits That Healthy People Do Guide Episode: Try, Evaluate, Adjust – The Secret to Building Habits That Stick Podcast Listener Roadmap   Get full show notes and more information here: https://elizabethsherman.com/240

    18 min

  6. SEP 9

    239: Healing at the Root with Judith Richey

    When life looks good on the outside, but feels empty on the inside, what do you do? In this episode of the Total Health in Midlife podcast, I’m joined by transformational mentor Judith Richey for a candid conversation about what happens when we spend too many years saying yes to everyone but ourselves. From the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways we lose ourselves in midlife, to the physical and emotional toll of ignoring our own needs, Judith shares her personal experience of hitting rock bottom, and how she found her way back. If you’ve ever wondered what it really means to reclaim your health, reconnect with your intuition, and create a life that actually feels aligned, you won’t want to miss this episode. This isn’t just inspiration. It’s instruction.   About Judith Richey: Judith is a spiritual and transformative healer who guides women through deep emotional and energetic healing to reclaim clarity, peace, and purpose. Drawing on certifications in energy psychology, meditation, NLP, and somatic practices, she blends neuroscience and sacred tools to help women move from stuck to unstoppable. Judith is the founder of The Transforming Force membership, a sanctuary for women ready to shift out of survival mode and into soul-led living. She’s also the creator of The Fempreneur Connection Summit, a powerful 3-day online event that supports women entrepreneurs in building aligned, intuitive, and successful businesses.  https://www.judithrichey.com. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN – The surprising difference between being “nice” and being kind—and why it matters for your health – How to recognize when you’re in a “dark night of the soul” (and what to do about it) – What it actually takes to heal old wounds at the soul level—not just understand them – Why awareness isn’t enough for transformation—and what most women are missing   Get full show notes and more information here: https://elizabethsherman.com/239

    46 min

  7. SEP 2

    238: Changing Seasons and Changing Habits

    Why do your healthy habits feel so easy in the summer… and so impossible by October? In this episode of Total Health in Midlife, I’m unpacking a surprisingly overlooked reason your motivation disappears when the seasons change—and what to do instead of blaming yourself. You’ll hear how weather, light, mood, and routine can quietly hijack your habits unless you plan for them, and how understanding your own seasonal patterns can help you feel more consistent, confident, and in control—all year long. Whether you're eating lighter and walking more right now, or already dreading the colder months ahead, this episode will help you spot the patterns before they sabotage your progress. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN Why motivation isn’t the problem (and what is) How to create habits that adapt with the seasons, not collapse under them Simple strategies to prepare for dips in energy and mood before they happen RESOURCES Download the Listener’s Guide to find the exact episodes that speak to what you’re going through Grab the guide here to simplify your health routine and take the guesswork out of where to focus. Done with Dieting Podcast Episode 19: Clean Slate Habits    Get full show notes and more information here: https://elizabethsherman.com/podcast/238

    20 min

  8. AUG 26

    237: Midlife, Martyrdom, and Me

    Have you ever eaten something you didn’t want—just because it was there, or because you didn’t want it to go to waste? In this episode of Total Health in Midlife, I’m sharing a deeply personal story about leftovers, silent resentment, and the invisible rules so many women live by without even realizing it. What started with a container of forgotten vegetables turned into an unexpected insight about worth, sacrifice, and why we often take the smaller portion—not just at the dinner table, but in life. If you’ve ever felt like you're always the one settling, always making do, always keeping things together while putting yourself last—this episode is for you. We’ll explore the hidden beliefs that drive these choices, how they affect your health, and what you can do to start choosing differently. This conversation isn’t about food. It’s about self-respect, small rebellions, and learning how to want again. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN The hidden thought that drives many women to settle—for food, time, and energy How guilt and thrift are often mistaken for virtue (and how that messes with our habits) The subtle difference between choosing something and defaulting to it A simple reframe you can use to start honoring your preferences—without guilt RESOURCES The 8 Basic Habits of Healthy People Guide & Checklist Daring Greatly by Brené Brown   Get full show notes and more information here: https://elizabethsherman.com/podcast/237

    25 min
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About

Midlife doesn’t have to mean slowing down, feeling out of control, or resigning yourself to being frumpy & invisible. On the Total Health in Midlife Podcast, seasoned health coach Elizabeth Sherman cuts through the noise of fad diets and contradictory wellness advice. In warm, relatable chats, you’ll discover straightforward strategies for managing hormonal shifts, optimizing nutrition, and prioritizing emotional wellness—so you can experience genuine energy and comfort in your body. Whether you’re juggling an empty nest, a changing career, or simply trying to keep up with everyday demands, each episode offers practical insights that fit into your real life. Tune in to hear expert interviews, personal stories, and encouraging tips designed to help you embrace this stage with confidence. It’s time to unlock sustainable habits that support your physical health, nurture your mental well-being, and truly bring you peace of mind in your 40s, 50s, and beyond. Visit https://elizabethsherman.com/habits to download the 8 Basic Habits that Healthy People Do Guide & Checklist to start your journey focusing on the basics of good health for your body today!

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