Now What?

Tessa Guevara

Life doesn’t come with a manual, especially for women navigating midlife and beyond. Now What? Podcast shares real, unfiltered stories from women who have been there, who have started over, found purpose, reinvented themselves, or simply kept going. Each episode explores the experiences that shape us: the pivots, the pain, the triumphs, and the unexpected moments that make midlife anything but a crisis.  Every woman’s story holds wisdom, and when we share them, we remind each other that we’re not alone on this journey. It’s for every woman asking herself, “Now what?”

  1. 1d ago

    The Autoimmune Wake-Up Call That Changed Her Career with Jeanette De Caro

    There comes a point when doing everything you thought was “healthy” still leaves you exhausted, inflamed, and searching for answers. In this episode, I sit down with Jeanette De Caro, functional health and nutrition practitioner and founder of Elation Health and Wellness, for an eye-opening conversation about autoimmune disease, chronic stress, functional testing, and the root causes that often go overlooked. Jeanette shares how a growing list of health challenges, including hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, perimenopause, and rheumatoid arthritis, led her to explore functional medicine and uncover deeper factors contributing to her symptoms. What began as a personal search for healing eventually inspired her to leave a 33-year corporate career and help other women better understand their bodies. We talk about the connection between stress, hormones, nervous system dysregulation, environmental toxins, mold, and autoimmune symptoms, as well as why supplements alone cannot outweigh a poor diet, lack of rest, or a constantly overwhelmed nervous system. Jeanette also opens up about caring for her aging mother, the guilt that came with asking for help, and how finding the right care allowed her to move from full-time caregiver back into simply being her daughter. This episode is a reminder that your symptoms are not random, and your body may be asking you to look deeper. In this episode, we explore: Jeanette’s journey from chronic symptoms to a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosisWhy autoimmune disease rarely has just one root causeThe role of stress, hormones, mold, toxins, and nervous system healthWhy you cannot out-supplement a hectic lifestyleHow functional testing can reveal what standard labs may missWhy midlife can become a tipping point for women’s healthJeanette’s transition from corporate life into functional wellnessThe emotional and physical toll of caring for an aging parentHow asking for help helped restore Jeanette’s relationship with her motherAbout Jeanette:  Jeanette De Caro is a Functional Health and Nutrition Practitioner and the founder of Alatian Health and Wellness.  She is Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition, a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, and has advanced training in functional lab testing as a Master Practitioner through the Institute of Restorative Health. Jeanette helps clients uncover the root causes of their health challenges using personalized lab testing, nutrition, targeted therapeutic supplements, and lifestyle strategies. Connect with Jeanette: Instagram: alatian_health Website: Alatian Health and Wellness Connect with Tessa: IG: https://www.instagram.com/tessa_guevara/ Website: https://www.tessaguevara.com/click-me Power up your mind and get unstuck with these 3 steps

  2. May 22

    Listening to Your Intuition in Midlife with Jessica Chilvers Long

    There comes a point when pushing harder stops working… and you realize the answer might actually be slowing down enough to hear yourself again. In this episode, I sit down with Jessica Chilvers Long, holistic health coach, Pilates instructor, breathwork facilitator, and host of the Midlife Advice Podcast, for a deeply grounding conversation about intuition, nervous system healing, and what it really means to create a life that feels aligned from the inside out. Jessica shares her journey from the corporate world into entrepreneurship, beginning with opening a successful fitness studio and eventually evolving into the work she does today supporting midlife women through perimenopause, stress, and major life transitions. What unfolds is an honest conversation about learning to trust yourself, letting go of perfectionism, and recognizing when external success no longer matches your internal truth. We talk about the disconnect so many women feel between what they say matters and how they actually spend their time, why intuition is a skill that must be practiced, and how nervous system regulation may be one of the missing pieces for women who feel chronically overwhelmed, exhausted, or disconnected from themselves. Jessica also opens up about the power of breathwork, the role stress plays in women’s health, and why expanding your capacity, not just your productivity, can completely change the way you experience midlife. This episode is a reminder that your body is constantly communicating with you… and sometimes the biggest transformation begins when you finally slow down enough to listen.   In this episode, we explore:  What it looks like to leave behind a successful career that no longer feels aligned  How intuition can guide major life and business decisions  Why so many women lose connection with themselves in the middle of doing “everything right”  The importance of identifying your core values and actually living in alignment with them  How perfectionism can quietly become a form of procrastination  Why women often ignore their bodies until they’re forced to pay attention  The connection between nervous system regulation, stress, and hormone health  How breathwork can help expand your emotional capacity and resilience  Why simple practices like breathing and slowing down are often the hardest to prioritize  The impact of chronic stress and overstimulation on midlife women  What it means to make decisions from your “next level self”  How Jessica is redefining wellness and creating accessible support for women through virtual breathwork experiences  About Jessica: Jessica Chilvers Long is on a mission to help midlife women feel informed, connected and badass through conversations, curated events, physical fitness and nervous system healing. She is a holistic health coach specializing in perimenopause, certified menopause coaching specialist, breathwork facilitator, Pilates instructor and host of the Midlife Advice podcast.    Connect with her: @belongwellness, @midlifeadvicepodcast  Connect with Tessa: IG: https://www.instagram.com/tessa_guevara/ Website: https://www.tessaguevara.com/click-me Power up your mind and get unstuck with these 3 steps

  3. May 8

    Finding Purpose Through Loss with Olivia King

    What if the life you worked so hard to build was actually pulling you further away from yourself? In this episode, I sit down with Olivia King, a holistic nutritionist and founder of Jade Lotus Nutrition, for a deeply moving conversation about grief, purpose, and the unexpected moments that wake you up to what really matters.  Olivia shares her journey from a 15-year career in accounting to stepping into her true calling after the sudden loss of her mother to pancreatic cancer. What unfolds is a powerful story of identity, cultural expectations, and the quiet realization that external success can never replace internal fulfillment.  We talk about what it looks like to finally listen to yourself after years of ignoring your needs, how grief can become a catalyst for transformation, and the courage it takes to choose a completely different path when life forces you to reevaluate everything. Olivia opens up about healing not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually, from reconnecting with her body and intuition to breaking generational patterns and redefining what success truly means. This conversation is a reminder that sometimes the hardest moments in life are the ones that guide you back to yourself.   In this episode, we explore: What it looks like to walk away from a “successful” career that no longer feels alignedHow losing a loved one can shift your entire perspective on life and purposeThe impact of cultural and societal expectations on identity and fulfillmentWhy learning to listen to your body is a critical part of healingThe connection between emotional health, stress, and physical symptomsHow to reconnect with your intuition and inner voiceBreaking generational patterns and choosing a different path forwardThe role of self-love and the journey to believing “I am enough”Blending Eastern and Western approaches to health and wellnessWhy true success goes far beyond money, titles, and external validation  About Olivia: Olivia King is a Functional Nutritionist , specializing in gut health and functional blood chemistry analysis. After leaving a 15-year accounting career following her mother’s battle with pancreatic cancer, Olivia shifted her life’s work toward helping people better understand their digestion, energy, and chronic health patterns. She blends personalized nutrition, targeted supplements, lab testing, and Traditional Chinese Medicine principles to help clients make sense of their symptoms and create sustainable lifestyle changes. Olivia’s approach is practical, compassionate, and focused on empowering people to listen to their bodies and take confident ownership of their health.   Connect with her: https://jadelotusholistichealing.com/ Connect with Tessa: IG: https://www.instagram.com/tessa_guevara/ Website: https://www.tessaguevara.com/click-me Power up your mind and get unstuck with these 3 steps

  4. Mar 27

    When “Having It All” Isn’t Enough with Koreana Schmittat

    Ever hit a moment where you realize the life you built still doesn’t feel like yours? In this episode, I sit down with Koreana Schmittat, a functional nutrition practitioner specializing in skin health and inflammation, for a deeply honest conversation about identity, happiness, and what happens when you finally stop chasing fulfillment outside of yourself.  Koreana shares her story of building the life she always dreamed of (marriage, kids, a beautiful home, financial stability) only to find herself quietly unhappy and disconnected. What follows is a powerful journey of sitting with that discomfort, questioning everything, and learning how to take radical responsibility for her own happiness from the inside out.  We talk about the subtle ways women lose themselves in roles, expectations, and perfectionism, and the courage it takes to start saying no, set boundaries, and rediscover what actually brings you joy. Koreana opens up about healing her marriage through honesty, reconnecting with herself through simple practices, and reframing sensitivity and self-awareness as strengths rather than flaws.  This episode is a reminder that happiness isn’t something you earn once everything looks right on paper. It’s something you choose, build, and practice from within.   In this episode, we explore: What happens when you “have it all” but still feel unfulfilledThe power of saying no and setting boundaries in everyday lifeWhy external success doesn’t create internal happinessHow to reconnect with what actually feels fun and alignedThe role of self-compassion in personal transformationNavigating marriage and identity shifts with honesty and ownershipReframing sensitivity as a strength in both life and health  About Koreana: Koreana Schmittat is a functional nutritionist who helps people get to the root cause of chronic health challenges so they can restore balance, reduce inflammation, and support their body’s natural ability to heal and thrive. Her work focuses on nourishing the body, strengthening the gut, and creating true balance rather than chasing symptoms. She specializes in eczema and inflammatory skin conditions, and is deeply passionate about helping people feel at home in their bodies again. Koreana believes your body should never be the reason you hold back from living your best life, and her work is centered helping people bring balance to your body can live your life to the fullest.   Connect with her: Website: https://www.thenourishedlifepractice.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.nourished.life.project Connect with Tessa: IG: https://www.instagram.com/tessa_guevara/ Website: https://www.tessaguevara.com/click-me Power up your mind and get unstuck with these 3 steps

  5. Feb 27

    Realigning Your Life and Health with Jaclyn Daley

    When the life you worked so hard to build starts making you sick, what do you do next? In this episode, I sit down with Jaclyn Daley, a holistic nutritional therapy practitioner, autoimmune protocol coach, and yoga instructor, for an honest conversation about burnout, autoimmunity, and the courage it takes to realign your life with your body. Jaclyn shares her journey from a high-powered corporate career in the fashion industry—commuting long hours in New York City, pushing through exhaustion, and ignoring mounting symptoms—to being diagnosed with autoimmune disease after years of unexplained health issues.  We talk about the deeper layers beneath chronic illness—how stress, identity, and societal expectations shape women’s health—and why so many of us operate in constant “doing” mode, disconnected from our bodies. Jaclyn opens up about releasing outdated versions of herself, cultivating self-compassion through uncertainty, and learning to see autoimmunity not as the body attacking itself, but as the body trying to protect and communicate. This episode is a reminder that your body is not working against you. It may be asking you to slow down, to listen, and to realign.   In this episode, we explore: How burnout and chronic stress can manifest as autoimmune symptomsWhy modern life often pulls women out of alignment with their bodiesThe powerful reframe of autoimmunity as protection, not betrayalSimple but transformative practices like breathwork, gratitude, and the “power of the pause”The role of yoga philosophy in cultivating self-trust and liberationHow to navigate fear and self-doubt when making a major life pivotWhy self-compassion is not a destination, but an ongoing practice  About Jaclyn: Jaclyn Daley is a Holistic Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and Autoimmune Protocol Coach who supports individuals with autoimmune symptoms and chronic fatigue in restoring their energy and reclaiming their lives. Jaclyn’s personal experience navigating and overcoming the struggles of autoimmunity inspires her work and mission — to help others believe that optimal health is possible, even with chronic illness. She often draws on her background as a Yoga Instructor by emphasizing the impact of nervous system regulation and mind-body connection, fostering resilience and well-being in body, mind, and spirit.   Connect with her: https://www.instagram.com/counterculturewellness/ https://www.facebook.com/counterculturewellness.life/ https://www.youtube.com/@counterculturewellness Connect with Tessa: IG: https://www.instagram.com/tessa_guevara/ Website: https://www.tessaguevara.com/click-me Power up your mind and get unstuck with these 3 steps

  6. Feb 20

    Redefining Women’s Health in Midlife with Heidi and Cassi

    What if the symptoms you’ve been told are “just part of getting older” are actually invitations to pay closer attention to your body?   In this episode, I sit down with Physician Assistants Heidi and Cassi for a thoughtful conversation about women’s health, midlife shifts, and the importance of self-advocacy. We talk about the changes that often begin in your 40s and 50s, why so many women feel dismissed in traditional medical settings, and how learning to track and understand your own symptoms can be a turning point. Heidi and Cassi share how navigating hormonal shifts, energy changes, and identity transitions shaped both their personal journeys and the work they now do to support other women.   This episode is a reminder that your symptoms are not something to ignore. They are signals. And when women start asking better questions and trusting themselves, everything begins to change.   In this episode, we explore: How to recognize when “normal aging” might need a second lookWhy tracking your symptoms can be a powerful advocacy toolThe connection between hormones, energy, and long-term healthHow identity shifts show up in midlife and beyondWhat it means to build community around women’s healthWhy self-trust is foundational in navigating changing seasons  About Heidi and Cassi: Heidi and Cassi are Physician Assistants who both have previous experience in Gynecology Oncology and now working in Breast Surgical Oncology. Together, they have started a podcast titled "Mindfully Woman" in which they discuss all things woman's health with a special focus on breast cancer awareness, cancer risk reduction, menopause, and overall wellness.    Connect with them: Listen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mindfullywoman Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1KAPpU3nPVjd6tNOokv33j Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Mindfully-Woman-61573129798770/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfullywoman Email: mindfullywomanpodcast@gmail.com Connect with Tessa: IG: https://www.instagram.com/tessa_guevara/ Website: https://www.tessaguevara.com/click-me Power up your mind and get unstuck with these 3 steps

  7. Feb 13

    Rewriting the Menopause Narrative with Bridgett Garratt

    What happens when you reach midlife, realize no one prepared you for what your body is doing… and decide to start asking better questions?   In this episode, I sit down with Bridgett Garratt, co-host of the podcast Hot Flashes & Cool Topics, for an honest and energizing conversation about menopause, midlife reinvention, and the power of women speaking openly about their experiences. We talk about how menopause showed up in Bridgett’s body through intense hot flashes and night sweats, the surprise of learning how little formal medical training exists around midlife women’s health, and what it really means to advocate for yourself when something does not feel right. Bridgett also shares what it has looked like to build something new in midlife — hosting live events, interviewing celebrity guests and physicians, and navigating motherhood and caregiving along the way.   This episode is a reminder that midlife is not a decline. It is a pivot. And when women speak honestly about what they are experiencing, everything begins to shift.   In this episode, we explore: How Bridgett turned empty nest uncertainty into a six-year podcast journeyThe many faces of menopause, from hot flashes to brain fog to vaginal drynessWhy self-advocacy in healthcare is essential, especially in midlifeThe role of lifestyle, stress regulation, and health span in long-term wellnessWhat it takes to reinvent yourself and build something meaningful after 50Why women need spaces to talk honestly about what is really happening  About Bridgett and Colleen: Colleen Rosenblum and Bridgett Garratt met 10 years ago when they became empty nesters, newly settling and living in the same neighborhood. Six years ago while having lunch with friends, they were discussing how they can't find answers to the questions that they had about this time of life. They decided to create a podcast to research the topics that midlife women find the most intriguing. In the process, they have met numerous experts in a number of fields as well as met hundreds of fantastic midlife women living their best lives. The most rewarding part of this journey has been learning about the joys of this time of life that is not usually discussed for women.    Connect with them: https://www.instagram.com/hotflashesandcooltopics https://www.youtube.com/@HotFlashesCoolTopics https://www.tiktok.com/@hotflashescooltopics2 https://www.facebook.com/hotflashescooltopics Connect with Tessa: IG: https://www.instagram.com/tessa_guevara/ Website: https://www.tessaguevara.com/click-me Power up your mind and get unstuck with these 3 steps

  8. Feb 6

    Breath as Medicine with Jessica Dibb

    SHOW NOTES: What if the most powerful medicine you’ll ever need is something you’re already doing every moment of the day?   In this episode, I sit down with Jessica Dibb, a pioneering breathwork teacher, spiritual leader, and founder of the Inspiration of Consciousness School and Community, for a deeply expansive conversation about breath, healing, and the intelligence of the body. Jessica shares her lifelong journey into mind body and consciousness work, from her early years as a ballerina to living in an ashram, and ultimately dedicating her life to making breath a sacred and accessible tool for transformation.   We talk about how breathwork goes far beyond stress relief, how trauma and unexpressed emotions live in the body, and why learning to work with your breath can unlock profound healing at the physical, emotional, and energetic levels. Jessica offers a powerful reframe on somatic healing, quantum healing, and what it really means to trust the body’s innate wisdom.   This conversation is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and remember that healing, regulation, and awakening don’t come from outside of you. They begin with your next breath.   In this episode, we explore: Jessica’s origin story and how her early experiences shaped her life’s workWhy breathwork is both a physiological tool and a gateway to expanded consciousnessHow trauma, suppressed emotions, and unspoken truths manifest in the bodyThe difference between somatic healing and quantum healing and how they often overlapWhy breath is the most accessible and underestimated form of medicine we have  Connect with Jessica: https://www.facebook.com/InspirationCommunity https://www.instagram.com/inspirationconsciousnessschool/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-dibb-2581167b/   About Jessica: Through life-long exploring of pathways for physical and psychological health and development, awakened consciousness, and living from love, Jessica Dibb’s work centers conscious breathing—synthesizing depth psychology, consciousness studies, science, individualized spirituality, and somatic, emotional, and cognitive energy and wholeness. Extensively trained in ballet and yoga, during pre-med studies at UC Irvine, she had an epiphany: Breathing is a universal and unifying medicine in every situation, for everyone.  Jessica is the author of Breathwork and Psychotherapy: Clinical Interventions for Healing and Transformation. She advocates rigorous training and ethical standards that support powerful, safe, multi-dimensional, nuanced Breathwork to access our deepest potential. She founded a 1200+ hour Breathwork and Psychospiritual Facilitation Program at Inspiration Consciousness School; is the Global Professional Breathwork Alliance founding co-director and ethics chair; and created Breath Immersion—From Science to Samadhi conferences. Jessica develops innovative processes for embodying psycho-spiritual wholeness using Breathwork with established and emergent wisdom teachings to cultivate presence, wisdom, and love throughout our lifespan—in relationship with all life and this breathing planet. Connect with Tessa: IG: https://www.instagram.com/tessa_guevara/ Website: https://www.tessaguevara.com/click-me Power up your mind and get unstuck with these 3 steps

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Life doesn’t come with a manual, especially for women navigating midlife and beyond. Now What? Podcast shares real, unfiltered stories from women who have been there, who have started over, found purpose, reinvented themselves, or simply kept going. Each episode explores the experiences that shape us: the pivots, the pain, the triumphs, and the unexpected moments that make midlife anything but a crisis.  Every woman’s story holds wisdom, and when we share them, we remind each other that we’re not alone on this journey. It’s for every woman asking herself, “Now what?”