Opt to Thrive…for Midlife Women

Dr Corina Sims

Opt to Thrive is a health and wellness podcast designed to support, educate, inspire, empower and motivate midlife women to live their healthiest, happiest most fulfilled lives. Motivated by her own life experiences and challenging midlife transition, Dr Corina Sims created Opt to Thrive. Dr Sims is a rural GP Obstetrician and Menopause Specialist who has a passion for connecting with and empowering other women to be the best version of themselves. Disappointed with the vast amount of contradictory information targeted at menopausal women, Dr Sims also recognised the gap in medicine that has been identified around the globe in managing women going through it.  Dr Dims strives to bring evidence based information to those who are searching for answers. Listen in every week where on one week you’ll find either a short and sweet episode designed to uplift, inspire and give helpful tips to manage your mind and a longer episode the next created to educate and inform. 

  1. 2d ago ·  Bonus

    Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment: We All Have a Story… It’s What We Do With It That Matters

    Send us Fan Mail We all have a story. Some parts we choose, and many we don’t. In this Mindful Moment, I share some of my own story and the adversity that has shaped my life — and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. Because ultimately, it’s not just what happens to us that matters. It’s the beliefs we carry forward, the choices we make, and what we decide to do with the story we’ve been given. Let's stay connected: Get your free Midlife Health & Body Reset Guide: HereFind out more about the Midlife Reset Program: HereJoin the Opt to Thrive mailing list: HereFollow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothriveConnect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)Opt to Thrive official website

  2. Sep 9

    ADHD & Menopause: What's the Deal? A Discussion with Dr Helen Wall

    Send us Fan Mail We sit down with Dr Helen Wall to connect the dots between perimenopause, menopause and ADHD in women, especially the late-diagnosis pattern where lifelong coping suddenly collapses. We talk honestly about masking, burnout, brain fog, dopamine, and how to get practical support while you wait for answers.  • why women are missed with ADHD and how internal hyperactivity looks  • what masking and overcompensating cost over decades  • why perimenopause hormone volatility can trigger “unravelling”  • clues that suggest more than typical menopause brain fog  • strategies we can start now like externalising your brain and reducing decision fatigue  • how HRT may help stabilise symptoms for some women and why it may not the whole fix  • how to approach your GP with notes, history and advocacy  • what is changing in Australia with GP ADHD diagnosis and management pathways  Let's stay connected: Get your free Midlife Health & Body Reset Guide: HereFind out more about the Midlife Reset Program: HereJoin the Opt to Thrive mailing list: HereFollow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothriveConnect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)Opt to Thrive official website

  3. Sep 2 ·  Bonus

    Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment: Knocking on the Door of the 5% Club

    Send us Fan Mail At 55, I’m working towards something I’ve never been able to do before — not even in my 20s: an unassisted pull-up. For months I felt like I wasn't getting anywhere. Then I changed my approach, reluctantly accepted help (yes, from my husband 😂), started practising differently and suddenly… things began to shift. And then, standing in the kitchen making my morning coffee, I read one little comment that made me put down my cup, walk straight over to the pull-up bar and try something I wasn't actually sure I could do. But this episode isn't really about chin-ups. It's about what can happen when we stop deciding we're too old, keep challenging ourselves, ask for help when we're stuck and stay willing to try a different approach when what we're doing isn't working. It's about strength, muscle, bones and longevity — but also about setting goals that light us up and remind us just how capable we still are. Maybe your challenge isn't a pull-up. Maybe it's something you've quietly decided you can't do anymore — or perhaps something you've never done at all. Let this episode be your reminder: You are still capable of great things. Whatever that looks like for you. Connect with me: Get your free Midlife Health & Body Reset Guide: HereFind out more about the Midlife Reset Program: HereJoin the Opt to Thrive mailing list: HereFollow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothriveConnect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)Opt to Thrive official website

  4. Aug 26

    Progesterone, The Unsung Hero?

    Send us Fan Mail Progesterone does far more than play “second fiddle” to oestrogen, and it can make or break how menopause hormone therapy feels and how safe it is for your uterus. We follow a patient story about 3 am panic wake-ups to explain what progesterone does, why reactions vary, and what the evidence says about oral, vaginal, and topical options.  • a real patient experience that raises the question of progesterone intolerance and sleep disruption  • how estradiol builds the uterine lining and how progesterone balances it  • why anyone with a uterus needs a progestogen when taking oestrogen for menopause symptoms  • the truth about “natural” progesterone and what bioidentical really means  • progesterone, mood and anxiety, and why some women are more hormone-sensitive  • why micronised progesterone is often our preferred option and where it may still cause issues  • Prometrium in Australia and the peanut oil allergy trap  • vaginal progesterone, first-pass liver metabolism, and why side effects might differ  • why guidelines remain cautious about vaginal use for long-term endometrial protection  • why topical progesterone cream and salivary testing are not reliable for uterine safety  • hysterectomy, endometriosis, and how breast cancer risk differs between combined and oestrogen-only therapy  Connect with me: Get your free Midlife Health & Body Reset Guide: HereFind out more about the Midlife Reset Program: HereJoin the Opt to Thrive mailing list: HereFollow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothriveConnect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)Opt to Thrive official website

  5. Aug 19 ·  Bonus

    Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment: A Lesson in Art, Curiosity & Staying Open

    Send us Fan Mail What can a paint-and-sip teach us about life? This week, a local SALA exhibition and an artist I've admired for years got me thinking about curiosity, growth and the stories we tell ourselves about what we already know. I almost said no to an experience because I'd already decided what it had to offer me. And that made me wonder: what do we miss when we stop being curious? In this episode, I reflect on the importance of remaining a student of life — staying open to new ideas, different perspectives and even the possibility that we might be wrong. Because experience and wisdom matter. But perhaps part of thriving as we get older is holding onto everything we've learned while still leaving a little room to be surprised. Connect with me: Check out Jac's work: HereGet your free Midlife Health & Body Reset Guide: HereFind out more about the Midlife Reset Program: HereJoin the Opt to Thrive mailing list: HereFollow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothriveConnect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)Opt to Thrive official website

  6. Aug 12

    Joan MacDonald:The 80 Year Old Fitness Influencer Inspiring Women Around the World

    Send us Fan Mail A lot of people talk about “ageing well”, but Joan McDonald lives it, and she didn’t even start lifting weights until she was almost 71. Joan, now 80, joins us in this episode where I team up with Dr Suzanne Rutherford from The Fit Physician for a frank, funny, and deeply practical chat about how one decision reshaped her health and her identity.  We get into the real catalyst for change, including the moment her blood pressure treatment was heading in the wrong direction, and the tough love that made her stop waiting for the “right time”. We also unpack what the early weeks actually felt like: fear of the gym, feeling overwhelmed, being miles away from her daughter and coach, and trying to follow a plan while battling self-doubt. Joan shares why consistency mattered more than perfection, what helped her keep showing up, and how strength training translates into functional fitness for real life, from getting up and down with confidence to staying capable through injuries and surgery. We also touch on the foundations that make results sustainable: nutrition, hydration, sleep, and a mindset that refuses to accept “you shouldn’t” rules about age. Joan also explains what surprised her most after sharing her journey publicly as Train With Joan, including the messages from families, carers, and older adults who found hope through her example.  If you’re in midlife, navigating menopause, or simply want a clear reason to prioritise resistance training and muscle health, this conversation will give you one.  Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a review, What would you start today if you truly believed it wasn’t too late? Connect with me: Get your free Midlife Health & Body Reset Guide: HereFind out more about the Midlife Reset Program: HereJoin the Opt to Thrive mailing list: HereFollow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothriveConnect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)Opt to Thrive official website

  7. Aug 5 ·  Bonus

    Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment: Finding the Joy

    Send us Fan Mail Sometimes the days that feel hardest aren't the ones where something terrible has happened. Sometimes you're just... flat. In this week's Mindful Moment, I share one of the simplest (and surprisingly effective) tools I use to manage my own very busy mind when it starts running away with me. If you've ever felt like your thoughts have a mind of their own, or found yourself dwelling on the grey parts of life while completely missing the beautiful ones, this episode is for you. Together, we'll explore: A simple way to gently redirect your attention without forcing positivity.The unexpected power of noticing life's small pleasures.How finding moments of joy can help shift even an ordinary day.This isn't about pretending everything is wonderful. It's about discovering that even on the most ordinary days, joy quietly exists all around us—we just have to notice it. Perhaps the next time life feels a little heavy, you'll find yourself slowing down... taking a breath... and looking for the joy. Connect with me: Watch The Midlife Masterclass Replay here: HereGet your free Midlife Health & Body Reset Guide: HereFind out more about the Midlife Reset Program: HereJoin the Opt to Thrive mailing list: HereFollow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothriveConnect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)Opt to Thrive official website

  8. Jul 29

    How Loraine Created an Anchor Strong Enough to Weather the Storm

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when life gets hard? If you've ever worried that one difficult season could undo all your hard work, this episode is for you. Today I'm joined by Midlife Health & Body Reset member Loraine. When she joined the program, she was determined to stop the cycle of yo-yo dieting, build strength and create healthy habits she could actually maintain. One of the concepts I teach in the program is creating an anchor. Instead of relying on motivation or perfection, we build strong nutrition and movement foundations that keep us grounded when life's inevitable storms arrive. Over the past few months, Loraine has experienced one of those storms with the heartbreaking loss of her beloved dog, Pinkie. Her routine changed. She spent less time walking and fewer afternoons at the gym as she cared for Pinkie, and like many of us would, she found herself reaching for a few more snacks and a little more wine. But here's what was different this time… She never abandoned the habits she'd worked so hard to build. She still made it to the gym twice a week, continued prioritising protein and fibre, and used the simple strategies she'd learned to keep moving forward. Now that life is beginning to settle, she's confidently refocusing—not because she's "starting over," but because she knows exactly what to do. This conversation is a beautiful reminder that lasting success isn't about perfection. It's about building habits strong enough to weather life's storms and having the confidence to come back to them when you're ready. In this episode, we discuss: Why Loraine wanted to break free from yo-yo dieting.Building strength in midlife.The power of creating an "anchor" for your health.Navigating grief without giving up on yourself.Why flexibility beats perfection every time.The confidence that comes from having sustainable habits.💚 The Midlife Health & Body Reset opens tomorrow. If Loraine's story resonates with you, the doors to the next Midlife Health & Body Reset open tomorrow for just one week. Together we'll help you build the strength, nutrition habits and confidence to navigate real life—not just the easy weeks. The doors will then close, and the next intake won't be for another 2–3 months. I'd love to help you build your own anchor. Connect with me: Watch the recent Midlife Masterclass Replay here: HereGet your free Midlife Health & Body Reset Guide: HereFind out more about the Midlife Reset Program: HereJoin the Opt to Thrive mailing list: HereFollow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothriveConnect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)Opt to Thrive official website

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About

Opt to Thrive is a health and wellness podcast designed to support, educate, inspire, empower and motivate midlife women to live their healthiest, happiest most fulfilled lives. Motivated by her own life experiences and challenging midlife transition, Dr Corina Sims created Opt to Thrive. Dr Sims is a rural GP Obstetrician and Menopause Specialist who has a passion for connecting with and empowering other women to be the best version of themselves. Disappointed with the vast amount of contradictory information targeted at menopausal women, Dr Sims also recognised the gap in medicine that has been identified around the globe in managing women going through it.  Dr Dims strives to bring evidence based information to those who are searching for answers. Listen in every week where on one week you’ll find either a short and sweet episode designed to uplift, inspire and give helpful tips to manage your mind and a longer episode the next created to educate and inform. 

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