The Forties Formula

Amanda Lim & Jasmin Dhillon
  • 5.0 (4)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to The Forties Formula — an award-winning podcast named Best Health & Wellness Podcast in Asia 2025, and proudly featured by CNA as one of Singapore’s best podcasts for women. We blend science, soul, and a little bit of sass to help you thrive in your forties and beyond. Meet your hosts: Jasmin Dhillon — health strategist at Eat with Jasmin, mum of three boys, and forever curious about what it really takes to feel good in this season of life.Amanda Lim — metabolic health coach, director at LIFT Clinic, and mom to three littles, here to help you ditch the fluff and get real about kicking a*s in your forties.Free Resource for Women in Their 40s Download our free Forties Formula E-book — your guide to feeling clearer, stronger, and more energised in midlife.

  1. The Perfect Mom Doesn't Exist (And Here's Why) | The Forties Formula

    3D AGO

    The Perfect Mom Doesn't Exist (And Here's Why) | The Forties Formula

    There’s a version of motherhood many women are quietly trying to live up to. The calm mother. The grateful mother. The woman who somehow keeps her career, body, marriage, friendships and identity perfectly intact… while raising a child. But what happens when becoming a mother changes you in ways nobody prepared you for? In this episode of The Forties Formula, Amanda Lim and Jasmin Dhillon sit down with author, workplace advocate and matrescence expert Sara Pantry to unpack the invisible emotional, hormonal and identity shifts women experience after having children. From postpartum anxiety and birth trauma to career pressure, breastfeeding guilt and losing your sense of self, this is a conversation about the parts of motherhood women are expected to survive quietly. Because motherhood isn’t just about learning how to care for a baby. It’s about becoming an entirely different version of yourself. And for many women, that transformation feels lonelier, heavier and more disorienting than anyone admits. We talk about: • Why motherhood can feel emotionally overwhelming even when you “wanted this” • What matrescence actually means; and why more women are finally talking about it • The invisible identity shift that happens after having children • Why so many women feel isolated after birth • The pressure to “bounce back” and why it’s harming mothers This episode is for every woman who has ever felt like motherhood changed her more than she expected. And for anyone trying to understand why so many mothers are struggling silently behind the scenes. Because maybe the problem isn’t that women are failing motherhood. Maybe the expectations were impossible to begin with. ⏱️ CHAPTERS: 00:00 | The motherhood myth women were sold 03:47 | Why matrescence changes everything 04:39 | The loss of the village and modern motherhood 06:00 | Sara’s own matrescence journey 08:41 | The moment she finally felt seen 09:53 | How motherhood rewires the brain and identity 11:17 | The “invisible postpartum” nobody talks about 13:49 | Why workplaces are failing mothers 17:32 | Rituals, healing and writing love letters to yourself 18:52 | Reading the letter that changed everything 21:25 | Birth trauma, anxiety and not being heard 22:22 | The pressure to “bounce back” after birth 23:31 | Redefining what being a “good mother” means 24:51 | “Be where your feet are” 26:47 | Rugged flexibility and holding onto yourself 29:46 | Why comparison is destroying modern mothers 30:38 | The power of “second best parenting” 32:35 | Mothers need support beyond childbirth 35:02 | Why workplaces must fundamentally change 38:23 | Why partners need parental leave too 40:02 | Breastfeeding guilt, pressure and shame 43:33 | Letting go of perfection to actually thrive 46:41 | Sara’s Forties Formula for motherhood and life 47:51 | The antenatal class rant every mother will relate to 🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS Our free ebook - https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/2156555/sites/185865618324457283/the-forties-formula-with-amanda-jasmin-wn3zmn Buy me a coffee for $5 a month we answer your questions. Thank you to our sponsors: Love, Indus – get 21% off luxury skincare with code TFF https://loveindus.com/ The Forties Formula Podcast → https://thefortiesformula.com/

    57 min
  2. I Thought This Was Death… Then Everything Changed | The Forties Formula In Focus

    6D AGO ·  BONUS

    I Thought This Was Death… Then Everything Changed | The Forties Formula In Focus

    What does it feel like to think you’re dying… while fully conscious? In this Forties Formula In Focus clip, Dr. Sarah Nami Ahn — a UCLA-trained neuroscientist and brain tumor survivor — shares the most terrifying moment of her journey. From hallucinating walls on fire… to believing the nurses were trying to harm her… to a final thought: “God… my kids.” This is the raw, unfiltered reality of what happened inside the ICU — and the moment everything shifted. 🎙️ Hosted by Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim, The Forties Formula In Focus brings you powerful, unedited moments from our most impactful conversations — designed to give you a glimpse… and leave you wanting more. 🧠 Why we’re sharing this now We’re re-releasing this clip during Brain Tumour Awareness Month (May) to spotlight the realities of diagnosis, recovery, and what isn’t always talked about. If you’ve ever: experienced symptoms that didn’t make sense felt dismissed or unheard or supported someone through a serious diagnosis This story will stay with you. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Hallucinations begin — “the walls were on fire” 00:45 Confusion and fear in the ICU 01:30 “They hate me” — paranoia sets in 02:15 Messaging her husband — something isn’t right 03:00 Heart racing — overwhelming terror 03:45 “This is death. This is it.” 04:20 “God… my kids” — the final thought 05:00 She passes out 05:30 Waking up to a completely different reality 06:15 The emotional aftermath 🎧 Watch the FULL episode here: 👉 https://youtu.be/RTUTXp3yrSc 🎁 Get our FREE ebook A practical guide to help you feel better, eat better, and understand your body in your 40s: 👉 https://the-forties-formula-with-amanda-jasmin-wn3zmn.subscribepage.io/ ☕ Support the podcast Join us on Buy Me a Coffee ($5/month) and get your questions answered in our monthly Q&A episodes: 👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/thefortiesformula 🔗 Connect with us 👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefortiesformula 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thefortiesformula 🔗 Follow Dr. Sarah Nami Ahn 👉 https://www.instagram.com/onnami/ 💬 If this resonated… Share it with someone who needs to hear it. Because these moments — the real ones — are the ones that change how we see everything.

    15 min
  3. We Need To Talk About Our Girls | The Forties Formula

    APR 29

    We Need To Talk About Our Girls | The Forties Formula

    There’s a moment, as a mother, when you look at your daughter and realise something is changing. She’s quieter. More emotional. More critical of herself. And you’re left wondering… is this normal, or is something deeper going on? In this episode, we sit down with psychologist Dr. Emma Waddington and physician Dr. Gina Hel to unpack what’s really happening beneath the surface for girls today. From earlier puberty and hormonal shifts to the impact of social media, friendships, and identity, this is a conversation every parent needs to hear. Because the reality is, girls aren’t just growing up differently… they’re growing up under more pressure than ever before. And if you’re a woman in your 40s, you might recognise something else too… parts of your own story reflected back at you. We cover: The subtle signs your daughter may be struggling Why puberty is starting earlier How hormones affect mood, sleep and behaviour The impact of social media on self-worth Why friendships matter more than you realise The truth about body image in young girls How to build connection before adolescence hits What helps girls feel confident and supported If you’re raising a daughter or trying to understand the pressures girls face today, this episode will shift how you see it all. 🤝 SPONSOR Thank you to our sponsor Love, Indus Enjoy 21% off with code TFF 👉 https://www.loveindus.com 🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS Osler Health → https://www.osler-health.com Us Therapy → https://www.ustherapy.sg Untangled by Lisa Damour → https://amzn.to/4cWz8vc Run Like A Girl (Always) → https://youtu.be/qtDMyGjYlMg ⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 02:00 Signs your daughter may be struggling 05:00 Puberty and hormones 07:30 Emotional shift in adolescence 10:00 Brain development and social connection 11:00 Social media and self-esteem 14:00 Friendship dynamics 16:00 Loneliness and online connection 19:30 Body image and early pressure 21:00 Parenting influence and identity 27:00 Teaching girls to speak up 34:00 Body image in sport 39:30 Self-worth and achievement 41:00 The pressure to be everything 45:00 Parenting teens vs coaching

    50 min
  4. I Built My Life on Fear. Now I’m Questioning Everything | The Forties Formula in Focus

    APR 26 ·  BONUS

    I Built My Life on Fear. Now I’m Questioning Everything | The Forties Formula in Focus

    What happens when you realise the life you built wasn’t fully yours? In this Forties Formula in Focus clip, Uma Thana Balasingham shares the moment everything cracked — and what it really means to start again. In this Forties Formula in Focus episode, we revisit a powerful conversation with Uma Thana Balasingham on what she calls a “career quake.” From building a high-performing career in tech to walking away from a marriage rooted in fear, Uma opens up about the quiet realisations that many women experience but rarely say out loud. This isn’t about starting over for the sake of it. It’s about questioning the decisions you once made, understanding where they came from, and giving yourself the space to choose differently. We talk about identity, grief, expectations, and the uncomfortable but necessary process of meeting yourself again. The idea of “career quakes” and what they really feel likeMaking life decisions from fear vs alignmentThe identity shift when you step away from career or relationshipWhy grief is part of growthLearning to sit still instead of constantly doingKey Takeaways You can love your life and still feel something is missingNot every decision you made was fully yours — and that’s okayGrowth often starts with discomfortYou don’t need to rush the rebuildMeeting yourself is part of the process⏱ Chapters 00:00 Questioning everything 01:10 Marriage, fear, and honest reflection 03:00 Following narratives that weren’t yours 05:10 What is a “career quake”? 07:30 Grief, identity, and starting again 🔗 Links & Resources 🎙 Listen / Watch The Forties Formula YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thefortiesformulaWebsite: https://www.thefortiesformula.comAll platforms: https://bio.site/thefortiesformulapodcast☕ Support the show Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thefortiesformulaUma Thana Balasingham LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/umathana/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uma__raw/👩🏽‍💻 Follow Us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefortiesformulaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thefortiesformula

    12 min
  5. This is Why High Achieving Women Feel One Step Away From Collapse | The Forties Formula

    APR 22

    This is Why High Achieving Women Feel One Step Away From Collapse | The Forties Formula

    This episode dives into the hidden emotional cost of being a high-functioning woman in your 40s. From conditional self-worth to the pressure of always “holding it all together,” we unpack why so many women feel exhausted, disconnected, and stuck despite external success. You’ll explore how societal conditioning, caregiving roles, and achievement-driven identity create burnout and why the goalposts keep moving. Most importantly, this conversation opens the door to rebuilding a sense of safety, self-acceptance, and connection with yourself. If you’ve ever felt like you’re performing your life instead of living it, this episode will hit home. KEY TAKEAWAYS: • Burnout in women is often rooted in conditional self-worth, not just workload • High achievement can become a way to seek emotional safety • Sociocultural expectations shape women into caregivers at the cost of self • Constantly “holding it together” leads to deep internal disconnection Rebuilding self-acceptance is key to breaking the burnout cycle The Forties Formula Podcast https://www.thefortiesformula.com Connect with us: https://www.instagram.com/thefortiesformula https://www.instagram.com/ranidhaschainey/ women burnout, burnout in 40s, high functioning anxiety, midlife women health, emotional exhaustion women, self worth women, perimenopause mindset, women 40s burnout, identity crisis midlife, caregiving stress women, high achiever burnout

    38 min
  6. Empathy - The Skill You're Missing For True Connection | Mimi Nicklin | The Forties Formula in Focus

    APR 19 ·  BONUS

    Empathy - The Skill You're Missing For True Connection | Mimi Nicklin | The Forties Formula in Focus

    If you’ve ever felt lonely despite having a full life, a career, a family, and people around you… this conversation will land. In this Forties Formula in Focus clip, we revisit one of the most powerful moments from our full episode with Mimi Nicklin, where we explore why so many women in their 40s feel disconnected — and why it’s not your fault. We talk about: Why loneliness isn’t about being alone The hidden cost of success without connection Why “soft skills” like empathy are actually essential for survival How modern life is quietly pulling us further apart And what it really takes to feel connected again This is one of those conversations that makes you pause and think… “oh, that makes sense.” 🎧 Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/xDuBymzL-I8?si=AhxgubSjMWQ1upEB ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Why connection feels harder than ever 01:10 – “Please stop calling these soft skills” 02:30 – Why loneliness is hard to admit 04:00 – You can be surrounded but still feel alone 05:20 – The CEO story: success without connection 07:10 – Why connection is actually about survival 08:30 – Living longer through connection 09:45 – What empathy really means (and why it matters) 🔑 KEYWORDS women in their 40s midlife loneliness feeling disconnected emotional health women connection and wellbeing empathy and relationships midlife mental health high achieving women burnout social connection health why do I feel lonely communication interpersonal skills self improvement life lessons longevity 🏷️ TAGS #fortiesformula #womenshealth #midlifewomen #emotionalwellbeing #loneliness #selfgrowth #mentalhealth #workingmums #highachievers #connection

    12 min
  7. Your Body Isn't Wrong, Fashion Is!

    APR 15

    Your Body Isn't Wrong, Fashion Is!

    Reclaiming Body Confidence in Midlife with Amanda & Jasmin Why do so many women in their 40s feel like their body has suddenly become a problem? In this episode, Amanda and Jasmin unpack how diet culture, societal pressure, and years of conditioning shape the way we see ourselves — especially as our bodies change. From the emotional attachment to old clothes to the reality of navigating a different body, this conversation goes deeper than weight. This is about identity, confidence, and learning how to feel like yourself again. In this episode: Why body image struggles often intensify in your 40sThe lasting impact of 80s and 90s diet cultureThe truth behind “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels”Why clothes — not your body — might be the real issueHow to find styles that actually work for your current bodyNavigating comments, microaggressions, and social pressureWhat body positivity gets wrong — and what matters moreHow to rebuild confidence without chasing your old bodyTimestamps: 00:00 – Why body image feels harder in your 40s 03:39 – The “skinny feels” belief unpacked 07:18 – Body changes and clothing struggles 09:04 – Shopping trauma and fit frustration 12:19 – The emotional attachment to old clothes 14:41 – Handling comments about your body 16:06 – Body positivity vs reality 18:44 – Redefining strength and confidence 21:56 – Fashion industry challenges 29:47 – Meeting women where they are 33:01 – Finding what actually works for you 40:12 – Confidence beyond appearance 46:01 – Strength, identity, and midlife 50:31 – Final reflections Resources & Links: Beauty Sick by Renee Engeln https://www.amazon.com/Beauty-Sick-Cultural-Obsession-Hurting/dp/006246978X Supporting Eve Lingerie https://www.supportingeve.com The Forties Formula Podcast https://www.thefortiesformula.com Connect with us: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thefortiesformula YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@thefortiesformula

    52 min
  8. They Said I Needed A Hysterectomy But Then Something Miraculous Happened | The Forties Formula In Focus

    APR 13 ·  BONUS

    They Said I Needed A Hysterectomy But Then Something Miraculous Happened | The Forties Formula In Focus

    What if your body already knows how to heal — it just needs someone to help it remember? In this clip from The Forties Formula in Focus, Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim sit down with two certified BodyTalk practitioners based in Singapore: Rieke Hartwell and Sufen Paphassarang. Together, they explore how BodyTalk — a holistic healing modality that addresses the whole person rather than isolated symptoms — has helped women reverse autoimmune conditions, recover from chronic pain, and navigate perimenopause without drugs. Rieke shares her extraordinary personal story of healing a 7cm ovarian abscess without needing surgery her doctors insisted she needed. Sufen — an Advanced BodyTalk Practitioner and instructor — breaks down the science and philosophy behind the approach, from "structured intuition" to the body's innate healing intelligence. If you've ever felt dismissed by conventional medicine or wondered if there's another way, this conversation is for you. Chapters: 0:00 "God, you look like death" 0:45 10 months of chronic pelvic pain — no diagnosis 1:30 Sufen's first session: "massive infection in your right ovary" 2:45 Surgery reveals a 7cm abscess — organ removal scheduled 4:00 "He is not removing any of your organs" 5:10 The scan that shocked her gynecologist 6:15 Why the body stops healing — stress, trauma & the sinkhole 7:20 The body is designed to heal. Here's what gets in the way. 📲 Connect With Our Guests Rieke Hartwell — BodyTalk Practitioner, Singapore: @rieke.bodytalk.sg Sufen Paphassarang — Advanced BodyTalk Practitioner & Instructor, The BodyTalk Centre Singapore: @sufen_bodytalk 📲 Connect With Your Hosts Jasmin Dhillon: @eat.with.jasmin Amanda Lim: @coachamandalim

    8 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Forties Formula — an award-winning podcast named Best Health & Wellness Podcast in Asia 2025, and proudly featured by CNA as one of Singapore’s best podcasts for women. We blend science, soul, and a little bit of sass to help you thrive in your forties and beyond. Meet your hosts: Jasmin Dhillon — health strategist at Eat with Jasmin, mum of three boys, and forever curious about what it really takes to feel good in this season of life.Amanda Lim — metabolic health coach, director at LIFT Clinic, and mom to three littles, here to help you ditch the fluff and get real about kicking a*s in your forties.Free Resource for Women in Their 40s Download our free Forties Formula E-book — your guide to feeling clearer, stronger, and more energised in midlife.

Information

  • Creator
    Amanda Lim & Jasmin Dhillon
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    119
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Amanda Lim & Jasmin Dhillon 2024
  • Show Website
    The Forties Formula

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