Unstoppable At Any Age

Dr. Shawna Darou, ND

Inspiring stories and science-backed insight from women who continue to build strength, performance, and possibility with age. Hosted by Dr. Shawna Darou, ND, Unstoppable at Any Age is the voice of Women Who Move - a global movement grounded in one belief: how we move today determines how we live tomorrow. Each episode features conversations with athletes, scientists, founders, and leaders who are expanding what is possible in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond. These women are training, competing, leading, and building lives defined by strength, independence, and momentum.

Episodes

  1. 2D AGO

    9. What every woman needs to know about metabolic health

    Menopause is not just a hormone transition. It’s a metabolic transition too. In this solo episode, I’m breaking down one of the most important - and most overlooked - conversations in women’s health: metabolic health. This is something I’ve focused on in my practice for over 20 years, but honestly, I didn’t fully understand how profound these changes were until I experienced menopause myself. What I see over and over again is women blaming themselves because their old strategies suddenly stop working. Energy crashes. Brain fog. Poor sleep. Weight gain around the abdomen. More inflammation. Worse recovery from exercise. And many women assume it’s “just hormones.” Hormones are part of the story. Metabolic health is the other piece. In this episode, I explain how blood sugar regulation, insulin sensitivity, muscle mass, sleep, stress, and movement all interact during perimenopause and menopause - and why understanding this changes everything. In this episode, we explore: • What metabolic health actually means • Why blood sugar affects energy, mood, sleep, and cravings • The connection between estrogen and insulin resistance • Why women often gain abdominal weight in menopause • The role of muscle in metabolic health and longevity • How strength training protects your brain, bones, and metabolism • Why walking after meals makes such a difference • What I learned from wearing a continuous glucose monitor myself • Why extreme dieting and cutting carbs usually backfires • The habits that actually improve metabolic health long-term One of the biggest takeaways from this episode: Your body didn’t suddenly “stop working.” Your physiology changed - and your strategy needs to change with it. If you want support learning how to improve your metabolic health: Join my free community → #womenwhomove https://drshawnadarou.com/start-here Download my free guide → Fueling for Hormones & Metabolic Healthhttps://drshawnadarou.com/fueling-for-health Learn more about my Metabolic Mastery program → https://go.drshawnadarou.com/metabolic-masterclass-495105 Reminder: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Subscribe, rate, and review to help more women understand what’s actually happening in their bodies.

    35 min

  2. MAY 14

    8. MS, movement, and rebuilding a life you love with Dr. Teri Jaklin, ND

    “You’re never too old. You’ve never had your condition too long. And you’re never too advanced to make positive change.” This conversation stayed with me long after we stopped recording. In this episode, I sit down with naturopathic doctor Teri Jaklin to talk about what it means to keep choosing life - even after being handed a diagnosis that could have easily defined her future. Teri was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in her twenties. One neurologist told her to go home and get her affairs in order. Another told her to “run along and have a good life.” She chose to believe the second one. More than 40 years later, she’s still rebuilding, adapting, moving, gardening, working, creating, and finding ways to fully participate in her life. This conversation is about much more than MS. It’s about mindset. Neuroplasticity. Movement. Identity. And the role our beliefs play in shaping what happens next. In this episode, we explore: • How mindset influences healing and resilience• Why movement is one of the most powerful tools for the brain• The connection between neuroplasticity and intentional movement• How to adapt your body and environment instead of giving up• Why nutrition and cooking real food matter more than most people realize• The importance of building a healthcare team that believes in you• What it means to live beyond a diagnosis One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation: Your diagnosis is information. It does not have to become your identity or your future. If you’re looking for support around movement, hormones, and healthy aging: Join my free community → #womenwhomove (https://drshawnadarou.com/start-here)  Download my free guide → Fueling for Hormones & Metabolic Health (https://drshawnadarou.com/fueling-for-health) Reminder:This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Connect with Teri:  Website: https://www.transform.ms/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrTeriJaklin  Subscribe, rate, and review to help more women rethink what’s possible at any age.

    41 min

  3. MAY 7

    7. Your running shoes weren’t made for your body with Lindsay Housman

    Your running shoes weren’t designed for your body. And most women have no idea. In this episode, I sit down with Lindsay Housman, founder of a female-specific performance footwear company Hettas, to talk about something that comes up constantly - foot pain. Heel pain.Achilles issues.Forefoot pain.Plantar fasciitis.Losing toenails. So many women assume this is just part of being active. It isn’t. What’s often missed is this: Most athletic shoes have been designed, tested, and built based on male anatomy. Even the ones marketed to women. This conversation explains why that matters - and how it directly impacts injury, comfort, and long-term performance. In this episode, we explore: • Why women experience more foot pain during perimenopause and beyond• How hormonal changes affect ligaments, tendons, and foot structure• The difference between male and female biomechanics (and why it matters)• Why most “women’s shoes” are just smaller versions of men’s• Common issues like plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, and Achilles pain• What actually makes a shoe supportive for a female body• How footwear impacts your ability to stay active long-term One of the biggest takeaways: A lot of what you’ve been told is “normal” isn’t actually normal. It’s a mismatch between your body and what you’re putting on your feet. If you are trying to stay active through this stage of life, and want some support: Join my free community → #womenwhomove (https://drshawnadarou.com/start-here)  Download my free guide → Fueling for Hormones & Metabolic Health (https://drshawnadarou.com/fueling-for-health) Reminder:This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Connect with Lindsay & Hettas: Website: www.hettas.com Instagram: @wear_hettas Subscribe, rate, and review to help more women understand what’s actually possible in their bodies.

    51 min

  4. APR 30

    6. The mistake most women make with training after 40 with Phaedra Kennedy

    You don’t need a perfect training plan.You need a plan that actually works with your body. In this episode, I sit down with Phaedra Kennedy - endurance coach and athlete - for a conversation about what really changes when you’re training through perimenopause and menopause. This is a topic that comes up constantly. Women feel like their body isn’t responding the way it used to.Workouts that once worked… stop working.Recovery takes longer.Injuries show up more easily. And the default response is often to do more. Push harder. Add more sessions. Try to force progress. This conversation takes a different approach. Phaedra shares her own experience of moving through menopause while training - including the physical changes, the mental challenges, and the unexpected loss of motivation that can come with it. We talk about what actually works now, and what needs to change. In this episode, we explore: Why more training is not always better How recovery becomes the foundation of performance What “flexible consistency” looks like in real life Why strength training is essential - even for endurance athletes How to fuel properly (and why carbs matter more than you think) The role of sleep, stress, and nervous system regulation How to adapt your training without losing your goals One of the biggest takeaways: You don’t need to follow your plan perfectly. You need to learn how to adjust based on what your body is telling you. If you want support navigating this stage of life: Join my free community → #womenwhomove Download my free guide → Fueling for Hormones & Metabolic Health Reminder: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Connect with Phaedra: Instagram: @coach.p.k Website: www.pkperformancecoaching.com Subscribe, rate, and review to help more women understand what’s actually possible.

    51 min

  5. APR 23

    5. From 46 years of running to competing at 70 with Clara Northcott

    She’s been running for 46 years. And she’s still competing in her 70s. There’s something powerful about seeing what long-term commitment actually looks like. In this episode, I sit down with Clara Northcott - a masters athlete who continues to train, compete, and push herself in her 70s. This summer alone, she’s preparing for three major championships, including the World Masters Athletics Championships. What stood out most in this conversation wasn’t just her performance. It was her consistency, her discipline, and her willingness to keep showing up - year after year. Clara shares what it really takes to stay engaged in your body over decades, how she trains now compared to earlier years, and what continues to drive her forward. This conversation is about more than running. It’s about identity, purpose, and what becomes possible when you stay connected to something that matters to you. In this episode, we explore: • What consistent training looks like after 40+ years in sport • How to build strength, endurance, and resilience over time • The mindset required to keep improving as you age • How to approach injury prevention and listen to your body • Why community and competition matter more than most people realize • What women often underestimate about their long-term capacity One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation: It’s never about doing everything perfectly.  It’s about continuing to show up, adjusting when needed, and staying connected to what drives you. If you’re looking for more support around movement, strength, and navigating this stage of life: Join my Free Community #womenwhomove Download my free guide → Fueling for Hormones & Metabolic Health  Reminder: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for guidance specific to you. Connect with Clara: Instagram & Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/claranorthcott/ Subscribe, rate, and review to help more women see what’s possible - at any age.

    43 min

  6. APR 16

    4. Why Strength Doesn't Peak at 30 with Sarah Katz

    What if your strongest, most capable years weren’t behind you… but ahead of you? In this episode of Unstoppable at Any Age, Shawna sits down with Sarah Katz - a lawyer, masters athlete, and competitive pentathlete - who is training and competing across five track and field events at 47 years old. This conversation challenges the idea that midlife is a time to slow down. Instead, Sarah shares what it actually takes to stay strong, energized, and competitive - while balancing a full career and navigating the realities of perimenopause. You’ll hear how she structures her days, supports her body, and continues to push her limits in a sustainable way. In this episode, we discuss: What the pentathlon involves (and why Sarah chose it) How she balances training with a demanding legal career Her journey from gymnastics → track → middle distance running Why strength training becomes essential after 30 The real impact of perimenopause on performance, recovery, and energy How HRT supported her sleep, focus, and mental clarity The role of intentional scheduling and meal prep Why it’s never too late to start something new Key takeaway: Your body does change in midlife - but that doesn’t mean you have lost your potential. It means your strategy needs to evolve. Listen if you’re: Feeling like your body isn’t responding the way it used to Navigating perimenopause and unsure what’s “normal” Wanting to build strength, energy, and confidence in midlife Thinking about starting (or returning to) fitness or sport  later in life Connect with Dr. Shawna: Website: https://drshawnadarou.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drshawnadarou/ Reminder: Nothing in this podcast is a substitute for medical or professional advice. Always consult your own healthcare provider. Subscribe, rate, and review to help more listeners expand what they believe is possible.

    41 min

  7. APR 9

    3. Rebuilding Your Life After Loss: Identity, Resilience & Starting Over with Ramona Milano

    You don’t become unstoppable by avoiding pain. You become unstoppable by learning how to move through it—and still choose yourself on the other side. In this episode, Shawna sits down with Ramona Milano, an actress turned coach and yoga teacher, for a deeply honest conversation about identity, loss, and what it really takes to rebuild your life after everything changes. What started as a chance meeting in a yoga studio turned into a powerful mentorship and transformation—one rooted in resilience, self-trust, and learning how to navigate life when the path you thought you were on disappears. Ramona shares her journey from decades in the entertainment industry to stepping into a completely new identity after a life-altering personal loss. She opens up about the emotional reality of rebuilding, the courage it takes to say yes to new opportunities, and the discipline of learning to trust yourself again. This episode weaves together mindset, nervous system regulation, personal growth, and the deeper work of healing—without bypassing the hard parts. This is a conversation about grief, reinvention, and one core truth: you don’t avoid the hard moments—you become stronger because of how you move through them. How to rebuild your identity after a major life transition or loss Why feeling your emotions fully is necessary for true healing (not avoidance) The difference between staying stuck in pain vs. moving forward with purpose How to trust yourself again after your life has been disrupted Why saying yes to opportunities—especially the ones that scare you—creates growth How yoga, movement, and breathwork support emotional resilience and nervous system regulation How to shift your mindset around aging, limitations, and what’s still possible Reminder: Nothing in this podcast is a substitute for medical or professional advice. Always consult your own healthcare provider. Ramona Milano is an actress with decades of experience in film, television, and voice work, known for roles in Degrassi, Hallmark productions, and more. She is now a yoga teacher, coach, and mentor focused on helping women navigate identity shifts, personal transformation, and life transitions with strength and self-trust. Find Ramona Milano online here for coaching and acting - https://www.ramonamilano.com/  Subscribe, rate, and review to help more listeners expand what they believe is possible. You will learn:ABOUT RAMONA:RESOURCES:STAY CONNECTED:SUPPORT THE PODCAST:

    59 min

  8. APR 9

    2. Embracing Limitlessness with Anne Matthews

    You don’t become unstoppable by waiting for the perfect time. You become unstoppable by deciding your current reality doesn’t define your limits. In this episode, Shawna sits down with Anne Matthews—fertility-focused acupuncturist, mother of six, podcast host, and professional Hyrox athlete—for a powerful conversation on what it actually looks like to pursue high performance while balancing real life. Anne shares how she went from feeling stuck in a rut to competing in elite fitness events around the world, all while running a busy fertility practice and raising a large family. Her story challenges the idea that you have to choose between personal ambition, motherhood, and career—and instead shows what’s possible when you expand your capacity. This conversation weaves together mindset, women’s health, fertility, and performance, with a strong focus on breaking outdated narratives around aging and what women are capable of physically and mentally. From setting “scary” goals to redefining identity, Anne offers a grounded but expansive perspective on how to create momentum in your life—no matter your starting point. This episode is about resilience, self-leadership, and one core truth: your limits are often self-imposed—and they’re meant to be challenged. How to balance motherhood, career, and high-level athletic performance without sacrificing your goals Why setting ambitious, uncomfortable goals can create purpose and momentum How to break free from age-related limitations and redefine what’s possible The connection between mindset, identity, and long-term success Insights into fertility, women’s health, and challenging fear-based narratives around age How to stay consistent with training and performance—even without a coach Reminder: Nothing in this podcast is a substitute for medical or professional advice. Always consult your own healthcare provider. Follow Anne’s journey and insights on performance, fertility, and women’s health. Connect with Anne Matthews:Instagram: @energytreeanne Subscribe, rate, and review to help more listeners expand what they believe is possible.

    38 min

  9. APR 9

    1. The shift I didn’t expect in midlife

    The most powerful transformations don’t come from fixing your life. They come from raising the standard for how you want to live, move, and show up. In this inaugural episode, Shawna - naturopathic doctor with over 20 years of experience in women’s health, hormones, and metabolic health - shares her journey of redefining what’s possible as she stepped into a new level of personal and physical performance. This conversation goes beyond health. It’s about identity, longevity, and recognizing when external success no longer feels aligned internally. Shawna opens up about the moment she realized something was missing, despite building a successful career, and how that led her to pursue more intentional goals. From shifting her approach to fitness and training, to setting ambitious milestones like qualifying for the Boston Marathon, she shares how purposeful movement can transform not only your body - but how you see yourself. You’ll also hear her perspective on healthy aging, why exercise is one of the most powerful tools for long-term vitality, and how surrounding yourself with high-performing, like-minded individuals can expand your belief in what’s possible. This episode is grounded in growth, performance, and one core truth: you get to redefine what your next level looks like. Why external success doesn’t always equal fulfillment - and how to recognize when it’s time for a shift The difference between exercising and training with intention, and how it impacts identity and performance How setting meaningful goals can improve motivation, confidence, and long-term health Why movement is one of the most effective tools for longevity, metabolic health, and healthy aging How to challenge outdated narratives around aging, fitness, and what’s possible The role of community and environment in expanding your mindset and results Reminder: Nothing in this podcast is a substitute for medical or professional advice. Always consult your own healthcare provider. Stay tuned for upcoming conversations with athletes, scientists, and entrepreneurs, along with clinical insights on women’s health, metabolism, and performance. Follow along for more insights on health, movement, and stepping into your next level. Subscribe, rate, and review to help more listeners expand what they believe is possible.

    47 min

  10. TRAILER

    Trailer

    What if your strongest, most powerful years are still ahead of you? In this trailer for Unstoppable at Any Age, Dr. Shawna Darou, ND — naturopathic doctor, functional medicine practitioner, and master’s athlete — challenges everything women have been told about aging, metabolism, and performance in midlife. If you’re a woman over 40 navigating hormone changes, stubborn weight gain, low energy, brain fog, or feeling like your body no longer responds the way it used to… this podcast will connect the dots. Inside this show, you’ll discover: Why midlife metabolism, hormones, and brain changes are not decline — but a shift you can train forThe real reason high-achieving women feel stuck despite doing “everything right”How to rebuild strength, energy, and clarity using science-backed functional medicine and longevity strategiesWhat it actually looks like to optimize health, performance, and ambition in your 40s, 50s, and beyondThrough conversations with athletes, scientists, founders, and women redefining midlife, you’ll learn how to work with your biology — not against it. Because this isn’t about anti-aging. It’s about aging powerfully, optimizing your metabolism, and stepping into your next level of health, strength, and purpose. 🎙 Follow Unstoppable at Any Age and start building the strongest version of yourself — from the inside out.

    2 min

Trailer

About

Inspiring stories and science-backed insight from women who continue to build strength, performance, and possibility with age. Hosted by Dr. Shawna Darou, ND, Unstoppable at Any Age is the voice of Women Who Move - a global movement grounded in one belief: how we move today determines how we live tomorrow. Each episode features conversations with athletes, scientists, founders, and leaders who are expanding what is possible in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond. These women are training, competing, leading, and building lives defined by strength, independence, and momentum.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Shawna Darou, ND
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dr. Shawna Darou, ND
  • Show Website
    Unstoppable At Any Age

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