Unstoppable At Any Age

Dr. Shawna Darou, ND
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Health & Fitness
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 1d ago

    22. Stop Fighting Your Body: Finding Joy in Movement and Midlife with Marci Warhaft

    Movement doesn't have to be something you force yourself to do. It doesn't have to be about burning calories, changing your body, or doing everything perfectly. Sometimes movement can simply be about feeling good in the body you have today. In this episode of Unstoppable at Any Age, I sit down with dance and fitness instructor, author, and body image expert Marci Warhaft to talk about finding joy in movement again - and learning to stop fighting against our bodies. Marci has danced for as long as she can remember. Today, at 56, she teaches Dance Jam classes where the goal isn't perfect choreography or getting every step right. Her philosophy is wonderfully simple: You can't dance wrong. But Marci's relationship with her body hasn't always been easy. After losing her older brother when she was 17, grief and a need for control contributed to an eating disorder that followed her for decades. We talk openly about her recovery, the enormous pressure women face around weight and appearance, and what happens when we start measuring health by how our bodies feel and function rather than simply how they look. We also explore the freedom that can come with getting older. Marci describes midlife as a time to care less about what other people think, rediscover what brings you joy, and stop waiting for your body to look a certain way before you allow yourself to fully live. In this episode, we discuss: Why dance can be an incredible form of movement at any age How movement can help us process emotion and reconnect with joy Why "you can't dance wrong" How Marci creates dance classes where every age and ability can participate The physical, emotional, and social benefits of dancing Marci's experience with grief, eating disorders, and recovery Why self-worth should never be measured in pounds The difference between physical fitness and physical appearance Why the smallest version of you isn't necessarily the healthiest or happiest version How body image can resurface as our bodies change through midlife Why we need to stop fighting our bodies and start working with them The freedom that can come from caring less about what other people think as we age Why movement should add joy to your life rather than become another form of punishment One of my favourite moments from this conversation was when Marci said: "We fight our bodies all the time. We forget that we're on the same team." That is such an important reminder, especially in midlife. Our bodies are going to change - And, maybe the goal isn't getting your old body back. Maybe it's learning to appreciate the body you're living in now, move it in ways that feel good, and give yourself permission to experience more joy. And when in doubt, as Marci says: dance it out. 💜 Join my free community, #WomenWhoMove — drshawnadarou.com/start-here 📖 Download my free guide, Fueling for Hormones & Metabolic Health — drshawnadarou.com/fueling-for-health 💪 Learn more about Metabolic Mastery — drshawnadarou.com/metabolic-mastery 💃 Find Marci's Dance Jam classes at Variety Village — their current schedule lists Marci teaching Dance Jam.

  2. Aug 13

    21. Why Running Is Never Just About Running with Carolyn Coffin

    What if running wasn't really about pace, finish lines, or personal bests? In this conversation, Dr. Shawna sits down with runner, coach, and host of the Inspired Souls podcast, Carolyn Coffin, to explore the lessons she's learned after interviewing more than 300 runners - from Olympians to first-time runners and masters athletes. Together they discuss why women often underestimate what's possible after 40, how our relationship with movement changes through perimenopause and beyond, and why curiosity, consistency, and joy matter far more than perfection. Whether you're training for your first 5K, chasing a marathon goal, or simply trying to stay active through midlife, this episode is a reminder that your next chapter can be your strongest. Why running is rarely just about running How movement builds confidence, resilience, and identity Why women often perform their best later in life The mindset shifts that help you train through perimenopause How to adapt your training instead of giving up Why recovery, strength training, and consistency become even more important after 40 The role of community in staying active for life How age-grading changes the way we think about performance Why it's never too late to start chasing athletic goals "Running is the vehicle through which people discover who they are." "Comparison is the thief of joy." "Your body adapts at any age." Aging doesn't mean lowering your expectations. It means changing your strategy, staying curious, and continuing to discover what your body is capable of. There was one sentence from my latest podcast that has stayed with me. 💜 Join my free community, #WomenWhoMove — drshawnadarou.com/start-here 📖 Download my free guide, Fueling for Hormones & Metabolic Health — drshawnadarou.com/fueling-for-health 🏃 Learn more about Carolyn Coffin and Inspired Soles — Inspired Soles 📱 Follow Carolyn on Instagram — @inspiredsolescast /@carolyn.c.coffin

  3. Aug 6

    20. There's always a way with Jill Moreash

    Movement isn't reserved for athletes. It isn't only for people without pain, injuries, or physical limitations. In this episode of Unstoppable at Any Age, I sit down with fitness professional, educator, and adaptive movement specialist Jill Moreash to talk about one of the most important messages I've shared on this podcast: There is always a way to move. Jill has spent decades helping people of every age and ability become stronger, more confident, and more independent. From older adults and people living with disabilities to individuals recovering from cancer, spinal cord injuries, and major surgeries, she's seen firsthand how movement can transform lives when we stop trying to force our bodies into exercise and instead adapt exercise to fit our bodies. We also explore why movement is about so much more than fitness. It's about maintaining independence. Protecting brain health. Preventing falls. Supporting healthy aging. And creating a life where you can continue doing the things you love for as long as possible. Whether you've exercised your whole life or you're wondering if it's simply too late to begin, this conversation is a reminder that every step counts - and that it's never too late to start. Why movement should be adapted to your body - not the other way around How people of every age and ability can become stronger Inspiring stories of clients who refused to let injuries, cancer, or disability define them Why strength training, balance, and mobility become even more important as we age The connection between exercise, brain health, and cognitive function Simple ways to add more movement into everyday life Why accountability often matters more than motivation The importance of recovery, nutrition, and listening to your body during midlife How movement supports healthspan—not just lifespan Why it's never too late to discover an activity you love Practical ways to begin if walking into a gym feels intimidating The mindset shift that can change how you think about aging forever One of my favourite moments from this conversation was when Jill said: "There's always a way." No matter your age. No matter your ability. No matter what life has thrown your way. Movement is still possible - and every small step forward matters. 💜 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 💪 Learn more about Metabolic Mastery https://drshawnadarou.com/metabolic-mastery 💪 Learn more about Jill Moreash - Your Wellnes Warriorhttps://yourwellnesswarrior.ca In this episode, we discuss:Ready to keep moving?

  4. Jul 30

    19. The science that changed how I think about aging

    If I could convince every woman to do one thing for the next 30 years, it would be to keep moving. In this solo episode, I'm sharing the real reason I've shifted so much of my focus - and my career - toward women's movement. Not hormones. Not supplements. Movement. After 22+ years as a naturopathic doctor and thousands of appointments with women, I've come to believe that exercise is the single biggest longevity lever we have - bigger than nutrition, bigger than anything in a bottle. And with both my mother and stepmother living with Alzheimer's and dementia, this has become deeply personal, not just clinical. I also share my own story: how I became a masters track athlete after menopause, what it was like competing at the USATF Masters Outdoor Championships in Geneva, Ohio, and why watching women in their 60s, 70s, and 80s compete completely changed my outlook on aging. Then we get into the research - three studies that reshaped how I think about brain health, strength, and what's actually possible as we age: A 44-year Swedish study connecting midlife cardiovascular fitness to an 88% lower risk of dementia A twin study showing leg strength predicts brain structure and cognitive decline, independent of genetics 30+ years of research using female masters athletes as a model for healthy cardiovascular aging In this episode, we discuss: Why I've shifted my career focus toward women's movement, not just hormones My mission to get one million women moving - and what Women Who Move is My own journey into masters track running after menopause Competing at USATF Masters Outdoor Championships and coming home with two silver medals The difference between healthspan and lifespan The 2018 Swedish study linking cardiovascular fitness to dementia risk Why VO2 max matters more than most people realize The 2016 twin study connecting leg strength to brain structure and cognitive decline Why muscle functions as an endocrine organ (and what muscle has to do with your brain) 30 years of masters athlete research on cardiovascular aging Three practical takeaways One of my favourite lines from this episode: "These women are becoming living proof that decline is not the only story available to us." Sometimes the most powerful medicine isn't a prescription. It's a reason to move. If you'd like more support with movement, metabolic health, and healthy aging: Join my free community → #WomenWhoMove Join my free upcoming Masterclass "Normal Isn't Optimal" 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 realize how much they still have ahead of them.

  5. Jul 23

    18. Your body is not a problem to solve with Carmen McDonald.

    For so many women, health has become synonymous with weight loss. We spend years trying to make our bodies smaller, leaner, or more acceptable, believing that confidence will come once we finally reach the "right" number on the scale. But what if we've been asking the wrong question all along? In this episode of Unstoppable at Any Age, I sit down with health coach, behavior strategist, and fitness professional Carmen McDonald to explore what happened when she stopped chasing the perfect body and started building a healthier relationship with herself. After years of competing at a national level in fitness competitions, Carmen found herself physically depleted, emotionally exhausted, and deep into perimenopause without realizing it. Today, she's found a completely different path through sprinting, strength, cardiovascular health, and learning to trust her body again. This conversation isn't just about menopause. It's about redefining what health really looks like. • Why your body is not a problem to be solved • The hidden emotional impact of chasing weight loss • How sprinting helped Carmen reconnect with her body • The surprising benefits of training for performance instead of appearance • Why consistency always beats perfection • The importance of muscle, movement, and metabolic health during menopause • Why cardiovascular disease should be on every woman's radar • The role of self-awareness in creating lasting health habits • Letting go of who you were at 20 and embracing who you're becoming • Why community can completely change your health journey One of my favourite moments from this conversation was when Carmen said: "My body is not a problem to be solved. It's a relationship to heal." I think every woman needs to hear that. Sometimes the greatest transformation isn't changing your body. It's changing the way you see it. 💜 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 💪 Learn more about Metabolic Mastery https://drshawnadarou.com/metabolic-mastery Connect with Carmen: www.nourishlongevity.ca and www.myheartfitness.ca. Instagram @carmenshawnlifestyle In this episode, we discuss:

  6. Jul 16

    17. You are not fragile with Marni Weiner

    You are not fragile. You are capable of becoming stronger, more confident, and more resilient at any age. In this episode of Unstoppable at Any Age, I sit down with fitness instructor Marni Weiner to talk about strength, movement, healthy aging, and what becomes possible when we stop placing limits on ourselves. Marni’s relationship with fitness began in her 20s after she developed severe back pain. Her doctor told her that unless she strengthened her back and core, she would likely continue living in pain. Within days, she joined a gym. Strength training and yoga helped Marni move out of pain, but they also changed the way she thought about exercise. Movement was no longer something she did simply to stay in shape or change how she looked. It became something she intended to do for life. Today, at 58, Marni teaches challenging strength, yoga, and Pilates classes while encouraging everyone in the room to work with their own body, respect their limitations, and remain open to discovering what they are capable of. What I love most about this conversation is that it isn’t simply about exercise. It’s about refusing to see yourself as fragile. It’s about returning after injuries, questioning the beliefs that keep you small, and treating your strength as something worth protecting for the rest of your life. In this episode, we discuss: How strengthening her back and core helped Marni move out of chronic pain Why staying active can be important when your body feels stiff or uncomfortable How to modify exercise around injuries without giving up movement completely Why women over 40 need proper guidance when beginning strength training The importance of eating enough food and protein to maintain muscle Why maintaining muscle can become more challenging after 50 How to know when it’s time to increase your weights Why progress requires moving beyond what feels comfortable Why exercising with other people can feel different from working out alone How community helps women remain active for decades Why the hardest part is often simply walking through the door How to begin again if you haven’t exercised consistently in years One moment that really stayed with me was Marni’s story about breaking her wrist. While she was being assessed, someone described her as “fragile.” That word immediately bothered her. When women begin believing they are fragile, they may stop lifting, challenging themselves, and doing the very things that help protect their muscles, bones, balance, and independence. Marni’s message is the opposite. You can respect your body without underestimating it. You can modify without giving up. You can experience an injury without making it your identity. And you can always begin where you are. When I asked Marni what being Unstoppable at any Age means to her, she said: “No matter how many times you fall down, you get back up. No matter how many times you fail, you don’t stop trying. No matter how many times you think you can’t, you can choose that you can.” Whether you’re returning to movement after an injury, picking up weights for the first time, or simply trying to feel stronger in your everyday life, it is not too late. Start with the walk. Make the phone call. Join the class. Give yourself one repetition. The hardest step may be the first one, but once you take it, you’re already on your way. Ready to keep moving? 💜 Join my free community, #WomenWhoMovehttps://drshawnadarou.com/start-here 📖 Download my free guide, Fueling for Hormones & Metabolic Healthhttps://drshawnadarou.com/fueling-for-health 💪 Learn more about Metabolic Masteryhttps://drshawnadarou.com/metabolic-mastery 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 discover what is possible as they age.

  7. Jul 9

    16. You don’t have to be fast to belong with Lynn Bourque

    You don't have to be fast to belong. You don't need a background in sports. You don't even need to call yourself a runner. In this episode of Unstoppable at Any Age, I sit down with Lynn Bourque, owner of Toronto's iconic The Runner's Shop, marathon runner, run leader, and someone who has spent more than 25 years helping people discover what running can add to their lives. Lynn didn't grow up as an athlete. She started running in her 30s because she wanted to lose weight before getting pregnant. One run around the block turned into a lifetime of friendships, six World Marathon Majors, and eventually owning Canada's oldest independent running store. What I love most about this conversation is that it isn't really about running. It's about community. Confidence. Learning to see yourself as an athlete, no matter your pace. • How Lynn went from beginner runner to completing all six World Marathon Majors • Why consistency matters more than speed • The biggest mistakes new runners make • Why community keeps women running for decades • How to start running if you've never considered yourself "a runner" • Why proper shoes, fueling, and hydration matter • The power of age-group racing and age-graded scoring • Why women often underestimate what they deserve as athletes • How running builds confidence far beyond fitness • Why movement becomes even more meaningful as we age One of my favourite moments came near the end of our conversation when Lynn said: "I have a right to be here. The stop signs are fake news." I absolutely love that. Whether you're starting at 35, returning at 55, or still running in your 70s, you belong here. 💜 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 💪 Learn more about Metabolic Mastery https://drshawnadarou.com/metabolic-mastery Visit The Runners Shop - https://www.therunnersshop.com/ Reminder: This podcast is for education only and should never replace personalized medical advice. Subscribe, rate, and review to help more women discover what's possible as they age. In this episode, we discuss:Ready to keep moving?

  8. Jul 2

    15. When your life no longer fits with Alison Taylor

    Perimenopause changes more than your hormones. For many women, it changes how they see their work, relationships, priorities, and themselves. In this episode, I sit down with health and nutrition coach Alison Taylor to talk about the physical and emotional reality of moving through perimenopause and menopause. Alison shares her own experience navigating mood changes, disrupted sleep, metabolic changes, and the feeling that the life she'd built no longer fit. That realization led to a series of changes over several years - from leaving the city, changing careers, becoming a health coach, and creating a life that aligned much more closely with what she truly needed. We also talk about something I believe deserves much more attention. Perimenopause isn't simply a hormone transition. It's often a life transition. • Why perimenopause looks different for every woman • The symptoms that caught Alison by surprise • Why lifestyle should be the foundation of menopause care • Exercise, metabolic health, nervous system regulation, and hormones • The emotional changes that often accompany perimenopause • Learning to listen when your body tells you something isn't working • Career changes, moving, and creating a life that feels aligned • Why women often reinvent themselves during midlife • The importance of having someone to talk to through menopause • Why movement, nutrition, and protein matter more than ever One of my favourite moments from this conversation was when Alison said: "Stay open to reinventing yourself." Sometimes your body isn't breaking down. Sometimes it's asking you to build something different. Join my free community → #womenwhomove Learn more about Metabolic Mastery here. Lean more about Alison here: Website: alisontaylorwellness.com, Instagram: @alisontwellness 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 realize they aren't alone. In this episode, we discuss:If you'd like more support navigating perimenopause and menopause:

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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
    2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dr. Shawna Darou, ND
  • Show Website
    Unstoppable At Any Age