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.

  1. 4d ago

    26. Perimenopause, Performance & Metabolic Health: What Female Athletes Need to Know

    Your workouts used to feel easy. Now the same effort leaves you wrecked for two days, and you can't quite figure out why. If you're a woman in perimenopause or menopause who trains, whether that's running, lifting, cycling, swimming, HYROX, or just showing up for a hard class a few times a week, this solo episode of Unstoppable at Any Age is for you. I'm walking through eight things I think every female athlete needs to understand about perimenopause, training, and metabolic health: why your physiology shifts even when your training hasn't changed, why iron deficiency gets missed at this age, whether you're actually eating enough for the work you're doing, how to think about carbs and recovery nutrition, what a continuous glucose monitor can teach you about your own body, why sleep is doing more for your performance than you think, and why more training isn't always the fix. I also share my own numbers: what I found the first time I wore a CGM at 48, and how switching from marathon training to track this past year changed how I think about volume versus recovery. As always, this episode is for educational purposes and isn't a substitute for personalized medical care. Please work with your own healthcare provider before making changes to your training, nutrition, supplements, or medications. In this episode, we cover: Why menopause is a metabolic transition, not only a hormonal one, and what that means for your training What an 18-year SWAN study using repeated DEXA scans found about fat and lean mass changes around the menopause transition, even when the scale barely moves Why declining performance in your 40s or 50s isn't automatically "just perimenopause," and why ferritin is often the first thing I ask about The "perfect iron storm" that perimenopause plus endurance training can create, and which bloodwork actually tells the story Why athletes can be under-fueled even while eating "healthy," and the warning signs once your cycle stops being a reliable clue How to think about carbohydrates around training instead of avoiding every glucose spike What the research says about protein and carbohydrate needs for recovery, plus practical post-workout meal ideas What I learned wearing a continuous glucose monitor myself at 48, and a recent Zone 2 workout that revealed I wasn't fueling it properly Why four nights of restricted sleep dropped insulin sensitivity by 20 percent in one study, and cut strength by 15 percent in another Why more training isn't always the answer, and how my own shift from marathon training to track training changed my performance Eight questions I want every perimenopausal athlete asking herself (also listed below) One thing I keep coming back to in this episode: "Menopause is a metabolic transition, not only a hormone transition." Dr. Shawna Darou, ND Almost everything in this episode traces back to that one idea. Estrogen and progesterone interact with your muscle, your fat tissue, your blood sugar regulation, your cholesterol metabolism, your sleep, and your appetite. When those hormones shift, the metabolic environment your workouts land in changes too, even if the workout itself hasn't. If your body is giving you different feedback than it used to, that doesn't mean your athletic years are behind you. It means we need to listen to the feedback and change the strategy. 🎓 Free Masterclass — September 21: If this episode is hitting close to home, I'm teaching a free masterclass called "Your Body Suddenly Feels Different After 40." We'll go deeper into the metabolic side of this transition, and most importantly, what you can actually do about it. 📅 Register for the free masterclass, September 21: https://drshawnadarou.com/metabolic-masterclass-676709 💜 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

  2. Sep 10

    25. It's More Embarrassing Not to Try: Colleen Barney on Comebacks, Confidence, and Racing Past 50

    She broke her back in her very first semester of college, and didn't even know it. Colleen Barney trained on a fractured vertebra for months before a high school trainer looked at her for two minutes and said, "We need to call your mom." In this episode of Unstoppable at Any Age, I sit down with Colleen, a retired probate attorney, USATF Masters Track and Field Vice Chair, World Masters Athletics Treasurer, and an American Ninja Warrior alum, to talk about coming back to sprinting at 34, winning her first World Championship on her first try, and what actually changes about your confidence over 25 years of racing. Colleen started running at five years old and competed through high school and into a college track scholarship, until she broke her back weightlifting in her very first semester. She never got a real college competition in. Years later, after having kids, she stumbled across a masters track and field website, looked at the times, and thought, "I can do that." She was wrong, at first. It took a few humbling early meets to find her actual level. She's been racing ever since, is closing in on 60, and now helps run the sport itself as Vice Chair of USATF Masters Track and Field and Treasurer of World Masters Athletics. We talk about how her relationship with racing has changed since those early wins: the confidence she used to walk in with, the nerves she deals with now, and the exact mantra she uses to get herself to the start line when she'd rather not. She also tells one of the best stories I've heard on this podcast, about a woman who didn't take up sprinting until she was 90. In this episode, we discuss: How Colleen broke her back in her first semester of college, and didn't find out until months later Why she came back to track at 34 after finding a masters website and thinking, "I can do that" What it actually took to find her level after a cocky, humbling first season Why she measures success against her own times, not against the competition The mental game of walking up to a start line when you're not sure you're ready Her mantra for pushing through race-day nerves: what's the worst that happens, she loses a track meet How her training has changed to protect her body: spacing hard days, building in a true rest day, listening to her coach The 100-year-old sprinter who didn't start the sport until she was 90, and raced until she died at 107 What most people don't know about what it actually takes to run a masters championship meet Her advice for a woman in her 50s who ran in high school but is scared to come back What "unstoppable at any age" means to a woman who's been doing this for 25 years One of my favourite moments from this conversation was when Colleen said: "It's more embarrassing to not try." Colleen Barney I love this because it strips the whole thing down to one decision. Not whether you'll be fast. Not whether you'll place. Just whether you show up. You don't have to have been a college athlete to start this. You just have to be willing to look a little slow for a while, and Colleen says it takes most people three to five years to find their actual group. 💜 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 🏃 Follow Colleen: instagram.com/colleenbarney

  3. Sep 3

    24. Your Quads Predict Your Longevity: Functional Strength and Sustainable Movement with Tiffany Scobie

    "Being strong isn't enough anymore. It's being able to stay strong." That's how movement expert and barre instructor Tiffany Scobie describes what changed for her, somewhere between racing the 1500 metres as a teenager and building an hour of squats, core work, and functional strength cues into every class she teaches today. In this episode of Unstoppable at Any Age, I sit down with Tiffany, founder of Raise Your Barre, to talk about functional movement, the shift from "more is better" to sustainable strength, and why age is more in our heads than in our bodies. Tiffany was a competitive runner from childhood, training with the Etobicoke Husky Striders and eventually running for Canada at the junior national level in the 1500m, 800m, and cross country. Years of heavy training brought repeated stress fractures, and by university her body had had enough. She spent the years after searching for a new way to move, eventually training under Marla Vites and building her own barre method, Raise Your Barre, which she now teaches out of Power Yoga Canada in Etobicoke.  Her classes are known as some of the hardest on the schedule, built on functional movement: squats, core engagement, breath work, and the small daily cues, like dropping your shoulders and drawing in your ribs, that carry into how you drive, garden, and carry your groceries for decades to come. We also get into how her own relationship with strength and fueling has changed. In her twenties, more was always better: more cardio, more intensity, more sweat. Now she eats more, trains with more intention, and caps her own class schedule to protect her nervous system. In this episode, we discuss: Tiffany's competitive running career, and the injuries that came from being pushed too hard, too young How she found barre after her running career ended, and the woman who told her she had to start teaching it What functional movement actually means, and why it matters more than any single workout Why quad strength is now being used as a marker of longevity The shift from "more is better" to sustainable strength, and what her body needed her to learn the hard way Why she caps her own class schedule to protect her cortisol and recovery What it means to give yourself permission to modify, scale back, or skip part of a workout without feeling "less than" Her approach to fueling: eating every four hours, all three macros, every meal The client in her sixties who apologized before class, then outperformed the room Why her 80-year-old mother is proof that age is mostly a mindset Where to find Tiffany's classes now, and what's coming next One of my favourite moments from this conversation was when Tiffany said: "It's not less than to stay flat and skip the weights. This is where I need to be today." Tiffany Scobie I love this because it's permission, not a downgrade. Showing up at whatever capacity you have that day, and still calling it a win, is exactly the kind of body awareness so many of us had to unlearn and then relearn. If you've ever skipped a workout because you weren't sure you could do "the whole thing," this episode is your reminder that consistent, body-aware effort beats punishing yourself into burnout every time. 💜 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 🩰 Take a class with Tiffany: Power Yoga Canada, Etobicoke -  Wednesdays and Saturdays. 📲 Follow Tiffany: instagram.com/tiffany_scobie

  4. Aug 27

    23. Your Metabolism Isn’t Broken: The Foundations of Health After 40 with Dr. Joey Shulman

    The nutrition world has never been noisier. Intermittent fasting. High protein. Low carb. GLP-1 medications. Supplements. Detoxes. Continuous glucose monitors. And a new strategy every time you open social media. But after decades working in nutrition and weight loss, Dr. Joey Shulman believes the things that make the biggest difference haven't really changed. In this episode of Unstoppable at Any Age, I sit down with Joey to talk about the foundations of metabolic health for women over 40 - and why getting back to basics may be exactly what your body needs. Joey and I have known each other for about eight years, and one of the reasons I've always respected her work is her sensible approach. She isn't interested in extreme restriction or the latest quick fix. She looks at the whole picture: blood sugar, gut health, inflammation, nervous system regulation, nutrition, movement, and the habits you can actually maintain. We talk about why your body may suddenly stop responding to the things that worked in your 30s, and why that doesn't necessarily mean menopause is responsible for everything. As Joey puts it, our hormones may change, but those changes can also expose areas that were already vulnerable. We also get into some of the most confusing conversations happening in women's health right now - including intermittent fasting, visceral fat, environmental exposures, protein, meal timing, and GLP-1 medications. In this episode, we discuss: What metabolic flexibility actually means Why the strategies that worked in your 30s may stop working in perimenopause Why bloating, brain fog, joint pain, and poor sleep shouldn't automatically be dismissed as "normal aging" Blood sugar balance and why it matters more as we get older The connection between nervous system regulation and metabolic health Visceral fat versus subcutaneous fat and why the difference matters Why "eat less and exercise more" can backfire for women over 45 Joey's approach to meal timing, breakfast, afternoon snacks, and overnight fasting Why protein becomes increasingly important as we age Simple ways to think about reducing environmental exposures without becoming overwhelmed Joey's perspective on GLP-1 medications and why protecting muscle matters The difference between knowing what to do and actually implementing it Why consistency beats perfection Three simple habits Joey recommends focusing on first Reinventing yourself after 40 and why the best may still be ahead One of my favourite ideas from this conversation was Joey's concept of creating more "wiggle room." The goal isn't to follow a perfect diet forever or never enjoy pizza, wine, coffee, or your favourite treat again. It's to build a body that's supported well enough that there's room for real life. And that comes back to the foundations: eat enough protein, support your blood sugar, hydrate, move your body, pay attention to your gut, and create some space for your nervous system to settle. When I asked Joey what being unstoppable at any age means to her, her answer was one I think every woman in midlife needs to hear: "The best is yet to come." Your body may be changing, but that doesn't mean your health, your ambitions, or your ability to reinvent yourself are behind you. 💜 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 Dr. Joey Shulman and The Shulman Solution: 28-Day Metabolism Fix https://drjoey.com

  5. Aug 20

    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.

  6. 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

  7. 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?

  8. 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.

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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
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dr. Shawna Darou, ND
  • Show Website
    Unstoppable At Any Age