Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Forties Formula | Perimenopause, Lifestyle & Health for Women Over 40
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Her Husband Died at 32. She Built a Bestseller From the Bottom of the Stairs | Holly Matthews | 14 Oct 2026 | 00:52:49 | |
Holly Matthews on grief, ADHD and being your weirdest self: actress Holly Matthews lost her husband Ross to brain cancer at 32. She shares how she rebuilt her life, talked to her daughters about death and turned grief into The Happy Me Project. What happens when your career is playing other people, and real life takes away the script? In this episode of The Forties Formula podcast, Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim talk to Holly Matthews, a UK actress on screen since age 11, bestselling author, TEDx speaker and founder of The Happy Me Project. In 2017, her husband Ross died of brain cancer at 32, leaving her with two daughters aged four and six. Holly shares Ross's diagnosis, explaining death honestly to young children, grieving in the public eye and why creating helped her more than therapy. She explains how a course recorded on her phone became a Bloomsbury book deal, how a late ADHD diagnosis changed her life, and why being your weirdest self matters more in the age of AI. QUICK ANSWERS How do you explain death to a young child? Be honest and keep talking. Children fill silence with their own stories and sometimes blame themselves. Does grief look the same for everyone? No. Holly says grief comes in waves, and milestones are often the hardest moments. What does "be your weirdest self" mean? Being your most authentic self, including the parts you were told were too much. What is Holly's Forties Formula? Be your weirdest self, and joy is non-negotiable. CHAPTERS 0:00 How do you cope when your husband has brain cancer? 1:00 Who was Holly Matthews before The Happy Me Project? 5:30 How did Holly meet Ross? 9:30 What were the early signs of Ross's brain tumour? 12:00 How do you face a terminal diagnosis together? 16:00 How do you explain death to young children? 20:00 How do you grieve in the public eye? 22:30 Does therapy help with grief? 25:00 How did The Happy Me Project start? 28:00 How did Holly get a book deal with Bloomsbury? 32:00 What is adult ADHD diagnosis like for women? 37:00 What does it mean to be your weirdest self? 40:00 Why does authenticity matter in the age of AI? 42:00 What is Holly Matthews' Forties Formula? SPONSORED BY COZY EARTH Rest is part of healing. Cozy Earth makes sleepwear, bedding and loungewear built for comfort: https://cozyearth.com | |||
| Why Women in Their 40s Are Choosing GLP-1s (And Why It’s Okay) | 11 Oct 2026 | 00:12:33 | |
This episode might be the most personal conversation we've had on The Forties Formula. Dr. Christle Gueverra is a sports medicine physician who has been on GLP1 for weight loss herself for four years. She brings both the clinical picture and the personal one, and what she shares here is unlike anything we've heard from a doctor on this topic. Together we get into why so many women experience weight gain in their 40s suddenly hit a wall with weight despite training hard and eating well, what GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro are actually doing inside the body, and why the food noise piece is the part almost nobody talks about. We also cover who is actually a good candidate (it's not as straightforward as your BMI), how to protect your muscle while losing fat, what to do if you want to come off the medication, and why obesity should be treated as a chronic disease rather than a willpower problem. Link to full episode here: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7dRlUJDdtXK7DgXK9XoGHE In this episode: Why weight gain in 40s is not simply about eating less and moving more How GLP-1 medication like Ozempic, Mounjaro and Zepbound help with appetite control What food noise actually feels like and why silencing it changes everything Dr. Christle's personal GLP-1 journey as an obesity medicine physician Who is and isn't a good candidate, including Asian BMI considerations Side effects, safety data and what your doctor should be monitoring How to protect muscle mass and metabolic health on a GLP-1 Protein, resistance training and nutrition strategies that support fat loss Whether you can come off GLP-1 medication without regaining weight Why obesity is a chronic neurobiological disease, not a personal failure About your hosts: Amanda Lim is a Metabolic Health Coach and Director at The Lift Clinic in Singapore, focused on helping women build strength and long-term metabolic health. Jasmin Dhillon is an Integrated Health Strategist helping women in their 40s manage health through lifestyle interventions across gut health, hormones and nutrition. https://www.instagram.com/thefortiesformula/ Thank you to our sponsors: For Youth | Use code FORTY for up to 35% off storewide → www.foryouth.co/go/the-forties-formula-system Cozy Earth | Use code TFF for up to 31% off → https://cozyearth.com Love Indus | Use code TFF for 21% off → https://loveindus.com Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. Buy us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thefortiesformula | |||
| 1 in 7 Women Will Face Breast Cancer. Know These Warning Signs | 07 Oct 2026 | 00:55:48 | |
Breast cancer signs and symptoms every woman should know. Breast surgeon and breast cancer survivor Dr Liz O'Riordan explains how to check your breasts, mammograms and how to lower your risk. What happens when a breast surgeon finds a lump in her own breast? In this Breast Cancer Awareness Month episode of The Forties Formula podcast, Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim are joined by Dr Liz O'Riordan, a UK breast surgeon diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at 40, which has since come back twice. Liz shares what it was like to go from surgeon to patient overnight, the fear of recurrence, and losing her mum to cancer. Then she walks us through a breast self-exam, the warning signs that are not a lump, whether mammograms are safe, why breast cancer is rising in younger women, and the lifestyle changes that can reduce your risk. KEY TAKEAWAYS One in seven women will get breast cancer in their lifetime, and risk rises with age. Breast cancer is not just a lump. Look for skin colour changes, dimpling, a nipple that has pulled in, a rash, and clear or bloody discharge. Check your breasts and armpits every month. If a change is still there after a week or two, see your doctor. Breast pain on its own is very rarely a sign of breast cancer. Mammograms can find cancers before you can feel them. Regular exercise can reduce the risk of several cancers by 30 to 40%. If you are young and worried, say it clearly: "I'm worried I could have breast cancer." CHAPTERS 0:00 Breast Cancer Awareness Month 0:28 A breast surgeon's breast cancer diagnosis 2:04 Going from surgeon to patient 3:03 The psychological impact of cancer 4:34 How cancer affects your family 5:14 When the cancer came back 7:08 Was it my fault? 7:41 Alcohol, lifestyle and breast cancer risk 9:05 Losing her mum to bone cancer 12:18 One in seven women: breast cancer statistics 13:14 How to check your breasts 14:16 Warning signs to look for in the mirror 15:50 Nipple changes, rashes and discharge 17:22 Is breast pain a sign of breast cancer? 18:27 How to examine your breasts and armpits 20:22 Are mammograms safe? 21:42 Breast cancer in younger women 22:58 Why is breast cancer rising? 25:50 Metabolic health and diet 27:25 Lifestyle changes after a cancer diagnosis 28:38 Exercise and reducing the risk of recurrence ABOUT THE GUEST Dr Liz O'Riordan is a UK breast surgeon, author and breast cancer survivor. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Jasmin Dhillon, Integrated Health Strategist and Health Coach. Instagram: @eat.with.jasmin Amanda Lim, Metabolic Health Coach. Instagram: @coachamanda When did you last check your breasts? Tell us in the comments and subscribe to The Forties Formula. This episode is general information, not medical advice. If you notice a change in your breasts, see your doctor. #BreastCancerAwareness #BreastCancer #BreastCancerSymptoms #BreastSelfExam #WomenOver40 #TheFortiesFormula | |||
| Motherhood vs Fatherhood: Bridging the Gap in Family Responsibilities | The Forties Formula In Focus | 05 Oct 2026 | 00:09:16 | |
Motherhood isn't just physically demanding, it's mentally exhausting. Beyond caring for children, many mothers carry the invisible responsibility of managing family schedules, remembering appointments, planning meals, organizing daily life, and keeping everyone on track. In this clip from The Forties Formula, counselor, walk-and-talk therapist, and fatherhood advocate Simon Parkin shares why this "mental load" often goes unnoticed, how it creates resentment in relationships, and what fathers can do to become more supportive partners. In this clip: * Why the invisible mental load affects so many mothers * Why dads often don't realize how much moms are managing * How better communication can strengthen relationships * Small shifts that create a more balanced family life Watch the full episode for a deeper conversation on fatherhood, relationships, emotional wellbeing, and building healthier families. About The Forties Formula Hosted by Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim, The Forties Formula explores the realities of health, relationships, and personal growth for women navigating life after 40 through honest conversations with experts and inspiring guests. Follow the hosts: Jasmin Dhillon – Integrated Health Strategist & Health Coach https://www.instagram.com/eat.with.jasmin/ Amanda Lim – Metabolic Health Coach https://www.instagram.com/coachamandalim/?hl=en Support the podcast: If you enjoy these conversations, subscribe, share this clip, and consider supporting the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/thefortiesformula Sponsor Love Indus Use code TFF for 21% off #MentalLoad #Motherhood #Parenting #Fatherhood #Relationships #MomMentalHealth #EmotionalLabor #FamilyLife #WorkingMoms #TheFortiesFormula | |||
| How To Fit Strength Training Into A Busy Life - Mother of 3 Reveals | 30 Sep 2026 | 01:01:09 | |
Strength training for women over 40 can keep you strong, capable and independent at 80. Strength coach Elizabeth Davies, author of Training for Your Old Lady Body, shares her tips for healthy ageing. What if your fitness goal was being able to get off the floor, carry your own bags and keep saying yes to life at 80? In this episode of The Forties Formula podcast, Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim are joined by Elizabeth Davies to rethink what women are training for, and why our future independence deserves attention now. For decades, women have been sold smaller waists, summer bodies and before and after photos. Elizabeth offers a different focus: building a body that can keep doing the things you need and love as you grow older. IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS Training for capability and independence as you age Why it isn't too late to begin strength training Fitting shorter workouts around work and family Mum guilt and modelling self-care for your children Strength, cardio, power and progressive overload Letting go of perfectionism and all or nothing thinking CHAPTERS 0:00 Train for your old lady body 1:00 Why women are sold summer body goals 5:41 What do you want to be able to do at 80? 9:44 Is it too late to start lifting? 13:30 Finding time to exercise 18:27 Mum guilt and making time for yourself 23:14 Rethinking before and after photos 29:11 What if you don't enjoy lifting? 37:34 Training priorities in your 40s, 50s and 60s 40:15 Power training and moving quickly 43:53 The mindset for lifelong fitness 51:15 Hot or hype: fitness beliefs challenged 57:24 Elizabeth's Forties Formula ABOUT THE GUEST Elizabeth Davies is a personal trainer, founder of the training platform This Woman Lifts and author of Training for Your Old Lady Body. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thiswomanlifts/ ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Jasmin Dhillon is an Integrated Health Strategist and Health Coach helping women in their 40s navigate gut health, hormones and nutrition. https://www.instagram.com/eat.with.jasmin/ Amanda Lim is a Metabolic Health Coach helping women build strength, confidence and long-term health. https://www.instagram.com/coachamanda/ THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS This episode is brought to you by For Youth. Their Clear Protein+ is a clear recovery drink you stir into cold water after training. According to Each sachet provides 17 g of protein, 3 g of creatine and electrolytes, with 74 calories. Shop at https://www.foryouth.co and use code FORTY at checkout, valid for a one-time purchase. Love Indus: use code TFF for 21% off. https://loveindus.com SUPPORT THE PODCAST For more from The Forties Formula, join our crew and get our weekly FORTYTUDE newsletter straight to your inbox: https://the-forties-formula-with-amanda-jasmin.kit.com/ Buy Us a Coffee: https://the-forties-formula-with-amanda-jasmin.kit.com/products/buy-us-a-coffee #StrengthTraining #WomenOver40 #TheFortiesFormula #ElizabethDavies #HealthyAgeing #FitnessOver40 | |||
| Your Relationship is Failing These Green Flags | The Forties Formula In Focus | 27 Sep 2026 | 00:09:59 | |
Have you ever found yourself questioning your relationship in your 40s... and wondered if something is wrong? In this clip from The Forties Formula, relationship coach Yana Fry explores why so many women begin reassessing their relationships during midlife. She explains how changing priorities, greater self-awareness, and shifting emotional needs can make women see their relationships through a completely different lens—and why this doesn't necessarily mean the relationship is failing. Whether you're happily partnered, feeling disconnected, or simply trying to understand yourself better, this conversation offers thoughtful insights into one of the biggest transitions many women experience after 40. 🎧 Watch the full episode for more on communication, intimacy, the invisible mental load, dating after 40, relationship red flags, couples therapy, and building healthier relationships in midlife. About your hosts: Jasmin Dhillon is an Integrated Health Strategist and Health Coach helping women in their 40s navigate gut health, hormones and nutrition. https://www.instagram.com/eat.with.jasmin/ Amanda Lim is a Metabolic Health Coach focused on helping women build strength, confidence and long-term health. https://www.instagram.com/coachamanda/ About the guest: Yana Fry is a relationship coach, psychologist, and educator who helps women create healthier, more fulfilling relationships through self-awareness, emotional growth, and practical relationship tools. https://www.instagram.com/yanafry Learn more about Yana's work: Support the podcast: If you enjoy these conversations, subscribe and share this episode with someone navigating relationships, dating, or life after 40. You can also support the show by Buying Us a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thefortiesformula Our sponsors: Love Indus Use code TFF for 21% off. #TheFortiesFormula #RelationshipsAfter40 #MidlifeRelationships #DatingAfter40 #SelfWorth #EmotionalIntimacy #Perimenopause #Women'sHealth #RelationshipAdvice #YanaFry | |||
| 5 Health Claims Women Over 40 Need to Question | 23 Sep 2026 | 00:26:45 | |
Can creatine help with perimenopause brain fog? Could an allergy pill ease hot flushes? And why does your body feel different when your weight hasn’t changed? In this episode of The Forties Formula, Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim reunite in London to unpack five health claims making headlines and circulating on social media. From strength training and heart health to creatine and viral menopause hacks, they explore what’s behind the claims, where evidence is still developing, and what deserves a closer look. With so much conflicting advice aimed at women over 40, knowing what to believe can feel overwhelming. This conversation explores why the details behind a headline matter — and why your health is about more than a number on the bathroom scale. Jasmin and Amanda discuss the headline linking resistance training with lower heart attack risk, including the limitations of observational research. They also examine the trend of combining allergy and heartburn medication for menopause symptoms, separating a proposed explanation from evidence that a treatment works. Next, they explore creatine claims around muscle, bone and brain health before discussing body composition during perimenopause. The conversation covers fat redistribution, muscle function, grip strength and how these relate to metabolic health. Whether you’re considering creatine, noticing a changing waistline or feeling overwhelmed by menopause advice, this episode offers questions to take beyond your social media feed. In this episode, we discuss:
Chapters 0:00 Five health claims: the headlines 0:37 Welcome from London 1:15 Strength training and heart health 4:13 What observational research tells us 5:24 The viral allergy-pill menopause hack 7:38 Is there evidence behind it? 9:50 Creatine: muscle, bone and brain fog 15:08 Same weight, different body 18:07 Tracking symptoms beyond the scale 18:57 Muscle strength, visceral fat and diabetes 20:43 Measuring hand grip strength 21:36 Grip strength and longevity 24:03 Muscle, exercise and blood sugar 25:42 Final takeaways About your hosts Jasmin Dhillon is an Integrated Health Strategist and Health Coach helping women in their 40s navigate gut health, hormones and nutrition. Instagram: @eat.with.jasmin Amanda Lim is a Metabolic Health Coach helping women build strength, confidence and long-term health. Instagram: @coachamanda Which claim have you seen in your feed? Tell us below and subscribe to The Forties Formula. For general education. Discuss medication, supplements and treatment changes with a qualified healthcare professional. #TheFortiesFormula #Perimenopause #WomenOver40 | |||
| Postpartum In Your 40s: What You Really Need To Know | 20 Sep 2026 | 00:08:46 | |
Postpartum recovery for women in their 40s: what no one tells you. Sports medicine physician Dr. Lara Morgan joins Jasmin and Amanda to explain why the six-week clearance means nothing and what real recovery actually looks like. Most women are cleared at six weeks and sent straight back to running, lifting, and HIIT. No one tells them that decision can affect their body for the next three to four decades. If something has felt off since you had kids, this episode is for you. In this episode you will learn why the bounce back narrative is physically damaging, what it means to recover like an athlete, why leaking and pelvic floor issues are common but never normal, and why it is never too late to rebuild. About the guest: Dr. Lara Morgan is a sports medicine physician who has worked with elite athletes at the Cleveland Cavaliers and USC. She applies the same evidence-based recovery model used in professional sport to postpartum women and mothers at every stage. Find her on Instagram at @sportdrmorgan. Chapters: 0:00 Postpartum recovery and why the six-week clearance means nothing 1:42 How to recover like an athlete even if you were never one 3:37 Is it too late to fix your body years after having kids 5:44 Why incontinence after pregnancy is never normal About your hosts: Jasmin Dhillon is an Integrated Health Strategist helping women in their 40s navigate gut health, hormones and nutrition. https://www.instagram.com/eat.with.jasmin/ Amanda Lim is a Metabolic Health Coach focused on helping women build strength, confidence and long-term health. https://www.instagram.com/coachamandalim/ Want to stay across everything we are doing? FortyTude is our newsletter where we share what we are reading, testing, and talking about between episodes. It is the easiest way to stay in the loop. Join us here: https://the-forties-formula-with-amanda-jasmin.kit.com/ Listen to the full episode: YouTube: https://youtu.be/uFyZv-_wH8c Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3quPHkvuW2fqfaxuWmKJf1 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/the-forties-formula/id1724267923?i=1000774105535 Support the podcast: If you enjoy these conversations, subscribe and share with someone who needs to hear this. You can also support the show here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thefortiesformula Thank you to our sponsor: Love Indus. Use code TFF for 21% off: https://loveindus.com Keywords: postpartum recovery, pelvic floor, diastasis recti, C-section recovery, postpartum fitness, women in their 40s, perimenopause, bounce back myth, sports medicine, belly binding, core strength after pregnancy, postpartum exercise, women's health over 40, postnatal recovery, postpartum body, rebuild after pregnancy, mum fitness, strong mum, Dr Lara Morgan, postpartum hormones | |||
| Why Your Personality Isn't Actually Yours (And What Is) | 16 Sep 2026 | 00:54:20 | |
In this episode of The Forties Formula, Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim are joined by coaching psychologist Dr Saba Hasanie to explore an uncomfortable question: how much of what we call “personality” is actually adaptation? Why does this matter? Because patterns such as people-pleasing, perfectionism, self-sabotage and the need for control may reflect behaviours we learned in childhood. In midlife, we can start questioning whether those patterns still serve us. Drawing on her book, The Blueprint to Leadership, Dr Hasanie introduces six childhood “fields”—rules, trust, self, belonging, emotions and world—and explores how they influence adult behaviour. Whether you’ve caught yourself saying “that’s just who I am” or you’re struggling to break a familiar pattern, this conversation explores what it takes to choose a different way forward. In this episode, we discuss: • Why some personality traits may be learned adaptations • The six childhood fields and their influence on adult behaviour • Why siblings can experience the same household differently • What can sit beneath self-sabotage and people-pleasing • Why awareness alone may not create lasting change • The grief that can accompany letting go of an old identity Chapters: 0:00 Why does my personality feel fake? 3:41 Who is Dr Saba Hasanie? 4:05 Is personality genetic or learned? 10:18 Who was your first boss? 13:36 What are the six fields of childhood development? 17:44 Why do siblings have different childhoods? 20:23 How to look at your childhood without blaming your parents 24:32 Is optimism genetic? 29:42 Why does midlife feel like a crisis? 32:44 Why can’t I change even though I’m aware of the problem? 42:36 Why do people resist change even when it’s hurting them? 45:24 What does it mean to grieve your old identity? 54:54 How to reinvent yourself in your 40s About our guest: Dr Saba Hasanie is a Coaching Psychologist, ICF Master Certified Coach and Managing Director of OSC Leadership Development. Get The Blueprint to Leadership Visit her website About your hosts: Jasmin Dhillon is an Integrated Health Strategist and Health Coach helping women in their 40s navigate gut health, hormones and nutrition. Follow Jasmin Amanda Lim is a Metabolic Health Coach helping women build strength, confidence and long-term health. Follow Amanda Support the podcast: Follow and share this episode with someone navigating a major life transition. Buy us a coffee Thank you to our sponsors: For Youth Explore The Forties Formula System. Use code TF35 for up to 35% off storewide. Shop For Youth Love Indus Use code TFF for 21% off. Shop Love Indus Keywords: Dr Saba Hasanie, personality, childhood adaptations, people-pleasing, perfectionism, self-sabotage, midlife, identity, emotional patterns, personal growth, self-awareness, behaviour change, childhood experiences, boundaries, coaching psychology, The Blueprint to Leadership, women over 40, The Forties Formula podcast. | |||
| Why Doctors Are Finally Renaming PCOS (And What It Means for You) | 13 Sep 2026 | 00:08:01 | |
PCOS and perimenopause: why your symptoms get worse in your 40s. Dr Sital Khistriya explains insulin resistance, the symptoms missed in slim women, skin markers, and why menopause does not switch PCOS off. This is The Forties Formula In Focus, a short deep dive into one part of our conversation with women's health physician Dr Sital Khistriya. Most women are told PCOS is about cysts on the ovaries. The truth is that the real driver sits upstream in insulin resistance, which is why PCOS is being renamed PMOS, poly metabolic ovarian syndrome. In this focus episode we look at who gets missed and why. If you are slim, eat well, and have been told your bloods look normal while your body says otherwise, this one is for you. Dr Sital explains why PCOS shows up differently depending on your ethnicity, the signs on your skin that point to insulin resistance, and why symptoms often get worse in perimenopause rather than better. Chapters 0:00 Why PCOS is diagnosed differently depending on your ethnicity 1:31 The hidden PCOS symptoms that get missed in slim women 3:53 What the dark patches on your skin say about insulin resistance 5:31 Why PCOS gets worse during perimenopause About the guest Dr Sital Khistriya is a UK-trained family physician at Osler Health International in Singapore, based at the Star Vista clinic. She earned her medical degree from the University of Leicester and holds postgraduate qualifications in child health and in sexual and reproductive healthcare, along with membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners. She practised as an NHS and private GP in the UK before moving to Singapore, and her clinical interests span women's health, hormones, fertility, menopause, and lifestyle medicine. About your hosts Jasmin Dhillon is an Integrated Health Strategist helping women in their 40s navigate gut health, hormones and nutrition. https://www.instagram.com/eat.with.jasmin/ Amanda Lim is a Metabolic Health Coach helping women build strength, confidence and long-term health. https://www.instagram.com/coachamanda/ Join Fortytude Want more of this straight to your inbox? Fortytude is our newsletter for women who refuse to shrink in their forties. Real talk on hormones, metabolism, and feeling like yourself again, with none of the fluff. Come join us here: https://the-forties-formula-with-amanda-jasmin.kit.com/ Support the show If you love what we do and want to help us keep making it, you can buy us a coffee here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thefortiesformula Thank you to our sponsor Love Indus. Use code TFF for 21% off: https://loveindus.com Listen to the full episode Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/why-pcos-gets-worse-during-perimenopause-doctor-explains/id1724267923?i=1000776976873&l=te Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3bxJPqNBjVU3BTjn2Wlpa3 | |||
| Perimenopause in Ethnic Minorities: Why Symptoms Are Missed | The Forties Formula | 09 Sep 2026 | 00:53:01 | |
Perimenopause symptoms often present differently in Black, South Asian and East Asian women. South Asian women typically reach menopause between 46 and 48, compared with 50 to 51 in Caucasian women, meaning symptoms can begin in the mid-thirties. Symptoms are more likely to appear as joint pain, body aches, anxiety, insomnia, vaginal dryness and recurrent UTIs rather than hot flushes. Black women in the UK are approximately five times less likely to be prescribed HRT. In this episode of The Forties Formula, Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim sit down with Dr Shahzadi Harper to explore how perimenopause affects women differently across ethnicities, and why that matters for diagnosis, treatment and long-term health. They cover why perimenopause can start earlier than most women realise, the higher baseline cardiovascular, metabolic and bone density risks carried by South Asian and Black women, and why East Asian women are wrongly assumed to sail through menopause symptom free. Dr Harper shares her own perimenopause story, including brain fog, fatigue and joint pain with no hot flushes at all, and why she chose HRT and testosterone. The conversation moves into GLP-1s and metabolic health, how to advocate for yourself when a doctor dismisses you, what to do if you cannot or do not want to take HRT, and why common symptoms should never be accepted as normal. Finally, Dr Harper shares her Forties Formula: put yourself first. CHAPTERS 00:00 Why perimenopause is misunderstood 01:53 An ethnic minority lens 06:06 Do clinicians know? 08:02 The hardest stage 13:54 Dr Harper's own story 16:06 Why she chose HRT 17:44 GLP-1s and perimenopause 21:19 Stress, caring and weight 25:58 Metabolic and heart risk 30:57 Access and awareness 33:13 Advocating for yourself 36:23 The many symptoms 40:47 If you can't take HRT 47:38 Stop white-knuckling it 49:16 Relationships and identity 51:32 Her Forties Formula FREE DOCTOR SCRIPT Feel dismissed at your appointment? We have created a free script with exactly what to say and which tests to ask for. https://the-forties-formula-with-amanda-jasmin.kit.com/script ABOUT OUR GUEST Dr Shahzadi Harper is a GP of over 20 years and founder of The Harper Clinic on Harley Street, specialising in women's health, perimenopause and menopause. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Jasmin Dhillon is an Integrated Health Strategist and Health Coach helping women in their 40s navigate gut health, hormones and nutrition. https://www.instagram.com/eat.with.jasmin/ Amanda Lim is a Metabolic Health Coach focused on helping women build strength, confidence and long-term health. https://www.instagram.com/coachamanda/ SUPPORT THE PODCAST Subscribe and share this episode with a woman who needs more support through perimenopause. You can also buy us a coffee: https://the-forties-formula-with-amanda-jasmin.kit.com/products/buy-us-a-coffee OUR SPONSORS Love Indus. Code TFF for 21% off. Perimenopause symptoms, perimenopause symptoms age 40, symptoms of perimenopause, perimenopause treatment, perimenopause anxiety, HRT, menopause age by ethnicity, women's health, midlife health. | |||
| Why Women in Their 40s Snap: Anna Mathur on Anger vs Rage | The Forties Formula In Focus | 07 Sep 2026 | 00:15:34 | |
Have you ever wondered why something so small can suddenly push you over the edge? In this clip from The Forties Formula, psychotherapist and bestselling author Anna Mathur explains the crucial difference between anger and rage and why understanding it can completely change how you respond to overwhelming emotions. She shares why rage isn't a personality flaw, what it's really trying to communicate, and how recognising the warning signs can help you avoid reaching breaking point. If you've ever thought, "I don't know why I reacted like that," this conversation will help you understand what's happening beneath the surface. 🎧 Watch the full episode for more on perimenopause, emotional burnout, the invisible mental load, repairing relationships after conflict, and practical ways to stop snapping at the people you love. Chapters: 00:00 The kitchen breaking point — a homeschooling mum's rage story 02:15 Anger vs rage: what's the difference 05:30 The pot on the stove — how rage builds when anger's ignored 08:15 Amanda's own anger-management story 11:00 Spotting your early warning signs 13:30 Why we swallow what we're really feeling About your hosts: Jasmin Dhillon is an Integrated Health Strategist and Health Coach helping women in their 40s navigate gut health, hormones and nutrition. https://www.instagram.com/eat.with.jasmin Amanda Lim is a Metabolic Health Coach focused on helping women build strength, confidence and long-term health. https://www.instagram.com/coachamanda About the guest: Anna Mathur is a psychotherapist, bestselling author, speaker, and host of The Therapy Edit podcast. She helps people navigate emotional wellbeing with practical, compassionate tools for everyday life. https://www.instagram.com/annamathur Support the podcast: If you enjoy these conversations, subscribe and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can also support the show by Buying Us a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thefortiesformula Our sponsors: Love Indus Use code TFF for 21% off. #TheFortiesFormula #AnnaMathur #Perimenopause #WomensMentalHealth #EmotionalRegulation #Anger #Burnout #MentalLoad #MidlifeWomen #Therapy | |||
| Aqua Fitness Is Not Just for Rehab: Why You Need It Now | The Forties Formula | 02 Sep 2026 | 00:42:59 | |
In this episode of The Forties Formula, Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim sit down with Malissa Sander, founder of Aqua Tula, to challenge the idea that women in their 40s need to train harder to stay fit. Malissa shares her journey from childhood anorexia and an unhealthy relationship with exercise to rebuilding her body through water-based fitness and strength training. After losing muscle, suffering injuries and developing osteoporosis, she learned to approach movement differently, prioritising strength, recovery and a sustainable relationship with her body. The conversation explores why the “push harder” approach can be counterproductive in midlife, and why Malissa’s Three Ws; weights, water and walking form the foundation of her approach. Chapters: 00:00 Malissa’s story: from anorexia to strength 03:06 Anorexia, perfectionism and body image 04:47 When exercise pushed her body too far 05:19 Rebuilding through water and weights 07:21 Discovering aqua and strength training 09:52 The Three Ws: weights, water and walking 11:22 Combining water, mobility, cardio and strength 12:57 The biggest myths about aqua fitness 13:59 Blue Mind Theory and the brain on water 14:36 Why hard training can feel easier in the pool 15:30 Building community through movement 17:19 Aqua Tula as an adaptable fitness system 18:21 The calling behind Aqua Tula 19:51 How the Aqua Tula method was created 20:21 What does “Aqua Tula” mean? 20:39 What to expect in your first class 22:03 Who can benefit from aqua fitness? 23:24 Is aqua fitness for men too? 24:41 Pregnancy, postpartum and C-section recovery 25:48 Exercise and postpartum depression 29:40 Do you need to know how to swim? 31:10 Body confidence and getting into the pool 32:36 Reconnecting with your body through movement 34:48 Hot or Hype 37:04 Where to find Aqua Tula 37:23 Malissa’s 40s Formula About the guest: Malissa Sander is the founder of Aqua Tula, a boutique water-based fitness method combining HIIT, strength, mobility and flexibility — designed for all ages and fitness levels. Based in Singapore, Malissa has trained a community of over 450 women and works with everyone from perimenopausal women managing joint pain and inflammation, to pre and postnatal clients, to elite athletes. Her method is built on the belief that exercise does not have to be painful to be effective. Follow Malissa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aqua.tula/reels Find out more and book a class: https://www.aquatula.com About your hosts Jasmin Dhillon is an Integrated Health Strategist and Health Coach helping women in their 40s navigate gut health, hormones and nutrition. https://www.instagram.com/eat.with.jasmin/ Amanda Lim is a Metabolic Health Coach focused on helping women build strength, confidence and long-term health. https://www.instagram.com/coachamanda/ Support the podcast If you enjoy these conversations, subscribe and share this episode with someone navigating a major life transition or learning to let go of a version of themselves. You can also support the show by Buying Us a Coffee: https://the-forties-formula-with-amanda-jasmin.kit.com/products/buy-us-a-coffee | |||
| Perimenopause Weight Gain: Why Fitness Over 40 Needs a Completely Different Approach | The Forties Formula In Focus | 30 Aug 2026 | 00:09:14 | |
Perimenopause weight gain, fat loss over 40, and why everything you have been doing has stopped working — this conversation is for you. Sara May Garcia is a fitness coach and co-founder of Bootique Gym in Singapore. She gained 8kg in two months — eating the same, training the same. She is a professional. She knew exactly what to do. And it still was not working. In this clip from The Forties Formula, Sara shares what was actually happening in her body, why perimenopause weight gain hits differently, and what finally changed — not just physically, but mentally. Topics covered: perimenopause weight gain, perimenopause symptoms, menopause weight loss, strength training for women, fat loss over 40, fitness over 40, losing weight over 40, perimenopause and mindset, muscle loss from undereating, sustainable fat loss for women in their 40s. Chapters: 0:00 Why do women in their 40s struggle to lose weight even when doing everything right? 2:22 How does mindset affect fat loss during perimenopause? 4:14 Why has my exercise routine stopped working after 40? 6:16 How do I get out of a weight loss plateau in perimenopause? If your doctor has told you you are too young or dismissed your symptoms, we built a free script to help you walk into that appointment and get taken seriously: thefortiesformula.com/script 🎧 Listen to the full episode: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biggest-fat-loss-mistake-women-make-in/id1724267923?i=1000771063153&l=zh-Hant-TW Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3X8Xvigf3OVbjEJqW1HuFX?si=bG8xyZknSESnPcj13zoO-Q YouTube: youtu.be/BgPaWVrqhGs Or search The Forties Formula wherever you get your podcasts. Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/thefortiesformula Sponsors: The Meat Club — use code TFF20 for $20 off your first order. themeatclub.com.sg Love Indus — use code TFF for 21% off. loveindus.com About Sara May Garcia: Fitness coach and co-founder of Bootique Gym Singapore, helping people build strength, improve body composition and create sustainable fitness habits. instagram.com/saramayfit About your hosts: Jasmin Dhillon is an Integrated Health Strategist helping women in their 40s navigate hormones, gut health and nutrition. instagram.com/eat.with.jasmin Amanda Lim is a Metabolic Health Coach helping women build strength, confidence and long-term health. instagram.com/coachamandalim #perimenopause #perimenopausesymptoms #perimenopauseweightgain #menopause #menopauseweightloss #fitnessover40 #strengthtrainingforwomen #weightlossover40 #womenover40 #womenshealth #fatloss #strengthtraining #menopausefitness #thefortiesformula #podcast | |||
| Why You Feel So Lost in Your 40s (It’s Not Just Anxiety) | The Forties Formula | 26 Aug 2026 | 00:57:32 | |
In this episode of The Forties Formula, Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim talk grief, mental health and the losses women in their 40s carry but rarely name, with therapist Sapna Makwana Hanspal. For women in their 40s, grief isn't only about losing someone. It can come from a changing identity, a changing body, fertility ending, a dream that didn't happen, a relationship changing, or realising you've outgrown a version of yourself. This conversation looks at why we don't always recognise these experiences as grief, why some forms carry shame, and how cultural expectations can make certain losses harder to acknowledge. They discuss grief connected to ageing parents, divorce, motherhood and the lives our parents may never have had the chance to live. Sapna also shares her own experience as a third culture kid, and how identity, loss and belonging eventually led her from a 20-year career in finance into psychotherapy. The conversation covers how grief can show up as anxiety, burnout, anger and exhaustion, how patterns can be carried across generations, and why grief doesn't need to be got over. It needs to be integrated into our lives. Chapters 00:00 The grief we don't realise we're carrying 02:02 Are women in their 40s grieving? 03:20 Disenfranchised grief 04:05 Grieving a changing identity 06:25 Grieving the end of fertility 07:02 Gender disappointment and the loss of a dream 10:12 Grief connected to our parents 11:07 The sandwich generation and ageing parents 14:27 Divorce and hidden grief 17:29 Anxiety, burnout, rage and exhaustion 20:30 How to support someone who is grieving 23:56 The five stages of grief 25:57 Integrating grief into your life 28:04 Growing up as a third culture kid 30:15 From finance to psychotherapy 32:32 Can grief be passed between generations? 34:31 Grieving the life our parents didn't get to live 37:02 The grief of a life never lived 38:42 Reconnecting with a lost part of yourself 40:50 Practical ways to work through grief 42:17 When your body knows before your mind 45:02 Can movement and self-care help? 47:51 Everyone has their own timeline 50:23 Focusing on what you can control 51:40 Hot or Hype: 55:36 — Sapna's 40s Formula About your hosts Jasmin Dhillon is an Integrated Health Strategist and Health Coach helping women in their 40s navigate gut health, hormones and nutrition. https://www.instagram.com/eat.with.jasmin/ Amanda Lim is a Metabolic Health Coach focused on helping women build strength, confidence and long-term health. https://www.instagram.com/coachamanda/ Support the podcast If you enjoy these conversations, subscribe and share this episode with someone navigating a major life transition or learning to let go of a version of themselves. You can also support the show by Buying Us a Coffee: https://the-forties-formula-with-amanda-jasmin.kit.com/products/buy-us-a-coffee Thank you to our sponsors For Youth Support your skin, recovery, sleep and longevity with The Forties Formula System. Use code TF35 for up to 35% off storewide. https://www.foryouth.co/go/the-forties-formula-system Love Indus Use code TFF for 21% off. | |||
| Women Over 40: You're Probably Wearing the Wrong Bra Size | The Forties Formula In Focus | 23 Aug 2026 | 00:11:32 | |
Here's the updated full description: Your headaches, neck pain, and poor posture might not be perimenopause. They might be your bra. In this episode of The Forties Formula, Jasmin and Amanda sit down with Caroline Warren, founder of Supporting Eve — Singapore's specialist bra fitting boutique — for a conversation that will make you want to check your bra the moment you finish listening. Most women have never had a professional bra fitting. Most are guessing their size. And according to Caroline, 80 to 95% of the women who walk through her door are in the wrong size bra — not slightly off, significantly off. We cover everything nobody taught us. Why your black bra is a smaller size than your white one. Why your straps are not actually supporting you. What the centre of your bra should be doing against your chestbone. How a bra that doesn't fit is linked to migraines, shoulder tension, forward posture, and lost confidence. And why the Victorian sizing system that still governs every bra size you have ever worn makes almost no sense for a modern body. Caroline also shares her own experience of going through the menopause at 38, how her body changed, and why the conversation around bras, breast health, and body changes in midlife is one women are simply not having enough. If you have ever whipped your bra off the moment you get home and thought that was just normal — this episode is for you. 👉 Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/DCJpoPVSd1s CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro: Is Your Bra Causing Your Pain? 00:17 Why C-Cup & Above Need Real Support 01:36 Is It Hormones or Is It Your Bra? Headaches, Neck & Posture 02:21 Why No One Ever Taught Us How Bras Should Fit 03:38 Why Store Tape Measures Get It Wrong 04:59 What to Expect in a Proper Bra Fitting 05:10 The Fit by Sight Method Explained 06:07 The 80% Rule: Your Band Does The Work, Not Your Straps 07:44 Test 1: The Band Test — The 3-5cm Rule 08:30 Test 2: The Centre Gore Must Sit Flush 09:02 Why a D Is Not a D — Cup Size Changes With Band Size 11:10 Watch the Full Episode with Caroline Warren ABOUT CAROLINE WARREN & SUPPORTING EVE Caroline Warren is the founder of Supporting Eve, Singapore's specialist bra fitting boutique. Supporting Eve carries the widest bra size range in Singapore — A to K cup, 28 to 44 band — and uses a fit by sight technique rather than a tape measure, because no two bodies are the same. 📍 Cluny Court, Bukit Timah — opposite Botanic Gardens MRT, Second Floor 🕐 Open seven days a week, 10am — 7pm 🌐 supportingeve.sg FIND US HERE 🎧 Search The Forties Formula wherever you get your podcasts 📥 Download our free wellness guide: https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/2156555/sites/185865618324457283/the-forties-formula-with-amanda-jasmin-wn3zmn TAGS: bra fitting guide, perimenopause symptoms, women's health, bra fitting, signs of perimenopause, menopause, womens health, neck pain, back pain relief, midlife women, women over 40, the forties formula, supporting eve, bra size, breast health | |||
| The Real Reason Your Relationships Keep Breaking Down and How to Finally Fix It | 19 Aug 2026 | 00:51:08 | |
Your reaction is never about what just happened. When something small sets you off — a look, a tone, a moment that should not matter — it is rarely about the moment itself. In your 40s, life becomes an explosive combination of change: your body, your relationships, your sense of self, all shifting at once. Conflict is quietly building — with yourself, with the people closest to you, with who you used to be. This week, Avni Martin — ICF Master Certified Coach, founder of The Martin Institute and author of Happy Ever After — joins Jasmin and Amanda to explain where conflict actually comes from, why it gets louder in midlife, and what it is trying to tell you. We cover the three parts behind every conflict, why your perception is not the truth, what your childhood needs have to do with your biggest relationship triggers, and how to train the emotional muscle that changes everything. Avni also shares a deeply personal story about conflict with her teenage daughter — and how what looked like a battle turned out to be grief. 00:00 The quieter battle of your 40s 02:15 Why midlife creates internal conflict 03:22 Is conflict different for our generation 05:30 The three things behind every conflict 07:17 Why relational intelligence matters 08:45 Learning to think about how we think 09:08 When two people talk but nobody listens 10:08 Why thinking long-term changes your reactions 11:47 Training your conflict muscle 12:25 Conflict is the messenger 15:12 Your perception is not the truth 16:03 How beliefs shape everything you see 17:23 The role of empathy in conflict 17:39 Why small things trigger big reactions 20:40 The subconscious volcano 21:16 The childhood needs behind your triggers 23:11 We are meaning-making machines 24:03 Upgrading your inner programming 27:08 How inner work changes conflict 27:41 Avni's journey from zero self-worth to here 31:50 The HAPPY Coaching System 34:48 When habits live in the subconscious 40:06 The HAPPY System and conflict explained 41:14 Why pausing before action changes everything 44:27 Conflict with a teenage daughter 46:05 The grief underneath the conflict 47:38 From holding on to letting go Avni Martin is an ICF Master Certified Coach, founder of The Martin Institute and creator of the HAPPY Coaching System. Get her book: https://amzn.asia/d/0d8zVnO6 Find her on IG: https://www.instagram.com/avni.martin/ Jasmin Dhillon is an Integrated Health Strategist helping women in their 40s navigate hormones, gut health and nutrition. https://www.instagram.com/eat.with.jasmin/ Amanda Lim is a Metabolic Health Coach helping women build strength and long-term health. https://www.instagram.com/coachamandalim/ For Youth — up to 35% off the Forties Formula bundle plus a free bottle of Unwind: https://www.foryouth.co/go/the-forties-formula-system Cosy Earth — up to 31% off with code TFF Love Indus — 21% off with code TFF: https://loveindus.com Support the show: https://the-forties-formula-with-amanda-jasmin.kit.com/products/buy-us-a-coffee | |||
| The Toxic Boss That Made Her a Better Leader in Her 40s | The Forties Formula In Focus | 16 Aug 2026 | 00:13:43 | |
Are you in your 40s, successful on paper, but quietly wondering if any of it still fits? This episode explores why the most powerful leadership decision a woman can make in midlife might be choosing to walk away. We're joined by leadership adviser and author Sally J. Clarke, who interviewed 40 women for her new book, Walk Away: Step Out to Step Up. She shares real stories of leaders who left toxic corporate cultures, misaligned roles, and outdated versions of success to build something more aligned — including women who went on to found and run their own companies. We talk through how to tell the difference between an emotional reaction and a strategic decision to leave, why fear can act as a compass rather than a warning sign, and how Sally's concept of "integrity capital" — doing what you say you'll do — shapes trust in both leadership and family life. We also cover the burnout and health warning signs several of Sally's interviewees ignored before they made a change, and what separates a boss who tears people down from one who builds them up. ▶ Listen to the full episode: search The Forties Formula & Sally J. Clarke Topics covered: midlife career change, toxic leadership, workplace burnout, executive coaching, strategic career decisions, women in leadership, corporate culture Chapters: 00:00 Burnout, illness, and the wake-up call 02:30 How a toxic boss shaped a better leader 05:00 "Integrity capital" — do what you say you'll do 08:00 Walking away from a bad deal 10:30 Patterns across 40 women's stories 12:30 Walking away from expectation, not just a job | |||
| Nervous System Regulation for Women in Their 40s | 12 Aug 2026 | 00:55:03 | |
Nervous system regulation, behaviour change and women's health in your 40s: Behaviour Change Strategist Leila Foster joins Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim on The Forties Formula to explore why lasting change is so hard, even when we genuinely want it. Leila works at the intersection of behaviour change, wellness and nervous-system regulation, drawing on personal experience as a mother of three, a new mum and a business owner with her husband. They explore why our brains return to familiar patterns, how chronic stress affects our ability to change, why expectations create resentment, and how to recognise when a trigger isn't actually about you. Leila also opens up about divorce, blended family life, shared parenting and running a business with her husband. Jasmin and Amanda share their very different experiences with 9D Breathwork. Finally, Leila shares her 40s formula: stop doing what you're told, make micro-adjustments, know your season, hold your paradox, ask for help, and never outsource your decisions. Nervous system regulation, neuroplasticity, expectations & resentment, inherited trauma, Breathwork, blended families & divorce, sharing the parenting load, conflict resolution Chapters: 00:00 Why knowing isn't enough to create change 02:17 Your nervous system on a normal Tuesday 04:01 "Is it about you?" 05:30 Expectations, stress and resentment 08:17 The biology of inherited patterns 11:08 Stress, the brain and old programming 15:03 Neuroplasticity and the six pillars of wellness 15:55 Is the problem the fish or the fish tank? 16:43 Breaking out of emotional spirals 21:35 What happens during 9D Breathwork 25:09 Why the same experience affects us differently 28:58 Divorce and building a blended family 35:05 Sharing the parenting load and running a business with your spouse 44:15 The calendar invite that can save a relationship 47:00 Leila's 40s Formula About our guest Leila Foster is a Behaviour Change Strategist and Wellness Architect working at the intersection of behaviour change, wellness and nervous-system regulation. https://www.instagram.com/birthbossmama/ About your hosts Jasmin Dhillon, Integrated Health Strategist and Health Coach for women in their 40s. https://www.instagram.com/eat.with.jasmin/ Amanda Lim, Metabolic Health Coach focused on strength, confidence and long-term health. https://www.instagram.com/coachamanda/ Get our free Wellness Guide Free digital wellness guide plus future episodes straight to your inbox: https://the-forties-formula-with-amanda-jasmin.kit.com/ Support the podcast Enjoyed this? Subscribe and share it. You can also support the show by Buying Us a Coffee: https://the-forties-formula-with-amanda-jasmin.kit.com/products/buy-us-a-coffee Thank you to our sponsors For Youth Support your skin, recovery, sleep and longevity with The Forties Formula System. Code TF35 for up to 35% off storewide. https://www.foryouth.co/go/the-forties-formula-system Love Indus Code TFF for 21% off. https://loveindus.com | |||
| Turning 40: Why Your Whole Identity Gets Turned Upside Down | The Forties Formula In Focus | 09 Aug 2026 | 00:11:02 | |
Around age 40 to 42, everyone goes through the Uranus opposition — the point where Uranus sits directly opposite its position in your birth chart, roughly halfway through its 84-year orbit. Yi Mei Lai from Alchemei Healing joins The Forties Formula to explain why this transit tends to trigger a reckoning between who you've been and who you're becoming, and why it often lines up with the physiological changes already underway in your 40s. May breaks down what feminine energy actually means (it isn't about gender or appearance, but a yin/yang balance of receptive versus active energy), why so many women over-rely on masculine "proving" energy — disconnection from the body, low creativity, inability to rest — and why the cost of that imbalance shows up as burnout. She also covers why boundaries are essential to reclaiming feminine energy, and why intuition, not more information, is what actually guides women through this transition. In this episode:
The Forties Formula is a weekly podcast on perimenopause, menopause, hormones, and health for women in their 40s — covering weight loss, sleep, low libido, ADHD, burnout, longevity and the body changes no one explains. Hosted by Jasmin Dhillon, health strategist at Eat with Jasmin, and Amanda Lim, metabolic health coach and director at LIFT Clinic. Join our community of women and get our weekly newsletter, Forty Tude — receive a free wellness guide as a thank you: https://the-forties-formula-with-amanda-jasmin.kit.com/ Keywords: Uranus opposition, astrology, midlife, women in their 40s, feminine energy, masculine energy, boundaries, intuition, self-discovery, identity, purpose Chapters: 00:00 The astrology behind turning 40 — the Uranus opposition 02:30 Why women turn inward at this age 04:30 Intuition vs. overthinking 06:30 What "feminine energy" actually means 08:30 The cost of living in masculine energy 10:00 Boundaries and the river analogy | |||
| Podiatrist Reveals Why Menopause Is Wrecking Your Feet | The Forties Formula | 05 Aug 2026 | 00:56:29 | |
In this episode of The Forties Formula, Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim are joined by podiatrist Paul Macaulay to explore one of the most overlooked aspects of women's health: foot health in midlife. From pregnancy and perimenopause to years of wearing the wrong shoes, our feet go through enormous changes that can affect everything from plantar fasciitis and bunions to knee pain, hip pain, back pain, balance, and long-term mobility. Paul explains why most women are wearing the wrong shoe size, how hormones change our tendons and ligaments, why "comfortable" shoes aren't always the healthiest choice, and the simple changes that can dramatically improve foot health for decades to come. Chapters: 00:00 | Why Women Ignore Foot Pain for Too Long 00:57 | Why Your Feet Affect Your Whole Body 03:12 | Why Women Keep Buying the Wrong Shoes 05:26 | The Biggest Mistake People Make When Buying Running Shoes 06:40 | Finding the Right Shoe for Your Foot Type 08:21 | The Shoe Sizing Mistake Most Women Make 10:29 | How Pregnancy Permanently Changes Your Feet 12:27 | Why You May Need Different Shoes After Pregnancy 14:45 | Have Fashion Choices Damaged Our Feet? 16:18 | The Smarter Way to Wear Heels 18:00 | How Perimenopause Changes Your Feet 20:40 | The Most Common Foot Problems After 40 22:03 | How Many Pairs of Shoes Do You Actually Need? 24:26 | Barefoot Shoes: Helpful or Harmful? 26:43 | The Best Exercises for Stronger Feet 31:17 | Why Strong Calves Matter More Than You Think 31:45 | Can Your Feet Cause Knee, Hip & Back Pain? 33:51 | Do Orthotics Really Work? 36:16 | Are There Any Stylish Heels That Are Actually Good? 39:03 | The Shoe Brand Paul Macaulay Recommends 42:42 | Do Reflexology & Foot Soaks Actually Help? 45:13 | The Best Foot Care Routine for Healthy Feet 48:41 | Do Toe Spacers Actually Work? 50:16 | The Best Strength Exercises to Prevent Foot Pain 54:04 | Paul's Forties Formula About our guest Paul Macaulay is a podiatrist specialising in foot pain, biomechanics, running injuries and lower-limb rehabilitation. Through his clinic and educational content, he helps people understand how better footwear, stronger feet, and smarter movement can improve long-term mobility, performance and quality of life. About your hosts Jasmin Dhillon is an Integrated Health Strategist and Health Coach helping women in their 40s navigate gut health, hormones and nutrition. https://www.instagram.com/eat.with.jasmin/ Amanda Lim is a Metabolic Health Coach focused on helping women build strength, confidence and long-term health. https://www.instagram.com/coachamanda/ Support the podcast If you enjoy these conversations, subscribe and share this episode with someone dealing with foot pain, bunions, plantar fasciitis, or anyone who wants to stay active and mobile through midlife. You can also support the show by Buying Us a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thefortiesformula The Forties Formula is a weekly podcast on perimenopause, menopause, hormones, and health for women in their 40s — covering weight loss, sleep, low libido, ADHD, burnout, longevity and the body changes no one explains. Join our community of women and get our weekly newsletter, Forty Tude — receive a free wellness guide as a thank you: https://the-forties-formula-with-amanda-jasmin.kit.com/ | |||
| Matrescence Explained: Why Motherhood Changes You More Than You Expected | 02 Aug 2026 | 00:09:05 | |
This episode is for every woman who has felt like motherhood changed her more than she expected, and for anyone trying to understand why so many mothers struggle silently behind the scenes. The problem isn't that women are failing at motherhood — the expectations were impossible to begin with. Author and workplace consultant Sara Pantry joins The Forties Formula to unpack matrescence — the profound psychological and neurological transition into motherhood, similar in scale to adolescence but almost never named or prepared for. Sara shares the brain science behind it (grey matter changes so measurable that AI can identify a mother's brain scan with full accuracy), her own experience of birth trauma, breastfeeding struggles and postpartum anxiety, and the concept of the "invisible postpartum" — the parts of recovery, identity loss and hormonal upheaval that go unacknowledged, especially after pregnancy loss. Sara also introduces "second best parenting," a framework for making evidence-based decisions without chasing an impossible ideal, and talks through her work with Return, a peer-to-peer mentoring programme supporting mothers returning to work after leave. We talk about:
About the guest Sara Pantry is an author and workplace consultant specialising in matrescence and the transition into motherhood. She is the founder of Return, a peer-to-peer mentoring programme for mothers returning to work, and runs "From Me to We," a monthly lean-in circle for working mothers in Singapore. About The Forties Formula The Forties Formula is a weekly podcast on perimenopause, menopause, hormones, and health for women in their 40s — covering weight loss, sleep, low libido, ADHD, burnout, longevity and the body changes no one explains. Hosted by Jasmin Dhillon, health strategist at Eat with Jasmin, and Amanda Lim, metabolic health coach and director at LIFT Clinic. Connect and support the show Join our community of women and get our weekly newsletter, Forty Tude — receive a free wellness guide as a thank you: https://the-forties-formula-with-amanda-jasmin.kit.com/ Support the show for $5 a month and get access to ad-free bonus episodes where we answer your questions: buymeacoffee.com/thefortiesformula Got a question on weight, energy, hormones or not feeling like yourself? Send it to us on Instagram @thefortiesformula and we'll answer it on the show. | |||
| Divorce Expert: Why Smart Women Stay With Narcissists | The Forties Formula | 29 Jul 2026 | 00:45:08 | |
Narcissistic abuse, gaslighting, trauma bonds and identity loss in long term relationships: registered psychotherapist and integrated sex and relationship therapist Cheryl Kennedy MacDonald joins Amanda Lim and Jasmin Dhillon to unpack why women lose themselves in toxic relationships and what it takes to rebuild your identity after divorce. From self-concept erosion and trauma bonds to gaslighting, narcissistic abuse and the emotional reality of divorce, this episode explores why so many women stay, how toxic relationship patterns develop, and what it truly takes to rebuild your sense of self. Cheryl explains why leaving isn't simply about willpower, how childhood experiences shape the relationships we accept, and why healing requires far more than just moving on. Whether you're navigating divorce, questioning your relationship, supporting a loved one, or simply wanting to understand the psychology behind these patterns, this conversation offers practical insights with compassion and clarity. Chapters 00:00 – When you no longer recognise yourself 01:03 – Meet psychotherapist Cheryl Kennedy MacDonald 02:38 – What is self-concept erosion? 04:16 – Healthy change vs losing yourself 06:38 – Healthy conflict vs toxic conflict 06:50 – Why women stay in unhealthy relationships 08:07 – Trauma bonds explained 09:52 – What gaslighting actually looks like 12:15 – How to break free from a toxic relationship 14:01 – Understanding narcissistic personality disorder 17:02 – Love bombing and the dopamine cycle 19:44 – Co-parenting with a narcissist 22:06 – Male vs female narcissists 24:06 – Divorce, grief and rebuilding your identity 28:10 – Learning to be comfortable alone 30:42 – Healing after divorce and dating again 34:23 – Can narcissists ever change? 36:22 – Sponsor: Love Indus 37:18 – Practical steps to rebuild your life after divorce 39:07 – How relationship stress affects your body 41:00 – Can a narcissist have a healthy relationship? 43:22 – Cheryl's Forties Formula About your hosts: Amanda Lim is a Metabolic Health Coach and Director at The Lift Clinic in Singapore, focused on helping women build strength and long-term metabolic health. Jasmin Dhillon is an Integrated Health Strategist helping women in their 40s manage health through lifestyle interventions across gut health, hormones and nutrition. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefortiesformula/ Thank you to our sponsors: For Youth | Use code TF35 for up to 35% off storewide → http://www.foryouth.co/go/the-forties-formula-system Cozy Earth | Use code TFF for up to 31% off → https://cozyearth.com Love Indus | Use code TFF for 21% off → https://loveindus.com Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. Buy us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thefortiesformula | |||
| Raising Daughters in the Social Media Age: What Women in Their 40s Need to Know | The Forties Formula In Focus | 26 Jul 2026 | 00:07:38 | |
If you're raising a daughter, working with young people, or simply trying to understand the pressures girls face today, this episode will shift how you see it all. This episode explores the impact of social dynamics and peer relationships on girls during adolescence, and why puberty and hormonal changes are arriving earlier than in previous generations. We break down why peer acceptance carries such disproportionate emotional weight for girls specifically — driven by measurable differences in how the brain's social and self-evaluation regions develop — and why social media validation (likes, comments, follows) affects girls' self-esteem and confidence more than boys'. We also cover appearance-based comparison, body image, and why the loneliest demographic today isn't older adults, but 18 to 24 year olds raised on constant online connection. We have covered:
About the guest Dr. Gina Dahel from Osler Health and Dr. Emma Waddington of Us Therapy and host of Life's Dirty Little Secrets. About The Forties Formula The Forties Formula is a weekly podcast on perimenopause, menopause, hormones, and health for women in their 40s — covering weight loss, sleep, low libido, ADHD, burnout, longevity and the body changes no one explains. Hosted by Jasmin Dhillon, health strategist at Eat with Jasmin, and Amanda Lim, metabolic health coach and director at LIFT Clinic. Connect and support the show Join our community of women and get our weekly newsletter, Forty Tude — receive a free wellness guide as a thank you: https://the-forties-formula-with-amanda-jasmin.kit.com/ Support the show for $5 a month and get access to ad-free bonus episodes where we answer your questions: buymeacoffee.com/thefortiesformula Got a question on weight, energy, hormones or not feeling like yourself? Send it to us on Instagram @thefortiesformula and we'll answer it on the show. Keywords in: adolescence, puberty, hormones, social media, self-worth, identity, teen girls, body image, friendships, parenting daughters Chapters: 00:00 Why social media hits girls harder than boys 02:00 The need for peer validation, and perfectionism 03:45 Helping daughters navigate friendship drama 05:15 Phone stacks — how kids are self-regulating 06:30 Encouraging kids to connect offline | |||
| This is The Biggest Mistake Women Make With GLP-1 For Weight Loss - Are You Doing This? | 22 Jul 2026 | 00:59:50 | |
In this episode of The Forties Formula, Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim are joined by obesity medicine physician Dr. Christle Gueverra to unpack one of the most polarising topics in women's health today: GLP-1 medications. Are drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro simply "weight loss injections" or are they finally treating a biological problem that millions of women have been blamed for their entire lives? Drawing from both her medical expertise and her own personal experience using GLP-1 therapy, Dr. Christle explains why so many women in their 40s suddenly struggle with weight, appetite and metabolic health. Together, they explore what these medications actually do inside the brain and body, who they're appropriate for, the risks and side effects to understand, and why medication is only one part of the long-term solution. Most importantly, this conversation shifts the narrative away from shame and willpower, helping women understand that obesity is a chronic medical condition, not a personal failure. In this episode, we discuss: • Why GLP-1 medications have become one of the biggest breakthroughs in obesity treatment • Why weight gain in your 40s isn't simply about eating less and exercising more • How hormones, hunger signals and the brain influence appetite and body weight • Dr. Christle’s personal experience using GLP-1 medication as a physician • The difference between Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and other GLP-1 medications • Common side effects and how to minimise them safely • Why preserving muscle mass is critical while losing weight • Protein, resistance training and nutrition strategies that support healthy fat loss • Why obesity should be treated as a chronic disease rather than a character flaw • How to build sustainable habits that last beyond medication Chapters 00:00 | Why Are So Many Women Turning to GLP-1 Medications? 01:42 | Meet Dr. Christle Gueverra 02:34 | Why Weight Isn't Just About Willpower 05:18 | Dr. Christle's Personal GLP-1 Journey 08:14 | How GLP-1 Medications Actually Work 12:06 | Who Is (And Isn't) A Good Candidate? 16:15 | Common Side Effects & What To Expect 21:10 | Why Protein Matters More Than Ever 24:48 | The Biggest Mistakes Women Make On GLP-1s 29:30 | Strength Training While Losing Weight 34:15 | Can You Stop Taking GLP-1 Medication? 38:52 | Obesity, Shame & Changing The Conversation 43:18 | Long-Term Success Beyond The Medication 47:36 | Dr. Christle's Forties Formula About our guest: Dr. Christle Gueverra is a sports medicine physician dedicated to helping people improve their metabolic health through evidence-based medicine and sustainable lifestyle change. About The Forties Formula Hosted by Jasmin Dhillon, health strategist at Eat with Jasmin, and Amanda Lim, metabolic health coach and director at LIFT Clinic. Connect and support the show Join our community of women and get our weekly newsletter, Forty Tude — receive a free wellness guide as a thank you: https://the-forties-formula-with-amanda-jasmin.kit.com/ Support the show for $5 a month and get access to ad-free bonus episodes where we answer your questions: buymeacoffee.com/thefortiesformula Got a question on weight, energy, hormones or not feeling like yourself? Send it to us on Instagram @thefortiesformula and we'll answer it on the show. You can also support the show by Buying Us a Coffee: | |||
| Why Women in Their 40s Struggle to Be Their Authentic Selves | The Forties Formula In Focus | 19 Jul 2026 | 00:06:37 | |
Self-worth, people pleasing, authenticity, emotional resilience and identity are at the heart of this episode of The Forties Formula. We explore why we can become attached to a particular version of ourselves, how that shapes our relationships, and what happens when we start questioning the roles we’ve been playing. How much of who you are is actually you, and how much is the version of yourself you’ve learned to perform for other people? We talk about people pleasing, self-awareness, emotional resilience, authentic self-worth and the pressure to maintain an image of who we think we’re supposed to be. We also unpack the idea of being a “good girl” and how those expectations can follow us well into adulthood. Because finding yourself isn’t always about becoming someone new. Sometimes it’s about letting go of the version of yourself you thought you had to be. CHAPTERS 00:00 — Why We Perform Different Versions of Ourselves in Relationships 01:30 — How to Find Your Authentic Self in Every Relationship 03:00 — The Father’s Day Wish: A Personal Story About Identity 05:00 — What Does It Really Mean to Be a “Good Girl”? Full episode link here: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7DonfMHuV6T26Tnztuq1MU?si=VpFsr8oyRqK0pBcioMhiUQ ABOUT KRYSTAL CHOO Krystal Clavier Choo is an award-winning entrepreneur, psychological strategist and two-time TEDx speaker. Her work explores the deeper psychological structures behind our emotions, thoughts, beliefs and behaviours, helping people develop greater self-awareness and psychological intelligence. Connect with Krystal on LinkedIn. ABOUT THE FORTIES FORMULA The Forties Formula is a podcast for women in their 40s who are figuring out what comes next, without pretending they have everything figured out. Hosted by Amanda Lim and Jasmin Dhillon, we have honest conversations about health, hormones, relationships, confidence, identity, career, strength, food, fitness and all the things that become a little more interesting in your 40s. No lectures. No perfection. Just smart conversations, plenty of laughs and the occasional “wait… is everyone else feeling this too?” JOIN FORTYTUDE 💗 Want more of The Forties Formula between episodes? Join Fortytude, our free mailing list for women in their 40s. Get new episodes, useful resources, behind-the-scenes bits and the occasional nudge to look after yourself. Come join the gang: https://the-forties-formula-with-amanda-jasmin.kit.com/ | |||
| Why PCOS Gets Worse During Perimenopause - Doctor Explains! | 15 Jul 2026 | 00:49:35 | |
PCOS and perimenopause: why your symptoms get worse in your 40s. Dr Sital Khistriya explains PMOS, insulin resistance, weight gain, fertility, mood changes, and why menopause does not switch PCOS off. In this episode of The Forties Formula, Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim are joined by women's health physician Dr Sital Khistriya to unpack one of the biggest changes in women's health in decades, the proposed renaming of PCOS to PMOS. Experts now believe we have been treating PCOS as an ovarian condition when it is actually a lifelong metabolic disorder driven mainly by insulin resistance. This shift has huge implications for diagnosis, fertility, pregnancy, perimenopause, menopause, cardiovascular health, and how millions of women are treated around the world. Chapters 00:00 Have We Been Misunderstanding PCOS All Along? 01:48 Why Experts Want to Rename PCOS to PMOS 03:01 What PMOS Really Means (And Why Ovarian Cysts Aren't the Problem) 04:25 How PCOS Got Its Name 04:33 How PMOS Is Diagnosed 05:51 Can You Have PMOS Without Ovarian Cysts? 07:04 Can PMOS Develop Later in Life? 08:22 The Overlooked Symptoms Most Women Don't Know About 09:41 What Parents Should Watch for in Teenage Girls 12:20 Birth Control: Treatment or Band-Aid? 16:03 PMOS, Fertility & Trying to Conceive 17:27 Lifestyle Changes That Improve Fertility 18:16 The Best Diet for Insulin Resistance 19:35 Metformin, GLP-1s & Modern Treatment Options 20:55 What Happens If PMOS Goes Undiagnosed Until Your 40s? 23:17 Why PMOS Still Matters After You've Had Children 25:06 How PMOS Differs Across Ethnicities 27:28 The Hidden Signs of Insulin Resistance 30:35 Does PMOS End After Menopause? 31:15 Why Perimenopause Can Make PMOS Worse 32:53 Why Strength Training Improves Insulin Resistance 34:58 Changing Women's Mindset Around Muscle 39:25 Will the PMOS Name Change Improve Treatment? 41:00 Should It Have Been Named Something Else? 42:54 Hot or Hype? Keto, Metformin, Inositol & Ovulation Tests 47:26 Dr Sital's Forties Formula About the guest Dr Sital Khistriya is a UK-trained family physician at Osler Health International in Singapore. Jasmin Dhillon is an Integrated Health Strategist and Health Coach helping women in their 40s navigate gut health, hormones and nutrition. https://www.instagram.com/eat.with.jasmin/ Amanda Lim is a Metabolic Health Coach helping women build strength, confidence and long-term health. https://www.instagram.com/coachamanda/ Join Fortytude Want more of this straight to your inbox? Fortytude is our newsletter for women who refuse to shrink in their forties. Real talk on hormones, metabolism, and feeling like yourself again, with none of the fluff. Come join us here: https://the-forties-formula-with-amanda-jasmin.kit.com/ Support the show If you enjoy these conversations, subscribe and share this episode with someone living with PCOS, insulin resistance, fertility concerns, or navigating perimenopause. You can also buy us a coffee here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thefortiesformula Thank you to our sponsor Love Indus. Use code TFF for 21% off: https://loveindus.com | |||
| Diet Culture: What Women Over 40 Aren't Being Told | The Forties Formula In Focus | 12 Jul 2026 | 00:08:29 | |
Why does diet culture still shape how women see their bodies in their 40s? In this Forties Formula in Focus, we unpack body image, weight loss culture, beauty standards, body shaming and why so many women believe their body is the problem. Diet culture is bigger than dieting. It influences how we think about weight, beauty, ageing, clothing and even our own worth. Rani Dhaschainey explains how these messages become so normal that we stop questioning them, from comments about women’s bodies to online body shaming and the pressure to change our appearance during major life transitions. We also talk about what women are actually struggling with when they seek help: body image, clothes that no longer fit, changing bodies after pregnancy, career and identity shifts, and the belief that their body needs fixing. And then comes the reframe: what if your body isn't the problem? What if the clothes were never designed with your body in mind? This conversation explores body confidence, body neutrality, diet culture, weight stigma, fashion and identity in midlife, and why relearning how to feel comfortable in your body can be more powerful than chasing your old one. Watch or listen to the full episode: YouTube: https://youtu.be/sEEi-EK71oE Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2IzegirxfihyDZ6JVgNmwA?si=UgYfTaH8QReHXSMNk28d9Q Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/your-body-isnt-wrong-fashion-is/id1724267923?i=1000761689697 Chapters: 00:00 – Why diet culture is bigger than you think 00:05 – The scale of the weight loss industry 00:11 – How diet culture becomes a normal belief system 00:18 – Beauty standards, gender norms and societal conditioning 00:35 – Why we stop questioning comments about women’s bodies 00:45 – Online body shaming and its emotional impact 01:22 – Using humour as a defence mechanism 01:54 – The contradiction of calling out body focus while reinforcing it 02:06 – What women actually struggle with: body image and clothing 02:25 – Why women feel like their body is the problem 02:46 – Your body isn't wrong, fashion is 03:00 – How diet culture connects thinness with worth 03:14 – Why women seek help during major life transitions 03:29 – Postpartum, career changes and shifting identity 03:40 – Relearning how to show up in your body About Rani Dhaschainey Rani Dhaschainey is a stylist and body image advocate who works at the intersection of fashion, confidence and body acceptance. In this conversation, she explores how clothing, culture and years of conditioning can shape the way women see themselves. Follow Rani on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranidhaschainey/ The Forties Formula The Forties Formula is a podcast for women in their 40s navigating hormones, health, strength, relationships, confidence, body image and everything else that comes with this decade. Find The Forties Formula wherever you get your podcasts. | |||
| Why Your Marriage Stops Working In Your 40s (And What Fixes It) | 08 Jul 2026 | 00:57:30 | |
Relationships after 40 often reach a turning point. In this episode of The Forties Formula, Jasmin and Amanda sit down with Yana Fry, founder of the Academy of Love, to explore why so many women in midlife start questioning their relationships, and what really drives the decisions they make. We cover changing priorities, emotional needs, quiet resentment, intimacy, communication, motherhood and self-worth, and why choosing yourself does not always mean leaving. In this episode, we discuss: Why women begin questioning their relationships after 40 How perimenopause influences emotions, identity and relationships The hidden resentment that builds over the years Why communication, not compatibility, is often the real issue Marriage, motherhood and the invisible mental load Rebuilding intimacy and emotional connection When therapy can genuinely help a relationship Dating after 40 and whether having standards has gone too far The biggest relationship red flags in midlife Why choosing yourself does not always mean leaving Chapters: 00:00 Why Women Fall Out Of Love In Their 40s 02:45 What Really Changes In Your 40s 05:03 Why Successful Women Stay Single 08:05 Are Women Too Picky Or Just Done Settling 10:03 Why You Keep Attracting The Same Man 12:31 The Pressure To Marry And Have Kids On Time 14:26 Why Marriages Fall Apart In Midlife 16:16 Why You Lose Your Sex Drive In Your 40s 20:03 The Real Reason Couples Stop Communicating 21:50 Does Couples Therapy Actually Work 25:01 How To Heal After Sexual Trauma 30:02 How Finding Yourself Can Save Your Marriage 35:04 Self Love Or Selfish How To Tell The Difference 40:00 The Invisible Mental Load Women Carry 45:02 Dating After 40 What Really Matters 50:03 Do Dating Apps Work In Your 40s 51:23 Why We Settle Out Of Fear Of Being Alone 55:06 How To Make Better Relationship Decisions 58:30 How To Build A Relationship That Lasts About the guest: Yana Fry is an internationally recognised speaker, transformational coach and founder of the Academy of Love. Based in Singapore, she works with high-achieving women to understand the patterns that shape how they love, parent and lead. She hosts YanaTV, a global podcast revealing the human side of leaders across Asia and beyond. Through her Return to Love work, she guides women away from choosing partners out of fear, loneliness or old patterns, and towards choosing from a deeper sense of self. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yanafry About your hosts: Jasmin Dhillon is an Integrated Health Strategist helping women in their 40s navigate gut health, hormones and nutrition. https://www.instagram.com/eat.with.jasmin/ Amanda Lim is a Metabolic Health Coach helping women build strength, confidence and long-term health. https://www.instagram.com/coachamanda/ Support the show by Buying Us a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thefortiesformula Thank you to our sponsor Love Indus. Use code TFF for 21% off. https://loveindus.com | |||
| This Parenting Mistake Could Cost You and What You Can Do To Have A Strong Relationship | 05 Jul 2026 | 00:08:39 | |
summary In this clip of The Forties Formula, Amanda and Jasmin explore the nuances of conscious parenting, emotional regulation, and repairing family relationships. They share personal stories, challenge stereotypes, and offer practical insights for mindful parenting and self-compassion. conscious parenting, emotional regulation, repair relationships, tiger mom, self-compassion, family dynamics, parenting tips Is gentle parenting just letting your kids do whatever they want? A parenting educator explains why conscious parenting still needs a hierarchy — and why apologising to your children when you get it wrong builds more trust than never getting it wrong at all. Parenting educator Cornelia Dahinten and self professed Tiger Mon Annabel Chew break down what conscious parenting actually means: not permissiveness, but a deliberate awareness of your own triggers, your rules, and your emotional responses. Jasmin shares a real example of losing her temper with her son and having to repair it the next day — and the conversation moves into rupture and repair, the idea that how you fix a conflict with your child matters more than avoiding conflict altogether. Watch the full episode for the complete conversation on Asian vs Western parenting stereotypes, tiger parenting, and raising confident kids: https://youtu.be/4Qf7Wj5cbZU Chapters 00:00 Cultural Collision: Asian vs. Western Parenting 00:57 Conscious Parenting: Balancing Authority and Understanding 04:38 The Concept of Repair in Parenting 08:39 Tiger Mom: Expectations vs. Reality Resources The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013AX4A4 Rupture and Repair in Relationships - Article - https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/compassion-matters/201911/rupture-and-repair-in-relationships Amanda & Jasmin's Podcast - https://thefortiesformula.com conscious parenting, gentle parenting, parenting styles, how to apologize to your child, rupture and repair, parenting guilt, boundaries for kids, emotionally healthy parenting, daniel siegel parenting, calm parenting strategies, parenting mistakes, parenting advice, mum guilt, tiger parenting, authoritative parenting, parenting styles, respect in parenting, validating children's feelings | |||
| Why You Snap at the People You Love — and How to Stop, With Anna Mathur | 01 Jul 2026 | 00:56:28 | |
Have you ever completely lost your temper… and then immediately wondered, "What's wrong with me?" If you're finding yourself more irritable, more reactive, or snapping at the people you love in your 40s, you're not alone… and it may have far less to do with your personality than you think. This week, we're joined by psychotherapist, bestselling author and host of The Therapy Edit podcast, Anna Mathur, to unpack why so many women experience anger, overwhelm and rage during midlife. Together, we explore the hidden emotional load women carry, how perimenopause changes our stress response, why guilt keeps us stuck, and the small shifts that can help us feel like ourselves again. From learning the difference between anger and rage, to spotting the warning signs before you explode, repairing relationships after you've snapped, and finally giving yourself permission to rest without guilt… this conversation is filled with compassionate, practical tools every woman needs. If you've ever thought, "I don't recognise myself anymore," this episode is for you. Chapters 00:00 | Why are we snapping at the people we love? 02:08 | Anna's breaking point after motherhood & the pandemic 05:48 | The shame every woman feels after losing her temper 06:54 | Anger vs. rage: why they're not the same thing 09:10 | The "boiling pot" analogy every woman needs 10:42 | Amanda's shocking anger management story 14:22 | The warning signs you're about to snap 16:50 | Good girl conditioning & why women can't rest 19:20 | Why rest feels so uncomfortable (and even selfish) 23:56 | How perimenopause changes your brain's stress response 26:21 | "I can't even be sick." The invisible mental load of motherhood 28:35 | Why you have to stop waiting for permission to take care of yourself 32:03 | Sleep, cortisol & why everything feels harder when you're exhausted 35:04 | Your phone isn't helping you rest 37:20 | What to do after you've snapped at someone you love 41:34 | The repair technique every parent should know 43:43 | When the problem isn't really about the dishes 46:37 | Why burnout happens—and why some women can't stop until they crash 49:36 | Two simple practices to start changing this week 52:06 | Stop asking "What's wrong with me?" 54:05 | Anna's new book: How to Stop Snapping at the People You Love About your hosts: Jasmin Dhillon is an Integrated Health Strategist and Health Coach helping women in their 40s navigate gut health, hormones and nutrition. https://www.instagram.com/eat.with.jasmin Amanda Lim is a Metabolic Health Coach focused on helping women build strength, confidence and long-term health. https://www.instagram.com/coachamanda Support the podcast: If you enjoy these conversations, subscribe and share with someone who needs to hear this. You can also support the show by Buying Us a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thefortiesformula Thank you to our sponsors: Love Indus: Use code TFF for 21% off | |||
| Why Women in Their 40s Still Struggle to Speak Up at Work | The Forties Formula In Focus | 28 Jun 2026 | 00:05:01 | |
Why do so many women stay quiet… even when they don’t agree? In this 5-minute clip from The Forties Formula, we explore how early conditioning, cultural norms, and workplace dynamics shape the way we communicate — and why so many of us hold back, even when we have something important to say. Featuring global communication expert Heather Hansen, this conversation breaks down the hidden patterns behind confidence, voice, and visibility — especially for women navigating midlife and leadership. What you’ll learn: • How childhood conditioning shapes the way we use our voice • Why confidence isn’t always the issue — socialisation is • The real reason women hesitate to speak up at work • How cultural definitions of “respect” influence communication • Why psychological safety matters more than perfect communication • A framework for speaking with more confidence, clarity, and connection Timestamps 00:00 – How children perceive voices and social cues 00:15 – Gender differences in socialisation 00:43 – Confidence vs conditioning in the workplace 01:07 – Why women hesitate to apply for roles 01:33 – The “workaround” mindset 02:02 – Non-confrontational behaviour and real-life reflection 02:31 – Cultural definitions of respect 02:57 – Cultural clashes in global workplaces 03:23 – Conscious, confident, connected communication 03:52 – Why people mute themselves 04:20 – Creating psychologically safe environments Listen to the full episode https://youtu.be/wv9wSqzdI_8?si=WIrFTSP0PIpdpBFX Search The Forties Formula wherever you get your podcasts. Resources Unmuted: How to Show Up, Speak Up, and Inspire Action https://amzn.asia/d/0duLIMXY Support the show https://buymeacoffee.com/thefortiesformula For $5 a month, you’ll get a dedicated episode where we answer your questions — from confidence and communication to health, energy, and everything in between. Keywords women speaking up, confidence in your 40s, communication skills, executive presence, women in leadership, midlife confidence, accent bias, global communication, personal development, podcast clip | |||
| How to Rebuild Your Body After Kids — Even Years Later, Sports Medicine Doctor Explains! | 24 Jun 2026 | 00:54:42 | |
Most women are told they’re “cleared” at six weeks postpartum. But according to sports medicine physician Dr. Morgan Lee, that clearance has very little to do with true recovery. In this episode of The Forties Formula, Dr. Morgan explains why so many women continue to struggle with pelvic floor dysfunction, diastasis recti, back pain, weakness, injuries, and exercise setbacks years after having children—and why these symptoms are often dismissed as “just getting older.” Drawing on her experience working with elite athletes, Dr. Morgan shares why mothers should be treated like athletes during recovery, how pregnancy fundamentally changes the body, and what women can do, whether they gave birth six months ago or ten years ago—to rebuild strength, function, and confidence. If you've ever wondered whether it's too late to recover after pregnancy, this conversation is for you. --- In This Episode • Why the six-week postpartum clearance is a lie • The truth about "bouncing back" after pregnancy • Why many women are exercising in bodies that never fully healed • Pelvic floor dysfunction and why it's not normal • The athlete approach to postpartum recovery • How pregnancy impacts strength, mobility, and performance • Diastasis recti, core recovery, and rebuilding function • Why it's never too late to improve postpartum symptoms • The role of movement, walking, and exercise after birth • How pregnancy preparation can improve postpartum outcomes --- Chapters 00:00 Why Most Women Never Fully Recover After Pregnancy 01:21 Meet Dr. Morgan Lee: Treating Mothers Like Athletes 02:02 The Problem With the Six-Week Postpartum Clearance 04:24 Why Bounce-Back Culture Is Hurting Women 07:00 What Real Postpartum Recovery Should Look Like 10:41 Why Having Children Later Changes Recovery 12:25 The Athlete Approach to Postpartum Healing 13:56 Is It Too Late to Recover After Pregnancy? 16:26 Pelvic Floor Problems, Leaking & Why It's Not Normal 19:15 How Dr. Morgan Evaluates Postpartum Recovery 21:21 Motherhood Is More Physical Than You Think 23:53 How To Prepare During Pregnancy For Better Recovery 28:17 Why Walking Beats Bed Rest After Birth 31:10 Movement, Mental Health & Postpartum Recovery 33:25 Belly Binding, Core Recovery & Common Myths 35:39 Pregnancy Is More Athletic Than You Think 37:38 How To Rebuild Strength After Childbirth 42:36 Diastasis Recti: What Every Woman Should Know - Connect with Dr. Lara Morgan:Instagram: @sportdrmorgan About your hosts: Jasmin Dhillon is an Integrated Health Strategist and Health Coach helping women in their 40s navigate gut health, hormones and nutrition. https://www.instagram.com/eat.with.jasmin/ Amanda Lim is a Metabolic Health Coach focused on helping women build strength, confidence and long-term health. https://www.instagram.com/coachamandalim/?hl=en Thank you to our sponsors: Love Indus: Use code TFF for 21% off https://loveindus.com Postpartum recovery, postpartum fitness, pelvic floor, diastasis recti, C-section recovery, women in their 40s, perimenopause fitness, bounce back myth, sports medicine, postpartum health, belly binding, core reconnection, motherhood fitness, postpartum exercise, women's health, forties formula podcast | |||
| HRT and Breast Cancer: Why This Doctor Still Recommends It to Women Over 40 | The Forties Formula In Focus | 21 Jun 2026 | 00:05:46 | |
The Power of Hormones, Lifestyle & Self Compassion in Women's Health in Their 40s This is a clip from The Forties Formula in Focus with hosts Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim with @drolivialesslar . It focuses on navigating women's health in midlife, especially addressing hormonal changes during perimenopause, the influence of lifestyle, and the importance of self-compassion. Challenge outdated narratives and highlight practical strategies to thrive in your 40s and beyond. In this episode: - How hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has evolved and its neuroprotective benefits - Common misconceptions around HRT and breast cancer fears - The significance of early intervention during perimenopause within a therapeutic window - The impact of lifestyle factors like protein intake, movement, and grounding on health outcomes - The role of interoception, intuition, and validating women's pain and experience - Understanding mental and emotional resilience as a key pillar for thriving in midlife - The influence of social media, cultural conditioning, and intergenerational trauma on body image and health - The potential of wearable technology to support, not replace, bodily awareness Timestamps: 0:00 HRT and breast cancer risk explained 0:28 HRT today vs old hormone therapy differences 0:56 Why you need an informed HRT doctor 1:26 Estrogen benefits for brain, immunity and hormones 1:56 Perimenopause symptoms caused by low estrogen 2:22 Why midlife symptoms are all connected 2:52 HRT myths and breast cancer fears explained 3:14 Early perimenopause symptoms and misdiagnosis 3:43 Premature ovarian failure and hormone therapy decision 4:07 Best time to start HRT and why timing matters 4:27 ADHD, autism and hormones in perimenopause (2E women) 4:57 Hormone imbalance risks and long-term health impact Connect with Dr. Olivia Ly-Lesler: https://www.instagram.com/drolivialesslar/ Connect with Amanda & Jasmin: https://www.instagram.com/thefortiesformula/ Jasmin Dhillon - https://www.instagram.com/eat.with.jasmin Amanda Lim - https://www.instagram.com/coachamandalim This episode emphasizes that thriving in your 40s is about understanding one's body, embracing the full spectrum of hormonal health, and practicing kindness toward oneself. The conversation invites women to reframe aging as an opportunity for growth, resilience, and love. | |||
| Emotionally Available Fatherhood: What Dads Need to Know | The Forties Formula | 17 Jun 2026 | 00:52:18 | |
In today’s episode of The Forties Formula, Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim sit down with counselor, walk-and-talk therapist, and self-described "Dad in Progress," Simon Parkin. Motherhood isn't just exhausting because of sleepless nights. It's exhausting because of the invisible load—the planning, organizing, remembering, and emotional labor that keeps families running behind the scenes. While many fathers are showing up more than ever before, many mothers still find themselves carrying responsibilities that often go unseen and unacknowledged. In this honest Father's Day conversation, Simon shares what emotionally available fatherhood really looks like, why communication often breaks down after children arrive, and how helping men become better partners and fathers can improve the wellbeing of the entire family. In this conversation, we explore: • The invisible load and why it creates resentment in relationships • Why many fathers genuinely don't see the mental load mothers carry • How communication changes after children and what couples can do about it • The impact of childhood experiences on parenting styles • Why men need safe spaces to talk about fatherhood and mental health • Simon's philosophy of being a "Dad in Progress" If you've ever felt alone inside motherhood, overwhelmed by the mental load, or frustrated that your partner doesn't seem to understand everything you're carrying, this episode is for you. Chapters: 00:00 | The Invisible Load Mothers Carry 01:48 | Meet Simon Parkin 04:29 | Why Dads Feel Pressure To Get Fatherhood Right 08:39 | Why Mothers Become Resentful 12:18 | Dads Don't See The Mental Load 16:14 | Communication After Kids 23:43 | Walk-And-Talk Therapy 27:24 | Parenting Across Cultures 33:11 | The Haircut Story Every Parent Needs To Hear 37:01 | Why Men Don't Open Up 42:09 | The Hidden Struggles Of Fathers 47:19 | Happy Spouses, Happy Houses 49:09 | Simon's Fatherhood Formula About your hosts: Jasmin Dhillon is an Integrated Health Strategist and Health Coach helping women in their 40s navigate gut health, hormones and nutrition. https://www.instagram.com/eat.with.jasmin/ Amanda Lim is a Metabolic Health Coach focused on helping women build strength, confidence and long-term health. https://www.instagram.com/coachamandalim/?hl=en About the Guest: Simon Parkin is a counselor, walk-and-talk therapist, fatherhood advocate, and founder of Dad In Progress. Through his work, he helps men, fathers, and families build stronger relationships through communication, emotional awareness, and intentional parenting. Support the podcast: If you enjoy these conversations, subscribe and share with someone who needs to hear this. You can also support the show by "Buying Us a Coffee": https://buymeacoffee.com/thefortiesformula Thank you to our sponsors: Love Indus: Use code TFF for 21% off | |||
| 5 Menopause Health Risks Every Woman Over 40 Needs to Know | The Forties Formula In Focus | 14 Jun 2026 | 00:07:06 | |
Menopause changes far more than your symptoms. In this episode, lifestyle medicine doctor Dr Sundus Hussain Morgan explains the silent health risks that arrive as oestrogen falls — to your heart, your bones, your brain and your metabolism — and how women in their forties can prevent and manage them. Dr Sundus walks through the six pillars of health — nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, social connection and reducing harmful substances — with practical guidance on eating for menopause: a whole-food, plant-based diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, fibre and phytoestrogens. She clears up the common myths around phytoestrogens and perimenopause weight gain, and explains why strength training becomes non-negotiable in this decade. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Understanding Menopause and Its Risks 01:57 The Six Pillars of Health 07:01 Nutrition: Key Components for Women in Their 40s 07:06 The Importance of Strength Training If your health concerns have ever been dismissed by a doctor, here's what to do next 👉 https://thefortiesformula.com/script Want to start making changes today? Download our free ebook to begin building healthier lifestyle habits 👉 https://thefortiesformula.com/free-e-books ⏱️ Get tested. Eat for your bones and heart. Train for strength. Small lifestyle changes in your forties decide how you age for the next forty years. 🎙️ The Forties Formula — health, hormones and real talk for women in their 40s Hosted by Amanda Lim & Jasmin Connect with us Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefortiesformula/ Amanda: https://www.instagram.com/coachamandalim/ Jasmin: https://www.instagram.com/eat.with.jasmin/ Our guest — Dr Sundus Hussain Morgan Profile: https://www.imc-healthcare.com/doctors/dr-sundus-hussain-morgan/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifestyledocsingapore/ menopause, menopause symptoms, perimenopause, perimenopause weight gain, menopause and heart health, menopause bone health, menopause brain health, menopause metabolic health, lifestyle medicine, six pillars of health, how to lose weight in perimenopause, perimenopause diet, eating for menopause, menopause wellness, menopause support, menopause signs, stages of perimenopause, estrogen decline, women's health over 40, women in their forties, strength training menopause, phytoestrogens, calcium vitamin D bone health, menopause anxiety, Dr Sundus Hussain Morgan, lifestyle doctor Singapore, The Forties Formula | |||
| Birth Control After 40: The Risks Nobody Talks About | The Forties Formula | 10 Jun 2026 | 00:47:59 | |
In today’s episode of The Forties Formula, Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim sit down with attorney, healthcare privacy expert, entrepreneur, and mother of three, Lauren. In this conversation, we explore: • The hidden risks women should understand before starting birth control in midlife • Why women's health research still leaves many unanswered questions • The emotional impact of chronic illness and losing your former identity • How Lauren went from a wheelchair to rebuilding her independence • Integrative medicine, recovery, and finding answers beyond conventional care • The role of therapy, gratitude, and mental resilience during health crises • Raising empathetic children while living with an invisible disability • How illness transformed her marriage, priorities, and definition of success If you've ever felt frustrated by your body, struggled with your health, or wondered how to move forward when life doesn't go according to plan, this episode is for you. Chapters: 00:00:00 | The Health Crisis That Changed Everything 00:02:45 | Meet Lauren 00:03:44 | The Symptoms Nobody Expected 00:06:18 | The ER Visit & Blood Clot Diagnosis 00:08:09 | Brain Fog, Fatigue & Losing Independence 00:09:51 | Migraines, Birth Control & Risk Factors 00:12:29 | Going Back On The Pill After 15 Years 00:14:25 | What Would You Do Differently For Your Daughters? 00:17:09 | Integrative Medicine & Looking Beyond Conventional Care 00:19:35 | Researching Medical Evidence In The Age Of Information 00:21:02 | The Recovery Protocols That Helped Most 00:24:39 | Grieving The Loss Of Your Former Self 00:30:11 | Why She Isn't Using Hormone Replacement Therapy 00:32:58 | Explaining Chronic Illness To Young Children 00:37:11 | Marriage, Caregiving & Family Support 00:40:35 | Regaining Independence After Two Years 00:42:36 | Redefining Success After Chronic Illness 00:45:50 | Lauren's 40s Formula 00:47:09 | Final Thoughts About your hosts: Jasmin Dhillon is an Integrated Health Strategist and Health Coach helping women in their 40s navigate gut health, hormones and nutrition. https://www.instagram.com/eat.with.jasmin/ Amanda Lim is a Metabolic Health Coach focused on helping women build strength, confidence and long-term health. https://www.instagram.com/coachamandalim/?hl=en About the Guest: Lauren is an attorney, healthcare privacy specialist, entrepreneur, and mother of three whose life changed dramatically after a near-fatal pulmonary embolism. Through her recovery journey, she has become a passionate advocate for greater awareness around women's health, informed decision-making, and redefining success in the face of adversity. Support the podcast: If you enjoy these conversations, subscribe and share with someone who needs to hear this. You can also support the show by "Buying Us a Coffee" | |||
| Perimenopause Insomnia: Why CBTI Beats Sleeping Pills for Women Over 40 | The Forties Formula In Focus | 07 Jun 2026 | 00:10:06 | |
If you’ve been relying on melatonin or considering sleeping pills, this episode challenges everything you think you know about fixing insomnia. We dive into Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), a science-backed, first-line treatment recommended by leading sleep organizations. You’ll learn why sleep issues in midlife aren’t just about hormones and why most women are never told about this powerful alternative. This episode breaks down how your thoughts, habits, and behaviors may be keeping you awake and how to reset them. If you’re tired of being tired, this is where things change. In This Episode: - CBT-I is the first-line treatment for chronic insomnia, not medication - Sleep problems are often driven by behavioral and cognitive patterns, not just hormones - Most women are never offered CBT-I, despite strong medical backing - Sleeping pills treat symptoms—but don’t fix the root cause - Small changes in how you think about sleep can dramatically improve sleep quality Hosted by Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim Connect with Amanda & Jasmin: https://www.instagram.com/thefortiesformula/ Jasmin Dhillon - https://www.instagram.com/eat.with.jasmin Amanda Lim - https://www.instagram.com/coachamandalim Chapters: 00:00 Why sleeping pills aren't the first-line treatment 01:45 What CBTI actually is 03:30 Why doctors default to medication anyway 05:15 The MsFLASH study on CBTI and hot flashes 07:30 Why sleep trackers don't tell the full story | |||
| The Biggest Fat loss Mistake Women Make in Perimenopause | The Forties Formula | 03 Jun 2026 | 01:00:29 | |
In today’s episode of The Forties Formula, Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim sit down with fitness coach and ProCoach Gym co-founder Sara Mae Garcia. If you've ever blamed hormones, age, or a slowing metabolism for your lack of progress, this conversation might challenge everything you think you know. Sara shares the simple habits that have helped her stay strong and healthy at 47, why most women don't need more cardio, and what it really takes to build muscle, lose fat, and feel confident in midlife. In this conversation, we explore: • Why consistency matters more than motivation • The biggest mistakes women make with fat loss after 40 • Strength training, protein, and the truth about body recomposition • Why the scale isn't the best measure of progress • The hidden downside of physique competitions and extreme dieting • Sara's personal experience with perimenopause and changing hormones If you're tired of quick fixes and ready for a more sustainable approach to fitness, this episode is for you. In this episode: 00:00:00 | Meet Sara Mae 00:04:45 | The Real Fitness Secret 00:08:56 | Do You Need Cardio? 00:11:07 | Stop Going Through The Motions 00:14:08 | The Dark Side Of Being Lean 00:18:18 | Fat Loss Without Misery 00:20:58 | How Long Does It Really Take? 00:24:57 | Why The Scale Lies 00:27:48 | What's Really Holding You Back 00:31:16 | The Hyrox Reality Check 00:33:33 | How Much Protein Do You Need? 00:37:15 | The Perimenopause Wake-Up Call 00:43:13 | Fitness Obsession & Mental Health 00:45:15 | Menopause, Confidence & Body Image 00:48:49 | Fitness Trends: Worth It Or Not? 00:52:31 | Fasting After 40 00:56:54 | Why Undereating Keeps You Stuck About your hosts: Jasmin Dhillon is an Integrated Health Strategist and Health Coach helping women in their 40s navigate gut health, hormones and nutrition. Amanda Lim is a Metabolic Health coach focused on helping women build strength, confidence and long-term health. Support the podcast: If you enjoy these conversations, subscribe and share with someone who needs to hear this. You can also support the show by "Buying Us a Coffee" https://buymeacoffee.com/thefortiesformula Thank you to our sponsors: The Meat Club: Use code TFF20 for $20 off your first order Love Indus: Use code TFF for 21% off | |||
| Why Building Muscle After 40 Eases Menopause Symptoms, Scientist Explains | The Forties Formula In Focus | 31 May 2026 | 00:05:26 | |
Metabolic health, muscle health, strength training for women over 40, menopause metabolism, insulin resistance in women, and why muscle is critical for longevity. In this clip from The Forties Formula, hosts Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim speak with Associate Professor Reshma Merchant, Head and Senior Consultant of Geriatric Medicine at the National University Hospital Singapore. Many women believe metabolism slows simply because of age. But emerging research shows that muscle plays a much bigger role in metabolic health than most people realise. Professor Merchant explains why muscle is actually an endocrine organ, how it influences the brain, liver, insulin sensitivity, and fat metabolism, and why protecting muscle mass is one of the most important things women can do in midlife. The conversation also explores how lifestyle habits — including movement, protein intake, and sleep — influence not only our own health, but the health habits our children learn at home. ▶️ Click here for the full episode: https://youtu.be/IslDmtXNTF0 🎧 Search for The Forties Formula wherever you get your podcasts Hosted by Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim Chapters 00:00 Why women should care about metabolic health 00:04 Muscle is an endocrine organ 00:18 How muscle affects the brain and liver 00:32 Muscle’s role in reducing visceral fat 00:45 Why everyone should care about muscle health 01:00 “Your brawn feeds your brain” 01:34 Muscle, insulin resistance and weight gain 02:18 The more muscle you have, the more carbs you can eat 02:53 Prevention across the life cycle 03:32 Why family lifestyle habits matter 04:08 Teaching kids healthy habits 04:16 Lifestyle vs genetics 05:04 Why sleep matters for metabolic health Keywords muscle health women over 40 metabolic health women strength training menopause muscle endocrine organ prevent insulin resistance women longevity health women healthy aging women protein and muscle health midlife metabolism women's health podcast | |||
| Is Your Bra Causing Your Headaches? The Bra Fitting Guide For Women In Perimenopause | 27 May 2026 | 01:01:44 | |
In today’s episode of The 40s Formula, we sit down with Caroline Warren, founder of Supporting Eve, Singapore’s specialist bra fitting boutique. Caroline is a UK-trained professional bra fitter with certifications in bra fitting, sports bra fitting, and post-surgery fittings for breast cancer survivors. She also holds a certification in sports bra fitting and breast biomechanics, drawing on research from the University of Portsmouth. Most women are walking around in the wrong sized bras, not a little off, but significantly off. In this eye-opening conversation, we unpack the real reasons why 80-95% of women wear ill-fitting bras, the surprising health impacts (headaches, neck pain, posture issues), and how a proper fit can transform how you feel every single day. From pregnancy and postpartum changes to perimenopause and menopause, Caroline shares practical, no-nonsense advice every woman in her 40s needs to hear. In this conversation, we explore: • Why most women (including Olympians) are in the wrong bra size • The tell-tale signs your bra doesn’t fit, and the simple checks you can do today • How to properly put on a bra (the “swoop and scoop” technique) • Best bras for different body types, lifestyles, and breast shapes • Sports bras, why they matter more than you think and what to look for • Body changes through pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, and beyond • Caroline’s personal journey through early menopause at 38 If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable in your bra, dealt with back/neck pain, or just accepted that “bras are just uncomfortable,” this episode is a game-changer. Chapters: 0:00 — Precap 2:34 — Episode Begins 2:46 — Caroline Warren’s journey + first bra stories 5:46 — Statistics: 80–95% of women wear the wrong bra size 8:23 — Problems caused by ill-fitting bras (pain, posture, migraines) 11:36 — Why we were never taught proper bra fitting 12:46 — What to expect in a professional bra fitting (fit by sight) 15:44 — Key checks: Band support, gore placement, straps 16:21 — Band vs Cup relationship explained 18:19 — Real example: From 38D to 30GG 33:04 — How to correctly put on a bra (Swoop & Scoop) 23:29 — Bra recommendations for different body types 26:12 — Cut & sew, molded, balcony, plunge explained 35:00 — How long should a bra last? 35:40 — Sports bra fitting & breast biomechanics 51:05 — Hot or Hype: Common bra myths 55:32 — Caroline’s personal menopause journey at 38 57:21 — Life transitions where you should get refitted 59:57 — Where to find Supporting Eve + final thoughts VISIT SUPPORTING EVE 📍 Cluny Court Shopping Mall, Bukit Timah, opposite Botanic Gardens MRT Station, Second Floor 🕐 Open seven days a week, 10am — 7pm | |||
| Vaginal Dryness After 40: What's Really Happening in Perimenopause | The Forties Formula In Focus | 24 May 2026 | 00:11:10 | |
If you are in your 40s and noticing changes in your body that nobody warned you about, this clip from our THE FORTIES FORMULA IN FOCUS on women's health is for you. Dr. Jesshirin Sidhu, GP and sexual health specialist at InSync Medical, breaks down exactly what happens to vaginal health during perimenopause and menopause — and what you can actually do about it. From why you get low estrogen and how it causes vaginal dryness, to which lubricants are safe, to emerging treatments like vaginal lasers and hyaluronic acid, this is the conversation most women never get to have with their doctor. We cover why vaginal dryness is not just a menopause problem, how to choose lubricants without harmful parabens or glycerine, why topical estrogen and testosterone are underused and underprescribed, what lasers and hyaluronic acid treatments can do for women with severe dryness, safe home remedies that actually work, and why birth control pills could be killing your libido right now. This is practical, clinical, and completely judgement-free. 🎙️ Guest: Dr. Jesshirin Sidhu 🏥 InSync Medical Women's Health: https://www.insyncmedical.sg/womens-health/ 📲 Follow InSync Medical: https://www.instagram.com/insyncmedical.sg 📖 Get our free ebook: https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/2156555/sites/185865618324457283/the-forties-formula-with-amanda-jasmin-wn3zmn 📲 Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/thefortiesformula Watch the full conversation here: https://youtu.be/0N8brGgHt7M?si=qGYVV05hZW-16GQq Chapters 00:00 — Why estrogen depletion changes everything down there 01:22 — Vaginal dryness — what is actually happening and why it is not just a menopause issue 02:20 — Lubricants and moisturisers — what to use and what to avoid 03:08 — Parabens, glycerine and why your lubricant choice matters more than you think 04:32 — Hyaluronic acid for vaginal hydration — how it works 05:45 — Topical estrogen and testosterone — what most doctors are not prescribing 06:41 — Birth control pills and libido — the testosterone connection 07:05 — Vaginal lasers — who they are for and how they work 09:51 — Safe home remedies including coconut oil and olive oil
Tags perimenopause, vaginal dryness, menopause symptoms, women over 40, vaginal health, hormonal changes, estrogen depletion, lubricants for menopause, vaginal moisturizer, topical estrogen, testosterone women, hyaluronic acid vaginal, vaginal laser treatment, perimenopause symptoms, women's sexual health, libido women 40s, birth control libido, forties formula, healthy aging women, menopause relief, intimate health women, midlife women health, menopause treatment, insync medical | |||
| Why Walking Away From Your Career Might Be the Most Powerful Decision You Make in Your 40s | 20 May 2026 | 00:41:02 | |
Leadership advisor and author Sally J Clarke joins the Forties Formula to explore the strategic — not emotional — decision to walk away from a role, title or career that no longer fits. Drawing from her book with co-author Deborah Overdeput, Walk Away: Step Out to Step Up, Sally shares real stories of women who rebuilt careers and companies by first stepping out of the wrong ones. The conversation covers the moment you know it's time to leave, how to use fear as a growth signal, what integrity capital means for your career and relationships, and why your health is always the variable that wins. CHAPTERS: 00:00 | The Career Advice Women Ignore 02:54 | The Quiet Sign You’re In The Wrong Life 05:51 | Why Fear Might Mean You’re On The Right Path 08:39 | The Success Trap That Drains Women 12:09 | The Currency More Valuable Than Money 22:17 | Why Ambitious Women End Up Exhausted 25:40 | When Success Starts Costing Your Health 28:18 | Why “Strong Women” Keep Breaking Down 30:32 | The Mindset Shift That Changes Careers 38:19 | What To Do When You Feel Lost In Midlife 40:06 | Why Doing Less Can Change Your Life 🔗 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. https://buymeacoffee.com/thefortiesformula 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/ life purpose self reflection career crisis career growth | |||
| Are You Ageing Faster Than You Should? Leading Longevity Professor Explains | 17 May 2026 | 00:09:28 | |
If you are in your 40s and feel like something has shifted — your energy, your body, your recovery — there is a scientific reason for it. And it started long before you noticed. In this episode, Professor Andrea Maier, a leading researcher in healthy ageing, breaks down the difference between your chronological age and your biological age, and why that gap matters more than most women realise. You might be 42 on paper. But your body could be ageing at a rate that puts you five years ahead of that — or five years behind. The difference comes down to what is happening inside your organs, your hormones, and your cells right now. We cover what biological age actually measures, why your organs age at different rates, how to start tracking the markers that matter, what the research says about diet and how much it can genuinely extend your healthy years, and why your 40s are one of the most critical windows to act. This is not about looking younger. It is about having the energy, strength, and health to live well for longer — and knowing what to do about it before it becomes harder to reverse. Chapters
📖 Get our free ebook: https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/2156555/sites/185865618324457283/the-forties-formula-with-amanda-jasmin-wn3zmn Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefortiesformula https://www.instagram.com/chilongevity longevity, women over 40, perimenopause, reverse aging, biological age, anti aging, how to live longer, menopause, anti aging foods, strength training, how to stay young, healthy aging, anti aging tips, nutrition, how to look younger, women's health, forties formula, healthy lifestyle over 40, hormone health, aging well | |||
| Why Doing Less Is the Key to Better Health in Your 40s | 13 May 2026 | 00:51:07 | |
Why High-Achieving Women Burn Out in Their 40s (And What to Do Instead) If you've spent years achieving, delivering, and pushing through — and you're now hitting a wall in your 40s — this episode is for you. Yi-Mei Lai (Mei), founder of Alchemei Healing and a Feminine Power & Self-Worth Coach, joins us to talk about what's really happening when high-achieving women hit burnout in midlife. It's not a failure of discipline or drive. It's the cost of running entirely on masculine energy for decades — and the body eventually refuses to keep up. Mei works with purpose-led female founders and leaders to help them receive and hold more while doing less. Through her Feminine Power Archetypes framework, she guides women from people-pleasing to boundaries, from constant proving to genuine receiving, and from disconnection to a deep inner knowing. This conversation covers why rest feels like something you have to earn, how stress severs your connection to intuition, and what it actually looks like to come home to yourself in midlife. In this episode:
Connect with Mei:
⏱️ CHAPTERS: 00:00 — Why women suddenly feel different in their 40s 02:00 — Meet Mae from Alchemy Healing 03:00 — Understanding the “midlife shift” women experience 08:45 — Masculine vs feminine energy explained 13:45 — How stress disconnects women from intuition 18:20 — Rebuilding self-worth and emotional safety 23:10 — Why women struggle to feel their emotions 27:45 — The pressure to constantly “fix” yourself 32:00 — Reconnecting with the body and feminine energy 36:45 — “Your body is your oracle, not an obstacle” 41:30 — Astrology, cycles, and emotional awareness 45:50 — Trusting yourself again in midlife 50:30 — Final reflections on healing, intuition, and thriving in your 40s 🔗 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. https://buymeacoffee.com/thefortiesformula 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/ | |||
| Always Tired in Your 40s? The One Blood Test Number Doctors Miss | The Forties Formula In Focus | 10 May 2026 | 00:09:55 | |
In this powerful 9-minute highlight from The Forties Formula, we uncover why your "normal" blood test results might be gaslighting you. Dr. Tash breaks down the critical difference between surviving and thriving when it comes to iron. If you’ve been told your fatigue is "just burnout" or "part of aging," but you know deep down something is wrong, this clip explains the biology behind your exhaustion. We discuss why Iron Deficiency is the silent epidemic for women over 40 and why your Hemoglobin levels are lying to you about your actual energy reserves. ⚠️ Want the full protocol? This is just the diagnosis. To hear Dr. Tash's complete strategy for fixing your levels, safe supplementation, and the role of heavy periods, check out the FULL EPISODE here. 🗝️ Key Takeaways in This Clip
💬 The Quote That Says It All "If we don’t correct the iron deficiency, there’s no amount of hormonal management that will have that patient feeling optimized." — Dr. Tash | |||
| Mum Guilt, Burnout and Unrealistic Expectations: What No One Tells You | 06 May 2026 | 00:56:36 | |
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/ | |||
| A Neuroscientist's Brain Tumour Scare in Her 40s: "I Thought This Was Death" | The Forties Formula In Focus | 03 May 2026 | 00:14:44 | |
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. | |||
| Raising Girls Through Puberty: The Mental Health Risks No One Warns You About | 29 Apr 2026 | 00:50:04 | |
Girls and puberty, teenage girls, hormones, social media and mental health are changing the way parents need to think about raising girls today. In this episode of The Forties Formula, psychologist Dr. Emma Waddington and physician Dr. Gina Dahel explain what is happening beneath the surface. 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? We explore earlier puberty, hormonal changes, emotional and behavioural shifts, friendship dynamics, social media, body image, self-esteem and the pressures girls are facing as they grow up. And if you’re a woman in your 40s, you might recognise something else too… parts of your own story reflected back at you. In this episode, we cover: • How to recognise subtle signs that a girl may be struggling • Why puberty is starting earlier in girls • How hormones can affect mood, sleep and behaviour • Why friendships become so important during adolescence • How social media affects girls’ self-esteem and confidence • What parents need to know about body image in young girls • Why girls can connect self-worth with achievement • How pressure to succeed, look good and “do everything” affects girls • How to build connection and communication before adolescence hits • What parents can do to support confidence, resilience and healthy self-esteem Whether you’re raising a daughter, parenting through adolescence, or simply trying to understand the pressures girls face today, this conversation offers a fascinating look at the biology, psychology and social world shaping young women. 🤝 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 Introduction: Understanding girls, puberty and adolescence 02:00 Signs your daughter may be struggling emotionally 05:00 Why puberty is starting earlier in girls 07:30 How puberty and hormones affect mood and behaviour 10:00 How the teenage brain changes social connection 11:00 How social media affects girls’ self-esteem 14:00 Why friendships matter so much during adolescence 16:00 Why teenagers can feel lonely despite being connected online 19:30 Why body image concerns start so young 21:00 How parenting shapes identity and self-worth 27:00 How to teach girls to speak up and use their voice 34:00 Body image, sport and pressure on girls 39:30 Why girls connect self-worth with achievement 41:00 Why girls feel pressure to be good at everything 45:00 Parenting teenagers versus coaching teenagers SEO KEYWORDS: girls and puberty, teenage girls, early puberty, girls mental health, teenage mental health, hormones and puberty, social media and girls, girls and social media, body image in girls, self-esteem in girls, parenting teenage girls, raising confident girls, adolescent girls, teenage friendships, girls and self-worth, parenting adolescence, puberty and hormones | |||
| How Chronic Anxiety Disguises Itself as Ambition in Women Over 40 | The Forties Formula In Focus | 26 Apr 2026 | 00:12:01 | |
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.
Key Takeaways
⏱ 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
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