Explore every episode of the podcast Unstoppable At Any Age
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3. Rebuilding Your Life After Loss: Identity, Resilience & Starting Over with Ramona Milano | 09 Apr 2026 | 00:59:00 | |
You don’t become unstoppable by avoiding pain. You become unstoppable by learning how to move through it—and still choose yourself on the other side. In this episode, Shawna sits down with Ramona Milano, an actress turned coach and yoga teacher, for a deeply honest conversation about identity, loss, and what it really takes to rebuild your life after everything changes. What started as a chance meeting in a yoga studio turned into a powerful mentorship and transformation—one rooted in resilience, self-trust, and learning how to navigate life when the path you thought you were on disappears. Ramona shares her journey from decades in the entertainment industry to stepping into a completely new identity after a life-altering personal loss. She opens up about the emotional reality of rebuilding, the courage it takes to say yes to new opportunities, and the discipline of learning to trust yourself again. This episode weaves together mindset, nervous system regulation, personal growth, and the deeper work of healing—without bypassing the hard parts. This is a conversation about grief, reinvention, and one core truth: you don’t avoid the hard moments—you become stronger because of how you move through them. How to rebuild your identity after a major life transition or loss Why feeling your emotions fully is necessary for true healing (not avoidance) The difference between staying stuck in pain vs. moving forward with purpose How to trust yourself again after your life has been disrupted Why saying yes to opportunities—especially the ones that scare you—creates growth How yoga, movement, and breathwork support emotional resilience and nervous system regulation How to shift your mindset around aging, limitations, and what’s still possible Reminder: Nothing in this podcast is a substitute for medical or professional advice. Always consult your own healthcare provider. Ramona Milano is an actress with decades of experience in film, television, and voice work, known for roles in Degrassi, Hallmark productions, and more. She is now a yoga teacher, coach, and mentor focused on helping women navigate identity shifts, personal transformation, and life transitions with strength and self-trust. Find Ramona Milano online here for coaching and acting - https://www.ramonamilano.com/ Subscribe, rate, and review to help more listeners expand what they believe is possible. You will learn:ABOUT RAMONA:RESOURCES:STAY CONNECTED:SUPPORT THE PODCAST: | |||
| 2. Embracing Limitlessness with Anne Matthews | 09 Apr 2026 | 00:37:38 | |
You don’t become unstoppable by waiting for the perfect time. You become unstoppable by deciding your current reality doesn’t define your limits. In this episode, Shawna sits down with Anne Matthews—fertility-focused acupuncturist, mother of six, podcast host, and professional Hyrox athlete—for a powerful conversation on what it actually looks like to pursue high performance while balancing real life. Anne shares how she went from feeling stuck in a rut to competing in elite fitness events around the world, all while running a busy fertility practice and raising a large family. Her story challenges the idea that you have to choose between personal ambition, motherhood, and career—and instead shows what’s possible when you expand your capacity. This conversation weaves together mindset, women’s health, fertility, and performance, with a strong focus on breaking outdated narratives around aging and what women are capable of physically and mentally. From setting “scary” goals to redefining identity, Anne offers a grounded but expansive perspective on how to create momentum in your life—no matter your starting point. This episode is about resilience, self-leadership, and one core truth: your limits are often self-imposed—and they’re meant to be challenged. How to balance motherhood, career, and high-level athletic performance without sacrificing your goals Why setting ambitious, uncomfortable goals can create purpose and momentum How to break free from age-related limitations and redefine what’s possible The connection between mindset, identity, and long-term success Insights into fertility, women’s health, and challenging fear-based narratives around age How to stay consistent with training and performance—even without a coach Reminder: Nothing in this podcast is a substitute for medical or professional advice. Always consult your own healthcare provider. Follow Anne’s journey and insights on performance, fertility, and women’s health. Connect with Anne Matthews: Subscribe, rate, and review to help more listeners expand what they believe is possible. | |||
| 1. The shift I didn’t expect in midlife | 09 Apr 2026 | 00:46:53 | |
The most powerful transformations don’t come from fixing your life. They come from raising the standard for how you want to live, move, and show up. In this inaugural episode, Shawna - naturopathic doctor with over 20 years of experience in women’s health, hormones, and metabolic health - shares her journey of redefining what’s possible as she stepped into a new level of personal and physical performance. This conversation goes beyond health. It’s about identity, longevity, and recognizing when external success no longer feels aligned internally. Shawna opens up about the moment she realized something was missing, despite building a successful career, and how that led her to pursue more intentional goals. From shifting her approach to fitness and training, to setting ambitious milestones like qualifying for the Boston Marathon, she shares how purposeful movement can transform not only your body - but how you see yourself. You’ll also hear her perspective on healthy aging, why exercise is one of the most powerful tools for long-term vitality, and how surrounding yourself with high-performing, like-minded individuals can expand your belief in what’s possible. This episode is grounded in growth, performance, and one core truth: you get to redefine what your next level looks like. Why external success doesn’t always equal fulfillment - and how to recognize when it’s time for a shift The difference between exercising and training with intention, and how it impacts identity and performance How setting meaningful goals can improve motivation, confidence, and long-term health Why movement is one of the most effective tools for longevity, metabolic health, and healthy aging How to challenge outdated narratives around aging, fitness, and what’s possible The role of community and environment in expanding your mindset and results Reminder: Nothing in this podcast is a substitute for medical or professional advice. Always consult your own healthcare provider. Stay tuned for upcoming conversations with athletes, scientists, and entrepreneurs, along with clinical insights on women’s health, metabolism, and performance. Follow along for more insights on health, movement, and stepping into your next level. Subscribe, rate, and review to help more listeners expand what they believe is possible. | |||
| Trailer | 02 Apr 2026 | 00:02:24 | |
What if your strongest, most powerful years are still ahead of you? In this trailer for Unstoppable at Any Age, Dr. Shawna Darou, ND — naturopathic doctor, functional medicine practitioner, and master’s athlete — challenges everything women have been told about aging, metabolism, and performance in midlife. If you’re a woman over 40 navigating hormone changes, stubborn weight gain, low energy, brain fog, or feeling like your body no longer responds the way it used to… this podcast will connect the dots. Inside this show, you’ll discover:
Through conversations with athletes, scientists, founders, and women redefining midlife, you’ll learn how to work with your biology — not against it. Because this isn’t about anti-aging. It’s about aging powerfully, optimizing your metabolism, and stepping into your next level of health, strength, and purpose. 🎙 Follow Unstoppable at Any Age and start building the strongest version of yourself — from the inside out. | |||
| 4. Why Strength Doesn't Peak at 30 with Sarah Katz | 16 Apr 2026 | 00:40:39 | |
What if your strongest, most capable years weren’t behind you… but ahead of you? In this episode of Unstoppable at Any Age, Shawna sits down with Sarah Katz - a lawyer, masters athlete, and competitive pentathlete - who is training and competing across five track and field events at 47 years old. This conversation challenges the idea that midlife is a time to slow down. Instead, Sarah shares what it actually takes to stay strong, energized, and competitive - while balancing a full career and navigating the realities of perimenopause. You’ll hear how she structures her days, supports her body, and continues to push her limits in a sustainable way. In this episode, we discuss:
Key takeaway: Your body does change in midlife - but that doesn’t mean you have lost your potential. It means your strategy needs to evolve. Listen if you’re:
Connect with Dr. Shawna: Website: https://drshawnadarou.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drshawnadarou/ Reminder: Nothing in this podcast is a substitute for medical or professional advice. Always consult your own healthcare provider. Subscribe, rate, and review to help more listeners expand what they believe is possible. | |||
| 19. The science that changed how I think about aging | 30 Jul 2026 | 00:29:31 | |
If I could convince every woman to do one thing for the next 30 years, it would be to keep moving. In this solo episode, I'm sharing the real reason I've shifted so much of my focus - and my career - toward women's movement. Not hormones. Not supplements. Movement. After 22+ years as a naturopathic doctor and thousands of appointments with women, I've come to believe that exercise is the single biggest longevity lever we have - bigger than nutrition, bigger than anything in a bottle. And with both my mother and stepmother living with Alzheimer's and dementia, this has become deeply personal, not just clinical. I also share my own story: how I became a masters track athlete after menopause, what it was like competing at the USATF Masters Outdoor Championships in Geneva, Ohio, and why watching women in their 60s, 70s, and 80s compete completely changed my outlook on aging. Then we get into the research - three studies that reshaped how I think about brain health, strength, and what's actually possible as we age:
In this episode, we discuss:
One of my favourite lines from this episode: "These women are becoming living proof that decline is not the only story available to us." Sometimes the most powerful medicine isn't a prescription. It's a reason to move. If you'd like more support with movement, metabolic health, and healthy aging: Join my free community → #WomenWhoMove Join my free upcoming Masterclass "Normal Isn't Optimal" Reminder: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Subscribe, rate, and review to help more women realize how much they still have ahead of them. | |||
| 18. Your body is not a problem to solve with Carmen McDonald. | 23 Jul 2026 | 01:07:58 | |
For so many women, health has become synonymous with weight loss. We spend years trying to make our bodies smaller, leaner, or more acceptable, believing that confidence will come once we finally reach the "right" number on the scale. But what if we've been asking the wrong question all along? In this episode of Unstoppable at Any Age, I sit down with health coach, behavior strategist, and fitness professional Carmen McDonald to explore what happened when she stopped chasing the perfect body and started building a healthier relationship with herself. After years of competing at a national level in fitness competitions, Carmen found herself physically depleted, emotionally exhausted, and deep into perimenopause without realizing it. Today, she's found a completely different path through sprinting, strength, cardiovascular health, and learning to trust her body again. This conversation isn't just about menopause. It's about redefining what health really looks like. • Why your body is not a problem to be solved • The hidden emotional impact of chasing weight loss • How sprinting helped Carmen reconnect with her body • The surprising benefits of training for performance instead of appearance • Why consistency always beats perfection • The importance of muscle, movement, and metabolic health during menopause • Why cardiovascular disease should be on every woman's radar • The role of self-awareness in creating lasting health habits • Letting go of who you were at 20 and embracing who you're becoming • Why community can completely change your health journey One of my favourite moments from this conversation was when Carmen said: "My body is not a problem to be solved. It's a relationship to heal." I think every woman needs to hear that. Sometimes the greatest transformation isn't changing your body. It's changing the way you see it. 💜 Join my free community, #WomenWhoMove https://drshawnadarou.com/start-here 📖 Download my free guide: Fueling for Hormones & Metabolic Health https://drshawnadarou.com/fueling-for-health 💪 Learn more about Metabolic Mastery https://drshawnadarou.com/metabolic-mastery Connect with Carmen: www.nourishlongevity.ca and www.myheartfitness.ca. Instagram @carmenshawnlifestyle In this episode, we discuss: | |||
| 9. What every woman needs to know about metabolic health | 21 May 2026 | 00:35:02 | |
Menopause is not just a hormone transition. It’s a metabolic transition too. In this solo episode, I’m breaking down one of the most important - and most overlooked - conversations in women’s health: metabolic health. This is something I’ve focused on in my practice for over 20 years, but honestly, I didn’t fully understand how profound these changes were until I experienced menopause myself. What I see over and over again is women blaming themselves because their old strategies suddenly stop working. Energy crashes. Brain fog. Poor sleep. Weight gain around the abdomen. More inflammation. Worse recovery from exercise. And many women assume it’s “just hormones.” Hormones are part of the story. Metabolic health is the other piece. In this episode, I explain how blood sugar regulation, insulin sensitivity, muscle mass, sleep, stress, and movement all interact during perimenopause and menopause - and why understanding this changes everything. In this episode, we explore: • What metabolic health actually means • Why blood sugar affects energy, mood, sleep, and cravings • The connection between estrogen and insulin resistance • Why women often gain abdominal weight in menopause • The role of muscle in metabolic health and longevity • How strength training protects your brain, bones, and metabolism • Why walking after meals makes such a difference • What I learned from wearing a continuous glucose monitor myself • Why extreme dieting and cutting carbs usually backfires • The habits that actually improve metabolic health long-term One of the biggest takeaways from this episode: Your body didn’t suddenly “stop working.” Your physiology changed - and your strategy needs to change with it. If you want support learning how to improve your metabolic health: Join my free community → #womenwhomove https://drshawnadarou.com/start-here Download my free guide → Fueling for Hormones & Metabolic Healthhttps://drshawnadarou.com/fueling-for-health Learn more about my Metabolic Mastery program → https://go.drshawnadarou.com/metabolic-masterclass-495105 Reminder: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Subscribe, rate, and review to help more women understand what’s actually happening in their bodies. | |||
| 8. MS, movement, and rebuilding a life you love with Dr. Teri Jaklin, ND | 14 May 2026 | 00:41:17 | |
“You’re never too old. You’ve never had your condition too long. And you’re never too advanced to make positive change.” This conversation stayed with me long after we stopped recording. In this episode, I sit down with naturopathic doctor Teri Jaklin to talk about what it means to keep choosing life - even after being handed a diagnosis that could have easily defined her future. Teri was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in her twenties. One neurologist told her to go home and get her affairs in order. Another told her to “run along and have a good life.” She chose to believe the second one. More than 40 years later, she’s still rebuilding, adapting, moving, gardening, working, creating, and finding ways to fully participate in her life. This conversation is about much more than MS. It’s about mindset. Neuroplasticity. Movement. Identity. And the role our beliefs play in shaping what happens next. In this episode, we explore: • How mindset influences healing and resilience• Why movement is one of the most powerful tools for the brain• The connection between neuroplasticity and intentional movement• How to adapt your body and environment instead of giving up• Why nutrition and cooking real food matter more than most people realize• The importance of building a healthcare team that believes in you• What it means to live beyond a diagnosis One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation: Your diagnosis is information. It does not have to become your identity or your future. If you’re looking for support around movement, hormones, and healthy aging: Join my free community → #womenwhomove (https://drshawnadarou.com/start-here) Download my free guide → Fueling for Hormones & Metabolic Health (https://drshawnadarou.com/fueling-for-health) Reminder:This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Connect with Teri: Website: https://www.transform.ms/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrTeriJaklin Subscribe, rate, and review to help more women rethink what’s possible at any age. | |||
| 7. Your running shoes weren’t made for your body with Lindsay Housman | 07 May 2026 | 00:51:06 | |
Your running shoes weren’t designed for your body. And most women have no idea. In this episode, I sit down with Lindsay Housman, founder of a female-specific performance footwear company Hettas, to talk about something that comes up constantly - foot pain. Heel pain.Achilles issues.Forefoot pain.Plantar fasciitis.Losing toenails. So many women assume this is just part of being active. It isn’t. What’s often missed is this: Most athletic shoes have been designed, tested, and built based on male anatomy. Even the ones marketed to women. This conversation explains why that matters - and how it directly impacts injury, comfort, and long-term performance. In this episode, we explore: • Why women experience more foot pain during perimenopause and beyond• How hormonal changes affect ligaments, tendons, and foot structure• The difference between male and female biomechanics (and why it matters)• Why most “women’s shoes” are just smaller versions of men’s• Common issues like plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, and Achilles pain• What actually makes a shoe supportive for a female body• How footwear impacts your ability to stay active long-term One of the biggest takeaways: A lot of what you’ve been told is “normal” isn’t actually normal. It’s a mismatch between your body and what you’re putting on your feet. If you are trying to stay active through this stage of life, and want some support: Join my free community → #womenwhomove (https://drshawnadarou.com/start-here) Download my free guide → Fueling for Hormones & Metabolic Health (https://drshawnadarou.com/fueling-for-health) Reminder:This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Connect with Lindsay & Hettas: Website: www.hettas.com Instagram: @wear_hettas Subscribe, rate, and review to help more women understand what’s actually possible in their bodies. | |||
| 6. The mistake most women make with training after 40 with Phaedra Kennedy | 30 Apr 2026 | 00:50:31 | |
You don’t need a perfect training plan.You need a plan that actually works with your body. In this episode, I sit down with Phaedra Kennedy - endurance coach and athlete - for a conversation about what really changes when you’re training through perimenopause and menopause. This is a topic that comes up constantly. Women feel like their body isn’t responding the way it used to.Workouts that once worked… stop working.Recovery takes longer.Injuries show up more easily. And the default response is often to do more. Push harder. Add more sessions. Try to force progress. This conversation takes a different approach. Phaedra shares her own experience of moving through menopause while training - including the physical changes, the mental challenges, and the unexpected loss of motivation that can come with it. We talk about what actually works now, and what needs to change. In this episode, we explore:
One of the biggest takeaways: You don’t need to follow your plan perfectly. You need to learn how to adjust based on what your body is telling you. If you want support navigating this stage of life: Join my free community → #womenwhomove Download my free guide → Fueling for Hormones & Metabolic Health Reminder: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Connect with Phaedra: Instagram: @coach.p.k Website: www.pkperformancecoaching.com Subscribe, rate, and review to help more women understand what’s actually possible. | |||
| 5. From 46 years of running to competing at 70 with Clara Northcott | 23 Apr 2026 | 00:43:03 | |
She’s been running for 46 years. And she’s still competing in her 70s. There’s something powerful about seeing what long-term commitment actually looks like. In this episode, I sit down with Clara Northcott - a masters athlete who continues to train, compete, and push herself in her 70s. This summer alone, she’s preparing for three major championships, including the World Masters Athletics Championships. What stood out most in this conversation wasn’t just her performance. It was her consistency, her discipline, and her willingness to keep showing up - year after year. Clara shares what it really takes to stay engaged in your body over decades, how she trains now compared to earlier years, and what continues to drive her forward. This conversation is about more than running. It’s about identity, purpose, and what becomes possible when you stay connected to something that matters to you. In this episode, we explore: • What consistent training looks like after 40+ years in sport • How to build strength, endurance, and resilience over time • The mindset required to keep improving as you age • How to approach injury prevention and listen to your body • Why community and competition matter more than most people realize • What women often underestimate about their long-term capacity One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation: It’s never about doing everything perfectly. It’s about continuing to show up, adjusting when needed, and staying connected to what drives you. If you’re looking for more support around movement, strength, and navigating this stage of life: Join my Free Community #womenwhomove Download my free guide → Fueling for Hormones & Metabolic Health Reminder: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for guidance specific to you. Connect with Clara: Instagram & Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/claranorthcott/ Subscribe, rate, and review to help more women see what’s possible - at any age. | |||
| 17. You are not fragile with Marni Weiner | 16 Jul 2026 | 00:44:59 | |
You are not fragile. You are capable of becoming stronger, more confident, and more resilient at any age. In this episode of Unstoppable at Any Age, I sit down with fitness instructor Marni Weiner to talk about strength, movement, healthy aging, and what becomes possible when we stop placing limits on ourselves. Marni’s relationship with fitness began in her 20s after she developed severe back pain. Her doctor told her that unless she strengthened her back and core, she would likely continue living in pain. Within days, she joined a gym. Strength training and yoga helped Marni move out of pain, but they also changed the way she thought about exercise. Movement was no longer something she did simply to stay in shape or change how she looked. It became something she intended to do for life. Today, at 58, Marni teaches challenging strength, yoga, and Pilates classes while encouraging everyone in the room to work with their own body, respect their limitations, and remain open to discovering what they are capable of. What I love most about this conversation is that it isn’t simply about exercise. It’s about refusing to see yourself as fragile. It’s about returning after injuries, questioning the beliefs that keep you small, and treating your strength as something worth protecting for the rest of your life. In this episode, we discuss:
One moment that really stayed with me was Marni’s story about breaking her wrist. While she was being assessed, someone described her as “fragile.” That word immediately bothered her. When women begin believing they are fragile, they may stop lifting, challenging themselves, and doing the very things that help protect their muscles, bones, balance, and independence. Marni’s message is the opposite. You can respect your body without underestimating it. You can modify without giving up. You can experience an injury without making it your identity. And you can always begin where you are. When I asked Marni what being Unstoppable at any Age means to her, she said: “No matter how many times you fall down, you get back up. No matter how many times you fail, you don’t stop trying. No matter how many times you think you can’t, you can choose that you can.” Whether you’re returning to movement after an injury, picking up weights for the first time, or simply trying to feel stronger in your everyday life, it is not too late. Start with the walk. Make the phone call. Join the class. Give yourself one repetition. The hardest step may be the first one, but once you take it, you’re already on your way. Ready to keep moving? 💜 Join my free community, #WomenWhoMovehttps://drshawnadarou.com/start-here 📖 Download my free guide, Fueling for Hormones & Metabolic Healthhttps://drshawnadarou.com/fueling-for-health 💪 Learn more about Metabolic Masteryhttps://drshawnadarou.com/metabolic-mastery Reminder: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Subscribe, rate, and review to help more women discover what is possible as they age. | |||
| 16. You don’t have to be fast to belong with Lynn Bourque | 09 Jul 2026 | 00:57:22 | |
You don't have to be fast to belong. You don't need a background in sports. You don't even need to call yourself a runner. In this episode of Unstoppable at Any Age, I sit down with Lynn Bourque, owner of Toronto's iconic The Runner's Shop, marathon runner, run leader, and someone who has spent more than 25 years helping people discover what running can add to their lives. Lynn didn't grow up as an athlete. She started running in her 30s because she wanted to lose weight before getting pregnant. One run around the block turned into a lifetime of friendships, six World Marathon Majors, and eventually owning Canada's oldest independent running store. What I love most about this conversation is that it isn't really about running. It's about community. Confidence. Learning to see yourself as an athlete, no matter your pace. • How Lynn went from beginner runner to completing all six World Marathon Majors • Why consistency matters more than speed • The biggest mistakes new runners make • Why community keeps women running for decades • How to start running if you've never considered yourself "a runner" • Why proper shoes, fueling, and hydration matter • The power of age-group racing and age-graded scoring • Why women often underestimate what they deserve as athletes • How running builds confidence far beyond fitness • Why movement becomes even more meaningful as we age One of my favourite moments came near the end of our conversation when Lynn said: "I have a right to be here. The stop signs are fake news." I absolutely love that. Whether you're starting at 35, returning at 55, or still running in your 70s, you belong here. 💜 Join my free community, #WomenWhoMove https://drshawnadarou.com/start-here 📖 Download my free guide, Fueling for Hormones & Metabolic Health https://drshawnadarou.com/fueling-for-health 💪 Learn more about Metabolic Mastery https://drshawnadarou.com/metabolic-mastery Visit The Runners Shop - https://www.therunnersshop.com/ Reminder: This podcast is for education only and should never replace personalized medical advice. Subscribe, rate, and review to help more women discover what's possible as they age. In this episode, we discuss:Ready to keep moving? | |||
| 15. When your life no longer fits with Alison Taylor | 02 Jul 2026 | 00:36:50 | |
Perimenopause changes more than your hormones. For many women, it changes how they see their work, relationships, priorities, and themselves. In this episode, I sit down with health and nutrition coach Alison Taylor to talk about the physical and emotional reality of moving through perimenopause and menopause. Alison shares her own experience navigating mood changes, disrupted sleep, metabolic changes, and the feeling that the life she'd built no longer fit. That realization led to a series of changes over several years - from leaving the city, changing careers, becoming a health coach, and creating a life that aligned much more closely with what she truly needed. We also talk about something I believe deserves much more attention. Perimenopause isn't simply a hormone transition. It's often a life transition. • Why perimenopause looks different for every woman • The symptoms that caught Alison by surprise • Why lifestyle should be the foundation of menopause care • Exercise, metabolic health, nervous system regulation, and hormones • The emotional changes that often accompany perimenopause • Learning to listen when your body tells you something isn't working • Career changes, moving, and creating a life that feels aligned • Why women often reinvent themselves during midlife • The importance of having someone to talk to through menopause • Why movement, nutrition, and protein matter more than ever One of my favourite moments from this conversation was when Alison said: "Stay open to reinventing yourself." Sometimes your body isn't breaking down. Sometimes it's asking you to build something different. Join my free community → #womenwhomove Learn more about Metabolic Mastery here. Lean more about Alison here: Website: alisontaylorwellness.com, Instagram: @alisontwellness Reminder: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Subscribe, rate, and review to help more women realize they aren't alone. In this episode, we discuss:If you'd like more support navigating perimenopause and menopause: | |||
| 14. Aging is a privilege with Shannon Wilson | 25 Jun 2026 | 00:52:36 | |
What if aging isn't something to fear? What if it's a privilege? In this episode, I sit down with Shannon Wilson, a palliative care nurse, marathon runner, Ironman athlete, mother of five, grandmother of three, and one of the most inspiring women I've met through the endurance sports community. Shannon has completed 26 marathons and is currently training for her 10th Ironman. What makes this conversation so powerful isn't just her athletic accomplishments. It's the perspective she has gained through decades of caring for people at the end of life. Every day, Shannon works with people who thought they had more time. That experience has shaped how she thinks about movement, aging, health, and what it means to truly live. This conversation is about setting meaningful goals, staying active through every stage of life, and refusing to let age define what is possible. • How Shannon completed 26 marathons and 9 Ironmans - and why she's training for number 10 • The teacher who inspired her dream of becoming an Ironman athlete • Why having something to train for creates purpose and structure • How menopause has changed her recovery, training, and sleep • The role strength training plays in staying healthy and injury-free • Balancing training, family, work, aging parents, children, and grandchildren • Lessons learned from working in palliative care • Why aging is a privilege, not a guarantee • The importance of movement for longevity and quality of life • Why "don't stop moving" has become her philosophy One of my favourite moments from this conversation was when Shannon said: "Aging is a privilege. It's not guaranteed." That perspective changes everything. Join my free community → #womenwhomove Download my free guide → Fueling for Hormones & Metabolic Health . Reminder: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Subscribe, rate, and review to help more women rethink what's possible as they age. In this episode, we discuss:Want more support? | |||
| 13. What happens when you finally choose yourself with Cath Cowan | 18 Jun 2026 | 00:51:47 | |
There comes a point when the life that worked for years... stops working. Not because you've failed. Not because something is wrong with you. But because you've changed. In this episode, I sit down with leadership transformation coach Catherine Cowan for a conversation about one of the most common experiences I see in women during midlife. The feeling that something no longer fits. Your career. Your relationships. The expectations you've carried for years. The version of yourself you've been trying to maintain. For many women, this happens during perimenopause and menopause. There's a growing awareness that you've spent years caring for everyone else, performing, achieving, and meeting expectations - while losing touch with your own needs in the process. This conversation explores what happens when you start listening to yourself again. • Why so many women experience major life changes in midlife• The connection between perimenopause and self-discovery• Releasing people-pleasing, perfectionism, and over-performing• Learning to trust your intuition again• Why exhaustion can become a powerful teacher• How to reconnect with your own needs and desires• The role of compassion and curiosity during times of change• Why asking for support is a strength, not a weakness• Practical journaling prompts for building self-awareness and clarity• How to navigate transitions with more confidence and self-trust One of my favourite moments from this conversation was when Katherine said: "Your intuition never goes away. What disappears is the mechanism for listening." I think every woman needs to hear that. Here are the journal prompts from this episode:
Join my free community → #womenwhomove https://drshawnadarou.com/start-here Download my free guide → Fueling for Hormones & Metabolic Health https://drshawnadarou.com/fueling-for-health Follow Catherine Cowan online: https://www.instagram.com/catherinecowan_/ Reminder: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Subscribe, rate, and review to help more women realize they are not alone. In this episode, we discuss:Journaling Prompts from CatherineWant more support? | |||
| 12. Too old at 30. olympian at 52 - with Claudia Riegler | 11 Jun 2026 | 00:41:53 | |
What happens when someone tells you you're too old at 30? For Claudia Riegler, that moment could have ended her athletic career. Instead, it became the beginning of one of the most remarkable stories in sport. In this episode, I sit down with Austrian Olympic snowboarder Claudia Riegler, who recently competed in her fifth Olympic Games at age 52. She was also the oldest female athlete competing at the Games. What makes Claudia's story so powerful isn't just her longevity in elite sport. It's the mindset behind it. At 30 years old, she was told she was too old and was removed from her national team. Twenty-two years later, she was still competing against the best athletes in the world. This conversation is about resilience, belief, intuition, and learning how to trust yourself when the world tells you to stop. • What it takes to qualify for five Olympic Games• Being the oldest female athlete at the Olympics• The mindset that helped Claudia continue after being told she was "too old" at 30• How visualization helped her become World Champion at 41• Why listening to your body becomes more important with age• The role of intuition in decision-making and performance• How coaches can either limit or expand what's possible• The connection between thoughts, emotions, and physical performance• Why age-related beliefs are often more limiting than aging itself• How to keep pursuing big goals when others don't understand them One of my favourite moments from this conversation was when Claudia said: "Everything is possible at any time." That belief has carried her through five Olympic Games, a World Championship title, multiple setbacks, injuries, and decades of elite competition. It's a message every woman needs to hear. Join my free community → #womenwhomove Download my free guide → Fueling for Hormones & Metabolic Health Reminder: Nothing in this podcast is a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your own healthcare provider. Subscribe, rate, and review to help more women rethink what's possible in midlife and beyond. | |||
| 11. The fastest woman in the world at 71 with Wendy Alexis | 04 Jun 2026 | 00:50:30 | |
What if aging isn’t about slowing down — but continuing to build strength, purpose, and possibility? In this episode, I sit down with masters sprinter Wendy Alexis, who recently became the fastest woman in the world in the 70–74 age category in the 60m sprint. At 71 years old, Wendy is still training, lifting, sprinting, competing internationally, and chasing new goals. What makes this conversation so powerful isn’t just the world record. It’s the way she talks about movement, community, aging, and what happens when women stop limiting themselves based on age. Wendy didn’t return to the track until age 50. She started with one race. One practice. One decision to try. And that decision completely changed the course of her life. In this episode, we explore: • Why Wendy returned to sprinting at age 50• What it felt like to become the fastest woman in the world in her age category • The role coaching, community, and support play in performance • Why masters sports are accessible to everyone — not just elite athletes • How movement changes physical and mental health as we age• The joy and freedom of sprinting • Why women continue getting stronger, faster, and more capable later in life • The importance of setting meaningful goals at every age • How sport creates friendship, purpose, and confidence in midlife and beyond. One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation: You are never “too old” to begin. Sometimes one decision changes everything. If you’re looking for support around movement, healthy aging, and community: Join my free community → #womenwhomove Download my free guide → Fueling for Hormones & Metabolic Health. Reminder: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Subscribe, rate, and review to help more women rethink what’s possible as they age. | |||
| 10. Why women get faster after 50 with Paula Wiltse | 28 May 2026 | 00:31:18 | |
What if your best performances aren’t behind you? In this episode, I sit down with masters runner and coach Paula Wiltse to talk about training, recovery, speed, and what’s actually possible for women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond. I first learned about Paula when I was training for my first Boston Marathon. At the time, she was the Canadian marathon record holder in her age category after running a 2:58 marathon at 50 - and she had also run her fastest marathon at 46. That completely changed what I believed was possible. This conversation explores what masters training actually looks like, how it changes with age, and why women can continue improving long after they’ve been told they should slow down. In this episode, we explore: • Why speed work matters even more as we age• The role of strength training in injury prevention and performance• How recovery changes after 50• Why comparing yourself to other runners can hold you back• The impact of perimenopause and menopause on training• How HRT helped Paula with joint pain and recovery• Why women need individualized training approaches• The importance of continuing to set big goals One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation: Your body changes with age. That doesn’t mean your potential disappears. If you’re looking for support around movement, hormones, and healthy aging: Join my free community → #womenwhomove (https://drshawnadarou.com/start-here) Download my free guide → Fueling for Hormones & Metabolic Health (https://drshawnadarou.com/fueling-for-health) Reminder:This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Connect with Paula: Instagram: @wiltsepaula Website: www.unfinishedmiles.com Subscribe, rate, and review to help more women rethink what’s possible in midlife and beyond. | |||