Welcome to Wonder in the Weeds, the show where we talk about how we are living, thriving, and surviving in a world full of constant change, challenge, and grief, and learning how to live and love right in the middle of it all.

Today, the weeds are feeling pretty heavy. We are talking about the sheer exhaustion of just being a woman in the world today. I am raising two daughters, navigating a huge time of transition in my fifties, and watching the news with a completely new set of feminist lenses.

In this episode, I share a story from my high school days about an after-prom party that completely changed my perspective on how women are treated. A male teacher shamed me for a choice my boyfriend made, and looking back, it was a glaring symbol of a lesson I carried for decades: women are expected to make the right choices for men, accommodate their feelings, and take the fall when things go wrong.

But here is where the wonder comes in. I am watching my girls navigate the world, and they take so much less nonsense than I did at their age. They show up authentically, without making themselves small or trying to be "palatable" to fit into a room. Inspired by them, I am unlearning my own conditioning. I am finding incredible joy and power in women-only spaces, from learning golf and pickleball with other women to cheering at sports bars dedicated entirely to female athletes.

There is so much strength when we do things together, and we have every right to take up space.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why your fifties can feel like a total do-over of your teenage years.
• The high school story that opened my eyes to the double standards women face.
• How we are subtly conditioned to make our lives "easier" by accommodating men.
• The "boiling frog" effect of noticing the slow loss of our rights.
• How finding female-only community spaces in sports is bringing me hope and energy to keep fighting the good fight.

Take care of yourselves out there, keep looking for the wonder in the weeds, and I will see you next time!

Are you prepared for the quiet that comes when your kids finally move out? In this episode of the Wonder and the Weeds show, I am opening up about the very real, often unspoken struggles of becoming an empty nester.

It is not just about missing your kids; it is about figuring out your own identity when your day-to-day role as a manager of their schedules disappears.

I am sharing my recent experiences of having my adult kids back home for spring break. I also talk about a frantic gym incident that highlighted my rusty multitasking skills , and the lingering question I keep asking myself: "What is even the point of me now?".

Tune in to hear my thoughts on:

The unexpected grief and loneliness of the empty nest.Why taking care of myself and having fun no longer feels selfish.

Picking up new sports like golf and pickleball to get off social media and connect in real life.

The absolute joy of women's sports and taking my daughters to a packed NCAA basketball tournament.

How your 50s can be a time to meet your 16-year-old self again, but this time with actual love and grace.

Join Our Community: Women of WonderIf you are experiencing serious symptoms and your doctor is not listening, it is time to find a new provider. You know your body better than anyone else.

Join our community for a safe place to return to yourself.

I WANT TO BE A WOMAN OF WONDER:https://thewonder.life/wow/

In this second part of my story, I share the physical and mental hurdles I faced after my hysterectomy. For years, I carried a literal weight around my neck that caused chronic pain in my neck, back, and shoulders. I used to believe that a breast reduction was just about vanity or that I lacked the financial resources for it, but I eventually realized it was about my ability to live my life.

My path to healing was not simple. My surgery was paused when my bloodwork showed an A1C of 6.7, placing me in the pre-diabetic category. As a former health coach, I struggled with the internal stigma of using medications like GLP-1s because it felt like "cheating".

However, balancing my body chemistry through Metformin and Tirzepatide finally silenced the "food noise" that had dominated my internal monologue for decades.I also examine the missing pieces of the menopause puzzle, including the progesterone supplement my doctor jokingly called "I hate my husband medicine".

This episode is about the relief that comes when you find providers who affirm your complaints and help you return to being your whole self.

Video Chapters:

01:00:00 A personal trainer's suggestion: Considering breast reduction 01:02:34 The A1C shock: Why my surgery was postponed

01:04:30 Finding a menopause specialist who truly listens 01:06:14 "Is this cheating?": My struggle with the GLP-1 stigma

01:12:10 10 Pounds Lighter: The reality of my surgery results 01:13:42 The day the food noise finally went silent

01:21:49 Switching medications: My experience with Zepbound

01:31:52 "You're Not Crazy": The power of medical validation

Join Our Community: Women of WonderIf you are experiencing serious symptoms and your doctor is not listening, it is time to find a new provider. You know your body better than anyone else. Join our community for a safe place to return to yourself.

I WANT TO BE A WOMAN OF WONDER:

https://thewonder.life/wow/Keywords:

Women's Health, Breast Reduction Surgery, A1C Levels, GLP-1 Medications, Food Noise, Menopause, Hormone Replacement Therapy, Progesterone, Metformin, Medical Advocacy, Health Coach.