112. Encore Episode: Hormones 101 – Understanding Perimenopause with Monique Willingham
Big News: Our Midlife Concierge Program Is Launching!Hi ladies, it’s Dr. Sarah here with something incredibly exciting I’ve been waiting to share. Monique, our amazing nurse practitioner, and I are launching a brand-new Concierge Membership Program exclusively for women in midlife right here in Maryland!This high-touch, deeply personalized program is designed to support you through every phase of perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. We’re combining the best of functional medicine, Chinese medicine, lifestyle coaching, and bioidentical hormone therapy—plus weekly coaching calls and advanced lab testing—to give you the care and attention you truly deserve.To celebrate the launch of our concierge membership program, I’m doing a special fan-favorite replay! We're bringing back Monique’s wildly popular episode, Hormones 101. Whether you missed it the first time or want a refresher, it’s the perfect companion to this exciting announcement.👉 Interested in becoming a founding member? Email us at [email protected] to learn more or reserve your spot. (Maryland residents only!)We can't wait to support your midlife journey in a whole new way —and I hope you enjoy this encore episode! Did you know you can start experiencing perimenopausal symptoms as early as your mid-thirties? Many women feel confused and alone during perimenopause because the world totally fails to prepare them for it. If you relate to that, you’re in good hands because my guest, Monique Willingham, and I are passionate about helping women understand what’s happening in their bodies during this time. This episode of Midlife Rise + Thrive will help you understand your hormones and empower you to reclaim your health. Welcome to the Hormones 101 class you never got. Monique is a Nurse Practitioner who has been practicing in oncology for over 15 years and uses a holistic approach to help patients reduce inflammation and improve energy and mental clarity. In this episode:The basic roles of your hormones Why your symptoms might feel inconsistent How to make your hormones happy Resources Mentioned:Visit Monique’s Website: www.remedygreenwellness.com Learn About the Midlife Concierge Program: [email protected] Connect with me, Dr. Sara Poldmae:Website: https://risingwomanproject.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarapoldmaeHave a question I can answer? Send me a message! I love to hear from my listeners!
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111. The Power of Yin: Slowing Down to Wake Up in Midlife
Is your mind constantly racing, your body feeling depleted—and you’re wondering if you’ll ever feel grounded again? If so, this episode is your gentle nudge to slow down and reconnect. Midlife is often a whirlwind of change, and sometimes, what we need most is to simply pause.Today, I’m joined by my friend and fellow yoga teacher, Alicia Sweeney, for a heartfelt conversation about the transformative power of yoga in midlife—especially the deeply nourishing practice of Yin Yoga. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or a curious beginner, you’ll walk away with a new appreciation for how yoga can become your anchor through change. In this episode:Why midlife is the perfect time to return to—or begin—a yoga practiceThe emotional and spiritual benefits of slowing down through Yin YogaHow yoga teacher training can transform your life (even if you never teach!)The power of consistency over intensity in movement and lifeHow Yin Yoga supports your nervous system and emotional releaseLetting go of friendships that no longer align—and finding connection through communityWhy authenticity is the highest vibration you can live in Resources Mentioned:Book: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der KolkBook: Atomic Habits by James ClearBlue Lotus Yoga Studio (Annapolis): https://www.bluelotusannapolis.com/ 2026 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Info: https://www.bluelotusannapolis.com/200-hour-ytt50-hour Yin Yoga Teacher Training (Fall 2025, for RYTs): https://www.bluelotusannapolis.com/yin-yoga-trainingYoga Festival – Alicia in Maine July 25-27 (with 10% discount code: ASWEENEY25): https://www.maineyogafest.com/festivalYoga Festival – Sara in Asheville July 24-27 (with 10% discount code: spoldmae2025): https://www.loveshineplay.comAlicia Sweeney’s Website: www.yogalicias.comFollow Alicia on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yogalicias and IG: https://www.instagram.com/yogalicias Connect with me, Dr. Sara Poldmae:Website: https://risingwomanproject.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarapoldmaeHave a question I can answer? Send me a message! I love to hear from my listeners!
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110. Attachment Styles ~ with yourself!
Are your relationships leaving you feeling like a turtle—or a honey badger?If you’ve ever found yourself second-guessing your instincts in love, friendships, or even with your kids, this episode is for you. We’re exploring how attachment styles don’t just show up in your relationships with others—but in your relationship with yourself. And learning to feel secure with you can change everything.In this heartfelt and insightful conversation, I’m joined by Amanda Fuenzalida, an attachment therapist and coach I met during our Panama retreat. She brings a playful but powerful perspective to understanding emotional patterns through “animal-style” attachment metaphors that make the science click. You’ll come away with a deeper sense of why you might respond the way you do—and how to start building true inner safety. In this episode:Why your attachment style isn’t fixed—and how it changes in midlifeWhat it means to have an attachment style with yourselfThe animal metaphors that help you spot your emotional patterns (koala, turtle, honey badger, dragon!)How childhood messaging shaped your ability to trust your gutWhy self-trust is key in navigating dating, divorce, and relationships in midlifeHow to spot old wounds when they’re triggered in current relationshipsFirst steps to healing: learning to hear and honor your own voice Resources Mentioned:Website: https://www.attachmentlabs.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/attachmentlabs Connect with me, Dr. Sara Poldmae:Website: https://risingwomanproject.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarapoldmaeHave a question I can answer? Send me a message! I love to hear from my listeners!
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109. Breaking Free from Birth Control and Online Quick Fixes in Menopause
Is Online Menopause Care Really Helping You? The Hidden Risks You Need to Know Are you feeling dismissed, rushed, or just plain confused by the options for menopause care? You’re not alone—and you’re not crazy. In this episode, I’m diving into a growing trend that’s both promising and problematic: online telehealth services offering hormone therapy and quick-fix prescriptions.If you've ever felt tempted to click "buy" on a hormone treatment without a proper medical evaluation, this conversation is for you. I’m breaking down why this new wave of care might be missing the mark—and what true, holistic midlife care should actually look like.In this episode:Why fast online hormone prescriptions may be doing more harm than goodThe problem with “one-size-fits-all” menopause solutionsReal risks of taking medications without lab work or proper medical guidanceThe missing piece in online care: lifestyle medicine as your superpowerWhat comprehensive midlife healthcare really looks likeWhy menopause deserves more than a Band-Aid—and so do youThe power of seeing this life phase as a creative, vibrant transitionResources Mentioned: FREE RESOURCE: Download “Exhausted to Empowered” — your guide to lifestyle shifts that support your health in midlifeConnect with me, Dr. Sara Poldmae:Website: https://risingwomanproject.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarapoldmaeHave a question I can answer? Send me a message! I love to hear from my listeners!
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108. From Age-Inappropriate Men to Caring for Aging Parents—The Surprising Parts of Midlife
Have you ever looked around your life in midlife and thought… “Wait, I did what?!”Whether it’s bold sexual escapades with a 23-year-old, becoming a Mahjong teacher, or finally setting boundaries with that one bossy sibling, this episode is all about the unexpected (and often hilarious or profound) ways women are surprising themselves in midlife.In this soul-stirring, laugh-out-loud solo episode, I’m sharing real stories from women in our community who answered one question: What have you done in midlife that surprised you? Their answers are raw, raunchy, tender, and deeply inspiring—and they just might shift your perspective on what this chapter of life can truly hold. In this episode:From beach abs to badass boundaries: real answers from real womenWhy giving up alcohol in midlife can be radically liberatingThe quiet strength found in grief—and how one woman honored hersHow international solo travel becomes a rite of passage for many midlife womenUnexpected career pivots, from surfing in Panama to launching a business after divorceThe emotional sandwich of caring for aging parents and reconnecting with siblingsWhat it really means to live unapologetically in this bold season of life Resources Mentioned:FREE RESOURCE: Download “From Exhausted to Empowered” – your guide to feeling better in your body and spirit in midlife: RisingWomanProject.com Connect with me, Dr. Sara Poldmae:Website: https://risingwomanproject.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarapoldmaeHave a question I can answer? Send me a message! I love to hear from my listeners!
About Menopause Rise and Thrive | Helping Women Navigate Midlife and Menopause
Welcome to Menopause Rise and Thrive! I’m Dr. Sara Poldmae, and this podcast is for women navigating perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause—women who are ready to embrace this stage of life with confidence and create a future that feels authentic and fulfilling.Every week, I’ll walk you through the ups and downs of midlife, sharing helpful tips, real-world advice, and a space where you can feel heard and supported. Whether you’re dealing with hot flashes, weight changes, mood swings, sleep disruptions, or brain fog—or simply trying to make sense of the emotional shifts that come with menopause—you’re not alone.Together, we’ll cut through the noise of misinformation and explore real, effective strategies for managing menopause symptoms, emotional well-being, and relationship dynamics. Menopause Rise and Thrive is about more than just symptom management—it’s about stepping into your strength, prioritizing your well-being, and finding renewed purpose in this chapter of life.More than anything, this podcast is about community—a place where women like you can connect, share experiences, and support one another. Together, we’ll challenge outdated myths about aging, celebrate our resilience, and approach midlife with clarity, strength, and empowerment.Offering a unique blend of insights from my experience as a Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Chinese herbalist, acupuncturist, yogi, functional medicine practitioner, and women’s advocate, I’m here to help you reclaim your health and rediscover your passions. Every episode is designed to provide guidance, reassurance, and practical steps so you can navigate menopause with confidence.
Listen to Menopause Rise and Thrive | Helping Women Navigate Midlife and Menopause, The Rich Roll Podcast and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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