(#42) Midlife Marriage: Bloopers, Big Love, and Keeping It Real - with Papi

Hoops & Glossers,

It’s our anniversary pod! 🎉 Papi’s back—and yes, his microphone decided to go on sabbatical. Consider this your official disclaimer: I did not turn him down on purpose (tempting, but no). You can still hear him—and he is witty, even when he’s whispery.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The truth about “24 long years” (said with love… and eye rolls).

• Why marriage is more blooper reel than montage—and why that’s normal.

• Raising kids → living parallel lives → finding our way back (hi therapy, we love you).

• Grief & real life: losing our sweet Roxy and helping Toby (our golden) through it.

• Big goals in midlife: Melis’ first bodybuilding competition (Mexico, Dec 6) and what that’s really been like for both of us.

• Recreating “us” in the empty-nest era: new roles, new rhythms, and saying yes to walks (Papi… put the phone down 😜).

Real Talk Takeaways

• Marriage is work—not punishment. It’s reps. Some days feel heavy; some feel hilarious.

• Therapy helps. Shoutout to Rupa for keeping it neutral and helping us actually listen.

• Midlife reinvention is for both partners. Women and men lose and rebuild roles; make space for each other’s “what now?”

Community Qs (tell us in reviews/IG!)

1. Puppy poll: Should Toby get a sister or a brother golden?

2. Mic magic: Best budget-friendly couple-podcast mic recs? (Because… yeah.)

3. Empty-nest rituals: What weekly “we” ritual brought you back together?

Melis’ Reset Offer

Feeling blah at 2pm? Want simple food + movement tweaks that actually fit real life? DM me “RESET”—I’m taking new clients and would love to help you feel your best.

Quick Disclaimer

Papi’s mic dips in and out (happy anniversary to us 🎧). Stick with it—his quiet one-liners still land.

Share the Love

If this episode made you feel seen (or made you snort-laugh), share it with your person or your bestie who’s in the thick of it. Rate & review so more midlife humans find our unfiltered corner of the internet.

xoxo

melis