Asking for a Friend - Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife
Are you ready to make the most of your midlife years but feel like your health isn't quite where it should be? Maybe menopause has been tough on you, and you're not sure how to get back on track with your fitness, nutrition, and overall well-being. Asking for a Friend is the podcast where midlife women get the answers they need to take control of their health and happiness. We bring in experts to answer your burning questions on fitness, wellness, and mental well-being, and share stories of women just like you who are stepping up to make this chapter of life their best yet. Hosted by Michele Folan, a health industry veteran with 26 years of experience, coach, mom, wife, and lifelong learner, Asking for a Friend is all about empowering you to feel your best—physically and mentally. It's time to think about the next 20+ years of your life: what do you want them to look like, and what steps can you take today to make that vision a reality? Tune in for honest conversations, expert advice, and plenty of humor as we navigate midlife together. Because this chapter? It's ours to own, and we’re not going quietly into it! Michele Folan is a certified nutrition coach with the FASTer Way program. If you would like to work with her to help you reach your health and fitness goals, sign up here: https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/?aid=MicheleFolan If you have questions about her coaching program, you can email her at mfolanfasterway@gmail.com This podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.
Episodes
This episode is sponsored by Better Help - https://betterhelp.com/askingforafriend
Your Skin's Glowing, But What About Down There? Let’s Talk.
We obsess over skincare, fitness, and aging gracefully—but when it comes to vaginal health? Total silence. Meanwhile, millions of women in perimenopause and beyond are battling dryness, painful sex, recurring UTIs, and feeling like no one warned them. It's time we change that.
In this...
Think you know how to walk? Think again.
In this episode of Asking for a Friend, I’m joined by international health expert Joanna Hall, founder of the WalkActive Method. Joanna reveals how improving your walking technique can dramatically boost posture, joint health, hormone balance, and even cognitive function—all especially important in midlife.
With 30+ years in sports science, Joanna explains how most of us are walking inefficien...
What if that evening glass of wine isn’t helping you relax—but actually holding you back?
In this honest and eye-opening episode, I sit down with Heather Lowe, founder of Ditch the Drink, to talk about her personal journey of quitting alcohol at age 42 after nearly three decades of what most would call “normal” drinking. From beer tents in Wisconsin to corporate happy hours and suburban wine nights, Heather’s relationship with alcoh...
Think Your Best Years Are Behind You? Think Again.
If you're in midlife and wondering why your body suddenly feels like it's working against you—fatigue, stubborn weight, poor sleep—you are so not alone. But here’s the truth: it doesn’t have to be this way.
In this episode, I sit down with Karen Karlsen, Faster Way coach and pro-aging advocate, who transformed her health after a shocking prediabetes diagnosis in her 50s. No...
When the Nest Empties, What’s Next?
The silence can be overwhelming when a once-busy home suddenly feels too quiet. If you’ve ever wondered, Who am I now? Where do I fit in my child’s life—and in my own?
Allie Hill, author of The Girlfriend's Guide to Empty Nesting, knows this transition firsthand. When her daughter left for college, she felt like she took her heart and purpose with her. In this funny, heartfelt and honest conv...
Tired of staring at the ceiling at 3 AM, running on empty, and feeling like a zombie by mid-afternoon? You’re not alone—midlife sleep struggles are real, but they don’t have to be your norm.
In this must-listen episode, I sit down with certified holistic sleep coach Morgan Adams to uncover why sleep gets harder in midlife—and more importantly, what you can actually do about it. We go beyond the usual “sleep hygiene” tips and dive in...
The Missing Piece in Your Midlife Health: Why Your Liver Matters
You’re doing all the right things—eating well, moving, prioritizing sleep—but if your liver isn’t functioning optimally, your metabolism, hormones, and energy levels may still be working against you.
Your liver is a powerhouse, detoxifying your body, balancing hormones, and supporting fat metabolism. Yet, 30-40% of adults—especially midlife women—struggle with fatty liv...
That evening glass of wine used to be such a simple pleasure. Now it comes with unwanted side effects—disrupted sleep at 3 am, morning brain fog, and inflammation showing up as puffiness or worse. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone in questioning your relationship with alcohol in midlife.
Leigh's journey with alcohol follows a path many women recognize. Growing up in a home where drinking was taboo, she di...
Hello there, ladies! It's Michele here, your 60-something guide to health after the big 5-0. In today's episode, we're having a good old chat about taking care of ourselves in these golden years.
Listen, I know what you're going through. Those hormones playing musical chairs, feeling like your muscles are on vacation, and all those "experts" telling you what to do—it's enough to make your head spin...
Join me for an inspiring conversation with Kristine Gardner, a wellness expert who’s made it her mission to help women create fulfilling, balanced lives. Kristine takes us on her remarkable journey from discovering wellness in her 20s to becoming a personal trainer, earning a master’s in counseling, and leading a successful sales team—all while navigating the challenges of motherhood, a 20-year marriage, and even the joy of becomin...
What happens when a seasoned career takes an unexpected turn in the middle of a global pandemic? I found myself facing that very question, jobless and searching for purpose. Join me as we unpack midlife career journeys with career expert Julie Bauke, who brings over 25 years of experience to the table. Together, we explore the challenges and opportunities for women over 50 in a rapidly evolving workforce that now includes Gen Z. Ju...
Is there a way to tackle PTSD and depression beyond the confines of traditional treatment? What if you are seeking a stronger connectedness and spiritual growth in your life? Join us as we sit down with Neil Markey, the co-founder and CEO of Beckley Retreats, who shares his personal journey from a small town in Maryland to the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan. Neil opens up about his struggles with mental health and how a profo...
Are Midlife Aches and Pains More Than Just Aging? Discover the Role of Fascia in Your Health
Ladies, are you tired of feeling like your body is constantly fighting against you as you navigate midlife? It might not just be aging—your fascia could be the key. Join me as I sit down with Anna Rahe, a fascia-based movement coach whose inspiring journey from chronic pain to healing will shift how you see your body. As a former dancer and ...
Are you navigating the ups and downs of midlife, dealing with unexplained symptoms, hormonal changes, or feeling dismissed by traditional medicine? This podcast episode is your essential guide to understanding and overcoming midlife health struggles. Join naturopath Joanne Kennedy as she shares empowering insights into menopause, gut health, and personalized wellness strategies tailored specifically for women in their 40s and beyon...
Are you carrying emotional baggage that's weighing you down? This game-changing episode reveals why forgiveness might be the self-care revolution you never knew you needed. Meet Dara McKinley, a spiritual teacher and psychology expert who discovered the transformative power of forgiveness through her own unexpected crisis.
Despite years of professional expertise, Dara found herself stuck – until a breakthrough moment changed ev...
Ready to thrive in your 50s and beyond? Tune into this episode for a fun and inspiring conversation with culinary wellness coach Kristen Coffield. Kristen is here to share her powerful journey and expert tips on building lasting health habits as you embrace midlife. From a family-owned gift shop to becoming a sought-after wellness advocate, Kristen’s transformation is a testament to what’s possible when we take control of our healt...
What if unlocking the secrets of your own DNA could revolutionize your approach to health and wellness? Join us as we venture into the world of genetic-based health insights with Elwin Robinson, founder of Genetic Insights. Elwin shares his compelling journey into genetic testing, propelled by personal health struggles that traditional and alternative medicine couldn't resolve. Raised in a family where both conventional and al...
It's me speaking with you this week offering my perspective on midlife health, focusing on building long-term vitality through strength training, mindful eating, and sustainable lifestyle changes. It's time to ditch the quick-fix mentality and embrace lasting results. Together, we'll explore the importance of being mindful about sugar consumption, the crucial role that muscle plays in metabolism, and the often-overlo...
Are you looking for a natural, personalized approach to health and wellness that truly resonates with your unique needs? In this episode, we dive into the world of homeopathy with Pam Klein, an experienced homeopathic practitioner whose journey from special education and art to holistic healing is as inspiring as it is enlightening. Pam’s compassionate, patient-centered approach blends creativity and care, offering fresh insights i...
If you're a woman over 50, you likely find yourself facing the emotional and logistical challenges of caring for aging family members. Our guest, April Ibarra, a social gerontologist and my Faster Way client, is here to share her wisdom and guide you through this crucial journey. From teaching exercise classes in nursing homes to helping companies with health and wellness, April's path led her to her true passion—elder ca...