September 4, 2025 • 18 mins
EPISODE 13: F*ck, What I've Learnt So Far! with Dom Hind
-----------------------------
In this special solo episode of F*ck, I'm nearly 50! I’m turning the mic on myself.
After twelve incredible conversations with guests covering everything from hormones and gut health to reinvention, clarity, friendship, and careers, I’ve realised, I’ve learnt a LOT. Things I thought I knew but didn’t. Things I didn’t want to know but needed to. And things that made me stop and go: maybe 50 isn’t the beginning of the end… maybe it’s the start of something amazing.
So this one’s me reflecting, connecting the dots, and sharing the six big themes that keep showing up, plus my own 10-point survival kit for thriving in midlife.
-----------------------------
This episode gets into:
✨ Why being a beginner at nearly 50 is actually a superpower
💪 Owning your health and hormones (and building the right team)
🥗 Gut, skin, and longevity hacks from the experts
🧠 Mindset shifts that simplify life and fuel reinvention
🔥 Courage, careers, and curveballs, how to reset when life throws you one
💞 Why friendships are medicine in midlife
📝 The “try this before you’re 50” challenges my guests left me with, from solo trips to writing letters to your future self.
-----------------------------
This is part reflection, part pep talk, and part practical guide for anyone navigating midlife and wondering: “Is this it?” Spoiler, no, it isn’t.
Hit play, take a note (or ten), and maybe text your bestie: “This is the episode you need to hear — Dom just put it all on the table.” 💥
-----------------------------
🎧 Listen now: https://fckimnearly50.buzzsprout.com
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FckImnearly50
📲 Follow along: https://www.instagram.com/fckimnearlyfifty
Let me know what you'd love to hear about next.
🔥 Let’s keep the conversation going! 🔥
📺 Watch the episodes on YouTube – Subscribe here!
💬 Join the community – Follow me on Instagram @fckimnearlyfifty and share your thoughts on this episode. Or connect with me on LinkedIn.
🎧 Never miss an episode – Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
📢 Spread the word – If you loved this episode, share it with a friend (or 10). Because midlife is better when we figure it out together.
Because f*ck, we’re nearly 50, and isn’t that amazing? 🚀
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Dom Hind (00:00):
Hi, I'm Dom Hind and fuck, I'm nearly 50.
Actually I'm 47 and a half, butwho's counting?
When I launched this podcast, Ithought it'd just be a fun
hobby project, a chance to chatto my friends, give a voice to
the things we usually whisperabout and maybe learn a few
things along the way.
But 12 episodes in, I'verealized I've learned a lot
(00:24):
Things I thought I knew butdidn't, things I didn't want to
know but needed to, and thingsthat made me stop and go, wow,
maybe 50 isn't the beginning ofthe end, maybe it's the start of
something amazing.
So today it's just me, no guest, no interview, just me
reflecting on everything I'veheard so far and how it's
(00:46):
shaping the way I think aboutlife at this stage.
And when I sat down to makesense of it all, I realized that
everything I've learned, allthe advice, the hacks, the
stories, they fall into six bigthemes, six things that keep
coming up no matter who I talkto.
So that's how I'm going toshare it today Six key themes
(01:06):
for thriving as we head towards50.
And maybe that's the biggestsurprise of all, that at nearly
50, I'm still a beginner in somany ways, still curious, still
making so many mistakes, stilllaughing my way through the what
the fuck moments Because, fuck,I'm nearly 50.
And isn't it amazing?
Theme one being a beginner andloving it.
(01:39):
This one is personal becausebefore we get into health and
hormones and big reinventions,the first thing I've learned is
simply the joy of being abeginner.
When I started this podcast, Iknew nothing, and when I say
nothing I mean nothing.
Uploading an episode, new idea,cutting clips forget about it.
(01:59):
Using AI yes, I love it, butnot for doing a podcast, even
Instagram reels I had to learnit all from scratch.
I'll never forget the firsttime I uploaded to Buzzsprout.
I thought it was live, but itwasn't.
I'd missed a step.
So there I was, proudly tellingpeople go listen, when in
reality it didn't even exist.
(02:20):
Or the first reel I made, itliterally ended mid-word.
But here's the thing I loved itbeing a beginner is humbling,
messy and kind of exhilarating.
It keeps you alive.
And then the messages startedcoming in.
Thank you, I needed this.
I sent this to my sister.
Suddenly I realized, even if Imessed up the tech, some people
(02:42):
were listening the lesson don'tbe afraid to start, don't be
afraid to look silly, to lookcrazy, to have fun doing it
because at nearly 50, being abeginner is a gift.
It keeps us curious and brave,and once I embraced being a
beginner with podcasting, itmade me braver about being a
beginner in other parts of mylife, especially with my health.
(03:07):
Number two owning your healthand hormones.
If there's one message I wantevery woman to hear, it's this
own your health.
Shelley Horton put it perfectlyStop soldiering through.
Don't dismiss your symptoms.
Don't let doctors dismiss themeither.
Track your cycles.
Don't let doctors dismiss themeither.
(03:29):
Track your cycles, note yourmoods and advocate yourself.
Her peri-survival kit wassimple but powerful HRT, vaginal
estrogen, testosterone and,beyond the science, her bigger
point was that we deserve better, better healthcare, better
conversations, better support.
Zoe Bingley Pullen backed thatup with nutritional wisdom.
Food isn't just calories, it'schemistry.
(03:49):
Protein and whole foods keepour hormones steady, while sugar
and processed carbs push usinto chaos.
Use colour in your food to keepit interesting and go places
that inspire you Markets, freshfood stores, anywhere that you
can get creative about food.
Zoe gave me three reallypractical hacks.
I still use Protein at everymeal.
(04:11):
Midlife is where our muscle massnaturally starts to decline, so
protein should be our anchor.
Eggs, fish, lentils, beans.
Crowd out the bad, don't justcut.
Instead of obsessing over whatto avoid, load your plate with
whole, nutritious foods first.
Cravings naturally shrink.
(04:31):
Food is mood.
What you eat doesn't justaffect your waistline.
It directly affects your stress, your sleep and your mood.
Eating well is emotionalself-care, and Amelia Phillips
taught me that.
Inflammation is the quietvillain in midlife, the fatigue,
the aches, the can't bebothered feeling.
(04:52):
Often it's inflammation drivingit.
Her hacks were simple Colorful,anti-inflammatory foods, like
the packaged beetroot.
Daily movement and actual rest.
Amelia also gave me a brilliantway to actually make new habits
stick.
Don't go drastic, don'toverhaul everything.
Instead, focus on one thing perterm, just one new habit every
(05:15):
few months, like upping yourprotein or committing to better
sleep.
By the end of the year you'vestacked up four new habits
without overwhelming yourself.
Other gems for Amelia exercisefor energy, not punishment.
Move to feel good, not to earnfood.
Track your energy instead ofjust your weight.
(05:36):
How you feel is a better markerthan the number on the scales.
The lesson here our bodies arenot betraying us.
They're speaking to us and ifwe listen and act now, we set
ourselves up for decades ofvitality.
But health isn't just abouthormones and food.
It's also about guts, skin andhow our bodies carry us into the
(05:59):
future.
Theme three gut, skin andlongevity.
This one blew my mind.
Dr Craig Hafer reminded me thatgut health is the command
center.
It's not just digestion, it'simmunity, mood, even how we age.
His advice was refreshinglysimple Ditch the ultra-processed
stuff, watch preservatives.
(06:20):
If bread lasts weeks, it's nothelping your gut, fiber is your
friend, psyllium husk is hisgo-to every day, minus chia
seeds.
And don't obsess over fancyprobiotics.
Prebiotics and whole foodsmatter more.
And he reminded me thatmovement outdoors literally
(06:41):
changes your microbiome.
A walk in nature is medicineand better for you and your gut.
On the outside, dr Philip Tongreframed skin.
Skin isn't vanity, it's anorgan.
Sbs is a preventative medicine.
Skin checks save lives andbuilding a strong barrier is as
vital as building strong bones.
(07:02):
Together they reminded me thatlongevity isn't just about
living longer, it's about healthspan, living well inside and
out.
And once I started looking athealth more holistically, I
realized it's not just about thebody, it's also about the mind.
So theme four is about mindsetand reinvention.
If there's one thing I'velearned in midlife, it's this
(07:23):
your mindset shapes everything.
Shanna Kennedy hammered homethat tomorrow starts today.
Don't wait, don't drift.
Every yes is a no to somethingelse, so make sure it's worth it
.
She also helped me define myvalues health, family, happiness
, pleasure, adventure and fun.
They're my compass.
Now Every decision I make isbased on these.
(07:44):
One of her tips I loved wasseasonal goals.
Not everything has to be doneat once.
Winter is perfect forhibernating, tackling the admin,
doing the tax, settling thesystems.
Then spring and summer can beabout growth, energy and new
projects, breaking goals intoseasons, making them realistic
and achievable.
Other gems from Shanna Write alife plan, not just career, but
(08:07):
health, family, finances and fun.
Create rituals, small dailyanchors like a morning walk or
journaling, that keep yougrounded.
Lydia Ranieri showed me thatclarity isn't just about adding
more.
It's about subtracting.
Simplify your diary,simplifyplify your commitments,
(08:28):
simplify your thoughts.
And Nigel Marsh, he called it.
Balance is bullshit.
We've been sold this myth thatwe can have everything in neat
slices, but we can't.
We can design a life thatactually works for us instead.
The big shift for me, movingfrom chasing to choosing
(08:49):
Reinvention, isn't one big leap,it's daily, deliberate
decisions.
And talking about reinvention,some of the most powerful
stories came from women braveenough to start completely over.
Theme five courage, reinventionand career shifts.
The stories of reinvention havestayed with me.
Justine Armour, one of mydearest friends, reminded us
(09:11):
that success on paper doesn'tmean fulfillment.
At the top of her industry, shestill chooses authenticity over
titles.
She's learned that growth overtime and changed her leadership
style to be truly authentic toher.
Talitha Cummins showed us thatstarting over at 40 is not only
possible, it can be joyful.
(09:32):
She left TV, embraced sobrietyand built a jewellery brand with
purpose and Tracey Hall.
She brought it home withhonesty Fuck, I wasn't ready,
but I am now.
Life through her curveballs,divorce, loss, uncertainty and
she rebuilt from the ground up.
Tracy also gave me a reality,practical finance hack Check
(09:55):
your bank statements weekly, notmonthly, not once a year.
Weekly, because if you don'tknow what's coming in and going
out, you can't make smartdecisions.
Coming in and going out, youcan't make smart decisions.
Another gem from Tracy create acurveball fund, even a small
emergency stash, just for theunexpected.
Have the hard conversationsearly with partners, kids or
(10:16):
family about money, wills andhealth plans.
And, like Amelia, tracy alsohammered home the importance of
sleep.
Protect it, prioritize it,guard it, because without good
sleep, everything else fallsover.
These women reminded me thatreinvention isn't optional, it's
part of life and if you leaninto it it can be liberating.
(10:38):
But survival isn't just aboutcareers and curveballs.
It's also about the people youwalk through it with.
See theme six relationships andconnection.
If midlife has taught meanything, it's that friendships
are medicine.
Maddie Marsh reminded me thatfriendships aren't extras,
they're lifelines.
(10:58):
They're the people who knowyour history, who've seen every
version of you, who make youlaugh when everything feels
heavy.
In a stage of life where familychanges, careers shift and
hormones rage, friendshipssteady the ship.
They remind us of who we are.
The lesson nurture them,prioritize them, because in the
(11:19):
end, it's not your six pack thatanyone remembers, it's how you
made them feel.
The common thread and somethingI've noticed across all of these
conversations is this Talkabout what's going on.
Don't hold it in.
If you can talk to your partner, your girlfriends or family, do
it, and if you can't, then talkto your GP.
But here's the catch Make sureyou've got a good GP, one who
(11:45):
listens, one who takes youseriously, one who's willing to
work with you and build a teamof healthcare professionals
around you, whether that's anutritionist, a physio, a
dermatologist, a psychologist,whatever you need, because
midlife isn't a time to go alone.
You're the leader of your team,but you don't have to be the
(12:07):
only player and another big one.
Get your baseline, book yourskin check, do your bloods, take
photos if you want to trackchanges.
Know where you're starting from, because that's a huge thing.
And without a baseline youdon't know what's changing or
when to step in.
(12:27):
And if there's one thing I'velearned, it's that catching
things early whether it's health, hormones or habits, makes all
the difference.
So one of my favorite parts ofthese conversations has been
asking my guests what they'dchallenge me or anyone to try
before hitting 50.
And the answers have beenbrilliant and made me think.
(12:50):
Justine Armour said take a solotrip, even just a few days.
Go somewhere on your own, setyour own rhythm, eat what you
want, wake up when you want.
The independence is addictiveand it reminds you that you're
capable of so much more than yougive yourself credit for.
Tracy Hall suggested creating 50before 50.
(13:11):
List 50 things you want to do,try or experience before this
milestones.
They don't all have to bemassive.
Some can be simple a new recipe, a walk somewhere different, a
coffee with an old friend.
Others can be big A trip, acourse, a career leap.
It's about intention, notperfection.
(13:32):
Dr Craig Hafer gave me the mostpractical challenge Get a scan
which I've already done andlisten to your body.
Do your baseline health checksblood, skins, bowel screen and
then pay attention.
Notice how food, movement,stress affects you.
Your body whispers before itscreams.
Lydia Ranieri said become abeginner at something.
(13:54):
Pick anything a language, apottery class, learning to surf,
doing a podcast.
The discomfort of not knowingis where you find energy and joy
.
Dr Philip Tong suggested write aletter to your future self.
Imagine you at 45, 55, 60 or 70.
What do you want to thank themfor?
What do you want to remember?
Is there some way of checkinghow you're living now and making
(14:18):
sure it aligns?
Nigel Marsh challenged us to dosomething kind or courageous
when no one is watching.
Help someone give quietly.
Take an action that aligns withyour values and tell no one.
It's about doing it for theintegrity of it, not the
applause.
And others added gems too.
Shelley Horton talk openlyabout your perimenopause or
(14:40):
menopause systems, whether it'swith your friends, family or GP.
Start the conversation andrefuse the silence.
Amelia Phillips said protectyour sleep like it's sacred.
Set a bedtime, make your roomcool and dark and stop
glorifying exhaustion.
Shanna Kennedy, write down yourvalues and use them as your
(15:02):
compass.
Make every decision throughthat lens.
The point of all these youdon't need to wait until you're
50 to live deliberately.
You can actually start now.
So the summary, my own learnings.
So those are the six big themesI've learned so far being a
(15:24):
beginner, stay curious, startmessy, keep learning, owning
your health and hormones.
Track, advocate and act now.
Gut skin, longevity inside andout, it all matters.
Mindset and reinvention.
Tomorrow starts today.
Simplify and choose Courage andcareer shifts.
Reinvention isn't optional.
(15:44):
It's survival, relationshipsand connection.
Friendships are the glue,they're the medicine.
And if I boil it down to my ownpersonal survival kit, here are
10 things I'm taking with meinto the next decade.
One protect your sleep.
It's the super elixir.
Thanks to Shelley, amelia andTracy for reminding me of this.
(16:05):
Build every plate aroundproteins, plants and fiber Fuel.
Don't starve.
Advocate for yourself withdoctors, with bosses, with life.
Four reset as often as you needto.
Life is phases, not a straightline.
Five nurture friendships.
Laughter and honesty aremedicine.
(16:25):
Six never stop being a beginner.
Curiosity keeps you alive.
Seven move daily, preferablyoutdoors.
Exercise is about brain, gut,joy, not just calories.
Do the preventative stuff Skinchecks, bowel screening, blood
tests.
Catch it early.
Make space for stillness,meditation, journaling or just
(16:48):
sitting in the car for fiveminutes before the kids pile in.
Choose joy unapologetically,whether it's a glass of wine, a
chocolate binge, dancing in thekitchen.
12 conversations, 12 voices,six big themes.
(17:09):
One common thread talk, trackand build your team, and a 10
point survival kit.
I'm carrying into the nextdecade and me, a beginner who
still sometimes presses thewrong buttons, cuts the wrong
clips and wonders if anyone isactually listening.
But then I get your messagesand I know this is worth it.
(17:30):
So here's my challenge to youPick one thing from today book
the skin check, do your bloods,track your symptoms, add the
fiber.
Say no to something thatdoesn't align.
Call your best friend, trysomething brand new and be a
beginner again, because thisisn't about getting to 50
quietly.
This is about striding in,laughing, crying, owning it
(17:54):
because, fuck, I'm nearly 50.
And isn't it amazing?
Hi, I'm Dom Hind and fuck, I'm nearly 50.
Actually I'm 47 and a half, butwho's counting?
When I launched this podcast, Ithought it'd just be a fun
hobby project, a chance to chatto my friends, give a voice to
the things we usually whisperabout and maybe learn a few
things along the way.
But 12 episodes in, I'verealized I've learned a lot
(00:24):
Things I thought I knew butdidn't, things I didn't want to
know but needed to, and thingsthat made me stop and go, wow,
maybe 50 isn't the beginning ofthe end, maybe it's the start of
something amazing.
So today it's just me, no guest, no interview, just me
reflecting on everything I'veheard so far and how it's
(00:46):
shaping the way I think aboutlife at this stage.
And when I sat down to makesense of it all, I realized that
everything I've learned, allthe advice, the hacks, the
stories, they fall into six bigthemes, six things that keep
coming up no matter who I talkto.
So that's how I'm going toshare it today Six key themes
(01:06):
for thriving as we head towards50.
And maybe that's the biggestsurprise of all, that at nearly
50, I'm still a beginner in somany ways, still curious, still
making so many mistakes, stilllaughing my way through the what
the fuck moments Because, fuck,I'm nearly 50.
And isn't it amazing?
Theme one being a beginner andloving it.
(01:39):
This one is personal becausebefore we get into health and
hormones and big reinventions,the first thing I've learned is
simply the joy of being abeginner.
When I started this podcast, Iknew nothing, and when I say
nothing I mean nothing.
Uploading an episode, new idea,cutting clips forget about it.
(01:59):
Using AI yes, I love it, butnot for doing a podcast, even
Instagram reels I had to learnit all from scratch.
I'll never forget the firsttime I uploaded to Buzzsprout.
I thought it was live, but itwasn't.
I'd missed a step.
So there I was, proudly tellingpeople go listen, when in
reality it didn't even exist.
(02:20):
Or the first reel I made, itliterally ended mid-word.
But here's the thing I loved itbeing a beginner is humbling,
messy and kind of exhilarating.
It keeps you alive.
And then the messages startedcoming in.
Thank you, I needed this.
I sent this to my sister.
Suddenly I realized, even if Imessed up the tech, some people
(02:42):
were listening the lesson don'tbe afraid to start, don't be
afraid to look silly, to lookcrazy, to have fun doing it
because at nearly 50, being abeginner is a gift.
It keeps us curious and brave,and once I embraced being a
beginner with podcasting, itmade me braver about being a
beginner in other parts of mylife, especially with my health.
(03:07):
Number two owning your healthand hormones.
If there's one message I wantevery woman to hear, it's this
own your health.
Shelley Horton put it perfectlyStop soldiering through.
Don't dismiss your symptoms.
Don't let doctors dismiss themeither.
Track your cycles.
Don't let doctors dismiss themeither.
(03:29):
Track your cycles, note yourmoods and advocate yourself.
Her peri-survival kit wassimple but powerful HRT, vaginal
estrogen, testosterone and,beyond the science, her bigger
point was that we deserve better, better healthcare, better
conversations, better support.
Zoe Bingley Pullen backed thatup with nutritional wisdom.
Food isn't just calories, it'schemistry.
(03:49):
Protein and whole foods keepour hormones steady, while sugar
and processed carbs push usinto chaos.
Use colour in your food to keepit interesting and go places
that inspire you Markets, freshfood stores, anywhere that you
can get creative about food.
Zoe gave me three reallypractical hacks.
I still use Protein at everymeal.
(04:11):
Midlife is where our muscle massnaturally starts to decline, so
protein should be our anchor.
Eggs, fish, lentils, beans.
Crowd out the bad, don't justcut.
Instead of obsessing over whatto avoid, load your plate with
whole, nutritious foods first.
Cravings naturally shrink.
(04:31):
Food is mood.
What you eat doesn't justaffect your waistline.
It directly affects your stress, your sleep and your mood.
Eating well is emotionalself-care, and Amelia Phillips
taught me that.
Inflammation is the quietvillain in midlife, the fatigue,
the aches, the can't bebothered feeling.
(04:52):
Often it's inflammation drivingit.
Her hacks were simple Colorful,anti-inflammatory foods, like
the packaged beetroot.
Daily movement and actual rest.
Amelia also gave me a brilliantway to actually make new habits
stick.
Don't go drastic, don'toverhaul everything.
Instead, focus on one thing perterm, just one new habit every
(05:15):
few months, like upping yourprotein or committing to better
sleep.
By the end of the year you'vestacked up four new habits
without overwhelming yourself.
Other gems for Amelia exercisefor energy, not punishment.
Move to feel good, not to earnfood.
Track your energy instead ofjust your weight.
(05:36):
How you feel is a better markerthan the number on the scales.
The lesson here our bodies arenot betraying us.
They're speaking to us and ifwe listen and act now, we set
ourselves up for decades ofvitality.
But health isn't just abouthormones and food.
It's also about guts, skin andhow our bodies carry us into the
(05:59):
future.
Theme three gut, skin andlongevity.
This one blew my mind.
Dr Craig Hafer reminded me thatgut health is the command
center.
It's not just digestion, it'simmunity, mood, even how we age.
His advice was refreshinglysimple Ditch the ultra-processed
stuff, watch preservatives.
(06:20):
If bread lasts weeks, it's nothelping your gut, fiber is your
friend, psyllium husk is hisgo-to every day, minus chia
seeds.
And don't obsess over fancyprobiotics.
Prebiotics and whole foodsmatter more.
And he reminded me thatmovement outdoors literally
(06:41):
changes your microbiome.
A walk in nature is medicineand better for you and your gut.
On the outside, dr Philip Tongreframed skin.
Skin isn't vanity, it's anorgan.
Sbs is a preventative medicine.
Skin checks save lives andbuilding a strong barrier is as
vital as building strong bones.
(07:02):
Together they reminded me thatlongevity isn't just about
living longer, it's about healthspan, living well inside and
out.
And once I started looking athealth more holistically, I
realized it's not just about thebody, it's also about the mind.
So theme four is about mindsetand reinvention.
If there's one thing I'velearned in midlife, it's this
(07:23):
your mindset shapes everything.
Shanna Kennedy hammered homethat tomorrow starts today.
Don't wait, don't drift.
Every yes is a no to somethingelse, so make sure it's worth it
.
She also helped me define myvalues health, family, happiness
, pleasure, adventure and fun.
They're my compass.
Now Every decision I make isbased on these.
(07:44):
One of her tips I loved wasseasonal goals.
Not everything has to be doneat once.
Winter is perfect forhibernating, tackling the admin,
doing the tax, settling thesystems.
Then spring and summer can beabout growth, energy and new
projects, breaking goals intoseasons, making them realistic
and achievable.
Other gems from Shanna Write alife plan, not just career, but
(08:07):
health, family, finances and fun.
Create rituals, small dailyanchors like a morning walk or
journaling, that keep yougrounded.
Lydia Ranieri showed me thatclarity isn't just about adding
more.
It's about subtracting.
Simplify your diary,simplifyplify your commitments,
(08:28):
simplify your thoughts.
And Nigel Marsh, he called it.
Balance is bullshit.
We've been sold this myth thatwe can have everything in neat
slices, but we can't.
We can design a life thatactually works for us instead.
The big shift for me, movingfrom chasing to choosing
(08:49):
Reinvention, isn't one big leap,it's daily, deliberate
decisions.
And talking about reinvention,some of the most powerful
stories came from women braveenough to start completely over.
Theme five courage, reinventionand career shifts.
The stories of reinvention havestayed with me.
Justine Armour, one of mydearest friends, reminded us
(09:11):
that success on paper doesn'tmean fulfillment.
At the top of her industry, shestill chooses authenticity over
titles.
She's learned that growth overtime and changed her leadership
style to be truly authentic toher.
Talitha Cummins showed us thatstarting over at 40 is not only
possible, it can be joyful.
(09:32):
She left TV, embraced sobrietyand built a jewellery brand with
purpose and Tracey Hall.
She brought it home withhonesty Fuck, I wasn't ready,
but I am now.
Life through her curveballs,divorce, loss, uncertainty and
she rebuilt from the ground up.
Tracy also gave me a reality,practical finance hack Check
(09:55):
your bank statements weekly, notmonthly, not once a year.
Weekly, because if you don'tknow what's coming in and going
out, you can't make smartdecisions.
Coming in and going out, youcan't make smart decisions.
Another gem from Tracy create acurveball fund, even a small
emergency stash, just for theunexpected.
Have the hard conversationsearly with partners, kids or
(10:16):
family about money, wills andhealth plans.
And, like Amelia, tracy alsohammered home the importance of
sleep.
Protect it, prioritize it,guard it, because without good
sleep, everything else fallsover.
These women reminded me thatreinvention isn't optional, it's
part of life and if you leaninto it it can be liberating.
(10:38):
But survival isn't just aboutcareers and curveballs.
It's also about the people youwalk through it with.
See theme six relationships andconnection.
If midlife has taught meanything, it's that friendships
are medicine.
Maddie Marsh reminded me thatfriendships aren't extras,
they're lifelines.
(10:58):
They're the people who knowyour history, who've seen every
version of you, who make youlaugh when everything feels
heavy.
In a stage of life where familychanges, careers shift and
hormones rage, friendshipssteady the ship.
They remind us of who we are.
The lesson nurture them,prioritize them, because in the
(11:19):
end, it's not your six pack thatanyone remembers, it's how you
made them feel.
The common thread and somethingI've noticed across all of these
conversations is this Talkabout what's going on.
Don't hold it in.
If you can talk to your partner, your girlfriends or family, do
it, and if you can't, then talkto your GP.
But here's the catch Make sureyou've got a good GP, one who
(11:45):
listens, one who takes youseriously, one who's willing to
work with you and build a teamof healthcare professionals
around you, whether that's anutritionist, a physio, a
dermatologist, a psychologist,whatever you need, because
midlife isn't a time to go alone.
You're the leader of your team,but you don't have to be the
(12:07):
only player and another big one.
Get your baseline, book yourskin check, do your bloods, take
photos if you want to trackchanges.
Know where you're starting from, because that's a huge thing.
And without a baseline youdon't know what's changing or
when to step in.
(12:27):
And if there's one thing I'velearned, it's that catching
things early whether it's health, hormones or habits, makes all
the difference.
So one of my favorite parts ofthese conversations has been
asking my guests what they'dchallenge me or anyone to try
before hitting 50.
And the answers have beenbrilliant and made me think.
(12:50):
Justine Armour said take a solotrip, even just a few days.
Go somewhere on your own, setyour own rhythm, eat what you
want, wake up when you want.
The independence is addictiveand it reminds you that you're
capable of so much more than yougive yourself credit for.
Tracy Hall suggested creating 50before 50.
(13:11):
List 50 things you want to do,try or experience before this
milestones.
They don't all have to bemassive.
Some can be simple a new recipe, a walk somewhere different, a
coffee with an old friend.
Others can be big A trip, acourse, a career leap.
It's about intention, notperfection.
(13:32):
Dr Craig Hafer gave me the mostpractical challenge Get a scan
which I've already done andlisten to your body.
Do your baseline health checksblood, skins, bowel screen and
then pay attention.
Notice how food, movement,stress affects you.
Your body whispers before itscreams.
Lydia Ranieri said become abeginner at something.
(13:54):
Pick anything a language, apottery class, learning to surf,
doing a podcast.
The discomfort of not knowingis where you find energy and joy
.
Dr Philip Tong suggested write aletter to your future self.
Imagine you at 45, 55, 60 or 70.
What do you want to thank themfor?
What do you want to remember?
Is there some way of checkinghow you're living now and making
(14:18):
sure it aligns?
Nigel Marsh challenged us to dosomething kind or courageous
when no one is watching.
Help someone give quietly.
Take an action that aligns withyour values and tell no one.
It's about doing it for theintegrity of it, not the
applause.
And others added gems too.
Shelley Horton talk openlyabout your perimenopause or
(14:40):
menopause systems, whether it'swith your friends, family or GP.
Start the conversation andrefuse the silence.
Amelia Phillips said protectyour sleep like it's sacred.
Set a bedtime, make your roomcool and dark and stop
glorifying exhaustion.
Shanna Kennedy, write down yourvalues and use them as your
(15:02):
compass.
Make every decision throughthat lens.
The point of all these youdon't need to wait until you're
50 to live deliberately.
You can actually start now.
So the summary, my own learnings.
So those are the six big themesI've learned so far being a
(15:24):
beginner, stay curious, startmessy, keep learning, owning
your health and hormones.
Track, advocate and act now.
Gut skin, longevity inside andout, it all matters.
Mindset and reinvention.
Tomorrow starts today.
Simplify and choose Courage andcareer shifts.
Reinvention isn't optional.
(15:44):
It's survival, relationshipsand connection.
Friendships are the glue,they're the medicine.
And if I boil it down to my ownpersonal survival kit, here are
10 things I'm taking with meinto the next decade.
One protect your sleep.
It's the super elixir.
Thanks to Shelley, amelia andTracy for reminding me of this.
(16:05):
Build every plate aroundproteins, plants and fiber Fuel.
Don't starve.
Advocate for yourself withdoctors, with bosses, with life.
Four reset as often as you needto.
Life is phases, not a straightline.
Five nurture friendships.
Laughter and honesty aremedicine.
(16:25):
Six never stop being a beginner.
Curiosity keeps you alive.
Seven move daily, preferablyoutdoors.
Exercise is about brain, gut,joy, not just calories.
Do the preventative stuff Skinchecks, bowel screening, blood
tests.
Catch it early.
Make space for stillness,meditation, journaling or just
(16:48):
sitting in the car for fiveminutes before the kids pile in.
Choose joy unapologetically,whether it's a glass of wine, a
chocolate binge, dancing in thekitchen.
12 conversations, 12 voices,six big themes.
(17:09):
One common thread talk, trackand build your team, and a 10
point survival kit.
I'm carrying into the nextdecade and me, a beginner who
still sometimes presses thewrong buttons, cuts the wrong
clips and wonders if anyone isactually listening.
But then I get your messagesand I know this is worth it.
(17:30):
So here's my challenge to youPick one thing from today book
the skin check, do your bloods,track your symptoms, add the
fiber.
Say no to something thatdoesn't align.
Call your best friend, trysomething brand new and be a
beginner again, because thisisn't about getting to 50
quietly.
This is about striding in,laughing, crying, owning it
(17:54):
because, fuck, I'm nearly 50.
And isn't it amazing?
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