The Midlife Momentum Podcast

Have you ever noticed that little lump in your middle when you bend over or slouch — the one that feels more like a “Buddha belly” than just a soft pinch of fat? I have. 🙋‍♀️And I know I'm not alone.That’s exactly what I’m unpacking in this week’s episode🎙️.Here’s what you’ll discover:✨ The difference between subcutaneous fat (the soft kind) and visceral fat (the deeper, more concerning kind)✨ Why belly fat shows up in midlife (spoiler: it’s not just about estrogen dropping)✨ The surprising role of FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) in fat storage✨ What really works to prevent or lose midlife belly fat✨ How to shift your mindset so belly fat becomes a signal, not a shame spiralIf you’ve been frustrated by changes in your body and want to know how to respond with science-backed strategies (and a whole lot of self-compassion 💜), this episode is for you.Here’s to understanding your body better, and taking steps that actually work.Supporting you as you move forward,Debbie👉 Download my free guide: 6 Game-Changing Strategies to Lose Weight and Build Strength in Perimenopause and MenopauseP.S. Curious about working with me? Book a time to talk, it's always free: https://calendly.com/debbie-harbec-coaching/free-consultationP.P.S. Enjoying this podcast and want to express your appreciation? You can buy me a tea ☕... I'd love it! https://buymeacoffee.com/debbieharbecIf you'd like to find out more about me and what I do, visit me at www.debbieharbeccoaching.com ,Email me at debbie@debbieharbeccoaching.com,Find me on Instragram @debbieharbec, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/debbie.harbec.coach

If you’ve ever told yourself, “I’ll work out three times this week”… but then life got in the way… I completely get it.The truth is, weight loss and even just maintaining your health takes more than good intentions.It takes a plan.But not the kind of rigid, "perfect" plan you can’t stick to.In this week’s episode, I’m sharing why realistic planning is the key to lasting weight loss and fitness, and how I learned this while training for my marathon with two little ones at home and a daycare to run. 🏃‍♀️💪Here’s what you’ll discover inside:✨ Why planning around your energy matters more than planning around your time📝 How to get specific and granular so your plan actually works🚧 How to anticipate obstacles so you’re never derailed by life’s curveballs🔄 The secret to staying consistent even when your plan falls apartThis episode is full of practical steps you can start using today to make weight loss feel doable—even with a busy midlife schedule.Let’s stop relying on willpower and instead create a plan that works for your real life.With you every step as we move forward,Debbie👉 Download my free guide: 6 Game-Changing Strategies to Lose Weight and Build Strength in Perimenopause and MenopauseP.S. Curious about working with me? Book a time to talk, it's always free: https://calendly.com/debbie-harbec-coaching/free-consultationP.P.S. Enjoying this podcast and want to express your appreciation? You can buy me a tea ☕... I'd love it! https://buymeacoffee.com/debbieharbecIf you'd like to find out more about me and what I do, visit me at www.debbieharbeccoaching.com ,Email me at debbie@debbieharbeccoaching.com,Find me on Instragram @debbieharbec, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/debbie.harbec.coach

Have you ever felt like you’re stuck in some sort of invisible box?You can see the possibilities out there, but something keeps holding you back?This week on the podcast, I sit down with Nathalie Blais, a Harvard-trained psychologist, master certified coach, and founder of Coach Academy (located right here in Montreal!), for a powerful conversation about breaking free and making life happen for you.Nathalie shares her own midlife reinvention story and why she believes coaching is one of the most transformative tools for women navigating change.Here’s a little of what you’ll hear in this episode:👉 How Natalie went from fear and divorce to building a thriving international coaching business👉 The “invisible circles” we trap ourselves in nd how to finally break through👉 Why coaching isn’t just about success, but about choosing freedom, creativity, and possibility every day👉 What women in midlife need most when facing transitions in career, relationships, and identityIf you’ve ever wondered what’s next for you in this season of life, this conversation will inspire you to take that next step, with courage and clarity.To moving forward with less fear and more faith,Debbie 💜You can view this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/I9AEgvOhKlMHere's Nathalie's bio:Nathalie Blais is a Master Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation (ICF), a Harvard-trained psychologist, and the Founder of Coach Academy—an ICF-accredited training institution equipping the next generation of coaches across Canada and internationally. With a deep background in research, education, and human development, Nathalie is one of Canada’s leading voices on the future of coaching and its essential role in leadership, learning, and social impact. She’s also the host of Coach Academy Podcast What? Not Why, where she engages with current students, alumni, and the broader coaching community about the impact of certified coaching across all industries.To connect with Nathalie and Coach Academy:Website: http://canadacoachacademy.com/meet-our-director-of-trainingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathalieblais.ceo/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathalieblais/Thanks for listening!If you'd like to know more about working with me, visit me at https://debbieharbeccoaching.com/ or https://www.instagram.com/debbieharbec/ on Instagram.Or book a time to talk with me:https://calendly.com/debbie-harbec-coaching/free-consultation

Have you ever wondered why weight loss feels so much harder in midlife than it used to?You’re not imagining it.Hormonal changes in perimenopause and menopause affect metabolism, muscle, sleep, and even how your body handles stress.And as you know, what worked in your 30s often doesn’t work anymore—and that can feel really frustrating.In the episode, I share:✨ Weight gain in midlife - is it a symptom of menopause?✨ Why we need to reframe the issue of weight, especially in midlife✨ Why cardio and dieting aren’t the answer—and what actually helpsAnd because I want you to do more than just understand what’s happening, I’ve put together a free resource for you:👉 Download my free guide: 6 Game-Changing Strategies to Lose Weight and Build Strength in Perimenopause and MenopauseThese are the exact strategies I use with my clients to help them stop fighting their bodies and start feeling stronger, healthier, and more confident.So, pop in your earbuds for the episode, grab your free guide, and know this:Weight loss in midlife is possible—it just takes a different approach.You’ve got this,Debbie 💜P.S. Enjoying this podcast and want to express your appreciation? You can buy me a tea ☕... I'd love it!https://buymeacoffee.com/debbieharbecP.P.S. Curious about working with me? Book a time to talk, it's always free: https://calendly.com/debbie-harbec-coaching/free-consultationIf you'd like to find out more about me and what I do, visit me at www.debbieharbeccoaching.com ,Email me at debbie@debbieharbeccoaching.com,Find me on Instragram @debbieharbec, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/debbie.harbec.coach

Today I’m thrilled to welcome Courtney Boyer back to the podcast.Courtney is a relationship coach and the author of "Not Tonight, Honey" and her upcoming memoir "Opened" (available this October).This new book is raw, vulnerable, and deeply powerful.Courtney takes us inside her journey of breaking free from the grip of purity culture and patriarchy, and how she began reclaiming both her sexual and emotional power.For her, that awakening led to a surprising realization: she wanted to open her 17-year marriage and explore relationships with other men — while her husband chose to remain monogamous.We dive into:✨ What it really takes to shed shame and rewrite your sexual story✨ The complexities (and courage) of navigating desire inside marriage✨ How to advocate for what you want - sexually-speaking and otherwise✨ How sexual empowerment and self-discovery can look very different for each of usThis conversation isn’t just about polyamory — it’s about permission.Permission to want what you want. Permission to question the rules you were given. And permission to create a life that feels authentic and expansive, even if it doesn’t look like anyone else’s.Here’s to moving forward with love, openness, and curiosity,Debbie 💗You can view this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/6AaoKiM1DyAHere's Courtney's bio:Courtney Boyer, M.Ed. M.S., is a relationship coach and author of Not Tonight, Honey and Opened. She has been featured in publications including The New York Post, Parent's, CNBC, The Huffington Post, and Cosmopolitan. Courtney helps women deconstruct purity culture, patriarchy, and performative perfectionism so they can reclaim their power, embody emotional sovereignty, and build wildly authentic lives — rooted in trust, pleasure, and unapologetic truth. Courtney is a polyamorous mother of three happily married to a monogamous man.To connect with Courtney:Website: https://www.courtneyboyercoaching.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneyboyercoaching/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneyboyercoaching/Thanks for listening!If you'd like to know more about working with me, visit me at https://debbieharbeccoaching.com/ or https://www.instagram.com/debbieharbec/ on Instagram.Or book a time to talk with me:https://calendly.com/debbie-harbec-coaching/free-consultation

Have you been thinking, “I should probably drink less"?You're in good company.And that's why I invited Silvia Subirana to the podcast today. Silvia is a clinical psychologist and Head of Content Development at Unconscious Moderation (or UM), an app designed to help you quit or cut back on alcohol in a way that feels natural—not like a battle of willpower.Here’s what makes this app different:It uses three different tools to shift how you feel about alcoholIt's a holistic system that can work for anyoneIt gives you two streams of support - so you can choose to quit completely or just drink lessI've talked about alcohol in midlife.And I've experienced first hand a few of the negative side effects.. Sleep disruptions 😠, more intense hot flashes 🥵, increased anxiety 😟, and weight gain 😥(just to name a few).The fact is that your changing body is less effective at processing alcohol.So, if you'd like to cut back, tune into this episode to find out how the app works, why it’s so effective, and how you can start using it right away.Here’s to moving forward with more energy, better sleep, and better tools for managing stress,Debbie 💜P.S. Check out the video version of the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gqhi63KVcpUHere's Silvia's bio:Silvia Subirana is a clinical psychologist and Head of Content Development at Unconscious Moderation, an app that helps users transform their relationship with alcohol and find greater meaning and fulfillment. By combining her Master's in Clinical Psychology with the app's tools (like hypnotherapy, journaling, and more), Silvia takes a holistic approach, focusing on the powerful connection between mind and body to inspire lasting personal growth and intentional living.To connect with Silvia and UM:Website: https://um.app/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/um_app_/ Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/drink-less-alcohol-with-um/id6471595788?mt=8 Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mydryjourney&referrer=af_tranid%3DPMHHQhpl6uyJz-rwDUJ3Qw%26c%3Dwebsite+home+page+button%26pid%3Dwebsite+home+page+button&pli=1Thanks for listening!If you'd like to know more about working with me, visit me at https://debbieharbeccoaching.com/ or https://www.instagram.com/debbieharbec/ on Instagram.Or book a time to talk with me:https://calendly.com/debbie-harbec-coaching/free-consultation

Today is a milestone day for me…One worth popping the bubbly (or at least lighting a candle and eating cake).🎉 I’m officially in menopause!It’s been 12 months since my last period — which means, according to the medical definition, I’ve crossed the finish line of perimenopause.But this “party” isn’t just about biology. It’s about celebrating the seven-year transformation I’ve been through:Moving from uncertainty and discomfort to boldness and strengthLetting go of old versions of myself and embracing who I am nowStepping into this next stage feeling more empowered, more unapologetic, and more ready for life than ever beforeIn this week’s podcast episode, I share:✨ Why I’m calling perimenopause my “cocoon years”✨ How the past couple of months have brought a huge inner shift✨ The sacred significance of my 108th episode and how it connects to this milestone✨ What I’m most looking forward to in life after perimenopauseAnd yes… I’m inviting you to celebrate with me! 🥂Send me a quick reply and say congratulations — I’d love to hear from you.Here’s to endings that are really beginnings,DebbieP.S. 🎉 Want to celebrate my Menopause Party with me? You can buy me a tea ☕... I'd love it!https://buymeacoffee.com/debbieharbecP.P.S. Curious about working with me? Book a time to talk, it's always free: https://calendly.com/debbie-harbec-coaching/free-consultationIf you'd like to find out more about me and what I do, visit me at www.debbieharbeccoaching.com ,Email me at debbie@debbieharbeccoaching.com,Find me on Instragram @debbieharbec, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/debbie.harbec.coach

If you’ve ever struggled with relationships that haven’t quite worked, or questioned whether real, soul-level love is still possible for you—this episode is going to hit deep. 💫In this episode I'm talking to the fun and enthusiastic Kim Anderson, founder of Divine Perfect Mate, and she's taking us on a spiritual and emotional journey, all about how she created love in her own life, and how you can do the same.But fair warning…This isn’t about dating apps or finding a man with the right job and the right shoes. This is about becoming the version of you who effortlessly attracts the kind of love you’ve always craved.It starts by noticing the quiet ways you’ve settled for less... By shifting the old stories that no longer serve you… By clearing space—forgiveness, clarity, embodiment, and all. And most importantly, by becoming a match for what you say you desire.You’ll hear:💔 Why patterns repeat until we really pay attention🙏 How to forgive those that are hardest to forgive💌 What most women leave off their “list” of the perfect partner (but shouldn't)💎 Why love that looks good on paper might not be right✨ And how becoming a "high quality woman" allows you to receive the love that’s been waiting for youWhat I learned is that finding love, connection, and truth in relationship starts with your relationship to yourself.And you’re not too late. You’re not too old. And you’re definitely not too much.Finding love is open to everyone.Keep moving forward with love in your heart,DebbieP.S. Check out the video version of the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GML1pde62Z4Here's Kim's bio:Kim Anderson is a dynamic Relationship and Marriage Mentor, speaker, and founder of Divine Perfect Mate. With a career that began in the NBA - serving in Public Relations for the Atlanta Hawks and Community Relations with her hometown Detroit Pistons - Kim is a lifelong barrier-breaker who brings a unique perspective to the world of relationships. As a wife, mother of four, entrepreneur, ministry leader, and author, she has spent decades empowering women to rise above their circumstances and step confidently into their purpose.To connect with Kim:Website: https://divineperfectmate.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divineperfectmate/Thanks for listening!If you'd like to know more about working with me, visit me at https://debbieharbeccoaching.com/ or https://www.instagram.com/debbieharbec/ on Instagram.Or book a time to talk with me:https://calendly.com/debbie-harbec-coaching/free-consultation

Breakfast seems to be the most controversial meal.You’ve probably heard: 👉 “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!”But what if you’re just… not hungry in the morning? Should you eat anyway? Skip it? Wait?And when you do eat—what actually works best for your midlife body?This episode is all about breaking your fast with intention and tuning into what your body actually needs.We’re talking breakfast —on your terms.🎧 Listen in to discover:🧬 What the science really says about skipping breakfast🍳 The best foods to eat when you finally do break your fast💪 Whether or not to eat before you work out🧠 Why your brain might be begging for breakfast🥱 How cortisol, cravings, and energy all tie into your morning routineMidlife is not the time for diet culture nonsense.It’s the time to listen, nourish, and fuel for the life you’re building as you move forward.Here’s to breakfast freedom. 💖Keep moving forward with love, protein, and fiber,DebbieP.S. Curious about working with me? Book a time to talk, it's always free: https://calendly.com/debbie-harbec-coaching/free-consultationIf you'd like to find out more about me and what I do, visit me at www.debbieharbeccoaching.com ,Email me at debbie@debbieharbeccoaching.com,Find me on Instragram @debbieharbec, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/debbie.harbec.coach➡️ Enjoying my podcast? You can buy me a tea ☕... I'd love it!https://buymeacoffee.com/debbieharbec

Here's an emotion we all feel at times—but rarely talk about out loud: shame.In this week’s episode, I sit down with Brooke Bralove, a psychotherapist and Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator, trained in the work of Brené Brown. And wow… this conversation is one I know so many women in midlife need to hear.👉 Because shame is sneaky👉 It keeps us small👉 It disconnects us from who we really are👉 And it thrives in silenceBut there is a way out—and it starts with understanding what shame actually is.In this episode, we explore:What shame really is (and what it’s not)The difference between guilt and shame (this is key!)How shame shows up in midlife —from our bodies to our roles to our relationshipsWhy shame keeps us stuck—and how to recognize it before it spiralsWhat it takes to move through shame to self-compassion, connection, and courage💬 Brooke brings years of therapeutic wisdom—and practical tools—that can help you start to untangle the shame stories and step more fully into your worth.Midlife is not a time to shrink—it’s the time to rise.And I believe this episode will help you do just that.Keep moving forward through and beyond,DebbieP.S. Check out the video version of the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/d68jtRn_XqMHere's Brook's bio:Brooke Bralove is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Psychotherapist, Certified Sex Therapist, Master Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) Practitioner, and Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator. Brooke specializes in treating adults, couples, and groups with anxiety, trauma, and sexual and relationship challenges. Brooke helps women of all ages let go of perfectionism and move toward greater authenticity, joy, pleasure, and connection. She has maintained a private practice in Bethesda, Maryland for over 20 years.To connect with Brooke:Website: http://www.brookebralove.com/Instagram: @brookebralovepsychotherapyThanks for listening!If you'd like to know more about working with me, visit me at https://debbieharbeccoaching.com/ or https://www.instagram.com/debbieharbec/ on Instagram.Or book a time to talk with me:https://calendly.com/debbie-harbec-coaching/free-consultation