Redefining Midlife with Jo Clark

What happens when an everyday woman reinvents herself — not once, but many times over? In this episode, Jo sits down with Anita McLaughlin, founder of Sequins and Sand, co-host of Midlife Unfiltered, and passionate advocate for women's bone health. From swimwear confidence to bone density scans in the outback, Anita's story will leave you inspired and ready to advocate for yourself.
In this episode, we explore:
How 13 moves and a military marriage shaped Anita's love of change and reinvention

The body confidence work behind Sequins and Sand — and why so many women were moved to tears

Anita's personal osteoporosis diagnosis and why she became her own health advocate

The power of knowing your bone health before a crisis hits — and the technology making that easier

Why "who I am is not what I do" became Anita's most important midlife realisation

If you've ever felt like you're just getting started — even in your fifties or beyond — this episode is your reminder that you absolutely are. Come listen in.
Links mentioned in this episode:
46. Better Bone Health with Professor Belinda Beck
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2a2mv7BXJQCO8ISV6AcJ8Y?si=qgiOCZqoRs-nTDf3Ji67Fw
118. What Every Woman Should Know About Neurodivergence in Midlife with Dr Sascha Kowalenko
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1RcP4ZxDchBSBHYxyZMLke?si=e7jliu6eTByPlmhRO6Dlxg
Connect with Anita McLaughlin
Midlife Unfiltered on Substack
https://midlifeunfiltered.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips
Sequins and Sand
www.sequinsandsand.com.au

Connect with Jo
Book a 20-minute connection call:
https://calendly.com/jo--138/20min?month=2025-07
Re Imagine mentoring: https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/work-with-me
Resources and programmes: https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/resources
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joclarkcoaching/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joclarkcoaching/

Guilt and self-sacrifice have quietly shaped so many women's lives — and midlife is often when it all comes to a head. In this episode, Jo explores why putting yourself first can feel so uncomfortable, where that guilt really comes from, and how to begin gently rewriting a story that may have been passed down for generations.
In this episode, we explore:
Why guilt around self-prioritisation is so deeply rooted in generational conditioning

How the guilt of midlife shifts shape. Even after the kids grow up

The six pillars of wellness and what happens when we ignore our own needs for too long

Small, practical steps to begin putting yourself back on the list

Why choosing yourself isn't selfish. It's actually the most responsible thing you can do

If you've ever felt guilty for simply wanting something for yourself, this episode is a warm and honest reminder that you matter too. It's a gentle place to begin.

Connect with Jo
Book a 20-minute connection call: https://calendly.com/jo--138/20min?month=2025-07
Re Imagine mentoring: https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/work-with-me
Resources and programmes: https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/resources
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joclarkcoaching/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joclarkcoaching/

In this episode, Jo tackles the exhaustion so many midlife women feel. That constant 3 pm slump and the endless reach for caffeine. She shares five practical, guilt-free ways to boost your energy that don't involve another coffee or pushing through. If you're tired of feeling tired, this conversation offers small, supportive shifts that actually work.
In this episode, we explore:
Why tuning into your body's signals matters more than powering through

Exercise snacking: tiny bursts of movement that wake up your energy

How to fuel yourself for steady energy instead of spikes and crashes

Ways to lighten your mental load and actually ask for help

How to rest without guilt (and why it's essential, not lazy)

You don't need a complete overhaul or perfection. This episode will help you pick one small shift that feels right for you—and notice what changes.

Connect with Jo Book a 20-minute connection call: https://calendly.com/jo--138/20min?month=2025-07 Re Imagine mentoring: https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/work-with-meResources and programmes: https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/resources Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joclarkcoaching/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joclarkcoaching/

In this episode, Jo calls herself out on the harsh inner voice that had quietly crept in around her changing body. If you've ever caught yourself being more critical of your own body than you'd ever be to anyone else's, this honest conversation will feel familiar. It's not about forced body positivity, it's about noticing the cost of comparison and choosing a kinder path forward.
In this episode, we explore:
How negative self-talk about our bodies quietly becomes our norm

The impossible standards we hold ourselves to (and who profits from them)

Why we compare our current body to younger versions—and to other women

The real cost of spending this chapter at war with ourselves

What choosing awareness and kindness over criticism can actually look like

This conversation is a helpful starting point if you're ready to stop wasting precious time on negative thoughts about your body.
To follow the post that inspired this episode, please visit https://www.instagram.com/p/DUWzttpkzjD/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Connect with Jo Book a 20-minute connection call: https://calendly.com/jo--138/20min?month=2025-07 Re Imagine mentoring: https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/work-with-meResources and programmes: https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/resources Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joclarkcoaching/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joclarkcoaching/

In this deeply reflective episode, I share the story of my wonderful 30-year marriage. The highs, the hard seasons, and what's kept our love growing stronger. If you've ever wondered whether long-term love can deepen rather than fade, this honest reflection will give you hope and perspective.
In this episode, we explore:
Why love in midlife feels different (and why that's beautiful)

How friendship becomes the foundation that carries you through hard times

Choosing to grow together rather than apart when life gets heavy

The power of shared experiences and making joy a priority

Why strong relationships require intention, not perfection

This conversation is a helpful starting point if you're navigating your own relationship shifts in this season of midlife, too.

Connect with Jo Book a 20-minute connection call: https://calendly.com/jo--138/20min?month=2025-07 Re Imagine mentoring: https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/work-with-meResources and programmes: https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/resources Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joclarkcoaching/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joclarkcoaching/