Redefining Midlife with Jo Clark

• 166. The One Midlife Practice That Changes Everything

  As we wrap up 2025, Jo shares the reflection practice that transformed her life five years ago. She explores how to move beyond surface-level goal-setting to the deeper awareness that breaks repeating patterns and creates lasting change in midlife.In this episode, we explore:Why awareness is the first step to breaking old patternsThe tough questions that reveal what's keeping you stuckHow reflection turns experience into wisdomMoving from "Groundhog Day" living to intentional choicesJo's free reflection guide to support your year-end reviewIf you're ready to stop living life on repeat and start living on purpose, this episode offers a powerful place to begin.Top 5 Listener Favourites from 2025:Episode 125. Hormones & Midlife Health: A Conversation with Professor Susan Davis https://open.spotify.com/episode/1LIfwP5aSsUTZrfGSRpoxu?si=7FOxYd9hR9-UCgRnZPUKnw Episode 158. What Really Changes When Women Become Grandmothers with Deedee Moore https://open.spotify.com/episode/0elxuUMVgsGPGrZRYwVtYj?si=NnYer3nLTKe7XsgW6-U2yQEpisode 156. What Women Need to Know Before and After Retirement with Bec Wilson https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Xk2RAZfTRzFICMnlqOXEN?si=Bj0S5irBR-eqQe4vPHCspg Episode 130. Let's Talk About Sex and Midlife with Dr Sian Heon https://open.spotify.com/episode/45aIHfXI5MLp5ZDZ39oHK3?si=ZNZpFlG3TWOSt2Si1O7aXA Episode 143. How to Stop Overthinking and Start Taking Action https://open.spotify.com/episode/4T0X8qtxZrBoj8qQGZNjnA?si=iB9PG6BDTYSVeq-9HnkKdg Free Resource 2025 Reflection Guide: joclarkcoaching.com/reflect 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/

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• 165. A Guide To The Empty Nest

  As school finishes for another year, many mums are facing their final school drop-off, last exam, or watching their children pack for university. In this heartfelt solo episode, Jo shares her own empty nest journey – including facing her first Christmas without either of her children at home. Whether your kids are leaving now or left years ago, this transition brings waves of emotion that deserve gentle attention.In this episode, we explore:Why you can miss your kids desperately and still enjoy the quietHow the empty nest unfolds slowly, not as one big momentSimple ways to reconnect with yourself as your role shiftsWhy this transition feels bigger when it lands alongside menopausePractical ideas for those early, emotional weeksIf you're standing at the edge of this new chapter or already navigating life without kids at home, this conversation offers comfort, understanding, and hope for what comes next.Connect with JoBook a 20-minute connection call: https://calendly.com/jo--138/20min?month=2025-07Re Imagine mentoring: https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/work-with-meRediscover You: https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/resources/p/rediscover-you

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• 164. Navigating Alcohol in Midlife

  The festive season brings endless celebrations, but what if you could actually remember them all? In this candid conversation, sober curious mentor Keelie Louise shares her transformation from heavy drinking since age 13 to discovering a life in full colour without alcohol. After losing her grandfather during COVID and realising at 38 that passing out drunk wasn't where she wanted to be, Keelie made the decision that changed everything. Her story reveals why so many midlife women are questioning their relationship with alcohol and discovering that life without it isn't just possible—it's actually better.Key TakeawaysAlcohol masks deeper issuesFor many women, that evening glass of wine isn't about relaxation—it's about avoiding something uncomfortable. Whether it's stress, unfulfilled expectations, or loss of identity after years of caring for others, alcohol becomes a band-aid that actually reduces your capacity to cope. Getting curious about why you reach for that drink reveals what really needs attention.Your body is trying to tell you somethingWhen hangovers last days, sleep becomes elusive, and one glass affects you like three used to, that's your body signalling it can't process alcohol like before. Perimenopause and menopause amplify these effects. Keelie notes that alcohol stops fat burning for up to 36 hours and halts collagen production for 30 days after heavy drinking.Social pressure is real but manageableSet expectations before events by messaging friends about your choice not to drink. At work functions, carry sparkling water in a wine glass if needed. Find one ally who supports your decision. Remember that "no" is a complete sentence—you don't owe anyone an explanation for your choices.Replace FOMO with a better versionInstead of fearing you'll miss out on fun, develop FOMO for waking up energised, remembering conversations, and attacking your day with clarity. Change your language from "I can't drink" to "I choose not to drink"—it's empowering rather than restrictive.Small changes create big transformationsYou don't need to quit forever to start exploring. Begin with curiosity: How do you feel after one drink? What are you using alcohol to avoid? Who do you want to be? Understanding your values becomes your compass for making choices aligned with the life you actually want.Moving ForwardThe sober curious movement isn't about deprivation, it's about discovering who you are without the mask alcohol provides. As Keelie discovered, removing alcohol revealed a life of energy, genuine connection, and the contentment she'd been seeking at the bottom of a glass. Whether you're questioning your relationship with alcohol or simply wanting to feel better through the festive season, start with curiosity rather than rules. Notice how you feel, question why you reach for that drink, and remember that every small choice toward health is a victory. The magic is in what you gain: clarity, energy, authentic connections, and the person you always knew you could be.Connect with KeelieInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/thesoberhypegirl/Website: https://keelielouise.com.au/homeConnect with meBook your 20-minute connection call https://calendly.com/jo--138/20min?month=2025-07 RE-IMAGINE: A personalised 1:1 six-week mentoring programme https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/work-with-me Rediscover You https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/resources/p/rediscover-youShare your journey with me by sending me a message on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/joclarkcoaching/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/joclarkcoaching/⁠Email me your success story at [email protected]. Remember, there's so much untapped brilliance in midlife women. You are wise, strong, and talented. You just need the space to hear yourself and the courage to act on what you know.The second half of your life can be even better than the first.

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• 163. What Freedom Really Looks Like in Midlife with Jo Clark

  Freedom in midlife doesn't arrive the way you imagined. After decades of longing for more time, more space, more breathing room, it finally shows up and feels unfamiliar, even uncomfortable. In this honest conversation, I explore why the freedom we've craved for so long can feel both exciting and confusing when it arrives. We unpack the five distinct forms of freedom that matter most in this season, from physical capability to emotional release, and tackle the real barriers that keep us stuck even when space finally opens up. This isn't about having it all figured out. It's about recognising that your version of freedom is uniquely yours and permitting yourself to discover what it looks like now.Key TakeawaysFreedom Evolves Through Every SeasonIn your twenties, freedom meant adventure and saying yes to everything. In your thirties, it became elusive as you juggled careers and family. Now, in your forties, fifties and beyond, freedom shifts from doing to being. It becomes about alignment and authenticity, creating a life that reflects who you are now, not who you were decades ago.Empty Nesting and Work Transitions Create Unfamiliar SpaceWhen the house is quiet or structured work ends, that new freedom doesn't always feel liberating at first. It feels strange, emotional, almost disorienting. You've spent so long being needed, being in motion, that stillness requires practice. This transition takes time, and it's completely normal to wonder who you are without everyone else's needs dictating your days.The Five Forms of Freedom Shape Your Midlife ExperiencePhysical freedom means feeling capable in your body as it is now. Time freedom is the courage to use your hours for yourself. Emotional freedom releases the weight of guilt, perfectionism and old stories. Relationship freedom lets you choose nourishing connections and let go of draining ones. Freedom of self-expression invites you to rediscover who you are and what lights you up. Each form shows up differently for every woman.The Biggest Barriers Are Often InternalMore often than circumstances, it's our self-talk, fears and old patterns that block freedom. The guilt about putting yourself first. The uncertainty about what you want after decades of meeting everyone else's needs. The painful thought that maybe it's too late. These aren't weaknesses. They're simply part of navigating a new season, and awareness is the first step toward change.Freedom Begins With Small, Intentional ChoicesYou don't need everything figured out to start. Choose one small decision each day that honours you. Create one hour a week that's just yours. Ask yourself what freedom could look like in this season. Dream big, start small, but most importantly, just start. Knowledge without action creates no transformation.Moving ForwardMidlife holds so much possibility, not because everything suddenly becomes easy, but because you finally have the chance to come back to yourself. Freedom doesn't arrive in one big moment. It's something you ease into, practice and grow into as you become clearer about who you are and what you need. The beautiful thing is it's never too late to create a life that feels true to you.Connect with meBook your 20-minute connection call https://calendly.com/jo--138/20min?month=2025-07 RE-IMAGINE: A personalised 1:1 six-week mentoring programme https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/work-with-me Rediscover You https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/resources/p/rediscover-youShare your journey with me by sending me a message on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/joclarkcoaching/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/joclarkcoaching/⁠Email me your success story at [email protected]. Remember, there's so much untapped brilliance in midlife women. You are wise, strong, and talented. You just need the space to hear yourself and the courage to act on what you know.The second half of your life can be even better than the first.

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• 162. Building a Compassionate Relationship with Yourself with Dr Hayley Quinn

  What if the most courageous thing you could do is face your own suffering with kindness? Dr Hayley Quinn, former clinical psychologist and wellbeing expert, joins me as we explore why self-compassion isn't self-indulgent but essential for survival. Hayley shares her raw journey from severe burnout that left her unable to get off the couch, through solo parenting and domestic violence, to building a thriving life. While self-neglect has a cost, the transformative power of learning to treat yourself like someone you love is powerful in midlife.Key TakeawaysBurnout Prevention Beats RecoveryThe signs show up early: exhaustion that rest doesn't fix, rising self-criticism, declining resilience. Hayley ignored hers until she was crying after client sessions. Prevention takes less time and money than recovery, and symptoms can linger for years. Don't wait until you're forced to walk away from your life.Self-Compassion Is Courage, Not WeaknessTrue compassion means facing your suffering, not bypassing it with toxic positivity. Hayley's inner critic told her, "You're a psychologist, you should know how to deal with this." Changing that relationship made all the difference. Start with morning check-ins: How did I sleep? How am I feeling? What do I need today?The Three Flows of Compassion All MatterWomen excel at giving compassion to others but struggle with self-compassion and receiving help. You might not even notice when support is offered because you're shut off to receiving it. Practice all three: giving to others, accepting support, and treating yourself with the care you'd give someone you love.Wellbeing Changes as You ChangeWhat worked in one season won't work in another. This isn't set-and-forget. Hayley checks in multiple times daily. Build flexibility to adjust your approach as life evolves.Moving ForwardSelf-neglect happens in small moments when you put everyone else in the picture but forget to include yourself. It compounds over time until you find yourself exhausted, resentful, or burned out. The antidote isn't adding more, it's building a compassionate relationship with yourself.Start today with one simple practice: slow down your breathing, take equal in and out breaths, and ask yourself, "How am I feeling? What do I need?" Then see if you can give yourself that. If you can't today, try again tomorrow.Dr. Hayley Quinn's book "From Self-Neglect to Self-Compassion: A Compassionate Guide to Creating a Thriving Life" releases just before Valentine's Day 2026, with pre-orders opening 18 November 2025.Join the book waitlist at drhayleydquinn.myflowdesk.com/bookwaitlist for exclusive bonuses. Connect with Hayley via her website, email, on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn via links below,.Website https://drhayleydquinn.comPodcast https://drhayleydquinn.com/podcast/From Self-Neglect to Self-Compassion Book https://drhayleydquinn.myflodesk.com/bookwaitlistFree Resource  https://drhayleydquinn.com/resources/Welcome to Self®: Time to Thrive Group Coaching https://drhayleydquinn.myflodesk.com/timetothrivewaitlistInstagram https://instagram.com/drhayleydquinn/LinkedIn Linkedin.com/in/dr-hayley-d-quinn-43386533Facebook https://facebook.com/drhayleydquinnbrisbaneConnect with meBook your 20-minute connection call https://calendly.com/jo--138/20min?month=2025-07 RE-IMAGINE: A personalised 1:1 six-week mentoring programme https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/work-with-me Rediscover You https://www.joclarkcoaching.com/resources/p/rediscover-youShare your journey with me by sending me a message on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/joclarkcoaching/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/joclarkcoaching/⁠Email me your success story at [email protected]. Remember, there's so much untapped brilliance in midlife women. You are wise, strong, and talented. You just need the space to hear yourself and the courage to act on what you know.The second half of your life can be even better than the first.

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