Why chronic stress leaves so many midlife women burnt out and how nervous system regulation can restore energy, boundaries and intimacy. In this episode of Sage Women, therapist and professor Dr Julie Merriman explains why so many women experience burnout, chronic stress, and disconnection from their bodies.

We explore how nervous system dysregulation affects women’s health, relationships, and intimacy, especially during midlife. Dr Merriman shares practical tools including grounding exercises, body awareness and breathing techniques to help regulate the nervous system and restore balance.

Connect with Julie:

Julie Merriman - Freebie: Reignite Your Desire & Fire https://colossal-speaker-6707.kit.com/62dfb355a6,

www.juliemerrimanphd.com,

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-julie-merriman-wellness-llc-b9a332155/

In this episode, Melanie sits down with business storytelling expert Gabrielle Dolan to explore how midlife women - especially those navigating menopause, perimenopause, hormonal shifts, and confidence challenges like brain fog or self-doubt - can stop overpreparing and self-editing and start leading with their authentic voice.

In a world saturated with AI-generated content, Gabrielle explains why personal storytelling is a leadership superpower. She shares her four types of stories and practical tools to build credibility in meetings, job interviews, and everyday leadership, while using AI as a creative support without losing your unique voice.

Connect with Gabrielle:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielledolan/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gabrielledolan.1/

Universal Podcast Link -

https://podfollow.com/keeping-it-real-with-jac-and-ral

Free storytelling starter kit - https://gabrielledolan.com/starterkit/

Books - https://gabrielledolan.com/books/

Website - https://gabrielledolan.com/

Today, Melanie and registered dietitian and coach Amanda Mannes explore midlife nutrition challenges and how women's dietary needs evolve during this pivotal life stage. They discuss the impact of stress and sleep on overall health, with Amanda sharing a candid account of weight gain during a stressful period - even while eating clean - to remind us that non-food factors can influence the scale. The conversation dives into practical nutrition, including protein needs for midlife women (Amanda suggests about 1.5 grams per kilogram of body weight) and easy swaps like high-protein yogurt, pairing carbohydrates with protein to stabilise blood sugar and curb cravings, and a quick look at cholesterol management with plant sterols. They also highlight a crucial strategy: making one effective dietary change at a time to build sustainable, lasting habits.

Connect with Amanda here: https://www.amandamannes.com.au/

Learn more about protein intake in midlife & menopause here: https://www.sagewomenshealth.com/menopause/weight-gain-loss/prioritising-protein-drop-size-menopause

Learn more about cholesterol management here: https://www.sagewomenshealth.com/menopause/cholesterol-and-menopause