EP 139: Hey, midlife ladies, are you staring down at your weights like they're judging you? Or maybe you're still convinced that picking up a dumbbell will turn you into a pro bodybuilder overnight?

I get it—figuring out how to build strength in midlife can feel like one more chore we don't have the energy for. But what if I told you that strength training might just be the key to unlocking your midlife energy, confidence, and longevity? As you know, I call it the "dumb and necessary weights". It is one of my midlife hard and goods. Spoiler alert: it is.

In this week's episode of Flexible Neurotic Podcast, I'm chatting with Annie Murray, a badass 54-year-old fitness trainer from the UK who didn't even start her weightlifting journey until she turned 50. You heard me…

Annie is living proof that it's never too late to pivot and go all-in on your health. We dive into all things food and weightlifting in midlife: why building muscle is basically your midlife insurance policy, how to stop overcomplicating nutrition, and why starting small and staying consistent is the secret sauce.

Annie Murray is a certified personal trainer, fitness coach, and creator of a fitness app designed for women who want to build muscle, lose fat, and feel amazing in midlife. With a background as a software engineer turned fitness expert, Annie has inspired thousands on Instagram with her relatable, no-BS approach to health and strength. Her mission? To show women everywhere that it's never too late to start—and that lifting weights isn't scary, it's empowering.

We Also Discuss:

(00:00) App Filming and Instagram Secrets
(04:13) Midlife Fitness Pivot and Success
(09:00) Embracing Change and Finding Strength
(17:12) Menopause, HRT, Fitness, and Muscle Mass
(22:38) Weight Training After 50
(36:40) Sugar-Free Nutrition and Fitness Transformation
(52:50) Consistent Fitness Habits and Lifestyle
(01:00:24) Starting a Midlife Business With Passion
(01:09:34) Balancing Passion and Self-Doubt
(01:17:25) Instagram Fitness Journey and Online Presence

WATCH THE EPISODE HERE: https://youtu.be/tZKbmdBi-VA

THE FLEXIBLE NEUROTIC SHOW NOTES: https://www.theflexibleneurotic.com/episodes/139

THE FLEXIBLE NEUROTIC INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/theflexibleneurotic/

THE FLEXIBLE NEUROTIC WEBSITE: https://www.theflexibleneurotic.com/

THE FLEXIBLE NEUROTIC EMAIL: sarah@theflexibleneurotic.com

EP 138: Hey peeps, it's me, Dr. Sarah Milken, The Flexible Neurotic. You know I'm all about the hard and good of midlife— the hormones, the identity shifts, the marriage stuff, and the WTF moments that come with it.

In this episode, I sit down with the hilarious and insightful Tara Ellison, writer for The Cut, The New York Times, Harper's Bazaar, and The Washington Post, to talk about her midlife reboot… and yes, her unexpected love affair with sea lions. We dig into everything from testosterone creams and pellet disasters to the real truth about marriage, menopause, and midlife loneliness.

We also talk about how Tara went from a hormone rollercoaster and open-heart surgery to rediscovering herself through writing, volunteering, and community. It's raw, it's funny, it's relatable, and it's one of those episodes that reminds you: midlife reinvention doesn't happen overnight… it happens one sweaty, hilarious, soul-searching day at a time.

• The hormone circus: testosterone, patches, pellets, and patience

• Marriage, libido, and staying connected when midlife hits hard

• How health scares can wake us up to what really matters

• Finding yourself again through creativity and service

• The loneliness of midlife (even in a marriage)

• The beauty of doing something totally new — like sea lion rescue

WATCH THE EPISODE HERE: https://youtu.be/BJ6tB30SJDc

THE FLEXIBLE NEUROTIC SHOW NOTES: https://www.theflexibleneurotic.com/episodes/138

THE FLEXIBLE NEUROTIC INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/theflexibleneurotic/

THE FLEXIBLE NEUROTIC WEBSITE: https://www.theflexibleneurotic.com/

THE FLEXIBLE NEUROTIC EMAIL: sarah@theflexibleneurotic.com

EP 137: In this week's episode of The Flexible Neurotic, I sit down with Erin Falconer—author of How to Break Up with Your Friends: Finding Meaning, Connection, and Boundaries in Modern Friendships. Yes, you read that right. We are actually talking about the hard, awkward, and sometimes necessary art of friend breakups in midlife.

Midlife is already a swirl of hormone chaos, empty-nesting, "who even am I anymore?" energy… and on top of that, many of us are re-evaluating friendships we've had for decades. Erin and I get into:
• How to spot the difference between a friend who fills your cup vs. one who drains it.
• The cultural shame around ending friendships (spoiler: there shouldn't be).
• Practical scripts and tips for having "the talk."
• Why pruning your friend tree makes room for deeper, more authentic connections.
• The myth of "ride or die" friendships and why growth often means shifting circles.

This convo is funny, real, and slightly uncomfortable in the best way. Because let's be honest—midlife is the perfect time to audit not just our hormones and skincare routines, but our relationships, too.

Listen if:
• You've ever felt guilty for wanting out of a friendship.
• You're craving deeper, more meaningful connections in this next chapter.
• You love a little humor sprinkled on top of your existential midlife crisis.

Resources & Links:
• Erin's book: How to Break Up with Your Friends
• Erin Falconer on Instagram: @erinfalconer

WATCH THE EPISODE HERE: https://youtu.be/BJ6tB30SJDc

THE FLEXIBLE NEUROTIC SHOW NOTES: https://www.theflexibleneurotic.com/episodes/137

THE FLEXIBLE NEUROTIC INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/theflexibleneurotic/

THE FLEXIBLE NEUROTIC WEBSITE: https://www.theflexibleneurotic.com/

THE FLEXIBLE NEUROTIC EMAIL: sarah@theflexibleneurotic.com