“If you don't feel comfortable, you're not going to feel confident.” - Louise (Jade) Cordell

Have you ever stood in front of your closet thinking nothing fits and nothing feels right? Or maybe you feel like you don’t even recognize yourself in the mirror anymore. Figuring out your wardrobe during midlife can be challenging. This time of our lives isn’t just a hormone shift, it’s an identity shift. Your body is changing, your energy is changing, and sometimes it feels like you suddenly became invisible. But what if your wardrobe could help you find your way back?

For many women in perimenopause and menopause, figuring out what to wear becomes yet another source of frustration. We have to remember: how you show up in the world and your style isn’t just about looking good, it’s about feeling confident, visible, and comfortable in your body right now.

Today, I’m joined by Louise (Jade) Cordell, the founder of Jade Style Coaching and creator of The Style Confidence Breakthrough, where she helps women reconnect with who they are through the power of wardrobe and mindset. Jade’s insights are a masterclass in using your wardrobe as a tool for self-reconnection, confidence, and joy.

In this conversation, Jade and I unpack why midlife style shifts are about much more than fashion, the deep connection between confidence and clothing, practical strategies for rebuilding your wardrobe, how to dress for the woman you are today, Jade’s process for creating a minimalist, mix-and-match closet, and more. Clothes are more than just fabric. They carry energy and meaning. Let’s rethink our approach to style to foster a sense of belonging and authenticity at every stage of life.

---

Your Takeaways

Why midlife style shifts are about identity, not fashion

The emotional link between confidence, visibility, and what’s in your closet

How “confidence anchors” help you reconnect with who you are now

The mindset shift from hiding your body to dressing for the woman you’ve become

One small wardrobe change that can spark momentum and joy again

---

Episode Resources

Connect with Louise (Jade) Cordell https://www.jadestylecoaching.com/

Check out the full show notes at https://leslieduffycoaching.com/11.

---

Connect with Leslie

Connect with me and learn more at LeslieDuffyCoaching.com (https://leslieduffycoaching.com/)

Send me a message and follow me on Instagram @LeslieDuffyCoaching (https://www.instagram.com/leslieduffycoaching/)

Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube @TheHormoneShiftShow (https://www.youtube.com/@TheHormoneShiftShow)

I love hearing from listeners! Email your questions or topic requests to Leslie@TheHormoneShiftShow.com

Check out Leslie’s favorite things: Amazon Storefront (https://www.amazon.com/shop/leslieduffycoaching)

“Your January detox does not undo what happens in December.” – Leslie Duffy

The holiday season can feel overwhelming. With nonstop events, family obligations, and an ever-growing to-do list, you’re probably running on caffeine, adrenaline, and guilt. By January, it’s easy to feel burned out, a little defeated, and like another detox might be the thing to fix it all. The truth is, what your body really needs is a steady rhythm, calm, and real nourishment.

This year, I'm inviting you to try doing the holidays a little differently. Instead of rushing, restricting, or muscling through with willpower, what if you gave yourself permission to find some ease? When you focus on creating safety for your body, everything changes. The truth is, how you eat matters just as much as what you eat. If you slow down, take a breath, and actually tune into your meals, your body starts to shift out of survival mode. That’s when real healing, energy, and good digestion finally have a chance to show up.

​In this episode, I’m sharing my Calm Plate Method, a simple, science-backed way to help you reduce stress, balance your blood sugar, and actually enjoy your meals guilt-free. I’ll walk you through a three-minute pre-meal ritual to reset your digestion, practical ways to use timing, order, and rhythm to keep your metabolism steady, and why slowing down could be the missing piece to feeling lighter and more grounded through the holiday season.

---

Your Takeaways

Why “holiday hustle” habits wreck digestion, hormones, and mood

How to use the Calm Plate Method

A three-minute pre-meal ritual to trigger digestion and calm the nervous system

The three R’s to steady blood sugar

The three P’s to eat mindfully and feel satisfied

---

Episode Resources

Lose Weight with the CALM Plate: https://stan.store/leslieduffycoaching/p/the-calm-plate

The Mind Body Academy Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeSsid-llIxNtML2QhNrpFSNQiv0wyqTOQgvFpqVUMVDA2FNA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=106882843038261206370

Check out the full show notes at https://leslieduffycoaching.com/10.

---

Connect with Leslie

Connect with me and learn more at LeslieDuffyCoaching.com (https://leslieduffycoaching.com/)

Send me a message and follow me on Instagram @LeslieDuffyCoaching (https://www.instagram.com/leslieduffycoaching/)

Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube @TheHormoneShiftShow (https://www.youtube.com/@TheHormoneShiftShow)

I love hearing from listeners! Email your questions or topic requests to Leslie@TheHormoneShiftShow.com

Check out Leslie’s favorite things: Amazon Storefront (https://www.amazon.com/shop/leslieduffycoaching)

“Your doctor works for you, not the other way around.” – Leslie Duffy

Too many women walk out of their doctor’s office feeling dismissed, rushed, or even a little ashamed for asking questions about their symptoms. In perimenopause, when you’re already dealing with brain fog, exhaustion, and the stress of not feeling like yourself, those 15 minutes in the exam room can feel impossible to navigate.

Part of the problem is that most doctors were never trained in menopause care. They may be excellent at treating infections or acute conditions, but when it comes to the midlife transition, they’ve often had only a handful of hours of education. That means if you’re not prepared, your concerns can get brushed aside with “you’re just getting older” or another routine prescription that doesn’t address the root cause of the issue.

Today, I’m breaking down exactly how to talk to your doctor about perimenopause. You’ll learn five practical tips for preparing before your appointment, how to frame your symptoms to make them clear and specific, and a simple script you can use to ask about hormones without feeling awkward or getting dismissed.

I’ll also show you how to incorporate a symptom tracker, use language that resonates with medical providers, and co-create a plan instead of just following orders. You’ll walk away with the confidence to head into your next appointment prepared, clear, and empowered, plus the red flags that signal that it might be time to find a new provider.

---

Your Takeaways

Why most doctors aren’t trained in menopause care and how that affects you

The prep that changes everything: bringing a short list and a symptom tracker

How to describe your symptoms so doctors actually understand their impact

Co-creating a treatment plan instead of blindly following prescriptions

When it’s time to seek a second opinion or fire your doctor

---

Episode Resources

Episode 9 FREE Listener Guide https://leslie-duffy-coaching.kit.com/1744825064

Check out the full show notes at https://leslieduffycoaching.com/9.

---

Connect with Leslie

Connect with me and learn more at LeslieDuffyCoaching.com (https://leslieduffycoaching.com/)

Send me a message and follow me on Instagram @LeslieDuffyCoaching (https://www.instagram.com/leslieduffycoaching/)

Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube @TheHormoneShiftShow (https://www.youtube.com/@TheHormoneShiftShow)

I love hearing from listeners! Email your questions or topic requests to Leslie@TheHormoneShiftShow.com

Check out Leslie’s favorite things: Amazon Storefront (https://www.amazon.com/shop/leslieduffycoaching)

“You can bring the love back if you want it back.” - Carolyn Sharp

Midlife has a way of magnifying every crack in a marriage. Small arguments feel bigger, resentments grow heavier, and the spark can feel hard to find. Add shifting hormones, a heavier stress load, and zero tolerance for “just getting by,” and what once felt manageable might now feel unbearable. It’s tempting to believe the only answer is walking away.

Today, I’m joined by Carolyn Sharp, couples therapist, coach, and author of Fired Up: Four Secrets to Reigniting Intimacy and Joy in Your Relationship. With over 30 years of experience, Carolyn shares why so many couples drift into disconnection in midlife, the biggest myths about reigniting intimacy, and why tending to your relationship is just as critical as tending to your health.

We talk about the warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored, the under-functioning/over-functioning trap so many couples fall into, and how radical responsibility and curiosity can help you shift even long-standing patterns. You’ll also learn a simple but powerful exercise Carolyn uses with couples to rebuild trust, how humor and small conversations can act as “reset buttons” for your relationship, and why your physical health and emotional health are inseparable when it comes to intimacy and connection.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have new tools, a fresh perspective, and a reminder that it’s not too late to reignite the spark if you’re willing to do the work.

---

Your Takeaways

How shifting hormones and life roles in midlife strain relationships

Why you need to work on connection during major life transitions

The biggest myth about reigniting intimacy and the four-step process that busts it

Early signs of disconnection: living like roommates, no laughter, only talking about logistics

The underrated tools that rebuild trust (eye contact, true listening, and humor)

---

Episode Resources

Carolyn Sharp's Website https://www.secureconnectionsretreats.com/

Episode 8 FREE Listener Guide https://leslie-duffy-coaching.kit.com/1f27df3a53

Check out the full show notes at https://leslieduffycoaching.com/8.

---

Connect with Leslie

Connect with me and learn more at LeslieDuffyCoaching.com (https://leslieduffycoaching.com/)

Send me a message and follow me on Instagram @LeslieDuffyCoaching (https://www.instagram.com/leslieduffycoaching/)

Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube @TheHormoneShiftShow (https://www.youtube.com/@TheHormoneShiftShow)

I love hearing from listeners! Email your questions or topic requests to Leslie@TheHormoneShiftShow.com

Check out Leslie’s favorite things: Amazon Storefront (https://www.amazon.com/shop/leslieduffycoaching)

If you’ve been dragging through the day with zero motivation, feeling anxious or foggy, noticing weight gain, or dealing with random chin hairs, oily skin, or sudden acne, your testosterone could be out of balance.

Most women don’t realize that testosterone matters just as much for us as it does for men. Whether it’s too high or too low, the ripple effects of testosterone imbalance show up everywhere, from your mood to your metabolism.

Today, I’m giving you a crash course on testosterone in women, including what it does, why it matters in midlife, and how to know if your levels are too high or too low. We’ll cover the surprising symptoms most women don’t connect to testosterone, the biggest lifestyle and medication triggers, and how stress and blood sugar swings can wreak havoc on your testosterone levels.

You’ll also learn three natural ways to boost testosterone if it’s low, and three strategies to calm it down if it’s high. By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly what red flags to look for, what steps you can take right now to support your hormones, and how to bring this “hidden” hormone back into balance so you can feel like yourself again.

---

Your Takeaways

Why testosterone matters for women’s energy, mood, libido, and brain health

Signs of low testosterone: fatigue, low motivation, brain fog, weight gain, and low sex drive

Signs of high testosterone: belly fat, acne, facial hair, irritability, and insulin resistance

Everyday triggers that disrupt testosterone: stress, under-eating, medications, toxins, and blood sugar swings

Natural ways to balance testosterone: lift weights, eat enough protein, and prioritize deep sleep

---

Free Resources

Testosterone Quick Guide: Get Your Free Guide at https://idyllic-wind-45449.myflodesk.com/episode7

Check out the full show notes at https://leslieduffycoaching.com/7.

---

Connect with Leslie

Connect with me and learn more at LeslieDuffyCoaching.com (https://leslieduffycoaching.com/)

Send me a message and follow me on Instagram @LeslieDuffyCoaching (https://www.instagram.com/leslieduffycoaching/)

Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube @TheHormoneShiftShow (https://www.youtube.com/@TheHormoneShiftShow)

I love hearing from listeners! Email your questions or topic requests to Leslie@TheHormoneShiftShow.com

Check out Leslie’s favorite things: Amazon Storefront (https://www.amazon.com/shop/leslieduffycoaching)

If you’ve been dealing with heavy periods, clotting, night sweats, insomnia, anxiety, or even autoimmune flare-ups, it might not just be “getting older.” In perimenopause, progesterone is the first hormone to take a sharp dive, dropping by nearly 75% between the ages of 35 and 50. And when it does, the ripple effects show up everywhere in your body, from your brain to your bones.

Today, I’m breaking down exactly what happens when progesterone declines, why it matters far beyond fertility, and how to tell if your symptoms are connected. You’ll learn the difference between estrogen dominance and low progesterone, the role ovulation plays in producing this calming hormone, and why stress, under-eating, sedentary living, or certain medications may be stealing your progesterone long before age does.

I’ll also walk you through how functional medicine approaches low progesterone by supporting ovulation, reducing stress, addressing thyroid and adrenal health, and using nutrition and lifestyle tools to restore balance. By the end, you’ll understand why progesterone is your body’s built-in calming system, how to protect it, and what steps you can take right now to feel more like yourself again.

---

Your Takeaways

The dramatic decline of progesterone in perimenopause

Low progesterone shows up as anxiety, insomnia, heavy bleeding, and autoimmune flares

Causes of low progesterone include stress, under-eating, infections, poor blood flow, and certain medications

The difference between the conventional medicine and the functional medicine approach

Stress is the ultimate disruptor, and why your body will always choose survival over balance

---

Free Resources

Progesterone & Perimenopause Quick Guide: Get Your Free Guide at https://idyllic-wind-45449.myflodesk.com/episode6

Check out the full show notes at https://leslieduffycoaching.com/6.

---

Articles

GABA System Modifications During Periods of Hormonal Flux Across the Female Lifespan https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/behavioral-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2022.802530/full

Use of hormone replacement therapy and risk of venous thromboembolism: nested case-control studies using the QResearch and CPRD databases https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/behavioral-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2022.802530/full

Does taking progesterone pose an increased risk for breast cancer? https://cemcor.ubc.ca/ask/what-about-progesterone-and-risk-breast-cancer/

Risk of Breast Cancer by Type of Menopausal Hormone Therapy: a Case-Control Study among Post-Menopausal Women in France https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3815310/

---

Connect with Leslie

Connect with me and learn more at LeslieDuffyCoaching.com (https://leslieduffycoaching.com/)

Send me a message

Do you feel like your body changed overnight? Maybe your weight won’t budge, your joints ache, your period is all over the place, or your moods swing like a rollercoaster? Chances are, estrogen is connected to your symptoms.

Most of us were never taught about what estrogen does in our bodies, and by the time we walk into our doctor’s office, it’s already causing chaos. Then, their jargon can leave you feeling lost, dismissed, or even foolish for not knowing what’s going on with your own body.

Today, I’m breaking down 10 things every woman over 40 needs to know about estrogen and, more importantly, what to do about it. You’ll learn what estrogen dominance is, how estrogen and progesterone work like a seesaw, why high stress makes estrogen dominance worse, and how estrogen works as your “juicy hormone” to keep your skin plump, your joints flexible, and your vaginal tissue healthy. We’re also digging into how estrogen affects your bones, metabolism, histamine response, and more, plus the steps you can take right now to start to optimize your hormone health.

By the end of this episode, you’ll be aware of red flags that may signal estrogen imbalance, which action steps to prioritize, and why estrogen matters for more than your cycle. It’s time to stop guessing, start tracking, and feel empowered in this season of life.

---

Your Takeaways

The three types of estrogen and how they shift through our life stages

Why estrogen is the “juicy hormone” for skin, joints, and vaginal health

How estrogen supports collagen, bone strength, and flexibility

The rollercoaster nature of estrogen in perimenopause

Why estrogen detox is crucial

Check out the full show notes at https://leslieduffycoaching.com/5.

---

Free Resources

Fireproof Your Hormones: A real-life approach to calming inflammation and supporting hormone health. Get Your Free Guide at https://stan.store/leslieduffycoaching/p/fireproof-your-hormones

Tracker + Symptom Checklist: Too many symptoms, not enough answers? Grab this free tracker + symptom checklist to start connecting the dots at https://idyllic-wind-45449.myflodesk.com/lj57cu63zk

---

Articles

Effect of estrogens on skin aging and the potential role of SERMs https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2685269

Estrogen Inhibits Bone Resorption by Directly Inducing Apoptosis of the Bone-resorbing Osteoclasts https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2685269

Phytoestrogens protect joints in collagen induced arthritis by increasing IgG glycosylation and reducing osteoclast activation https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1567576919328826

---

Connect with Leslie

Connect with me and learn more at LeslieDuffyCoaching.com (https://leslieduffycoaching.com/)

Send me a message and follow me on Instagram @LeslieDuffyCoaching (



If you’ve ever felt guilty about money, avoided checking your bank account, or wondered why you’re hustling so hard but never feel secure, you’re not alone. In midlife, financial stress doesn’t just live in your bank account; it lives in your body. It keeps you up at night, spikes your cortisol, fuels anxiety, and leaves you running on fumes no matter how hard you push.

In this episode, I sit down with bestselling author and certified money coach Jeannie Dougherty to unpack how your money story was formed and how to let it go in midlife. We talk about the hidden connections between money and health, why forgiveness (including forgiving yourself) is a key part of financial healing, and how to start rewiring your “money brain” so you can break free from old patterns.

Jeannie shares practical ways to uncover your money values, spot red flags in relationships, and shift from scarcity and shame into empowerment and alignment. If you’ve been white-knuckling your finances, manifesting without results, or constantly feeling blocked when it comes to money, this conversation will help you release the guilt, take back your power, and start creating financial and physical freedom.

---

Your Takeaways

How family money stories shape your financial mindset

Why forgiveness of others and yourself is key to releasing financial shame

The difference between money mindset and rewiring your brain around money

What your spending patterns reveal about your core values

How health investments today create long-term freedom later

---

Links & Resources

Check out the full show notes at https://leslieduffycoaching.com/how-to-rewire-your-money-story-in-midlife-with-jeannie-dougherty/

Book a Wellness Shift Strategy Call with Leslie - Your first step toward feeling clear, capable, and in control of your health again (https://calendly.com/leslieduffycoaching/wellness-shift-strategy-call)

---

Connect with Leslie

Connect with me and learn more at LeslieDuffyCoaching.com (https://leslieduffycoaching.com/)

Send me a message and follow me on Instagram @LeslieDuffyCoaching (https://www.instagram.com/leslieduffycoaching/)

Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube @TheHormoneShiftShow (https://www.youtube.com/@TheHormoneShiftShow)

I love hearing from listeners! Email your questions or topic requests to Leslie@TheHormoneShiftShow.com

Check out Leslie’s favorite things: Amazon Storefront (https://www.amazon.com/shop/leslieduffycoaching)