What if everything we've been told about menopause is only half the story? In this episode of the Menopause Mindshift Self-Love Podcast, I sit down with Rev. Dr. Joanne Angel Barry Colon, author of The Menopause Portal, who's spent over four decades in the health, fitness and wellness industry.

We flip the narrative on menopause completely and explore the other side of the coin, from what your hot flashes and 3 AM wake ups might really mean, to how moon cycles connect to our own cycles, to the trauma and grief we hold in our bodies and how to finally release it.

Dr. Joanne shares why our body is our biggest messenger, how astrology can be your navigation system, and why this chapter isn't the end but the best time of a woman's life. Whether you're deep into the metaphysical or brand new to it, this conversation will get you thinking about your symptoms, your energy and yourself in a whole new way.

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What if your body isn't betraying you during menopause? What if it's communicating with you?

Hot flashes, weight gain, brain fog, interrupted sleep, and fatigue may feel like they're working against you, but they can also be signals that your body needs something different. Instead of ignoring those messages or looking for another quick fix, this episode explores how learning to listen to your body can change the way you approach menopause.

Lisa shares the powerful shift that helped transform her own menopause journey and explains why small, intentional changes can make a meaningful difference. From nutrition and strength training to stress reduction, sleep, and mindset, discover how supporting your body instead of fighting it can help you feel stronger, healthier, and more in control.

• Why menopause symptoms may be your body's way of communicating with you

• How stress, food choices, movement, and sleep influence symptom severity

• Why small daily changes create lasting results

• The simple affirmation that can help you build a stronger connection with your body

Affirmation: "I listen to my body's needs."

It's time to stop fighting your body and start listening to what it's been trying to tell you all along.

Most women experience a profound loss of self during midlife. The numbness. The exhaustion. The feeling that you've completely disappeared. But what if this chapter isn't the end of your story, it's actually the beginning of coming home to yourself? In this conversation with Dr. Julie Merriman, a counselor, professor, author, and podcast host, we explore burnout, self-loathing, nervous system regulation, and the transformative journey of excavating yourself during midlife. Discover why regulating your nervous system is the key to managing menopause symptoms, finding desire again, and remembering who you truly are. Because midlife isn't an ending. It's your invitation to begin.

About Dr. Julie Merriman:

Dr. Julie Merriman is a licensed counselor, university professor, author, registered play therapist, yoga instructor, and EMDR therapist who has worked with hundreds of middle-aged women navigating burnout, self-loss, and nervous system overwhelm. After her own experience with burnout and self-loathing, she excavated herself and found her way home again. Now she's dedicated to helping women understand that midlife is not an ending, but a beginning of rediscovering who they truly are.

Dr. Julie's Social Links: Instagram: @dr.juliemerriman YouTube: @drjuliemerriman Website: juliemerrimanphd.com