Elizabeth Kush, licensed clinical counselor and women’s life coach, explores the complex challenges of midlife and menopause for women who feel overwhelmed by physical changes, shifting family dynamics, and societal expectations. • Menopause brings significant physical and emotional changes that can make women feel disconnected from their former selves • …

The topic of good habits for great skin over 40 is alive and well! If there is one thing that women in midlife women contend with it is our ageing skin. Today I am talking with skincare expert and the owner of Magnolia Skin Essentials Lisa Duffy. Lisa inspires women …

Navigating Menopause in the Workforce: The Conversations We Need to Have. Menopause is not just a personal issue, it’s also a workplace issue—but too often, it’s ignored, misunderstood, or left out of corporate wellness conversations. In this episode, I sit down with employment attorney Mark Carey to break down the …

This episode dives deep into the confusion surrounding menopause hormone therapy, discussing the historical stigma, outdated research, and contradictory medical advice women face. By understanding these complexities and advocating for themselves, women can navigate their menopause journeys with more confidence and clarity. • Examination of outdated beliefs about hormone replacement …

What if you could throw away the burden of New Year’s resolutions and instead embrace a mindset brimming with exciting possibilities? Join me as I share a personal journey of transforming the post-holiday pressure into an opportunity for joy and curiosity. This episode of Real Food Stories is all about …

This has been a big year for menopause! I know that there has been some big moments in awareness and education. Here are some of the highlights that I talk about in the episode. Discover the 2024 Menopause Breakthroughs A New Understanding of Hormone Therapy: Recent studies have shed new …

Stacy Brix, a board-certified family nurse practitioner with a passion for perimenopause, joins Heather to challenge outdated misconceptions and bring clarity to a critical phase in women’s health. Discover how her professional journey and personal experiences have led her to focus on hormone replacement therapy (HRT), shedding light on the …

If you didn’t listen to last week’s episode (#100) where I talk to the men out there about menopause, take a listen! Today, I went a bit rogue and decided to bring on my husband (and real-life man!) Mark Carey, to get his side of the menopause story. Menopause isn’t …

For my 100TH EPISODE(!!) I am talking to the men out there :) Menopause has proven to be confusing enough for women, what with the total lack of information from their doctors or their mothers. If you are confused, try your husband or partner. They are even more in the …

Unlock the secrets of nutrigenomics with my guest, Dr. Tamar Lawful. Discover how your genetic blueprint may be the key to mastering your health, especially in the realm of women’s wellness. Through Dr. Lawful’s expertise in pharmacy, nutrition, and genomics, learn how a simple saliva swab can provide personalized insights …

Women in midlife are often found in the Sandwich Generation – caught between the responsibilities with children and taking care of aging parents. Join me as I talk with Jeanette Yates, founder of The Self-Care Giver, a space to understand and empower yourself during this sometimes overwhelming time of our …

Is menopause leaving you confused and overwhelmed? Unlock the secrets to managing this life phase with confidence in today’s episode. Today I dive into the powerful role of whole foods and share top nutrition tips tailored specifically for those navigating menopause. Learn how small shifts in your diet can make …

Ready to revamp your menopause journey? Join me as I share my personal struggles and triumphs in navigating menopause, and announce my transformative new course, Nourish: Empower Your Menopause Journey. This episode of Real Food Stories dives deep into the unique challenges of menopause, highlighting the importance of reliable information, …

What if everything you thought you knew about menopause was wrong? Discover the truths about the menopause transition and how nutrition can play a crucial role in managing its symptoms. Join Heather Carey on the Real Food Stories podcast as she unpacks the bewildering journey through menopause, breaking down the …

Unlock the secrets of your DNA with Elwynn Robinson, founder of Genetic Insights, as he shares his compelling journey from a personal health crisis to pioneering affordable and personalized genetic health reports. Learn how Elwynn’s early exposure to health-conscious living, coupled with a life-altering discovery, led him to create a …

Join me as I dive into an enlightening conversation with Jessica Setnick, a renowned registered dietitian specializing in eating disorders. In this episode, we unravel the complexities of eating issues among midlife women, exploring the societal pressures and fear marketing that contribute to these struggles, starting from childhood and often …

Asserting your needs without feeling selfish? Join us as we sit down with Susie Pettit, life coach and host of the Love Your Life Show, who opens up about her journey from a codependent upbringing to mastering the art of setting healthy boundaries. Susie provides invaluable insights into how prioritizing …

What if the secret to a longer, healthier life was hidden in the past? Join me as I uncover the wisdom of the Mediterranean diet with our guest, Stavros Mastrogiannis, a 29-year veteran in the weight loss field and founder of the Stavros Method. With his rich upbringing in Greece …

Amita Sharma is the founder of Nourish Doc,  an online platform for menopause wellness resources. Amita shared her story and struggles of perimenopause and menopause amidst a corporate world that barely acknowledges its existence. She created her platform out of what she saw as an unmet need. Amita’s mission with …

Do you ever wonder if you’re getting the right nutrients from your diet or if you need all those supplements? Join me in this episode of Real Food Stories into the complex world of dietary supplements. I’ll share what supplements I take (it’s not a lot!), emphasizing the importance of …

It might surprise you to learn that one of the secrets to good health lies in the tiny but mighty micronutrients—vitamins and minerals—that we often overlook or don’t take the time to think about when we are making everyday food choices. Join me as I unpack the essential roles of …

Just like carbs and protein, there have been plenty of crazy fads when it comes to fats. In this episode I talk I highlight the latest and greatest debate – seed oils. Are they harmful for you? Should we continue to use them, and has social media simply hijacked another …

What if everything you thought you knew about fats was wrong? Get ready to rethink your dietary habits as we unravel the myths surrounding dietary fats and reveal the truth behind the fat-free craze of the 1980s. Discover how the move to eliminate fats led to an unexpected rise in …

Ever found yourself questioning the true impact of carbohydrates on your health, or weight gain? Do you blame carbs and feel that you are addicted to them? In this episode I help to debunk some of the biggest myths around carbs, the questions that I get asked the most from …

Ever feel like carbohydrates are the dietary villain you just can’t escape? Let me shatter the myths and shine a light on the truth about these vital nutrients in our latest Real Food Stories podcast episode. As we dissect the world of carbs, you’ll come away understanding their crucial role …

The thing about protein in midlife is that we are so confused about protein! How much, when, where, and the types of protein are questions that leave us confused. Today’s episode strips down the jargon of nutrition to its bare bones, offering a way out of diet myths. As we …

Dana Karen Ciccone is the founder of Movement Remedies, a Boston-based pilates studio, and the author of the book You Were Meant to Move. In our interview, Dana Karen shares her beginnings of the intertwining of chronic pain with the complex world of dieting and body image, which is a …

Greg Peterson, the owner of Urban Farm, talks to me about getting started in gardening, and the season is now! The simple act of growing your vegetables is not only a benefit to your nourishment, it’s a benefit to the environment and your health. This episode will transform your view …

Coming from a place of unseen anxiety and depression, weight loss coach Megan Gaul used small-habit change and the help of cognitive behavioral therapy to build a new relationship with food. She lost 100 lbs over 1 year, and the bulk of her growth has been learning how to MAINTAIN …

There is little doubt that midlife and menopause bring along with it a lot of confusion and mystery. Take a listen today as Dr. Harden, Katie Clayton and I navigate through some of the big twists and turns of women’s health. Meet Michelle and Katy Dr. Michelle Harden, an OB/GYN …

Dr. Bijoy John, a sleep specialist, joins us for a thought-provoking session that might just be the key to unlocking the rest you’ve been yearning for. Through Dr. John’s expertise and personal narrative, we veer into the intricacies of sleep and its profound impact on our health, mood, and even …

Break free from the winter blues and find joy in a plate full of vibrant, seasonal goodness. That’s exactly what awaits you with my Spring Healthy Eating Reset, tailored for women in the prime of midlife. Starting April 5th, 2024, I invite you on this exciting journey, not through the …

Are you mushroom-curious? “Magic mushrooms” are the new medical marijuana and there is a lot of mystery and unanswered questions surrounding them. Tune in to discover the transformative powers of mushroom therapy from Bijou Finney, a microdose coach, to the show. With Bijou’s guidance, we traverse the healing landscape of …

Rediscover the joy of life’s second act alongside executive coach Reina Bach, whose expertise in leadership development and coaching shines through our discussion about overcoming the stereotypes of midlife. As we peel back the layers of personal narratives that often lead to what some women might call a ‘midlife crisis’, …

Embark on a journey to contentment with Tamara Zoner, the happiness expert, as she unpacks the habits of a joy-infused life. By the end of the episode, you’ll have a treasure chest of strategies to foster an enduring sense of peace and well-being. Tamara doesn’t just hand over the keys …

From the ashes of a turbulent childhood, blossoms a story of redemption and self-discovery. Join us as Paul Zulman, the author of “The Role of Love,” opens up about his transformative journey and the role love languages have played in his life. In a heart-to-heart that promises both enlightenment and …

Laura Broom, a resilience coach with a remarkable story of transformation, joins us to reveal her secrets to bouncing back stronger than ever. Having faced breast cancer, the death of a child, a heart transplant, and an unexpected divorce, Laura’s resilience isn’t just theoretical – it’s a lived reality. She’s …

or aAnne Poirier, the inspiring certified intuitive eating counselor, and body confidence coach, joins us this week to unravel the threads of body image and intuitive eating, sharing her journey from personal struggles to empowering others. As we navigate through Anne’s story, we shed light on the destructive grip of …

Struggling with weight and self-image is a tale as old as time, but what if you could break free from the relentless cycle of dieting and emotional eating? Weight loss coach Lia Pinelli, shares her transformative story, offering insights and hope for anyone looking to embark on a journey toward …

Imagine feeling at peace with every morsel you eat and loving your body just the way it is. In my heartfelt conversation with Joanne Edinburgh, a certified eating psychology coach, we unravel the intricate ties that bind us to our food and self-image. Joanne’s own story moves from battling food …

When you think of eating disorders, do teenagers immediately come to mind? You might be surprised to learn that midlife women are equally, if not more, vulnerable to these struggles. Psychotherapist Nicole Cristina joins me to unravel the complexity of eating challenges in midlife, addressing the life transitions that often …

Hello and welcome back to season 3 of the Real Food Stories Podcast! I am looking forward to a new year and 2o24. I always love the start of a new year because I love setting intentions and creating some vision for myself. It doesn’t always go as planned but …

Embark on a transformative journey with Stephanie Lueras, an inspiration in the ever-evolving world of the body positivity movement. Stephanie share her personal odyssey – a remarkable 200-pound weight loss that reshaped not just her body but her entire life. In our conversation, Stephanie and I navigate the waters of …

Join me as I chat with healthy cooking instructor Shelly Loving about eating well through the holidays! Following her husband’s almost fatal heart attack Shelley went from a kitchen novice to a health food maestro. Shelley decided to take charge of her kitchen to help her husband, which not only …

When we think of abundance, what comes to mind? Is it monetary wealth, a fulfilling career, or perhaps healthy relationships? Get ready to redefine abundance with our inspiring guest Rebecca Whitman, a magnetic abundance mentor. Rebecca graciously takes us on a journey from her Hollywood days, wrestling with body image …

Transformational Leadership Coach Andrea Johnson shares her deeply personal story about a  life that begins with bulimia, struggles with obesity, complicated family dynamics, and pauses at a decision to undergo gastric bypass surgery. Andrea and I dive deep into what it was like to make that decision and the emotional …

Have you ever been curious about your own drinking habits, especially those times when you automatically reach for a glass of wine (hello Friday happy hour!), no thought required? Reaching for that glass of wine might be almost an unconscious routine and less of a mindful enjoyment. Today on the …

What do the holidays mean for you? Everyone has their own experience with these coming months. For some, they are a happy time, for many a sad and nostalgic time. The bottom line is the holidays are typically loaded with emotion. And typically tangled up in food. The dishes we …

“We might not be in control of everything in our lives, but we can be in charge of our bodies” If you are a woman in midlife you know that your body can feel very out of your control. Unintended weight gain, while just looking at food, can feel like …

Do you ever feel like midlife equates to a war with your body and food? Join me as I dive into this sensitive conversation with the remarkable Jen Hardy. She’s not just a podcaster, speaker, and mom of seven, but also a brave survivor of eating disorders, and body image …

How often do we mask our struggles and fears behind a brave face, afraid to show vulnerability? Especially as a man? Meet Dai Manuel, lifestyle mentor and executive performance coach, who knows this all too well. His journey, fraught with battles against food and alcohol addiction, inspires us all to …

Have you ever wondered how to live a healthy, pain-free lifestyle, especially as you navigate through midlife and menopause? This week, I sat down with Carrie Vann, an exercise physiologist and movement mentor, to share her wisdom. With over 26 years of experience and a personal journey filled with lessons …

Ever felt like alcohol might have a hold on you but you can’t imagine living life without it? If you have ever wondered what it would be like to take a break from drinking, the answer is usually not as simple as “just stop drinking.  I  had the pleasure of …

Psychologist and health coach Ginny Treiweiler was in her 50s and  60 pounds overweight, riddled with health issues, and haunted by the terrifying prospect of spending the rest of her days unhealthy and managing a host of avoidable health issues. Ginny’s Journey with Weight and Health In today’s podcast, Ginny …

Lynne Bowman is not only a women who has lived with diabetes for a long part of her life, but is also a mom and grandma who decided to take all her knowledge and wisdom of living with a chronic illness and turn it into a fabulous cookbook called Brownies …

The realm of women’s health is being revolutionized by femtech! Join me in an eye-opening conversation with Bethany Corbin, a femtech attorney, as we uncover the digital health technology changing the landscape of women’s health. Bethany unravels the world of femtech, highlighting its evolution beyond just period tracking and reproductive …

Is the world of CBD as confusing to you as it is to so many? Clearing Up CBD Confusion Imagine the power of an alternative health treatment that can help with everything from epilepsy to inflammation. I sat down with Inesa Ponomariovaite, the woman behind the CBD company Nessa’s Hemp, …

Have you ever felt lost and overwhelmed in the supplement aisle? We’ve all been there. Today I bring you some much-needed clarity as we converse with Sheri Geoffreys and Gina Gallagher, the dynamic duo behind Yonder, a grass-fed collagen and organic mushroom coffee company. Their entrepreneurial journey was born out …

Imagine uncovering your true purpose and transforming your challenges into stepping stones. That’s the power of the wisdom shared by our guests this episode, Michael Di Pietro and Marcy Donnelly, co-authors of The Inside Guide Breaking Through to Intuitive Wisdom and Inspired Living. Michael, a master practitioner of neurolinguistic programming …

It can be argued that eating disorders, while complex, are a product of childhood trauma and other by-products of growing up. This was certainly the case for former Dietitian Nicole Kerr. What about a near-death experience? In her late teens, Nicole had a near-fatal car accident that scarred her physically …

I’m going to be fully honest. Before I spoke to today’s guest, Jeanne Andrus, I had a pretty skeptical view of menopause. If you are a woman going through menopause/perimenopause or even in midlife, you know how confusing, aggravating, and soul-killing this time of your life can be. Changing bodies, …

Mindful is defined as “a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.” Sounds simple, right? Unfortunately, we are complicated people having to contend with quick fixes and instant gratifications. If we …

You, of course, only want the best for your kids, especially regarding their health. But what about their weight, how thin they are, or how shape they are in? As parents, we all come with our own deep-seated beliefs around weight, fears of weight stigma, and then, how to go …

TRIGGER WARNING: this episode contains conversations about eating disorders and sexual abuse. If these topics trigger you, you may want to skip this episode. How we were raised and by who can directly impact our body image. When our parents bring their own eating issues (as well as substance abuse) …

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Cristina Ramirez and hearing her very personal and vulnerable story of the intense grief over suddenly losing her husband to cancer and how that has unfolded into a mindset coaching practice. Cristina’s life’s work is to help you redefine what’s possible, gain …

There is a stigma around “healthy food” that is boring, bland, and blah. No longer! On today’s podcast, Heather is sharing her best-kept secrets for making your simple healthy food taste delicious. This is food that you actually look forward to, not something that you need to eat simply because …

In today’s episode, I talk with life coach Rachel Boehm about the impact of growing up in the world of diets and disordered eating, and how these experiences influenced her to work with (mostly) single women. In Todays Episode Rachel and I Talk About: How women need to stop “shoulding” …

In 2018 Fitness and Health Coach Rachel Lavin said enough to the diets and self-sabotage she had been creating for herself for almost all her life. Rachel had been every body size you could count and had a closet full of clothes to prove it. Listen to Rachel’s Food Story …

“Menopause is a natural part of life but it doesn’t have to be a struggle. Our mission is to empower women to navigate this transition with strength and confidence”. Empowering women to take charge of their health and their hormones is having its moment in the sun! I’m really excited …

Your skin is one of our most precious organs and we need to take good care of it, just like any other part of our body. As Master Aesthetician Natalie Bevans says, “Your skin is a reflection of what’s happening on the inside and we want to pay attention to …

Is it possible to “age in reverse” or anti-age, as many on the internet claim? Today on the podcast, I speak with Christing Boev. Christing Boev is a professor and ICU nurse who has a long history of antiaging and longevity research.  She and I take a DEEP dive into …

When women enter perimenopause and menopause, do they need to upend the way they eat? The internet would have you believe this. You are not broken, you may just need to shift your focus now on taking the best care of yourself. In Todays Episode, Heather Talks About: Menopause and …

Last week on The Real Food Stories Podcast I talked about taking the mystery out of menopause so we can get a grasp on how to deal with the many changes we women go through in midlife. Take a listen to that episode if you haven’t already done so (HERE). …

There is one thing that every woman on this planet has in common: menopause. Yet, menopause is wrapped up with so much fear, confusion, and mystique that it is time to get clear on what it means for you in midlife. This is part 1 of my menopause series: How …

If you have beliefs about yoga that it is just not for you because you are either not flexible enough or fit enough, think again. The practice of yoga has taken on a mystical allure that can turn some people off from taking up this practice in the first place …

You cannot argue with solid research. The relationship between our sleep and weight, heart disease, diabetes, our general well-being, and stress cannot be disputed. Sleep in itself is fascinating. When we get enough good, quality sleep our bodies jump into action. Hormones go to work, our brains get repaired, and …

Eating with our emotions is a tricky business and can be a challenge to untangle when food becomes the fallback to make us feel better. In this episode, I interview Errin Smith, founder of What We Crave, an emotional eating summit. In this episode Errin and I talk about: Rock …

In this episode, I sit down to talk with Lucie Quigley. Lucie podcast host of The Roller Coaster of Midlife, and women in midlife herself. Lucie is also the author of Your Journaling Journey, an action-packed guided journal meant to spark creativity, help cultivate a morning routine, and practice self-care …

There is a lot of pressure to be happy, despite how we feel about our bodies and weight, not to mention all that is ever-changing in the world. I had a deep conversation with Karyn Seitz, Happiness Expert and founder of Awakened Grace, a 10-week course for women that empowers …

Welcome to the latest episode of the Real Food Stories Podcast! In this episode, I will be exploring my personal journey that many of you have contemplated or even gone through yourselves – the decision to quit drinking. I made the choice to stop drinking and share the deeply personal …

Last week I created a podcast about grieving the loss of my beloved dog Buck and how I am processing and working through those feelings in a very different way than I had done in the past. I was conditioned and trained to not show too many feelings and through …

I experienced a tragedy this past week. I had to very unexpectedly and quickly put down my Golden Retriever, Buck, who was a very important member of my family. The grief compelled me to create a podcast about loss, trauma, how we were wired to process these emotions (me through …

Happy 2023! I always like the idea of a new year and all the possibilities. Typically, many of us go into January with an agenda to get things done and to make big changes. This usually centers around our physical – weight, detoxing, quitting alcohol, etc. It also means taking …

What does quitting feel like to you? Quitting, for me, shouts freedom. Quitting gives us a choice. As we near the end of 2022 what would it feel like to you to say “I Quit!” to the world of diets and deprivation and how do you shift your mind so …

You know what’s coming up, right? At least five holidays (more or less, depending on which ones you celebrate) and a boatload of parties and gatherings. There are a lot of reasons to celebrate this month. But, which one of these people are you? The one that believes that gaining …

We’re coming to the end of the year and if you feel like your Thanksgiving didn’t go as planned (as in too much pie or too many champagne cocktails) then you might be setting your sights on losing weight after the new year. Weight loss as a goal is fine, …

The holiday season is officially here! How do we get through the next month of holidays, gatherings, parties, and family without losing sight of our goals for health and weight? It all starts with some small tips and tricks. In This Episode Heather Talks About: her story of the holiday …

The holiday season is on the horizon and with that means an influx of new diet books. In this episode, I talk about the warning signs of a diet book and the key words and phrases they use to lure you in. In This Episode Heather Talks About: being particularly …

The Surgeon General recently released an extensive report on the state of workplace health and well-being that was not very favorable to employers. The report emphasized the chronic stress that is prevalent in workplace culture, and employees are paying the price. Chronic stress from the work environment can have a …

Perfectly good foods, that we are used to eating every single day, have suddenly gone bad. Thanks to the food gurus and social media health coaches, food is confusing, intimidating, and full of fear. On today’s podcast, I am calling out the foods, the ones the food gurus love to …

Just like the last podcast, when it comes to nutrition and food, there is a lot of misinformation out there, and I’m putting this mildly. Scary diets and frightening social media gurus rule the internet. But, after the medical doctors who pose as nutrition experts, the worst offenders are the …

When it comes to nutrition and food, there is a lot of misinformation out there, and I’m putting this mildly. Scary diets and frightening social media gurus rule the internet. But, the worst offender of them all is the doctors that promote diets, supplements, and books for their own capital …

I am so passionate about self-compassion as a success tool that I am talking about it again on this podcast! In This Episode Heather Talks About: Why self-compassion, and being your own cheerleader, is vital to healthy success; Why it is so difficult, yet so important, to go against the …

You may have heard the phrase “joy is our birthright” before. How does that make you feel? When I first heard that I thought to myself that joy as default might be for other people, but not for me. When you grow up with a diet mindset you also lose …

How do we get back on track after a fast-paced season of vacations and gatherings? Listen up while I propose four important questions to consider when you ease into the Fall season. In This Episode Heather Talks About: What big events got in her way this Summer; The four important …

As long as you have health goals and want to eat your best, meal planning should never be negotiable. No matter how busy you get. But what if you just can’t escape being busy? Or, more importantly, what if you’re so busy and don’t love cooking In this episode Heather …

When it comes to healthy eating and losing weight, there are a few essential skills that, honestly, I don’t think we can live without. Meal planning is one of them. There are all different types of meal planning but my focus is always on healthy meal planning. Once you master …

There are hundreds of diets out there to try. If you’ve been following me for a while, you may know how I feel about diets. I haven’t met a single one that I can say I like. Nonetheless, the allure of going on a diet to lose a quick 15 pounds …

Years ago, when I made the decision to lose weight, I utilized a couple of tools that became lifelong habits for me. Tune in to see what I used and how it worked for me. Weight loss is a personal journey; what works for one person may not be a …

Are you stuck in the diet mindset, the way of thinking that tells you that diets are the only way to eat? Join me to debunk the myth of this fixed mindset. In this episode Heather talks about: How Heather learned to use all her senses when cooking and eating …

The battle cry for so many midlife women? “What am I supposed to even eat anymore?!?” Why are we all so confused about what to eat for our health and weight? In this episode Heather talks about: Where the confusion around food originated from; The story of the two pioneering …

Does the phrase “happy summer” fill you with anxiety? For so many women, the dread of getting into a bathing suit, or wondering if last season’s shorts still fit is real. In my latest podcast, I share some strategies that you can use today to help with feeling your best …

When food feels mindless and the detriments of quick gratification run deep, leaning into a habit of eating seasonally can help us get more mindful and teach us to appreciate real food. In this episode Heather talks about: Why seasonal eating is so important, in particular for women; The benefits …

Hi there and welcome to episode 2 of the Real Food Stories Podcast! In today’s episode, Heather shares: the “middle” of her food story and her struggle with years of diets and emotional eating the real reasons to let go of shame around our weight and body image the power …