What if a hospital bed showed you what your strength was worth? In episode 283 of Joy Found Here, Jeanne Phares shares how leukemia at 55 turned a CPA and lifelong lifter into a woman on a mission. She champions strength training as the habit that lets midlife women age on their own terms, with small daily moves that keep you lifting your suitcase for decades.
In This Episode, You Will Learn:
(4:13) How leukemia at 55 sent a CPA and lifelong lifter on a new mission
(8:44) A stem cell donor, an experimental drug, and a new purpose
(13:04) Why mentoring women, from CPA firm to gift books, still drives her
(15:30) Why you belong at the top of your list, plus her three-item success list
(22:25) Why momentum beats motivation, even on hard days
(28:07) Slow 10-second reps, five key movements, and leaving reps in the tank
(32:58) Grip strength, gentle cardio, and how much protein you can absorb
(35:58) Why GLP-1 users need strength training, plus sleep and rest days
(43:42) Rebuilding after treatment and using the wellness wheel to plan ahead
(51:29) Why pickleball players get hurt, and her eight-week habit program
Jeanne Phares is a retired CPA, author, and coach who helps women in midlife and beyond build strength, confidence, and fulfillment. She spent more than 30 years in accounting, including time as an executive at a major CPA firm, before a leukemia diagnosis at 55 turned her lifelong love of strength training into a mission. She founded Sage Lifestyle Press and has written several books on strength training, nutrition, and menopause, including The Beginner’s Guide to Strength Training for Women Over 50, plus gift books celebrating women at every age. Through Sage Lifestyle Collective, she offers courses, coaching, and an eight-week signature program.
In this episode, Jeanne Phares shares how 15 weeks in the hospital and a stem cell transplant from an estranged brother left her determined to help women thrive through midlife. She explains why strength training matters most as we age, since women lose muscle from their 30s onward and need it to stay upright and independent. Jeanne breaks training into five movements (squat, push, pull, hinge, and carry) and recommends slow 10-second reps with lighter weights, leaving one or two reps in the tank. She also covers protein absorption, strength work on GLP-1 medications, brisk walking over intense cardio, and the value of sleep and rest. Her main point is to stop waiting for motivation and build momentum through small daily habits, like a few squats on a dog walk.
Connect with Jeanne Phares:
Get Jeanne’s books!
Let's Connect:
","author_name":"stephanie martinez rivera"}