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52. Why Am I Still So Tired? The Missing Piece Might Be Nutrition
01:01:02||Season 7, Ep. 52In Episode 52, I’m joined by Nicole Gribble, owner and coach at This is Living Nutrition, and a coach at one of Australia’s most popular gyms—Fitstop.Nicole works with adults across all life stages, but many of her clients happen to be midlife women—navigating stress, hormonal changes, and the question we all ask at some point:“Why am I doing everything ‘right’ and still feel so tired?”Together, we explore how nutrition can be a key player in reclaiming your energy, how to move away from all-or-nothing thinking around food, and what a realistic, flexible approach looks like in real life.Whether you’re in the depths of burnout or just curious about how food could support your wellbeing more effectively, this episode is packed with practical tips and compassionate insights.Grab a cuppa—or throw on your headphones while you meal prep or unwind—and let’s get into it.Guest - Connect with Nicole Gribble: the owner and coach behind This is Living Nutrition and a coach at the popular Australian gym Fitstop. With a strong foundation in both nutrition and functional fitness, Nicole supports adults of all ages—both men and women—to find balance, energy, and nourishment through realistic, no-BS nutrition strategies. While she doesn’t exclusively work with midlife women, many of her clients fall into this stage of life and are navigating stress, hormonal shifts, and burnout. Nicole helps her clients break free from diet culture and perfectionism around food so they can feel empowered and supported in their everyday lives.Host - Shannon Swales: a psychologist dedicated to empowering individuals with essential mental health skills to prevent, navigate & grow from midlife burnout. Having overcome burnout in her early midlife, Shannon guides others from chronic stress to wellness with balance & empathy. Join her as she shares transformative experiences & insights on growth through adversity.If you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:• Online Membership: Dive into Midlife Reclaimed—an empowering space for burnt-out midlife women - Find Out More & Join here• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn @shannon.a.swales• 1:1 Therapy: www.burnoutpsychologysupport.com/burnout-therapyStay in Touch: Subscribe to my Mailing List hereDisclaimer: This podcast does not create a therapist-client relationship with Shannon Swales. The views expressed are general & not a substitute for personalised therapy. If in distress, seek professional help. Remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.
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51. ACT for Burnout: Reconnect and Recharge in Midlife
01:16:53||Season 7, Ep. 51In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Debbie Sorensen, a clinical psychologist, who specialises in helping midlife adults with burnout. Dr. Sorensen is the author of ACT for Burnout (2023), a guide for breaking the burnout cycle, and co-host of Psychologists Off the Clock. She shares insights on how burnout shows up uniquely in midlife and the common patterns she observes. We explore the role of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in managing and recovering from burnout. Dr. Sorensen offers practical ACT strategies that can be applied to daily life to support long-term well-being. We also reflect on our own personal journeys through burnout, discussing lessons that continue to shape our work and lives today.Connect with Debbie:W: www.drdebbiesorensen.com LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-sorensen/ Substack: https://substack.com/@drdebbiesorensen IS: https://www.instagram.com/drdebbiesorensen/Pod: Psychologists Off the Clock, Book: Amazon ACT Daily Journal: Amazon Subscribe: sign up for my email list here.Shannon Swales—a psychologist dedicated to empowering individuals with essential mental health skills to prevent, navigate & grow from midlife burnout. Having overcome burnout in her early midlife, Shannon guides others from chronic stress to wellness with balance & empathy. Join her as she shares transformative experiences & insights on growth through adversity.If you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:• Online Membership: Dive into Midlife Reclaimed—an empowering space for burnt-out midlife women - https://midlife-reclaimed.mn.co/• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn• 1:1 Therapy: www.burnoutpsychologysupport.com/burnout-therapySubscribe: sign up for my email list here.Disclaimer: This podcast does not create a therapist-client relationship with Shannon Swales. The views expressed are general & not a substitute for personalised therapy. If in distress, seek professional help. Remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.
50. The Courage to Be Seen: Vulnerability as a Midlife Superpower
39:11||Season 7, Ep. 50Vulnerability isn’t a weakness—it’s a superpower that fuels growth, resilience, and deeper connections. Yet, for many midlife women, embracing vulnerability can feel daunting, especially when navigating career shifts, evolving relationships, and changing identities. In this episode, we explore what vulnerability truly means, why it’s essential for navigating midlife with courage, and how it can become a catalyst for self-discovery and closer, more meaningful relationships. We’ll also unpack the societal pressures that discourage emotional openness and share practical strategies to embrace vulnerability in a way that feels empowering and safe. If you’re ready to show up more authentically in your life and relationships, this conversation is for you. Tune in and discover the courage to be seen.Meet Shannon Swales—a psychologist dedicated to empowering individuals with essential mental health skills to prevent, navigate & grow from midlife burnout. Having overcome burnout in her early midlife, Shannon guides others from chronic stress to wellness with balance & empathy. Join her as she shares transformative experiences & insights on growth through adversity.Connect & GrowIf you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:Subscribe to receive a FREE Journaling Your Way to Thriving Beyond Burnout ebook and more goodiesOnline Membership: Dive into Midlife Reclaimed—an empowering space for burnt-out midlife women - https://midlife-reclaimed.mn.co/Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Threads1:1 Therapy: Ready to tackle midlife burnout? Visit www.burnoutpsychologysupport.com.My Midlife Burnout Story: Nothing Left to Give: A Psychologist’s Path Back From BurnoutShare Your Midlife Wisdom: Have professional &/or lived-experience insights on overcoming burnout or navigating midlife shifts? Email: shannon.a.swales@gmail.comDisclaimer: This podcast does not create a therapist-client relationship with Shannon Swales. The views expressed are general & not a substitute for personalised therapy. If in distress, seek professional help. Remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.
49. Breaking Free from Phone Overuse: A Midlife Reset for Your Well-Being
52:32||Season 7, Ep. 49Is your phone taking more than it’s giving? In this episode of Midlife Reclaimed, I take a personal and reflective journey into my mobile phone habits—how overuse has impacted my sleep, focus, and well-being, and what I’m doing to reclaim control. Drawing on research from Nick Petrie and his team, I explore the connection between phone overuse and burnout, and why a conscious "phone strategy" can be a game-changer for mental energy and stress reduction. Plus, I’ll guide you through reflective questions to help you assess your own habits and set healthier boundaries. If you're ready to break free from the constant scroll and reclaim your time and focus, this episode is for you! 🎧✨Meet Shannon Swales—a psychologist dedicated to empowering individuals with essential mental health skills to prevent, navigate & grow from midlife burnout. Having overcome burnout in her early midlife, Shannon guides others from chronic stress to wellness with balance & empathy. Join her as she shares transformative experiences & insights on growth through adversity.Connect & GrowIf you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:Subscribe to receive a FREE Journaling Your Way to Thriving Beyond Burnout ebook and more goodiesOnline Membership: Dive into Midlife Reclaimed—an empowering space for burnt-out midlife women - https://midlife-reclaimed.mn.co/Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Threads1:1 Therapy: Ready to tackle midlife burnout? Visit www.burnoutpsychologysupport.com.My Midlife Burnout Story: Nothing Left to Give: A Psychologist’s Path Back From BurnoutShare Your Midlife Wisdom: Have professional &/or lived-experience insights on overcoming burnout or navigating midlife shifts? Email: shannon.a.swales@gmail.comDisclaimer: This podcast does not create a therapist-client relationship with Shannon Swales. The views expressed are general & not a substitute for personalised therapy. If in distress, seek professional help. Remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.
48. Decoding Midlife: Understanding Hormones & Stress
01:17:36||Season 7, Ep. 48Join us on EP 48 as we chat with Naturopath Wendy Burke—a passionate advocate for holistic hormone health. Wendy decodes the interplay of hormonal changes, stress, & midlife challenges that send your emotions into overdrive. Discover why your anger spikes, mood swings are unpredictable, & what your body is really signalling. We explore practical strategies—from herbal supplements & nutrition to movement & sleep—that empower you during midlife. Walk away with a clearer view of your hormonal landscape & actionable steps to embrace your journey without needing to murder anyone (just kidding!).Meet Wendy Burke, founder of The Healthy Hormone Naturopath & a champion for women’s hormonal well-being. After overcoming post-natal depression & a transformative lifestyle overhaul, she left corporate life for natural medicine. Specialising in menstrual health, preconception, PCOS, endometriosis, menopause, & more, Wendy combines expertise in nutrition, naturopathy, & personal training to empower midlife women. When not consulting or researching, you’ll find her in the gym rocking her signature brightly coloured tights.Ba.HSc.(Nat), Adv.Dip.Nut., Adv.Dip.West.Herb.Medicine, Cert 3 & 4 FitnessMember Australian Natural Therapies Association and Naturopath & Herbalist Association of Australiawendy@thehealthyhormonenat.com.auwww.thehealthyhormonenat.com.auFacebook & InstagramMeet Shannon Swales—a psychologist dedicated to empowering individuals with essential mental health skills to prevent, navigate & grow from midlife burnout. Having overcome burnout in her early midlife, Shannon guides others from chronic stress to wellness with balance & empathy. Join her as she shares transformative experiences & insights on growth through adversity.Connect & GrowIf you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:• Online Membership: Dive into Midlife Reclaimed—an empowering space for burnt-out midlife women - https://midlife-reclaimed.mn.co/• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Threads• 1:1 Therapy: Ready to tackle midlife burnout? Visit www.burnoutpsychologysupport.com.Share Your Midlife Wisdom: Have professional &/or lived-experience insights on overcoming burnout or navigating midlife shifts? Email: shannon.a.swales@gmail.comDisclaimer: This podcast does not create a therapist-client relationship with Shannon Swales. The views expressed are general & not a substitute for personalised therapy. If in distress, seek professional help. Remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.
47. Anniversary of Change: Reflecting on Four Years Beyond Burnout
57:14||Season 7, Ep. 47Welcome to Season 7—and my first solo episode back—as I mark a very special milestone: four-year anniversary of the day I left my demanding career behind to reclaim my life. I dive deep into that transformative moment—exploring the mix of emotions that propelled me from fear to liberation—and reflect on the lessons learned along the way. In our conversation, I discuss how the act of leaving everything familiar sparked a journey of self-discovery, leading me to redefine success, embrace vulnerability, and build a life grounded in balance and authenticity.Throughout this episode, I invite you to consider similar reflections on your own path. We touch on themes such as the pivotal moment of change, navigating the emotional landscape of burnout, and the empowering growth that comes from transforming adversity into strength. Whether you're at a crossroads or seeking inspiration to forge your own path, this intimate episode offers a window into the process of reclaiming midlife with courage and purpose.If you found this episode helpful, please share in the comments how you found it. Your feedback is invaluable—it helps this conversation to get out to others who may need it. Meet Shannon Swales—a psychologist dedicated to empowering individuals with essential mental health skills to prevent, navigate & grow from midlife burnout. Having overcome burnout in her early midlife, Shannon guides others from chronic stress to wellness with balance & empathy. Join her as she shares transformative experiences & insights on growth through adversity.Connect & GrowIf you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:• Online Membership: Dive into Midlife Reclaimed—an empowering space for burnt-out midlife women - https://midlife-reclaimed.mn.co/• Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Threads• 1:1 Therapy: Ready to tackle midlife burnout? Visit www.burnoutpsychologysupport.com.Share Your Midlife Wisdom: Have professional &/or lived-experience insights on overcoming burnout or navigating midlife shifts? Email: shannon.a.swales@gmail.comDisclaimer: This podcast does not create a therapist-client relationship with Shannon Swales. The views expressed are general & not a substitute for personalised therapy. If in distress, seek professional help. Remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.
TRAILER: Midlife Reclaimed
03:38||Season 7Midlife Reclaimed (formerly When Burnout Becomes Reality)Welcome to Midlife Reclaimed, the podcast where we challenge outdated norms and explore what it means to thrive in midlife. I’m your host, Shannon A Swales—a psychologist, writer, and midlife woman who found a new path after a life-changing midlife burnout. While this show grew from my original focus on burnout recovery (When Burnout Becomes Reality), it has evolved to dive even deeper into how we can rewrite the rules of midlife with openness, courage, and purpose.Twice a month, we’ll share stories of true resilience, transformation, and growth, uncovering practical insights to help you create a life that feels genuine and free. Whether you’re questioning hustle culture, craving deeper connections, or simply seeking inspiration for what’s next, this is your space to explore, reflect, and reimagine what’s possible—especially if you’ve ever felt burned out or ready for a fresh start.Join us as we reclaim midlife—one bold, open-hearted step at a time.Want to Share Your Midlife Wisdom?If you’d like to share your midlife wisdom—be it overcoming midlife burnout, navigating midlife shifts, or both—or if you’re an expert in these areas with insights to offer, I’d love to hear from you. Email: shannon.a.swales@gmail.comConnect & GrowIf you enjoy the Midlife Reclaimed Podcast, join our community:Subscribe to receive a FREE Journaling Your Way to Thriving Beyond Burnout ebook and more goodiesOnline Membership: Dive into Midlife Reclaimed—an empowering space for burnt-out midlife women - https://midlife-reclaimed.mn.co/Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Threads1:1 Therapy: Ready to tackle midlife burnout? Visit www.burnoutpsychologysupport.com.Disclaimer: Engaging with this podcast does not intend to create, nor does it create, a therapist-client relationship between you and Shannon A Swales. All views, opinions, and tips expressed by me or my guests are general in nature and not a replacement for personalized therapy. As I have done for myself, I encourage anyone experiencing distress to seek professional support. In Australia, if you are in a life-threatening emergency, please dial 000. For immediate counselling, contact Lifeline (13 11 14) or 13YARN (13 92 76) for First Nation Australians. Stay safe, and remember—you don’t have to face your struggles alone.