From Rock Bottom to Reinvention: A Midlife Transformation Story

In this deeply personal episode, I pull back the curtain on my midlife reinvention journey, sharing how I transformed from a 390-pound single mom in debt to losing 150 pounds and finding new purpose. I provide practical tips and insights to help you create your own midlife magic.

• My personal story of hitting rock bottom at 47 and how it became the catalyst for complete transformation
• Two practical weight loss tips that helped me lose 150 pounds while working full-time
• Monday Mindset: Your life is the sum of your choices—small daily decisions design your future
• Ten creative ways to sneak more fiber into your diet for better midlife health
• Why excessive sitting damages your health and simple movement practices to counteract it
• Three helpful apps for healthier living and shopping: Shop Savvy, BuyNet Diary, and Yuka
• My favorite budget-friendly beauty secret: castor oil for skin, brows, and lashes
• Off-peak travel recommendations for Kennebunkport, Maine and St. Thomas
• A step-by-step goal-setting practice specifically designed for midlife women

Remember, you are never behind. You are becoming. Here's to another week of glowing, growing, and going after what you want.

Chapters

• 1:36 Welcome and Episode Overview
• 2:45 My Midlife Reinvention Story
• 10:43 Practical Weight Loss Tips
• 11:50 Monday Mindset and Wellness Tips
• 18:34 Tech Spotlight and Beauty Find
• 20:42 Travel Tips for Off-Peak Seasons
• 22:45 Goal Setting as a Spiritual Practice
• 30:33 Closing Thoughts and Thank You

Transcript

Speaker 1: 1:01

Hello, hello, hello, and welcome back to the Midlife Glow Report at Episode 5, your go-to space for all things midlife reinvention. I'm Jax, your host, and I'm so happy to be here with you today. Now, on today's episode, it's going to be a little bit more personal. I'm pulling back the curtain to share my own midlife reinvention journey. It's real, raw and honest. I'm also going to make it a habit in my episodes to provide you all with one to do different tips that help me lose over 145 pounds, with another 100 pounds to go and after that we'll get into our usual goodies. That we'll get into our usual goodies Monday mindset and a wellness tip or two, plus, today, a tech spotlight and my beauty find of the week. I'm also going to highlight some places to travel to now that most of our kids are older, and when to go to save money and beat the crowds. Finally, today we will discuss a life coaching concept with an exercise to take you into the week. So okay, ladies, let's dive in. So, first things first, my midlife reinvention story. It all started back in 2022, and, let me be real, it wasn't pretty. I was 47 years old, 390 pounds, a single mom with 100% responsibility for my son in college. I had a job as a remote mortgage underwriter at one of the top lenders in the country. However, my health was a mess. It was spiraling. I was on blood pressure medication, antidepressants, barely sleeping and could hardly walk without pain because of my weight. Also, I had $32,000 in bad debt and was living paycheck to paycheck Plus. I had love for my son and family, but, regarding friendships, I really only had one close friend left. Life had really taken a toll. I was in survival mode, but not thriving. And then May of 2022 hit, so the mortgage industry started downsizing and the interest rates started to spike Due to corporate downsizing. I was laid off just like that. After progressively moving upward in my career, I was jobless, no income and lost, and overweight and in debt. It was really, really depressing. I remember sitting outside on my deck that completely stunned. I felt like my identity had cracked open, but I knew I had to pick myself up and push forward, not just for me, but for my son, who was still depending on me while he was still in college. I knew this wasn't the end, but what I didn't know, this was the beginning of a new chapter and one of my most happiest seasons of my life.

Speaker 1: 4:06

That night I stayed up late and completely overhauled my resume. The next morning I woke up early, worried and sick to my stomach. I was super anxious and thoughts were spinning in my mind. I got dressed and decided to move my body. I walked around the block. It was really, really hard, but I did it again the next day and the next that one simple habit walking became my lifeline. I got a new job within two weeks. It wasn't as high paying, but it gave me purpose and confidence again. And I kept walking. Every morning at 6.30 am, rain or shine, I started listening to audiobooks and podcasts. While I walked, I invested in AirPods, which was one of the best $100 I ever spent.

Speaker 1: 4:59

By January of 2023, I had lost 45 pounds. 2023, I had lost 45 pounds. That January, I decided to reach out to the Cleveland Clinic and I met with a doctor in their weight loss department. I kept hearing about all the new weight loss medications on the internet, in the news and, after an evaluation, the doctor ended up prescribing me Phentermine. It gave me energy and helped me drop another 10 pounds, but I had to stop due to heart palpitations within two months. Still, I was very committed. I changed my nutrition. I meal prepped every Sunday. I made weekly and daily food protocols. I educated myself like it was my full-time job. I listened to podcasts about intermittent fasting, nutrition, fitness and what a 40-year-old woman's body needs to be healthy and lose weight. I ended up joining a gym when I was down 75 pounds. I waited, mostly because of lack of confidence, and I finally felt I was really ready. I also hired a personal trainer at that time to learn about the different weight machines at the gym.

Speaker 1: 6:14

By August of 2024, I was down a total of 100 pounds. In September of 2024, I went back to the Cleveland Clinic and got on a different prescription for weight loss. I paid out of pocket to start the medication, zetbound, and lost another 30 pounds by February of 2025. I had to stop taking the medications due to financial responsibilities and other goals. It was just too expensive and my employer's insurance does not cover it. I hit 130 pounds down in March of 2025 and, as of today, I'm down a total of 150 pounds.

Speaker 1: 6:58

Also, throughout these last three years, financially, I did a complete overhaul. I took on a second remote job doing social media work and put every dime towards debt. By August of 2024, I paid off over $32,000 in bad debt. So I finally started going out more. During this time I wasn't as so self-conscious. I wasn't as so self-conscious. I met new ladies my age made new friendships at work. I really started to feel like myself again, but just better, wiser, more conscious and aware and just really really grateful. I felt like I had a second chance in life. I had more energy and less weight. This meant I could start showing up differently.

Speaker 1: 7:48

I got back to painting my nails, styling my hair, dressing cuter and saying yes to life again. I even got back to my favorite vacation place, Charleston, south Carolina, and took a vacation with my son there at Folly Beach for a week. Vacation with my son there at Folly Beach for a week. Then, in Charleston, an idea hit me. I thought to myself I need to really find something that lights me up. What are my true values? What do I really want to do? What can I do now with my time? Now that my son Jake has graduated college and was working full-time in his career and was really self-sufficient, what would really give me purpose again? I really dove deep sitting on that beach and I thought I could share my story and help other women glow up too, who are 40 and older and struggling in midlife. I knew I could help women create their midlife season to be their most magical yet, and so I started my blog. I created social media channels, a newsletter, a Facebook group and now this podcast.

Speaker 1: 9:00

Right now I'm down 150 pounds in total. I still walk daily at 6.15 am, and at lunchtime I walk ata local park next to my employment. When weather doesn't cooperate, I will walk on my walking pad at home and at Target during lunch breaks at work, but that could really get me into trouble. I do kettlebell swings, strength training and even got a rebounder. I also started using a vibration plate for lymphatic drainage. I have big goals to lose another 100 pounds by next year, and I'm doing it from a place of love and confidence, not shame. So that's my story.

Speaker 1: 9:42

If you're listening today, thank you. I hope this helps you feel seen. I hope it reminds you that it's never too late to start over that. If I can do it, you can do it. You've got to be creative, resourceful, hardworking and not afraid to make mistakes or learn new things. So I thank you. If you're still here, I appreciate you, and so now on to the next. So I thank you. If you're still here, I appreciate you. And so now on to the next. Here are two weight loss tips I use that have helped me lose over 150 pounds in my mid-40s during the past three years.

Speaker 1: 10:22

Like many of you, I have a full-time job and it's in corporate banking, and it's on-site, five days per week. First of all, I park furthest away from my office entry every day. It helps me get in more movement and steps, even on rainy and snowy days. I keep this habit going. I even do this when I go to stores or grocery shopping. I park farthest away to get in those extra steps. Second of all, I got a stand-up desk at my cubicle and I set a timer on my phone to stand every 45 minutes. I remain standing for 15 minutes. I move, I stretch, I walk down the aisle, I march in place. It really helps the blood flow and for flexibility. Ever since I got the stand-up desk and I started doing this, I can really feel a difference.

Speaker 1: 11:15

Okay, so now is Monday Mindset. Let's start your week with a powerful mindset shift. Every single day, you are making choices and those choices are designing your life. You choose to hit, snooze or get up. You choose to meal prep or McDonald's. You choose to sit on the couch or go for a walk. You choose to stay at that job or start building something new. It's not about being perfect. It's about being more aware and more conscious. Your life, right now, at this time, is the sum of your habits and choices that you have made, and your decisions and choice in the future will control your path in life. So here's the quote of the week. Every morning, you have two choices Continue to sleep with your dreams or wake up and chase them. Let that sink in and let today be the day you choose to chase those dreams.

Speaker 1: 12:27

Okay, so now on to some wellness content. First things first, here are some smart, sneaky ways to add more fiber into your daily diet. And yes, I've tried all of these ideas. Just to be clear, fiber is a game changer for midlife health. Just to be clear, fiber is a game changer for midlife health. It helps with feeling full, longer digestion, gut health, blood sugar, cholesterol and even reduces the risk of some cancers. Here are 10 creative ways to get in more fiber into your daily diet.

Speaker 1: 13:02

Number one you could blend beans into your smoothies. Such a fourth a cup of white beans or black beans into a fruit smoothie. You won't taste them, but you'll get an extra four to six grams of fiber, and bonus is plant protein. Second you could sprinkle ground flax or chia seeds on everything. You could toss a tablespoon onto yogurt, oatmeal, avocado, toast, soups or even salad dressings. Each adds about three to five grams of fiber, plus healthy fats that support hormones. Third you could upgrade your pasta with legume-based versions. Swap traditional pasta for chickpea, lentil or edamame noodles. They taste great, are high in protein and pack two to three times more fiber than regular pasta. Fourth add veggie purees to sauces, soups and baked goods. Blend steamed cauliflower, zucchini, pumpkin or carrots into pasta sauce, chili or even muffin batter. It thickens the texture and boosts fiber.

Speaker 1: 14:22

Number five you could switch to high fiber coffee add-ins. Stir in psyllium husk powder or acacia fiber Both nearly are tasteless into your morning coffee or tea. Just one teaspoon adds three to five grams of fiber without changing flavor or texture. Number six bulk up on burgers. Mix a half a cup of cooked lentils or finely chopped mushrooms into your ground turkey or beef patties before forming them. They blend beautifully, add fiber and help the burgers stay juicy.

Speaker 1: 15:01

Number seven you can snack on popcorn instead of chips. Air pop popcorn is a whole grain with about four grams of fiber per three cups. You could drizzle olive oil and sprinkle nutritional yeast or cinnamon for flavor and extra nutrients. Number eight make overnight oats with a fiber boost. Add rolled oats, flaxseed, shredded zucchini or carrots to your overnight oats mix. You'll sneak in veggies without even noticing and the combination delivers 10 plus grams of fiber. Number nine swap croutons for roasted chickpeas. Add roasted chickpeas or toasted sunflower seeds to your salads instead of croutons. They're crunchy, satisfying and packed with fiber and protein. And finally, number 10, make a high-fiber dessert bark. Melt dark chocolate and stir in bran flakes, dried figs, almonds and chia seeds. Spread onto a tray, refrigerate and break into fiber-rich bark pieces, and it tastes amazing. So that's it. Try a few of these this week and let me know how it goes. Message me or catch me on Instagram or TikTok.

Speaker 1: 16:25

Okay, the next segment is something that I call Movement Matters. Why sitting is the new smoking? Did you know? The average adult sits for 11 to 12 hours per day. That is so not good. Too much sitting is linked to dementia, diabetes, heart disease, blood clots and even some cancers. It wrecks your mobility and your longevity. Our bodies were not meant to sit, they were meant to move.

Speaker 1: 16:59

So what's the fix? Some simple movement practices. You could try desk stretches or under the desk peddlers when you're on a phone call. Try walking while you're on the phone call. Jumping jacks during TV breaks, stairs after each hour of sitting. If you have a meeting, try a walking meeting instead of a sit-down meeting. Lunges while brushing your teeth. A stand-up desk I have one, they're great. A walking pad under your desk that rises. Take the long route to the bathroom while at work. Take the long route to the bathroom while at work. And finally, instead of sending an email at work, go visit your co-worker and deliver the message in person. Small moves, equal big impact. So don't let the chair win today.

Speaker 1: 17:59

So next is what's new in tech. So next is what's new in tech. Here are three apps that I am so loving lately and I thought I'd share them with you all. First one is called Shop Savvy. This scans barcodes and finds the best prices online instantly. It's great for budgeting and budget conscious midlifers just like me. Next is BuyNet Diary. This is a smart nutrition tracker that grades your food from A to D for healthier choices. So it's really good while you're in the grocery store. And then the final one is Yuka. That's Y-U-K-A Yuka you can scan food and beauty items to check for toxin, irritants and harmful ingredients. It is a total game changer, especially when you're on a wellness mission like someone like myself.

Speaker 1: 18:59

Next is my favorite segment, my beauty find of the week. So let me tell you about my ride or die secret beauty treatment castor oil. Castor oil deeply moisturizes, it boosts collagen and elastin, it smooths inflammation and heals scars, and it's non-comedogenic and budget-friendly. My favorite one that I found that I've been loving and using is the Gramma Flows Natural Organic Castor Oil with a rose quartz roller. It is cold pressed, hexane free and only $24 on Amazon. It's in a little roller, you're not getting it all over your hands and you're literally rolling it on your brows, your lashes, your neck and you wake up glowing. So try it and you'll thank me later.

Speaker 1: 20:05

Next, on to travel and saving money. Today I'm going to highlight a couple of places you can visit off peak season and still have a great time, save money and beat those crowds. First on the list is Kennebunkport, maine. First on the list is Kennebunkport, maine. Peak season is June through October. So instead go from November through May. What you'll gain is better access to the best hotels and restaurants, along with discounts. In a charming little village, you can walk on quiet beaches and hike miles of trails. Also, during the winter, there is cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, as well as sled riding, as long as it snows. What you'll lose is blissful temperatures in the 70s, which is really good for going barefoot and dining outdoors. Also, some stores and restaurants may be shut down from January through March. Second on the list is St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, so peak season is December through mid-April. So instead go from June through November. What you'll gain is a slower pace and less competition for restaurants, shops, boat tours, snorkeling equipment and other amenities. You'll also bask in average temperatures in the mid-80s. What you'll lose is near certainty of sunny skies, the chance of rain increases in May and peaks during hurricane season, which is September through October, which, if you go, then just buy travel insurance. So happy travels.

Speaker 1: 21:54

Take advantage of your midlife years where you're still healthy enough to be active and enjoy new places. To be active and enjoy new places, especially now if you have kids and if they're older. Finally, your life coaching tip of the week. Let's sit down for a little heart-to-heart today. Grab your coffee or tea.

Speaker 1: 22:16

This one's personal and powerful. Let's talk about goal setting, but not the rigid hustle till you drop pressure-filled way that burned us out in our 20s and 30s. No, this is something deeper. Goal setting in midlife is a spiritual practice. It's one of the most compassionate, loving things you can do for yourself. So why do goals even matter, especially now that we're over 40? You might be thinking but I'm fine, just getting through the day. I hear you, but I want to gently nudge you. What if getting through isn't enough anymore? Getting through isn't enough anymore? What if your soul is whispering I want to grow, I want to evolve, I want more that whisper. That's your truth and the way we honor that truth. We give it direction. We set goals not because we aren't enough as we are, but because we are enough and we're ready to become even more of who we are meant to be.

Speaker 1: 23:33

Your brain needs a job. So your brain is like a loyal employee. It wants to be told what to focus on. If you don't give it a task, it defaults to fear self-doubt, old patterns and worst-case scenarios. But when you set a goal. You give your brain a map, a mission, a new narrative. It stops wondering aimlessly and starts gathering evidence to help you succeed. So that's neuroscience. It's not woo-woo stuff. You can literally change your brain by deciding what you want and telling it what to focus on. So you want to do your goal setting from a place of abundance, not scarcity.

Speaker 1: 24:26

Many of us spent our lives wanting from a place of lack. I want to lose weight because I hate my body, or I want more money because I'm broke and scared. I want love because I feel so alone. But that's not where the magic lives. We don't dream well from fear. So let's flip that script. So try this Make a list of 25 things you want. Now go back through that list and every other item should be something you already have that you're grateful for, like this I want glowing skin. I already have amazing friendships. I want to travel solo to Italy. I already have the courage to try new things. See what we're doing there. We're blending desire with abundance. You're reminding your nervous system we're safe and we're growing. This is how midlife women set goals like queens. So here is your step-by-step midlife goal-setting practice.

Speaker 1: 25:51

Step one dream again. Do you even let yourself, dream anymore like, really want something. It might hurt at first, especially if you've been stuck in survival mode, but the pain is just a sign that you're waking up. Let yourself want without judgment. Step two get specific. Write your goal in first person present tense. Like it's already happening, like this I wake up each morning in my beautiful Charleston condo on the beach, feeling strong, vibrant and a hundred pounds lighter. Make it vivid the smells, sounds, date, location, emotions. Don't worry about the how, just the what and when.

Speaker 1: 26:47

Step three expect resistance. When you set a big, bold goal, guess what? Shame, fear, doubt and imposter syndrome will absolutely show up. That is not a sign to quit. It's a sign you're stretching. Your brain loves the familiar Goals are unfamiliar. When your survival wiring freaks out, let it.

Speaker 1: 27:17

Step four do a thought. Download, write down all your thoughts that came up around this goal. What if I fail? People will think I'm crazy. I've tried this before and it didn't work. Now go to your future self, the version of you who already achieved this goal. Write from her perspective. What would she say back? This is where you'll start to uncover your action plan. This is your how.

Speaker 1: 27:53

Step five reverse engineer. Start from the end when your goal is complete and work backwards. Start from the end when your goal is complete and work backwards. Break it down. What had to happen? What did you learn? Who did you become? Write down what you know to do and get curious about what you don't know yet. You'll grow into that part.

Speaker 1: 28:20

Step six create your do goal. Now. This is the cherry on top. A do goal is an action goal, something you can actually check off. Walk 8,000 steps today. Drink 100 ounces of water. Apply for two new jobs this week. Send an intro email to a podcast host. These small do goals build your confidence and momentum. They prove to your brain. See, I follow through now. So here's a quick word of love or two to you.

Speaker 1: 29:01

Midlife is not a crisis. It's a creative rebirth. Your goals aren't about fixing yourself. They're about finding yourself again. You are already whole, already worthy. You are allowed to want more, dream bigger and become the woman you were always meant to be. So today, take out a notebook, light a candle, put on your favorite playlist and try this. Make your 25 things list, write your specific goal in present tense, do your thought, download, channel your future self and create your do goal for the week. I'm right here cheering you on, as always. So that's a wrap. Thank you for hanging out with me through my story and through this powerful episode. If you took anything away, big or small, share it with a friend, leave a review or tag me on socials at Jack Styes. It really helps this community grow and helps more women reinvent themselves with confidence. Remember you are never behind. You are becoming. Here's to another week of glowing, growing and going after what you want. Love you and see you next Monday, jax.