So this is 50! Aging Well Through Menopause with Laura Haeikkila

Today on Midlife Conversations, I've got Laura Heikala. And I can't wait to talk with her today because I started following her on Instagram because she's got this great page called so this is 50, and we'll put all this in the show notes later so you can see. But I found myself really loving her content because she is living and walking the walk that I'm constantly sharing about. She is one of those examples. Completely thriving over 50. She's in her mid-50s. She does not look even close to 50. She is thriving. She's doing all the things as far as how she looks, how she acts, her mindset, all the things. And I thought, I've got to have her on and understand a little bit more about how she lives in her daily life, what tips she has for us, because she is walking this. She's walking this as many times as I have experts on in various subjects. I love getting people on that are truly applying all this knowledge so they can give us the inside scoop on it. So thank you so much for being here today, Laura.

Oh, thanks so much for having me.

Okay, let's back up a little bit. How did this even start? How did you become this big personality on social media? How did you get into the weight loss space?

All right, so my plan wasn't when I started my social media to. I. I actually didn't even want anybody to know about it. Like, I picked a name that none of my friends were gonna know, and I just was. I was getting ready to turn 50. I was about 49, I guess, when I started it. And I just kind of wanted to, like, document my journey to turning 50. And so I thought, okay, I'm gonna start this page and I'm just gonna post some things that I feel like are working for me. And then I just. It kind of started to snowballing where I started realizing, like, oh, man, there's all these other women that are getting ready to turn 50, and they're kind of like, freaking out and, you know, and wondering what's going to happen. And so that's kind of how it got started.

Yeah, I love it because you started your journey the way that I started mine, originally in my 30s. Just documenting a journey. It's almost like you use it as your own journal, and then people start following along. What is it about this turning 50 thing that you think from your perspective now that is feels so pivotal? Like, I know I can speak for me. 40s did not affect me. I don't think I got I would say kind of midlife, but I didn't understand it. Something about that 50 number definitely affected me.

I think something about turning 50 is a lot of it is what I. For me, it was. I remember years ago, women that I knew that were a little bit older than me, they would always say to me, oh, just wait till you turn 50. It's all downhill. Just wait till you turn 50. And I would always be like, oh, my God. Like, I was freaking out before 50 because I was like, oh, my gosh, is everything just like you magically wake up after you turn 50 and, you know, you're gray and everything's sagging and, you know, so I was kind of worried about it, you know, and so I was like, okay, I. I'm going to really, like, kick it, you know, in gear this year before I turn 50 so that I could, like, prove to myself and, you know, to maybe other people that, okay, turning 50, really not so bad. Yeah, not bad at all.

So it's funny because I had that same experience, and I will say that it's. I don't think it's that bad. There are things that change, for sure. They're just not as drastic, Terrible as doomsday as we once believe that they were. That's my experience. I don't know how you feel exactly.

No, exactly. I feel exactly the same. Yeah.

So what were some of the biggest changes that you did not expect of turning 50?

See, the biggest thing, I didn't notice so much turning 50. I think I noticed a few more changes, like once I went through menopause.

Okay.

Like turning 50, I don't think I noticed like a whole. A whole lot of changes. It was a little bit closer to, like, going through menopause that I started noticing, like, like changes in my skin, changes in my hair. You know, just kind of those, like, bit more physical changes and, you know, a little bit more. Obviously, you know, you start getting a little bit more hot, got to throw the blankets off, you know, those types of.

The fun side effect.

Yeah, those type of things definitely, you know, maybe a little bit more, you know, sometimes a little bit lower energy levels. But all in all, I can't say that there was anything like, super pivotal that I noticed, you know, that that changed.

So when you started going through menopause. And I'm going to ask this because there's a lot of people listening that are approaching or not there yet or just starting to walk through it. There's a big difference between. I agree with you, like, just turning 50 the number that. That's one thing, but there's something about the change in hormones that really drastically changes people. And there's a lot of people listening that are really scared of that conversation of, like. Of, like, what am I going to do when this happens? Or.

Right.

What is okay to do? I'm curious, like, your personal approach on that. Like, I'm a huge fan for myself of bioidentical hormones. I'm wondering if that's something that you align with or you don't align with or how did you even navigate all the stuff with the hormone changes?

Okay, so I actually am a total believer in bioidenticals, but I personally don't take any. And. But I say always yet because I know that at some point I probably will reach that point where my levels will be like, okay, I need to. Or the symptoms will come along where I kind of really feel like, okay, I need to. I can't say that I haven't ever taken them, though, really. For me, my most difficult hormonal issues were in perimenopause.

Okay, talk to us about that. And what did you learn?

So what I kind of went through was I about like 47, 48, super, super heavy cycles. And that happens with a lot of women.

That's exactly me.

Yeah, exactly. The women that are more on the estrogen dominant side. So. So I was struggling with these horrible. I mean, like, could barely leave the house, you know, some days. And so then I became extremely anemic. And then I struggled to even, like, I was struggling with my workouts, and I was getting so frustrated with myself because I still wanted to, like, push, push, but I just couldn't even, you know, even go there. And that just led to, you know, I was starting to put on a little bit of weight and I just was all, you know, overall, I just felt like my moods were like this, my hormones were like this. And so I did at that point go on progesterone. Because my progesterone.

To balance out the estrogen dominance.

Yeah, balance that out. Went on some supplements, did some things for the estrogen dominance, and kind of got my periods back to a little bit more of a normal. Had to do a bunch of things to work on the anemia. And so by the time. It took me about a year or so of just working on all of that to kind of start really feeling better. And then by that point, I was getting closer to, like, my, you know, I think I was 49. And then I was feeling, like, good enough to be like, okay, I'm really going to hit this hard before I turn 50. And then I honestly, I feel like since then a lot of the things that I. Lifestyle things I started doing and a lot of the things that I worked on really did kind of help me ease through menopause a little bit easier.

Yeah, I want, I'm so curious what some of those things are because, and I'm curious about your choice around. Around hormones because this is a really controversial topic for people and they, they feel like it's like damned if they do, damned if they don't. They. People are judged if they do. I don't personally think of hormones as cheating. I think everyone's got a personal choice there and whatever it is that they, that works best for them. But I also understand that a lot of people choose not to do that for their own reasons. So I would love just to get your help on that. Like how did you just mentioned mindset? Like, what are some things that you've done to fully help you, especially since you're not doing the hormone part right now, like what is what has had to change to keep you going? Because honestly, I would have guessed you're on them. And I know that sounds, that sounds funny, but most people I see that are in their 50s that look amazing and are fully thriving in the energy they usually are on them. So. So it's surprising that you're not. So I love that. I'm just so curious, like, how what do you do?

Okay, so I think number one is managing stress because stress is a hormone depleter. It's going to deplete your, you know, your estrogen, your progesterone, your testosterone. It's going to affect your insulin, your cortisol, you know, all of those things as I lose my top here. And so I feel like managing stress isn't just about like, we're all under stress. You know, you just have like that daily stress, but it's also the stress that we put on our bodies. And I feel like this was kind of the reason why I had so many hormonal issues earlier in my 40s, is it wasn't just, yes, I own businesses all the time. I did have stress there, but it was the under eating too much, the over exercising, you know, that putting that constant stress on my body, doing too much cardio, doing all these things.

Oh my gosh, women, are you listening? Because this is so pop. This is what people do. This is what we're doing. This is what a lot of us are doing.

And what I didn't realize is that all of those things I was doing, like, to stay in shape and to stay, you know, fit in my 40s, was actually like, backfiring on me because I already had enough stress in my life. I didn't need to add all that extra stress to it. And stress depletes your hormones. The other thing is, like, sleep. Sleep is so vital. I mean, that stresses your body even more. So if you're not sleeping, you. If you're not sleeping well, that's going to affect your hormones. So I really, really prioritize. Like, just, I. I changed my mindset a lot about how I deal with things, and I. I feel like I'm so much more like, just easygoing now. Like, I just don't sweat, you know, the small stuff.

So how did you do that, Laura? Because I know this might sound like a funny question, but I. So many of us know to not sweat the, you know, do not do those things.

But how do.

How do you actually.

Yeah, it's like. It's something you have to become, like, super conscious of. Like, I always noticed when I was, like, really stressed out about something, I would tend to, like, grit my teeth and get, like, really in it and really tense and. Yeah. So I became really, like, aware of the signs that I was feeling over stressed. And in the beginning, I would. When I would catch myself doing it, I would like, take, like, okay, Laura, five breaths. I like to literally, like, talk to myself. And I'd be like, okay, take five breaths. And then I would. And then I would. I tell my clients all the time, and I would ask myself, did anyone die? No. Okay. Nobody died. So is it the end of the world? No. Just figure out how you're going to fix it and stop.

Okay.

And then I would. In the beginning, it would maybe take me a while before I would catch myself and realize I was in that stress. Now it's like so quick to me. It's like, you know, it's like something you almost have to practice over and over and over before you finally. It's like, you know, you just automatically will react that way. Not that I don't ever, you know, I mean, freak out about something, but for the most part now, I just really, you know, catch myself and really put things into perspective, like, this isn't the end of the world. And I think because I know so much about what stress does to the body, it's like, I don't want to let myself go there because I know just, you know, the domino effect that it has so, you know, and stress puts on body fat.

It does. It does. Especially that cortisol. Yeah, of course. That belly fat. How do you, like.

So how.

How do you feel when people say things and I. And I'm guilty of it, too. I said it to you. And even though when people say it to me, I'm always like, well, what's this supposed to look like? When someone says you don't look your age or you don't senior age? What is your thoughts around that?

I mean, I guess. I mean, I think that's a great compliment when people say that, but I feel like we're just like a new generation of.

Yeah, that's exactly how I feel.

I love that, you know, picture of like the Golden Girls and then like, you know, JLO and Shakira or something, you know, when they did that, like, it's like just a total different, you know, I don't know. We're not.

I feel like it needs a full rebrand because it's, you know, it's interesting. It's because I tend to find and collect a lot of people like you that are. We're redefining it. It's. It's a whole different thing, and it's super aspirational. And what I like about that is, even though everything is not about appearance at all, what I like is when somebody is feeling really down, going through menopause in their 50s, wherever it is, and they're in that midlife feeling down and, like, not relevant anymore, and then they see someone like you and they think, okay, it's possible. It's possible. I, like, get excited when that's becoming more and more the norm. Because to me, when someone says, you don't look your age. To me, I'm thinking, well, what's it to supposed. Supposed to look like? Like, who. How did we decide that 50s was supposed to be like the Golden Girls? Like, where did that. That's just feels like a very dated concept.

Well, I think it's just what's out there in the media and things like that is that they, you know, basically once women, you know, hit their 50s, they're not considered relevant anymore. And. But I do think there's so many women out there now that are, you know, there's so many women on social media now that I, you know, I come across their accounts and I mean, women in their 60s and 70s that I'm like, whoa, now you're my. Yeah, Really? I want to be you, you know, when I'm 70. So I feel like Women are, you know, just, they're, they're not so afraid anymore, I think even of what people. I think a lot of times before it was like, oh, well, what would people think if I dress like that? Or what will people think if I, you know, And I think now people are just like, women are like, you know what? I'm going to be who I want to be. And, and now, you know, like I said when I, when I mentioned you, when I started my social media, I was embarrassed for anybody I know to see it and be like, oh my God, why are you posting pictures of yourself in a bathing suit? Or, you know, or. And now I'm like, I, you know, I'm, I'm proud of it because I feel like I realized how many women I've inspired to, you know, take that control of their own, you know, because you kind of feel like you've lost control of your body going through perimenopause and menopause. And so I am glad that so many women are realizing, like, I can take back control. The power is mine. Like, to be told that, you know, menopause or getting older or any of those things is, you know, is going to completely change your whole life. It's, it doesn't have to. You do have control.

I love that. It doesn't have to, you know, you have control. If you were to give us kind of like the rundown of these are the things that you must do if you want to age well, help me with those categories. Like, what would you say? Like, you must do this?

Okay, so stress, I already went over sleep. Super, super important. Nutrition is like, I mean, it's definitely 80, 90% of it. I mean, you can, you can, like they say you can't out exercise a bad diet.

So talk to us a little bit about that. Like, what's your concept of eating well?

My concept of eating well is having a diet largely of whole foods. Like just staying away from, you know, all of the processed foods.

Natural, real unprocessed foods.

Yes, yes. So, you know, the women that are like living off of protein bars, and I see it so much in the women I work with, you know, that are just, you know, grabbing food here and there, living off of protein bars and all of that, you know, I just, it just doesn't, it doesn't work well.

You're eating dead foods at that point. It's like, that's how I feel. Like if you eat things that are, were alive and vibrant and like real, like things that once grew, I always say yeah, exactly.

Helps. I think women need to prioritize their protein as they get older.

You have to say about that. How much protein do you personally take in?

I personally eat probably more than 1 gram for my body weight.

And do you have to work hard to do that?

No, I don't. I know a lot of women do struggle with that, but no, I eat like four times a day and just kind of divide it over for over four meals and, And I find it to be pretty.

I work very hard. I do the same thing. I work to get over. Well, I work to get over 100 grams a day, but it's work. I will say that, because I don't always want to eat that much of it, but I do prioritize it, like you said.

Yeah, you have to. I mean, it's just, you know, it's. Obviously, it's the building blocks of building muscle, and we have to. Have to build muscle as we get older, not only for our body composition, but to keep our metabolism going, you know, for our bone density, for our longevity, all of those things. So it's, you know, to me, it is the fountain of youth. Okay, Good nutrition, building muscle, getting your sleep, getting your water. I mean, it's.

Do you ever have your days where you. Where it does get to you and you're thinking, well, maybe I do. I'm just going to own it. I have days where I'm in the gym and I'm like, well, maybe I'm wrong.

Maybe it is harder.

I mean, I have to kind of psych myself out of that conversation sometimes.

I mean, I see all these things. I saw a post today where it said that studies show that up until 70, it's no harder to build muscle. And I don't know if I believe that. Like, yeah, I, I, like, I fully believe.

Okay, so this is my, my truth, and I'm saying it for everyone to hear. Like, I, I really. I know that we can build muscle. I know that we can age well. I know that we can be. I know all of that. I do get my butt kicked sometimes and, and question.

So.

And then I recalibrate because, like, in my, in my 40s, I'll say, in my 40s, will. It'll never change. Like, it'll always be this. But, you know, I'll start seeing somebody that's like, super. They can be super fit. 70, 80, things are still going to start falling. They just do. Like, there's some things that we just don't change that we can't change. Nobody's still Real.

Yeah, it's absolutely true. I mean, you know, it's. I, you know, I, and I think I was mentioning before, like, the changes in your skin. The changes in the skin. It's, you know, your skin's not as tight. Things don't look as, you know, look as firm as they used to. Yeah.

So let's get. I want to get to some of the nitty gritty on that because I agree like this. Like, I, for me, for example, I used to be a huge self tanner fan. I can't wear self tanner because it doesn't look good on aging skin. I don't think it does on me. But. So what are some of your tricks? Like, how do you. Because obviously our hair changes, our skin changes. Like, what are some of your personal. Like what are. Laura, Some of your tricks, your favorites that you use or.

Okay, so I do a lot of dry, Dry brushing.

Okay, talk to us about that.

So.

Because a lot of people don't know what that is.

Oh, okay. So dry brushing is using like a brush that has kind of those bristles that are. I don't even know what they call those bristles, but they're a little firmer bristles. They're made specifically. You can go on Amazon and look up for a dry brush and you work in kind of a brushing up motion, you know, up to. I think you're supposed to be going up towards your. Your heart. Yeah. Yeah. So, but that's to help with like, lymphatic.

And do you see a difference and feeling that?

I do because sometimes I get out of the routine and I do notice a difference.

Okay, and how often do you have to do it to keep it as a routine?

I try to do it like I have it right by my shower. So right before I get in the shower, I just.

That's good.

Try to do it. Then when I get out of the shower, I have a little, like, kind of. It's like a roller thing that kind of has little nubbies on it.

Okay.

Like a hand roller. And then so I'll roll my, you know.

Okay.

My legs usually.

And what does that do? I have the dry brush, but I don't know, the, I don't know, kind.

Of like a circulation, you know, thing. It's kind of more of a circulate. You need blood flow, like.

Okay.

You know, to that. So. Because part of like cellulite, things like that is lack of.

We need a dry brush and a rolly thing.

I'm going to do an Instagram reel on it.

Okay. So by the time this airs, we're going to have that.

I was thinking about it actually yesterday I was doing it. I'm like, I need to make a real on this.

So I don't know what this really thing. What's. Do you know what it's called? The rolly thing? I was going to call it a rolly thing.

No, a fascia roller. Oh, a fascia roller. Okay.

Yes, I know what that is. Okay, got it.

Okay, that's what it is. They have that faster blaster, that thing that they use it. But to me, this little hand thing is easier.

Is easier. You have put lotion on them with it and stuff. Okay, so that. So those are good skin trick. What do you do about. Okay, so the other like weird thing that happens over 50 is our skin complexion color changes. Like we get. It gets that thinner, like more transparent. Do you any tricks that you have around that or what have you learned there now?

Sorry.

I have a trick on that one. Okay, here was my, my trick, ladies. Is it. It's so inexpensive at the drugstore too. It's the. Have you seen the airbrush spray? It's like a Sally. It's like Sally Hansen. Oh, I just get the natural skin color and it is like if you're gonna wear a dress and you have your legs showing, you just spray it on. It's light. It's like almost like a light makeup. But it makes your skin. It takes 20 years off your skin. It's better than self tanner because it doesn't make your. It doesn't creep into like your dark spots.

So that's my little trick for appearance. Okay, good tip. Good tip.

Okay, what about, what about hair? What are your tricks there? Because our hair does. That changes too.

Yeah. I mean, I feel like the collagen does help. That collagen helps a lot with the hair growth. Yeah, I don't know if there's like a lot you can do about like. I feel like it's. Your hair is a little duller. Yes. As you go, you know. So I don't know if there's a lot that you can do. I'm going to try to, you know, use these hair products, but I feel like the collagen does help like with the growth of my, my hair. Like it, it grows like, it grows like a weed. So. And I do. And I do like the collagen like for my skin. Skin too. Yes. Yeah.

I'm a huge fan of collagen. That's a great one. Okay, those are good. And then what have you learned? I mean, I'm asking you strange questions, but I know women want to hear this stuff too. What's your thoughts on makeup as we age? Like, I, I love makeup, but I've really, truly learned that less is more as we age. How do you.

Okay, so. Yeah, so what I have found is that lately I have just not even been like, wearing foundation. I've just been doing like the highlighter stick and the, like the contour, like, and just kind of doing that in. And, and not even doing the full face of foundation. Wow, that's. Maybe it's for pictures but like in, in actual real life.

Yeah.

I feel like it looks almost.

Yeah.

Better like not to have the kids. Yeah.

Like I'm looking at you and you look so natural and it's. And if you guys are not. Don't see our video, you can go onto the YouTube and you can see. Or you could check out her social media and see. But I personally, I know it's everyone's. It's their own thing, but I think sometimes some of the things that are in for the 20 and 30 year olds, they just don't look right in our mid-50s. Like when, when we, when the women that do the huge lash extensions and the big bushy eyebrows, it just doesn't look right.

Yeah. Yeah.

Maybe some of you can pull it off. I can't.

Yeah. In fact, I don't usually ever. I don't. I usually ever wear. I. Eyelash extensions, but I actually did them. We were going to the wineries with some friends and I did them on Sunday and then.

Well, yours look natural. I'm talking about the ones that have the caterpillar eyes.

Yeah, no, these are like. I did them my. Like the ones that last like 10 days that you can do yourself.

Yeah.

And so I did them and then I was like, oh, wait, I'm just gonna leave them on for my podcast.

Yeah, that's great.

Yeah. Normally, normally I don't, I don't wear them anymore. But yeah, I kind of feel like as you get older, kind of like less is.

Yeah, less.

More. Okay.

Talk to me about community and who you surround yourself with and like what you listen to. Like, because I think that stuff's so important and I'm wondering if you do too, because I think a lot of women, one of the reasons that they don't feel good about aging is who they're surrounding themselves with. They're. They're around a lot of people that aren't up leveling their life. So I'M wondering about your circle and who you're around.

Yeah. So I usually choose, you know, to be around people who are into health and fitness. You know, I'm not, you know, I like to go out and have fun. I, I, you know, we live in the wine country. But I'm not a huge, huge. I mean, most people that know me know, like, I'm like the person who will have one glass or something, you know, I'm not like a huge, because I just don't like the way it makes me feel, especially since going through, like, menopause. Like, I feel like it just brings on hot flashes, and I just don't like how I feel as much. So. I like people. Yeah. I like people who. I like people that when I leave being around them, I feel like I want to be a better person. Oh, I love it.

That's such a great way to say that.

Yeah.

Yeah. I'm a huge fan. Those of you listening, if you don't have a network of people like that, that's. That's where I do love social media. That's where I do love podcasts. That's where I love even audibles, like, finding, because I feel like you can have anybody's mindset in with you if you're listening to it. So I'm a huge fan of listening to audibles and different podcasts.

I listen to podcasts, like, every. I try to get 10,000 steps every day. That's my other.

That's my other. Okay.

My 10,000 steps every day. I listen to podcasts. You know, when I do. When I do that. So I've been catching up on your podcast, and I listen to, like, JJ Virgins, and I look at my led a few other, like, just people that I think are. That I, you know, I like help ones, but I like other inspiring, you know, inspiring ones. And when I go to the gym, I listen to podcasts while I'm there, too, so.

And then I know one thing I do, and I don't know if you do this, Laura, but I make sure, like, who I'm actually following makes me feel better when I scroll. So, like, I'm not a fan of following people that if I see their posts, it makes me feel bad about myself. That's. I know that might sound funny. Like, I'm looking for inspiration, motivation, empowerment, versus, like, if I find myself having that, any negative thought, I don't want to follow.

Yeah, no, I agree. And that's why I feel like I tend to follow more. Even I most. I probably Almost everyone I follow is over 40 at least.

Yeah, I really pivoted that.

Yeah. And even more so I have a lot of like in the women in their 60s and 70s because I feel like, okay, I want inspiration, you know, so it's like I want to know that I can still be doing this, you know, when I, when I get, you know, older. And so I tend to follow people. Yes, I tend to follow people like that. I tend to, you know, it's like, why am I going to follow 20 or 30 year olds that, you know. Yeah, they may have banging bodies, but it's like.

Yeah, I feel like we all did in our 20s.

Yeah, exactly, exactly. It was easy back then. Yeah. I want to, I want to follow the people that I know are really, you know, are putting in the work. And then I tend to follow people more just that are, that are a little bit more on the natural, holistic, like holistic side, health side. Because, you know, you can be skinny and have a great body, but it doesn't mean you got it in a healthy way.

Sure, that makes sense. Yeah, that keeps me surrounded in that.

Yeah.

There's something else you just said that I don't even know if you picked.

Up on it, but I want to.

Point this out because I was really thinking about this this week that I had done a, I had done a post recently and I mentioned something about midlife because I'm always talking about midlife and somebody, a guy commented and he said midlife is more like 40 because most people live to 80. And I thought that was such a strange comment because midlife to me is, you know, 50s. Like it's actually on Google, it's 40 to 62. But midlife to me is really anytime kind of in between. And it never has entered my brain that I will only live till 80. Like that doesn't enter my brain. What enters my brain is I want to like really thrive and live well into my 80s, 90s and 1/ hundreds. Like I wanna, I wanna still be mobile, I wanna still feel good, I still want to be confident. I want to have my memory and my focus. Like I focus on what I want to create versus like there's this dead stop here and you just said something similar. I don't even know if you caught it. But you said I like to follow people older because it's inspiring for me to see what's possible. So I want to encourage anyone listening too to really start thinking, how do you view aging and have you even thought about how long you want to live? And what you want that to look like. Because I think a lot of people, they just accept something as like, you know, this is an average or this is whatever.

Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I, I don't ever like to think of myself as, as the average. You know, I always want, I always want to strive, you know, I always want to strive at least to be more than that.

For sure.

And so. Yeah, no, I mean, the one thing, I mean there's good things about. There's great things about social media. There's not so great things about being on social media. And I'm sure you. Oh, yeah. I mean, so some of it's great for your self esteem and some of it's not. Very true, very true. But there are. The one thing I do love about social media is you get to see so many things out there now where there's like these posts of like women that are like 90 and they're just, you know, and usually they're being interviewed maybe by their daughter or something and they're asking like, what's your key to. I love those posts. I mean, I'm like, I'm about those. I think they show up in my feed all the time because I. Those are the ones I'm liking. Like, I love. Yeah.

There's one person I follow. I can't remember her name, but she's got, she always features her mom in her 90s and it's pretty.

Yeah, I wonder if I. Yeah, I wonder if I follow that same one. Yeah, I love that. Like, those posts to me are just, are so inspiring because I feel like if you do stay active and I mean, we can't, obviously we can't control everything that happens in our life. Right. So. But if I feel like if you do stay active and, and you do, you know, always have some type of purpose in life, like I think you have to have a purpose in life and if you have some type of purpose that, that will keep you. That'll keep your brain, that'll keep you. You know, both my parents have gotten. Both of my. My father died of Alzheimer's. My mom was just recently diagnosed. Wow. And what I realized was, and my mom was like so healthy, hiked, I mean, 80 years old and still hiking. Six, you know, could do six months. But what she lost was her purpose. She lost that getting out every day and communicating with people and doing things that, you know. Yeah. And seeing that made me realize like, you know, I don't want to retire. I don't want to just sit back and not do anything. I always want to have at least something, you know, that's some kind of purpose in life to keep me going.

That's so good, Laura. Speaking of the Alzheimer's. And I'm so sorry about that. What. What do you know for yourself based on that? So, like, a lot of times people. And the reason I'm asking this is a lot of people will say, both my parents had this or both my parents had that. So it almost becomes like this. I'm gonna get this, too, because of my parents. I'm curious your attitude about that.

Yeah. So one of the things that, you know, I've learned a lot about Alzheimer's is, I mean, inflammation is a big factor in that. So I. That's, again, where it goes back to nutrition. Yeah.

And blood sugar. There's so much to be said for 3 diabetes.

Exactly, exactly. So I feel like, you know, if I can, you know, really control my diet, which I can, you know, I'm the person that can control that. So I. I feel like I can. You know, I've listened to enough podcasts and read enough things that they say that genetics is actually. Yes, genetics plays a part, but it actually plays a smaller part than we realize.

I believe that. I believe it's more epigenetics and our. Our mindset and our belief, for sure. You know, it's really interesting. I interviewed recently. I don't know if you heard it on my podcast, but those of you listening right now, you definitely want to hear this one. The one with Nasha Winters about metabolic guide to cancer, basically.

But I'm going back.

Oh, yeah. It's a. It's one of my favorite interviews of all times, because she really. I read the book.

Right.

What was that? Besides this one, of course. Yes, yes. So if you go back a few episodes ago, her book is fantastic, too. But the podcast. Well, I read the books many times, and then I was so interested in recording her. But she really ties everything to our food and in a really different way than we've been learning about it. It's more than just keto. It's more than just like a way of eating unprocessed food. She's really in on how blood sugar has. Affects us and our mindset and our belief around things and then just all areas. And she really does go into epigenetics about, like, the products that we're using, the environment that around stress, all the things that you mentioned. But I just like what you're saying. You're saying that it's what we believe. It's what we surround ourselves with, these things that we do. And then she goes into some of the science around why that works. But I really do believe that any of us, if we think we are doomed and we're going to get something, we will prove that true. And if we think the opposite, that we're going to create a different reality, that we can make that our reality too.

The mind is a very strong thing.

Yes.

Yeah.

Well, thank you so much, Laura. This. I'm so. I wanted to get to know you better. I wanted. People I want. I love. Thank you for coming on. Because I really want people to hear from women, like, walking the walk, doing the things. Like you represent everything that I'm talking about in midlife. Like, I really wanted people to get to know you better. You all. You gotta follow her on social media. Your exact handle. It's. It says It's. This is 50. Correct. Like this underscore is underscore 50.

It's at so underscore this underscore is underscore 5, 0.

We'll write it in the shout out.

So this is. You start typing it in, it'll come up. It'll. Yeah.

Okay. Or you can go to who I'm following and find her. Her there too. And then where. Do you have any place else you want people to go to look for you? And where are you most active on social media?

I'm most active on Instagram, on Facebook and YouTube. It's under my Ageless Women's Society. Okay. So that is my community of women.

It's got a community and helps with weight loss and nutrition and all the things.

Yeah, all those things for women over 40.

So thank you so much, Laura. Thank you.

Thank you for having me.