Healthy After 40 Starts With Spirit: Metabolism, Menopause & Sustainable Strength with Michelle Hayes

Women over 40 don’t need another crash diet—they need a spirit-first strategy. In this conversation, women’s nutrition coach and longtime nurse Michelle Hayes explains why lasting health begins with purpose, alignment, and compassionate habits that work with perimenopause/menopause, not against it. We cover metabolism-smart eating without restriction, strength training over endless cardio, and how environment and community beat “willpower.” Practical, culture-aware nutrition tweaks, vacation strategies, and a 60-day framework make change realistic—so you can feel stronger, clearer, and more you.

 

About the Guest  

Michelle Hayes is a women’s nutrition coach with 25+ years of nursing experience. She helps professional women 40+ rebuild energy, mood, and body confidence by starting with spirit, then aligning food, movement, and environment for sustainable results.

 

Key Takeaways :

• Spirit-first health creates durable motivation; habits stick when they serve purpose.

• After 40, hormones change; metabolism needs enough food, not chronic restriction.

• Build meals to support metabolism and hormone health; skip 1,100-cal “diets.”

• Use your current foods and culture; upgrade recipes instead of overhauling life.

• Prioritize strength training for body composition, bones, and confidence; cardio is adjunct.

• Plan for real life: preview restaurant menus/vacation foods; choose, don’t “cheat.”

• Environment beats willpower: community/accountability prevent the two-week quit.

• Reframe success from “perfect” to aligned actions; reduce all-or-nothing thinking.

• Start tiny (water, 500 extra steps); action → momentum → consistency → results.

• It’s never too late: Michelle lost 120 lbs in her late 40s and competes in powerlifting.

Connect with the Guest  

• Website: https://www.riseup2wellness.com/

• Instagram 

• Listen to her podcast - HerRise Women Over 40 on all streaming platforms

 

If you’re in immediate danger:

• India: Dial 112 (all emergencies). Download the 112 India app for quick SOS. 112 India+1

• USA/Canada: Dial 911 (life-threatening emergencies).

• UK/Ireland: Dial 999 or 112. Both connect to emergency services. GOV.UK

India – free, confidential mental-health support

• Tele-MANAS (Govt. of India): Call 14416 (alt: 1800-89-14416). 24/7 counseling in multiple languages. telemanas.mohfw.gov.in+1

• KIRAN Mental Health Rehabilitation Helpline (Govt. of India): Call 1800-599-0019 (24/7). Press Information Bureau+1

• NIMHANS Helpline:080-46110007 (advice, counseling). Disability Empowerment Dept

• Vandrevala Foundation:+91 9999 666 555 (mental health support). Disability Empowerment Dept

• Jeevan Aastha:1800-233-3330 (suicide prevention & counseling). Disability Empowerment Dept

• OneLife:78930-78930 (suicide prevention & crisis support). Disability Empowerment Dept

United States

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988, or chat via 988Lifeline.org (24/7). 988 Lifeline+1

• LGBTQ+ youth:The Trevor Project — 24/7 phone/text/chat support. Phone 1-866-488-7386; see site for chat/text. (Note: the LGBTQ-specific “Press 3” option on 988 has ended, but Trevor remains active.)The Trevor Project+2Governor of California+2

Canada

• 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 9-8-8 (24/7). Canada.ca+1

United Kingdom & Ireland

• Samaritans:116 123 (free, 24/7). Samaritans+1

• Shout (text support): Text SHOUT to 85258 (24/7). Shout 85258

Global directories (find local help anywhere)

• Find a Helpline: Verified crisis lines in 130+ countries (phone, text, chat). Find A Helpline

• Befrienders Worldwide: Global network of emotional-support centers. befrienders.org

Note: Numbers and services can change. If a line doesn’t connect, try another option above or search your country at Find a Helpline.

 

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Disclaimer: This video is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are the personal opinions of the guest and do not reflect the views of the host or Healthy Mind By Avik™️. We do not intend to harm, defame, or ...