Midlife weight gain feels like it sneaks up on us—and suddenly what used to work, doesn’t. In this episode, we sit down with our brilliant friend and fitness expert, Dena Pistor, for a no-BS conversation about what it actually takes to manage weight and feel better in perimenopause and beyond. Whether you're frustrated by belly fat that seems to appear overnight, curious about the truth behind diet shots, or just feeling stuck with your health goals, this is the conversation you need.

We talk openly (and laugh a lot) about shifting hormones, genetic set points, unrealistic fitness expectations, and why those "quick fix" diets rarely work long term. Dena brings not only her expertise, but her realness—and reminds us what sustainable, holistic health looks like at this stage of life. Spoiler alert: it’s not about being perfect, it’s about finding what’s possible for you.

Episode Highlights:

[0:02] - Welcoming Dena Pistor and kicking off our midlife weight loss deep dive
[1:51] - The “middle” shows up—belly fat, shifting hormones, and midlife body changes
[4:35] - Dena explains the science of menopause weight gain and the high-estrogen effect
[5:28] - Why slow weight loss might be more sustainable—and when it isn’t
[9:34] - The critical role of sleep, stress, and daily activity in weight management
[13:27] - “Fit and healthy is a third job”—real talk about time, priorities, and working out
[17:33] - Hydration hacks and why water matters more than you think
[18:28] - Letting go of the scale obsession and learning to trust your clothes
[23:39] - Skipping meals and skimping on protein? Why that’s sabotaging your success
[27:09] - “Stop eating selfishly”—rethinking food as fuel, not just pleasure
[30:26] - Mediterranean diet love and the power of eating real, satisfying food
[33:33] - European food habits vs. U.S. food culture—what we’re up against
[36:56] - Gut health, sugar cravings, and stress eating cycles
[37:59] - Diet shots like Zepbound—Dena’s evolving perspective and what to watch for
[43:40] - Holistic health is the real goal—not shortcuts, but a sustainable lifestyle
[44:50] - Final reflections on grace, effort, and why this journey is worth it

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What happens when the reflection staring back at you no longer matches the youthful image in your mind? In this episode, we peel back the layers of the “midlife mirror” to explore how aging intersects with body image, vanity, and the deep-seated need for validation. We get raw and real about the emotional shifts that come when our appearance begins to change—and how those shifts impact everything from self-esteem to social dynamics.

Join us as we unpack the roots of toxic vanity, explain what dysmorphia really looks like (clinically and subclinically), and reflect on our own personal journeys through beauty, invisibility, and evolving self-worth. If you've ever stood in front of the mirror and thought, “Wait, when did I become her?”—this conversation is for you. Let’s talk about what it means to feel alive, radiant, and beautiful from the inside out.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - Kicking off with real talk: what “midlife mirror” means and why it hits hard.
[2:06] - Defining dysmorphia and the subtle ways it shows up in everyday life.
[4:28] - Feeling invisible: grappling with the shift in public attention as we age.
[7:39] - The paradox of pretty: how beauty can become both power and prison.
[9:56] - Midlife body changes and the identity crisis that follows.
[12:15] - Our personal glow-up stories—and what we learned from them.
[16:15] - From Botox to body neutrality: what beauty means to us now.
[18:04] - Drawing the line between healthy vanity and toxic preoccupation.
[22:32] - The ultimate glow-up? Owning your life force and inner radiance.
[24:17] - How early messages about looks shape our adult self-worth.
[27:09] - Social media’s role in distorting beauty standards—at every age.
[28:49] - Tips for cultivating body neutrality, mindfulness, and self-connection.
[30:56] - A final reflection: life force > wrinkle-free face, every time.

Resources:

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Make sure to visit the “Resources” page on our website www.insightsfromthecouch.org to download the worksheet and take ways that accompany each episode. This is hugely important as we are now creating a download that is unique to each episode and working hard to create an email list to support our programming offerings moving forward.

This week on Insights From the Couch, we sit down with the powerhouse attorney, author, and survivor, Alreen Haeggquist. From her deeply personal story of growing up in an abusive household to becoming a leading legal advocate for survivors of sexual harassment and assault, Alreen’s journey is a testament to the strength of the human spirit—and the power of owning your story.

We explore the long path from trauma to triumph, what it really takes to heal, and how acknowledging the past is the first step toward freedom. Alreen shares how inner child work, therapy, and using her voice not only helped her reclaim her own life but gave her the fuel to fight for others. This conversation is vulnerable, honest, and full of insight for anyone on a healing path—or supporting someone who is.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - Welcoming Alreen and an intro to her mission and groundbreaking legal work.
[2:04] - Alreen’s early life: arranged marriage, family dynamics, and migration.
[5:08] - The many forms of survival: escaping abuse through education and independence.
[6:26] - Why bullying at school was more bearable than life at home.
[8:29] - The breaking point: rage, motherhood, and the moment of awakening.
[11:17] - Alreen’s first steps into therapy and realizing healing takes more than four sessions.
[12:45] - A pivotal psychodrama experience: naming the abuse for the first time.
[16:08] - The power of vulnerability and why speaking out matters.
[18:30] - Connecting trauma to physical health and emotional wellbeing.
[21:13] - Learning to feel again: inner child work and the journey back to the heart.
[25:18] - Bringing personal experience into the courtroom to empower survivors.
[26:33] - Breaking down sexual assault civil cases and how justice is pursued.
[28:39] - Advocacy in action: educating teens and holding institutions accountable.
[31:37] - Teaching kids to trust their gut and speak up.
[34:28] - The first step to healing: acknowledge it happened and write it down.
[35:58] - The complex family fallout of telling the truth.
[39:45] - Secrets and silence vs. truth and generational healing.
[42:58] - Why acknowledging abuse isn’t rare—it’s revolutionary.

Resources:

📚 Fired Up: Fueling Triumph From Trauma by Alreen Haeggquist — available on Amazon
🌐 Learn more about Alreen’s work and book at www.alreen.com

Make sure to visit the “Resources” page on our website www.insightsfromthecouch.org to download the worksheet and take ways that accompany each episode. This is hugely important as we are now creating a download that is unique to each episode and working hard to create an email list to support our programming offerings moving forward.