36. From Burnout to Balance – The Real Midlife Health Journey (feat.Adrian Mamikonian)
Today’s guest, Adrian Mamikonian, is the epitome of grace, grit, and growth—and she’s walking proof that midlife reinvention is not only possible, it’s powerful.
Adrian is a 46-year-old mom of four (yes, four kids in four different school transitions!), a military wife living in Spain, and an integrative health practitioner who has completely transformed her life—from speech pathology to strength training and sustainable wellness. 🧠💪
In this episode, we get real about:
💫 Living with constant transition as a military family
🔁 Reinventing your health and career in midlife
⚖️ The hidden cost of “pushing through” and how rest became her breakthrough
🧘♀️ Integrative tools for hormone balance, perimenopause, inflammation & stress
🥗 Ditching diet culture and fueling for energy—not restriction
✨ The small, sustainable shifts that helped her (and her clients!) feel human again
If you’ve ever felt like your body is shifting and your energy is crashing, but you still have dreams to chase and people to serve—this conversation will encourage you to start where you are and honor what you need.
Adrian's story is a reminder that your second act can be stronger, wiser, and more empowered than ever before.
🎧 Listen now on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.
📺 YouTube: youtube.com/@girlfriendsguidepodcast
👭 Join our free FB community: www.facebook.com/groups/girlfriendsmidlifepodcast
📸 Follow Adrian on Instagram: @livingwellwithadrian
💬 “Motivation doesn’t come first. Action does. Just do one thing today.” — Adrian Mamikonian
#TheGirlfriendsGuideToMidlife
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35. SOLO: Your 31-Day Belief & Gratitude Walk Challenge
Episode 35: Your 31-Day Belief & Gratitude Walk Challenge
Hey friend, and welcome back to The Girlfriend’s Guide to Midlife — a space where we do real life together. Today’s episode is a solo one with just me, Cathy, and I’m inviting you into something simple but powerful: a 31-day Belief & Gratitude Walk Challenge.
This idea was sparked by a conversation with my girlfriend Britney, who shared how transformative her gratitude walks have been. I felt that spark — and this morning, I took it a step further. I laced up my shoes, hit the pavement, and paired gratitude with bold belief.
In this episode, I’ll walk you through:
💬 What a Belief & Gratitude Walk actually is
🧠 Why your mindset determines your direction
✨ How to speak what you want to believe — even if you’re not there yet
🌱 Why August is the perfect month to recommit to you
🚶 How to use 10–30 minutes of movement to shift your energy
💖 Why putting yourself in your own routine matters
Whether you're listening in August or months later, this practice is timeless. It’s not about the date — it’s about deciding. And if you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, this episode offers a fresh, simple way to ground yourself and grow.
So let’s walk it out, together.
👇 DM me on Instagram or message me on Facebook and let me know if you’re in for the challenge. We’re doing this!
📌 Connect with Cathy
Join the community:
💬 Facebook Group – Girlfriend’s Guide to Midlife Podcast Community
Follow along for more inspiration:
📸 Instagram (Podcast): @girlfriendsmidlifepodcast
📸 Instagram (Personal): @dearkathy719
Let’s stay connected — I’d love to hear your walk reflections and belief declarations.
💛 If this episode resonated with you, please take a second to leave a rating and review. It helps other amazing midlife women find the show and lets me know I’m not just talking to myself.
👉 Hit follow so you never miss an episode.
Let’s keep thriving, walking, and believing — you’ve got this.
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34. Why Mindset Matters Most in Midlife (Katie’s Story of Growth + Grit)
In this episode of Girlfriend’s Guide to Midlife, I sit down with the inspiring Katie Sevenants, a 62-years-young serial entrepreneur, proud mom and Gigi to three, and the woman behind The Midlife Makeover. We talk about confidence, reinvention, and the beauty of embracing midlife with purpose and passion.
Katie shares her journey from the cruise ship industry to direct sales to becoming a coach and guide for midlife women navigating change, visibility, and entrepreneurship. With decades of wisdom and contagious energy, Katie reminds us that midlife isn’t the end—it’s the launch pad for your next great adventure.
From getting stuck in comparison to discovering the power of mindset coaching, Katie opens up about the fears that held her back—and the habits and beliefs that propelled her forward. If you've ever doubted your relevance or felt overwhelmed by technology, this conversation will light a fire in you.
Whether you're an empty nester, building a business, or searching for your next chapter, Katie’s story will leave you empowered to choose your “hard” wisely and keep showing up with joy.
🎧 Listen on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts
✨ In This Episode:
Katie’s journey from cruise ship sales to makeup mogul to midlife mentor
How mindset coaching changed her life
The secret to confidence (and it’s not what you think)
Why she believes reinvention is always possible—even after 50
Visualization, gratitude journaling, and writing your future into reality
Using your struggles as your superpower
The impact of Change Your Paradigm, Change Your Life by Bob Proctor
📚 Resources & Links Mentioned:
📘 Bob Proctor’s Book: Change Your Paradigm, Change Your Life
👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09X2N6V9W
📺 Watch the episode on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@girlfriendsguidepodcast
👭 Join the Facebook Community
https://www.facebook.com/groups/girlfriendsmidlifepodcast
📸 Follow on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/girlfriendsmidlifepodcast
https://www.instagram.com/dearcathy719
🤝 Connect with Katie:
🌐 Website: https://themidlifemakeover.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
✨ In this heartfelt Dear Cathy episode, Cathy welcomes back her dear friend Ravyn Robinson-Barco for a powerful follow-up to Episode 32. After sharing her story of surviving a car accident and stepping into her calling as a healer and founder of Conscious Colorado Collective, Ravyn returns to answer listener-submitted questions about spirituality, faith, and healing in midlife.
Together, Cathy and Ravyn dive deep into the spiritual and emotional reinvention that so many women navigate in midlife—and how to do it with grace, discernment, and trust.
🎧 You’ll hear honest conversation about:
🙏 The intersection of Christianity and spiritual practices
💫 Can you be both religious and spiritual?
🧘♀️ Meditation, energy healing, and Reiki — what’s aligned?
💛 How to rebuild self-trust after identity-shaking transitions
👩👧 Parenting through faith while embracing your own spiritual path
🌿 Cleansing your home, finding your people, and owning your energy
✨ Finding healing beyond talk therapy and reclaiming your wholeness
📌 Key Topics Covered
How spirituality can deepen your connection to God
Balancing traditional faith with personal exploration
Teaching kids about spiritual integrity
The science and soul of Reiki
Rebuilding yourself after losing your identity in service, motherhood, or marriage
📬 Connect with Ravyn Robinson-Barco
🌐 Website: https://www.consciouscoloradocollective.com/
📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reikicos/
📧 Email: [email protected]
🎧 Listen Now on Your Favorite Platform
Listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.
📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@girlfriendsguidepodcast
👭 Join the Community
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/girlfriendsmidlifepodcast
📲 Follow Cathy on Social Media
Main Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dearcathy719/
Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/girlfriendsmidlifepodcast/
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32. Spiritual Awakening in Midlife: What Happens When You Listen to Your Gut
What if a near-fatal car accident was the divine interruption you didn’t know you needed?
In this powerful and soul-stirring episode, Cathy sits down with healer, mom of 3, and former military finance professional Ravyn Robinson-Barco to explore what it really means to reinvent yourself in midlife. From traumatic brain injury to discovering the world of Reiki, Ravyn’s story is one of grit, grace, and a deeply spiritual reawakening.
Together, they explore:
✨ What midlife reinvention looks like after identity-shifting loss
🧠 Living with a TBI and learning to function differently
🌿 Why alternative healing (Reiki, acupuncture, herbs) worked when traditional medicine didn’t
💬 High-functioning masking, mom guilt, and spiritual intuition
🌀 Faith, motherhood, trauma, and the courage to step into purpose
Ravyn’s authenticity, wisdom, and warmth will speak directly to your soul—especially if you're feeling stuck, burnt out, or longing for something more in this season of life.
💬 Connect with Ravyn:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consciouscoloradocollective/
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.consciouscoloradocollective.com/
🔗 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going:
Join the Facebook Community: facebook.com/groups/girlfriendsmidlifepodcast
Follow on Instagram: @girlfriendsmidlifepodcast
Connect with Cathy: @dearcathy719
Subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@girlfriendsguidepodcast
🎧 Available now on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts.
🌟 Don’t forget to rate & review to help more women thrive in midlife.
Welcome to Girlfriend’s Guide to Midlife—your go-to podcast for real talk, real stories, and real inspiration. Think of this as a heart-to-heart with your best girlfriends, where we dive into everything midlife throws our way—from weight struggles and hormone rollercoasters to navigating divorce, rediscovering purpose, and even getting back into the dating scene. Who better to learn from than our girlfriends? Each week, we bring you heartfelt conversations with real women who’ve faced adversity, shown resilience, and found the strength to thrive. Whether you’re approaching midlife, knee-deep in it, or coming out on the other side, this podcast is for you.
I’m your host, Cathy Matthynssens, wife of 22 years to Marcus, mom to Logan and Colin, dog mom, a full time realtor in my hometown of Colorado Springs, a counselor, friend to many, sister, daughter, and the list goes on. I am 47 years young and in the thick of navigating all the changes that come with midlife.
Together, we’ll tackle topics like:
💼 Reinventing yourself at any age
💡 Finding purpose and passion
💰 Financial advice
👩❤️👩 Parenting adult children (and surviving empty nests!)
💄 Aging gracefully with beauty tips and self-care hacks
🌀 Managing midlife changes like hormone imbalances and health challenges
Through inspiring stories and actionable insights, you’ll gain the wisdom, confidence, and tools to navigate this transformative stage with vitality. Whether you’re chasing big dreams, seeking balance, or just figuring out “what’s next,” we’ve got you covered!
👭 Let’s talk about it! Join our supportive community at www.facebook.com/groups/girlfriendsmidlifepodcast and follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @girlfriendsmidlifepodcast.
✨ Don’t forget to hit subscribe and leave us a review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Your feedback helps more women just like you find us—and ensures we bring you the conversations you crave.
Ready to embrace midlife with confidence, purpose, and a whole lot of fun? Press play and let’s talk about! 🎙️💕
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