What if many of the symptoms women experience after 40 aren’t signs that something is wrong—but invitations to care for themselves differently?
In this empowering conversation, Elaine Starling sits down with fitness coach, entrepreneur, cancer survivor, and women's wellness advocate Jeanne Phares to explore what women truly need during perimenopause and menopause. Together they challenge outdated beliefs about aging, fitness, and self-care while revealing practical ways to build strength, vitality, confidence, and longevity.
Jeanne shares her remarkable journey from being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia despite being in excellent health to rebuilding her strength and discovering the profound role that skeletal muscle, sleep, mindset, and self-worth play in healthy aging.
If you've been feeling tired, frustrated, disconnected from your body, or uncertain about how to navigate midlife changes, this conversation offers both hope and practical guidance for creating greater abundance through physical, emotional, and spiritual strength.
Topics Covered
YouTube Chapters
0:00 Why Women Over 40 Feel Different in Their Bodies
2:33 Connecting with Divine Wisdom Through the Body
10:58 Jeanne's Cancer Survival Story & Wake-Up Call
15:15 Why Women Must Stop Putting Themselves Last
16:45 Defining Abundance Through Strength and Vitality
20:07 The Hidden Cost of Losing Muscle and Bone
24:00 Becoming a Powerful Role Model Through Self-Care
25:05 Bringing Spiritual Practice into Strength Training
28:38 The Mindset Shift Required for Lasting Change
31:48 Small Daily Habits That Create Big Results
34:40 Why Sleep Is the Foundation of Wellness
39:37 Jeanne's Confidence Forward Habits Guide
41:10 How to Support Yourself Through Midlife and Beyond
Key Takeaways
🌟 Menopause is not an illness—it is a natural transition that can be navigated with knowledge and support.
🌟 Strength training helps preserve muscle, build bone density, improve sleep, reduce brain fog, and support long-term vitality.
🌟 Women often put themselves last, but true abundance begins when we learn to receive care as well as give it.
🌟 Small daily actions consistently practiced create profound long-term transformation.
🌟 Celebrating tiny wins trains the mind to notice progress and creates momentum for growth.
🌟 Gratitude becomes even more powerful when expanded into an abundance practice.
🌟 Sleep is one of the most important foundations for physical, emotional, and cognitive health.
🌟 Your body is not your enemy—it is a sacred partner carrying your Divine gifts into the world.
Step-by-Step Process Shared
Building Inner and Outer Strength
1. Create a Vision
Define what strength, vitality, and wellness look like for you.
2. Set Meaningful Goals
Establish one-month, two-month, and three-month milestones.
3. Focus on Weekly Actions
Break larger goals into manageable daily and weekly habits.
4. Prioritize Sleep
Develop a calming evening routine that supports deep restoration.
5. Build Strength Gradually
Use safe, intentional movement and resistance training appropriate for your stage of life.
6. Celebrate Small Wins
Notice progress daily and reinforce positive momentum.
7. Receive the Benefits
Expect positive changes before they arrive and remain open to receiving them.
Questions Answered in This Episode
• Why do so many women feel disconnected from their bodies after 40?
• What actually happens during perimenopause and menopause?
• How does strength training support longevity and healthy aging?
• Why is skeletal muscle so important for women in midlife?
• How can mindset influence physical health and wellness outcomes?
• What role does sleep play in building strength and vitality?
• How can women stop putting themselves last and begin prioritizing self-care?
• What are the simplest first steps someone can take today?
Pull Quotes
"Your body is not your enemy. It is the vehicle you use to share your Divine gifts."
"Abundance begins when you believe you are worth caring for."
"Celebrate the tiny wins. They become the foundation for extraordinary transformation."
"When you feel good, you naturally want to do more things that support your well-being."
Free Gift
Share what you Loved and what you Learned from this episode to download the Spiritual Alignment & Conscious Actions Guide — your roadmap to reconnect with The Divine, raise your vibration, and live as the woman your soul designed you to be.
https://www.TheAbundanceJourney.com/Contact
Click on the Share My Thoughts button and complete the short Google form to automatically receive your free gift.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
• Sage Lifestyle Press
• Confidence Forward Habits Guide
• Strength Training for Women in Midlife
• Ho'oponopono Practice
• Alpha Brainwave Audio for Relaxation and Sleep
About the Guest
Jeanne Phares
Jeanne Phares helps women over 40 build strength, confidence, and fulfillment—body, mind, and spirit.
A former CPA, entrepreneur, and acute myeloid leukemia survivor, Jeanne combines evidence-based wellness strategies with lived experience to help women navigate perimenopause, menopause, and healthy aging with confidence.
Through Sage Lifestyle Press, she creates practical, science-based resources that help women understand what's happening in their bodies, build sustainable strength, and reclaim their vitality.
Connect with Jeanne
Website: https://www.sagelifestylepress.com
Free Gift: Confidence Forward Habits Guide
Reader Circle: Available through her website
About the Host – Elaine Starling
Elaine Starling, The Abundance Ambassador, is an international TEDx speaker, bestselling author, coach, and host of The Abundance Journey.
Through her signature program, The Inner Power Protocol, Elaine guides spiritually-minded women to reconnect with Divine guidance, awaken their inner wisdom, and activate abundance in every area of life.
Connect with Elaine
Website: https://www.TheAbundanceJourney.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elaine.abundance
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elainestarling/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElaineStarling
TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/tMQ0D4sfEys
Book: https://books2read.com/u/3kD9AR
Connect & Support
If this episode served you:
• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and turn on YouTube notifications.
• Leave a rating and review to help others discover The Abundance Journey.
• Share what you Loved and what you Learned from this episode to download the Spiritual Alignment & Conscious Actions Guide.
https://www.TheAbundanceJourney.com/Contact
Click the Share My Thoughts button and complete the short Google form.
Share This Episode
Copy & Paste Blurb
Loved this episode of The Abundance Journey?
Episode 218 with Jeanne Phares reveals why so many women struggle during perimenopause and menopause—and how strength training, sleep, mindset, and self-care can transform the experience. One of the biggest takeaways: your body isn't working against you. It's asking for a different kind of support.
Listen or watch today and discover how to build both inner and outer strength.
#Menopause
#Perimenopause
#HealthyAging
#WomensHealth
#StrengthTraining
#Longevity
#MidlifeWellness
#AbundanceJourney
#ElaineStarling
#JeannePhares
#SpiritualAlignment
#SelfCare
#HealthyLifestyle
#Vitality
#Abundance
