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Mindset, movement, and faith after 40—because midlife isn’t a crisis, it’s your comeback.
Welcome to Doing Life Different with Lesa Koski, the podcast for women over 40 who are ready to rewrite the rules, reclaim their joy, and rediscover their purpose. Whether you're navigating divorce, rediscovering your health, deepening your faith, or learning how to have fun again—you’re in the right place.
Host Lesa Koski—wife, mom, coach, and seasoned mediator—brings real talk, relatable wisdom, and expert interviews to guide you through midlife reinvention with grace and grit.
In each episode, you’ll get practical tools and empowering conversations on:
Mindset & personal growth
Faith & spiritual connection
Fitness, movement & health
Divorce, marriage & relationships
Fun, purpose & starting fresh in the second half of life
This isn’t just self-help. It’s soul-level transformation. Get ready to do life different—because your next chapter starts now.
Lesa also explores the emotional and physical changes that often accompany midlife and major life shifts. From navigating the impact of menopause on your health, marriage, and mood, to dealing with the loneliness that can come after divorce or empty nesting, you’ll find honest conversations that don’t shy away from real-life challenges. And for those of you in your 40s, 50s, or beyond, you’ll discover what it means to truly build a better life after 40.
Health and wellness are deeply integrated into this journey. Lesa shares insights on the benefits of rest, joy, nutrition, fasting, protein, and bone health, along with the power of movement, community, and exercise to support mental clarity and physical strength. You’ll learn how to take care of yourself with intention—because healing isn’t just emotional, it’s also biological.
Mindset work and self-coaching are recurring tools offered in episodes to help you reframe your story and shift from fear to freedom. And through it all, the show honors the role of faith, spiritual surrender, and letting God lead you through every season. Whether you're leaning into your relationship with God for the first time or deepening a lifelong practice, you’ll hear how surrender can bring peace even in the hardest moments.
You’ll hear real stories from people who have done divorce differently, saved their marriages, or found new love and purpose on the other side. Lesa also brings in conversations about marriages that have stood the test of time, co-parenting through complex seasons, and the realities of parenting after separation while maintaining stability for your kids.
This is a podcast about thriving through Cancer, taking back your life, rewriting your future, and trusting that you’re not starting over, you’re starting better. If you’re craving practical advice, soul-level encouragement, and real conversations about creating a healthy, joyful, purpose-driven life, you’ve found your community.
Subscribe now and join Lesa Koski for weekly episodes that will help you grow stronger in your relationships, your health, and your faith, no matter where you’re starting from.
About the Host:
I’ve spent over 25 years helping families navigate amicable divorce as a lawyer and mediator, always focused on protecting what matters most—your kids and your peace of mind. But my mission has expanded. Today, I support women over 40 not just through endings, but in building stronger relationships—and sometimes even saving their marriages. I’m a breast cancer survivor, a cowgirl at heart, a wellness advocate, and a follower of Jesus. My life and faith fuel my passion for helping women thrive.
Welcome to Doing Life Different with Lesa Koski, the podcast for women over 40 who are ready to rewrite the rules, reclaim their joy, and rediscover their purpose. Whether you're navigating divorce, rediscovering your health, deepening your faith, or learning how to have fun again—you’re in the right place.
Host Lesa Koski—wife, mom, coach, and seasoned mediator—brings real talk, relatable wisdom, and expert interviews to guide you through midlife reinvention with grace and grit.
In each episode, you’ll get practical tools and empowering conversations on:
Mindset & personal growth
Faith & spiritual connection
Fitness, movement & health
Divorce, marriage & relationships
Fun, purpose & starting fresh in the second half of life
This isn’t just self-help. It’s soul-level transformation. Get ready to do life different—because your next chapter starts now.
Lesa also explores the emotional and physical changes that often accompany midlife and major life shifts. From navigating the impact of menopause on your health, marriage, and mood, to dealing with the loneliness that can come after divorce or empty nesting, you’ll find honest conversations that don’t shy away from real-life challenges. And for those of you in your 40s, 50s, or beyond, you’ll discover what it means to truly build a better life after 40.
Health and wellness are deeply integrated into this journey. Lesa shares insights on the benefits of rest, joy, nutrition, fasting, protein, and bone health, along with the power of movement, community, and exercise to support mental clarity and physical strength. You’ll learn how to take care of yourself with intention—because healing isn’t just emotional, it’s also biological.
Mindset work and self-coaching are recurring tools offered in episodes to help you reframe your story and shift from fear to freedom. And through it all, the show honors the role of faith, spiritual surrender, and letting God lead you through every season. Whether you're leaning into your relationship with God for the first time or deepening a lifelong practice, you’ll hear how surrender can bring peace even in the hardest moments.
You’ll hear real stories from people who have done divorce differently, saved their marriages, or found new love and purpose on the other side. Lesa also brings in conversations about marriages that have stood the test of time, co-parenting through complex seasons, and the realities of parenting after separation while maintaining stability for your kids.
This is a podcast about thriving through Cancer, taking back your life, rewriting your future, and trusting that you’re not starting over, you’re starting better. If you’re craving practical advice, soul-level encouragement, and real conversations about creating a healthy, joyful, purpose-driven life, you’ve found your community.
Subscribe now and join Lesa Koski for weekly episodes that will help you grow stronger in your relationships, your health, and your faith, no matter where you’re starting from.
About the Host:
I’ve spent over 25 years helping families navigate amicable divorce as a lawyer and mediator, always focused on protecting what matters most—your kids and your peace of mind. But my mission has expanded. Today, I support women over 40 not just through endings, but in building stronger relationships—and sometimes even saving their marriages. I’m a breast cancer survivor, a cowgirl at heart, a wellness advocate, and a follower of Jesus. My life and faith fuel my passion for helping women thrive.
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You will learn how to connect with your kids from Peace and Parenting's Michelle Kenney. Michelle's tools on connecting with kids rather than discipling them has changed my parent child relationship first hand. I am feeling blessed to be able to share her insights with you. When you see behavior in your child that you know isn't helpful you can connect with them and help them think well. Michelle teaches that empathy, play and one on one connection are the ways you can connect and then model behavior that will serve them through life. I was struck by her comment that kids really don't learn from our verbal instruction. 80% of learning comes from modeling. So if we can model good behavior life will teach them the rest!
Michelle also share's some of the biggest road blocks kids face during divorce. You can find Michelle at:
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Peace and Parenting Podcast
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Mentioned in this episode:Saddle Up Live Podcast AdDo you love Doing Divorce Different and want to hear more from Lesa Koski and her amazing guests? Tune in to the Saddle Up Live Podcast, a transformative podcast tailored for women aged 40 and beyond, where courage, God's grace, and a touch of sass are the driving forces behind conquering life's challenges.
Whether you're looking for practical advice, heartfelt stories, or simply a supportive community of like-minded women, saddle up and join us on this exhilarating ride. Saddle Up Live Podcast
In this episode you will learn how to deal with stress through laughter. Join us as we learn how laughter can change your life and it doesn't even have to be something that you think is funny. Lauren and Alik AKA The laughing lovebugs https://www.laughinglovebugs.com/ share their story of healing through laughter. Go to LesaKoski.com for more information about how to begin a healing journey through divorce. https://www.familyandcivilmediation.com/
Mentioned in this episode:Saddle Up Live Podcast AdDo you love Doing Divorce Different and want to hear more from Lesa Koski and her amazing guests? Tune in to the Saddle Up Live Podcast, a transformative podcast tailored for women aged 40 and beyond, where courage, God's grace, and a touch of sass are the driving forces behind conquering life's challenges.
Whether you're looking for practical advice, heartfelt stories, or simply a supportive community of like-minded women, saddle up and join us on this exhilarating ride. Saddle Up Live Podcast
In this episode you will learn the 5 simple steps to self coaching from my very own personal coach Tracy Pleschourt. Join us and begin the healing journey through divorce. Find Tracy at https://www.self-madeu.com/work-with-me. Please use the code VIP to get 50% off her upcoming crash course. Find us at LesaKoski.com.
Mentioned in this episode:Saddle Up Live Podcast AdDo you love Doing Divorce Different and want to hear more from Lesa Koski and her amazing guests? Tune in to the Saddle Up Live Podcast, a transformative podcast tailored for women aged 40 and beyond, where courage, God's grace, and a touch of sass are the driving forces behind conquering life's challenges.
Whether you're looking for practical advice, heartfelt stories, or simply a supportive community of like-minded women, saddle up and join us on this exhilarating ride. Saddle Up Live Podcast
If you are wondering about your divorce options this episode describes when mediation is appropriate and when you may want to get attorneys involved.
Mentioned in this episode:Saddle Up Live Podcast AdDo you love Doing Divorce Different and want to hear more from Lesa Koski and her amazing guests? Tune in to the Saddle Up Live Podcast, a transformative podcast tailored for women aged 40 and beyond, where courage, God's grace, and a touch of sass are the driving forces behind conquering life's challenges.
Whether you're looking for practical advice, heartfelt stories, or simply a supportive community of like-minded women, saddle up and join us on this exhilarating ride. Saddle Up Live Podcast
Learn all about Collaborative Law with our special guest Attorney Angela Heart.
Mentioned in this episode:Saddle Up Live Podcast AdDo you love Doing Divorce Different and want to hear more from Lesa Koski and her amazing guests? Tune in to the Saddle Up Live Podcast, a transformative podcast tailored for women aged 40 and beyond, where courage, God's grace, and a touch of sass are the driving forces behind conquering life's challenges.
Whether you're looking for practical advice, heartfelt stories, or simply a supportive community of like-minded women, saddle up and join us on this exhilarating ride. Saddle Up Live Podcast
This Podcast is a Business Talk Radio interview of host Lesa Koski. You will learn all things mediation!
Mentioned in this episode:Saddle Up Live Podcast AdDo you love Doing Divorce Different and want to hear more from Lesa Koski and her amazing guests? Tune in to the Saddle Up Live Podcast, a transformative podcast tailored for women aged 40 and beyond, where courage, God's grace, and a touch of sass are the driving forces behind conquering life's challenges.
Whether you're looking for practical advice, heartfelt stories, or simply a supportive community of like-minded women, saddle up and join us on this exhilarating ride. Saddle Up Live Podcast
How to Process Unwanted Feelings After 40 | The S.O.U.L. Method for Emotional ClarityEpisode DescriptionUnwanted feelings after 40 can feel overwhelming—especially during divorce or emotional seasons. In this episode, Lesa shares her S.O.U.L. Method to calm emotions, regulate your nervous system, and move forward with clarity. Learn how to process unwanted feelings, set boundaries, and choose aligned action with faith-based support. This episode is for women navigating divorce, emotional overwhelm, and midlife transitions who want clarity instead of chaos.Timestamps(00:00) Why unwanted feelings surface during the holidays (05:12) Introducing the S.O.U.L. Method (10:08) Stillness and surrendering emotions to God (18:30) Identifying beliefs behind your feelings (26:15) Using empathy and strengths on yourself (34:40) Aligned action and setting guilt-free boundaries (41:50) Divorce Clarity 40+ community invitationKey TakeawaysUnwanted feelings are signals, not failuresStillness helps regulate emotional overwhelmQuestioning beliefs reduces sufferingBoundaries are an act of self-respectSmall aligned actions build self-trustGuest BioLesa Koski is a former family law attorney turned mediator, divorce coach, and mindset coach. She helps women over 40 navigate divorce, emotional overwhelm, and midlife transitions with clarity, faith, and grounded decision-making.Resource LinksBook a coaching session with Lesa: Find More From Lesa Here!Sign up for my newsletter https://enchanting-basil-714.myflodesk.com/qwzridafyjMarrie Simpson’s Metabolic Resetjjflizanes.com/lesaSign up for my newsletter! https://enchanting-basil-714.myflodesk.com/qwzridafyjEbook https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4B2ZY1W?ref=yb_qv_ov_kndl_dp_rwDivorce Clarity 40+...
Forgiveness After 40: How Letting Go Heals Your Heart, Body & FaithEpisode DescriptionForgiveness after 40 can unlock emotional healing, peace, and renewed faith. In this heartfelt holiday episode, Lesa Koski shares how forgiveness changed her life and helped her release anger, anxiety, and judgment. Through personal stories, faith-based reflection, and practical steps, this episode explores forgiveness as a path to healing—not for others, but for yourself. If you’re navigating divorce, grief, or emotional wounds in midlife, this conversation will help you reconnect with God, reclaim joy, and move forward lighter and freer.(Primary keyword: forgiveness after 40 — used naturally throughout)Timestamps(00:00) Holiday reflections, grief, and why forgiveness matters (04:15) Lessons learned through chaos and childhood stories (10:40) Teaching through stories instead of advice (16:05) Why forgiveness accelerates healing and growth (20:50) Core wounds, stillness, and listening for God (27:30) A faith-based practice for forgiveness and release (35:10) Letting God judge instead of carrying anger (41:45) Forgiveness, health, and emotional freedom (48:20) Forgiving without an apology and finding peace (55:30) Closing reflections and holiday blessingKey TakeawaysForgiveness is a healing practice that frees you, not the other personStillness and prayer help create space to hear God clearlyYou don’t need an apology to forgive and move forwardCarrying anger can impact emotional and physical healthForgiveness opens the door to greater joy, peace, and faithGuest BioLesa Koski is a family law attorney turned mediator, life coach, and host of Doing Life Different. She supports women over 40 navigating divorce, faith, forgiveness, and midlife reinvention with clarity, compassion, and grounded wisdom.Resource LinksCore Wounds Course: JJ Flizanes – https://jjflizanes.com/lesaSign up for Lesa’s Newsletter: https://enchanting-basil-714.myflodesk.com/qwzridafyjLesa’s Ebook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4B2ZY1W?ref=yb_qv_ov_kndl_dp_rwPodcast Episode Mentioned: Andy Bull interview on forgiveness and healing (search within the show archive) Andi Bull's episode: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/e87157ca-599f-4155-9b7e-3d577d1ee81d/J
Menopause and divorce can feel overwhelming, but they don’t have to break you. In this powerful conversation, we explore menopause and divorce as opportunities for growth, healing, and self-love. Host Lesa Koski shares her personal menopause journey alongside Coach Tracy, unpacking how hormonal changes, mindset, anxiety, weight gain, and emotional regulation intersect during midlife. This episode reframes menopause and divorce as chapters—not endings—and offers practical tools to help women navigate this season with clarity, compassion, and confidence. If you’re facing menopause, divorce, or both, this conversation will help you feel less alone and more empowered.Timestamps(00:00) Introduction to menopause, divorce, and midlife transitions(03:15) Why menopause and divorce often overlap during midlife(07:42) Weight gain, loss of control, and learning self-acceptance(12:30) Menopause as a physiological and emotional circumstance(17:10) Metabolic health, hormones, and mindset explained(22:45) Anxiety, panic, and changing your relationship with your thoughts(28:30) The role of self-love, shame, and acceptance in healing(33:50) Hormone testing, functional medicine, and natural support options(39:20) Why menopause can be an opportunity instead of a setback(44:10) Final encouragement for women navigating menopause and divorceKey TakeawaysMenopause and divorce are life circumstances, not personal failuresHormonal changes impact mental, emotional, and metabolic healthMindset plays a powerful role in how menopause symptoms are experiencedAnxiety is often driven by thought patterns—not permanent conditionsMidlife can be a season of self-love, growth, and reinventionGuest BioCoach Tracy is a life coach specializing in mindset, metabolic health, and emotional resilience for women navigating major life transitions. Through her coaching programs and tools, she helps women understand the connection between thoughts, feelings, hormones, and behavior—empowering them to move through menopause, anxiety, and midlife change with clarity and confidence.Guest Bio: Coach Tracy is a master life and weight coach and the creator of the Self-Made U™ method and planner, where she helps high-achieving women and men learn how to manage their minds, regulate emotions, and create results from the inside out. As Lesa’s longtime coach, Tracy has walked alongside her through breast cancer, major life transitions, and the process of “doing life different,” equipping her with tools that now support women in midlife all over the world.Resource Links:Learn more about coaching with Lesa KoskiListen to more episodes of Doing Life Different: Self-Made U™ Planner & tools from a...
Midlife mindset, stress relief, and emotional healing for women over 40. In this episode, we explore how to shift your midlife mindset, lower stress, and stop white-knuckling your way through life. Host Lesa Koski and her coach, Coach Tracy, unpack the beliefs that keep women stuck in “it has to be hard” mode and show you how slowing down can actually lead to better results in your health, relationships, and emotional well-being.You’ll hear how Lesa’s breast cancer journey forced her into stillness, why cortisol and hormones matter more than we think, and how tools like daily self-coaching and intentional planning can transform your midlife mindset. If you’ve ever felt like you’re grinding through your days, pushing harder but feeling worse, this conversation will help you see a softer, more sustainable way forward.Listen in to learn how to name your emotions without judgment, examine the thoughts driving them, and give yourself permission to move at a healthier pace—without losing your ambition or your identity. This episode is a powerful invitation to reframe your midlife mindset and start doing life different.Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction to why we make life harder than it needs to be(03:10) Lesa’s breast cancer story and the surprising power of stillness(07:45) White-knuckling, overachieving, and the “no pain, no gain” myth(13:20) Cortisol, hormones, and why stress can block weight loss and healing(18:50) The courage to slow down and sit with your emotions(23:30) Naming feelings, stopping judgment, and shifting core beliefs(29:05) Using intentional planning to decide how you want to feel(34:40) Practical micro-steps to create more ease in everyday life(39:10) Final encouragement: it doesn’t have to be hard & how to get supportKey Takeaways:Ease can create better results than effort. Slowing down, resting, and listening to your body often leads to deeper healing and more sustainable progress than constant pushing.Your thoughts—not your circumstances—create your emotional experience. When you can name what you’re feeling and see the belief behind it, you can finally change it.Stress and cortisol matter. White-knuckling, over-fasting, and over-training can backfire, especially for midlife women, by raising cortisol and blocking physical and emotional results.Stillness takes courage, not weakness. Sitting with your emotions, instead of fixing or judging them, is a powerful way to lower stress and reclaim your peace.You can decide how you want to feel ahead of time. Intentional planning—choosing your desired feeling and thought before events—can transform everything from social gatherings to work commitments.Guest Bio:Coach Tracy is a master life and weight coach and the creator of the Self-Made U™ method and planner, where she helps high-achieving women and men learn how to manage their minds, regulate emotions, and create results from the inside out. As Lesa’s longtime coach, Tracy has walked alongside her through breast cancer, major life transitions, and the process of “doing life different,” equipping her with tools that now support women in midlife all over the world.Resource Links:Learn more about coaching with Lesa KoskiListen to more episodes of Doing Life Different: Self-Made U™ Planner & tools from a...
Stillness, midlife anxiety, Christian mindset, healing, surrender, and purpose—this episode dives into stillness as the first daily shift to heal your mindset. Stillness is the doorway to hearing your calling, calming anxiety, and reconnecting with God when life feels loud and out of control.In this solo episode, host and author Lesa Koski shares how stillness became the unexpected beginning of her healing journey after a breast cancer diagnosis. She walks you through her come-to-Jesus moment in Arizona, the shock of hearing “you have cancer,” and the deep, surprising peace she found on the morning of her surgery.You’ll learn why stillness is not passive or weak, but a powerful spiritual and emotional reset that breaks the cycle of overthinking, people-pleasing, and white-knuckling your way through life. Lesa offers real-life tools to help you practice stillness when your mind is spinning—whether you’re facing cancer, divorce, health fears, or simply the quiet ache of a life that feels “too much.”If you’re a woman over 40 or 50 feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or burned out, this conversation will show you how stillness can become your first daily shift toward peace, purpose, and a more joyful, God-led life. Stillness doesn’t remove the hard things, but it changes how you move through them.Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction to stillness as the first daily shift(02:05) Living in lifelong anxiety, fear, and fight-or-flight(04:12) The Arizona come-to-Jesus moment and praying for healing(07:03) The mammogram callback and terrifying biopsy experience(09:45) Hearing “you have breast cancer” and being forced to stop(12:18) Letting go of control and surrendering outcomes to God(14:40) Crying on hay bales, walking in the woods, and praying through fear(17:02) The morning of surgery, malignant hyperthermia, and supernatural peace(19:30) Why stillness is the foundation of healing and mindset work(21:08) Practical tools to access stillness when your mind is spinning(23:05) Using the feelings wheel and Scripture to name and process emotions(24:15) How to get Lesa’s ebook, newsletter, and next steps for your healing journeyKey Takeaways:Stillness is the first daily shift that opens the door to hearing your calling and healing your mindset.A crisis (like cancer, divorce, or a child in trouble) can force you into stillness—and that stillness can become holy ground.You can’t control outcomes, but you can control how you move through hard seasons by surrendering to God.Stillness isn’t about doing nothing; it’s about feeling your feelings, noticing God’s presence, and interrupting anxiety’s momentum.Simple practices—walking, crying in a safe place, grounding in your body, and using a feelings wheel—can help you access stillness even in the middle of chaos.Guest Bio:Lesa Koski is an attorney/mediator, podcast host, breast cancer survivor, and author of 5 Daily Shifts to Hear Your Calling and Heal Your Mindset. She helps women over 40 and 50 move from anxiety and overwhelm into peace, purpose, and God-led confidence by teaching practical, faith-centered mindset tools and daily shifts that support midlife reinvention.Resource Links:📘 5 Daily Shifts to Hear Your Calling and Heal Your Mindset (ebook)🎁 Free Feelings Wheel Download: a...
Confident life, faith, clarity, and rewriting your story—this empowering conversation with attorney Hannah Hembree Bell shows women how to move from feeling stuck to building a confident life they truly love. If you’ve ever settled for “fine,” felt disconnected from yourself, or questioned whether you deserve more, this episode will speak directly to your heart.Hannah, founder of My Confident Divorce, shares her powerful journey from small-town bride and overwhelmed young mother to attorney, mother of four, and mentor to women seeking a confident life rooted in courage, identity, and truth. Together, we explore how to recognize when you’re stuck, how women lose themselves in motherhood and marriage, and why faith is essential when stepping into a confident life filled with meaning and purpose.You’ll learn Hannah’s five-step framework for creating a confident life—whether you choose to stay, pursue a confident divorce, or completely reinvent your identity in midlife. Her story will inspire you to believe you deserve joy, clarity, and a confident life where your dreams, needs, and voice finally matter.If you’re longing for confidence, craving direction, or ready to rebuild your life with intention, this episode will give you hope and practical tools to begin again.(Main keyword used: confident life)Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction to Hannah Hembree Bell & My Confident Divorce(02:15) “I think I’ve made a terrible mistake”—Hannah’s early marriage story(05:42) Baby having babies: motherhood masking deeper issues(08:30) The Facebook scroll moment that woke her up(11:05) The “medium suck” life & signs you’re truly stuck(14:18) Mental health, truth-telling & the first permission slip: “You deserve a happy life”(17:40) Betting on yourself & stepping toward a confident life(20:55) The cost of going into divorce depleted and unprepared(24:32) Jury trial, custody, and rebuilding life after losing primary parenting time(28:10) Why Hannah now helps women create a confident life(30:45) Divorce as an on-ramp to a new life (and other wake-up calls: death, illness, job loss)(33:02) Why women struggle to believe they deserve happiness(36:15) Derivative identity: wife/mom vs. who you truly are(39:05) Empty nest, gray divorce & midlife reinvention(41:22) How to rediscover what you enjoy & who you are(44:10) The “joy journal” + following breadcrumb interests(46:38) Hannah’s 5-step framework for designing a confident life(50:05) Step 1: Proclaiming you deserve a fulfilled, joyful life(52:00) Step 2: Start with the end in mind—your future self(53:40) Step 3: Honest inventory of what isn’t working(55:12) Step 4: Identify your biggest constraint(56:20) Step 5: Take the next right step toward a confident life(57:30) Final encouragement: it’s never too late to start overKey Takeaways:A confident life starts with believing you deserve happiness, purpose, and joy.A “medium suck” life is still misaligned—and a powerful signal that it’s time for change.Women often lose themselves in a derivative identity (wife/mom). True confidence comes from knowing who you are apart from roles.Faith and clarity are essential when stepping into a confident life or confident...
Joy, aging well, midlife mindset shifts, and vibrant living—this Saddle Up segment dives into the real tools women need to feel more joyful, purposeful, and empowered. In this episode, Lesa shares four practical steps to experience more joy daily, inspired by her powerful conversation with 67-year-old competitive athlete and ballroom dancer Robin Kencel. Learn how meaning, mindset, judgment, and surrender impact your ability to live joyfully after 40. This episode will help you rethink joy, deepen purpose, and take simple steps toward a more vibrant, aligned life.In this conversation, you’ll hear how joy connects to purpose, why joy is a choice, how joy grows when judgment stops, and the mindset shifts that create more joy in midlife and beyond.Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction to joy, aging well & vibrant living(01:12) Lessons from podcast guest Robin Kencel(03:15) Joy comes from meaning and purpose(05:24) Why joy is a choice (and how small shifts change everything)(08:06) The “pick your joy” mindset and tiny habit building(11:10) How judgment steals your joy(13:20) Rewiring old thought patterns in midlife(15:18) Surrender: letting go of the oars(17:30) A simple thought that instantly brings more peace(19:02) Episode recap: the 4 steps to grow joy every day(20:12) Closing encouragement & next week’s guest teaseKey Takeaways:Joy comes from meaning and purpose—alignment creates energy and ease.Joy is a choice, built through daily mindset decisions.Judgment blocks joy, both self-judgment and judging others.Surrender allows clarity—letting go of urgency creates immediate peace.Small steps compound, making joy and well-being more sustainable.Guest Bio (from Tuesday’s main episode):Robin Kencel isn’t just breaking records—she’s redefining what it means to age with purpose. She is the reigning Ms. Senior Connecticut and finished third runner-up in the national Ms. Senior America competition. A seven-time U.S. Pro-Am Ballroom Champion, Robin draws on decades of competitive dance experience to inspire others to stay active, confident, and spiritually grounded at any age.Her philosophy blends faith, fitness, and mindset, encouraging women to embrace every season of life with grace and joy.Resource Links:Listen to the full episode with Robin Kencel (Tuesday’s main show) Join the Doing Life Different Newsletter here!Follow the Saddle Up Segment for weekly inspirationTags/Keywords:joy, midlife joy, aging well, women over 40, mindset shifts, purpose and meaning, vibrant living, midlife wellness, surrender mindset, stop judging, emotional health, personal growth, women’s empowerment, joy tools, aging with confidence, Saddle Up segment, Lesa Koski, Doing Life Different, midlife coaching
💫 Episode Description:Healthy aging, mindset, and movement come alive in this inspiring episode with Robin Kencel — Ms. Senior Connecticut, 7-time ballroom champion, and advocate for thriving at any age. Discover how rhythm, balance, and purpose can help you feel strong, confident, and vibrant in your 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond.In this uplifting conversation, host Lesa Koski and Robin dive deep into the mindset of aging well, staying joyful in movement, and finding your God-given purpose no matter the number on your birthday cake. You’ll hear how Robin turned passion into purpose, healed through rhythm, and learned that health isn’t about perfection — it’s about grace, balance, and daily choices that fuel your body and spirit.If you’re looking for midlife motivation, wellness inspiration, or mindset tools to help you feel more alive, this episode will remind you that it’s never too late to start dancing again — literally or figuratively.🕰️ Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction — Lesa welcomes Ms. Senior Connecticut, Robin Kencel(03:10) Robin’s story: From active childhood to professional ballroom dance(08:35) Starting ballroom at 45 — lessons in courage, mindset, and growth(12:22) Overcoming setbacks — breaking her foot before Miss Senior America(18:50) Finding purpose through movement, faith, and joy(22:40) Healthy aging: listening to your body and taking aligned action(28:00) Nutrition and micro-habits that support longevity and balance(33:45) Why mindset and joy matter more than perfection in midlife fitness(40:10) Robin’s daily movement “four buckets” — strength, flexibility, agility, cardio(45:30) Aging with grace: faith, gratitude, and daily alignment(50:15) Final reflections: finding meaning, rhythm, and love in every season💡 Key Takeaways:Mindset fuels longevity — physical health starts with purpose and perspective.Movement can be worship — dance, stretch, or walk with joy and gratitude.Boundaries bring peace — tune in to what your body and spirit need each day.Small habits create big results — start with micro-shifts and build from there.It’s never too late to start something new — age is simply a number, not a limit.👑 Guest Bio:Robin Kencel isn’t just breaking records—she’s redefining what it means to age with purpose. She is the reigning Ms. Senior Connecticut and finished third runner-up in the national Ms. Senior America competition. A seven-time U.S. Pro-Am Ballroom Champion, Robin draws on decades of competitive dance experience to inspire others to stay active, confident, and spiritually grounded at any age.Her philosophy blends faith, fitness, and mindset, encouraging women to embrace every season of life with grace and joy.🔗 Resource Links:Follow Robin Kencel: Follow Robin Kencel: https://www.instagram.com/robinkencel/ | https://robinkencel.com/Connect with Lesa Koski and sign up for her newsletter:
Episode Description:Menopause and people pleasing are more connected than you think. Learn how hormonal shifts fuel emotional overload—and how to reclaim your voice, boundaries, and peace.In this powerful episode of Doing Life Different, host Lesa Koski is joined by therapist Dr. Becky Whetstone for an honest, empowering conversation about the emotional toll of people pleasing—especially during perimenopause and menopause. If you're tired of saying yes when you mean no, exhausted by invisible expectations, and ready to finally feel free in midlife, this episode is for you.We explore the deep connection between fluctuating hormones and heightened emotional reactivity, where people pleasing comes from, how to identify it in your relationships, and—most importantly—how to stop. Whether you’re navigating aging parents, grown kids, grandkids, a partner, or a career, it’s time to embrace your enoughness and stop living for approval.Timestamps:(00:00) Welcome and what’s coming up in the episode(02:31) How menopause messes with your emotions(06:52) Where people pleasing starts (childhood trauma + core wounds)(10:04) People pleasing in family, work, and faith(13:36) How boundaries help you heal(17:45) Lesa’s breast cancer journey and spiritual growth(22:10) Saying “no” without guilt(25:42) Healing your nervous system after people pleasing(29:50) Faith, value, and who God says you are(33:15) Coaching your inner child (and your mom!)(36:21) Practical tools to stop people pleasing today(41:10) Final thoughts and next stepsKey Takeaways:Hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause impact emotional regulation, making people pleasing even harder to resist.People pleasing is a trauma response, not a personality trait—it’s often rooted in childhood fear of rejection.Boundaries are the cure: Learn to say no, feel your feelings, and stop fixing people who didn’t ask for help.Faith meets psychology: God didn’t design you to live for approval. You’re already enough.Healing is possible at any age—whether you're 40, 50, or 81, it's never too late to embrace your authentic self.Guest Bio:Dr. Becky Whetstone is a licensed marriage and family therapist, writer, and speaker known for her direct, humorous, and faith-anchored approach to emotional healing. A self-proclaimed “recovered people pleaser,” Dr. Becky helps women break free from emotional entanglements, trauma cycles, and perfectionism to rediscover joy and autonomy.Resource Links:💻 Connect with Dr. Becky: MarriageCrisisManager.com📥 Join Lesa’s newsletter: lesakoski.com
📝 Episode Description:Alcohol-free living can transform your life. In this episode, sobriety coach Jen Hirst opens up about her 12-year journey from secret addiction to recovery, coaching, and empowerment. She shares six essential daily habits for sobriety, how to build resilience without alcohol, and why labels like “alcoholic” don’t define your worth.If you're sober-curious, in recovery, or simply re-evaluating your relationship with alcohol, this episode is your roadmap to healing, freedom, and joy.🌟 Packed with sobriety tools, metabolic health tips, and emotional healing strategies, this is a must-listen for women navigating midlife, anxiety, perfectionism, or recovery.⏱️ Timestamps:(00:00) Welcome & Jen’s Sobriety Story(08:52) Hiding Addiction Behind Perfectionism(12:45) When Alcohol Becomes Self-Medication(19:10) Lisa’s Journey with Alcohol & Breast Cancer(26:15) Letting Go of Labels: Sober vs. Alcohol-Free(33:44) Six Daily Habits That Support Sobriety(50:08) Healing Through Community(56:25) What Actually Made Sobriety Stick for Jen(1:04:15) Advice for Families of Loved Ones Struggling(1:09:03) Final Thoughts & Where to Find Jen✅ Key Takeaways:Sobriety is freedom, not limitation—it offers mental clarity, physical health, and emotional healing.You don’t need to hit rock bottom to rethink your relationship with alcohol.Six daily habits—hydration, movement, gratitude, protein intake, reading, and community—can shift your mindset and support lasting recovery.You can define sobriety on your own terms: alcohol-free, sober, or none at all.Recovery is possible, even after relapse, and honest community is a game changer.👩💼 Guest Bio:Jen Hirst is a certified sobriety coach and the founder of Lighthouse Sobriety, a community for women who want to stop drinking and start living fully. With over 12 years of sobriety, Jen helps women boost their confidence, rebuild self-trust, and embrace alcohol-free living with clarity and joy. Her programs combine neuroscience-backed habits, community connection, and compassionate accountability.🔗 Resource Links:💡 Lighthouse Sobriety Membership: https://joinlighthousesobriety.com/📸 Follow Jen on Instagram: @lighthouse.sobriety Other links!📚 Book Mentioned: Codependent No More by Melody Beattie📖 Jen’s 6 Daily Habits Worksheet: Available inside her membership🔍 Tags/Keywords:sobriety,...
Midlife weight gain, hormone shifts & burnout? Discover how to balance metabolism, mindset & faith without white-knuckling your way through life.🌿 Full Description:If you've hit 40 and suddenly feel like everything's changed—your body, sleep, mood, energy, and weight—you're not alone. In this Saddle Up segment of Doing Life Different, Lesa Koski shares her personal, honest journey through hormone changes, breast cancer, metabolic confusion, and how she’s learning to stop white-knuckling life and start loving her body again.From fasting to functional medicine, cortisol to clean protein, Lesa covers it all—with grace, wisdom, and a whole lot of humor. This solo episode offers actionable midlife health advice and real-life encouragement for women navigating perimenopause, menopause, and metabolic mayhem.🎧 Your body isn’t broken. It’s talking to you.Let’s learn how to listen—with compassion, curiosity, and Christ at the center.⏱️ Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction: Midlife metabolism & the moment things changed(02:43) Breast cancer, food freedom & healing after trauma(05:10) Why your old habits stop working in your 40s and 50s(08:32) Fasting fatigue: Why long fasts might hurt your hormones(12:14) Joy, movement & midlife weight loss without punishment(16:40) Alcohol, estrogen, and breast cancer awareness(20:28) Protein overload? Why 100g isn’t always the answer(23:03) Sleep, cortisol & the power of rest as hormone therapy(26:15) Lesa’s 7 Steps to Metabolic Balance (without HRT)(30:41) Final encouragement: You’re not failing, you’re evolving🔑 Key Takeaways:Nourish, don’t punish. Eat to feel good—not to atone.Sleep is hormonal therapy. Prioritize bedtime like medicine.Stress sabotages results. Joy is part of the prescription.Fast with wisdom. Fasting works—but not for everyone, every time.Protein matters—but so does peace. More isn’t always better.👤 Guest Bio:Lesa Koski is a mediator, life coach, podcast host, and breast cancer survivor helping women over 40 navigate midlife with faith, mindset, and grace. Host of Doing Life Different, she empowers listeners to transform hardship into healing through God’s guidance and real-life tools.🔗 Resource Links:💌 Sign up for Lesa’s newsletter lesakoski.com📲 Follow Lesa on Instagram: @livebetterwithlesa🎧 Listen to the main episode with Marie Simpson (Functional Medicine Expert): 🔍 Tags/Keywords:midlife metabolism, perimenopause, menopause, hormone balance, metabolic health, fasting for women, weight loss over 40, functional medicine, breast cancer survivor, clean protein, midlife wellness, cortisol and stress, women’s health podcast, doing life different, lesa koski, christian women health, mindset and hormones
Hormone imbalance, weight gain, brain fog, and burnout after 40? You’re not alone. In this episode of Doing Life Different, Lesa Koski welcomes functional medicine practitioner Marrie Simpson for an open, empowering conversation about hormones, metabolic health, and how women can take back control of their well-being—naturally and holistically.Marrie shares her personal journey from prescription-based medicine to root-cause healing, and dives into actionable steps women can take to balance hormones, increase energy, improve sleep, and support metabolic fitness—especially during perimenopause and menopause.If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or out of balance, this episode is packed with hope, education, and next steps—without the overwhelm. Whether you're dealing with hot flashes, insomnia, low libido, or just a nagging feeling of "not quite right," you're in the right place.🎧 Plus: Lesa shares her own experience navigating estrogen blockers after breast cancer—and how Marie's guidance has helped her reclaim her energy and mindset.⏱️ Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction: Meet Marrie Simpson(03:15) Marrie’s journey from traditional medicine to functional healing(09:42) How hormone imbalance affects women 40+(15:27) Understanding perimenopause and estrogen dominance(19:44) The real impact of cortisol, stress, and sleep(23:16) Weight gain and metabolic slow-down in midlife(30:03) What women can do naturally to support hormone health(34:55) When hormone replacement therapy makes sense—and when it doesn’t(42:48) Alcohol, estrogen, and breast cancer risk(48:19) Why listening to your body is the most powerful strategy(51:30) Final words of hope from Marie and Lesa✅ Key Takeaways:88% of chronic illnesses are connected to metabolic dysfunction—not genetics.Cortisol and estrogen dominance are often the hidden culprits behind midlife weight gain and insomnia.Women can take a natural approach to healing through diet, stress management, muscle preservation, and detoxification.Hormone replacement therapy can be powerful—but only when individualized and timed correctly.Alcohol increases breast cancer risk and interferes with hormone balance. (One glass of wine per night may not be as harmless as you think.)👩⚕️ Guest Bio: Marie Simpson, PA-C, IFMCPMarrie Simpson is a licensed Physician Assistant and certified Functional Medicine Practitioner. Founder of Elevate Health and Wellness, Marrie blends her clinical training with deep compassion, science-backed protocols, and personalized coaching. With specialties in metabolic health, hormone balance, autoimmune conditions, and genetic optimization, Marie empowers women to heal root causes—not just symptoms.🔗 Resource Links:DIY Parenting Plan CourseFind More From...
Feeling stuck in midlife? Whether it’s divorce, diagnosis, or becoming an empty nester, this episode will help you reconnect with your worth, rediscover your calling, and embrace the next chapter. Midlife transitions can feel overwhelming—but they’re also filled with opportunity. In this Saddle Up segment, Lesa Koski recaps her powerful conversation with Florida divorce attorney Heather Quick and dives into key takeaways about finding joy, working in your purpose, and healing through hard seasons.Lesa shares personal insights about writing her book, embracing imperfection, and how pivoting—whether in career, parenting, or life—is not failure, but faith. If you’re craving clarity, courage, or just a reminder that you’re still meant for more, this one’s for you.Whether you’re starting over after divorce, navigating an identity shift, or simply ready to feel better—your comeback starts here.⏱️ Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction: Why this episode matters for midlife reinvention(02:04) Recap of Tuesday’s episode with attorney Heather Quick(04:13) Embracing your calling (even when it’s hard work)(06:45) Why “purpose” doesn’t have to be perfect(09:20) Redefining your worth: “You’re a daughter of the King”(12:34) Coaching tip: How to sit with your feelings and move through them(15:55) Pivoting isn’t failure—it’s learning(18:42) Parenting decisions, career shifts, and embracing divine timing(21:30) Closing encouragement + listen back to Tuesday’s full episode🔑 Key Takeaways:Your calling may not always feel easy—but it will feel right.You are worthy because of who you are, not what you do.Pivoting is not failing—it’s trusting the next right step.You don’t have to love every part of your purpose to live in purpose.Your words to yourself should match God’s love for you—gentle, honest, and full of hope.🔗 Resource Links:🎧 Full episode with Heather Quick: 💻 Divorce & Parenting Plan Course: ✍️ Book Coaching & Life Coaching: lesakoski.com📸 Follow Lesa on Instagram: [@livebetterwithlesa]🏷️ Tags/Keywords:divorce coaching, midlife reinvention, find your purpose, women over 40, life after divorce, faith and healing, identity shift, how to pivot, finding your calling, empty nester, personal growth podcast, Heather Quick, Lesa Koski, Saddle Up Live, parenting through divorce, co-parenting tips, emotional resilience, self-worth, life coaching for women
Empowering women after divorce starts with one truth: you are valuable. In this episode, attorney and author Heather Quick shares how women can reclaim their worth, protect their peace, and build businesses that reflect their true gifts.In this empowering conversation, Lesa Koski sits down with Heather Quick, a Florida-based family law attorney, author, and entrepreneur who’s helping women navigate divorce and rediscover their purpose. From her bold decision to launch her women-only law firm to writing multiple books and mentoring women through business ownership, Heather shares her journey with raw honesty and practical insight.Whether you’re in the middle of a life transition or simply wondering what you’re truly good at—this episode will remind you that it’s never too late to pivot, grow, and reclaim your voice.⏱️ Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction to Heather Quick(01:45) Heather’s legal journey and aha moment in family law(06:32) From criminal law to empowering women through divorce(09:05) The impact of being a child of divorce(12:15) Why she opened a women-only divorce law firm(18:00) What most women don’t realize about their worth(21:25) The emotional strength needed to downsize and start fresh(25:42) How Heather built her law firm from scratch during a recession(31:10) Learning to run a business (not taught in law school!)(34:28) The “borrowed strength” concept to support women through divorce(36:15) Why she wrote A Woman’s Guide to Becoming a Successful Entrepreneur(41:22) How to rediscover what you're good at—especially after a hard season(47:50) The importance of pivoting without shame(51:00) Raising strong daughters and becoming a resilient woman(56:00) Final encouragement and how to connect with Heather💡 Key Takeaways:You can start over—and thrive—after divorce.Your value doesn’t disappear when your relationship ends.Starting a business can be a path to freedom, joy, and healing.“Borrowed strength” from others can help you rebuild your identity.Pivoting isn’t failure—it’s proof that you’re still growing.👩⚖️ Guest Bio:Heather Quick is a family law attorney, author, and founder of The Quick Law Group, a Florida-based firm dedicated exclusively to representing women through divorce. She is the host of the Women Winning Divorce podcast and the author of several books, including A Woman’s Guide to Becoming a Successful Entrepreneur. Heather empowers women to take control of their lives both legally and financially after divorce.🔗 Resource Links:https://www.floridawomenslawgroup.com/https://www.instagram.com/4womenlaw/🎧 Women Winning Divorce Podcast: https://womenwinningdivorce.com📚 Heather’s Books: [Amazon Author Page or Bookstore Link]✨ Lesa Koski’s Podcast + Courses: https://www.lesakoski.com🔍 Tags/Keywords:divorce attorney for women, women-only divorce lawyer, empowering women through divorce, how to start a business after divorce, Heather Quick attorney, Lesa Koski podcast, family law and female entrepreneurship, women over 40 podcast, reclaiming...
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