Claim OwnershipThis Is Life — strength, physiology & stepping into your prime
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© 2026 This Is Life — strength, physiology & stepping into your prime
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This Is Life is a podcast about strength, physical, mental, and emotional, and what it really looks like to step into your prime in midlife.
Hosted by Jo Northwood, a strength coach and sports therapy graduate, this podcast blends real-life experience with evidence-based physiology to explore training, hormones, health, identity, and rebuilding yourself after life shifts.
Some episodes are practical and educational, breaking down strength training, metabolism, and how the body actually adapts as we age.
Others are personal, honest conversations about motherhood, losing yourself, finding your way back, and choosing to live bigger rather than shrink.
No fads. No extremes. No pressure to “bounce back.”
Just smart training, grounded nutrition, and real conversations for women who want to feel capable, strong, and in control of their bodies again.
23 Episodes
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Send us a text For years, effort was enough, train harder, eat less, be more disciplined. And your body responded..... ...Until it didn’t. In this episode, I unpack why the strategies that once worked so reliably start to fail in your forties, not because your body is broken, but because the physiology has changed. We talk about stress, recovery, low energy availability, and why piling on cardio and restriction now often leads to fatigue, frustration, and stalled progress rather than results....
Send us a text In this episode of This Is Life, Jo explores why your 40s can feel less forgiving, and why that doesn’t mean your body is declining. As we move through midlife, the margin for chaos gets smaller. Poor sleep, under-eating, high stress, and inconsistent training stop being absorbed and start being reflected back to us. Not as punishment, but as feedback. This episode breaks down the physiology behind that shift, explaining why recovery, muscle, and nervous system support become m...
Send us a text In this first episode of This Is Life, Jo shares why this podcast has evolved from Nourish, Move, Thrive into something broader, deeper, and more honest. This episode is a reflection on strength, not just as a physical practice, but as a way of living through midlife changes, motherhood, identity shifts, and the quiet moments where you realise your body and life are asking for something different. Jo talks openly about her journey through strength training, living overseas, bec...
Send us a text In this episode, I’m diving into 7 common fitness mistakes I’ve seen women make time and time again, and how to avoid them. These aren’t just theories—I’m sharing real, practical insights from my experience working with women who want to get stronger, healthier, and more confident. From not implementing progressive overload to treating gym visits as optional, we’ll break down the mistakes that could be holding you back and give you actionable steps to fix them. Whet...
Send us a text If you’ve hit 40 (or beyond) and feel like nothing works the way it used to, you're not imagining it. That old "just eat less and move more" advice is keeping you stuck. The real reason weight loss feels harder in midlife isn’t just hormones or aging—it’s muscle loss (sarcopenia). And if you’re not actively maintaining muscle, your metabolism is slowing down more than you realise. Cutting calories too low? You’re making it worse. Doing more cardio? You’re accelerating mus...
Send us a text Ever feel like you’re stuck in the same cycle—starting strong on your weight loss or fitness journey, then falling off track when life gets busy, motivation dips, or things feel hard? What if I told you the problem isn’t you—it’s how you’re making decisions? Most of us make choices based on how we feel right now, which usually means choosing what’s easiest, most comfortable, or most convenient. But what if, instead of thinking short-term, you started making choices from the ver...
Send us a text Ever feel like chasing weight loss has cost you more than just a few pounds? Like you’ve lost your energy, joy, and even parts of your personality along the way? You start a diet with the best intentions, but suddenly, life becomes a never-ending checklist of: Saying no to foods you loveSkipping social events because you “can’t eat that”Obsessing over the scale and letting one number dictate your entire moodAnd before you know it, you’re not just trying to shrink your body—you’...
Send us a text Ever looked at an old photo of yourself and thought, "Who is that fit, strong, energetic woman?! And where did she go?" If you feel like you’ve lost your fitness, your strength, or just don’t feel like ‘you’ anymore, you’re not alone. Life happens—work, kids, stress, late-night snacks—and suddenly, you realize you haven’t exercised properly in… well, longer than you’d like to admit. But here’s the good news: you’re not broken, you’re not too far gone, and you don’t have to trai...
Send us a text If you feel like weight loss has become an uphill battle since hitting your 40s, this episode is for you... You’re eating less, moving more, cutting carbs, and maybe even surviving on 1200 calories a day—so why isn’t the weight budging? If you’ve ever felt like your body is fighting against you, you’re not crazy… but you have probably been given some seriously bad advice. In today’s episode, we’re breaking down: ✅ What actually happens to your metabolism after 40 (and why it’s ...
Send us a text Struggling with diets that used to work but don’t anymore? You’re not alone. After 40, your body changes—and so should your approach to weight loss. In this episode, we’ll uncover: ✨ Why traditional diets fail women in their 40s and 50s. ✨ The surprising role hormones, muscle loss, and stress play in weight gain. ✨ A simple, science-backed strategy to lose weight without giving up your favourite foods. It’s time to ditch the all-or-nothing mindset and embrace an approach that f...
Send us a text Feeling stuck? You’re not alone. Hitting a weight loss plateau is one of the most frustrating parts of any journey, especially in your 40s and 50s. But here’s the truth: a plateau isn’t a sign of failure—it’s your body’s way of adapting. In this episode, we uncover: Why weight loss plateaus happen (hint: it’s not just about eating less and moving more).What your body is trying to tell you when progress slows down.The science-backed strategies to reignite results without punishi...
Send us a text Struggling with stubborn belly fat that just won’t budge, no matter what you do? You’re not alone, and it’s not your fault. In this episode, we dive into why belly fat becomes a challenge in your 40s and 50s, uncovering the real culprits behind it—hormonal changes, stress, muscle loss, and more. But don’t worry, we’re not leaving you hanging! You’ll walk away with actionable, science-backed strategies to regain control, from the power of strength training to the importance of s...
Send us a text Ever feel like you’re putting in all the effort but not seeing results? You’re not alone. In this episode, we unpack why weight loss feels so overwhelming—especially for busy mums juggling a million things—and how small, sustainable changes can make all the difference. You’ll discover how our proven methods can help you finally achieve your goals without adding to your to-do list. Thank you for listening to This Is Life. This podcast is an extension of my work wi...
Send us a text Ever feel like your day is running you, instead of the other way around? You’re juggling work, family, and everything in between—but when it comes to finding time to eat well or move more, it feels impossible. What if the real problem isn’t your schedule, but the way you’re organising it? In this episode, we’ll reveal the overlooked secret to making time for YOU—so you can finally start seeing progress with your health and wellness. No drastic changes, just a simp...
Send us a text Tune in to this week's episode of Nourish, Move, Thrive, "Consistency: The Secret Ingredient in Your Health & Fitness Journey," where host Jo Northwood reveals the powerful yet often underestimated role of consistency in transforming your health, fitness, and overall well-being. In a world obsessed with quick fixes and dramatic results, we dive into why consistency is the one thing most people overlook but is the key to lasting success. From establishing sustainable ...
Send us a text In our inaugural episode of Nourish, Move, Thrive... we lay the groundwork for what it means to achieve holistic health and sustainable fat loss, specifically for women over 40 and busy mums. Host Jo Northwood introduces the philosophy behind Thrive Holistic Fitness, revealing how a balanced approach to diet, exercise, and mental wellness can transform your life. We'll explore the importance of creating a calorie deficit for weight loss, the role of macronutrients in your...
Send us a text There was a point in my life where nothing was technically wrong, and yet everything felt heavier than it used to. After children, COVID, years of broken sleep, and carrying more responsibility than my body had the resources to support, I slowly stopped feeling like myself. I wasn’t broken, and I wasn’t failing, but I was flat, reactive, tired, and quietly convinced that this was simply what my forties were meant to feel like. In this episode, I share how returning to strength ...
Send us a text If you’re someone who starts strong but always falls off track, this episode is a game-changer. Most women think they just need to “get motivated again” to stay consistent. But here’s the truth—motivation is the reason you’re stuck. It’s unreliable, unpredictable, and disappears the moment life gets busy. The women who actually see results? They don’t rely on motivation. They build discipline—but not in a rigid, force-yourself-through-it way. In a way that makes consistency eas...
Send us a text What if the version of you who is strong, confident, and full of energy wasn’t some far-off goal—but someone you could start stepping into today? So many women get stuck waiting… Waiting until they lose weight to feel confidentWaiting until they have more time to start prioritizing themselvesWaiting for motivation to finally get goingBut here’s the truth—you don’t wait to become her, you start acting like her now. In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly how to shift from hes...
Send us a text Ever feel like you're stuck in a cycle of self-sabotage, reaching for quick fixes like alcohol, binge-watching shows, or comfort foods, only to regret it later? In this episode, we'll explore how a lack of self-care drives these behaviours, pushing you toward instant gratification and away from your long-term goals. We’ll break down how neglecting your own needs—whether it's managing stress, getting enough rest, or taking time for yourself—leads to choices that derail your wei...
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