Age Strong, Live Bold: Unleashing Your Power After 40 Through Mind & Muscle

Twenty years ago, at 23, I left South Africa for what I thought would be a two-year adventure in Europe. Today, I'm a British citizen, married to a wonderful South African man, living in West Sussex with our Mini-Schnauzer, Diesel. At 42, I wear many hats: serial entrepreneur, weight training enthusiast, motivational speaker, biohacking junkie, qualified Mind and Muscle Coach and a passionate pro-ageing advocate.

My journey from 23 to 42 wasn't smooth sailing, but every challenge profoundly shaped the woman I am today. Arriving solo in London was tougher than I expected. Within a year, I'd gained significant weight, lost my confidence, developed unhealthy binge-drinking habits, and found myself in a draining, male-dominated sales job. My coping mechanisms were toxic, and I felt stuck.

Eventually, I hit a wall – my 'point of no more'. I slowly started making better choices & began moving my body more. This marked my first real dive into yo-yo dieting at 25. I lost weight, but fell into the trap of excessive cardio (mostly running, which I hated) and severe calorie restriction. By 27, I'd shed the weight but also most of my muscle mass. At 5'11", I looked 'skinny-fat' and felt perpetually exhausted.

Meeting my husband Wayne (ex-Ironman & built like a brick house!) was a turning point. He introduced me to the empowering world of weight training and urged me to stop eroding my muscle with endless cardio (thanks Wayne!). Leading up to our wedding, I shifted focus from cardio to consistent resistance training. The penny dropped: I DIDN’T WANT TO BE SKINNY; I wanted to be toned, strong, and fit – and weight training was the key.

By 29, my body shape had transformed, and so had my relationship with food. I was eating more than ever to fuel my body and build muscle. Unexpectedly, my mindset underwent a massive shift too. I felt more mentally & physically resilient, cultivated a growth mindset, and gained the confidence to leave my advertising job, start my first business, and never look back.

My 30s were dedicated to building two successful businesses. While I loved self-employment, I became overly fixated on revenue, took on too much, and eventually burnt out shortly before Covid. Looking back, pushing my limits helped me find them, re-evaluate my values, and ultimately shaped me into a better coach, harnessing my journey to empower other women.

Turning 40 ignited something within me. Celebrating on a yacht in Ibiza, my soul declared: "THIS IS IT. THIS IS YOUR SEASON TO SHINE." Midlife sparked a new wave of self-discovery. I started listening more intently to my heart and gut, learning to better care for my mind, body, and soul. This led me to experiment with biohacking, fasting for hormone health, falling in love with heat training, and sharing these strategies with other women.

Now, at 42, the journey is more fulfilling than ever – experimenting, learning, sometimes stumbling, but always growing. My new business, MMB40 (Mind and Muscle Beyond 40), integrates years of personal experimentation and expertise in Mindset, Muscle, Nutrition, Biohacking, and navigating Menopause.

My mission is to age with strength and grace. I believe midlife is a power season, armed with wisdom, self-awareness, and less tolerance for nonsense! But stepping into this power requires the right tools.

Whether you're 40+ or approaching it, let's ditch 'anti-ageing' and embrace pro-ageing – living bolder, stronger, and more joyfully with these four actionable tips:

1. Embrace the Growth Mindset Shift: Your Thoughts Shape Your Journey

Do thoughts like "I'm too old," "My body isn't what it was," or "It's all downhill" sound familiar? That's a 'fixed mindset'. Let's flip it to a 'growth mindset' – the belief that we can learn, adapt, and grow stronger at any age. Challenges become opportunities. Midlife changes, like perimenopause, aren't a decline but a new chapter needing different strategies. Ask, "How can I adapt and become stronger because of this?"

• Your Action Step: Catch one limiting thought about ageing this week. Write it down. Reframe it into a growth statement. Ie. Instead of "I can't lose this weight," try "What new approaches can I explore to support my body's current needs?"

2. Prioritise Strength Training: Your Foundation for Vitality

Confession: I'm a weight training junkie! But it's crucial, not just aesthetic. After 30, muscle loss (sarcopenia) accelerates, especially during menopause. Less muscle means a slower metabolism, easier fat gain (especially mid-section), and reduced functional strength. Strength training is vital for:

• Muscle Maintenance: Combats sarcopenia, boosts metabolism.
• Bone Health: Reduces osteoporosis risk.
• Hormonal Harmony: Improves insulin sensitivity.
• Feeling Capable: Empowers you in daily life.

New to weights? PLEASE HEAR ME: it’s about functional strength, not bodybuilding (unless you want to!). Start small, focus on form and find a qualified coach like me!

Your Action Step: Commit to strength training twice a week, even 15-20 minutes. Try basics like squats, lunges, push-ups (knees are fine!), and bicep curls with bands/light weights.

3. Nurture Your Mental Fitness: Build Resilience & Joy

Just like muscles, our minds need training. Mental fitness isn't just about managing conditions; it's building inner resources to navigate life's ups and downs with resilience and joy, especially as midlife brings unique stressors. Coping mechanisms:

• Mindfulness/Meditation  
• Gratitude Practice
• Setting Boundaries
• Stress Management (Breathwork, nature walks, journaling)
• Prioritising Sleep
• Pursuing Joy (Hobbies!)

Your Action Step: Choose one daily mental fitness practice for a week i.e. 5 minutes of quiet breathing before you get up in the morning.

4. Integrating Mind & Muscle: The Holistic Path

Here's the magic: mind and muscle are interconnected. Physical strength boosts mental resilience. A calm mind improves workout focus and recovery. Managing stress regulates cortisol, crucial in midlife when high cortisol can hinder muscle growth and promote fat storage.

• Exercise releases mood-boosting endorphins.
• Physical strength fuels mental empowerment.
• A calm mind enhances exercise focus and prevents injury.
• Stress management supports hormonal balance beneficial for body composition.

Your Power Season Awaits

Beautiful soul, your current season is potent, waiting for you to write its story. By embracing a growth mindset and nurturing your body & mind, you unlock incredible potential. Let go of limiting beliefs. You have the wisdom and the opportunity to build unprecedented strength, inside and out. Step fully into your power with me by your side!