The FxCK YOU 50s

In this episode of The FxCK YOU 50s, host Andrea Claire sits down with pink-haired midlife baddie Sue Page—an MNU Certified Nutritionist, nutrition coach, with absolute zero tolerance for nutrition BS.

If you’ve been told that your metabolism automatically crashed the second you hit perimenopause, or are drawn into the answers for questions you never considered before on "cortisol-dampening", or maybe buying groceries that say ‘added protein’ – added protein ice cream and tequila - perfect! Well, this episode is for you!

Andrea and Sue tear down the predatory marketing preying on midlife women who grew up marinated in 80s and 90s diet culture.

Sue shares the science revealing what is actually happening with our metabolism, exposing how messaging like "It's not your fault, it's your hormones" sounds validating on the surface, but secretly strips women of their agency. From the "magic bullet economy" to the boring, highly effective fundamentals of strength training, sleep, and blood sugar management, Sue delivers an honest, evidence-based roadmap to help you stop shrinking, unlearn toxic food noise, and realize you have far more power over your midlife health than you've been led to believe.

Exposing Predatory Marketing: How influencers use validating phrases like "you're doing everything right" to convince women their bodies are broken, only to turn around and sell expensive gut panels, detoxes, and quick fixes.

Separating Compassion from Disempowerment: Why believing "it’s all hormones" strips you of your power, and how to reclaim control through actionable, sustainable habits.

The Unsexy Fundamentals: Cutting through social media noise to prioritize muscle retention through strength training, sleep hygiene, and blood sugar balance over 1,000-calorie diets or supplement stacks.

Unlearning 80s/90s Diet Culture: Overcoming chronic dieting baggage and re-framing midlife shifts with self-compassion, clarity, and evidence-based science.

Connect with The FxCK YOU 50s here:

⁠Podcast Website⁠

⁠IG @TheFxCKYOU50s⁠

⁠LinkedIn⁠

⁠ YouTube⁠

Connect with Sue Page here:

Instagram Sue Page / FortyFiftyFabulous

Connect on LinkedIn

Official Website

The Global Lifespan Energy Study (Science, August 2021)

Title: Daily energy expenditure through the human life course

Lead Author: Herman Pontzer, Ph.D.

The Finding: Using doubly labeled water (the gold standard for metabolic tracking), researchers analyzed over 6,400 people across 29 countries. They discovered that total energy expenditure remains remarkably stable between ages 20 and 60. Menopause itself does not cause a sudden drop in baseline calorie burning.

Read the Paper: Science Journal Study (DOI: 10.1126/science.abe5017)

The ZOE PREDICT Study (King’s College London / eBioMedicine)

Title: Menopause is associated with postprandial metabolism, metabolic health and lifestyle: The ZOE PREDICT study

Lead Authors: Dr. Kate Bermingham, Dr. Sarah Berry, et al.

The Finding: While resting burn stays steady, estrogen decline causes significant changes in post-meal (postprandial) metabolism. Post-menopausal women experience larger blood sugar spikes, increased insulin resistance, higher systemic inflammation, and shifts toward visceral abdominal fat storage.

Read the Paper: eBioMedicine / The Lancet Open Access Study

Summary Breakdown: ZOE Research Overview

Key Takeaways The Metabolic Reality Check: The 2021 Pontzer study proved that baseline calorie burn remains remarkably stable between ages 20 and 60. Menopause doesn't shut down your metabolic engine—it changes how your body processes fuel (postprandial glucose and lipid responses).
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Is "WOACA" (Women of a Certain Age) just a convenient shorthand, or is it a polite, sugar-coated way to brush women over 50 under the rug?

In this solo rant, I’m breaking down the term that’s been creeping into conversations, media, and midlife discourse—and why it makes my skin bubble and blister.

This label actually allows for passive gendered ageism sneaking into everyday language. It’s time to call out the subtle ways society tries to sanitize women who are stepping into their power.

Tune in, get angry, and let’s dismantle the labels we never asked for.

Have an opinion? Leave a comment!

Connect with The FxCK YOU 50s here:

⁠Podcast Website⁠

⁠IG @TheFxCKYOU50s⁠

⁠LinkedIn⁠

⁠ YouTube⁠

Geena Davis Institute

Frail, Frumpy and Forgotten

Women of A Certain Age: a feminist guide

USC Anneberg Inclusion Initiative

Vanity Fair: Katherine Heigl

Katherine "Katherine Heigl On Being Branded As Difficult"

Seth Rogan: ⁠Howard Stern SoundCloud channel⁠

Global Media Monitoring Project

Honorable mention:

Watch this short film:

WOACA by Mackenzie Davis starring Danish actress Sidse Babett Knudson.

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In this episode of The FxCK YOU 50s, host Andrea Claire sits down with communications expert Kirsten Birkeland to dismantle the cultural and personal barriers that keep women from speaking up. Together, they explore practical strategies to help women navigate gendered communication dynamics, build unshakable self-confidence, and command attention in both personal and professional settings without apologizing for taking up space.

Key Insights

Unpacking Apologetic Language: Women frequently minimize their impact by starting presentations with apologies or using softening phrases. Transitioning to direct, ownership-focused language (e.g., "I feel strongly about this") immediately projects authority.

Navigating Boardroom Dynamics: From handling idea theft to asserting presence in male-dominated spaces, the conversation details strategies for overcoming perfectionism, reclaiming credit, and understanding differences in how men and women approach self-promotion and coaching.

Authenticity as Power: Effective public speaking and everyday communication stem from self-acceptance and self-awareness rather than adopting an artificial persona.

Actionable Growth: Practical advice covers building vocal volume, landing point-blank starts in conversations, delivering constructive feedback, and even taking the initial steps toward pitching a TED Talk.

Connect with The FxCK YOU 50s here:

⁠Podcast Website⁠

⁠IG @TheFxCKYOU50s⁠

⁠LinkedIn⁠

⁠ YouTube⁠

Connect with Kirsten Birkeland / Prep Your Talk here:

Instagram: @prepyourtalk

web: Prep Your Talk Consulting

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In this episode, guest Katharin von Gavel—founder of Footlogix, joins the show to dive into the essential, often-overlooked connection between foot health, hormonal shifts, and overall longevity. With a Doctorate in Natural Medicine (DNM), a BSc in Podology, and a Diploma in Chiropody, Katharin brings decades of specialized expertise to explain why foot care in midlife is far more than just a cosmetic routine.

The conversation explores the evolution of the pedicure industry over the last 50 years and introduces the concept of "pediceuticals"—specialized formulas designed for high performance and wellness.

Katharin unpacks the structural and physiological changes feet undergo during menopause, highlighting how hormonal drops impact skin moisture, barrier function, and mobility.

Beyond physiological health, the episode tackles gendered ageism in corporate culture, dismantling commercialized midlife beauty standards, and navigating the beauty industry as a founder in midlife. Katharin shares actionable daily habits for foot hygiene, footwear choices, and red flags in skin and foot health that women in midlife should never ignore.

Pediceuticals vs. Cosmetic Pedicures: Why effective foot care requires science-backed, non-invasive skin treatments rather than traditional aesthetic polishing.

Hormones & Foot Wellness: How menopausal shifts affect skin barrier function, moisture retention, and physical foot structure.

Red Flags in Foot Health: Identifying critical warning signs in skin and nail changes that require proactive professional care rather than being dismissed as "normal aging."

Dismantling Midlife Beauty Standards: Challenging corporate beauty narratives around "anti-aging" and reframing age as a strategic strength in business.

Daily Footwear & Hygiene Habits: Practical routines to protect immune and foot health, including proper indoor footwear and daily maintenance.

Connect with The FxCK YOU 50s here:

⁠Podcast Website⁠

⁠IG @TheFxCKYOU50s⁠

⁠LinkedIn⁠

⁠ YouTube⁠

Connect with Katharin von Gavel / Footlogix here:

Footlogix on IG

Footlogix official site
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Ebonnie Rowe, Honey Jam Canada founder and Order of Canada recipient, is all about creating opportunities, claiming space without asking for permission, and surrounding yourself with other women who also lift while they rise.

In this episode, host Andrea Claire sits down with Ebonnie to talk about her 30-year journey from legal assistant to founding Canada’s premier launchpad for young female artists (whose alumni include stars like Nelly Furtado). They explore navigating midlife with confidence, the power of intergenerational energy, and the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in entertainment. Together, they also pull back the curtain on the fashion and music industries—touching on toxic beauty standards, manipulated reality, and the necessity of holding onto your integrity.

Consider supporting Honey Jam's artist development programming and attend their upcoming live showcase at TD Music Hall.

Connect with The FxCK YOU 50s here:

⁠Podcast Website⁠

⁠IG @TheFxCKYOU50s⁠

⁠LinkedIn⁠

⁠ YouTube⁠

Connect with Ebonnie Rowe / Honey Jam here:

@thehoneyjam

Honey Jam official website

Honey Jam Concert info

Order of Canada Member

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