What if much of what we’ve been told to expect in midlife… isn’t inevitable?

In this conversation, Carrie sits down with registered nurse Denise Wills to talk about menopause, hormones, and why so many women are navigating this stage without the information they deserve. Denise shares her journey through premature menopause, autoimmune challenges, digestive issues, and osteoporosis — and how learning about hormones, gut health, and strength training reshaped how she approaches aging.

Together, they explore how menopause affects the brain, bones, metabolism, and mood — and why symptoms like joint pain, brain fog, fatigue, and midsection weight gain often have deeper hormonal roots.

You’ll learn:

• Why strength training becomes essential in midlife
• How gut health, blood sugar balance, and detox pathways support hormone health
• The long-term connection between menopause and brain, bone, and heart health
• Why slowing down and listening to your body is wisdom, not weakness

This episode is a reminder that menopause isn’t decline — it’s a transition into a more intentional, empowered phase of life.

Share this with a woman who needs to know she has options — and that feeling better is possible.

Connect with Denise

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denisewills_the_nurse/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1575155331&ref=NONE_ig_profile_ac

About Denise

Denise is a registered nurse of 35 years, holistic health coach, and passionate advocate for women’s midlife health. She’s been married to her husband Steve for 29 years, and together they have three adult children and an energetic one-year-old goldendoodle keeping empty nest life lively.

After struggling with severe digestive issues, low mood, and limited answers from conventional medicine, Denise began exploring functional and natural approaches to healing — a path that led her to Plexus eight years ago. Today, she leads a community of compassionate, health-minded women and is especially passionate about supporting women through perimenopause and menopause with education, advocacy, and a focus on feeling safe and empowered in their bodies.

Follow Carrie on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carriechojnowski/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carrie.o.chojnowski

Visit https://thrivewithcarrie.com/ to book a free discovery call!

See you next time!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

As the days get shorter, many women notice shifts in mood, energy, sleep, and motivation — and it’s not “all in your head.” In this episode, we’re diving into Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and why winter can feel especially hard, particularly during midlife.

You’ll learn how reduced daylight impacts your circadian rhythm, serotonin, and hormones — and why women in perimenopause and menopause may feel these changes more deeply. We’ll talk about practical, science-backed ways to minimize the effects of SAD, including lifestyle rhythms, nervous system support, blood sugar balance, and how to effectively use light therapy, like a Verilux light box, as part of a morning routine.

We’ll also explore when it may be time to look deeper with labs — such as vitamin D, iron, ferritin, and B vitamins — and why feeling persistently low or exhausted can be a sign that your body is under-resourced, not broken.

If you’ve been white-knuckling your way through winter or feeling overwhelmed by where to start, this episode offers reassurance, clarity, and support. You don’t have to do this alone — and you don’t have to just survive the darker months.

In this episode, we cover:

• What Seasonal Affective Disorder really is (and what it isn’t)
• Why women are more vulnerable to SAD, especially in midlife
• How light therapy works and how to use a Verilux light box safely and effectively
• Lifestyle habits that support mood, energy, and sleep
• When labs may be helpful if symptoms persist
• Why support and coaching can make all the difference

If this episode resonates, share it with a friend who may be struggling quietly this season. And if you’re looking for personalized support to help you feel like yourself again, you’ll find ways to connect with me in the show notes.

Follow Carrie on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrive.with.carrie/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carrie.o.chojnowski

Visit https://thrivewithcarrie.com/ to book a free Solutions Session!

See you next time!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

In this episode, I’m sharing a personal reflection inspired by turning 50 — and a powerful shift I’m making in how I approach movement, work, and rest.

For most of my life, I believed that pushing harder was the key to better results. More workouts. More productivity. Less rest. But as I’ve moved into midlife, my body has been asking for something different — and science backs it up.

We’ll talk about:

• Why constant high-intensity exercise and overworking can elevate cortisol
• How rest days support muscle repair, energy stores, and metabolic health
• The often-overlooked mental and nervous system benefits of true recovery
• What “rest” can actually look like if you’re someone who always feels the need to be doing something

This episode is an invitation to rethink rest — not as laziness or loss of momentum, but as a strategic, nourishing part of long-term health and vitality.

If you’re feeling tired, stuck, or frustrated with what “used to work,” this conversation is for you.

Follow Carrie on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrive.with.carrie/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carrie.o.chojnowski

Visit https://thrivewithcarrie.com/ to book a free Solutions Session!

See you next time!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.