So many midlife women pride themselves on being strong, independent, capable - the one who doesn’t need help, who pushes through, who holds it all together (including us up until recently!). In this episode, we unpack why this “Be Strong” identity isn’t actually strength at all. It’s a coping strategy that quietly fuels burnout, resentment, hormone disruption, and chronic stress.

We explore how this pattern shows up at work, in relationships, and especially during the holidays - when saying “no, I’m fine” often leads to exhaustion and rage beneath the surface.

You’ll learn where this coping strategy comes from, how it impacts your nervous system and cortisol levels in midlife, and why learning to receive support is one of the most powerful shifts you can make for your health and well-being.

In This Episode, you’ll discover:

• Why “being the strong one” is often a survival-based pattern
• How refusing help increases cortisol and worsens midlife symptoms
• The hidden link between independence, resentment, and burnout
• Why many women feel unworthy of receiving support - and try to “earn” it instead
• The nervous system response behind the reflexive “No, I’ve got it”

If you wanna find out what which Midlife Coping Strategy is costing you the most, take the quiz! You'll get a full breakdown of your predominant strategy and what to do about it.

Find us on instagram:

Jen: @jenreimercoaching

Sheri: @sherijohnsoncoaching