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In this episode of Midlife Sparkle, I sit down with Dr Filipa Bellette, or “Philly” as she prefers to be known. She’s the co-founder of the multi-award-winning health practice Chris & Filly Functional Medicine, an author, accredited clinical nutritionist, functional medicine practitioner, coach and trauma therapist. Alongside her husband, Chris, she has helped more than two and a half thousand clients overcome chronic burnout, fatigue and overwhelm through a deep root-cause approach.

Filly’s passion for this work stems from her own experience with severe burnout. From fainting and fitting as a teenager to complete body shutdown after having children, her story is both relatable and eye-opening. She talks candidly about what it felt like to juggle motherhood, business and study while her body was breaking down - how she tried everything from nutrition and supplements to lab testing - and how none of it truly worked until she addressed the deep-seated belief that she was weak and incapable.

Our conversation goes far beyond the usual wellness chat. Filly explains what body burnout actually is, how it differs from workplace burnout, and how chronic stress literally rewires our nervous system and physiology. She shares how stress hormones such as cortisol keep us stuck in fight-or-flight mode, and how that affects our mood, energy, hormones and gut health.

We also unpack the root-cause approach she uses in her clinic - combining functional medicine with trauma-informed therapy. She outlines how every habit and coping mechanism (from overworking and perfectionism to alcohol or sugar) is linked to a deep-rooted belief about ourselves. Healing happens, she says, when we finally listen to what the body is trying to tell us.

One of my favourite parts of our chat is when Filly describes how true recovery often comes from the simplest things - rest, grounding, sunlight and reconnecting with nature. She shares a beautiful practice: taking off your shoes, sitting on the grass, placing your hand on your heart and asking your body what it needs.

Filly’s story is a powerful reminder that burnout isn’t a badge of honour - it’s a message. A message to slow down, listen, and rebuild from the inside out.

Key takeaways and actions:
If you’re feeling tired, irritable or unmotivated, don’t dismiss it as “just midlife” or “too many responsibilities”. It might be your body’s way of asking for help. Start by slowing down, even for five minutes a day. Step outside, breathe fresh air and tune into what your body is saying. Look beyond surface fixes - better sleep, nutrition and supplements are important, but the deeper work lies in changing the beliefs that drive your busyness and stress. Healing begins when you decide you are worthy of rest, health and ease.

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In this episode of Midlife Sparkle, I chat with my friend and powerhouse fitness professional, Nikki Ellis, about strength, health, and living alcohol-free in midlife. Nikki has spent more than 30 years in the fitness industry as a personal trainer, sessional academic at Victoria University, and founder of Cinch, a multi-award-winning boutique training studio in Melbourne’s northeast. She’s passionate about helping women discover their power through resistance training, movement, and mindful choices - including rethinking their relationship with alcohol.

Nikki shares her refreshingly honest journey from “mummy wine culture” to living a mostly alcohol-free life. After a moment that made her realise how alcohol was holding her back, she stopped drinking completely in 2023. What followed was a deeper sense of clarity, confidence, and connection to herself.

We talk about how alcohol affects women physically and mentally, especially in midlife. Nikki explains how alcohol impacts muscle recovery, hormone balance, sleep, and fat metabolism - all critical factors for women navigating menopause and beyond. Even small amounts of alcohol can reduce muscle protein synthesis by up to 37%, disrupt hormones like cortisol and growth hormone, and make it harder to lose fat and build muscle. It’s confronting but empowering knowledge that helps women make informed choices about their health.

Our conversation also dives into the emotional and social aspects of drinking. Nikki opens up about the rituals tied to alcohol - pouring that glass of wine while cooking dinner or celebrating a big milestone - and how she found joy in replacing those moments with alcohol-free alternatives that still felt special. We discuss the growing movement toward non-alcoholic drinks, the need for more inclusive hospitality options, and how the cultural shift away from alcohol is beginning to mirror what happened with smoking decades ago.

What I love most about Nikki’s story is her self-awareness and honesty. She admits moderation doesn’t work for her and that she feels better without it. Her story is about empowerment, not perfection - a reminder that small, intentional choices can create huge shifts in our wellbeing and mindset.

Key Takeaways and Actions:
If you’re rethinking your relationship with alcohol, start by paying attention to your habits and triggers. Notice when and why you reach for a drink, and experiment with swapping it for something alcohol-free. Keep your rituals - make them special - but remove the alcohol.

If you train regularly or want to feel stronger, remember that alcohol affects muscle recovery, hormone balance, and sleep. Prioritise your energy, clarity, and strength instead. Finally, be patient and kind to yourself. Changing your relationship with alcohol is not about restriction - it’s about creating a life that feels good every day.

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In this episode of Midlife Sparkle, I sit down with my friend and straight-talking powerhouse, Shelly Horton - one of Australia’s most trusted voices in media, wellness, and women’s health. Shelly’s career as a journalist, presenter, MC, and founder of ShellShocked Media has made her a familiar face on Channel Nine and across countless stages. But today, she’s here to talk about a topic that’s been swept under the rug for far too long - perimenopause.

Shelly’s new book, I’m Your Peri(God)mother, is Australia’s first comprehensive guide to perimenopause that blends memoir, science, and humour. She opens up about her own experience with the hormonal chaos that hit her in her forties - from brain fog and mood swings to sleepless nights and anxiety - and how she clawed her way back with evidence-based information, medical support, and a big dose of sass.

We talk about what happens when your hormones stage a mutiny and why so many women, like Shelly, had no idea what was happening to their bodies. Shelly shares how she was initially dismissed by a GP, blamed herself, and spent months feeling broken - until one supportive conversation with her husband led her to a doctor who finally diagnosed perimenopause and prescribed the treatment she needed. Her honesty about navigating HRT, antidepressants, and trial and error offers comfort and clarity to anyone currently in the thick of it.

Shelly and I also discuss the lack of menopause education for doctors, how systemic misogyny has impacted women’s health, and why self-advocacy matters more than ever. She shares practical advice for managing symptoms, from brain fog and hot flushes to shifting moods, and the importance of finding a GP who treats you as a teammate, not a problem to be dismissed.

Her signature humour shines through as she talks about “craft” (can’t remember a thing), the joy of lists, the infamous We Do Not Care Club, and how laughter can make even the sweatiest of moments bearable.

Key Takeaways and Actions:
If there’s one message in this episode, it’s that knowledge is power. Educate yourself about perimenopause early, even before symptoms appear, so you can make informed decisions about your health. Don’t accept dismissal from healthcare providers — find one who listens, learns, and supports you. Be kind to yourself during the hormonal rollercoaster, and use humour to lighten the load. And if you find yourself walking into a room and forgetting why you’re there, remember — you’re not alone, and there’s probably a funny story in it somewhere.