Opt to Thrive…for Midlife Women
Opt to Thrive is a health and wellness podcast designed to support, educate, inspire, empower and motivate midlife women to live their healthiest, happiest most fulfilled lives. Motivated by her own life experiences and challenging midlife transition, Dr Corina Sims created Opt to Thrive. Dr Sims is a rural GP Obstetrician and Menopause Specialist who has a passion for connecting with and empowering other women to be the best version of themselves. Disappointed with the vast amount of contradictory information targeted at menopausal women, Dr Sims also recognised the gap in medicine that has been identified around the globe in m...
From Menopause Mess to Thriving: The Mindset Shift That Changed Everything – This is Trish’s Story
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Trish describes herself as being in a “menopause mess”—gaining weight without changing her diet, waking daily with headaches, dealing with pain, and feeling like she’d been “hit by a truck” with no light in sight.
In this episode, she shares how discovering a new approach—and making one powerful mindset shift—changed everything.
Now, over six months after completing the Midlife Reset, Trish is strong again in both mind and body. She’s back to strength training without pain, has clarity and confidence around her nutrition, and no longer feels st...
Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment: The Power of Purpose in Midlife
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When was the last time you started something new?
Something that challenged you… stretched you… and at the same time lit you up from the inside out?
In this episode, I’m sharing what I’ve learned over the past two years of building Opt to Thrive, and why stepping outside your comfort zone might be one of the most powerful things you can do in midlife.
We talk about growth, confidence, and doing things before you feel ready… but also the deeper reason this matters more than ever...
Swollen Legs: The Difference Between Lipoedema, Lymphoedema and Excess Weight
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Not all leg swelling is the same.
In this episode, I unpack a topic that isn’t talked about nearly enough—lipoedema—and how it differs from lymphoedema and more common causes of swollen legs.
If you’ve ever experienced heavy, painful, or swollen legs… or felt frustrated that your legs don’t seem to respond the way the rest of your body does… this is an important conversation.
We’ll walk through:
The key differences between lipoedema, lymphoedema, and excess weightCommon signs and clues...Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment: Active Acceptance When Your Daughter Lives Next to a War Zone
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What do you do when something you can’t control suddenly feels very close to home?
In this episode, I share a personal experience of supporting my daughter while she lives in Dubai during this period of rising tension in the region. It has been confronting, emotional, and a real test of how I manage my own mind.
Because when uncertainty hits, our brains often want to go straight to the “what ifs.”
But what if there’s another way to meet those moments?
We explore...
Declutter Your Space, Declutter Your Mind: The 5-Step Process with Tracy Hoth
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Have you ever opened a cupboard, looked around your home, or stared at a pile of papers and felt instantly overwhelmed?
Clutter doesn’t just take up physical space. It can quietly drain our mental energy, increase decision fatigue, and add to the invisible load many midlife women are already carrying.
In this episode, I’m joined by professional organiser Tracy Hoth, host of the Organized Coach Podcast and founder of Simply Squared Away, where she helps people simplify their homes and their lives.
Tr...
Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment: Leaning In Instead of Quitting (My Personal Story)
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Over the past week I’ve had some disappointments, heavy stressors, and moments where my brain told me it would be easier to just quit.
“You’re failing.”
“This is too much.”
“Why are you even trying?”
Instead of hiding that — or pretending I’ve mastered my mind — I’m sharing what it actually looked like to self-coach through it in real time.
In this Mindful Moment, I walk you through:
What my brain offered me during a challenging weekThe temptation to pull back from self-care when life...Hair Loss & Menopause: Why It Happens and What You Can Do About It
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Hair loss affects nearly half of women at some point in their lives — and for many of us, it can feel deeply distressing.
In this episode of Opt to Thrive, I’m unpacking hair loss in women — especially during midlife and the menopausal transition — and explaining what’s really going on beneath the surface.
Because while menopause can absolutely play a role, hair loss is not always “just hormones.” Sometimes it can be a sign that something else is happening in your body — from thyroid dysfunction and iron deficiency to medication ef...
Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment: How to Improve Your Wellbeing When Life Feels Flat
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Life has a way of spinning one day into the next, and from time to time many of us find ourselves in a bit of a rut — not unwell, but not quite thriving either.
In this episode, I explore what wellbeing really means beyond the curated images we often see on social media, and why true wellbeing is far more than just happiness or physical health.
We’ll walk through the key domains that support a flourishing life, do a simple self-check you can use to assess your own well...
Aging Gracefully: The Identity Shifts No One Prepares You For
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Aging gracefully… it sounded simple to me once. Until I arrived here.
Midlife brings a series of identity shifts that few women are ever prepared for — changes in how we look, how we are seen, the roles we play in our families, our work, and the quiet way we begin to see ourselves differently.
In this episode, I open an honest conversation about what it really means to age as a woman. We explore the subtle psychological transitions that can accompany this stage of life, why some of t...
Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment: When Adult Children Come Home And Emotions Run High - Choosing How You Want to Show Up
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After a rare visit with both of my adult children at once, an unexpected family conflict reminded me how quickly emotions can take over and how powerful it is to pause and choose our response.
In this Mindful Moment, I share the simple question that helped me move from reaction to intention:
How do I want to show up here?
Because while we can't control the people we love, we can always choose who we become in the moment.
Let’s Stay Conn...
What Your Wearable Can And CANNOT Tell You About Your Health
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Wearables are everywhere — watches, rings, bands — tracking your sleep, recovery, stress, heart rhythm… and making a lot of women wonder: Should I trust this?
In this episode, I break down what your tracker can tell you… what it can’t… and the mistakes I see all the time in clinic when people treat the numbers like a diagnosis.
You’ll discover:
The real reason sleep tracking can look convincing… but still be wrongWhy “deep sleep” is the metric that causes the most confusion (and anxiety)The hidden p...Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment - Why You Should Do It Anyway
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That racing heart, dry mouth, and “why am I doing this?” moment?
That’s growth.
In this Mindful Moment episode, I reflect on stepping into discomfort, from radio interviews to new challenges, and why doing hard, unfamiliar things supports brain health, confidence, and resilience in midlife.
A gentle nudge to lean in… not pull back.
How you can be afraid…but do it anyway. Because it’s good for you💛
Let’s Stay Connected:
Get your free Midlife Health & Body Res...Hot Flushes in Menopause: Why They Happen and What Really Helps
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Hot flushes are one of the most common — and most disruptive — symptoms of menopause. For some women they’re mild and fleeting. For others, they interfere with sleep, mood, confidence, and quality of life.
In this episode of Opt to Thrive, Dr Corina Sims explains why hot flushes happen, what’s actually going on in the brain and body, and what truly helps — separating evidence-based options from myths and misinformation.
In this episode, we cover:
What hot flushes are and why they feel so intenseHow...Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment: Feeling Better vs Letting Yourself Feel
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In this short Mindful Moment episode, I’m sharing a story from a recent family dinner — where a simple conversation question led to a much deeper reflection on emotions, thoughts, grief, and what it really means to “feel our feelings.”
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in life is that our feelings are created by our thoughts — but as I discovered while talking with my son, that idea can sometimes be misunderstood.
There are emotions we are meant to feel — grief, sadness, heartbreak, disappointment — especially in times of loss. Those f...
Preventative Health for Midlife Women: Screening Tests That Actually Make a Difference
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Happy New Year — and welcome to the first episode of the year! 🎉
As we step into a fresh new year, it’s the perfect time to think about preventative health, staying well, and making sure you’re up to date with the screening tests that genuinely help women live longer, healthier lives.
In today’s episode, I’m walking you through the big screening programs we have in Australia, what they’re designed to do, when they’re recommended — and where we don’t have screening (and why th...
Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment: You Could Miss the Pain - But You'd Miss the Dance
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In this reflective episode, I share a personal story sparked by an unexpected night out — watching Love Actually in concert with close friends. What began as a joyful shared experience unfolded into a powerful meditation on love, loss, memory, and the way life shapes us over time.
As the music and stories stirred memories from my own past — including heartbreak, grief, and a season of profound uncertainty — I reflect on what it means to let go of what we thought life would look like, and to trust the unfolding of what comes...
Stop Starting Over: The Missing Component to Finally Break the Yo-Yo Cycle in Midlife
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If you’ve ever found yourself losing weight… only to gain it back again, this episode is for you.
So many midlife women feel frustrated, disheartened, and convinced that something is “wrong” with them — especially when the strategies that once worked suddenly stop working. But the truth is, it’s not a lack of willpower. And it’s not your fault.
In this episode, I share the personal and professional journey that helped me finally step off the yo-yo dieting cycle — and why midlife is often the turning point that forces us t...
Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment: Other People's Opinions
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In this week’s Mindful Moment, I share a surprising little experience that made me pause, reflect… and laugh. It’s all about what happened after my last episode went out — and what it reminded me of (again) about other people’s opinions, why we can’t control them, and why we really shouldn’t try.
If you’ve ever found yourself bending or shrinking to keep others happy, or worrying about how you’re being perceived, this episode offers a gentle reminder and a mindset shift that might be exactly what you need toda...
The Silent Bone Crisis Affecting Midlife Women - A Bone Health Conversation All Women Need to Hear
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This week’s episode took a turn I didn’t expect.
After seeing a string of unexpected bone density results in women in their 50s and 60s, I knew I had to hit pause on my planned topic and talk about something far more urgent: the silent bone crisis unfolding in midlife women — long before most of us think we’re at risk.
In this episode, we explore:
Why early bone loss is becoming so commonThe types of fractures most women never hear aboutWho should consider getting...Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment: The Midlife Happiness Formula
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This week’s episode started with a simple quote I first heard as an intern on my psychiatry rotation:
“The secret to happiness is having something to do, someone to love, and something to look forward to.”
It’s a line that has quietly guided me through many stages of life — and recently, it sent me down an unexpected rabbit hole into women’s history, old medical thinking, and a surprising discovery about where the quote actually came from.
Join me as I explore why this little phras...
The Power of a Midlife Reset - How Jo Got Her Mojo Back!
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In today’s episode, I’m joined by one of my founding members — Jo — for a powerful and uplifting conversation about what can happen when a midlife woman decides she’s ready for more strength, more energy, and more knowledge.
At 56, Jo joined The Midlife Reset thinking she wanted to do something purely for herself and her body. Strength training was not something she had ever done before and she was getting message loud and clear - keeping muscle strong protects our health and our bones! What she didn’t really appreciate b...
Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment: Midlife Lessons from My Old Kelpie Jazz
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In this gentle and reflective episode, Dr Corina takes you on her slow walks with Jazzie — her old Kelpie whose aging paws have become a powerful reminder to slow down, be present, and focus on what truly matters.
What began as daily exercise has turned into a mindfulness practice — a space to breathe, reflect, and reconnect with joy. Through stories of Jazzie’s adventures (and escapes!), Corina shares what her dog has taught her about letting go of drama, meeting life’s challenges with grace, and choosing to thrive rather than just sur...
Social Withdrawal in Midlife - A Conversation with Tasha Morath
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In this warm Sunroom conversation, Dr Corina Sims welcomes educator, counsellor, coach, and long-time friend Tasha Morath to explore a common but rarely named midlife experience: social withdrawal. Is it “normal”? When is it a red flag? Together they unpack the biology (oestrogen, serotonin, oxytocin), the psychology (mood, anxiety, identity), and the cultural lens that can turn “withdrawing” into wise selectivity—quality over quantity. You’ll leave with practical ways to support mood, connection, and confidence through perimenopause and beyond.
Key topics
Midlif...Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment - You're Not Alone
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If you are going through the midlife transition and if you ever feel you are very much alone, this podcast episode was meant for you. In this episode Dr Sims shares her personal reflections on how her symptoms impacted her work and how they also influenced some of the big career choices she has made.
This episode is about changing the narrative and appreciating that whether we are one of the 20% who will have very mild symptoms, the 20% who will have severe symptoms or the 60% in between we are all going t...
Preventing Diabetes in Midlife - How to Get Off and Stay Off That Road
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It’s the most beautiful time of year here—sunshine, blooming gardens, and bird songs filling the air. But amidst the calm, today’s episode dives into a topic that’s affecting more and more midlife women: the growing risk of type 2 diabetes after menopause.
Dr Corina shares real stories from her menopause clinic, where women are often surprised to learn they’re already prediabetic. But here’s the good news—you have agency. You have the power to change your trajectory, prevent diabetes, and even put it into remission.
...Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment: Seeing the Human First - A Midlife Reflection on Judgement, Family, and Compassion
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This episode is a little more personal — and a little more emotional.
Today Dr Corina opens up about her brother: a man of immense creativity, complexity, and struggle. Through his story, she reflects on how our early experiences shape our choices, how easy it is to judge what we don’t understand, and how healing begins when we learn to see the human before the circumstance.
In this heartfelt conversation, Corina explores:
What it means to offer compassion without enablingHow codependence quietly shows up in relationshipsThe power of acceptance when...Creatine Crash Course for Midlife Women
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When you hear the word creatine, do you picture bulky bodybuilders and gym bros? I used to as well—until I started lifting weights myself and kept hearing about its potential benefits beyond muscle.
In this episode, I break down the science of creatine in simple, practical terms. We’ll cover what it actually is, how it works as a quick energy backup system, and why it might be worth considering in midlife. Beyond its well-known role in helping with strength and recovery, creatine has also been studied for brain health, meno...
Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment: Weeds, Boundaries & Blossoms: Protecting Your Energy in Midlife
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Spring is springing here in Australia — while for many of my listeners on the other side of the world, fall is falling. These seasonal shifts always get me reflecting on cycles of growth, change, and what needs to be cleared away.
On today’s episode of Opt to Thrive, I share a story from our property about weeds, fruit trees, and even a plant called Pigface (yes, really!) — and the surprising lesson they hold for us in midlife.
Just like our pomegranate trees flourished once the weeds stoppe...
Beyond the Scale: Strength and Confidence
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What if the number on the scale wasn’t the most important measure of your health?
In this episode, I share a powerful conversation from inside the very first round of my Midlife Reset program. As we near the end of our 12 weeks together, the women took it upon themselves to reflect on why they joined and what they’ve gained. Their words moved me deeply — and reminded me why I started this journey in the first place.
You’ll hear themes that so many of us in midlife can rela...
Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment - His Dirty Laundry
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Have you ever found yourself in midlife looking around and thinking… is this really it?
In this episode of Opt to Thrive, I share a story many of us will find uncomfortably familiar — a woman who worked tirelessly for her family, on the property, in her job, and in her home, only to arrive in midlife feeling resentful, unseen, and unappreciated. Her story opens up a bigger conversation about what was modeled for us growing up, how those patterns can follow us into our own relationships, and what it mean...
Creating Momentum for Sustainable Body Composition Changes in Midlife
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In this episode of Opt to Thrive, I’m taking you behind the scenes as I prepare for my very first 6-Day Midlife Reset Challenge. It’s exciting, a little terrifying, and full of moving parts — but it’s also the perfect opportunity to talk about something I know so many midlife women struggle with: momentum.
How do we actually get the ball rolling when it comes to making changes in our body composition, energy, and health? And more importantly — how do we keep it going once life (and...
Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment - Stay Out of Their Thought Bubble
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Today we’re diving into a thought error that causes so many of us unnecessary stress and suffering: mind reading.
On the one hand, being able to pick up on social cues is an important life skill. None of us wants to be that person who completely misses when someone is trying to wrap up a conversation or isn’t in the mood to hear about our dog because they’ve just lost theirs. But there’s a fine line between reading cues and sliding into mind reading — and that’s whe...
Testosterone Truths & Hormone Myths: Setting the Record Straight with Professor Susan Davis
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This week on Opt to Thrive I’m joined by a guest I've been wanting to interview since starting the podcast — Professor Susan Davis, the world’s leading expert on testosterone therapy for women and a globally recognised authority on women’s hormones.
Professor Davis is a Consultant Endocrinologist, Head of the Women’s Endocrine Clinic at Alfred Hospital, and Director of the Monash University Women’s Health Research Program. With over 435 peer-reviewed publications, international awards, and a leadership role in developing the Global Consensus Position Statement on the Use of Testo...
Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment - The Art of Holding Space
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Have you ever shared something painful, only to have the other person jump straight into problem-solving—or worse, point out the silver lining? Sometimes, when we’re hurting, the last thing we want is a “fix.” What we really need is connection.
In this episode, I open up about my own struggle with learning how to hold space for others. As a doctor and a natural problem-solver, my first instinct has always been to offer solutions. But outside of my professional role, that isn’t always what’s needed—or welcome. Holding space...
Gut Health Basics: How to Have a Happy Gut
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In this episode, we get back to gut health basics — From the microbiome to what fibre actually is, the difference between soluble and insoluble fibre, and why it matters for regularity, weight management, bone health, cancer prevention, and more. We’ll also cover:
How much fibre you really need in midlifeMy go-to fibre-rich foods that are calorie-efficientThe link between fibre, your gut microbiome, and overall healthPrebiotics vs probiotics The surprising connection between fibre and body fat lossWhether your gut’s been sluggish for years or you just want to optimise your mi...
Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment - Worry Pretends to be Necessary
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Today on Opt to Thrive, we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the most common (and sneaky!) mental habits holding midlife women back — worry. Not the kind that signals an anxiety disorder — but the everyday low-level worry that shows up in overthinking, second-guessing, decision delay, and imagining worst-case scenarios.
You might believe that worry helps you stay on top of things — but what if it’s actually sabotaging your ability to solve problems, make confident choices, and move forward with ease?
In this episode, Dr. Corina Sim...
Muscles, Mindset & Midlife: Getting Started with Abbey Atkins
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Today Dr Sims sits down for a fun conversation with local fitness professional Abbey Atkins. They talk about everything from gymtimidation to motivation and mindset when it comes to organizing a fitness routine.
Why more and more women are lifting weights after 40 (and why it matters)How to shift your focus from the number on the scale to how you feelThe science-backed benefits of strength training for longevity, bone health, and metabolismMindset traps that hold women back from starting — and how to overcome themWhat to do if you're intimidated by the gym (aka...Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment - Overcoming All or Nothing Thinking
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Sick of falling off the wagon — again? This episode is for you.
That old “wagon” everyone keeps falling off of? It’s not helping you. In fact, it’s keeping you stuck in the same frustrating cycle.
In this episode of Opt to Thrive, Dr. Corina Sims takes a sledgehammer to one of the most persistent mindset traps holding midlife women back: all-or-nothing thinking.
You’ll learn why this black-and-white way of thinking sabotages your health goals — and how to replace it with something bett...
Is it Menopause Brain Fog or Could it be Dementia?
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Are you worried about dementia? You’re not alone — especially in midlife, when sleep issues and brain fog can make us feel like our minds aren’t what they used to be. In this episode of Opt to Thrive, Dr. Corina Sims breaks down everything you need to know about dementia: what it is, how it starts, how it’s diagnosed, and — importantly — what you can do to reduce your risk.
From the difference between brain fog and dementia to the myths around genetic testing, we’re covering the facts in a clear, compa...
Manage Your Mind Mindful Moment - A Prisoner in Your Own Mind
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In this weeks mindful moment, Dr. Corina shares a powerful story about a recent conversation with a friend who seemed to have everything — the dream home, the partner, the businesses, the lifestyle — and yet found themselves caught in an invisible trap: a prison of their own mind.
What started as a casual catch-up turned into a moment of raw honesty about what happens when we spend our lives chasing “the next thing” — and how that constant striving can rob us of the peace, joy, and satisfaction that’s already available to us right now...
