Becoming Elli - Strong Fit Women Over 50, With Jill Mccauslin & Chris Brown

In episode 145, the hosts of Fit Strong Women Over 50 podcast talk about the lessons they've learned for healthy living over the past six years. Chris and Jill also launch the 2024 Eating the Rainbow Challenge, while reflecting on 2023 and look forward to 2024. In this episode we discuss: Setting goals, milestones, changing focus, having a theme for the year, three words Highlights from 2023 episodes and some of the things that the guests said that really resonated with us. Six lessons learned during the 6 years of developing our Becoming Elli website, Facebook Group and Fit Strong Women Over 50 podcast Our 2024 challenge: Eating the Rainbow. What it is and tracking your results What we like to throw together for dinner when running short of time. Go to our website BecomingElli.com for links discussed in this episode.

In episode 144, Jill and Chris talk with Wendy Battles,the host of the Reinvention Rebels podcast. Wendy interviews women between the ages of 50-90, who have reinvented themselves later in life. From traveling solo around the world with a carry-on bag at 60, to running in global marathons at 71, to launching a modeling career at 72, these women are boldly making their dreams a priority and reality. During the day, Wendy is a Cybersecurity Awareness expert at Yale University and by night she pursues her passion for celebrating, illuminating and elevating midlife and older women.  At 58, Wendy is a Reinvention Rebel herself, having reinvented herself many times during her life including as a management consultant, voice actor, and health coach. Her most recent reinvention as a podcast host is by far her most rewarding. More information and links at our website: BecomingElli.com

In episode 142, Jill and Chris talk with Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN. She is an award-winning Registered Dietitian and Sports Nutritionist and the co-founder of MIJA Naturals, a green beauty wellness company,  As a Registered Dietitian and Food & Nutrition Expert, Sarah understands the power that food has on our bodies. She knows that consuming the right foods can enhance one’s beauty, nourish one’s soul, and restore one’s health. She works in the San Francisco Bay Area of California with technology firm CEOs, executives, and employees, Bay Area families, as well as professional, elite, and collegiate athletes. She also has nationwide and international clientele. More information at our website: https://www.becomingelli.com

In episode 141, Jill and Chris talk with Jeanette Evans, a long-time friend of Jill's who has developed a wonderful anti-cancer lifestyle. Jill first met Jeanette many years ago when they were both working as technical writers and belonged to a professional organization together. Jeanette is a writer and editor and is involved in all kinds of communications. They have kept in touch over the years and started to meet for lunch recently. We believe that Jeanette’s story and way of life might be of interest to everyone. Jeanette Evans has had three cancer surgeries with the first being in 2003 and a diagnosis of presumed triple negative breast cancer. She has tried to educate herself on staying healthy with an anti-cancer lifestyle and diet which she finds to be delicious too. We discuss: Her anti-cancer lifestyle Which authors that she follows and why What she eats on a regular basis What food she avoids How she gets variety into her diet Her views on supplements How this anti-cancer lifestyle has improved her

In episode 140 Jill and Chris talk with Elizabeth Emery. She is a former professional cyclist, US National Champion, and Pan Am Games gold medalist who raced in the women’s Tour de France for many years when it was called The Grand Boucle. She won the US Time Trial National Championship, a gold medal in the Pan American Games, the Pan American Championships, and the Tour of Japan. Elizabeth is the host of the podcast Hear Her Sports where female athletes share stories of the amazing things they’re doing. We discuss: Her experiences as a professional athlete and racing in The Tour de France Her motivation to keep training Why she started her podcast Hear Her Sports What she has learned about ways the female athletes train and eat Lessons we can learn from professional women athletes For more information visit our website: BecomingElli.com

In episode 139 Jill and Chris interview podcast host Wendy Green who helps people to feel more purposeful and engaged with life. She helps them increase their confidence to re-Imagine their next chapter, helping them understand that they still have a lot left to give and that they can have a positive impact on their lives and their community. Wendy Green is the host of the live show & podcast. “Hey, Boomer!”  Her goal is to serve an inspirational role for people 55 to 75, who are looking for ways to live meaningful, fulfilling lives. Wendy wants to help people see that they are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream. We met Wendy Green in Denver when we were at Podcast Movement, the conference for podcasters. We hit it off right away. We were women of a certain age who host podcasts and discovered we have a lot in common. We realized very quickly that Wendy should be a guest on our podcast. She lives in Greenville, SC. She has two children and four grandchildren. More info: see our website

In episode 138, Jill and Chris speak with Susan Salenger, an author who has found effective ways of dealing with frustrations with the healthcare system and better ways to ask your doctor questions, resulting in more complete answers. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Susan attended UCLA to study English. After graduation, she worked alongside her husband Fred for 25 years at their production company, Salenger Films, which produced corporate training and development films distributed worldwide. She is the author of Sidelined: How Women Can Navigate a Broken Healthcare System. Today, at age 80, when Susan is not speaking about her book or spending time with family and friends, you will find Susan power lifting to stay in shape. We discuss: How women are often treated differently than men by doctors and medical experts Why getting a second opinion is so important and how to do get a second opinion How to ask questions at your doctor appointment to get more complete answers Differences between nurse practitioners

In episode 137, Jill and Chris talk with Dr. Danielle Peebles, an author and Chiropractic physician. She founded Pro Health Family Chiropractic, in 2007 and has worked with thousands of people, helping them regain mobility, strength and overall well-being. Dr. Peebles specializes in working with athletes who are suffering from injuries. She recognized that chiropractic care is often overlooked in the pre-surgery and rehabilitation process, but it can aid in a quicker recovery. Many athletes have taken longer than necessary to return to their sports because they are missing this critical element of the recovery process. Dr. Peebles has worked with professional basketball players, football players and Olympic athletes. She is the author of “Sex Sent Me To The Chiropractor”, which uses humor to teach the benefits of chiropractic care. She also serves the community through organizations such as Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and the YMCA O’Fallon Park, where she is a board member.   For more information, see our

In episode 136, Jill and Chris talk with Fluid Running founder, Jennifer Conroyd. She is the world’s leading expert on aqua jogging/deep water running and is the epitome of a Fit Strong Woman Over 50. Jennifer is A.C.E. certified, AEA certified and has an Exercise Is Medicine credential from ACSM. She is also a 16-time Boston Marathon qualifier and an Ironman finisher.  Jennifer founded Fluid Running on the belief that even though injury and pain can sideline even the most fit and strong women, there is a way to keep active and stay healthy -- both mentally and physically -- while our body heals. She learned how to do it through deep water running and is now teaching thousands of others around the world the secret to her success. We discuss:  How fluid running helped her maintain her marathon training After injury (and qualify for Boston!) What fluid running is and what it isn’t Why it is different from aqua jogging How to interpret heart rate while in the water Weight loss benefits of fluid running Equipmen

In episode 135, Jill and Chris speak about using spices and greens for a healthy weight with Joanna Wen.  Joanna Wen is a weight loss coach who helps her clients lose weight in a healthy and sustainable way. Her unique approach helps her clients love their food and lose weight without deprivation. She also helps her clients get to the true root cause of their overeating and remove those blocks so that they keep the weight off once and for all., Joanna specializes in online nutrition and weight loss coaching through her website, Spices & Greens. Joanna has studied and experimented extensively with the healing powers of food to de-stress, gain energy, and lose weight.  When she contacted us, she said that she enjoys learning about nutrition for longevity because she is approaching her 50th birthday.   For more information visit our website at BecomingElli,com.

#134 Fit, Fierce, & Fabulous with Karín FeltmanKarínK In episode 134, Jill and Chris talk with Karín Feltman, a registered nurse and the author of Fit, Fierce, and Fabulous Over 50! Her first book was Plant-based Basics. Her work focuses on holistic health for women over 50, with a particular focus on intermittent fasting and healing through nutrition. She is a full-time cross-cultural worker in Nepal. She doesn’t always have access to the Internet so we’ve been waiting for a chance to talk with her. She graciously made time for us when she was available, technology-wise. Karín was a hospital nurse for 23 years, before beginning work in relief provision and mission trips. She now works on empowerment projects for vulnerable girls and women in Nepal and uses her writing to help fund greater opportunities for the communities she works with. She completed the VegHealth Nutrition Mastery Course with the VegHealth Institute, and continues her research on holistic health and healing. Karín is a self-confessed

Jill and Chris speak with Dr. Shivani Gupta, who has practiced Ayurvedic medicine for over 20 years and is an expert in fusing Eastern and Western practices to help our bodies achieve equilibrium. She has both a Masters and Ph.D. in Ayurvedic studies. When opioids, muscle relaxers, and injections only worsened a sports injury, Shivani decided to rebuild her body naturally. She created her own line of natural ayurvedic supplements when she failed to find an effective natural product on the market. She applied this approach to healing a leaky gut and an autoimmune condition as well. Dr. Shivani works with physicians including orthopedic and spine surgeons, rheumatologists, and functional medicine doctors to help patients from CrossFit athletes to Baby Boomers reduce chronic pain, and acute and low-grade inflammation, prevent surgery and optimize their health. She is the CEO and founder of Fusionary Formulas, an Ayurvedic supplement company. She is also the host of the Fusionary Health Podcast. We discussed: Wh

In episode 132 of the Fit Strong Women Over 50, Jill and Chris talk with 71 year old American Ninja Warrior Ginny MacColl. Ginny is an actress, dancer, and competitive athlete in both Ninja and swimming. She began her career in NYC as a dancer in the hit Broadway show, Pippin, in 1973; then transitioned into the commercial world and did over 100 national and regional commercials throughout the 70s and 80s. After a 20-year hiatus to raise her family, Ginny rekindled her acting career recently in Southport, NC in commercials, and film, and began strength training for American Ninja Warrior where she competed Season 9, 10, and most recently Season 15 airing this June (2023). At 63 years old, she did her very first pull up, inspired by her daughter, Jessie Graff, who has gone farther than any female on American Ninja Warrior. At 71 years old, Ginny continues to compete regionally in ninja competitions and local, state and national swim meets. You may have seen Ginny featured in the December 2019 issue of AARP. Sh

In episode 131, Jill and Chris talk with Joanna Bowen, Certified Nutritional Practitioner. She is the founder of the Younger With Food community and creator of The AGEless Method, a program that empowers women to rewind their cellular aging clock by using diet and lifestyle habits so they can reclaim the resilient body, healthy brain, glowing skin, and youthful energy of their prime.  A graduate of the University of Waterloo, The Institute of Holistic Nutrition and the Functional Nutritional Alliance, Joanna has pursued additional training in culinary genomics, and is a licensed Facelift Diet Coach through the Academy of Beauty Nutrition.  Author of 3 Genius Hacks to Unlock Inner Youth Without Botox, Fillers or Cosmetic Surgery, Joanna takes an inside-out approach to aging youthfully through the emerging science of epigenetics and “nutrigenomics”. We discuss: Testing for epigenetics and nutrigenomics Telemeres Finding the best foods for our genetic background Supplements  Exercise Comparing cellular age to a

One of our Becoming Elli private Facebook group members, Diane Allen, has been following a program for two years called Original Strength, that she says is making a huge difference to women over 50. She introduced us to Dani Almeyda who owns a local gym and a national certified program. Dani Almeyda has worked in the health and fitness industry for the last 12 years. Throughout her whole life, health and wellness have had a major influence on her life. Whether it was from her experience as collegiate athlete, as a Director of Campus Recreation, or as a Fitness Professional, her experiences and formal education have provided her with a unique perspective and skillset. Dani is a co-owner of OS Institute in North Carolina and OSi Online, and has a master’s degree in Exercise Science. She brings an abundance of energy, passion, and an incredible drive to help the world regain its Original Strength. “You were not meant to be broken. You were intended to be strong, healthy and resilient. You can regain the strength

Jill and Chris first met Laurie LeBlanc when she joined the Becoming Elli Facebook group last year. She lives in Ontario, Canada and recently retired from a rewarding 35-year career with the Ontario Public Sector. For the last ten years she held various Deputy Minister positions, leading complex departments including the Ministries of Transportation, Training, Colleges and Universities, Municipal Affairs, Housing, and Aboriginal Affairs. She has been the recipient of several awards, including being named one of the top 75 alumni of Carleton University’s school of public policy. While Laurie enjoyed her career, she is thrilled to now have the chance to enjoy all life has to offer. She has made her own health and wellness her new project. Vowing to be in the best shape of her life when she reaches 60 in two years, she bought a kayak, hiking boots, and a gym membership. She is slowly making progress. A big part of her journey has been being more deliberate about how and what she eats and is having a great time e

In episode 128, Jill and Chris talk with Linda Stephens, a nutrition, health and fitness professional whose primary focus is working with midlife women, over 40/50 and beyond to help them achieve confidence, exude sexiness and feel comfortable in their own skin again.  Her motto is, “midlife should be the bridge to your new life.”  Linda has developed a comprehensive 6 week program taught virtually to women around the globe called “Midlife Mastery”.  Linda guides women by educating them on how their bodies change in midlife.  Women involved in the program learn cutting edge, science backed data for hormone balance, longevity, mood, libido and weight loss.   Linda holds her masters degree in nutrition, competed as an IFBB Figure Pro (IFBB stands for International Federation of Bodybuilding ) and is a National Academy of Sports Medicine  NASM certified personal trainer.  Linda writes for Livestrong.com, Darien Magazine, Muscle and Fitness Hers, Oxygen magazine and has contributed to Strong Magazine. She also ha

In episode 127, Jill and Chris talk with Mary Beth Albright, the author of Eat & Flourish, How Food Supports Emotional Well Being. She is a food expert with broad experience, from food attorney to being a finalist on Food Network Star, where she competed on Iron Chef America.  Her passion for good food grew from her mentor, Surgeon General C. Everett Koop who she worked with for 15 years. Afterwards, Mary Beth advised on food systems and managed a White House initiative.  She completed L'Academie de Cuisine's two-semester culinary course in Bethesda, MD. Mary Beth is a writer and editor at the Washington Post. She is also a frequent panel moderator, including for the U.S. State Department and the Smithsonian, and her food-judging expertise is sought regularly, including the time she ate 2,000 foods in three days to judge the Outstanding New Products Awards. She is an elected member of Les Dames d'Escoffier, an esteemed group of women in the culinary professions, which counts Julia Child among its alumnae.

In episode 126, Jill and Chris talk with Hope Zvara, a yoga, movement, and lifestyle expert and CEO of Mother Trucker Yoga. She has helped change thousands of lives over the last 20 years using her simple step-by-step strategies and what she calls her "yoga toolbox" encouraging others that they can feel better wherever you are with small simple changes. She helps truck drivers go from a sedentary lifestyle to feeling good again with small simple changes from the cab of the truck. Although she works with a lot of men, she spent the first 18 years of her career working with women between the ages of 45-65.  And now, even though women only make up 10% of the trucking industry, they are her loyal clients.  “Showing drivers how they can take care of their bodies, minds, and spirits with small simple changes they can apply to their day every day while living over the road is a huge win for them. With the right tools and strategies, fitness at any age does not have to be complicated. And if women can take their heal