Navigating Midlife and Holistic Health
Finding Balance and Resilience in Midlife with Holly Bertone
Introduction
In a recent episode of the EZ Conversations Podcast, host Furkhan Dandia welcomes Holly Bertone, a certified holistic health coach specializing in midlife wellness. Holly's journey of overcoming significant health challenges and finding inner peace and resilience offers invaluable insights into how we can improve our overall well-being, particularly during the often tumultuous midlife period.
Welcome to the EZ Conversations Podcast
Holly Bertone joins the podcast to share her inspiring story and professional insights. As someone who's worked both within the high-stakes environment of the FBI and as a certified holistic health coach, Holly provides a unique perspective on overcoming adversity and achieving holistic health.
A Comeback Story Inspired by the 80s
Holly begins by introducing herself and her focus areas—weight gain, energy loss, and insomnia—which are common issues for midlife women. She likens her approach to health coaching to an '80s movie comeback story, highlighting that it's not just the monumental challenges but the daily grind that wears us down. She shares her passion for puzzles and how her analytical skills from her FBI days translate into her current work.
Life's Noise and the Importance of Silence
The conversation shifts to how society's incessant noise affects our mental health. Holly and the host discuss the value of finding moments of silence to reconnect with oneself. Holly shares an anecdote about her "cold plunge" ritual, illustrating how simple practices can help quiet the mind.
Why Rocky? The Power of the Underdog
Holly explains her deep connection to the movie Rocky, describing it as one of the original comeback stories. She admires Rocky's resilience and how he became a winner despite losing the final fight. Holly stresses that we all have that underdog spirit, waiting to rise despite life's challenges.
The Big Three: Weight Gain, Energy Loss, and Insomnia
Digging deeper into her professional focus, Holly shares how personal adversity (including a breast cancer diagnosis and an autoimmune condition) led her to specialize in these three main health issues. She emphasizes the interconnection between these factors and how they impact overall well-being.
Transformational Healing and Overcoming Adversity
Holly recounts her struggle with chronic fatigue and how she had to resign from her dream job at the FBI to focus on healing—this life-changing period made her realize the importance of a holistic approach that includes diet and lifestyle changes and emotional and mental healing.
The Disconnect and Finding Home
Discussing midlife crises, Holly outlines how fulfilling societal expectations—career, marriage, children, and material wealth—often leaves us disconnected and unfulfilled. Her journey back to health involved recognizing this disconnection and making deliberate changes to reconnect with her true self.
Intentional Living and Spiritual Connection
Holly explains her daily rituals that help her stay grounded. From morning gratitude to meditation and journaling, she emphasizes setting intentions and connecting with oneself and the universe.
Practical Exercises for Emotional Awareness
One of Holly's favourite exercises involves treating emotions like visitors to her home, allowing her to understand and learn from them rather than suppressing them. This approach fosters a deeper appreciation for human emotions and helps build resilience.
Gratitude and Intentionality: Keys to Inner Peace
Holly and Furkhan agree on the transformative power of gratitude and intentional living. Whether it's starting the day with positive intentions or finding small moments of joy, these practices contribute significantly to mental and emotional well-being.
Conclusion
Holly Bertone's story and insights offer a powerful reminder that midlife can be a period of profound transformation and growth. By focusing on weight, energy, sleep, and emotional well-being, we can navigate this challenging phase with resilience and grace. For more resources and to connect with Holly, check out her podcast, "Your Midlife Comeback Story," or find her on Instagram @holly.bertone.
Call to Action
Feel inspired by Holly's journey? Start your own midlife comeback story today by embracing intentional living, reconnecting with yourself, and finding peace in the quiet. Share your journey with us in the comments below!
