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 managing women going through it. Dr Dims strives to bring evidence based information to those who are searching for answers.
Listen in every week where on one week you’ll find either a short and sweet episode designed to uplift, inspire and give helpful tips to manage your mind and a longer episode the next created to educate and inform.
Opt to Thrive…for Midlife Women
Happy Spouse, Happy House: A Partner's Perspective on Menopause
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Menopause doesn't just affect the woman experiencing it. It touches the people who love her too.
In this special episode of Opt to Thrive, I'm joined by Ian, whose wife Mary-Ann was a guest on the podcast just a couple of weeks ago. You may remember Mary-Ann's remarkable transformation through the Midlife Health & Body Reset—improving her health, reversing her osteoporosis, building strength and rediscovering her energy.
But this conversation begins much earlier.
When Mary-Ann first came to see me for help with her menopause symptoms, Ian came with her. After watching his wife struggle for more than a decade, he was determined she wouldn't simply be dismissed or told to "put up with it." He had done his research on menopause, encouraging her to seek help and wanting the woman he loved to feel like herself again.
Together we talk about what it was really like from his perspective.
How did menopause affect their relationship?
What did he notice that Mary-Ann perhaps couldn't see herself?
What helped—and what didn't?
We also explore how improving one person's health can transform an entire household. As Mary-Ann became stronger, healthier and more confident, Ian found himself inspired to make changes too. He's lost 7 kilograms and is planning his own home weights space.
One of my favourite moments comes when Ian shares a phrase I'd never heard before:
"Happy spouse, happy house."
I absolutely love it.
Because the healthiest relationships aren't about one person carrying the load. They're about two people supporting one another through life's seasons, celebrating each other's wins and growing stronger together.
I also share some reflections from my own husband about what menopause was like from his perspective, and the lessons we've learned as a couple along the way.
Whether you're navigating menopause yourself or you're the partner of someone who is, I hope this conversation not only helps with understanding but that you feel a little more understood—and reminds you that you're on the same team.
In this episode we discuss:
• Why Ian attended Mary-Ann's first menopause appointment.
• What it was like watching the woman he loved struggle for more than ten years.
• The importance of feeling heard and receiving individualised menopause care.
• How menopause can affect communication, connection, intimacy and relationships.
• The ripple effect that positive health changes can have on an entire family.
• Why "Happy spouse, happy house" may be a better philosophy than "Happy wife, happy life."
• Practical insights for couples navigating midlife together.
If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it with your partner. Sometimes hearing another person's experience can open conversations we've been wanting to have for years.
- Register for the upcoming Midlife Masterclass here: Here
- Get your free Midlife Health & Body Reset Guide: Here
- Find out more about the Midlife Reset Program: Here
- Join the Opt to Thrive mailing list: Here
- Follow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothrive
- Connect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)
- Opt to Thrive official website
