The Aging Games

  Body Image, Self Confidence, and Learning to Be at Home in Your Body Today I’m speaking with Ellen Albertson , also known as @the_midlife_whisperer , about one of the most common struggles women face at every stage of life: body image and self confidence . For many women, the relationship with their body becomes a constant battle. We grow up surrounded by messages about how we are supposed to look, how we should age, and what is considered “acceptable” or “beautiful.” Over time, these messages can turn into an inner voice that is critical, harsh, and never satisfied. In this conversation, Dr. Ellen and I explore why so many women feel disconnected from their bodies and what we can do to change that. Why So Many Women Struggle with Body Image One of the most important things we discuss is how early these beliefs begin. Many women start comparing themselves to others at a very young age. Social pressure, family dynamics, media images, and cultural expectations can create the b...

  The Matilda Effect: When Men Got Credit for Women’s Discoveries History often celebrates great discoveries. But it does not always celebrate the right people. For centuries, brilliant women made groundbreaking contributions to science, medicine, astronomy, and technology. Yet many of these discoveries were credited to their male colleagues instead. This phenomenon has a name: The Matilda Effect . The term was coined by historian Margaret W. Rossiter in 1993, inspired by the work of Matilda Joslyn Gage , a 19th century suffragist who noticed a troubling pattern. Women were doing remarkable work in science, yet their contributions were frequently ignored, minimized, or credited to men. What Is the Matilda Effect? The Matilda Effect describes the systematic tendency to deny recognition to women scientists for their achievements, often giving that credit to male colleagues instead. This was not always intentional. In many cases, women simply could not hold official academic positions...

  When a Routine Prescription Changes Everything: Talia Smith’s Story Today I sat down with Talia Smith, a young woman whose life was permanently altered after taking Cipro, a commonly prescribed antibiotic often given for urinary tract infections. At the time, Talia was caring for her quadriplegic husband. She was strong, capable, and managing an already demanding life. Then she was prescribed ciprofloxacin. What happened next was catastrophic. Within a short period of time, Talia experienced a severe adverse reaction. Her body began to shut down. She lost the ability to eat or drink. She could not walk. She could not care for herself. She went four weeks without food. Eventually, she was placed in hospice and given just three weeks to live. Imagine being told your life is ending because of a medication you trusted. But Talia survived. She came back from the brink of death in what can only be described as extraordinary resilience. However, survival did not mean recovery. Today she...

  Walking Across a Continent: What 6,000 Kilometers Taught Franck Benhamou About Life In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Franck Benhamou, a man who did something most of us would never even dare to imagine. He walked nearly 6,000 kilometers across Europe. Not by bike. Not by car. Not with a support team. Step by step. On foot. His journey began in Tallinn, Estonia, in the far north of Europe. From there, he crossed country after country, experiencing landscapes, cultures, and people in a way that only walking can allow. He eventually made his way through Portugal, traveling from the very north all the way down to the south, before finishing his incredible adventure in Tarifa, Spain, the southernmost point of Europe. What struck me most during our conversation was not just the physical feat, although that alone is extraordinary, but the deeper reasons behind it. Why would someone choose to walk across an entire continent? For Franck, this journey was not...

  Can You Expand Your Palate Over 50? My Assisted Mewing Experiment I’ve always believed that the body is more adaptable than we’re told. We accept so many limitations as “just aging.” Your jaw is set. Your bones are fixed. Your face is done developing. But what if that’s not entirely true? Lately, I’ve started a new experiment. I’m testing whether palate expansion is possible over 50 using an assisted mewing device. And I’m documenting the entire experience. Why I Even Care About Palate Expansion This isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about function. The width of your palate affects your airway. A narrow palate often means a narrow nasal passage. That can contribute to mouth breathing, snoring, poor sleep, and even sleep apnea. It also influences tongue posture, jaw alignment, and the overall structure of the face. When the palate is wider: Nasal breathing can improve Tongue posture becomes more natural Snoring and mild sleep apnea may decrease Facial st...

In this episode, I sit down with Vanessa Baldwin for a fascinating conversation about homeopathy — and how it can help keep you and your family healthy, vibrant, and mentally strong. We talk about everything from simple acute remedies to deeper constitutional ones tailored to each individual. Vanessa explains how she works as a homeopath, how children can benefit, and why raising them in a completely sterile environment may not be the best approach. She shares how natural exposure — even to childhood illnesses — can strengthen the immune system and protect against more serious conditions later in life. We also dive into how homeopathy supports women during menopause, easing symptoms and helping with the emotional transition. Vanessa shares how this gentle but powerful modality can even help release ancestral patterns and promote healing that extends through generations. This is such an eye-opening and empowering conversation about natural health, emotional balance, and true vitality...

How Zora Benhamou Rebuilt Her Body After Osteoarthritis and Double Hip Replacement Osteoarthritis is often presented as an inevitable part of aging. A slow decline. A one-way road toward pain, stiffness, and eventually surgery. But in this inspiring episode of The Aging Games Podcast , I sit down with Zora Benhamou , founder of HackMyAge.com and host of the Hack My Age Podcast , to challenge that narrative in a very real and honest way. Zora’s story is not about avoiding surgery at all costs. It is about doing everything in your power to understand your body, support it intelligently, and make informed decisions without fear or shame. Diagnosed Young and Facing the Odds Zora was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in her early 40s. Far earlier than most people expect. On paper, she checked nearly every risk factor. Joint degeneration. Chronic pain. Loss of mobility. What followed was a two-year journey of experimentation, persistence, and deep self-education. Like many people in the bio...