Midlife Mayhem

Midlife Mayhem — Episode Show Notes Hey there, Two Instagram posts sent me down a rabbit hole this week, and I couldn't wait to bring it to you. Post one: a woman says if you can't wrap your fingers around your wrist, you're "big boned" — not overweight, just built bigger. Post two: if your thigh isn't over 24 inches around, you'll apparently live longer. As someone who's trained for 44 years, can squat 200lbs, and still only measures 20 inches on a good day... I had thoughts. So this episode is a myth autopsy. Both claims have real research behind them — that's exactly why they spread so fast. But both get flattened and distorted by the time they hit your feed. In this one, I break down: Where the "wrist test" actually comes from, and what it's really measuring (hint: not what you think) Why your skeleton makes up roughly 12–15% of your body weight no matter your frame size — and why that number barely moves The real 2009 Danish study behind the thigh circumference claim, and the threshold it actually found (not the straight line social media is selling you) Why a tape measure can't tell muscle from fat — and why that matters more than the number itself The one waist measurement I'd actually pay attention to instead What genuinely protects your bones and muscle in midlife (spoiler: it's not a tape measure) I also measure my own wrist and thigh live on the mic, so you can hear exactly how the numbers play out on someone who's spent a lifetime training. Grab your own tape measure before you hit play — you'll want to check your own numbers along the way. This week's shoutout: I'm filming with my friend Sue this week about hair thinning in midlife and what actually helped her — keep an eye out for that one on YouTube and right here on the podcast. A little something for you My products are all made from what I use on myself, every single day — nothing I sell just to sell it. Right now you can save on all of it: 🛍️ Shop the full range: www.joanneleestore.com 5-Amino-1MQ SLU-PP-332 Blue Theory Face Serum Blue Theory Body Booster (new!) Blue Theory Face and Body Oil Use code LABORDAY for 15% off — and check the dropdown menus, because several products are already bundled at a discount, so stacking the code on top saves you even more. ⏰ Code expires September 8th — I'm heading off on vacation and won't be able to ship for a week after that, so this one has a hard cutoff. Thanks for listening, and thank you for being part of Midlife Mayhem. If you enjoyed this one, share it with a friend who needs to hear it, and I'll catch you in the next episode. Joanne Lee [email protected] along: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube — just search Joann Lee Cornish

Why I Went to Istanbul for Dental Work — and Why I Chose Esnan What happens when dental work that has lasted more than 30 years finally needs replacing — and you realize you don't necessarily want to have it done in the United States? In this episode of Midlife Mayhem, I’m sharing my entire experience of traveling to Istanbul, Turkey, for extensive dental work: why I started looking overseas, why my first attempt in Cancún ended with me getting on a plane and coming home without having anything done, and the research that eventually led me to Esnan Dental Hospital in Istanbul. My dental history is a little complicated. I had bridges, crowns and veneers from a relatively young age, and much of that work had been in my mouth for an incredible 32 years. It still looked pretty good from the outside, but receding gums, sensitivity and a broken tooth made me realize I didn't want to spend the next decade simply patching things up one tooth at a time. In this episode, I talk about: Why I originally traveled to Cancún for dental treatment — and why I walked away when the proposed treatment was far more aggressive than I expected. The overwhelming process of researching dental clinics overseas and trying to distinguish excellent facilities from excellent marketing. Why Esnan stood out to me as a full dental hospital with five locations, rather than simply a cosmetic dental clinic. The Zoom consultation I had with a dental surgeon before I ever booked my trip, including their approach to preserving healthy natural roots rather than automatically replacing them with implants. What happened when another clinic learned I had chosen Esnan — and why that interaction actually made me feel even more confident in my decision. What it was really like arriving in Istanbul: airport pickup, hotel arrangements, drivers, coordinators and the level of organization throughout the entire experience. How the dental team used different temporary teeth to let me actually see and choose the shape and proportions I preferred before the final teeth were made. The process of choosing tooth color and how the aesthetics team individually shaded and detailed my monolithic zirconia crowns to create a more natural appearance. How much time I actually spent in the dental chair — surprisingly, less than seven hours over the entire week — which left plenty of time to enjoy Istanbul. What my treatment cost, why my final bill was actually reduced when I didn't need the anticipated root canals, and why I believe price should never be the only consideration when choosing dental treatment overseas. Most importantly, I talk about the part that's difficult to understand from photographs and online reviews: the experience of being there. Dental tourism can feel incredibly overwhelming. You're trusting someone with your face, your smile and your health in another country. I spent about a year researching my options, traveled to Cancún and came home without treatment, contacted multiple clinics and asked a ridiculous number of questions before making my decision. I couldn't be happier that I eventually chose Esnan Skyland in Istanbul. Thinking About Dental Work in Turkey? If you're considering dental work at Esnan and would like to discuss your situation, arrange a consultation or set up a Zoom call, contact: M. Rashed — Esnan Dental WhatsApp: +90 549 470 26 64Email: [email protected] Please mention my name, Joanne Lee Cornish, when you contact him. And if you're overwhelmed by all the choices, I completely understand. That's one of the main reasons I wanted to record this episode and share the good, the bad and everything I learned along the way. Midlife Mayhem with Joanne Lee Cornish If you have any questions about this - please email me [email protected]

Teenage Boys, Puberty & Body Image: The Conversation We're Not Having Most people assume body image struggles during puberty are a girls' issue. They're wrong. In this episode of Midlife Mayhem, Joanne shares why so many teenage boys are quietly struggling with their bodies—and why parents, coaches and even healthcare professionals often miss the signs. Drawing on current research and over 30 years of coaching experience, Joanne explains the powerful hormonal changes happening during puberty, why boys compare themselves so harshly, and why many are judging themselves long before their bodies have reached their true muscle-building years. This is an important conversation for anyone raising, coaching or supporting teenage boys. In this episode: Why teenage boys experience significant emotional changes during puberty—not just aggression. The remarkable 20-fold increase in testosterone during adolescence. Why muscle development continues long after height growth has finished. Why two boys of the same age can be years apart biologically. The hidden impact of comparison in the gym, on sports teams and on social media. What research tells us about body dissatisfaction and muscle dysmorphia in adolescent males. Warning signs that normal motivation may be becoming unhealthy rigidity. Why emotional vulnerability in boys is often misunderstood. Practical advice for parents and coaches on supporting teenage boys without adding pressure. Why "you're not behind—you’re simply mid-build" may be one of the most important messages a teenage boy can hear. Key Takeaways Puberty isn't simply a period of growth—it's one of the biggest hormonal transitions the human body ever experiences. Many boys believe they should already look like fully developed young men, when in reality their greatest years for building muscle often don't begin until their late teens and early twenties. Understanding this timeline can dramatically reduce unnecessary anxiety, comparison and self-criticism. As Joanne reminds us: Your body isn't behind schedule. It's simply mid-build. Mentioned in this episode Testosterone and male puberty Peak muscle-building years Body image in adolescent boys Muscle dysmorphia (research overview) Emotional regulation during adolescence Coaching teenage athletes Parent and coach communication strategies Share this episode If you know a parent, grandparent, teacher, coach or anyone working with teenage boys, please share this episode. It's a conversation that deserves far more attention. Connect with Joanne 🌐 Website: https://joannelee.com 📧 Email: [email protected] If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone who could benefit from hearing it.