The Iconic Midlife with Roxy Manning

What happens when life changes in an instant—and you have to find a way to keep moving forward?In this deeply personal episode of The Iconic Midlife, Roxy Manning sits down with entrepreneur, wellness executive, and Make Time Wellness co-founder Helen Christoni for a powerful conversation about grief, resilience, caregiving, women's brain health, and rebuilding a meaningful life after unimaginable loss.After losing her daughter Bella and witnessing the devastating impact of dementia and cognitive decline on loved ones, Helen found herself reevaluating everything—from how women care for themselves to the emotional burdens so many carry in silence.Together, Roxy and Helen discuss the realities of child loss, navigating grief in midlife, supporting aging family members, protecting cognitive health, and why women must stop waiting until they are completely depleted before prioritizing themselves.This is a conversation about heartbreak, healing, purpose, and finding strength you never knew you had.Listener Note: This episode contains discussion of child loss, grief, caregiving, dementia, and mental health. Please listen with care if these topics are sensitive for you.In This Episode:Helen's journey through the loss of her daughter BellaHow grief changes your perspective on lifeThe emotional realities of caregivingWhy women are at greater risk for cognitive declineThe connection between brain health, stress, and overall wellnessThe invisible emotional labor many women carryReinvention after loss and adversityBuilding purpose through painPractical ways women can prioritize themselves in midlifeThis Episode Is Sponsored by DefenAgeIf you're looking for smarter, science-backed skincare, you'll want to check out DefenAge.DefenAge's award-winning products are powered by Age-Repair Defensins®, proprietary technology designed to help support your skin's natural ability to renew itself and address multiple visible signs of aging.And listeners of The Iconic Midlife can receive the DefenAge Fly Kit for just $29 (a $98 value).Use code ROXY29 at checkout.Visit: DefenAge.com/RenewalConnect with Helen ChristoniInstagram: @helenchristoniConnect with Roxy Manning & The Iconic MidlifeSocial Media: @theiconicmidlifeSocial Media: @redcarpetroxyWebsite: theiconicmidlife.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show, download the episode, and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Amazon Music. Your support helps us continue bringing you meaningful conversations with extraordinary women redefining midlife on their own terms.#TheIconicMidlife #HelenChristoni #ChildLoss #Grief #BrainHealth #Caregiving #MidlifeWomen #Women'sWellness #MentalHealth #Resilience #DefenAge #RoxyManningMentioned in this episode:DefenAge Special Offer for The Iconic Midlife ListenersThis episode is sponsored by DefenAge. DefenAge's award-winning skincare is powered by Age-Repair Defensins®, proprietary technology designed to help support your skin's natural renewal process and address multiple visible signs of aging. As a listener of The Iconic Midlife, you can receive the DefenAge Fly Kit for just $29 (regularly $98) using code ROXY29. Visit: DefenAge.com/Renewal Offer valid while supplies last.DefenAge Special Offer for The Iconic Midlife ListenersThis episode is sponsored by DefenAge. DefenAge's award-winning skincare is powered by Age-Repair Defensins®, proprietary technology designed to help support your skin's natural renewal process and address multiple visible signs of aging. As a listener of The Iconic Midlife, you can receive the DefenAge Fly Kit for just $29 (regularly $98) using code ROXY29. Visit: DefenAge.com/Renewal Offer valid while supplies last.

What happens when the world knows your face—but not your story?For years, Joanna Krupa has been recognized as a model, television personality, entrepreneur, and passionate animal advocate. But behind the glamour is a woman who has navigated love, heartbreak, public scrutiny, motherhood, reinvention, and the pressure of living so much of her life in the spotlight.In this candid Season 2 premiere of The Iconic Midlife, Joanna opens up about what it's really like to age in the public eye, the misconceptions people have about reality television, dating after divorce, motherhood, beauty standards, confidence, loneliness, and why animal rescue has become one of the most meaningful parts of her life.This is a conversation about rediscovering yourself, letting go of outside expectations, and embracing the woman you've become.In this episode, we discuss:• The truth about beauty, attention, and public perception• Dating, divorce, and relationships in midlife• Why reality TV doesn't always tell the whole story• Motherhood and how it changed her perspective• Aging with confidence in an image-driven industry• The emotional impact of animal rescue and advocacy• Reinvention after life's biggest chapters• What women finally stop tolerating in midlifeSPECIAL OFFER FROM OUR PARTNER: DEFENAGEIf you've noticed your skincare isn't delivering the results it once did, it may not be your products—it may be your skin.DefenAge's patented defensin technology helps awaken your skin's natural ability to renew itself, addressing one of the biggest changes that happens as we age.For a limited time, you can get the DefenAge Fly Kit—a $98 value for just $29.Visit DefenAge.com/Renewal and use code ROXY29 at checkout.Connect with Joanna KrupaInstagram: @joannakrupaJoin the Inner Circle: https://the-iconic-midlife-with-roxy-manning.kit.com/3433416614Want bold guests, unfiltered stories, and iconic midlife insight in your inbox?Listen & FollowThe Iconic Midlife is where smart, stylish women over 40 come to rebrand midlife on their terms.New episodes every Tuesday. Bonus game episode drops on Thursdays.Tap “Follow” so you never miss a moment.Listen on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-iconic-midlife-with-roxy-manning/id1817484587Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4FRDzq3AalXaqfpfWq7dlm?si=7e91db12ba1f4bfaAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ff905ad8-332f-430e-a040-ce1ba5047483/the-iconic-midlife-with-roxy-manningLet’s ConnectSocial media: @theiconicmidlife (show) | @redcarpetroxy (host)• YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theiconicmidlifeIf you enjoyed this conversation, please follow the show, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with a friend. Your support helps us continue bringing you honest, inspiring conversations with remarkable women redefining what midlife can look like.And don't forget to come back Thursday for Joanna's hilarious "Hot or Unhinged?" game episode!Mentioned in this episode:Special Offer from DefenAge: Get the Fly Kit for $29!If your skincare isn't working like it used to, it may not be your products—it may be your skin's natural renewal process slowing down. DefenAge's patented defensin technology is designed to help awaken your skin's ability to renew itself, addressing one of the biggest changes that happens as we age. 🎉 Exclusive for The Iconic Midlife listeners: Get the DefenAge Fly Kit—a $98 value for just $29. Visit DefenAge.com/Renewal and use code ROXY29 at checkout. Experience why DefenAge is redefining what's possible in age-defying skincare.

Relationships don’t just end in midlife — they evolve, fracture, and sometimes quietly fall away.Friendships that once felt effortless can start to feel misaligned. Long-term relationships shift in ways you didn’t expect. And if you find yourself dating again after a divorce or breakup, it’s often with a completely different perspective — and a completely different set of questions.In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Darcy Sterling, licensed therapist and host of We Need To Talk with Dr. Darcy Sterling, to explore what’s really happening beneath the surface of relationships in midlife.We talk about the emotional complexity of outgrowing people, the reality of starting over, and how to approach relationships differently in this next chapter.This is a conversation about clarity — what fits, what doesn’t, and what you’re no longer willing to ignore.In this episode, we cover:Why female friendships often break down in midlifeHow to recognize when you’ve outgrown a friendship vs. when it’s worth repairingThe emotional reality of divorce after a long-term relationshipWhy dating in midlife feels different — and what women often get wrongAttraction vs. stability: what actually matters the second time aroundHow relationship patterns repeat — even after personal growthA question to consider:Have you ever outgrown a relationship — romantic or platonic — and known it before you were ready to admit it?About the Guest:Dr. Darcy Sterling is a New York City–based licensed therapist and relationship expert specializing in dating, attachment, and emotional dynamics. She is the host of We Need To Talk with Dr. Darcy Sterling and has appeared across major media platforms, bringing a direct, insightful approach to modern relationships.Follow the show so you don’t miss future episodes.Join the Inner Circle: https://the-iconic-midlife-with-roxy-manning.kit.com/3433416614Want bold guests, unfiltered stories, and iconic midlife insight in your inbox?Listen & FollowThe Iconic Midlife is where smart, stylish women over 40 come to rebrand midlife on their terms.New episodes every Tuesday. Bonus game episode drops on Thursdays.Tap “Follow” so you never miss a moment.Listen on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-iconic-midlife-with-roxy-manning/id1817484587Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4FRDzq3AalXaqfpfWq7dlm?si=7e91db12ba1f4bfaAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ff905ad8-332f-430e-a040-ce1ba5047483/the-iconic-midlife-with-roxy-manningLet’s ConnectSocial media: @theiconicmidlife (show) | @redcarpetroxy (host)• YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theiconicmidlifeFree Download: 5 Power Moves Every Midlife Woman Should Be Making​This high-impact worksheet is your shortcut to owning your next chapter—on your terms.Grab your free worksheet here​Need more energy, fewer symptoms, and a better night’s sleep?​I'm obsessed with Hop Box, a women-founded supplement brand designed for our midlife needs.Use code ROXY for 10% off sitewide.​Shop Hop Box now​If you’ve ever wanted real data on what’s actually happening inside your body, I can’t recommend Function Health enough. It’s one of the most comprehensive ways to track your biomarkers, hormone health, metabolic markers, and long-term wellness—without guesswork or overwhelm. This is about informed choices, not fear.If you’re curious, you can join here: Function Health

She did everything right.Healthy. Active. A mother of four. A non-smoker.And still—she had lung cancer.In this episode of The Iconic Midlife, Roxy Manning sits down with investor, healthcare policy advocate, and lung cancer survivor Shira Boehler to unpack a diagnosis that wasn’t supposed to happen—and what it reveals about the gaps in modern healthcare.At 43, Shira went in for a preventative full-body scan with no symptoms, no warning signs, and no reason to believe anything was wrong. What she found instead was Stage 1 lung cancer—caught early not because of the system, but because she pushed beyond it.This conversation challenges everything we think we know about risk, prevention, and what it really means to be “healthy.”In this episode, we cover:Why lung cancer is rising in healthy, non-smoking womenThe dangerous gap in current screening guidelinesWhat happens when you’re told “you’re fine”… and you’re notThe tension between trusting your doctor and trusting your instinctHow access, resources, and advocacy can change outcomesThe emotional reality of facing cancer as a mother of fourWhy early detection isn’t just about science—it’s about accessAbout Shira Boehler:Shira Boehler is an investor, healthcare policy advocate, and founder of the Cancer Doesn’t Care Foundation. After her unexpected diagnosis, she has dedicated her work to expanding access to early detection and pushing for changes in national lung cancer screening guidelines.LISTEN, FOLLOW & SHAREIf this episode made you think differently, share it with a friend who’s been told “you’re fine” but knows something isn’t right.Follow the show so you don’t miss future episodes.Join the Inner Circle: https://the-iconic-midlife-with-roxy-manning.kit.com/3433416614Want bold guests, unfiltered stories, and iconic midlife insight in your inbox?Listen & FollowThe Iconic Midlife is where smart, stylish women over 40 come to rebrand midlife on their terms.New episodes every Tuesday. Bonus game episode drops on Thursdays.Tap “Follow” so you never miss a moment.Listen on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-iconic-midlife-with-roxy-manning/id1817484587Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4FRDzq3AalXaqfpfWq7dlm?si=7e91db12ba1f4bfaAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ff905ad8-332f-430e-a040-ce1ba5047483/the-iconic-midlife-with-roxy-manningLet’s ConnectSocial media: @theiconicmidlife (show) | @redcarpetroxy (host)• YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theiconicmidlifeFree Download: 5 Power Moves Every Midlife Woman Should Be Making​This high-impact worksheet is your shortcut to owning your next chapter—on your terms.Grab your free worksheet here​Need more energy, fewer symptoms, and a better night’s sleep?​I'm obsessed with Hop Box, a women-founded supplement brand designed for our midlife needs.Use code ROXY for 10% off sitewide.​Shop Hop Box now​If you’ve ever wanted real data on what’s actually happening inside your body, I can’t recommend Function Health enough. It’s one of the most comprehensive ways to track your biomarkers, hormone health, metabolic markers, and long-term wellness—without guesswork or overwhelm. This is about informed choices, not fear.If you’re curious, you can join here: Function Health

So many women hit a point in midlife where something just feels… off.The fatigue, the brain fog, the anxiety, the sense that you’re not quite yourself anymore.You run the labs. You’re told everything looks “normal.”And yet—you don’t feel normal at all.In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Eboni Cornish, a physician specializing in neuroinflammation and complex, often “invisible” illnesses like Lyme disease and autoimmune conditions.We unpack what’s really going on beneath symptoms that are often dismissed or misdiagnosed—especially in midlife—and why Lyme disease is far more widespread than most people realize.This conversation goes beyond the surface. It’s about the gap between what women are feeling… and what the medical system is catching.We talk about how inflammation in the brain and body can show up as brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, and mood shifts—and why so many women are told it’s “just hormones” or “just stress” when something deeper may be going on.If you’ve ever felt like your body is trying to tell you something—but you haven’t been able to get clear answers—this episode will help you start connecting the dots.WHAT WE COVERWhy so many women feel “off” despite normal lab resultsThe connection between Lyme disease and midlife symptomsWhat neuroinflammation actually is—and how it shows upWhy Lyme disease is underdiagnosed across the U.S. (not just the Northeast)The overlap between hormones, inflammation, and autoimmune issuesWhy symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, and anxiety are often misdiagnosedHow the medical system can miss complex, chronic conditionsWhat to do if you feel dismissed or unheard by your doctorKEY TAKEAWAYIf something feels off in your body, it’s worth paying attention to.“Normal” labs don’t always tell the full story.LISTEN, FOLLOW & SHAREIf this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend who needs to hear it. These are the conversations that help us ask better questions—and stop accepting “you’re fine” when we know we’re not.Follow the show so you never miss an episode, and if you’re enjoying The Iconic Midlife, a quick rating and review goes a long way.Join the Inner Circle: https://the-iconic-midlife-with-roxy-manning.kit.com/3433416614Want bold guests, unfiltered stories, and iconic midlife insight in your inbox?Listen & FollowThe Iconic Midlife is where smart, stylish women over 40 come to rebrand midlife on their terms.New episodes every Tuesday. Bonus game episode drops on Thursdays.Tap “Follow” so you never miss a moment.Listen on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-iconic-midlife-with-roxy-manning/id1817484587Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4FRDzq3AalXaqfpfWq7dlm?si=7e91db12ba1f4bfaAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ff905ad8-332f-430e-a040-ce1ba5047483/the-iconic-midlife-with-roxy-manningLet’s ConnectSocial media: @theiconicmidlife (show) | @redcarpetroxy (host)• YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theiconicmidlifeFree Download: 5 Power Moves Every Midlife Woman Should Be Making​This high-impact worksheet is your shortcut to owning your next chapter—on your terms.Grab your free worksheet here​Need more energy, fewer symptoms, and a better night’s sleep?​I'm obsessed with Hop Box, a women-founded supplement brand designed for our midlife needs.Use code ROXY for 10% off sitewide.​Shop Hop Box now​If you’ve ever wanted real data on what’s actually happening inside your body, I can’t recommend Function Health enough. It’s one of the most comprehensive ways to track your biomarkers, hormone health, metabolic markers, and long-term wellness—without guesswork or overwhelm. This is about informed choices, not fear.If you’re curious, you can join here: Function Health

What happens when the workouts that used to work… stop working?So many women hit their 40s and feel like the rules suddenly changed.Energy shifts. Sleep becomes unpredictable. Muscle feels harder to maintain. And despite doing all the “right” things, the results don’t always follow.In this episode of The Iconic Midlife, we’re breaking down what’s actually happening in the body during midlife — and how women can rethink fitness, metabolism, and recovery in a way that actually works.I’m joined by Dr. Chris Asandra, a physician specializing in regenerative and longevity medicine, and Maria Chase, founder of BURN LA, a fitness studio with a front-row seat to how women’s bodies and needs evolve over time.Together, we explore the intersection of hormones, strength training, and metabolic health — and unpack one of the most talked-about (and misunderstood) topics in wellness right now: peptides.This is a conversation about cutting through the noise — and understanding what truly matters if you want to feel strong, energized, and confident in midlife.In This Episode, We Cover:What’s actually happening in the body during perimenopause and midlifeWhy workouts that once worked may stop delivering the same resultsThe critical role of muscle in metabolism, energy, and long-term healthHow women should be thinking about strength training in their 40s and beyondThe balance between pushing your body and prioritizing recoveryWellness trends vs. real science — what’s worth your time and what’s notPeptides explained: what they are, how they work, and whether they live up to the hypeThe biggest misconceptions women have about aging, fitness, and hormonesSimple, actionable shifts to feel better in your body over the next six monthsAbout the Guests:Dr. Chris Asandra is a physician specializing in regenerative medicine, hormone optimization, and longevity-focused care. His work focuses on helping patients optimize performance, recovery, and long-term health through advanced medical and wellness strategies.Maria Chase is the founder of BURN LA, a Los Angeles-based fitness studio known for its high-energy, results-driven approach to strength and conditioning across all stages of life.If This Episode Resonated:Share it with a friend who’s navigating midlife and trying to make sense of the changes happening in her body.And if you’re enjoying the show, make sure you’re following The Iconic Midlife on your favorite podcast platform — it helps more women discover these conversations.Join the Inner Circle: https://the-iconic-midlife-with-roxy-manning.kit.com/3433416614Want bold guests, unfiltered stories, and iconic midlife insight in your inbox?Listen & FollowThe Iconic Midlife is where smart, stylish women over 40 come to rebrand midlife on their terms.New episodes every Tuesday. Bonus game episode drops on Thursdays.Tap “Follow” so you never miss a moment.Listen on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-iconic-midlife-with-roxy-manning/id1817484587Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4FRDzq3AalXaqfpfWq7dlm?si=7e91db12ba1f4bfaAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ff905ad8-332f-430e-a040-ce1ba5047483/the-iconic-midlife-with-roxy-manningLet’s ConnectSocial media: @theiconicmidlife (show) | @redcarpetroxy (host)• YouTube: https://youtube.com/@theiconicmidlifeFree Download: 5 Power Moves Every Midlife Woman Should Be Making​This high-impact worksheet is your shortcut to owning your next chapter—on your terms.Grab your free worksheet here​Need more energy, fewer symptoms, and a better night’s sleep?​I'm obsessed with Hop Box, a women-founded supplement brand designed for our midlife needs.Use code ROXY for 10% off sitewide.​Shop Hop Box now​If you’ve ever wanted real data on what’s actually happening inside your body, I can’t recommend Function Health enough. It’s one of the most comprehensive ways to track your biomarkers, hormone health, metabolic markers, and long-term wellness—without guesswork or overwhelm. This is about informed choices, not fear.If you’re curious, you can join here: Function Health