Menopause, Change and Learning to Listen

In this episode of The Youthful Older Yogi, MJ is joined by Trish Wager for a real, honest conversation about navigating menopause—complete with unexpected twists, emotional whiplash, and moments where all you can do is laugh because… what else are you going to do?

Trish generously shares her personal menopause journey—one that hasn’t been easy and is still ebbing and flowing—and reflects on what it feels like when even familiar supports, including yoga, don’t always help. Together, MJ and Trish talk about learning to listen to the body, the frustration of not being heard, and the importance of finding support from people who actually know what they’re talking about.

This is not a fix-it episode. It’s a shared conversation—about change, trust, advocacy, and the strange reality of realizing your body has entered a new phase without asking for your input. Most of all, it’s a reminder that menopause looks different for every woman—and that you’re not navigating it alone.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• Menopause as the ultimate uninvited guest
• Why so many women feel unprepared for what’s coming
• The emotional and physical surprises no one warned us about
• What it’s like when even yoga doesn’t always help (yes, really)
• The frustration—and necessity—of finding knowledgeable, menopause-informed care
• Why shared conversations matter more than “quick fixes”

Mary Claire Haver MD https://thepauselife.com/

Kelly Caperson MD https://kellycaspersonmd.com/

About the Guest: Trish Wager is a yoga practitioner and teacher who brings honesty, warmth, and humor to conversations about menopause and women’s health. Her willingness to share her lived experience helps shine light on a transition that is too often whispered about—or ignored entirely.

About the Host MJ Waddell, host of The Youthful Older Yogi podcast and founder of Share Yoga (shareyogawithmj.com), has been “digging Down Dog” for over 30 years and teaching yoga for over two decades.  MJ is far more interested in how yoga—and meditation—show up in everyday life, especially as we move into the later, richer chapters.

At the heart of everything she shares is a belief that life isn’t winding down—it’s just starting to get interesting, with many good, healthy years still ahead.