This episode of "Fit, Fun, and Frazzled" is dedicated to midlife women’s health, focusing on the importance of essential health screenings such as mammograms, colonoscopies, blood work, and bone density scans. Host Nikki Lanigan shares her personal experiences and practical advice, encouraging women in their 40s, 50s, and beyond to prioritize preventative care, advocate for themselves, and normalize conversations around these vital health topics. The episode also covers the emotional side of health screenings, the challenges of self-care, and offers motivation to schedule overdue appointments, emphasizing empowerment and proactive wellness.

00:00 – Introduction and Substack reminder
00:20 – Subscriber perks: fitness programs, challenges, Zooms
01:16 – Wellness, work, motherhood, and stress overview
01:38 – Host introduction: Nikki Lannigan
02:00 – Episode focus: midlife health screenings
02:24 – The importance of preventative care for women
02:48 – October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month
03:16 – Mammograms, blood work, bone density, colonoscopies
03:36 – Colonoscopy at 45, preventative care matters
03:54 – Taking care of ourselves, not just others
03:57 – Mammogram guidelines: annual/biannual at 40
04:01 – Dense breast tissue: yearly mammogram + ultrasound/MRI
04:26 – Self-advocacy: bring up dense breast tissue with your doctor
04:47 – Self-exams, colonoscopy at 45 unless family history
05:14 – Pap smears, blood work, thyroid, hormonal panels
05:36 – Hormonal panels, bone density scans, advocating for yourself
06:18 – HRTs, migraines with aura, stroke risk
06:52 – Fear factor and discomfort with screenings
07:23 – Empowerment: making appointments, stop procrastinating
07:45 – Changing bodies in midlife: perimenopause, stress, health
07:58 – Hormone testing, thyroid, energy, mood, weight, lifestyle tools
08:40 – Self-love, body changes
08:52 – Mammogram and colonoscopy experiences
09:19 – Colonoscopy prep, Gatorade story
09:48 – Normalizing conversations about screenings
11:18 – Women and health conversations, HRT, self-exams
11:38 – Normalize asking questions, sharing experiences
11:59 – Homework: make your appointments this month
12:03 – Self-care is proactive health, not just pampering
12:44 – Closing: motivation, accountability, and empowerment