In this deeply honest and eye-opening conversation, I sit down with Dr. Julie Merriman, PhD, LPC-S, to explore what’s really happening beneath the surface for high-achieving women over 50 who “look fine”… but feel anything but.

We talk about the invisible load so many women carry—functioning, performing, achieving—while quietly operating past capacity.

Dr. Merriman introduces a nervous system-first approach to healing, explaining why mindset work alone often isn’t enough when the body doesn’t feel safe.

We explore:

• Why so many women are living in chronic fight, flight, freeze, or shutdown

• How vagal tone influences your ability to feel safe, connected, and alive

• The impact of resentment, blame, and shame on the body—and how they keep us stuck

• What it means when your body no longer feels like a safe place to live

• How years of people-pleasing, truth-swallowing, and gaslighting disconnect us from ourselves

One of the most powerful parts of this conversation is around numbness—and how many women have been in survival mode for so long that their pleasure, desire, and joy have gone offline.

We also dive into:

• Reclaiming intuition and inner knowing

• Navigating sex and intimacy after 50

• The process of identity excavation—remembering who you were before the world told you who to be

• Why coming back to your body is the gateway to healing, vitality, and truth

This episode is an invitation to stop overriding your body… and start listening to it.

To learn more about Dr Julie please visit her website https://www.juliemerrimanphd.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/dr.juliemerriman/ 

This episode has serious “this will land deeply” energy—worth amplifying.

Listen on Spotify, Apple and You Tube

https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/VHpUJaiK43b 

https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/show/menopause-made-easy-with-tanya/0429d61f-a559-4018-a0af-118d5caff6a6/episode/246-from-survival-mode-to-soul-led-living-with-dr-julie-merriman-phd/ddc3da4d-927c-4eb8-868a-701574f41925 

 Join The Vibrant Living Academy where I go deeper into this work and more https://vibrant-living-with-tanya.mykajabi.com/vibrant-living-studio 

Peptides Beginner's Guide https://vibrant-living-with-tanya.mykajabi.com/peptidesbegguide   

My Favourite Products:

LifeWave Phototherapy Patches  

Using your own light - how cool is that?? to improve your health & wellbeing click here https://vibrant-living-with-tanya.mykajabi.com/phototherapy 

Upgrade your Multi, omegas, collagen supplements

Want collagen, omegas and more to improve your health and wellbeing - check out VitalHealth, click here and ask me any questions.

Living Libations for skin, hair and teeth care & red light, ⁠click here ⁠ 

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Vibe Device - Your pocket sized health device, ⁠click here ⁠for $150 OFF plus free shipping - Pocket Therapy for anxiety, insomnia, pain allergies, asthma, trauma, earthing/grounding and so much more 

Luminate ⁠ click here⁠  Juice Plus+ Luminate is a plant-based drink mix designed to support cognitive function, clarity, and energy. It combines natural caffeine from coffee berry with nootropics and adaptogens like Lion's Mane, Ashwagandha, and Rhodiola to provide mental focus and alertness without jitters. 

Pure Cocoa Rocks - great for smoothies, lattes and a natural energy boost!, ⁠click here⁠ 

Grounding Pads & Blankets - ⁠shop here ⁠from Earthing Canada.   

I got this for a gift one year and have ordered ever since - TruLocal - cleaner meat,⁠ shop here⁠ 

When you use this coupon   https://trulocal.ca/get-started/promo/TANYA67659 you will get: ⚡$75.00 off their first Mega box, ⚡$60.00 off their first Family box, or ⚡$30.00 off their first Starter box.

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YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuRI4yPidiK2SpdGAXffOWA

Email me: ⁠tanya@moveyourbody.ca ⁠ 

Menopause Made Easy Podcast with Tanya:

https://open.spotify.com/show/7kxh1LQ7Ol7yuoy576PbkF

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/menopause-made-easy-with-tanya/id1661982133