Looking at a Self-Esteem Loss as a Self-Esteem Boost

Summary

---

Podcast Summary: The Dr. Laura Podcast

Episode: Looking at a Self-Esteem Loss as a Self-Esteem Boost
Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Date: November 20, 2025

---

Overview:

In this personally reflective episode, Dr. Laura explores the evolving nature of self-perception, especially as we age. She shares her own experiences with physical limitations and reframes what might seem like a loss in self-esteem as an opportunity for a self-esteem boost. The emphasis is on adapting to new realities, embracing change, and using acceptance as a tool for personal growth.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dr. Laura’s Changing Daily Routine

• Dr. Laura opens up about the difference between her past and present energy levels and abilities.
  • Former routine: Intensive daily workouts, professional commitments, social activities (pool, tennis), and leisure time.
  • Quote:
    "It seems not too long ago that not only did I do that, but I could do that. It's really become clear to me. That that's how I see myself. That's not what I can do anymore." [01:52]
• Current routine is more mindful, prioritized, and includes time for physical maintenance and recovery.

2. Importance of Maintenance and Adaptation

• Describes prioritizing weekly physical therapy as a form of maintenance—equally important for wellness as brushing teeth.
  • Quote:
    "There are things you do to keep yourself in good condition." [03:23]
• Acknowledges soreness and the need for strategic adaptation versus “pushing through” as she ages.

3. Reworking Fitness Goals with Aging

• Consulted her physical trainer about handling workouts now, leading to an adjusted workout schedule:
  • Heavy weights on Mondays and Fridays; movement and balance-focused routines on Wednesdays.
  • She humorously addresses the fear of her new routine feeling “wussy and wimpy”:
    Quote:
    "So is that going to be wussy and wimpy and I'm going to feel terrible afterwards? He goes, I don't think so." [04:12]
• Describes a challenging balance exercise and the satisfaction of mastering it, reinforcing that adapting doesn't mean giving up intensity or fulfillment.
  • Quote:
    "That was an example. I hope I described it in a way you could understand. And I don't even want to try describing the other ones. But they were tough because they're done slowly. You have to keep total control." [09:59]

4. Emotional and Psychological Adjustments

• Confronting the reality of aging, Dr. Laura reflects on her approaching 79th birthday and the necessity of realistic self-care.
  • She stresses that adapting and accepting change is not weakness but wisdom.
  • Quote:
    "You've got to accept certain things and work within the conditions that are really available. And a lot of you don't want to admit that there are some more limitations. And when you don't admit it, that's when you can hurt yourself instead of learning how to adapt within it." [10:34]

5. Reframing Self-Esteem: From Loss to Boost

• Dr. Laura flips the common perception that adapting to new limitations is a self-esteem loss.

  • Instead, meeting reality head-on and thriving within those limits is a self-esteem boost.
  • Quote:
    "A lot of you look at situations like this as a self esteem loss. Hell no. It's a self esteem boost, meaning you impress yourself with your ability to face reality and adapt in a very positive way. That's how you increase your self esteem. Not by a pat on the head. Got it? Good." [13:27]

• She uses the example of a friend undertaking a dangerous sailing adventure and sets boundaries for her own risk-taking, highlighting acceptance of individual reality.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On confronting change:
  "I just am more aware that the woman I think of myself as being cannot do all of that every day anymore. Because in less than two months, I'm going to be 79, which to me is an absurdly big number." [03:41]

• On embracing difficulties:
  "You can't fall over. So it's balance mentally. When I was finished with it, I thought that it was a great workout. I don't feel wussy anymore." [10:34]

• On the attitude to adopt:
  "If you have the let's cool attitude, you'll get through life better without getting depressed. Having cortisol spikes. Some of you drive yourself up walls with cortisol strikes. I refuse to do that." [11:33]

• Final self-esteem message:
  "There is me telling you something that I'm confronting and dealing with in a healthy way. It's good role modeling. It's good for me to say it out loud because it reinforces not only the truth, but it's a self esteem boost." [13:08]

---

Important Timestamps

• Typical old routine vs. current reality: [01:52]–[03:23]
• Physical therapy and maintenance: [03:23]–[04:40]
• Adjusting workout strategies: [04:40]–[06:27]
• Description of challenging new exercise: [08:50]–[10:34]
• Attitude towards aging and adaptation: [10:34]–[13:08]
• Core self-esteem lesson and take-home message: [13:08]–[13:57]

---

Overall Tone & Takeaways

Dr. Laura’s approach is candid, relatable, and empowering. She models for her audience how to embrace aging and changing abilities not as sources of shame but as opportunities for new self-respect. Her key takeaway: honest self-assessment and adaptation are sources of real self-esteem, not defeat.

---

Transcript

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

When you think Dr. Laura a web based store is not what comes to mind. But I have one and my Dr. Laura store, filled with fun, thought provoking merch is powered by Shopify. Shopify is the commerce platform behind millions of businesses from household names like Mattel and Magic Spoon to brands that are just getting started. Shopify can help you build a beautiful online store to match your brand style. Their AI tools can assist you with product descriptions and page headlines. And of course, Shopify has world class expertise in everything from managing inventory to international shipping to processing returns and beyond. If you're ready to sell, you're ready for Shopify. Turn your big business idea into With Shopify on your side, sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at shopify.com DRLaura go to shopify.com DRLaura shopify.com DRLaura.

[Chevrolet Commercial Announcer]

The 2026 Chevy Equinox is more than an SUV. It's your Sunday tailgate and your parking lot snack bar. Your lucky jersey, your chairs and your big cooler fit perfectly in your even bigger cargo space. And when it's go time, your 11.3-inch diagonal touchscreen's got the playbook, the playlist and the tech to stay a step ahead. It's more than an suv. It's your Equino Chevrolet. Together, let's drive.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Thank you for listening to my morning monologue brought to you by Vibrance Super C Serum, the skin care product I use twice a day. Visit vibrance.comdrlora to save 37% and get free shipping.

Remember, you can hear my radio program.

Daily on SiriusXM triumph and connect with.

Me 24 [e-mail] so it seems like not too long ago I would get up, work out with a trainer for an hour, eat a second breakfast, prepare to do the radio show, do the radio show, get off the air, play an hour of shooting pool, finish that and somebody else would show up and we'd play an hour, hour and a half, hour and a quarter tennis. Then I would go in and eat dinner, put my feet up and watch a movie. It seems not too long ago that not only did I do that, but I could do that. It's really become clear to me. That that's how I see myself. That's not what I can do anymore. So I get up early, I'm up at about 5, 5:30. Okay. I work out 8 to 9 often, do some projects before breakfast and then do some projects.

Work out.

Prepare the show, do the show.

Take an hour hike.

This is what I typically do now and then I'm done. I didn't used to be done, but now I'm done. So yesterday my body was hungover from a very hard workout. On Monday, with weights, heavy weights. I do heavy weights. And then every Tuesday, I see my physical therapist, who's also my friend, and she unravels everything. I call this maintenance. I'm willing to pay every week to have everything loosened back up, put in its proper muscular place so it doesn't annoy any nerves, you know, the rest of that. I do that as maintenance. To me, it's like brushing my teeth. There are things you do to keep yourself in good condition. I woke up this morning and texted my trainer and I said, between heavy lifting on Monday and Christine beating the hell out of me yesterday, I am sore. What should I do? So he texted, we're going to do something. I'll show you. So I came down to the gym and we had a discussion. And I said, I'm not whiny, I'm not depressed. I just am more aware that the woman I think of myself as being cannot do all of that every day anymore. Because in less than two months, I'm going to be 79, which to me is an absurdly big number. Realize how close to 80 that is? I mean, do I sound like that? No. Nonetheless, I have to be thoughtful, more thoughtful about what I do to this body. So we discussed it, and he said, Monday and Friday, Friday I always deadlift. Monday and Friday we're going to do heavy weights. Wednesday, we're going to do things which are more on movement and balance, with resistance. And I said, so is that going to be wussy and wimpy and I'm going to feel terrible afterwards? He goes, I don't think so. I did this the other day with a couple of my male clients, and they were whining, it's too hard. So we did that. And I loved it. Felt great. And it was a workout. I got to tell you, it was a workout. If I described one of them to you, I don't even think I could adequately describe it.

[Austin James]

Hey, it's Austin James. Yes, I'm living with diabetes, but it doesn't have to define me. Thanks to the freestyle libre 3 plus sensor, I get real time glucose readings throughout the day. The freestyle Libre 3 sensor is small and easy to wear, giving me the freedom to focus on my life as a parent and a musician. Now, this is progress. You can get a free sensor at freestyle libre.us offer available for people who qualify.

[Chevrolet Commercial Announcer]

Visit MyFreestyle US to see all terms and conditions. Certain exclusions apply.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Data on file Abbott Diabetes Care or prescription only Safety info found at Freestyle.

[Chevrolet Commercial Announcer]

Libre US.

[Fandango Commercial Announcer]

Family Movie night just got easier with Fandango. Reserve seats in advance, skip the lines, and even cancel if plans change. Plus, with Fandango's fan club, save on every trip to the movies. Want to stay in with Fandango at Home? You can stream your family favorites right from the couch. Whether it's a weekend outing or a cozy night in Fandango makes movie magic simple for the whole family. Download the Fandango and Fandango at Home app today.

[State Farm Commercial Announcer]

If your small business is booming and ready to expand, you might say something like it's happening.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Yeah, crushed it.

[State Farm Commercial Announcer]

But if you need someone who can actually help protect your growing business, just say, like a good neighbor State Farm.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

He's there.

[State Farm Commercial Announcer]

And just like that, your State Farm agent can help you get the coverage you need for your new space for your small business insurance needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

There.

[Fandango Commercial Announcer]

Holidays feeling hectic? Pillsbury is here to lend a hand. Roll out some magic with cookies, crescents, crusts and more fresh from the oven. Tis the season for big smiles and easy wins with Pillsbury.

[Allfreeclear Commercial Announcer]

Did you know that skincare can start in the laundry room? Allfreeclear is the number one laundry detergent brand recommended by dermatologists, allergists and pediatricians for sensitive skin. Allfreeclear is 100% free of dyes and perfumes. It provides an effective clean that's gentle on skin while removing impurities like dirt and body oil without leaving irritating residues. Plus, all freeclear liquid is safer Choice certified by the US EPA for a clean you can feel good about. All you need is all free clear.

[Dr. Laura Schlessinger]

Okay, so you're standing perpendicular to a wall, very close to the wall, and you put this 10 inch wide roller between your leg and the wall and your leg is up like you're running. Your leg is up in that position and the other leg is straight on the ground. Okay, you lean forward so you're putting your butt out real far back. You don't hurt your back at all. Put your hands out front. Your head looks at a place on the opposite wall and you don't move your head but like you're sort of skiing or you know where you're rotating a little bit, you rotate. Your right arm goes forward, your left arm goes back and you put your hip real far to the back. Then you come forward and do it the other way. Meanwhile, the leg holding the roller on the wall is pressing against the wall. That's one of the toughest things I think I've done in my entire life when it comes to an exercise. Oh my God. I couldn't wait when he said good because your butt and your hip just lights up because it's working so hard. So that was an example. I hope I described it in a way you could understand. And I don't even want to try describing the other ones. But they were tough because they're done slowly. You have to keep total control.

And.

You can't fall over. So it's balance mentally. When I was finished with it, I thought that it was a great workout. I don't feel wussy anymore. I'm not feeling like, oh God, I'm getting old and I can't do anything. Yeah. Because that's not a feeling I want and I feel great. So tomorrow I'll be able to recover. Worst thing I'll do is a mile up and down hike or a mile and a half with lily bugs and recover from that beautifully. It's the recovery time as we put as we have a number of birthdays. Recovery time takes a little bit more from you. That's cool. If you have the let's cool attitude, you'll get through life better without getting depressed. Having cortisol spikes. Some of you drive yourself up walls with cortisol strikes. I refuse to do that. You've got to accept certain things and work within the conditions that are really available. And a lot of you don't want to admit that there are some more limitations. And when you don't admit it, that's when you can hurt yourself instead of learning how to adapt within it. Okay, all right. Like I'm not going to double hand in a 40 foot boat, a race from here to Australia. A friend of mine is doing that. I think he's nuts. If I was his mother, there'd be no way I would sign the permission slip for that double handed. Yeah. That's good for getting sleep. Yeah. No bad idea. But a bunch of people are doing it. He's all excited. It's an adventure. He's a crew member on my boat and he's going to have the time of his life. I just told him he better come back with all his parts still working or else there will be more hell to pay than he imagines. He laughed. Okay, that's it. That's it. So there is me telling you something that I'm confronting and dealing with in a healthy way. It's good role modeling. It's good for me to say it out loud because it reinforces not only the truth, but it's a self esteem boost. And a lot of you look at situations like this as a self esteem loss. Hell no. It's a self esteem boost, meaning you impress yourself with your ability to face reality and adapt in a very positive way. That's how you increase your self esteem. Not by a pat on the head. Got it? Good. My number one, 800-375-2872.

If you like this podcast, be sure to rate it on Apple Podcasts or your favorite place to listen to my podcast. Of course, I'd love if you gave me five stars. And be sure to share this podcast with a friend on Facebook or your preferred social media platform.

[Chevrolet Commercial Announcer]

The 2026 Chevy Equinox is more than an SUV. It's your Sunday tailgate and your parking lot snack bar. Your lucky jersey, your chairs and your big cooler fit perfectly in your even bigger cargo space. And when it's go time, your 11.3-inch diagonal touchscreen's got the playbook, the playlist, and the tech to stay a step ahead. It's more than an suv. It's your Equinox Chevrolet. Together, let's drive.