Podcast
The Forties Formula
Hosted by Amanda Lim & Jasmin Dhillon · EN
Welcome to The Forties Formula — an award-winning podcast named Best Health & Wellness Podcast in Asia 2025, Podcast of Impact at The Makers & Shapers Awards 2026 and proudly featured by CNA as one of Singapore’s best podcasts for women.
We blend science, soul, and a little bit of sass to help you thrive in your forties and beyond.
Meet your hosts:
Jasmin Dhillon — health strategist at Eat with Jasmin, mum of three boys, and forever curious about what it really takes to feel good in this season of life.
Amanda Lim — metabolic health coach, director at LIFT Clinic, and mom to three littles, here to help you ditch the fluff and get real about kicking a*s in your forties.
Free Resource for Women in Their 40s
Download our free Forties Formula E-book — your guide to feeling clearer, stronger, and more energised in midlife.
66episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How Chronic Anxiety Disguises Itself as Ambition in Women Over 40 | The Forties Formula in Focus
Apr 2600:12:01Tap to summarizeWhat happens when you realise the life you built wasn’t fully yours?In this Forties Formula in Focus clip, Uma Thana Balasingham shares the moment everything cracked — and what it really means to start again.In this Forties Formula in Focus episode, we revisit a powerful conversation with Uma Thana Balasingham on what she calls a “career quake.”From building a high-performing career in tech to walking away from a marriage rooted in fear, Uma opens up about the quiet realisations that many women experience but rarely say out loud.This isn’t about starting over for the sake of it. It’s about questioning the decisions you once made, understanding where they came from, and giving yourself the space to choose differently.We talk about identity, grief, expectations, and the uncomfortable but necessary process of meeting yourself again.The idea of “career quakes” and what they really feel likeMaking life decisions from fear vs alignmentThe identity shift when you step away from career or relationshipWhy grief is part of growthLearning to sit still instead of constantly doingKey TakeawaysYou can love your life and still feel something is missingNot every decision you made was fully yours — and that’s okayGrowth often starts with discomfortYou don’t need to rush the rebuildMeeting yourself is part of the process⏱ Chapters00:00 Questioning everything 01:10 Marriage, fear, and honest reflection 03:00 Following narratives that weren’t yours 05:10 What is a “career quake”? 07:30 Grief, identity, and starting again🔗 Links & Resources🎙 Listen / Watch The Forties FormulaYouTube: https://youtube.com/@thefortiesformulaWebsite: https://www.thefortiesformula.comAll platforms: https://bio.site/thefortiesformulapodcast☕ Support the showBuy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thefortiesformulaUma Thana BalasinghamLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/umathana/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uma__raw/👩🏽💻 Follow UsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefortiesformulaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thefortiesformula
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Burnout in High-Achieving Women: The Biological Warning Signs You Are Ignoring | The Forties Formula
Apr 2200:38:26Tap to summarizeAre you high-functioning, successful — and completely exhausted? In this episode of The Forties Formula, hosts Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim sit down with mindset coach Krystal Clavier-Choo to unpack the hidden emotional load carried by high-achieving women in their 40s.We explore why burnout in women goes deeper than workload — rooted instead in conditional self-worth, societal caregiving pressure, and an achievement-driven identity that never lets you rest. If you constantly feel like you're performing your life instead of actually living it, this conversation is for you. What we cover:Why high-functioning women feel permanently "on" — and what it's really costing them How achievement becomes emotional survival (not just ambition) The hidden identity crisis that hits women in midlife (35–45) What self-acceptance actually looks like when you strip away productivity How to rebuild internal safety without needing to earn itTimestamps: 00:00 – Why high-functioning women feel like they’re “holding it all together” 02:15 – The invisible pressure behind being capable and dependable 04:40 – Conditional self-worth: “I am only valuable if I achieve” 07:10 – How high achievement becomes emotional survival 09:45 – Why success never feels like enough (moving goalposts) 12:20 – The hidden cost of being “the strong one” 15:05 – Burnout vs emotional exhaustion: what’s really happening 17:40 – Societal conditioning of women as caregivers 20:10 – Losing your identity while meeting everyone else’s needs 23:00 – Disconnection from body, emotions, and self 25:30 – Why midlife (35–45) triggers this awakening 28:10 – The moment women start questioning everything 30:45 – Rebuilding safety without productivity or achievement 33:20 – Letting go of performance-based identity 35:40 – What self-acceptance actually looks like in real life 37:10 – Final reflections: coming back to yourself🎙️ Guest: Krystal Clavier-Choo | CEO & Founder, The Dimensional System 📲 Follow Krystal: https://www.instagram.com/metakrystal 📲 Follow The Forties Formula: https://www.instagram.com/thefortiesformula 🌐 Website: https://www.thefortiesformula.com women burnout, burnout in 40s, high functioning anxiety, midlife women health, emotional exhaustion women, self worth women, perimenopause mindset, women 40s burnout, identity crisis midlife, caregiving stress women, high achiever burnout
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Why Women in Their 40s Lose Close Friendships — and How to Fix It | Mimi Nicklin | The Forties Formula in Focus
Apr 1900:11:55Tap to summarizeIf you’ve ever felt lonely despite having a full life, a career, a family, and people around you… this conversation will land. In this Forties Formula in Focus clip, we revisit one of the most powerful moments from our full episode with Mimi Nicklin, where we explore why so many women in their 40s feel disconnected — and why it’s not your fault. We talk about: Why loneliness isn’t about being alone The hidden cost of success without connection Why “soft skills” like empathy are actually essential for survival How modern life is quietly pulling us further apart And what it really takes to feel connected again This is one of those conversations that makes you pause and think… “oh, that makes sense.” 🎧 Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/xDuBymzL-I8?si=AhxgubSjMWQ1upEB ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Why connection feels harder than ever 01:10 – “Please stop calling these soft skills” 02:30 – Why loneliness is hard to admit 04:00 – You can be surrounded but still feel alone 05:20 – The CEO story: success without connection 07:10 – Why connection is actually about survival 08:30 – Living longer through connection 09:45 – What empathy really means (and why it matters) 🔑 KEYWORDS women in their 40s midlife loneliness feeling disconnected emotional health women connection and wellbeing empathy and relationships midlife mental health high achieving women burnout social connection health why do I feel lonely communication interpersonal skills self improvement life lessons longevity 🏷️ TAGS #fortiesformula #womenshealth #midlifewomen #emotionalwellbeing #loneliness #selfgrowth #mentalhealth #workingmums #highachievers #connection
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Why Clothes Stop Fitting After 40 — and What to Do About It
Apr 1500:51:39Tap to summarizeReclaiming Body Confidence in Midlife with Amanda & JasminWhy do so many women in their 40s feel like their body has suddenly become a problem?In this episode, Amanda and Jasmin unpack how diet culture, societal pressure, and years of conditioning shape the way we see ourselves — especially as our bodies change. From the emotional attachment to old clothes to the reality of navigating a different body, this conversation goes deeper than weight.This is about identity, confidence, and learning how to feel like yourself again.In this episode:Why body image struggles often intensify in your 40sThe lasting impact of 80s and 90s diet cultureThe truth behind “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels”Why clothes — not your body — might be the real issueHow to find styles that actually work for your current bodyNavigating comments, microaggressions, and social pressureWhat body positivity gets wrong — and what matters moreHow to rebuild confidence without chasing your old bodyTimestamps:00:00 – Why body image feels harder in your 40s03:39 – The “skinny feels” belief unpacked07:18 – Body changes and clothing struggles09:04 – Shopping trauma and fit frustration12:19 – The emotional attachment to old clothes14:41 – Handling comments about your body16:06 – Body positivity vs reality18:44 – Redefining strength and confidence21:56 – Fashion industry challenges29:47 – Meeting women where they are33:01 – Finding what actually works for you40:12 – Confidence beyond appearance46:01 – Strength, identity, and midlife50:31 – Final reflectionsResources & Links:Beauty Sick by Renee Engelnhttps://www.amazon.com/Beauty-Sick-Cultural-Obsession-Hurting/dp/006246978XSupporting Eve Lingeriehttps://www.supportingeve.comThe Forties Formula Podcasthttps://www.thefortiesformula.comConnect with us:Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/thefortiesformulaYouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@thefortiesformula
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They Said I Needed A Hysterectomy But Then Something Miraculous Happened | The Forties Formula In Focus
Apr 1300:08:07Tap to summarizeWhat if your body already knows how to heal — it just needs someone to help it remember? In this clip from The Forties Formula in Focus, Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim sit down with two certified BodyTalk practitioners based in Singapore: Rieke Hartwell and Sufen Paphassarang. Together, they explore how BodyTalk — a holistic healing modality that addresses the whole person rather than isolated symptoms — has helped women reverse autoimmune conditions, recover from chronic pain, and navigate perimenopause without drugs. Rieke shares her extraordinary personal story of healing a 7cm ovarian abscess without needing surgery her doctors insisted she needed. Sufen — an Advanced BodyTalk Practitioner and instructor — breaks down the science and philosophy behind the approach, from "structured intuition" to the body's innate healing intelligence. If you've ever felt dismissed by conventional medicine or wondered if there's another way, this conversation is for you. Chapters: 0:00 "God, you look like death" 0:45 10 months of chronic pelvic pain — no diagnosis 1:30 Sufen's first session: "massive infection in your right ovary" 2:45 Surgery reveals a 7cm abscess — organ removal scheduled 4:00 "He is not removing any of your organs" 5:10 The scan that shocked her gynecologist 6:15 Why the body stops healing — stress, trauma & the sinkhole 7:20 The body is designed to heal. Here's what gets in the way. 📲 Connect With Our Guests Rieke Hartwell — BodyTalk Practitioner, Singapore: @rieke.bodytalk.sg Sufen Paphassarang — Advanced BodyTalk Practitioner & Instructor, The BodyTalk Centre Singapore: @sufen_bodytalk 📲 Connect With Your Hosts Jasmin Dhillon: @eat.with.jasmin Amanda Lim: @coachamandalim
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Insomnia After 40: The Drug-Free Fix That Works Better Than Pills
Apr 800:53:18Tap to summarizeStruggling with poor sleep, night wakings, or feeling exhausted no matter how long you stay in bed? Wondering why sleep gets harder in your 40s, even when you’re doing everything “right”? In this episode, we sit down with sleep expert and CBT-I researcher Dr. Susan McCurry to unpack why sleep often worsens for women in midlife and what healthy sleep actually looks like. From hormonal shifts during perimenopause to stress, lifestyle habits, and environmental disruptions, we break down the real reasons your sleep feels off and why most advice doesn’t work long-term. We also dive deep into chronic insomnia, what it really means, why it persists, and how to treat it effectively without relying on quick fixes. Dr. McCurry explains why Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is considered the gold standard by major sleep organizations, and how simple, structured changes can rebuild your sleep from the ground up. If you’re tired of being tired, this conversation will help you understand what’s happening, and what actually works. This podcast is for women in their 40s (and late 30s to 50s) who are navigating perimenopause, stubborn belly fat, energy crashes, and confusing health advice. Women who want science-backed, unfiltered conversations instead of quick fixes. Hosted by Integrated Health Strategist Jasmin Dhillon and Metabolic Health Coach Amanda Lim, we help you understand what’s changing and what you can actually do about it. 🔔 Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations on health, wellness, and thriving in your 40s: https://www.youtube.com/@thefortiesformula?sub_confirmation=1 What You’ll Learn in This Episode -Why sleep often worsens during midlife and perimenopause -How hormones, ageing, and vasomotor symptoms impact sleep -The role of stress, screens, kids, pets, partners, caffeine, and alcohol -What defines chronic insomnia (and when to take it seriously) -Why sleep trackers can sometimes make sleep anxiety worse -The truth about melatonin, midnight snacking, and alcohol for sleep -What CBT-I is and why it’s the first-line treatment for insomnia -Practical tools: stimulus control, consistent wake time, limiting time in bed -Why reducing “time in bed” can actually improve sleep quality -Insights from the MsFLASH trial on sleep improvement in midlife women📱 CONNECT WITH US Follow us for more real conversations: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefortiesformula • Instagram Jasmin: https://www.instagram.com/eat.with.jasmin • Instagram Amanda: https://www.instagram.com/coachamandalim • Michelle: https://www.instagram.com/chillbossmom 🎧 LISTEN / FOLLOW Search:The Forties Formula wherever you get your podcasts.
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The 5 Key Skin Changes That Happen in Your 40s and What You Can Do About It | The Forties Formula In Focus
Apr 500:10:32Tap to summarizeIn this clip from The Forties Formula Podcast, Hosts Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim sit down with @DrLowChaiLing to explore the common skin changes women experience in their 40s, noting a shift from oily to combination skin as cell turnover slows. We discuss essential skincare tips to maintain glowing skin and address concerns for women over 40. Learn how to adapt your skin care routine for healthy, anti aging results. key topics - Skin changes in women in their 40s - Effective skincare ingredients and routines - Myths and facts about anti-aging treatments Chapters 00:00 Cleansing and Exfoliation Essentials 00:42 Hormonal Breakouts and Skin Health 03:30 Hot or Hype: Trending Skin Treatments 06:29 Aging Gracefully vs. Giving Up 09:42 Nutrition's Role in Skin Health skincare, 40s skin changes, anti-aging, hormonal breakouts, skincare tips, red light therapy, Botox, collagen, aging gracefully
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The 5 Hour Work Day That Built A 6-Figure Business (With Kids)
Apr 100:46:15Tap to summarizeWhat if building a business didn’t take you away from your family… but actually gave you more time with them?In this episode of The Forties Formula, we sit down with Michelle Hon — entrepreneur, mum of three, and the woman behind the “Chill Mom” philosophy — to challenge everything we’ve been told about ambition, motherhood, and what it really takes to build a successful business.Michelle shares how she went from being a stay-at-home mum and blogger to building multiple businesses, all while working from home and staying present for her children. Her approach isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing things differently.If you’ve ever felt the tension between wanting more and feeling guilty for it, this episode will shift how you see both.✨ In this episode, we cover:• Why a business should work for you — not the other way around • The difference between being self-employed and running a business • How to structure your day to work fewer hours (and still grow) • The truth about mum guilt — and why it might not be a bad thing • How to calculate your hourly rate and stop undervaluing your time • The “gap” strategy to confidently increase your pricing • Why motherhood can actually make you a better entrepreneur⏱️ Timestamps00:00 Challenging the idea that you can’t have both 01:13 Michelle’s journey from blogger to business owner 03:20 Identity shifts in early motherhood 05:03 The biggest misconception about building a business 06:18 The “Chill Mom” philosophy explained 07:36 Creating structure through family values 11:31 The 5-hour workday approach 13:09 Nutrition and routines during busy weeks 15:05 Understanding and reframing mum guilt 17:44 Why motherhood builds entrepreneurial skills 19:43 Business vs self-employed — what’s the difference? 22:53 Rethinking how you value your time 27:06 Pricing and positioning for growth 30:03 Lessons from kids and simple business ideas 33:47 Hot or Hype: midlife myths 41:01 Michelle’s Forties Formula🎁 SponsorThe Meat Club SG - supports our Fuel Your Forties Segment, with $20 off your first order with code TFF20Love, Indus Skincare Enjoy 21% off with code TFF📱 Connect with usInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefortiesformula Jasmin: https://www.instagram.com/eat.with.jasmin Amanda: https://www.instagram.com/coachamandalim Michelle: https://www.instagram.com/chillbossmom🎧 Follow & shareIf this episode resonated, follow The Forties Formula and share it with someone who needs to hear it.🏷️ Tagsmompreneur, business systems, entrepreneurship, work from home, women in business, mum guilt, six figure business, setting boundaries, midlife women, The Forties Formula
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Embracing Motherhood: Breaking the Myths and Finding Balance | The Forties Formula In Focus
Mar 2900:09:46Tap to summarizeEmbracing Motherhood: Breaking the Myths and Finding BalanceIn this episode, Claire Jedrek, Singapore's first female racing car driver, shares her raw and honest journey through motherhood, mental health, and personal growth. She discusses the importance of self-compassion, confronting societal expectations, and redefining what it means to be a successful mother. This is a powerful reminder for mothers everywhere to prioritize their well-being and embrace the complexities of balancing identity and responsibility.Key TopicsThe importance of self-acceptance and letting go of societal judgmentHow hormonal and body changes influence motherhood and mental healthThe role of honest communication with partners about needs and emotionsChallenging the myth of sacrifices—motherhood as a series of choices, not sacrificesThe reality of balancing work, personal ambitions, and parentingManaging mom guilt and societal judgments from men and othersPractical advice: "Be where your feet are" to stay present and reduce anxietyNavigating panic attacks and emotional boundaries in motherhoodTimestamps:00:00 - The pressure mothers face from societal judgment and self-criticism02:00 - Recognizing and accepting hormonal and body changes after childbirth03:30 - The importance of honest communication with your partner about mental health and needs05:00 - Reframing motherhood: the truth about sacrifices and choices06:30 - The reality of having it all: planning and accepting limitations08:00 - Mom guilt and societal expectations from both genders09:00 - The significance of being present in each moment ("Be where your feet are")10:00 - Managing panic attacks and emotional boundaries in motherhoodResources & Links:The Motherly Guide to Self-Compassion by Cynthia KanePsychology Today - Panick Attacks & Anxiety ResourcesThe Power of Now by Eckhart TolleConnect with Claire:InstagramTiktokDon't miss the full episode with Claire Jedrek on The Forties Formula, where we dive deeper into these topics and more. Tune in to gain insights and inspiration from Claire's journey and wisdom.Apple Podcasts: SpotifyYoutube
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Accent Bias: How You Speak Determines Your Competence
Mar 2500:57:02Tap to summarizeHave you ever gone quiet in a meeting when you knew you had the right answer? Or softened your tone to avoid being "too much"? You were muted — and it wasn't your fault.This week we're joined by Heather Hansen, global communication specialist, TEDx speaker, author of Unmuted, and PhD candidate in Linguistics. Her viral TEDx talk "2 Billion Voices: How to Speak Bad English Perfectly" has sparked a global conversation about how we judge, silence, and underestimate voices.We unpack:Why women learn to mute themselves from childhood — and how "being a good girl" costs us our careerThe truth about accent bias: how your voice triggers instant judgments about your competence and warmthWhy "executive presence" is often just code for performing whiteness and malenessSingapore's unique and complex relationship with EnglishThe language lottery — and why monolingual English speakers don't know they won itWhy connection beats perfection in every conversation00:00 - Who decided what confidence sounds like?03:01 - How early language management begins for women05:15 - Confidence versus socialized behavior in applying for jobs07:34 - Muting in global leadership and cross-cultural challenges15:38 - Race, accent, and bias16:35 - How language and accents influence behavior and opportunities18:23 - The emotional and social implications of accent bias21:15 - Power, status, and language in the workplace23:38 - The necessity of unmuting women’s voices in leadership28:36 - Singapore’s multilingual reality and language policy39:41 - Tips for understanding diverse accents in multicultural environments55:02 - The empowering message: Press unmute and claim your voiceResources & Links:Unmuted: How to Unmute Your Voice and Speak Up with Confidence (book)Heather Hansen - Official WebsitePowerfully Likeable by Dr. Kate MasonConnect with Heather Hansen:LinkedInThe Forties Formula Podcast — Real conversations for women thriving in their 40s and beyond. Hosted by Jasmin Dhillon & Amanda LimSupport The Forties Formula by BUYING US A COFFEE! For $5 a month we’ll record a special episode answering your questions.Follow our Instagram @TheFortiesFormula.Thanks to our sponsors, Love Indus — a modern Ayurvedic skincare brand designed to support radiant, healthy skin through every stage of life. Get 21% off with code TFF: https://loveindus.com
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