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.
67episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
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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Struggling With Weight Loss after 40? This is Why! | The Forties Formula In Focus
Mar 2200:08:50Tap to summarizeStruggling with weight loss after 40? Perimenopause weight gain, hormonal shifts, and a slower metabolism after 40 make midlife weight loss feel impossible — but it's not just your metabolism. In this clip from The Forties Formula in Focus, Laura Phillips joins Amanda & Jasmin to break down why weight loss for women over 40 requires a completely different approach — and what actually works. ☕ Buy us a coffee — buymeacoffee.com/thefortiesformula 🎧 Watch the full conversation: https://youtu.be/7tUjPyn8Dz8 Or search for Laura Phillips and The Forties Formula wherever you get your podcasts. keywords menopause, health, self-empowerment, boundaries, autoimmune, stress management, weight loss, hormonal health, personal responsibility, wellness key topics Menopause and hormonal health Setting boundaries for self-care The role of personal responsibility in health Takeaways - You are responsible for 99% of your health problems. - Boundaries are essential for self-care and health. - Menopause amplifies your baseline health, so proactive habits matter. Chapters 00:00 Understanding Perimenopause and Its Impact 02:48 Self-Worth and Body Image 06:11 Setting Boundaries and Taking Responsibility
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The Real Reason Women Fall Apart in Perimenopause
Mar 1800:51:27Tap to summarizeMidlife health, perimenopause symptoms, anxiety, sleep issues, burnout and hormone imbalance — why women in their 40s feel “off” even when tests are normal.In this episode of The Forties Formula, hosts Jasmin Dhillon and Amanda Lim sit down with Dr Olivia Lesslar to unpack why so many women in their 40s feel like something has shifted in their body — yet struggle to get clear answers.If you’ve experienced lighter sleep, rising anxiety, unpredictable energy, weight changes, or a sense that your body isn’t responding the way it used to, this conversation connects the dots.Dr Olivia Lesslar is an Australian medical doctor and an expert in psychoneuroimmunology and longevity medicine. Her work focuses on understanding how stress, hormones, the nervous system, and the immune system interact — particularly when symptoms don’t fit neatly into one diagnosis.Together, we explore:• Why “normal” test results don’t always reflect how you feel • The symptoms women dismiss but shouldn’t • How perimenopause amplifies stress and reduces resilience • Why your body may be trying to protect you, not work against you • The impact of modern life on an already overloaded system • GLP-1 medications, wearables, and the confusion around health trends • Why self-compassion becomes essential in midlifeChapters0:00 Introduction — Why women feel “off” in their 40s 2:00 Why women are under-researched 4:30 When tests are “normal” but symptoms aren’t 8:30 Losing connection to your body and identity 13:00 Your body is trying to protect you 16:00 Ancient biology vs modern life 22:00 GLP-1 medications explained 27:30 Wearables and health anxiety 40:00 HRT and perimenopause conversation 44:00 Why women “fall off” in perimenopause 46:45 Self-compassion and the real shift in midlifeAbout your hostsJasmin Dhillon is an Integrated Health Strategist and Health Coach specialising in gut health, hormone balance and nutrition for women in midlife.Amanda Lim is a Metabolic Health coach passionate about helping women build strength, resilience and confidence in their 40s and beyond.Thank you to our sponsorsThe Meat Club Use code TFF20 for $20 off your first orderLove Indus Use code TFF for 21% offCozy Earth Use code TFF for 21% offSubscribe and follow The Forties Formula for more conversations that help you feel better, think clearer and live stronger.Tags: perimenopause, midlife health, hormone imbalance, womens health 40s, anxiety in women, burnout, fatigue, sleep issues, gut health, longevity, psychoneuroimmunology, stress, nervous system, GLP1, HRT, fitness trackers, muscle health
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Is It Really Anxiety? ADHD Symptoms in Women No One Talked About (Until Now) | The Forties Formula In Focus
Mar 1500:10:42Tap to summarizeHave you spent years thinking you're "too emotional," "too lazy," or "just anxious"… only to wonder if it might actually be ADHD? You're not alone. ADHD in women is massively underdiagnosed — especially for women over 40 who've spent decades masking their symptoms just to keep up. In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Emma Waddington breaks down WHY women's ADHD looks so different, how it gets mistaken for anxiety and depression, and what the connection between ADHD and perimenopause really looks like. If your mind feels like a popcorn machine, if you swing between "meerkat mode" and "sloth mode," or if you've ever whispered "what's wrong with me?" — this conversation will change how you see yourself. If you’ve ever thought, “How can I be this exhausted and still feel like I’m not doing enough?” – this one is for you. Watch the full episode here: ADHD in Women: Burnout, Perfectionism & the Invisible Struggle https://youtu.be/yFbUU50KDRk CHAPTERS 0:00 — Why girls learn to hide their ADHD 0:41 — How hyperactivity goes INTERNAL in women 1:21 — The social & emotional toll on teenage girls 1:54 — Perfectionism, piles & rigid coping strategies 2:27 — Why women get diagnosed in their 30s & 40s 3:00 — "What's wrong with me?" — Self-criticism & burnout 6:00 — Is it modern-day overwhelm? 7:08 — The neuroaffirmative approach9:04 — The ADHD energy crash cycle 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS ✅ ADHD in women often looks like anxiety, depression, or burnout — not the "hyperactive boy" stereotype ✅ Masking starts in girlhood and leads to decades of self-blame ✅ Perimenopause can unmask or intensify ADHD symptoms ✅ Your brain isn't broken — it's wired for interest, novelty & challenge✅ Recognizing the "meerkat and sloth" cycle is the first step to managing your energy 📌 WHO THIS IS FOR → Women who suspect they might have undiagnosed ADHD → Mums juggling everything and wondering why it feels so much harder for them → Women in perimenopause experiencing brain fog, emotional dysregulation, or burnout → Anyone who wants to understand the female ADHD experience 📩 Have a story or topic suggestion? DM us on Instagram — we love hearing from you. ☕ If you enjoy these conversations and want to support the show, you can buy us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thefortiesformula Dr Emma Waddington is a clinical psychologist with a special interest in ADHD and neurodivergence in women. She supports women who’ve spent years feeling “too much” or “not enough” to finally understand their brains, reduce burnout and build lives that work with – not against – their wiring. https://www.instagram.com/dremmawaddington_/ Amanda Lim is a Metabolic Health Coach who helps women move from burnout and survival mode into strength, energy and confidence through training, nutrition and lifestyle. Jasmin Dhillon is an Integrated Health Strategist focused on simplifying health for busy women. She blends nutrition, lifestyle and mindset so you can actually implement change in real life – not just on paper. Stay Connected https://www.instagram.com/thefortiesformula #ADHDinWomen #ADHDWomen #ADHDandPerimenopause #UndiagnosedADHD #WomenOver40 #ADHDBurnout #ADHDMasking #EmotionalDysregulation #MentalHealthForWomen #NeurodivergentWomen #TheFortiesFormula #WomensHealth #ADHDAdult #AttentionRegulation #MidlifeWomen
Transcribe →Introducing The Forties Formula Podcast
Mar 1200:00:36Tap to summarizeWhat really happens to a woman’s body, mind, and identity in her 40s?The answers are rarely discussed openly.Hosted by Jasmin Dhillon, an Integrated Health Strategist specialising in gut health, hormones and midlife wellbeing, and Amanda Lim, director of Lift Clinic and a leading expert in female strength and metabolism, The Forties Formula explores the real shifts women experience in midlife.From metabolic health and muscle loss to career transitions, relationships, and redefining purpose, this podcast brings together leading experts, doctors, entrepreneurs and thought leaders to unpack the science and the lived experience of women navigating their 40s and beyond.Each episode delivers practical insights on health, longevity, mindset and lifestyle so women can better understand their bodies and make informed decisions about how they live, work and age.If you’re a woman in your late 30s, 40s or 50s wondering why things feel different — and what to do about it — this podcast is for you.🎧 Search for The Forties Formula wherever you get your podcasts and follow the show so you never miss a new episode.
Transcribe →Your Protein Intake Is Probably Destroying Your Metabolism
Mar 1100:47:22Tap to summarizeStruggling with metabolism, belly fat, or low energy in your 40s? Wondering if your protein intake is actually helping — or making things worse? In this episode we unpack how protein influences metabolism, hormones, muscle, and body composition in midlife.Many women in their 40s are unknowingly under-eating protein, eating it at the wrong times, or relying on “high-protein” marketing that doesn’t actually support muscle health, metabolic health, or fat loss. We explore what’s really happening in your metabolism during perimenopause, why the popular “30g of protein per meal” advice isn’t always a magic fix, and how to eat in a way that works with your changing body.This conversation is for women navigating perimenopause, stubborn belly fat, energy crashes, and confusing health advice — and who want science-backed insight rather than quick fixes.🔔 Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations on health, wellness, and thriving in your 40s.What You’ll Learn in This Episode• Why metabolism often feels “broken” in your 40s — and what’s actually happening • The truth about genetics vs lifestyle in women’s health • How protein intake impacts muscle, fat gain, and hormones• Why many women are under-eating protein without realising it• Whether “30g of protein per meal” is enough for you• How protein timing affects energy, strength, and fat loss • Simple ways to build a metabolism-friendly plate Chapters00:00 – Trailer 03:12 – Genetics vs lifestyle: what shapes your health 07:45 – Protein and women’s metabolism in midlife 12:30 – Signs you’re under-eating protein 17:05 – The truth about the “30g protein” rule 22:18 – Protein timing, muscle and belly fat 27:40 – Building a metabolism-friendly plate 33:10 – Protein myths keeping women stuck 38:25 – How to eat for healthy metabolism 43:00 – Easy high-protein ideas for real life 48:15 – Key takeawaysAbout Our GuestAssociate Professor Reshma Merchant is a geriatric medicine specialist at the National University Hospital Singapore whose research focuses on healthy ageing, muscle loss, and the role of protein and strength in metabolic health.About Your HostsJasmin Dhillon is an Integrated Health Strategist helping women navigate midlife health with clarity and practical strategies.Amanda Lim is a certified Women’s Health Coach and nutritionist focused on strength, metabolism, and longevity.Together they host The Forties Formula, a podcast for honest, science-based conversations about health, hormones, and thriving in your 40s and beyond.Special Thanks to Our Sponsors🥩 The Meat Club – Get $20 off with code TFF20 ❤️ Love, Indus – Get 21% off luxury skincare with code TFFStay Connected📩 Join our mailing list for exclusive content, the weekly Forty Tude newsletter, expert insights, and giveaways.📘 Free Guide — The Forties Formula Ebook A simple, honest guide to what’s changing in your 40s — hormones, cravings, energy, strength and more.If this episode helped you rethink how you’re eating in midlife, share it with a friend who keeps saying, “My metabolism just isn’t what it used to be.”
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Why Fear Is the Signal You’re Meant to Grow
Mar 400:51:25Tap to summarizeWhat if the fear you keep avoiding is actually the clearest sign you are meant to grow?In this episode of The Forties Formula, we sit down with Bhavna Toor to explore the power of conscious choice and why you are only one decision away from a new direction. From leaving a secure corporate career to starting over in a new country, Bhavna shares how choosing courage over comfort reshaped her life and leadership.---------CHAPTERS00:00 – Episode Snippet00:17 – Leaning into fear and taking the leap02:08 – Courage vs fearlessness10:45 – Sponsor break: Love, Indus12:20 – Micro steps vs focusing on the gap15:17 – The bonsai metaphor: How small goals limit growth18:48 – Manifestation and neuroscience: Why action matters31:06 – Can women lead without becoming cutthroat34:57 – From fear to founder: A real transformation story37:38 – Sponsor break: Cozy Earth38:47 – Inner critic vs inner coach40:19 – The power of a supportive outer coach42:05 – Hot or hype: Vision boards, meditation retreats, soft life45:56 – The power of pause48:05 – The 40s as a launch pad, not a finish line🎙️ ABOUT OUR GUESTBHAVNA TOOR is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, and Founder & CEO of Shenomics. An award-winning conscious leadership consultant and positive psychology practitioner, she helps women lead with courage and compassion. Bhavna challenges women to rise with clarity, confidence, and alignment.Connect with Bhavna: @shenomics_com👩❤️👩 ABOUT YOUR HOSTSJasmin Dhillon (@eat.with.jasmin) is an Integrated Health Strategist dedicated to helping women navigate their wellness journey with clarity.Amanda Lim (@coachamandalim) is a certified Women’s Health Coach and nutritionist passionate about strength and vitality.Together, they are the voices behind The Forties Formula, your destination for unfiltered conversations about thriving in your 40s and beyond.Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:🥩 The Meat Club – Get $20 off with code TFF20🛏️ Cozy Earth – Sleep comfortably with soft bamboo sheets and cozy pajamas. Use code TFF for 41% off. Free shipping in Singapore over $560 and in the US over $50.❤️ Love, Indus: Get 21% off luxury skincare with code TFF______________Stay Connected:📩 Join our mailing list for exclusive content, our weekly Forty Tude newsletter, expert tips, and early access to giveaways!📘Free Guide — The Forties Formula Ebook: Your simple, honest guide to what’s changing in your 40s — hormones, cravings, energy, strength and more.
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WE INTERVIEWED 100 WOMEN OVER 40 – AND WERE SHOCKED BY WHAT WE FOUND
Feb 2500:33:32Tap to summarizeIs your 40s a crisis… or the most powerful reset of your life? In this milestone Episode 100 of The 40s Formula, we flip the script and answer the question we’ve asked every guest: What actually works in your forties? After 100 episodes and countless expert insights, we distill everything into one clear roadmap: the Body Fix, the Mind Fix, and the Life Fix.We cut through diet culture, burnout, people-pleasing, and overwhelm to focus on what really builds strength, resilience, and clarity in this decade. If you’re tired of doing too much of the wrong things and ready to refine what truly matters, this episode is your ultimate cheat sheet.---------CHAPTERS00:00 – Episode Snippet01:16 – Episode 100: The 40s Formula (Body, Mind, Life)02:44 – The Body Fix: Muscle over weight03:59 – Breaking free from diet culture06:33 – Protein, nutrition, and muscle basics07:37 – Sponsor Break: The Meat Club08:36 – Hormones in your 40s: What’s really happening10:36 – The full picture: Sleep, stress, lifestyle12:09 – The Mind Fix: Burnout, boundaries, and rebranding “busy”13:52 – Sponsor Break: Cozy Earth16:56 – Peace, presence, and expression19:20 – Connection over loneliness20:57 – Sponsor Break: Love, Indus22:02 – Movement as medicine24:10 – The Life Fix: Edit and curate your life25:26 – Friendship in your 40s: Quality over quantity27:01 – Micro-bravery and small wins28:11 – Pivots, health scares, and reinvention30:07 – Rethinking alcohol and boundaries32:35 – The big question: Body, Mind, or Life?👩❤️👩 ABOUT YOUR HOSTSJasmin Dhillon (@eat.with.jasmin) is an Integrated Health Strategist dedicated to helping women navigate their wellness journey with clarity.Amanda Lim (@coachamandalim) is a certified Women’s Health Coach and nutritionist passionate about strength and vitality.Together, they are the voices behind The Forties Formula, your destination for unfiltered conversations about thriving in your 40s and beyond.Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:🥩 The Meat Club – Get $20 off with code TFF20🛏️ Cozy Earth – Sleep comfortably with soft bamboo sheets and cozy pajamas. Use code TFF for 41% off. Free shipping in Singapore over $560 and in the US over $50.❤️ Love, Indus: Get 21% off luxury skincare with code TFF______________Stay Connected:📩 Join our mailing list for exclusive content, our weekly Forty Tude newsletter, expert tips, and early access to giveaways!📘Free Guide — The Forties Formula Ebook: Your simple, honest guide to what’s changing in your 40s — hormones, cravings, energy, strength and more.
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Modern Parenting Styles: Rethinking Tiger Parenting and Western Approaches
Feb 1800:47:43Tap to summarizeIs the "Tiger Mom" approach actually damaging, or is Western parenting too permissive? In this episode of The Forties Formula, we sit down with conscious parenting coach Cornelia Dahinten and Anabel Chew to dismantle the myths surrounding Asian parenting versus Western styles.---------CHAPTERS00:00 – Episode Snippet03:38 – Traditional vs Modern Parenting Styles13:48 – Sponsor Break: Cozy Earth18:49 – What “Tiger Mom” parenting really means25:10 – Sponsor Break: Love, Indus32:14 – Letting kids be kids42:47 – Fuel Your Forties43:40 – The 40s Formula: Strong relationships and clarity 🎙️ ABOUT OUR GUESTCORNELIA DAHINTEN is a parenting educator focused on conscious, relationship-centered parenting. We explore how traditional and modern parenting differ — and why respect, boundaries, and repair matter in raising confident kids.Connect with Cornelia: @corneliadahinten.familycoachANABEL CHEW is a mother and founder of the Tiger Moms Club, a community supporting modern parents. We explore what “tiger mom” parenting really means, how to balance effort and expectations, and how to keep parenting goals centered on the child rather than just outcomes.Connect with Anabel: @anabel.chew👩❤️👩 ABOUT YOUR HOSTSJasmin Dhillon (@eat.with.jasmin) is an Integrated Health Strategist dedicated to helping women navigate their wellness journey with clarity.Amanda Lim (@coachamandalim) is a certified Women’s Health Coach and nutritionist passionate about strength and vitality.Together, they are the voices behind The Forties Formula, your destination for unfiltered conversations about thriving in your 40s and beyond.Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:🥩 The Meat Club – Get $20 off with code TFF20🛏️ Cozy Earth – Sleep comfortably with soft bamboo sheets and cozy pajamas. Use code TFF for 41% off. Free shipping in Singapore over $560 and in the US over $50.❤️ Love, Indus: Get 21% off luxury skincare with code TFF______________Stay Connected:📩 Join our mailing list for exclusive content, our weekly Forty Tude newsletter, expert tips, and early access to giveaways!📘Free Guide — The Forties Formula Ebook: Your simple, honest guide to what’s changing in your 40s — hormones, cravings, energy, strength and more.
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Is It Perimenopause or Iron? Understanding Midlife Fatigue and Low Ferritin
Feb 1100:57:36Tap to summarizeMost women in their 40s are told their fatigue, brain fog, and low energy are “just hormones,” but iron deficiency is often the missing piece. In this episode, we explain why iron status plays a critical role in energy, focus, and overall performance in midlife.Family physician DR. TASH MIRANDO joins us to unpack how iron functions as the body’s oxygen transport system, why low ferritin can look like perimenopause, and how to interpret blood tests beyond “normal” ranges. We discuss when nutrition and supplements are enough, when medical treatment is appropriate, and how to build sustainable habits that support long-term health and vitality.---------CHAPTERS00:00 – Episode Snippet00:55 – Introducing our guest, Dr. Tash Mirando07:10 – “Normal” vs optimal iron levels13:20 – Iron, thyroid, and common deficiencies 19:00 – The six pillars of lifestyle medicine20:42 – Sponsor Break: Cozy Earth 21:40 - Fuel Your Forties: Heme vs non-heme iron and absorption25:17 – What blocks iron absorption 37:54 – Sponsor Break: Love, Indus41:20 – Hot or Hype with Dr. Tash53:45 – The 40s Formula: Listen, Investigate, Optimize🎙️ ABOUT OUR GUESTDR. TASH MIRANDO is a family physician who helps women understand iron deficiency, fatigue, and low energy in midlife. We explore how iron affects oxygen delivery, why low ferritin can mimic perimenopause symptoms, and how to make sense of blood test results.Connect with Dr. Tash: @dr.tash.mirando👩❤️👩 ABOUT YOUR HOSTSJasmin Dhillon (@eat.with.jasmin) is an Integrated Health Strategist dedicated to helping women navigate their wellness journey with clarity.Amanda Lim (@coachamandalim) is a certified Women’s Health Coach and nutritionist passionate about strength and vitality.Together, they are the voices behind The Forties Formula, your destination for unfiltered conversations about thriving in your 40s and beyond.Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:🥩 The Meat Club – Get $20 off with code TFF20🛏️ Cozy Earth – Sleep comfortably with soft bamboo sheets and cozy pajamas. Use code TFF for 41% off. Free shipping in Singapore over $560 and in the US over $50.❤️ Love, Indus: Get 21% off luxury skincare with code TFF______________Stay Connected:📩 Join our mailing list for exclusive content, our weekly Forty Tude newsletter, expert tips, and early access to giveaways!📘Free Guide — The Forties Formula Ebook: Your simple, honest guide to what’s changing in your 40s — hormones, cravings, energy, strength and more.
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