The Midlife Body With Dr. Shawna Darou

Midlife can make a woman feel as though her body has suddenly changed the rules—but those changes are not a personal failure, and they are not “just aging.” In this episode of Sisters in Sobriety, Sonia and Kathleen help unpack the relationship between perimenopause, metabolic health, alcohol, blood sugar, stress and movement with Dr. Shawna Darou, ND. A naturopathic doctor with more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Darou translates complex women’s health information into clear, practical steps for building strength and vitality through midlife and beyond.

Why does alcohol suddenly hit harder in midlife? What do belly weight, brain fog, disrupted sleep, afternoon fatigue and persistent food noise reveal about insulin resistance? How can women use GLP-1 medications and continuous glucose monitors more responsibly—and why can excessive fasting or carbohydrate restriction backfire? The conversation also explores sugar cravings in early sobriety, chronic stress, menopause and the habits that support long-term metabolic health.

Dr. Darou explains why menopause is a metabolic transition, not only an estrogen transition; how alcohol interrupts nighttime blood sugar regulation and fat oxidation; and why muscle acts as a “metabolic sink.” She shares a realistic starting point: prioritize protein, add daily movement, walk after meals and build strength gradually. Flexible consistency, proper recovery and movement that feels genuinely enjoyable matter more than perfection.

Dr. Darou also shares her unexpected evolution from engineer to naturopathic doctor—and from someone who did not identify as an athlete to a competitive runner who began racing at 50. Her story challenges narrow ideas about aging and shows how confidence, community and ambitious new goals can emerge later in life.

This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our substack for extra tips, tricks and resources.

Timestamp Highlights

01:00 — Meet Dr. Shawna Darou02:00 — From engineering to women’s health05:00 — The pandemic’s metabolic impact06:00 — Movement as a longevity lever07:00 — Becoming an athlete at 4909:00 — Why women over 40 need new possibilities13:00 — Metabolic health beyond weight15:00 — Early signs of metabolic dysfunction17:00 — How insulin resistance fuels cravings18:00 — Reversing dysfunction without diet culture20:00 — GLP-1 benefits and risks23:00 — Why midlife changes the rules26:00 — Using a continuous glucose monitor responsibly32:00 — Chronic stress and blood sugar35:00 — What alcohol does metabolically38:00 — Why alcohol hits harder in midlife39:00 — Sugar cravings in early recovery41:00 — The “yes with a boundary” approach47:00 — Protein and post-meal movement56:00 — Flexible consistency, intensity and recovery

Dr. Darou’s Links

Website — www.drshawnadarou.comInstagram — @drshawnadarou

SIS Links

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