| | | | There are certain moments in time where the cultural conversation just feels completely aligned—and last weekend was one of them.
At the 2026 SHE Media Co-Lab @ SXSW—which took place on Saturday, March 14, and Sunday, March 15— women spoke candidly about aging, health and stepping into their power. Then, just as our event ended for the evening on Sunday, we saw that same story unfold on a global stage at the Oscars: midlife women not just participating in culture, but driving it.
Across SHE Media Co-Lab panels, a clear theme emerged. Actress Constance Zimmer spoke about how midlife has deepened her work, not diminished it. Judy Greer shared that releasing expectations around appearance has opened the door to more meaningful roles. There was a sense that this chapter of life brings clarity—not compromise.
And that clarity carried into the Oscars, where midlife women were behind many of the year’s most celebrated projects, both in front of and behind the camera.
It’s a powerful reminder: Midlife isn’t a winding down—it’s a sharpening. And right now, that shift feels impossible to ignore. |
| Meet the Founder Rewriting the Rules of Midlife For decades, midlife has been framed as something to fear—a slow unraveling marked by change, uncertainty and loss. But what if it’s actually the most expansive chapter yet?
Jen Marples has built a movement around that exact idea. A communications expert-turned-entrepreneur, podcast host and founder of the pro-age “You’re Not Too F***ing Old” movement, she’s on a mission to help women 40+ reclaim their visibility, their voice and their sense of possibility.
Whether she’s advising leaders in women’s health and FemTech or moderating conversations at the Flow Space Women’s Health Summit, Marples is consistently pushing one message: Midlife isn’t a breakdown—it’s a breakthrough.
Her approach is equal parts practical and deeply personal—rooted not only in decades of high-level communications work, but also in the lived experience of navigating reinvention, identity shifts and the power of community in midlife. She’s not just encouraging women to dream bigger—she’s reminding them that there’s still time to do it. |
What's the number one message you have for women who are afraid of aging? Oh my God, do not be afraid of aging. Do not be afraid of aging. You're not too old; it's not too late. The biggest group of women right now starting businesses and doing crazy things are, like, in their 50s and 60s. Don't fear it. Don't fear the saggy knees. Don't fear the neck. Don't fear any of it! Just know that you're beautiful and wonderful. Stop caring what other people think, and know that you are worthy of greatness.
What’s one piece of advice you’d like to share with women who are looking to find their creativity in the midst of chaos? My number one piece of advice is to really get quiet with yourself. We are on a hamster wheel—we're doing all the things all the time, and we rarely sit in silence. So my number one piece of advice, ladies, is get quiet. And I like to stack things, go on a walk, but don't listen to anything, don't talk to anyone and start listening to your thoughts and listening to your guts. It has wisdom, and it's going to lead you to the next thing.
What is a habit that you swear by each day? Yoga. If I don't do yoga every day, somebody might die. My husband probably would be first; my kids would be second! (laughs) But movement and getting out of my house—because I work from home and because my community is there—is the number one habit I have. If I don't do it, everyone around me suffers, and I do suffer myself. It's the way I process, and it's the way I navigate, and I couldn't do midlife without my juicy hot yoga practice.
How do you find flow—that moment, or ability, to be fully immersed and present in the moment—in your life? So, how I find flow is to practice presence. One of my really good friends is a practitioner of this, and I've really learned this from her because if we're thinking about yesterday, we're thinking of stuff that we can't even change. If we're thinking about the future, again, we're thinking about things that we can't change. We don't know what's going to happen. All we have is the present moment—especially in midlife.
We don't know how many more present moments we have, so just really try to sink in if you catch yourself reaching for your phone if you're with your kids or you're thinking about all the things that need to be done when you're with your girlfriends. Just stop, just give yourself permission to be in the moment and practice presence. It's the most freeing thing that you'll do. |
Why Sleep Gets Harder in Midlife—And What Actually Helps If sleep has started to feel elusive lately, you’re not imagining it—and you’re far from alone. Across the board, women are reporting more frequent wake-ups, difficulty falling asleep and less overall rest, with many getting fewer than the recommended seven hours a night. And in midlife, those challenges often intensify.
Between shifting hormones, rising stress levels and the mental load that tends to peak during this stage of life, getting consistent, high-quality sleep can feel like an uphill battle. While social media trends like “sleepmaxxing” suggest the answer lies in perfecting an elaborate nighttime routine, experts say the reality is far simpler—and far more sustainable.
At its core, better sleep isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what works. Foundational habits, like keeping a consistent sleep schedule, getting morning sunlight and creating a calm, predictable wind-down routine, can make a meaningful difference without tipping into overwhelm. Because when sleep becomes another thing to optimize to perfection, it can actually backfire, increasing anxiety and making it even harder to rest.
That said, support can—and should—look different for everyone. For some women, that might mean turning to technology, like sleep wearables that offer insights into everything from sleep stages to circadian rhythm disruptions. For others, it may mean going a step further and working with a specialist to uncover what’s really going on beneath the surface. Sleep studies, for example, can help diagnose conditions like sleep apnea—something midlife women are at higher risk for, even without obvious symptoms like snoring.
The takeaway? Sleep isn’t a one-size-fits-all equation, especially in midlife. But whether you’re simplifying your routine, experimenting with new tools or seeking professional guidance, prioritizing rest is one of the most powerful ways to support your long-term health—because when sleep improves, everything else tends to follow. |
CELEBRATING The exciting news that Maven Clinic is launching a direct-to-consumer line of business, starting with GLP-1 care and comprehensive hormone health designed specifically for women. Until now, Maven has primarily been available through employers and health plans.
ADDING our voice to the national survey on menopause at work from the Society for Women's Health Research and The Fuchsia Tent—and hoping you'll add yours too! This research is designed to help solve one of the largest solvable workplace health issues, which costs employers $26.6 billion every year.
LISTENING to The Mel Robbins Podcast, where recent episodes on decision fatigue and mental load offer listeners practical strategies to simplify our days and protect our energy.
DREAMING—yes still!—about all of the glamorous looks midlife stars wore on the Oscars red carpet this past Sunday. While there were plenty of embellishments, from traditional sequins to feathers and fringe, it was 46-year-old Rose Byrne, donning a strapless black dress decorated with intricate floral embroidery by Dior, who had our favorite fashion moment. |
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