Does Any of This Sound Familiar?
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My body feels different and I don't know why.
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I'm exhausted even when I try to take care of myself.
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I'm dealing with stress, sleep issues, or brain fog.
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What used to work for my body doesn't seem to work anymore.
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I want reliable information without feeling overwhelmed.
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I wish I could talk to other women going through the same thing.
If so you're not alone.
Our Midlife Women's Wellness Collective was created to provide education, connection, and support for women navigating this stage of life.
What to Expect at a Meeting
❖ Welcome & Connection ❖
Meet other women navigating similar experiences
❖Movement & Stretching ❖
A gentle movement session led by a fitness professional at Pure Barre to help you unwind and reconnect with your body.
❖Featured Guest Speaker ❖
Learn from local experts in women's health and wellness.
❖ Discussion & Questions ❖
Share experiences and ask questions in a supportive environment.
❖ Location ❖
Monthly meetings take place at Pure Barre studio at 910 Church Street, Evanston, IL.
❖ Stay Connected ❖
Join our email list to receive updates about future meetings, guest speakers.
Topics We Discuss
Physical Health
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Perimenopause & menopause
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Fatigue & energy
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Sleep
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Gut health
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Mobility & healthy aging
Emotional Well-Being
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Stress & mental load
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Mood changes
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Identity shifts
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Self-care
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Laughter
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Community
Lifestyle & Healthy Aging
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Nutrition
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Strength & movement
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Preventative health
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Building resilience
Upcoming Guest Speakers
August 24th, 2026
7:30pm - 8:30pm
Pure Barre Studio
910 Church St.
Topic: Mood, Stress and Identity in Perimenopause
Midlife is more than a hormonal transition; it's an emotional and psychological one, too. As a therapist specializing in women's mental health, Lauren Ratliff, LCSW, PMH-C, explores why mood changes, stress, identity shifts, and grief often intensify during perimenopause and menopause. You'll leave with a deeper understanding of what's happening beneath the surface and practical strategies to support your emotional wellbeing through this season of life.
September 28th, 2026
7:30pm - 8:30pm
Pure Barre Studio
910 Church St.
Topic: 9.5 Things Training Dolphins Taught Me About Midlife and Menopause
What do dolphins have to do with hot flashes, life transitions, and becoming more boldly yourself? More than you'd think. Kim Moldofsky — storyteller, Bold Belief Builder, and creator of Hot Flashes & Fierce Tales: Stories from Menopause, Midlife, and Beyond — brings a talk that draws surprising and spot-on parallels between her years as a dolphin trainer and the experience of navigating midlife on your own terms. Less lecture, more (nearly) top-ten list, it is equal parts funny, real, and genuinely energizing. Audiences have laughed, nodded, and left feeling like themselves again — and this evening will be no different. We'll kick things off with a mixer so you have time to connect before the conversation begins, then open the floor for the kind of honest, empowering discussion that only happens when women gather in a room together. Come for the dolphins. Stay for the community.
October 15th, 2026
7:30pm - 8:30pm
Pure Barre Studio
910 Church St.
Topic: Gut and Hormonal Health
As a functional nutritionist specializing in gut health and hormonal balance, Aigerim works closely with women navigating the digestive changes that often accompany midlife — including bloating, sluggish digestion, and brain fog. She'll discuss the gut-brain axis, why these symptoms tend to intensify during perimenopause and menopause, and practical steps women can take to support their gut health during this transition.
November 16th, 2026
7:30pm - 8:30pm
Pure Barre Studio
910 Church St.
Topic: The Myth of Balance
For years, you've balanced the roles of partner, parent, professional, and caregiver—until midlife reveals that balance was never the goal. Dr. Jen Schroeder explores what happens when the roles no longer define you, helping you reconnect with the person underneath and offering practical tools to move forward.
Registration coming soon!
December 7th, 2026
7:30pm - 8:30pm
Pure Barre Studio
910 Church St.
Topic: Advocating for Your Health
Dr. Rajdeep Dhami, MD, MPH
Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP)
Details and registration coming soon!
January 11th, 2027
7:30pm - 8:30pm
Pure Barre Studio
910 Church St.
Topic: Loving Well in Midlife
Why does love feel harder than it should? Whether you're single, partnered, divorced, or starting over, the same hidden patterns that block love can quietly erode the relationships you already have. Professional dating and love coach Maria Spears, M.Ed., guides you beneath the surface to uncover the beliefs running your love life, reconnect with your truest self through a powerful childhood photo exercise, and leave with Gottman Institute–backed tools for building love that lasts. Please bring a photo of yourself between ages 2 and 6.
February 22nd, 2027
Topic: Self Love
Jimena Escurra, LCPC, CCATP-CA
Therapist and Clinical Director for Haven Youth and Family Services
Details and registration coming soon!
March, 2027
Topic: Mindfulness
Details and registration coming soon!
Speakers Past Six Months
June 15th, 2026
Topic: Sleep
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Certified life and health coach Tanya Rinsky led us in a practical and relatable conversation about sleep in midlife women. Drawing on her work in habit and behavior change, Tanya shared everyday factors that impact rest and provided realistic strategies women can use to improve sleep, energy, and overall well-being.
May 18th, 2026
Topic: Understanding Cravings
In this engaging session, Dr. Teresa Pangan explored why cravings are not a lack of willpower but important signals from the body. Using the analogy of a car dashboard, she introduced the three "buckets" of cravings and showed attendees how to become curious detectives—identifying the underlying drivers, reducing the rewards cravings provide, and making healthier choices feel more natural over time.
July 20th, 2026
Topic: Pelvic Health
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Dr. Laura Gleason, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist specializing in Pelvic Health
Our pelvic floor muscles play a huge role in bladder, bowel, and sexual function, and they help support our pelvic organs and form the base of our core. Laura led a discussion including what symptoms are common but not necessarily normal, and concrete strategies to better optimize your pelvic health in midlife.
Why This Matters
As a dietitian working with women in midlife, I frequently hear the same concerns:
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'I don't feel like myself,'
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'I'm exhausted,' and
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'I don't understand what's happening to my body.'
This group was created to bring women together for education, conversation, and community during a time of life that often feels confusing and isolating.
Stay Informed
Can't make the next meeting?
Join our email list and we'll keep you updated on future topics, speakers, adn events.
Community Partners
The Midlife Women's Health Group grew from conversations among local professionals who recognized the need for a supportive space where women could learn, connect, and discuss the changes that occur during midlife.
With the support of Grace Zhuo, LCPC, Raven Harper and the team at Pure Barre Evanston, and Dr. Teresa Pangan, PhD, RDN, the group was created to bring together community, movement, education, and meaningful conversation for women navigating this stage of life.
Special thanks to:
Pure Barre Evanston
For generously providing a welcoming space for our meetings and helping us create a community focused on movement, wellness, and connection.
Grace Zhuo, LCPC
For her ongoing support of the group, including event coordination and registration management, and for her passion for helping women navigate life's transitions.