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This episode of Adventures with My Forties takes you inside my annual “25 in ’25” project — not as a checklist, but as a narrative of what kept me afloat during a year marked by fires, grief, medical emergencies, and profound change. I walk listeners through the goals I set last December, before life cracked open beneath my feet, and how revisiting those projects helped me regain momentum when the fog of tragedy began to lift. From evolving out of hot yoga and falling in love with strength training, to reinventing my home with gardening and decluttering, to reading 100+ books and diving deeper into my Brazilian side quest, I share the small anchors that helped me rediscovered myr joy and curiosity. I reflect on the goals that didn’t happen, the ones that shifted into something new, and the surprising ways creativity resurfaced on its own. I'm so grateful I created my 25 in '25 list last December, because I was able to use the trail of breadcrumbs left by December 2024 Courtney to find my way out of the most profound grief I've ever experienced. And next week: I"ll share my 26 in ’26 list! 💌 Email: [email protected] 🌍 Show notes + newsletter: CourtneyHenningNovak.com

In this week’s episode, I’m diving into a topic that’s become a quiet but powerful obsession for me lately: what my brain actually needs in midlife, especially as I navigate my forties with big goals, shifting hormones, and real-life stress. I’m not quite ready to share the personal experiences that pushed this curiosity to the forefront, but I can say this: life has handed me a few moments that made me pause and ask, “What does my future brain need from me today?” That question is shaping everything — my fitness, my sleep, my routines, my learning, even the way I think about the decades ahead. In this episode, I break down my personal ten pillars that support my long-term brain health (movement, sleep, stress regulation, nutrition, cognitive challenge, Zoloft, nature, creativity, fun and play, and meaningful connection), and how I’m applying them in my own Fit AF journey.  If you’re also in a season of big questions, quiet shifts, or new curiosity about longevity and mental clarity, this episode is for you.   💌 Email: [email protected] 🌍 Show notes + newsletter: CourtneyHenningNovak.com

It’s that time again — twinkle lights, to-do lists, and a thousand ways to forget what the holidays are actually about. In this episode, I’m giving myself (and you) a Holiday Pep Talk. In Part One, I share my favorite reminders for staying sane this season — why peace matters more than perfection, how to resist consumer pressure, and why your December self is still your regular self (just with a more festive To Do list). In Part Two, I’m setting my personal intentions for the holidays — slowing down, keeping movement and sleep sacred, saying no to extra obligations, and savoring time with my family instead of sprinting through it. Think of this as your cozy, practical, slightly unhinged guide to staying grounded through the holiday chaos. Grab your coffee (or cocoa!) and let’s make this season feel good again. 💌 Email: [email protected] 🌍 Show notes + newsletter: CourtneyHenningNovak.com

What can a Brazilian telenovela villain teach us about boundaries and emotional freedom? Courtney explores Senhora do Destino and discovers that Nazaré Tedesco is an unexpected masterclass in human behavior. 💌 Email: [email protected] 🌍 Show notes + newsletter: CourtneyHenningNovak.com

I didn’t plan to record today — but my Muse had other ideas. In this gentle return to Adventures with My Forties, I share what the past ten months have looked like: the fires, the losses, the slow reawakening, and the quiet joy of finally wanting to create again. Show notes: CourtneyHenningNovak.com

Hello! I meant to record my first episode of the year in January, but life went sideways with the epic fires in Los Angeles. To get back into podcasting, I'm sharing my experiences with the Palisades and Eaton Fires. And yes, I have returned to therapy because wow, I have a lot to process.    Show notes will be available at CourtneyHenningNovak.com. Thank you for listening and it feels so good to be back.

This week, I took a moment to step away from the holiday madness and reflect on my 24 in '24 project. What were my successes? What were my flops? And where did I make space for a little magic? Show notes will be available at CourtneyHenningNovak.com. Thank you for listening and I'll see you in 2025!

Part 3 of my three part miniseries on burnout. In this episode, I discuss the reasons behind the epic burnout I experienced after volunteering too much for my kids' activities. In a nutshell, my pride and ego got hooked on the myth of the supermom and as a result, I lost touch with my authentic self. Show notes will be available at CourtneyHenningNovak.com. Thanks for listening!

Part two of my burnout miniseries. In this episode, I describe the ways I healed and recovered from epic. Show notes are available at CourtneyHenningNovak.com. Thanks for listening!

A couple years ago, I experienced some massive burnout. This is Part One of a miniseries about that adventure. This is the story of my burnout, the events that resulted in me feeling like my soul had been reduced to a heap of ashes.    Show notes will be available at CourtneyHenningNovak.com. Thanks for listening!

This week, I'm giving my annual holidays pep talk. I love this time of year and I actually enjoy the chaos, but it's also so easy to slide into stress and panic over sh*t that doesn't actually matter. I always need to remind myself that it's not about creating a holiday that mimics what I see on Pinterest or social media. It's about enjoying the holidays in a way that is meaningful for my family.    Show notes are available at CourtneyHenningNovak.com. Thanks for listening!

My Read Around the World quest celebrated its first birthday last week, and I celebrated by taking some time to ruminate and reflect on the unexpected adventures (hi, Brazil!) and the magic this reading project has already created. I'm so excited to keep reading around the world and I welcome whatever adventures head my way (so long as they do not interfere with my bedtime)(or involve reptiles).    Show notes are available at CourtneyHenningNovak.com and while you are there, be sure to sign up for my newsletter so you don't miss any exciting news.

Confession: I made this episode as a pep talk for future Courtney. In the not so distant future, my Read Around the World quest will reach the I's, and the I's include Israel, and folks on social media have some strong opinions about Israel. People have already suggested I should skip Israel. I won't be skipping Israel because (1) I'm Jewish and (2) that really defeats the purpose of the project. I'm trying to expose myself to new voices, not limit those voices based on political beliefs; and if I start eliminating countries based on political beliefs, what will be left? Maybe Luxembourg?    So for this week's episode, I gave myself a pep talk about how to handle the hate that shows up in the comments section of my social media posts. I reflect on what I've learned so far, so that when the hate shows up in my posts, I can be resilient and not get scared away by some nasty trolls.    Show notes are available at CourtneyHenningNovak.com. Thanks for listening!

I feel very self-conscious about posting this episode, but I also feel strongly that I should. Friendship is messy and complicated! A good friend can change your life for the better--but so can a toxic friend. Ending a toxic friendship can help us learn more about ourselves and the boundaries we need and deserve.   Subscribe for updates right here. Thanks for listening!

Ten reasons why I had an absolutely incredible time in São Paulo, and I cannot wait to go back. Show notes are available at CourtneyHenningNovak.com. Thanks for listening!