Empowering Midlife Wellness with Dr. Susan - podcast cover

Empowering Midlife Wellness with Dr. Susan

Dr. Susan Hardwick-Smithsoundcloud.com
Meet Dr. Susan, a renowned Board-Certified Gynecologist and Certified Menopause Practitioner through the Menopause Society (former NAMS), focused on hormone optimization, sexual wellness, and longevity. She's the pioneering force behind the Complete Midlife Wellness Center in Houston, TX, and the best-selling author of "Sexually Woke." Tune into her engaging podcast, "Empowering Midlife Wellness," for insightful conversations. Boasting numerous accolades, including the Texas Super Doctor award and being consistently rated among Houston's top gynecologists, Dr. Susan combines her medical expertise with her passion as an ICF-certified life and leadership coach. Outside the clinic, she's a fitness enthusiast, marathon runner, Ironman triathlete, and mother of three young adults. Join her YouTube channel for empowering wellness strategies designed for midlife and beyond. Content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health care provider with any questions you have regarding a medical or mental health condition, and before undertaking any diet, dietary supplement, exercise, or other health program.
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Episodes

The 30 Minute Workout That Will Change Your Life (part VIII)

Resistance Training for Midlife Wellness – Session 8 with Kelley Workman 💪 This is the eighth installment in our resistance training series with Master Trainer Kelley Workman—bringing you four fresh at-home exercises you can complete in under 30 minutes. ✨ Whether you’re rotating with earlier sessions or focusing on mastering this new set, the key is consistency and variety. Stick with these moves for a few weeks if they feel good—just keep showing up, staying safe, and enjoying the process. ▶️...

Jun 25, 202534 min

Midlife, Unfiltered: My Facelift Journey with Dr. Fred Aguilar | Before, During & After

This is my real, unfiltered mid-facelift journey — before, during, and after — with the gifted Dr. Fred Aguilar. As a physician myself, I’ve always believed in transparency, especially when it comes to choices that affect how we feel in our own skin. For me, this wasn’t about looking younger — it was about alignment. About having my outer appearance reflect the energy, clarity, and confidence I’ve reclaimed in midlife. In this video, I take you through the full mid-facelift experience — from the...

Jun 18, 202511 min

Let’s Talk About Skin Tightening: My Morpheus8 Treatment with Dr. Leah

As many of you know, skin laxity on the neck is one of those things that can sneak up on us in midlife — no matter how well we take care of our skin. That’s exactly why I wanted to share my own experience having Morpheus8 done right here with Dr. Leah. Morpheus8 combines two powerful technologies: microneedling and radiofrequency energy. By delivering heat deep into the skin while creating tiny micro-injuries, it stimulates collagen and elastin production, helping to tighten loose skin, improve ...

Jun 11, 202521 min

Let’s Bring It Back to Basics: 4 Keys to Your Optimal Older Day

When it comes to midlife wellness, it’s easy to get lost in complicated protocols, supplements, and conflicting advice. But the truth is: most of the real transformation happens when we focus on the simple things we can actually control. In this video, I’ll walk you through the 4 key areas that build the foundation for lasting health: • Nutrition • Movement • Rest & Sleep • Hormonal/Lab Optimization If we consistently take care of these basics — what I often call the “low-hanging fruit” — we...

Jun 04, 202535 min

The 30 Minute Workout That Will Change Your Life (part VII)

Resistance Training for Midlife Wellness – New Moves with Kelley Workman 💪 We’re back with the seventh installment in our resistance training series with Master Trainer Kelley Workman. This week, Kelley shares four fresh at-home exercises you can do in just 30 minutes—perfect for adding variety or rotating with earlier sessions. ✨ Want to master these first? Go for it! Stick with this set for a month before moving on. What matters most is consistency, safety, and keeping things interesting so y...

May 28, 202538 min

Understanding Testosterone Options for Women

Periodically it's important to revisit the topic of testosterone replacement for women, and to understand all the nuances regarding the options in delivery methods and dosing. Today I'll discuss options for testosterone replacement, including using 1/10 of an FDA approved male product, compounded creams and gels, as well as appropriately dosed hormone pellets. I'll particularly focus on how to safely dose hormone pellets, and will share the method which my office has used in many thousands of pa...

May 21, 202527 min

Labiaplasty 101: Your Most Personal Questions, Expertly Answered

I'm often surprised how many of us were not taught about the anatomy of our external genitalia, so when we're talking about labiaplasty, many people are confused about what that means. Today I'm talking about the difference between the labia minora and the labia majora, and why some women might seek to surgically change either or both of these areas. This can particularly be an issue in midlife because of fat loss, as well as naturally aging skin. While no one needs a labiaplasty, it is a choice...

May 13, 202518 min

Activating Happiness in Midlife - Wellness Retreat in Costa Rica

🌴 Empowering Midlife Wellness Retreat: Activating Happiness in Midlife Papagayo Golden Palms Beachfront Resort & Spa • Gulf of Papagayo, Costa Rica • Nov 12 – 16 2025 Why We’re Gathering Midlife isn’t a winding-down—it’s an opening-up. Over four unrushed nights beside the Pacific, four globally respected guides in women’s health and holistic living will help you reclaim what’s always been yours: everyday joy. What You’ll Take Home A fresh, hope-filled view of the “second half” of life Simpl...

May 07, 202515 min

The 30 Minute Workout That Will Change Your Life (part VI)

Here is the sixth video in our resistance training series with master trainer Kelley Workman, who shows us four exercises you can do at home in 30 minutes. Watch the first part here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_YMrHiz2ek Watch the second part here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma-osU7Bg9E Watch the third part here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qD6Z89vAlqk Watch the fourth part here: https://youtu.be/zXNh5bb0lMo Watch the fifth part here: https://youtu.be/VhFKn5PGfRQ This week will be...

Apr 30, 202532 min

Spend 90 mins 1:1 with me! | Holistic Health Consultation

After taking a short break to finish my second book, I’m now delighted to be doing what I’m most passionate about, which is seeing women one-on-one to co‑create a holistic health span and general wellness plan. I am licensed to practice medicine in both Texas and California, so if you live in either one of those states, or can come to either state, I can’t wait to see you! Licensing laws say that if you are physically sitting in either one of those states for our visit, we are obeying all of the...

Apr 23, 20258 min

Perimenopause Power with Bria Gadd: How to Support Your Body Through Every Cycle Phase

This week, I'm talking to my friend Bria Gadd, host of the popular podcast "The Period Whisperer." Through her own perimenopause journey, Bria transitioned from being a fitness expert to becoming an expert in functional medicine and nutrition centered on the menstrual cycle, especially for women in those critical years prior to menopause. Bria and I are discussing how to listen to your body to feel better by reducing energy demands and increasing energy input throughout the various stages of our...

Apr 16, 202540 min

Saying Yes to Everything: My Epic Adventure in the Wilderness of New Zealand

I explored the power of choosing “yes” as a default mode—an approach that can open doors and spark transformation, no matter where you are in life. By intentionally welcoming challenges and unexpected opportunities, I discovered a sense of freedom and potential I hadn’t tapped into before. My recent travels took me through the breathtaking wilderness of my birth country, New Zealand, but the real discovery was how much bigger life becomes when we let curiosity guide us. Saying “yes” doesn’t mean...

Apr 02, 202523 min

The 30 Minute Workout That Will Change Your Life (part V)

Here is the fifth video in our resistance training series with master trainer Kelley Workman, who shows us four exercises you can do at home in 30 minutes. Watch this video on Youtube today: https://youtu.be/VhFKn5PGfRQ Watch the first part here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_YMrHiz2ek Watch the second part here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma-osU7Bg9E Watch the third part here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qD6Z89vAlqk Watch the fourth part here: https://youtu.be/zXNh5bb0lMo This week...

Mar 26, 202542 min

Struggling to Sleep? Discover Healthy Solutions for Restful Nights

If you’re struggling with restless nights—or just looking to improve your quality of sleep—this video is for you. Today, we’ll talk about why sleep becomes even more crucial in midlife and beyond, and explore how common daily habits and environmental factors can disrupt your rest without you even realizing it. We’ll touch on broad, healthy approaches that can guide you toward more peaceful nights and help you wake up feeling refreshed. I hope this discussion sparks a renewed commitment to better...

Mar 19, 202524 min

Calculate Your Protein Needs & Optimize Your Intake!

In this video, I’ll walk you through my daily protein intake routine—from breakfast to dinner (plus snacks!)—so you can see exactly how I hit my protein goals. Whether you’re looking to build muscle, lose weight, or just stay healthy, understanding how much protein you need and how to distribute it throughout the day is key. 🔹 Learn how to: ✅ Calculate your personal protein needs ✅ Choose high-quality protein sources ✅ Distribute protein effectively across meals ✅ Avoid common protein intake mi...

Mar 05, 202516 min

The 30 Minute Workout That Will Change Your Life (part IV)

Here is the fourth video in our resistance training series with master trainer Kelley Workman, who shows us four exercises you can do at home in 30 minutes. Watch the first part here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_YMrHiz2ek Watch the second part here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma-osU7Bg9E Watch the third part here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qD6Z89vAlqk This week will be presenting four additional exercises that you could choose to mix and match with the others. You may choose to ...

Feb 26, 202539 min

How To Be OK In The Worst Times Ever | Empowering Midlife Wellness With Dr. Susan

Midlife is a time not only a hormonal change, but an incredible number of other transitions - including our own personal illnesses, children leaving, parents getting sick and dying, marriages and jobs ending…. sometimes it can seem like the world is colluding against you. Today I’m going to share how even these truly worst times can be catalysts to help you to grow into the best version of yourself, and I will share a simple understanding that has got me and my patients through. You got this. 🪷...

Feb 12, 202512 min

Revive Your Sex Life After 50

Periodically it’s great to talk about one of my favorite topics- sex! After many years of focusing on midlife sexual wellness, I can say with confidence that intimacy CAN improve with age if we approach it with an attitude of curiosity, self awareness and intention. Today I’m sharing REAL ACTIONABLE STEPS that have worked for me and my patients to revive our sex lives after 50, or at any age. Get my best-selling book, Sexually Woke: Awaken the Secrets to Your Best Sex Life in Midlife & Beyon...

Feb 05, 202512 min

The 30 Minute Workout That Will Change Your Life - Part III

This is the third in our resistance training series with master trainer Kelley Workman, who teaches us four whole body exercises that can be completed at home in 30 minutes. Watch the first part here: The 30-Minute Workout That Will Chang... Watch the second part here: The 30-Minute Workout That Will Chang... This week will be presenting four additional exercises that you could choose to mix and match with the others. You may choose to master these alone for a month before we continue to add mor...

Jan 29, 202533 min

Resetting Our New Year’s Resolutions With Intention

Now a few weeks into January, it’s good to reflect on the resolutions that we made on January 1 and consider how those are going. Today I’ll be sharing some of my insights into how to regroup and reset to be successful in making long-term transformation based on what we truly believe is good for us, instead of focusing on what we “should” be doing. I’ll also share some of my other favorite ways to regroup and return to our intentions for the year, including (not popular in the west, but it reall...

Jan 22, 202520 min

Is Estrogen Face Cream the Secret to Youthful Skin?

There’s lots of discussion lately about using estrogen on your face to improve collagen and minimize wrinkles and fine lines. It’s difficult to evaluate how well these products work because so far we have no standardization between studies, and different types of estrogen have been used as well as different mixtures of products like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and others. Most products use the weakest estrogen called estriol, but using the much more potent estrogen called estradiol is also anoth...

Jan 15, 202513 min

“Pellet Pushers”? - The Controversy Around Hormone Pellets

Today I’m revisiting the common idea that hormone pellets are somehow worse or more dangerous than other options for testosterone delivery. Derogatory language like “pellet pushers” is divisive and unhelpful, and suggests that all providers who prescribe pellets are practicing irresponsibly. While irresponsible providers exist in all fields, well educated menopause experts find that pellets are a viable option for patients who choose them, after being given the pros and cons of all available hor...

Jan 08, 202514 min

The 30 Minute Workout That Will Change Your Life - Part Two

This is the second in our resistance training series with master trainer Kelley Workman, who teaches us four whole body exercises that can be completed at home in 30 minutes. On November 27, we posted our first video, and Kelley’s suggestion is to master four exercises (3 x weekly for 30 minutes) for a month before adding more. Watch the first part here: https://youtu.be/X_YMrHiz2ek This week will be presenting four additional exercises that you could choose to mix and match with the others. You...

Jan 02, 202530 min

How Breast Density Impacts Your Breast Cancer Risk

Most of us have heard that the lifetime risk of breast cancer for a woman in the United States is 1 in 8, which is alarmingly high. It’s important to keep in mind that this is a population based risk, and that your own personal risk might be significantly lower or higher than this. Today I’m talking about a new FDA regulation requiring that mammograms assess our level of breast density, since this is one of the factors that can increase our breast cancer risk. For patients with high breast densi...

Dec 18, 202415 min

Perimenopause, Menopause, and Postmenopause Masterclass | Early registration NOW OPEN

I am so excited to announce our new “Well Past Midlife Masterclass” being introduced in early 2025! Today I’m going to give you an exciting opportunity to be part of the first cohort of this eight week course, for a massive discount! I’ll be discussing how the course will work, but in brief, you will receive two 30 minute videos a week, and join in a weekly 90 minute zoom meeting with me and 20 of your classmates, who will soon become your new best friends! This is not only learning about everyt...

Dec 11, 202411 min

The 30-Minute Workout That Will Change Your Life

By now we are all aware of the countless benefits of resistance training, but it can be hard to know where to start. Today I will show you my real 30 minute workout with master personal trainer Kelley Workman. You can do this at the gym or in your own home with a few simple free weights. Studies have shown that 30 minutes of heavy resistance training twice a week reduces bone loss, falls and resulting injury, and every chronic disease including dementia. These four exercises use the entire body,...

Nov 27, 202435 min

How To Regain Your Power When You Feel Powerless

These recent times have left many of us feeling very unsettled and uncertain, and feeling like we have no agency to change things in the world. Today, I’ll share a simple way to switch our mindset from feeling like the world is “happening to us” where we have no power, to a place of agency and choice. From this place we can move forward even in difficult times and make positive changes that affect us and all of those around us, moving towards creating the optimal older version of ourselves.

Nov 21, 202414 min

How To Find a CERTIFIED Menopause Provider

Many patients ask how to find a menopause provider and how to evaluate your provider’s credentials and education. At Complete Midlife Wellness Center we are proud to have three Board Certified Ob/Gyn physicians who are certified through the menopause society, as well as nurse practitioners with menopause society certification. We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Hillary Boswell will be joining us in November to expand our services, and huge congratulations to Brandi, Hollie and Hayley who recen...

Nov 13, 202413 min

#1 Treatment For Bone Health

Reduction in bone density, which can lead to osteoporosis and increase our risk of fracture as we age is one of the most important goals of a healthy second half of life. We’ve talked extensively before about the benefit of menopausal hormone therapy for reducing the risk of osteoporosis, but today I’m going to focus on how important exercise is in the process of helping our bones to stay healthy and even to improve their strength. Traditionally as women age and develop low bone density, we were...

Nov 07, 202421 min

How to Make Healthy Choices Effortlessly

While knowledge about how to be healthier is skyrocketing, our health as a country is not improving. Knowledge alone clearly doesn't work. What's missing is the motivation to put our knowledge into action consistently, so that we can truly transform into a healthier, happier way of living. Today I'm sharing the work that I'm passionate about in the field of motivation; a passion that inspired my second book. After 25 years of helping patients create their healthiest life, I've observed 3 states ...

Oct 31, 202422 min
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