In today’s episode, I’m sharing my very first colonoscopy experience—what the prep was like (spoiler: it felt a lot like running a marathon), how I survived on clear liquids and green Jell-O, and why the actual procedure was so much easier than I expected. If you’ve been putting yours off, I promise—you can do hard things!

But this episode isn’t just about colonoscopies. If you’re a late Gen X-er or early Millennial—especially those of us born around 1980—it’s time to start paying attention to a new season of health screenings and self-care. As a family nurse practitioner with over 23 years of experience, I’ll walk you through the top 10 things you should be thinking about now, including:

• Colonoscopies: why the starting age dropped from 50 to 45

• DEXA scans and what they can tell you about bone health, muscle mass, and visceral fat

• Eye exams (hello, readers 👓)

• Mammograms and pap smears

• Lab work to check cholesterol, blood sugar, thyroid, vitamin D, and more

• Skin checks with a dermatologist

• Staying up to date on vaccines

• Dental visits (don’t skip them!)

• Movement, nutrition, sleep, and stress management in midlife

The truth is, what we could get away with in our 20s and 30s doesn’t fly in our 40s and beyond. This is the season to prioritize your health—not just for aesthetics or performance, but so you can stay strong, resilient, and able to live fully.

Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. So, if you haven’t scheduled some of these screenings or check-ups yet, let this episode be the nudge you need.

✨ Let’s fill up to spill out, friends!

Thanks for listening and following the show!

~Allison