Becoming More Yourself at Midlife, Not Someone New with Jen O'Brien

Take A Breath

July 7, 2026 ∙ 51 mins
Episode 46

About

Have you ever stopped and wondered, Who am I now? Midlife has a way of prompting those questions. As our lives, priorities and responsibilities change, many of us begin to realise that the identities we've carried for years no longer feel like the right fit.

In this week's episode of Take a Breath, I'm joined by Jen O'Brien, who shares her inspiring journey from aeronautical engineer to founder of Music Broth, Scotland's musical instrument library. But this conversation goes far beyond changing careers. 

Together, we explore identity, intuition, creativity and what it really means to live in alignment with yourself. We talk about learning to trust your inner voice, letting go of old labels, embracing change, and giving yourself permission to create a life that feels authentic and deeply fulfilling.

In this episode, you'll discover:

  • Why midlife can be the perfect opportunity to question old identities and reconnect with who you really are.
  • How learning to pause and listen to your intuition can help you make decisions with greater confidence and clarity.
  • Why creativity isn't just for artists or musicians, but a powerful way to regulate your nervous system, express yourself and experience more joy.
  • How to let go of the expectations, labels and self-beliefs that may be keeping you stuck.
  • Why it's never too late to make meaningful changes and create a life that feels more aligned with the person you're becoming.

To connect with Jen go to: 

https://www.musicbroth.org/

https://jenobrien.net/

https://linktr.ee/steeljoy

Download 15 Breaths to Calm Anxiety - a FREE 5 minute audio to calm you down in real time.

Download The Breath Check-Up - your FREE guide to understanding how well you're breathing right now.

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To find out more about my membership The Inner Space go to:  https://www.pollywarren.com/theinnerspace

Email me at:  info@pollywarren.com
https://www.pollywarren.com/
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Information

Podcast

Take A Breath

Episode

46

Date

July 7, 2026

Length

51 mins
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    Are we living in a light environment our biology doesn’t recognize? Neuroscientist Dr. Glen Jeffery has suggested that our chronic exposure to artificial blue light — especially in hospitals, schools, and offices — may one day be viewed similarly to asbestos: something we widely used before understanding the long-term consequences. Is blue light evil? No.Is it powerful? […]

  • I love chatting to strangers! Fearne’s being spontaneous and sleeping better on holiday

    Welcome to The Happy Place Guide To Holidays! In this chat – brought to you by British Airways Holidays – Fearne gets into what she and Team Happy Place absolutely love about a holiday, and which bits can be a bit rubbish. (No one wants to pack to go home when the swimsuits are still […]

  • 7 Unmissable Insights from 7 Seasons of The Happy Menopause Podcast. S7. Ep 15.

    7 seasons. 750,000 downloads. 3 International Women's Podcast Award shortlistings. To mark the finale of Season 7, I've gone back through 7 years of conversations to bring you 7 of the clips that stopped me in my tracks – and believe me, it was no easy task to choose, because every single guest has been […]

  • The #1 Nutrient Menopausal Women Are Missing

    The Menopause Mastery Show | Fiber: The #1 Nutrient Menopausal Women Are Missing  | Episode 285 Solocast with Dr. Betty Murray 🌿Welcome to The Menopause Mastery Show!  Protein matters in midlife—but it is not the whole story. In this episode of Menopause Mastery, Dr. Betty Murray explains why fiber may be the missing nutrient behind […]

  • 211 | 5 Walking Mistakes Keeping You From Losing Belly Fat

    Can you really lose weight walking after 40… or is there more to the story? If you’ve been wondering whether walking is enough to help you lose stubborn belly fat during perimenopause or menopause, this episode is for you. For years, many of us believed we had to exercise harder, sweat more, and burn more […]

  • Midlife Fueling 101: Essential Sports Nutrition Advice for Peri & Postmenopausal Women with Kristen Arnold, MS, RDN, CSSD (Replay)

    Muscle and bone loss. Inflammation. Bloating, diarrhea, and other GI issues. Peri and postmenopausal active women can face myriad training and performance challenges. But the good news is that a lot of them can be helped with proper nutrition practices. This week we dive into the basics on how to fuel your active midlife body, […]

  • The Thyroid Fix: Hormones, Weight Gain & Tests Your Doctor May Be Missing

    In this episode, Dr. Amie Hornaman, the “Thyroid Whisperer” and author of The Thyroid Fix, breaks down the complexities of thyroid health, explaining why millions of people continue to struggle with symptoms despite being told their thyroid is “normal.” She explores the key differences between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, with a special focus on Hashimoto’s disease, […]

  • Episode 224 – Turmeric After Cancer: Have We Got It Wrong? With Professor Robert Thomas

    Can turmeric really help with joint pain, inflammation and gut health after cancer? And why are so many people being told to avoid it? In this fascinating conversation, I sit down with leading oncologist, researcher and integrative medicine expert Professor Robert Thomas to unpack the science behind turmeric, gut health and cancer recovery. Prof Thomas […]

  • Menopause Motivation and Mood Boost without Prescription (or Hangover Effect)

    This episode is sponsored by AquaTru. AquaTru – Go to https://AquaTru.com/ now for 20% off (your purifier) using promo code FLIPPING50. AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee. Other Episodes You Might Like: Previous Episode – Intersection of Blue Zones and Modern Muscle Science for Longevity Next Episode – 3 Workout Studies Every […]

  • image of woman with dark hair named Mary Claire Haver

    Gut, Brain, and Hormones: The Menopause Connection with Dr. Amy Shah

    In this episode of unPAUSED, Dr. Mary Claire Haver sits down with Dr. Amy Shah, a physician trained in internal medicine and immunology with a nutrition background from Cornell, and author of the new book Hormone Havoc. Dr. Haver and Dr. Shah begin the conversation with the gut-hormone-brain connection, explaining how 40% of estrogen is […]

  • Ep. 225 – Menopausal Medicine Update with NP Shelby Sheppard

    In this empowering episode, Dr. Fiona Lovely welcomes nurse practitioner Shelby Sheppard, a trusted hormone and sexual health expert who has been caring for Dr. Lovely’s own patients for years. Shelby’s journey from labor and delivery RN to founding Pause Health reflects her deep commitment to offering women the time, space, and personalized care they […]

  • Ep 534: The Buddhist Practice "Shenpa" That Can Change Menopause Weight Loss

    Have you ever felt like food seems to hook you before you even realize what’s happening? If you’ve been struggling with food cravings during menopause, I want to introduce you to a concept that has completely changed the way I think about urges. In this episode, I share the ancient Buddhist concept of shenpa, which […]

  • Ep 534: The Buddhist Practice "Shempa" That Can Change Menopause Weight Loss

    Have you ever felt like food seems to hook you before you even realize what’s happening? If you’ve been struggling with food cravings during menopause, I want to introduce you to a concept that has completely changed the way I think about urges. In this episode, I share the ancient Buddhist concept of shempa, which […]

  • I've Never Been an Anxious Person… So Why Now? Understanding anxiety, perimenopause and your nervous system

    For years, I never considered myself an anxious person. Then, during perimenopause, something shifted. I found myself worrying in ways I never had before, feeling overwhelmed by things I'd always coped with and wondering why I suddenly didn't feel like myself anymore. In this episode, I'm sharing everything I've learnt about anxiety through my own […]

  • 79 – ”I knew it wasn’t depression”: Jenny’s PMDD story

    For years, Jenny was wrongly told she had depression. She was prescribed antidepressants, saw multiple healthcare professionals and even underwent a hysterectomy, yet no one addressed the underlying hormonal changes driving her symptoms. In this powerful episode, Dr Louise Newson is joined by Jenny Potkins, who shares her deeply personal experience of living with premenstrual […]

Take A Breath

A podcast for creating practical calm in the messy middle of midlife. This is your space to pause.  Because life in midlife is full-on. Between work, family, menopause, and the mental load, your nervous system can easily end up in constant overdrive — leaving you feeling exhausted, reactive, and overwhelmed by even the smallest things.  […]

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