In this episode of the Her Rise Podcast for Women over 40, host Michelle Hayes—a nutritionist, women’s fitness coach, and nurse—shares her personal journey of health transformation and empowers women to reclaim their well-being. Michelle discusses the concept of “food noise,” its impact on mental clarity, and the emotional triggers behind eating habits. She explores the connection between food, mood, and brain fog, and offers practical strategies to quiet food noise, manage emotional eating, and build a healthier relationship with food. The episode concludes with actionable tips for mindful eating, stress management, and self-compassion.
Timestamped Show Notes
00:00 — Introduction: Michelle’s background and the purpose of the podcast
00:25 — Michelle’s transformation story: Losing 120 pounds and becoming a powerlifter
00:56 — Launching a new series: Focusing on a healthy mind and life
01:50 — Today’s topic: Food noise and its impact on women’s mental clarity
02:19 — Defining “food noise” and its emotional roots
03:14 — The pressure of dietary advice and emotional triggers
03:54 — How food noise consumes mental bandwidth
04:24 — Food noise as a deeper emotional need
04:51 — Emotional eating: Coping with stress, boredom, and reward cycles
06:08 — The impact of food noise on brain fog and cognition
07:00 — Mood swings, blood sugar, and decision-making challenges
08:08 — Sleep disruption and its effect on cravings and mental clarity
09:07 — Identifying emotional eating types and triggers
10:08 — Strategies to quiet food noise: Whole foods, mindful eating, stress management
12:17 — The importance of hydration and sleep
13:05 — Final thoughts: Building a peaceful relationship with food and self-care reminders
13:56 — Connect with Michelle on Instagram and Facebook
14:23 — Closing: Encouragement and next steps