Midlife Reimagined: How Integrative Health Coaching Helps Women Feel Like Themselves Again

As someone who has walked alongside many clients navigating midlife, I’ve seen firsthand how confusing these changes can feel—and how powerful the right support can be. When women move through their 40s, 50s, and beyond, their bodies begin to speak differently. Symptoms shift. Energy changes. Weight, sleep, digestion, and mood can suddenly feel unpredictable—leaving many women feeling frustrated, unheard, or unsure where to turn. My name is Michelle Swenson the owner of Wild Vitality and I am a Level 2 Integrative Health Practitioner, and I am here to fill the gap for women experiencing these changes.

What Is an Integrative Health Practitioner Level 2?

An Integrative Health Practitioner Level 2 is trained through the Integrative Health Practitioner Institute, founded by Functional Medicine Doctor of Naturopathy Dr. Stephen Cabral. The Level 2 certification is designed for practitioners who want to go deeper—beyond surface symptoms and into the underlying root causes of dysfunction.

What the Training Includes

• Functional Medicine Lab Testing: hormones, adrenal health, gut health, inflammation, toxins, food sensitivities, minerals, and more

• Root-Cause Protocol Design: personalized recommendations and healing pathways

• Nutrition & Supplementation Strategies

• Detoxification & Drainage Support

• Stress, Mood & Nervous System Optimization

• Lifestyle Medicine: sleep, movement, blood sugar balance, digestion, and environmental factors

  
  

An IHP2’s mission is simple:

Help the body heal itself by addressing what’s truly causing the symptoms.

What Is a Menopause Coaching Specialist?

I’m also certified as a Menopause Coaching Specialist through the Girls Gone Strong program—an evidence-based, scientifically grounded certification that focuses exclusively on women’s physiology.

This training covers:

• Hormonal changes in perimenopause and menopause

• Shifts in metabolism and body composition

• Strength training and bone health

• Sleep, stress, mood, and cognitive changes

• Pelvic floor health

• Nutrition tailored for midlife

Together, these certifications allow me to support women with a full-spectrum, root-cause, hormone-aware approach.

Common Conditions I Work With

Women often seek my support when they’re experiencing:

• Perimenopause or menopause symptoms

• Midlife weight gain or resistance

• Gut issues (bloating, IBS, constipation, reflux)

• Chronic fatigue or burnout

• Cortisol or thyroid imbalance

• Mood swings, irritability, or anxiety

• Sleep difficulties

• Blood sugar instability

• Detoxification challenges

• Skin changes, hair thinning, or inflammation

None of these symptoms are “just getting older”. They are messages from the body that deserve deeper understanding.

Why Women in Midlife Benefit from This Approach

Women 40+ experience a unique biological landscape where hormones fluctuate, recovery changes, stress impacts the body differently, and metabolism responds to different cues.

An integrative and hormone-informed approach helps women:

• Understand why they feel the way they do

• Uncover hidden contributors to symptoms

• Receive personalized protocols based on labs, symptoms, lifestyle, and goals

• Improve energy, digestion, and metabolic health

• Rebalance hormones naturally

• Build muscle, protect bones, and support longevity

• Feel confident and in control again

  
  

Midlife isn’t a decline—it’s a recalibration. And with the right support, women can thrive.

One of my clients recently shared her experience after several months of working together, and it perfectly captures what integrative, root-cause coaching can do:

“My experience with Michelle was amazing. She has so much knowledge and I always left my coaching sessions empowered and motivated. Michelle helped me with my eating habits, stomach issues, helping me find ways to deal with anxiety, and finding workouts that work for me. I’m so glad I found her on my journey of health and I highly recommend working with her!”

This client came in struggling with gut discomfort, inconsistent eating patterns, anxiety, and uncertainty around how to move her body effectively. Through personalized functional wellness strategies, nervous system support, nutrition guidance, and movement planning tailored to her life, she experienced transformation in her digestion, emotional resilience, and confidence. Her words reflect the heart of my work: When women are supported with clarity, education, and individualized strategies, they thrive.

Women in midlife deserve more than generic advice and quick fixes. They deserve root-cause answers, hormone-informed strategies, and a partner who sees the whole picture. As an Integrative Health Practitioner Level 2 and Menopause Coaching Specialist, I’m committed to helping women feel energized, balanced, and empowered in their bodies again.

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If you’re seeking a supportive, educated space to navigate midlife changes, connect with us at Flow State Holistic Health. Michelle Swenson, our Integrative Health Practitioner, is here to guide you with clarity, compassion, and evidence-based strategies tailored to your needs. We’re honored to walk with you every step of the way!