{"podcast":{"title":"Hit Play Not Pause","slug":"hit-play-not-pause-1366847","podcast_index_feed_id":1366847,"rss_url":"https://feeds.captivate.fm/hit-play-not-pause/","website_url":"https://www.feistymenopause.com/","image_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/bda8ab9d-7e6f-4666-a4c0-b9a8589fae77/Hit-Play-Not-Pause-Podcast-Cover.jpg","author":"Hit Play Not Pause","episode_count":300,"summary":"Perimenopause and menopause hit active women differently. We have a different lifestyle and different goals. And we know our bodies. Whether you run and hike or do CrossFit and ski (or a little of everything!), you’ve had a way of eating and exercising that worked…until the menopause transition, when it all goes out the window as body composition changes, fatigue, body aches, sleepless nights, hot flashes, brain fog, mood swings, and low mojo blindside you out of the blue—despite doing everything right. Your doctor may (or may not) help with hormone replacement therapy. But what about all the active stuff you love? You’re already exercising and eating well. What you want is to feel and perform like you used to. That doesn’t mean fasting, swearing off carbs for life, or just slowing down. It means adjusting your nutrition, training, recovery, and mindset to work with your changing physiology as you hit this phase of life. And we’re here for it. At Hit Play Not Pause, we know the potential of women in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond, because we talk to elite athletes and everyday active women who are still hitting personal bests along with world-renowned sports dietitians, researche…","last_synced_at":null,"page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/hit-play-not-pause-1366847"},"episode":{"title":"Why Rest Feels Hard: Midlife Training, Anxiety & Identity with Erin Ayala, PhD, LP, CMPC  (Episode 259)","slug":"why-rest-feels-hard-midlife-training-anxiety-identity-with-erin-ayala-phd-lp-cmpc-episode-259","published_at":"2026-01-28T07:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/hit-play-not-pause-1366847/why-rest-feels-hard-midlife-training-anxiety-identity-with-erin-ayala-phd-lp-cmpc-episode-259","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/hit-play-not-pause-1366847","url":"https://www.feistymenopause.com/","audio_url":"https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/pdst.fm/e/pdcn.co/e/episodes.captivate.fm/episode/d57d8036-d747-41ca-9c72-c6dd83bb6a45.mp3","summary":"Exercise is supposed to be healthy—but when does dedication cross into compulsion? In this episode, we sat down with sports psychologist and new host of the Feisty Women’s Performance Podcast, Dr. Erin Ayala to explore the murky, often misunderstood concept of exercise addiction. We unpack why it’s not an official diagnosis, how it overlaps with perfectionism, anxiety, body image, and control, and why endurance athletes—especially midlife women—can be uniquely vulnerable. We also dive into identity, boundaries, training culture, and how to tell whether exercise is supporting your life—or quietly running it. Erin Ayala, PhD, LP, CMPC is a Licensed Psychologist and Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) offering virtual mental health therapy for athletes aged 14 and above. She provides one-on-one performance coaching, CMPC mentorship, clinical supervision, and group workshops for teams and sport organizations. She supports athletes in injury recovery, managing performance anxiety, depression, pre-competition stress, confidence, and self-criticism. Located in Minnesota, she is licensed to work with athletes in 40 states. You can learn more about Dr. Ayala and her work at www.skadisportpsychology.com . Follow the newly launched The Feisty Women’s Performance Podcast here . Sign up for our FREE Feisty 40+ newsletter: https://feisty.co/feisty-40/ Join Feisty at the Grand Traverse in Duluth, MN on October 3rd! Use code FEISTY20 for $20 off when you register at https://feisty.co/events/the-grand-traverse/ Learn More about our 2026 Feisty Events, including Bike Camps and Cycling Trips: https://feisty.co/events/ Follow Us on Instagram: Feisty Menopause: @feistymenopause Hit Play Not Pause Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/807943973376099 Support our Partner…","meta_description":"Exercise is supposed to be healthy—but when does dedication cross into compulsion? In this episode, we sat down with sports psychologist and new host of t…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":3100,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/hit-play-not-pause-1366847/episodes/why-rest-feels-hard-midlife-training-anxiety-identity-with-erin-ayala-phd-lp-cmpc-episode-259/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/hit-play-not-pause-1366847/why-rest-feels-hard-midlife-training-anxiety-identity-with-erin-ayala-phd-lp-cmpc-episode-259.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}