I genuinely believe that what is yet to come can and should be better than before, but we do have to break down the current narrative in order to let that happen.

The process of aging does not have to be downhill. I was stronger,

fitter and more capable in my 50s than I was in my 40s. So why can't I be even more so in my 60s, 70s and beyond?

Who's to say we can't or shouldn't change the way we age?

A common thread among those of us considered more mature by society, frankly a euphemism for

being past it, is of losing our identities, of becoming invisible, feeling useless and worthless. A sense of redundancy no longer needed by growing

children, perhaps overtaken on the career ladder or abandoned by spouses trading us in for

younger models. It enrages me to see midlife women so often cast aside,

considered unattractive, unworthy, or unproductive,

as their conventional beauty fades and declining hormones

mean they are no longer usefully pro-creative but also disadvantaged by weakened brains,

bodies and bones.

It's tragic that at a time when we've given so much of our lives to others

and finally have more time for ourselves,

our bodies decide to take a downward turn and start letting us down.

But there are many things we can do about this as you'll read.

Well, that's me, Liz Earl, reading from my new book A Better Second Half, and this is the

Lizel Well Being Show, the podcast helping us all have a better second half by investing

in our health and our well-being today. Yes, across my books,

website, social media and this podcast, it is my mission to find ways for all of us to

thrive in later life by investing in our health and our well-being today.

Well, last week I chatted to Midpoint presenter and broadcaster Gabi Logan about epigenetics, healthy fats, midlife sex and more.

...