Hello lovely people, and welcome back to the Choosing Happy Podcast.

I'm Heather Masters, your host and today's episode is going to be a little different.

First of all, Happy new year, happy 2026.

I'm recording this on the 2nd of January and I hope 2026 is everything that you hope for yourself in terms of health, happiness and joy.

So instead of a full conversation today, this is a quick, honest check in about where the podcast is headed in 2026 and why.

I'm pressing pause for a short while so I can come back with something deeper, braver and more useful for you.

So stay tuned for this episode of the Choosing Happy Podcast.

Now, over the last few months there are a couple of things I've noticed.

One, I've become quite overwhelmed with the amount of work I'm doing because I'm trying to be all things to all people and I know that's the cardinal sin of business because you succeed at none.

So I've also noticed a theme in the women that I coach and in my own life.

It's the knot of midlife identity shame.

And the question Is there really a passion filled future for me or did I miss my chance?

Am I getting too old?

Women who have done all the things, the career, the kids, the relationships, the caring for everyone else and inside they're thinking, who am I now?

Did I waste my potential?

Have I missed my opportunity?

Is it too late to start again?

Or to want more?

Or to grow?

Or to expand?

Especially in this crazy world.

If that's you, you're absolutely not alone.

Now, choosing Happy has always been about truth telling, sovereignty and choosing something more honest than fake positivity.

What became very clear is that the conversations I care most about now sit right at the intersection of identity in midlife shame and self blame.

Really stepping into the authentic you, the sovereign you, somatic and nervous system, work, NLP and deep mindset shifts and creating a future that actually feels alive, that you wake up each day wanting to embrace the day.

And it's not just fine or okay.

So here's what's changing.

I'm going to intentionally pause regular episodes for a short period while I reposition the show around you.

I'm rebuilding the website and making it specific to women at midlife and beyond who are wrestling with identity, shame and what comes next.

So maybe you're facing empty nest syndrome.

Maybe you're work has ended suddenly and you're looking for a new adventure.

Now behind the scenes, I'm also running a very small, focused coaching pilot specifically for women in this place.

And this is a group coaching pilot, so I'll be using that to deepen the tools and stories I bring to you here on the podcast and very transparently to build a proof of concept group coaching offer that I can then teach other coaches how to grow using AI.

Now you may hear me talk occasionally about my start with AI work.

That's the consulting side where I help coaches and trainers use AI to design and grow their businesses.

This podcast, Choosing Happy is where the human side lives.

The identity, the creation, the shame, the spirit, the body, the soul, the truth.

So what does this mean for you in the short term?

There'll be a brief pause in new full length episodes while I do deep work of reshaping the show and rebuilding the website.

And I'll be back on round about Monday 13th of January with the first episode in this new direction.

So in the meantime, if this midlife identity shame future self space is hitting home, I'd love you to listen to a few episodes that already hint at where we're going.

There's day 13 of one of the hundred Days of Happiness Challenge, choosing your support plan, which is one of the most popular episodes and supports you as you plan your life going forward and look for support where you are.

Episode 29 is a chat with Sue Knight and NLP and there's deep reflection and talk around identity level change and episode 4:45, how productivity and happiness are your secret duo for success and that looks at rebuilding a future that feels effective and joyful and fits with a passion filled future for yourself.

And the final one you might want to look at is episode 80 which is unlocking Transformation with David shepherd unmastering NLP and the ancient wisdom of Hoonah, and that looks at how deep transformation works within NLP and spirituality and it's ideal for listeners who will value some NLP spiritual work going forward.

And these five give you something to continue to listen to in the pause and you can treat these as a little miniseries while I'm behind the scenes rebuilding a couple of invitations if you want to stay close while the podcast resets.

If you're a midlife or beyond woman who's feeling that tug of identity crisis, feeling like is this it?

Or you want to explore the group pilot?

You can reach me@heathervmasters.com if you're a coach or trainer who's more curious about the AI and business building side.

My start with AI world is where I'm documenting that and you'll find the details for that in the show notes.

Every all the details are in the show notes.

But I do want to be clear about one thing.

This is not pod fading.

This is a conscious grown up pause so that when you hit play in a few weeks time, you know exactly who this show is for and what it's here to do for you.

The feedback I've got so far is that it's a little bit confusing.

So thank you for being here.

Thank you for supporting me this far, for listening, and for allowing me to evolve in public.

Your time and attention really do matter and my promise is to come back with conversations that honor that.

Until then, take ridiculously kind care of yourself and notice where shame or guilt or fear are running the show.

And remember, you're allowed a future that feels safe and that excites you.

I'll see you on the 13th with the next chapter of the Choosing Happy Podcast.

Thank you so much for taking the time to listen to this week's episode.

If you enjoyed it or think it would be valuable to others, please do share.

And if you really enjoyed it, please leave me a review.

It really helps the podcast.

All of the links are in the show notes and I look forward to seeing you next week on the Choosing Happy Podcast.