What does it actually look like to find yourself again in midlife—without pressure, perfection, or a full life overhaul? In this episode of Found at 40, Chrissi talks with Leila Howell of My Kind of Glow about identity loss in motherhood, realistic wellness, nervous system regulation, and the small habits that help you feel like yourself again. Leila shares how one deeply relatable “gentle glow-up” reel went viral, and why her message resonated with so many women in their 40s. If you’ve been feeling invisible, overwhelmed, or disconnected from yourself, this conversation is the reset you didn’t know you needed.

(0:00) ✨ Chrissi shares why Leila’s “gentle glow-up” message hit such a nerve for so many women in midlife

(3:00) 🎥 Leila tells the story behind the reel that went viral—and what was happening in real life when she posted it

(5:00) 🌍 Leila opens up about moving between Australia and Seattle, raising kids, and navigating a major life transition

(8:00) 🎨 How she went from graphic designer to stay-at-home mom to content creator (without planning for any of it)

(10:00) 💥 The moment she realized the typical “glow-up” content wasn’t what she—or other women—actually needed

(12:00) 👻 They talk about identity loss in motherhood and that quiet midlife feeling of “Where did I go?”

(15:00) 🪞 Leila explains what a real midlife glow-up means to her—and why it’s more about self-trust than self-improvement

(19:00) 📱 What it felt like to suddenly grow an audience of women who deeply related to her message

(23:00) 🔁 A conversation about tiny habits, momentum, and how to start feeling better when life already feels full

(27:00) 🧳 Leila shares the emotional side of moving countries, reverse culture shock, and starting over with young kids

(31:00) 🎨 They get into perfectionism, creativity, and why being “bad” at something can actually be healing

(38:00) 🫶 Pillar 1: Leila shares what body respect looks like in midlife (without diet-culture energy)

(40:00) 🌿 Pillar 2: Why nervous system regulation comes before almost everything else

(42:00) 🥗 Pillar 3: What realistic wellness looks like when you’re tired, busy, and in a full season of life

(44:00) 💛 Pillar 4: How self-trust gets rebuilt in small, everyday choices

(46:00) 🚰 Pillar 5: The “life-supporting habits” approach that helps things feel doable (not overwhelming)

(48:00) 🎉 Final Four favorites, funny moments, and what Leila feels she’s truly found after 40

(58:00) 📅 A preview of Leila’s “My Kind of Glow Reset” and the small-steps challenge she’s launching next

Follow Leila on Instagram and TikTok at @mykindofglow_  and stay tuned for her 28 Day Small Steps Guide. 

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📱 Check out @foundat40podcast on Instagram for extras, outtakes, and mild oversharing

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Foundat40

Keywords: midlife reinvention, finding yourself again, midlife glow up, identity loss in motherhood, motherhood and identity, women over 40 wellness, nervous system regulation, realistic self care, self trust in midlife, midlife burnout recovery, gentle habits for women, Atomic Habits for moms, perimenopause wellness habits, starting over at 40, midlife reset for moms