Hi Flexy Fam,We are back on the balcony! Not only does this mean that summer is back, it officially marks a full-circle moment for us -- returning to the original recording space where we started 1 year ago! *cue confetti*This week on the pod, we're serving up some classic Flex energy with a mix of real talk, humor, and honest reflection. We share how we’ve grown, what we’re still learning, and how this past year has shaped our personal growth journey as midlife women.As a throwback, we revive our 'would you rather' segment and explore whether it's more preferable to skip to the destination or embrace the messy middle of the journey – a conversation that ties deeply into personal growth, mindset shifts, midlife reflections, and embracing change.In pop-culture chaos, we discuss the pressures of being compared to Cristiano Ronaldo (CR7) by our sons, whether Tyler Perry really seeks to break us emotionally with these movies, and what it really means to be in your mid-40s and rediscovering yourself.We also dive into the nuances of language and identity and the power of cursing in your mother tongue, while discovering that Arabic and Swahili are more similar that we thought!Apologies in advance -- some audio and visual issues on this one (real life!), but we promise it's worth it. Thanks for sticking with us! Enjoy this episode of Flex and the City – your favorite women-led midlife podcast!

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Chapters:0:00 - Podcast Setup Chaos & Mic Holding Judgments5:00 - Would You Rather: 25 with Wisdom or 55 with Everything?10:00 - People Pleasing and Self-Abandonment in Our 20s15:00 - Friendship, Growth, and Cheering Each Other On20:00 - Arab, African, and Identity Conversations25:00 - Ronaldo, Tattoos, and Sons Holding You to Celebrity Standards30:00 - Communication Struggles, Hormones, and Emotional Growth35:00 - Emotional Regulation and Estrogen Cycles40:00 - Our 30s Were a Blur: Motherhood, Sleep, and Overwhelm45:00 - How the 40s Feel Like an Awakening50:00 - Pedicure Confessions and Self-Care Guilt55:00 - 'White Girl' Labels and What Culture Really Means1:00:00 - Arab vs. African-American Identity & Cultural Misunderstandings1:05:00 - African-American Culture, Performative Roots & Representation1:10:00 - Wrapping Up: Would You Rather Revisited and Final Thoughts__

Disclaimer: We’re two coaches—Ghada, a mindset coach, and Lisa, a fitness coach—here to share our thoughts and experiences. But remember, we’re not licensed therapists, doctors, or medical professionals, and this podcast isn’t a substitute for professional advice from a physician, therapist, or other qualified expert. Sound good? Great. Let’s dive into the episode!

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