Mind Blend with Karen Chong

Episode 2 of the series “Aging, According to Everyone Else”

We tend to think of aging as something physical — changes in how we look, how we move, how our body feels.

But what if the bigger shift isn’t happening in your body… but happening in your mind?

In this episode, I mind-blended with Tanya Leake, a health and wellness coach who takes an age-positive approach to aging — one that focuses less on resisting change and more on understanding how we relate to it.

We explore how much of our experience of aging is shaped by internal narratives, external messaging, and the subtle ways we respond to change.

• The hidden beliefs behind phrases like “you look great for your age”

• What actually improves with age — and why we don’t talk about it enough

• The difference between tracking what drains you vs. what energizes you

• How community and environment influence how we age

• And why resisting aging might be the very thing holding you back

If you’re saddened by the changes in your body as you age, this one’s for you.

About Tanya Leake

Tanya is a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach, Board-Certified Patient Advocate, and mindset and lifestyle facilitator.  Her work reframes aging, and menopause in particular, from decline to identity evolution. A fierce opponent of the term “anti-aging,” she supports clients in moving toward what she calls an Age+ mindset: shifting toward honoring the clock instead of trying to stop it or turn it back. Drawing on longitudinal research on aging and the influence of mindset and beliefs, Tanya bridges theory and practice to show how our beliefs about aging shape physical, emotional, relational and existential health.

She focuses on addressing the often-overlooked existential (identity and purpose) dimension of aging and equipping clients with research-backed lifestyle strategies to support their longevity goals, with a focus on mindset and reframing.  Her central message is simple: “Aging starts the day we are born.  By fighting aging, we are fighting moving forward, growing and becoming.  Age+ is about choosing to celebrate life itself in every season of change it brings.”

You can connect with Tanya on https://embodywell.com/, YouTube EmBodywell, Instagram embodywell

Here are some of the researches she’d like to share.

• Americans in Their 80s and 90s Are Redefining Old Age
• People think ‘old age’ starts later than it used to, study finds
• Embracing Resilience: A New Perspective on Aging
• Why you should thank your aging brain
• Believing Myths About Aging Makes Growing Old Worse
• Ageism: The Brain Strikes Back
• Scientists discover a key to staying mentally sharp in old age 

Mind Blend is all about real experiences and meaningful conversations—through sharing these insights, I hope to inspire and empower you as you navigate your unique journey.

What resonated with you today? What topics or guests should we feature next? Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on LinkedIn @⁠Mind-Blend⁠, Instagram Mindblendpodcast or drop me an ⁠email⁠. 

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First of three episodes in the “Aging, According to Everyone Else” series.

What if aging isn’t the problem — but how we respond to it is?

In this conversation, Karen sits down with Mary Westheimer for a refreshingly honest and unexpectedly fun take on getting older. From ripped jeans to debunking misconceptions about “old people” , Mary brings humor and perspective to the everyday realities we don’t talk about enough.

Together, they explore what actually changes as we age — not just physically, but in how we choose to spend our energy, respond to challenges, and relate to ourselves. It’s a conversation about perspective, priorities, and the small decisions that shape how we experience life over time.

• Why negativity doesn’t help — and what to do instead

• Picking your battles: what’s worth your energy and what’s not

• Why adjusting yourself is often the only real control you have

• Complaining vs. looking for solutions — and how that choice shapes your experience

• Re-evaluating your priorities as life changes

• Mary’s open-minded take on change — including her thoughts on things like Waymo

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “Why does this feel harder than it used to?” or questioning what’s actually worth your time and energy now? This conversation will likely resonate.

It’s a grounded, thoughtful reminder that while we can’t control everything that changes, we do have more say in how we respond than we often think.

About Mary Westheimer

Mary never set out to write a book about aging — it started as a running list of observations, shaped over years by her own experiences and the stories of others around her.

A lifelong writer and editor, Mary has contributed to publications including Columbia Journalism Review, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly. She also co-founded BookZone, one of the earliest online bookstores, and has worked across publishing, journalism, and bookselling throughout her career.

Now based in Phoenix, Arizona, Mary continues to write, observe, and share the kinds of insights that remind people they’re not alone in what they’re experiencing — often with a sense of humor along the way.

Grab a copy of her book What Nobody Tells You About Getting Older if you want her insights into a happy senior-hood, or even just laughs.

You can connect with Mary on her website, Instagram @nobodytellsmary, Facebook, TikTok and Pinterest.

Mind Blend is all about real experiences and meaningful conversations—through sharing these insights, I hope to inspire and empower you as you navigate your unique journey.

What resonated with you today? What topics or guests should we feature next? Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on LinkedIn @⁠Mind-Blend⁠, Instagram Mindblendpodcast or drop me an ⁠email⁠. 

Follow Mind Blend to get notified when new episodes are released!

The mic flips—and things get a little more revealing.

In this episode, Sai Ramachandran puts Karen in the hot seat to explore what’s behind Mind Blend: the way she thinks, the questions she asks, the experiences that shaped it and what’s coming.

From growing up across cultures to navigating a career as the “connector” between different worlds, they unpack how those experiences led to the creation of the show—and the thinking behind it. 

From not fitting neatly into one identity to learning how to navigate uncertainty without confusion, this conversation goes beyond the usual format.

Curious what’s really behind the show—and the person usually asking the questions? Tune in.

About Karen Chong

Karen is a third culture kid who has lived in Hong Kong, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and now London.

She naturally operates as a connector—bridging different perspectives, translating ideas, and helping people make sense of complexity. Through Mind Blend, she explores the gap between knowing and doing, helping listeners see themselves more clearly and move through life with a bit more clarity.

Connect with Karen on Mind-Blend⁠, Instagram Mindblendpodcast or send her an ⁠email⁠. 

About Sai Ramachandran

Sai was a previous guest on the Episode, Punchlines and People Skills: What Comedy Can Teach You About Engagement, and the one who decided to flip the mic for this conversation. Check out that episode to hear more about Sai’s comedian journey. 

An engineer by training, Sai approaches humor from first principles. He is the author of  Humor Science: When Your Success Depends On Being Funny And Engaging and works with CXOs to help them communicate with more clarity, engagement, and empathy.

You can connect with him on  https://linktr.ee/sai.humor.scientist, Instagram: @abeysai YouTube: @sai-ramachandran

Watch his sketch:  My Name is Bald. James Bald.

And TedEx talk: Engineering Comedy

4th and final episode of the mini series - Rewriting the Script of Your Life.

We all carry something—beliefs, assumptions, and patterns that quietly shape how we show up.

In this episode, I mind-blended with Raúl Pereyra, executive coach and founder of RTP Learning, to explore “the bag”—and how it often holds us back without us realizing it.

We talk about self-doubt, the inner critic, and why growth isn’t about quick fixes, but learning to see what’s been there all along.

If you’ve ever felt stuck or not quite ready, this conversation might help you understand why—and what to do next.

Take Raúl’s free 5-day challenge! With only 30 mins a day, see how much you can transform in 5 days through 1:1, private coaching with him.

About Raúl T. Pereyra 

Raúl Pereyra is an executive coach and founder of RTP Learning, helping leaders navigate self-doubt and step into bigger roles with confidence.

His work is shaped by his own journey—from growing up in a chaotic, survival-mode environment to confronting the beliefs and patterns that once held him back. After a life-altering health scare, Raúl shifted from chasing quick fixes to doing the deeper work of transformation.

Today, he helps leaders unpack what he calls “the BAG”—their beliefs, assumptions, and protective patterns—so they can lead with clarity, confidence, and intention.

You can connect with Raúl on his website https://www.rtplearning.com/coaching, Linkedin @rtplearning and Instagram @raultpereyra.

What resonated with you today? What topics or guests should we feature next? Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on LinkedIn @⁠Mind-Blend⁠, Instagram Mindblendpodcast or drop me an ⁠email⁠ @mindblendpodcast@gmail.com.

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Episode 3 of 4 of mini - series: Rewriting the script of your life: stories of courage, reinventing, and becoming who you were meant to be.

In this episode, Rachael Lawrence shares how life’s hardest moments — depleted of confidence from solo motherhood and toxic leadership —  became the foundation for her confidence and voice in midlife, because she chose to.

We explore the power of intentionally choosing to make a change, the limits of “fake it till you make it,” and what it really takes to show up when you don’t feel ready.

If you’ve ever felt invisible, stuck, or unsure of your next step, this conversation will help you reconnect with your strength and start showing up as you are.

Also check out the episode “Your Voice is a Superpower. Use it to Win” with Navin Jaitly.

About Rachel Lawrence 

Rachael is a personal brand strategist, bestselling author of Confident As F*ck, and visibility coach who helps ambitious women step into confidence and build impactful brands.

Combining lived experience with practical strategy, she supports women in overcoming self-doubt, embracing visibility, and showing up authentically in their work and lives.

Connect with Rachael on https://rachaellawrence.co.uk/ and Instagram /rachaellawrenceuk

What resonated with you today? What topics or guests should we feature next? Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on LinkedIn @⁠Mind-Blend⁠, Instagram Mindblendpodcast or drop me an ⁠email⁠. 

Follow Mind Blend to get notified when new episodes are released!