F*ck, I'm Nearly 50

F*ck, What I’ve Learnt So Far! (Solo Episode) with Dom Hind

• Dom Hind

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EPISODE 13: F*ck, What I've Learnt So Far! with Dom Hind
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In this special solo episode of F*ck, I'm nearly 50! I’m turning the mic on myself.

After twelve incredible conversations with guests covering everything from hormones and gut health to reinvention, clarity, friendship, and careers, I’ve realised, I’ve learnt a LOT. Things I thought I knew but didn’t. Things I didn’t want to know but needed to. And things that made me stop and go: maybe 50 isn’t the beginning of the end… maybe it’s the start of something amazing.

So this one’s me reflecting, connecting the dots, and sharing the six big themes that keep showing up, plus my own 10-point survival kit for thriving in midlife.

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This episode gets into:

✨ Why being a beginner at nearly 50 is actually a superpower
💪 Owning your health and hormones (and building the right team)
🥗 Gut, skin, and longevity hacks from the experts
🧠 Mindset shifts that simplify life and fuel reinvention
🔥 Courage, careers, and curveballs, how to reset when life throws you one
💞 Why friendships are medicine in midlife
📝 The “try this before you’re 50” challenges my guests left me with, from solo trips to writing letters to your future self.
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This is part reflection, part pep talk, and part practical guide for anyone navigating midlife and wondering: “Is this it?” Spoiler, no, it isn’t.

Hit play, take a note (or ten), and maybe text your bestie: “This is the episode you need to hear — Dom just put it all on the table.” 💥
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🎧 Listen now: https://fckimnearly50.buzzsprout.com
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FckImnearly50
📲 Follow along: https://www.instagram.com/fckimnearlyfifty

Let me know what you'd love to hear about next.


🔥 Let’s keep the conversation going! 🔥

📺 Watch the episodes on YouTube – Subscribe here!

💬 Join the community – Follow me on Instagram @fckimnearlyfifty and share your thoughts on this episode. Or connect with me on LinkedIn.

🎧 Never miss an episode – Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

📢 Spread the word – If you loved this episode, share it with a friend (or 10). Because midlife is better when we figure it out together.

Because f*ck, we’re nearly 50, and isn’t that amazing? 🚀

Speaker 1:

Hi, I'm Dom Hind and fuck, I'm nearly 50. Actually I'm 47 and a half, but who's counting? When I launched this podcast, I thought it'd just be a fun hobby project, a chance to chat to my friends, give a voice to the things we usually whisper about and maybe learn a few things along the way. But 12 episodes in, I've realized I've learned a lot Things I thought I knew but didn't, things I didn't want to know but needed to, and things that made me stop and go, wow, maybe 50 isn't the beginning of the end, maybe it's the start of something amazing. So today it's just me, no guest, no interview, just me reflecting on everything I've heard so far and how it's shaping the way I think about life at this stage. And when I sat down to make sense of it all, I realized that everything I've learned, all the advice, the hacks, the stories, they fall into six big themes, six things that keep coming up no matter who I talk to. So that's how I'm going to share it today Six key themes for thriving as we head towards 50. And maybe that's the biggest surprise of all, that at nearly 50, I'm still a beginner in so many ways, still curious, still making so many mistakes, still laughing my way through the what the fuck moments Because, fuck, I'm nearly 50. And isn't it amazing? Theme one being a beginner and loving it. This one is personal because before we get into health and hormones and big reinventions, the first thing I've learned is simply the joy of being a beginner.

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When I started this podcast, I knew nothing, and when I say nothing I mean nothing. Uploading an episode, new idea, cutting clips forget about it. Using AI yes, I love it, but not for doing a podcast, even Instagram reels I had to learn it all from scratch. I'll never forget the first time I uploaded to Buzzsprout. I thought it was live, but it wasn't. I'd missed a step. So there I was, proudly telling people go listen, when in reality it didn't even exist. Or the first reel I made, it literally ended mid-word. But here's the thing I loved it being a beginner is humbling, messy and kind of exhilarating. It keeps you alive. And then the messages started coming in. Thank you, I needed this. I sent this to my sister. Suddenly I realized, even if I messed up the tech, some people were listening the lesson don't be afraid to start, don't be afraid to look silly, to look crazy, to have fun doing it because at nearly 50, being a beginner is a gift. It keeps us curious and brave, and once I embraced being a beginner with podcasting, it made me braver about being a beginner in other parts of my life, especially with my health.

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Number two owning your health and hormones. If there's one message I want every woman to hear, it's this own your health. Shelley Horton put it perfectly Stop soldiering through. Don't dismiss your symptoms. Don't let doctors dismiss them either. Track your cycles. Don't let doctors dismiss them either. Track your cycles, note your moods and advocate yourself. Her peri-survival kit was simple but powerful HRT, vaginal estrogen, testosterone and, beyond the science, her bigger point was that we deserve better, better healthcare, better conversations, better support.

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Zoe Bingley Pullen backed that up with nutritional wisdom. Food isn't just calories, it's chemistry. Protein and whole foods keep our hormones steady, while sugar and processed carbs push us into chaos. Use colour in your food to keep it interesting and go places that inspire you Markets, fresh food stores, anywhere that you can get creative about food. Zoe gave me three really practical hacks. I still use Protein at every meal.

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Midlife is where our muscle mass naturally starts to decline, so protein should be our anchor. Eggs, fish, lentils, beans. Crowd out the bad, don't just cut. Instead of obsessing over what to avoid, load your plate with whole, nutritious foods first. Cravings naturally shrink. Food is mood. What you eat doesn't just affect your waistline. It directly affects your stress, your sleep and your mood. Eating well is emotional self-care, and Amelia Phillips taught me that.

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Inflammation is the quiet villain in midlife, the fatigue, the aches, the can't be bothered feeling. Often it's inflammation driving it. Her hacks were simple Colorful, anti-inflammatory foods, like the packaged beetroot. Daily movement and actual rest. Amelia also gave me a brilliant way to actually make new habits stick. Don't go drastic, don't overhaul everything. Instead, focus on one thing per term, just one new habit every few months, like upping your protein or committing to better sleep. By the end of the year you've stacked up four new habits without overwhelming yourself.

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Other gems for Amelia exercise for energy, not punishment. Move to feel good, not to earn food. Track your energy instead of just your weight. How you feel is a better marker than the number on the scales. The lesson here our bodies are not betraying us. They're speaking to us and if we listen and act now, we set ourselves up for decades of vitality. But health isn't just about hormones and food. It's also about guts, skin and how our bodies carry us into the future.

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Theme three gut, skin and longevity. This one blew my mind. Dr Craig Hafer reminded me that gut health is the command center. It's not just digestion, it's immunity, mood, even how we age. His advice was refreshingly simple Ditch the ultra-processed stuff, watch preservatives. If bread lasts weeks, it's not helping your gut, fiber is your friend, psyllium husk is his go-to every day, minus chia seeds. And don't obsess over fancy probiotics. Prebiotics and whole foods matter more. And he reminded me that movement outdoors literally changes your microbiome. A walk in nature is medicine and better for you and your gut.

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On the outside, dr Philip Tong reframed skin. Skin isn't vanity, it's an organ. Sbs is a preventative medicine. Skin checks save lives and building a strong barrier is as vital as building strong bones. Together they reminded me that longevity isn't just about living longer, it's about health span, living well inside and out.

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And once I started looking at health more holistically, I realized it's not just about the body, it's also about the mind. So theme four is about mindset and reinvention. If there's one thing I've learned in midlife, it's this your mindset shapes everything. Shanna Kennedy hammered home that tomorrow starts today. Don't wait, don't drift. Every yes is a no to something else, so make sure it's worth it. She also helped me define my values health, family, happiness, pleasure, adventure and fun. They're my compass. Now Every decision I make is based on these. One of her tips I loved was seasonal goals. Not everything has to be done at once. Winter is perfect for hibernating, tackling the admin, doing the tax, settling the systems. Then spring and summer can be about growth, energy and new projects, breaking goals into seasons, making them realistic and achievable. Other gems from Shanna Write a life plan, not just career, but health, family, finances and fun.

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Create rituals, small daily anchors like a morning walk or journaling, that keep you grounded. Lydia Ranieri showed me that clarity isn't just about adding more. It's about subtracting. Simplify your diary, simplifyplify your commitments, simplify your thoughts. And Nigel Marsh, he called it. Balance is bullshit. We've been sold this myth that we can have everything in neat slices, but we can't. We can design a life that actually works for us instead.

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The big shift for me, moving from chasing to choosing Reinvention, isn't one big leap, it's daily, deliberate decisions. And talking about reinvention, some of the most powerful stories came from women brave enough to start completely over. Theme five courage, reinvention and career shifts. The stories of reinvention have stayed with me. Justine Armour, one of my dearest friends, reminded us that success on paper doesn't mean fulfillment. At the top of her industry, she still chooses authenticity over titles. She's learned that growth over time and changed her leadership style to be truly authentic to her. Talitha Cummins showed us that starting over at 40 is not only possible, it can be joyful. She left TV, embraced sobriety and built a jewellery brand with purpose and Tracey Hall. She brought it home with honesty Fuck, I wasn't ready, but I am now. Life through her curveballs, divorce, loss, uncertainty and she rebuilt from the ground up.

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Tracy also gave me a reality, practical finance hack Check your bank statements weekly, not monthly, not once a year. Weekly, because if you don't know what's coming in and going out, you can't make smart decisions. Coming in and going out, you can't make smart decisions. Another gem from Tracy create a curveball fund, even a small emergency stash, just for the unexpected. Have the hard conversations early with partners, kids or family about money, wills and health plans. And, like Amelia, tracy also hammered home the importance of sleep. Protect it, prioritize it, guard it, because without good sleep, everything else falls over.

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These women reminded me that reinvention isn't optional, it's part of life and if you lean into it it can be liberating. But survival isn't just about careers and curveballs. It's also about the people you walk through it with. See theme six relationships and connection. If midlife has taught me anything, it's that friendships are medicine. Maddie Marsh reminded me that friendships aren't extras, they're lifelines. They're the people who know your history, who've seen every version of you, who make you laugh when everything feels heavy. In a stage of life where family changes, careers shift and hormones rage, friendships steady the ship. They remind us of who we are. The lesson nurture them, prioritize them, because in the end, it's not your six pack that anyone remembers, it's how you made them feel.

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The common thread and something I've noticed across all of these conversations is this Talk about what's going on. Don't hold it in. If you can talk to your partner, your girlfriends or family, do it, and if you can't, then talk to your GP. But here's the catch Make sure you've got a good GP, one who listens, one who takes you seriously, one who's willing to work with you and build a team of healthcare professionals around you, whether that's a nutritionist, a physio, a dermatologist, a psychologist, whatever you need, because midlife isn't a time to go alone. You're the leader of your team, but you don't have to be the only player and another big one. Get your baseline, book your skin check, do your bloods, take photos if you want to track changes. Know where you're starting from, because that's a huge thing. And without a baseline you don't know what's changing or when to step in. And if there's one thing I've learned, it's that catching things early whether it's health, hormones or habits, makes all the difference.

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So one of my favorite parts of these conversations has been asking my guests what they'd challenge me or anyone to try before hitting 50. And the answers have been brilliant and made me think. Justine Armour said take a solo trip, even just a few days. Go somewhere on your own, set your own rhythm, eat what you want, wake up when you want. The independence is addictive and it reminds you that you're capable of so much more than you give yourself credit for.

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Tracy Hall suggested creating 50 before 50. List 50 things you want to do, try or experience before this milestones. They don't all have to be massive. Some can be simple a new recipe, a walk somewhere different, a coffee with an old friend. Others can be big A trip, a course, a career leap. It's about intention, not perfection.

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Dr Craig Hafer gave me the most practical challenge Get a scan which I've already done and listen to your body. Do your baseline health checks blood, skins, bowel screen and then pay attention. Notice how food, movement, stress affects you. Your body whispers before it screams. Lydia Ranieri said become a beginner at something. Pick anything a language, a pottery class, learning to surf, doing a podcast. The discomfort of not knowing is where you find energy and joy.

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Dr Philip Tong suggested write a letter to your future self. Imagine you at 45, 55, 60 or 70. What do you want to thank them for? What do you want to remember? Is there some way of checking how you're living now and making sure it aligns? Nigel Marsh challenged us to do something kind or courageous when no one is watching. Help someone give quietly. Take an action that aligns with your values and tell no one. It's about doing it for the integrity of it, not the applause.

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And others added gems too. Shelley Horton talk openly about your perimenopause or menopause systems, whether it's with your friends, family or GP. Start the conversation and refuse the silence. Amelia Phillips said protect your sleep like it's sacred. Set a bedtime, make your room cool and dark and stop glorifying exhaustion. Shanna Kennedy, write down your values and use them as your compass. Make every decision through that lens. The point of all these you don't need to wait until you're 50 to live deliberately. You can actually start now.

Speaker 1:

So the summary, my own learnings. So those are the six big themes I've learned so far being a beginner, stay curious, start messy, keep learning, owning your health and hormones. Track, advocate and act now. Gut skin, longevity inside and out, it all matters. Mindset and reinvention. Tomorrow starts today. Simplify and choose Courage and career shifts. Reinvention isn't optional. It's survival, relationships and connection. Friendships are the glue, they're the medicine.

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And if I boil it down to my own personal survival kit, here are 10 things I'm taking with me into the next decade. One protect your sleep. It's the super elixir. Thanks to Shelley, amelia and Tracy for reminding me of this. Build every plate around proteins, plants and fiber Fuel. Don't starve. Advocate for yourself with doctors, with bosses, with life. Four reset as often as you need to.

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Life is phases, not a straight line. Five nurture friendships. Laughter and honesty are medicine. Six never stop being a beginner. Curiosity keeps you alive. Seven move daily, preferably outdoors. Exercise is about brain, gut, joy, not just calories. Do the preventative stuff Skin checks, bowel screening, blood tests.

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Catch it early. Make space for stillness, meditation, journaling or just sitting in the car for five minutes before the kids pile in. Choose joy unapologetically, whether it's a glass of wine, a chocolate binge, dancing in the kitchen. 12 conversations, 12 voices, six big themes. One common thread talk, track and build your team, and a 10 point survival kit. I'm carrying into the next decade and me, a beginner who still sometimes presses the wrong buttons, cuts the wrong clips and wonders if anyone is actually listening. But then I get your messages and I know this is worth it. So here's my challenge to you Pick one thing from today book the skin check, do your bloods, track your symptoms, add the fiber. Say no to something that doesn't align. Call your best friend, try something brand new and be a beginner again, because this isn't about getting to 50 quietly. This is about striding in, laughing, crying, owning it because, fuck, I'm nearly 50. And isn't it amazing?