The Midlife Advantage

Annemarie Lucania Cavallaro is owner and founder of Perform FitNutrition LLC. She is a board-certified holistic health practitioner(BCHHP), Nutritious Life Master Certified nutritionist, speaker, coach, and former professional ballerina.

A native New Yorker, Annemarie enjoyed a 30-year professional career in dance, including two decades as a principal dancer with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet, performances on Broadway in The Phantom of the Opera as well as ten years as a principal artists in ballet companies here and abroad. She has earned New York Times reviews and has been featured on the cover of Women’s Wear Daily as “The CityBallerina”.

After retiring from the stage, Annemarie transformed her passion for peak performance into a second career in health and wellness. Through Perform Fit Nutrition LLC, she combines evidence-based nutrition, behavioral coaching, and holistic wellness strategies to help clients build sustainable habits, improve strength, and navigate their health with confidence. Her work with all of her clients across the country, some of whom are active performers on the stage, emphasizes the powerful connection between muscle strength, brain health, metabolism, and resilience throughout life.

Annemarie has been a guest speaker on the relationship between strength, the brain, and aging, empowering audiences to redefine what is possible as they grow older. In this book Annemarie shares her deeply personal journey discovering her purpose beyond the spotlight.Annemarie’s mission remains the same: to inspire others to live with strength, vitality, and grace at every age.Helping people perform at their best—for life.

After spending three decades in the fast-paced business world of New York City, Christine Semple now combines her professional experience with her background in nutrition, life coaching, and fitness to help women reclaim their health, energy, and sense of self.

As an Integrative Wellness Coach, Certified Life and Nutrition Coach and Personal Trainer, Christine helps busy, high-achieving women move beyond burnout, overwhelm, and all-or-nothing thinking by creating realistic, lasting changes that support both physical and emotional well-being.

Her approach blends practical nutrition, movement, mindset work, stress management, and self-awareness to help clients build healthier habits, strengthen self-trust, and feel more connected to themselves and their lives.

Drawing from both professional expertise and personal life experience, Christine understands what it feels like to appear successful on the outside while quietly struggling underneath the weight of stress, expectations, and disconnection. Her work is grounded in the belief that true wellness is not about perfection, but about creating a life that feels aligned, resilient, and sustainable from the inside out.

Dr. Cori Cooper is a pharmacist and a health advocate for busy, high-performing women who struggle with their weight. She specializes in diabetes and rheumatology with over 22 years of experience across direct patient care, health education, and industry medical affairs. She is also a busy, midlife mom who lost 50 pounds using GLP-1/GIP therapy. She created The SHOWN Method to help other midlife women struggling to lose weight and interested in GLP-1 therapy realize that they may have been using the wrong tools, and give them the confidence they need to start.

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Dr. Cori earned both her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees from Xavier University of Louisiana and her Master in Public Health degree from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She is certified through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition with advanced training in health coaching psychology, emotional eating, hormone health, and gut health. She is also a Certified Nutrition and GLP-1 Optimization Coach from the Nutritious Life Studio.

Gina Verkamp is a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness coach (NBC-HWC), certified life coach, nutrition coach, hormone replenishment coach, and emotional intelligence trainer who helps men and women navigate meaningful change in midlife and beyond.

Her work focuses on the changes that happen in the body, mind, and soul during life transitions. Gina supports clients who feel burned out, stuck, disconnected from themselves, or unsure whether it is too late to dream again. Through compassionate coaching, nutrition and wellness education, emotional intelligence tools, and purpose-driven planning, she helps clients reconnect with their strengths, clarify what they truly want, and take practical steps toward a more fulfilling life.

Gina has completed certifications through Health Coach Institute, Nutritious Life Studio, Dr. Anna Cabeca’s Hormone Replenishment Certification, and Clarity Catalyst and continues taking continuing education courses. After deepening her training in perimenopause, menopause, and hormone replenishment, Gina has become especially passionate about helping midlife women understand their changing bodies, regain confidence, and feel vibrant, purposeful, and fully alive again.

At the heart of Gina’s coaching is the belief that midlife is not the end of possibility. It can be the beginning of a more authentic, confident, and purpose-filled chapter.

Jennifer Shepherd is a Health and Clarity Practitioner, speaker, educator, and wellness advocate dedicated to helping individuals reconnect with their health, purpose, and wellbeing. With a degree in Social Work and more than fifteen years of experience supporting children, families, and helping professionals, Jennifer combines professional expertise with lived experience to guide others toward sustainable, whole-person wellness.

Jennifer’s journey into health advocacy began long before she entered the wellness field. In her twenties, she experienced premature ovarian failure and early menopause, a diagnosis that was missed for years despite significant symptoms. Navigating the challenges of hormone imbalance, sleep disruption, unexplained weight gain, infertility, gut health concerns, and later androgenetic alopecia transformed not only her understanding of health but also her life’s work. Her personal experience fuels her passion for helping women better understand their bodies, advocate for themselves, and ask the right questions when something doesn’t feel right.

As a Health and Clarity Practitioner, Jennifer has spent years coaching individuals and groups on nutrition, lifestyle habits, stress management, mindfulness, behavior change, and whole-person wellness. Her approach focuses on helping people create realistic, sustainable habits that support energy, resilience, and long-term health rather than quick fixes or restrictive approaches. She believes that health is built through small, consistent actions and that it lasts.

Throughout her career, Jennifer has facilitated workshops, coaching programs, support groups, wellness events, and professional development opportunities for educators, healthcare professionals, community organizations, and individuals throughout Montana and beyond. She is known for her ability to translate complex health concepts into relatable, actionable steps while creating a supportive and engaging learning environment.

Through her coaching, speaking, and writing, Jennifer empowers women to view their symptoms not as signs of failure, but as valuable information. Her mission is to help others understand that the body is not working against them, it is communicating with them.

Jennifer lives in Montana with her husband and their cat. When she is not coaching, teaching, or writing, she enjoys hiking, fishing, cooking, baking, and spending time outdoors.

Kelly Moore’s journey into health and wellness began at the age of 22 after a ski accident changed the course of her life.

What initially seemed like a setback became one of her greatest gifts. During her recovery, Kelly discovered yoga and, for the first time, learned to listen to her body instead of constantly pushing through pain and exhaustion. That experience transformed not only the way she moved, but also the way she lived, laying the foundation for the work she has devoted her life to.

Over the next two decades, Kelly built a career centered around movement and well-being while raising three boys and balancing the demands of work, family, and everyday life. Like so many women, she spent years caring for everyone else, often placing her own needs last. From the outside, she appeared strong, capable, and successful, yet beneath the surface she knew what it felt like to be running on empty.

As she entered midlife, the strategies that had always worked for her body began to change. Rather than resisting those changes, Kelly chose to become a student again. She deepened her expertise in Pilates, expanded her knowledge of nutrition, and embraced a more holistic approach to health that focused on working with the body instead of fighting against it.

Today, Kelly believes true wellness has very little to do with chasing a number on the scale. Instead, she helps women cultivate strength, confidence, vitality, and a deeper connection with themselves through intentional movement, nourishing nutrition, and sustainable lifestyle practices.

With more than twenty years of teaching experience, along with certifications in yoga, Pilates, and nutrition coaching, Kelly combines professional expertise with the wisdom that comes from living the journey herself. She understands firsthand what it feels like to lose touch with your body—and how empowering it is to find your way back.

Known for her compassionate, encouraging, and grounded approach, Kelly is passionate about helping women feel strong, energized, and fully at home in their bodies at every stage of life.

Keri Glassman is a nationally recognized Registered Dietitian, acclaimed author, and media personality who has spent over two decades empowering individuals to lead healthier, happier lives. As the founder of the award-winning lifestyle and media company, Nutritious Life, and the coaching and education platform

Nutritious Life Studio, Keri has touched the lives of millions worldwide with her science-backed, holistic approach to wellness.Her groundbreaking work has earned her numerous accolades, including multiple Webby Awards for NutritiousLife.com, as one of the internet’s best health websites. As a trusted, forward-thinking, renowned healthy living expert and the author of four best-selling books, Keri is a prolific contributor and commentator for countless top media outlets. On a weekly basis, you might catch her on The Today Show talking about protein-rich snacks, on CBS Mornings explaining sugar cravings, or on Good Day New York sharing recipes, or in the pages of Women’s Health answering readers’ most pressing wellness questions.

Over the course of her career, Keri has also partnered with many of the most influential brands in the wellness industry, bringing her credibility, expertise, and authentic voice to campaigns that reach millions.

As the host of her podcast, Living a Nutritious Life, Keri shares her wisdom and inspiration with a devoted audience seeking to transform their lives through better nutrition and lifestyle choices.

Upon receiving her BS from Tufts University in 1995 and her masters in clinical nutrition in 1999 from New York University, Keri swiftly built a successful private practice as a dietitian in NYC. Keri now has 25+ years of experience in counseling clients, building businesses, and mentoring up and coming wellness professionals.

Keri has authored four best-selling books; including The New You and Improved Diet (Rodale, Dec 2012), Slim Calm Sexy Diet (Rodale, March 2012), The O2 Diet (Rodale, Dec 2009), and The Snack Factor Diet (Crown,2007). Keri also contributed to Editor-In-Chief of Women’s Health Magazine, Michele Promaulayko’s books, Look Better Naked (Rodale, April 2010) and 20 Pounds Younger (Rodale, December 2014).

Through her books, digital courses, and coaching certification program, Keri empowers individuals to take charge of their health and well-being, providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive. Keri’s impact extends beyond her direct work. As a leader in the wellness industry, she inspires and influences thousands of other health and wellness professionals. Through the Nutritious Life Studio, she provides cutting-edge nutrition, coaching, and business education to passionate students around the globe. Her innovative approach, combining science, compassion, and entrepreneurship, serves as a model for the next generation of wellness thought-leaders. Beyond her work, Keri’s most meaningful role is being mom to her two young adults, who keep her grounded, inspired, and committed to practicing what she teaches.

With a passion for continuous learning and a commitment to excellence, Keri remains at the forefront of the health and wellness landscape. With her ongoing success and the lasting impact of her work, Keri is poised to remain a dominant force and influential voice in the health and wellness landscape.

Lori Soper, NBC-HWC, Owner, Ascend Health and Life
National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach | Speaker | Co-Author of Heal to Lead: Wellness Edition, Volume 2 | Cancer Survivor | Advocate for Empowered Living

Lori Soper is a three-time breast cancer survivor whose journey through intensive treatments and major surgeries sparked a transformative path toward holistic health and personal empowerment. Guided early on by a physician’s wisdom—that healing thrives on positivity and a whole-person approach—Lori embraced profound changes in mindset, nutrition, and lifestyle. The result? A renewed sense of vitality and purpose that now fuels her mission to help others do the same.

As a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach, Lori specializes in working with midlife women who feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and disconnected from their best selves. Through personalized 1:1 coaching, dynamic group programs, and corporate wellness initiatives, she supports clients in regaining energy, clarity, and confidence across all dimensions of well-being—physical, mental, emotional, and beyond.

Lori holds multiple professional credentials, including:

• National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC)
• Nutritious Life Master Nutrition and Wellness Coach
• Health Coach Institute Master Coach
• Empowered Well-Being Coach

Whether she’s guiding clients toward better health or delivering impactful presentations, Lori brings compassion, authenticity, and results to everything she does.

Nadia Cruceru embraces life as a journey of growth, resilience, and purpose. Born in Romania and now calling Toronto, Canada home, Nadia brings a rich blend of cultural perspective and compassion to everything she does. Together with her husband, Cristian, their twin daughters, Alyssa and Lara, and their beloved goldendoodle, Minnie, she has built a life grounded in family, wellness, and meaningful connection.

After arriving in Canada, Nadia pursued studies in Facility Management and dedicated over 25 years to the field, building a respected career through hard work, leadership, and commitment. Her professional journey reflects not only determination, but also her passion for creating supportive and thriving environments for others.

Driven by a deeper calling to help people live healthier and more fulfilling lives, she became a Certified Wellness and Nutrition Coach through The Nutritious Life Studio. This new chapter allows her to guide and inspire others to embrace wellness in a realistic, balanced, and empowering way. She believes that healthy living should never feel overwhelming, but instead become a joyful lifestyle that nourishes both body and mind.

An avid traveler with a love for exploring new cultures and experiences, Nadia embraces every stage of life’s journey with gratitude and optimism. Her story is a reminder that reinvention is always possible, and that true wellness begins when we choose to live with intention, passion, and heart.

Nancy Mancini is a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach, Nutrition and Fitness Coach, and founder of Nancy Mancini Wellness, a coaching practice dedicated to helping women in midlife create sustainable lifestyle changes that support their health and overall well-being.

After a successful 28-year career in the pharmaceutical industry, where she held leadership positions in Finance and Market Research at Pfizer and Merck, Nancy left corporate life in 2018 to pursue her passion for health and wellness. Her own journey through chronic stress, gut and respiratory health challenges and autoimmune issues, inspired her to take a deeper look at what it truly means to live well. That experience ultimately led her to her passion of helping women live healthier lifestyles.

Nancy combines evidence-based health coaching, mindfulness practices, nutrition, movement, and behavior change strategies to help clients improve their physical and emotional well-being without relying on restrictive diets or unrealistic expectations. Her approach is rooted in the belief that lasting change comes from understanding ourselves more deeply and creating habits that align with our lifestyle and goals.

Nancy holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Monmouth University and is a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach. She has advanced training in health coaching, personal training, nutrition, transformational coaching, and emotional intelligence. In addition to her coaching practice, she serves as a Fitness Coach at Life Time Fitness and F45 Training in New Jersey.

Nancy lives in Colts Neck, New Jersey, with her husband Gary, where they enjoy cooking, entertaining, and spending time outdoors.

Sarah Lawrence knows what it means to have symptoms that don’t add up and doctors who tell you everything looks fine. She lived it, and it shaped how she works. With over fifteen years supporting women who have tried everything, seen everyone, and still don’t feel like themselves, Sarah focuses on helping them figure out what their bodies are actually asking for and what to do about it.

As a Certified Functional Nutrition and Lifestyle Practitioner and Holistic Health Coach, Sarah thinks in systems, not symptoms. Instead of chasing the loudest complaint, she looks at the whole picture, what the body is missing, what is overloading it, and what small, sustainable shifts will actually move the needle. No rigid protocols. No guilt. Just simple, customized strategies to get you back to a body that feels more like home.

When she’s not with clients, you’ll probably find her elbow-deep in the garden, singing loudly in the kitchen while something good simmers on the stove, or enjoying New Hampshire from the mountains to the sea with her husband and two sons. She’s the friendly, no-nonsense guide who tells you the truth, hands you a snack, and has the clinical experience to stay in it with you until you feel like yourself again.