What if you were leading a major wellness media company while quietly struggling to follow the very advice you publish?
In this refreshingly candid episode of The Big Silence, Karena Dawn sits down with Samantha Skey, CEO of SheMedia and founder of Flowspace. Together, they dive into what it really means to age out loud, from the invisible weight of midlife caregiving to the truth about impostor syndrome, mental load, and why self-care often feels like another item on the to-do list. With humor, honesty, and a few clever fitness hacks, Samantha opens up about reclaiming space, not just in media, but in her own life.
Is prioritizing your well-being selfish? Or is it the secret to aging and leading with power?
Redefining success in your 40s and beyond means unlearning hustle culture, normalizing midlife health conversations, and building wellness into the moments you already have, even if it’s just five squats at a time.
(00:00:30) Women’s Health & the Third Chapter: Why Flowspace Matters
- Samantha shares how Flowspace was born out of a need to address midlife health, not just motherhood.
- “This is not about moms. This is about women prioritizing themselves so that they can have a lifelong experience of wellbeing.”
- Perimenopause, caregiving, career shifts: it’s about the stage, not the age.
- Flowspace focuses on destigmatizing menopause and spotlighting underused innovations in wellness.
(00:07:09) Finding Strength When You Have None to Spare
- Samantha admits: “All the healthy advice on stage? I don’t really do most of it because I’m running the business.”
- How “bathing in gratitude” with friendships fuels her resilience
- Being mindful about whether she’s mindful is her starting point.
(00:08:40) Impostor Phenomenon in the Boardroom
- Samantha challenges the term “impostor syndrome,” calling it a “societal phenomenon” instead.
- “In many rooms… the other eight people at the table don’t really want you there.”
- She overcomes self-doubt by preparing thoroughly, using handwritten cards as her power tool.
- Confidence is built through practice, movement, and strong community.
(00:11:52) Confidence Hacks & Micro-Workouts You’ll Actually Try
- Samantha swears by working out before big moments — even if it’s just a few jumping jacks.
- Her trick? “I put a set of weights on my kitchen counter… curl, press, curl, press.”
- Five squats every bathroom break. “You’ve got the trigger…it’s like cognitive behavioral therapy.”
- Can we change our behavior? “I literally publish a platform about making the time for ourselves and changing our behaviors to prioritize ourselves. And yet I don't do it.”
(00:18:56) What’s Next: Flowspace Expansion & Listening to Gen Z
- Flowspace is growing: hiring writers, editors, and building community events.
- SheMedia is evolving beyond parenting — investing in research around teens, AI, and identity.
- Their Gen Z Teen Council keeps them honest (and humble).
- “They’re like… that is a trend from like 11 years ago. And you're just finding out about it because you're middle-aged white ladies.”
Guest Resources:
