Fitness coach Denise Kirtley joins us on The AGEIST Podcast this week to talk about why transformation in midlife begins with mindset, not macros. In this conversation, she challenges outdated views of aging, critiques perfection culture, and explains how real strength is built through daily intention. Denise also speaks candidly about social media backlash and how sharing her journey in a bikini inspires women to believe change is possible. Her message is clear: Stop waiting, and just start.
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Key Moments
“You want to change? You can literally start as soon as you listen to this podcast.”
“The hardest part of transformation is the mindset.”
“You have to get strong to have a good life because life’s going to get hard as you get older if you’re not strong.”
Connect With Denise Kirtley
Instagram (@fiftyfitnessjourney)
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Redefining Midlife With Denise Kirtley
Denise Kirtley is not selling shortcuts. She’s inviting women to radically change their approach to midlife by focusing on what really matters—strength, mindset, and purpose. In this episode of The AGEIST Podcast, Denise shares her journey from feeling lost in perimenopause to becoming the founder of Rebellion Body, a coaching platform dedicated to helping women in midlife regain their strength, confidence, and vision.
Midlife Isn’t the End—It’s a Reset
What makes Denise’s message resonate is its honesty. She doesn’t glamorize the process. Instead, she talks about how hard it can be to change habits at 50 or 60, especially when the prevailing narrative has conditioned women to expect decline. “You have to choose your hard,” she says. It’s a call to action that challenges women to trade physical stagnation for vitality—even if it means facing some discomfort.
Why Mindset Comes First
Throughout the conversation, Denise emphasizes that the biggest obstacle isn’t physical. It’s psychological. She pushes listeners to stop waiting for the “perfect time,” and instead take one small action today, whether that’s a 10-minute walk or tracking protein intake. Her philosophy isn’t about aesthetics but about building a life with mobility, energy, and possibility.
Visibility and the Power of Real Examples
By posting unfiltered images of herself on social media, Denise pushes back against both ageism and perfectionism. She shares that when she gets called names like “fit grandma,” she sees it as proof that representation matters. “The first step to transformation is belief,” she says, and for many women, seeing someone like her makes all the difference.
Denise Kirtley’s episode is not just another wellness talk—it’s a wake-up call to start living better now. For anyone who feels stuck, this conversation is the push to take that first step.
Tune in to hear more from Denise Kirtley on this episode of The AGEIST Podcast or check out the full interview transcript.
The ideas expressed here are solely the opinions of the author and are not researched or verified by AGEIST LLC, or anyone associated with AGEIST LLC. This material should not be construed as medical advice or recommendation, it is for informational use only. We encourage all readers to discuss with your qualified practitioners the relevance of the application of any of these ideas to your life. The recommendations contained herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. You should always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before starting any new treatment or stopping any treatment that has been prescribed for you by your physician or other qualified health provider. Please call your doctor or 911 immediately if you think you may have a medical or psychiatric emergency.
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