Debra Benfield, CEDRD, RYT

04/14/2026

Honored for my work and book to be mentioned in this piece by Leadership Author/Coach;TEDx Speaker;Podcaster in Forbes alongside Ashton Applewhite • she/her and Dr. Becca Levy.

Internalized ageism is deeply dangerous no matter your age.

The good news? You are never too old or young and it’s never late or early to mend your relationship with your aging body.

Link in stories and highlights.

04/09/2026

04/07/2026

03/23/2026

For my fellow writers-
At 67, I’m a debut author and tomorrow night, I’ll be talking about my book in my favorite place on the planet, hello Asheville, sponsored by my colleagues, , and , and my all time favorite indie bookstore .

I just saw this in the window and I’m pinching myself!

And I have a message for you-Keep Writing!

And if you’re a woman over 40, 50, 60 and beyond, you are never too old and it’s never too late. The world needs your voice now more than ever! Keep going!

03/17/2026

There’s something happening in these rooms that’s hard to fully put into words.

At my recent book talks, I’ve watched women exhale.
I’ve heard stories that have been carried quietly for years.
I’ve felt what it’s like when we finally say these things out loud—together.

And I’m bringing that conversation to Asheville, NC, on March 24th at All Bodies Movement and Wellness.

I’ll be in conversation with Heidi Andersen of Reclaiming Beauty, a therapist whose work so beautifully aligns with this message of untangling from ageism, diet culture, and the pressure to shrink ourselves—especially in midlife and beyond.

We’ll talk about:

✨ the cultural messages we’ve internalized
✨ how we begin to untangle from these beliefs
✨ and what becomes possible when we do

These gatherings aren’t about having it all figured out.
They’re about being in a space where you don’t have to pretend.

If something in you has been stirring…
If you’ve been reading Unapologetic Aging (or thinking about reading it) and want to talk about it
If you’re craving honest, compassionate conversation about your body image,
I would love for you to join us.

📍 Asheville
📅 March 24
🕖 6:00 PM

Come as you are. Bring a friend or your book club.
Let’s keep talking.

Register here:
https://all-bodies-movement-and-wellness.gymdesk.com/book?date=2026-03-24&s=1474602&schedule=5339

03/09/2026

The messaging around our bodies in midlife and beyond is thick with urgency and threat.

Fix your metabolism.
Reverse aging.
Prevent weight gain.
Optimize everything.

But all I hear is the emotional tone underneath-

Fear.

Fear of body changes.
Fear of decline.
Fear of getting it wrong.

In my latest essay, I explored how growing up around fear shaped the way I respond to the fear-mongering surrounding women’s bodies.

And I ask a simple question:

What if nothing is actually wrong with your body in midlife and beyond?

Sometimes what we interpret as failure is simply our human body moving through time.

You can read the full essay on Substack via the link in my bio or drop the word FEAR and I’ll send you the link directly to you.

03/04/2026

About 20 years ago, I was talking to a therapist colleague and she said something that stuck with me: “My clients who are in midlife struggling with an eating disorder are keeping it a secret.”

Midlife+ can be an especially tough time to address disordered eating for many reasons. One of the biggest is how it goes unnoticed and even praised.

I’m hearing this in quiet post book talk conversations, in my DMs, and in the comments over on Substack.

We need to widen our lens when we talk about eating disorders.

Full article on Substack. Drop the word SECRET in the comments and I’ll send you the direct link or find the link in my bio and highlights.

I’m so glad you’re here.
Much love,
Deb

03/02/2026

If you’re in midlife and beyond, or love someone who is, please read this.

Eating Disorders Awareness Week just ended. For me, this is when the real conversations begin.

You likely know someone with an eating disorder and you can’t tell by looking.

Only 6% of people with eating disorders look like the image you think of when you think about an eating disorder, in other words, are medically underweight.

Which means the woman strength training, tracking protein, fasting “for her hormones” , and praised for her discipline, could be quietly struggling.

Body changes in midlife and beyond are real.

But when menopause and longevity advice make restriction and rules sound like “being good”, eating disorders can hide in plain sight.

In midlife and beyond, an eating disorder can look like a gold star.

I’m hearing this in quiet conversations after book talks and in my DMs. High achieving women who are “doing everything right”, and waking up old eating order thoughts and patterns.

Midlife+ is a real relapse window.

We need to talk about it.

This week’s Substack article gets into. Link is in my bio or drop the word “secret” in the comments and I’ll send you the direct link.