When I attended the very first Flow Space Women’s Health Summit in May, I walked away feeling seen, heard, and energized. It was a room full of women confronting midlife not as a decline, but as a rebirth. So when the second iteration was announced for October 9 in Los Angeles, I knew I had to be there.
Presented in partnership with the SHE Media Network, the Fall 2025 Summit delivered once again—this time bigger, bolder, and even more soul-stirring.
A Day of Reframing, Reclaiming, and Rising
Hosted at Penske Media Corporation, the summit gathered women of all generations for a full-day immersive experience focused on healthspan, longevity, and redefining wellness in midlife and beyond.
It wasn’t just about being healthy—it was about thriving.
With speakers ranging from physicians and wellness leaders to actors and editors, every session touched on a central truth: we must dismantle the silence and stigma around women’s midlife transitions—from perimenopause and mental health to chronic illness and identity shifts.
“We Tend to Think of Midlife as One Long Continuum…”
That powerful reframing came from Gloria Espinoza, Editor-in-Chief of Flow Space, who opened the day by challenging our default language around menopause and aging.
“We tend to think like [midlife] is one long continuum. Oh, no, no, no, no. You really need to understand what is going on during each phase.”
Her comment set the tone for what became a masterclass in breaking down myths and rebuilding self-awareness.
Dr. Jila Senemar, board-certified OB-GYN and founder of JilaMD, made clear that terms matter. Menopause isn’t a chapter—it’s a day. Just one.
“Menopause is literally one day—the 366th day without a period. Everything before that is perimenopause, and everything after is postmenopause. That distinction is key to understanding what’s going on in your body.”
Dr. Jaclyn Tolentino, a cancer survivor and functional medicine expert, emphasized that symptoms vary widely—from brain fog to weight gain to anxiety—and doctors often miss the full picture:
“Each woman has her own unique fingerprint of symptoms. We have to look at her holistically.”
Constance Zimmer: “We’re Not F*cking Around”
In one of the most electric sessions of the day, actress Constance Zimmer brought truth, humor, and fire. She shared her unexpected plunge into perimenopause—and how it opened a door to advocacy she hadn’t anticipated.’
“We’ve never been allowed to share the sh*t. We’ve always had to pretend everything’s great. But it’s not. And now there’s a movement forming because women are done pretending.”
Her goal?
“To change the way the world looks at women over 50—and change the way women over 50 look at themselves.”
Zimmer is now leveraging her network of high-profile friends to amplify this movement and show that visibility breeds validation—especially for women who’ve been told they’re irrelevant after a certain age.
Selma Blair: Redefining Identity Through Illness
The summit’s most soul-shifting moment came during the keynote conversation with Selma Blair—actress, activist, and Flow Space’s latest Gen X issue cover star.
Diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS in 2018 (after unknowingly living with symptoms since childhood), Blair shared how her illness forced her to reimagine her identity—beyond Hollywood, beyond roles.
“I didn’t even feel like an actress. I felt like I was living my characters. There was a vulnerability, but also a posture change—just like in real life.”
Blair spoke tenderly about feeling old and young at the same time, playing a 14-year-old at 23, and battling imposter syndrome even as her films gained acclaim.
“Now I realize—I do have that magic dust. I just had to redefine it on my own terms.”
Her message resonated deeply with every woman in the room navigating the dualities of strength and softness, illness and power, invisibility and recognition.
Wellness in Every Detail
More than just panels, the Flow Space Summit was curated to embody wellness:
- 💬 Honest conversations led by Selma Blair, Constance Zimmer, Dr. Robin Berzin, Dr. Jessica Shepherd, and others
- 👟 Free shoes from Vionic to step into your next season
- 🥗 A nourishing lunch by Gaby Dalkin’s Neighborly
- ☕ Coffee by Autonomy and wellness drinks from AG1
- 🎁 A luxe gift bag filled with self-care products
- 🅿️ Validated parking—because yes, that matters too
Final Reflection: Midlife Is Our Launch Pad
If there’s one takeaway from this summit, it’s this:
Midlife is not a breakdown. It’s a breakthrough.
We’re not just surviving. We’re reprogramming what thriving looks like in our 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s—and beyond.
As someone who champions visibility for Olympians, Paralympians, and high-achieving women across industries, I left this summit reminded that we all deserve to take up space. Especially in the spaces that once tried to shrink us.
I’m honored to have experienced both Flow Space Summits in 2025. Each time, I’ve walked away more educated, more affirmed, and more committed to sharing these stories so we can all age out loud—together.
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