It's Time To Make a Vital Shift in Midlife

Hello friends. I’ve been quieter than usual over the past several months, not because I’ve stepped away, but because I’ve been building. I’ve spent this time refining my work, my focus, and how I support clients so I can offer something more intentional, more connected, and, frankly, more effective.

If you follow my work, you’ve probably noticed that most of my coaching now centers on the midlife transition. This isn’t about decline or slowing down. It’s about recognizing that your body’s operating system changes, and what used to work no longer does.

Midlife is not the beginning of the end

It's a Vital Shift

Your operating system changes as you reach midlife. Your body isn’t breaking down. It’s asking for a different approach.

Midlife doesn't lower the bar. It changes the rules.

• You don't "bounce back" from indulgences anymore

• Sleep debt is real, and the interest rate is brutal

• Calories in vs calories out is no longer a valid equation

• Mobility is no longer optional

• Balance becomes part of training, not an afterthought

This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it captures the reality many of us experience. The challenge isn’t knowing that things need to change. It’s knowing what to change, how to change it, and when to implement those changes without feeling overwhelmed.

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Why I Don't Coach by the Hour Anymore

I have found that my health coaching clients need much more than a weekly hour-long chat. They need my focused attention and support. That sometimes means going for long walks together, texting me a menu from a new restaurant for help deciding what to order, or just a Sunday-morning phone call when they need a lift.

This is coaching measured in outcomes, not minutes.

Have you ever felt lost when starting a new diet, supplement, or workout plan? Most people don’t fail because they lack motivation. They fail because no one is helping them connect the dots, adjust the plan, and course-correct before they fall off the rails.

This is what 1:1 coaching with me looks like. We map out the next several months together: how you’ll eat, when you’ll eat, how you’ll train, and why. What supplements or testing make sense, and just as importantly, what doesn’t. And when you hit a plateau, we already know what comes next.

If this level of support feels right, I invite you to reach out and schedule a conversation.

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Not Ready for 1:1? This Is Where You Start

Not everyone needs or wants 1:1 coaching. If you’re looking for guidance, education, and accountability without that level of intensity, this is where the Vital Shift Collective comes in.

Last year, I launched the Collective and quickly saw how powerful this format could be. Each month, I introduced a midlife health topic, and we explored how it played out in real life. The conversations were honest, practical, and immediately applicable.

The original version didn’t fully take off, primarily due to tech and structure. That’s now been addressed. This spring, the Collective relaunches with monthly coaching calls, group challenges, curated resources, and space to learn from others navigating the same phase of life.

I’ll be opening this to a small group to start. If you’d like to be on the list, email me directly. The first members will receive a complimentary 45-minute coaching call as a thank you for helping shape what this becomes.

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Bringing Medical Expertise Into the Picture

One of the most common frustrations I hear is the difficulty of accessing thoughtful medical care. Many people are doing everything “right” from a lifestyle perspective and still not seeing results, whether the issue is hormones, thyroid health, or metabolic support.

For several years, I’ve worked closely with Dr. Richard Lee, a physician with deep experience in thyroid disease, osteoporosis, fertility, and hormone replacement therapy. Together, we support clients who need more than lifestyle changes alone.

My role is to guide the lifestyle, behavior change, and implementation side of the work. Dr. Lee provides medical evaluation, prescribing, and oversight. This partnership allows clients to receive comprehensive, coordinated care without trying to piece everything together on their own.

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DFitLife is Now The Vital Shift

After nearly two decades under DFitLife, it’s time for an evolution. The Vital Shift reflects how my work has grown and where it’s headed. As my clients’ needs change, so does the way I support them.

This next chapter allows for deeper work, better integration, and a more connected experience across coaching, education, and care. This evolution will continue to take shape in the months ahead.

Thank you for being here and for trusting me with your health. I’m looking forward to what this next chapter brings.

Yours in health,

D.D. Forrest