Hundreds of women gathered at the scenic City Winery Hudson Valley in Montgomery, New York, on March 26 for TODAY Stages 2026, a one-day wellness summit dedicated to the health and well-being challenges faced by women in midlife and beyond. Organized by the TODAY show team, the event featured candid conversations, medical experts and celebrity insight that left many attendees feeling validated, informed and energized about navigating life after 40.
Set against the picturesque vineyard backdrop, TODAY Stages 2026 brought together psychotherapists, dermatologists, physicians and special guest Brooke Shields for panels that tackled topics often whispered about rather than openly discussed. Attendees heard practical strategies on everything from brain fog and sleep struggles to building strength and embracing joy in this new life stage.
Hormone Changes Take Center Stage at TODAY Stages 2026
Psychotherapist Niro Feliciano, author of All is CALMish, shared relatable stories of mid-sentence forgetfulness that drew knowing laughter from the crowd. She explained that brain fog, memory lapses and mental fog are common during perimenopause and menopause due to shifting hormones. Sleep emerged as the non-negotiable foundation for managing these symptoms.
Experts at TODAY Stages 2026 recommended simple but effective habits: exposure to morning sunlight to regulate melatonin, regular exercise to boost mood and sleep quality, and for some women, discussion with doctors about hormone therapy to reduce nighttime wake-ups. Being surrounded by women experiencing the same changes also provided an emotional lift, with research supporting the mood benefits of shared understanding.
Pro-Aging Philosophy Shines at TODAY Stages 2026
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry urged attendees to shift their mindset from fighting aging to supporting skin health at every age. Instead of complicated multi-step routines, she advocated focusing on proven essentials: antioxidants such as vitamin C, daily moisturizer, retinoids or peptides, and sunscreen every single day.
Speakers at TODAY Stages 2026 emphasized that skin appearance reflects overall lifestyle. Quality sleep, strength training and balanced nutrition play larger roles than any single product. The panel encouraged women to view their skin through the lens of health rather than chronological age.
Inflammation and Gut Health Discussed
Multiple experts, including TODAY contributor Dr. Natalie Azar and integrative medicine physician Dr. Taz Bhatia, identified chronic inflammation as a root contributor to many midlife issues, ranging from autoimmune conditions and digestive problems to mental health challenges. Much of this inflammation begins in the gut, they noted.
Practical advice shared at TODAY Stages 2026 was straightforward: prioritize whole, unprocessed foods, increase fiber intake, and pay close attention to digestion signals such as bloating or irregularity. Chronic stress and elevated cortisol were also flagged as major disruptors that can worsen gut balance and overall well-being.
Strength Training and Bone Health Highlighted
As women age, natural loss of muscle mass affects metabolism, bone density and daily strength. Experts at TODAY Stages 2026 stressed that strength training is no longer optional but essential for long-term health. Beyond physical benefits, lifting weights also trains mental focus and presence through single-task concentration.
Bone health discussions revealed that peak bone mass is typically reached in the 20s, making maintenance critical afterward. Attendees were reminded of the importance of calcium, vitamin D, strength exercises and balance training. Physicians encouraged conversations with doctors about screening and risk factors well before age 65.
Brooke Shields Shares Candid Wisdom
Actress and entrepreneur Brooke Shields delivered one of the most memorable moments. She spoke openly about reclaiming her own narrative after years of external opinions on her career, body and choices. Shields revealed that her confidence fully arrived in her 50s and described building her beauty line, Commence, through authentic conversations with women who felt overlooked in this life stage.
Her message at TODAY Stages 2026 resonated deeply: this period is not an ending but a beginning. She encouraged women not to overanalyze risks but to focus on their “why” and move forward even when the path is unclear. Shields also shared the vulnerability of starting a business from scratch, investing her own resources and asking for help along the way.
Joy and Community Emphasized
One expert posed a simple but powerful question to patients: “What brings you joy?” Many women struggled to answer, highlighting how easily joy can be deprioritized. The recommendation was clear: carve out at least 15 minutes daily for activities such as walking, listening to music, calling a friend or simply sitting in stillness. Joy was framed as an essential component of health, not a luxury.
Attendees left TODAY Stages 2026 with a strong sense of relief and excitement. Many reported feeling less alone in their experiences of hormonal shifts, forgetfulness and life transitions. The summit reinforced that women in this stage are not finished, they are just getting started, equipped with better tools and community support.
The event also included a brand bazaar with wellness products and a notable goody bag, adding tangible value to the day of inspiration.
For many participants, TODAY Stages 2026 served as both validation and a practical roadmap. The combination of medical expertise, personal stories and actionable advice created an atmosphere that felt empowering rather than overwhelming. As women continue to redefine midlife, events like this highlight the importance of open dialogue and evidence-based strategies for thriving in the decades ahead.
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