Guiding Women Through Midlife with Science, Sanity, and a Sense of Humor

You’ve spent years taking care of everyone else — and now your body feels like it’s running on a new operating system you don’t remember downloading (which, let’s face it, doesn’t mean much recently).

Night sweats, weight shifts, wired-and-tired nights followed by foggy afternoons …
They’re confusing. They’re exhausting. And they’re not “just part of getting older.”

I’m here to help you make sense of it — and feel inspired again.

Meet Byrd—The Dietitian Who Helps Midlife Make Sense

Hey there! I’m Byrd Schas — a Registered Dietitian, coach, and the founder of Second Summer Nutrition. My background is a mix of journalism and clinical nutrition, with master’s degrees in both and formal training at Stony Brook University Hospital. That blend allows me to take the overwhelming, often confusing world of women’s health research and translate it into simple, practical steps you can actually use in the day-to-day.

I’ve worked with women across ages, symptoms, and life circumstances—and I’ve navigated my own midlife shifts: the surprises, the “Is this normal?” moments, the late-night Google spirals. Those experiences shape everything about how I practice: with insight, curiosity, and zero judgment.

I’m passionate about helping women feel informed, grounded, and back in the driver’s seat of their own bodies. I want eating well, moving well, and caring for yourself to feel simple, doable, and eventually… second nature.

My clients often describe me as a blend of guide, strategist, and coach — someone who listens deeply, sees nuance, and keeps you from getting lost in the weeds. And when things feel heavy? Yes, I can also be the comic relief.

You don’t need more noise or more rules. You need someone who helps you connect the dots — your symptoms, your routines, your goals — and build a plan that finally feels like you.

Why I Do This Work

Perimenopause showed up for me like the UPS guy when you’ve just stepped out of the shower — unannounced, poorly timed, and absolutely unwilling to wait on the doorstep.

At 46, I thought I had the whole “healthy living” thing pretty nailed down. But even as an experienced dietitian, it crept in one symptom at a time until I felt like I was adrift in a strange sea.

First came the fog — “Where are my keys? Where’s my phone? Wait, what room is this?”


Then the mood swings (sorry, sweetie).

Then came the body shifts — in the form of waistband rebellions and “who shrunk my pants?” mornings.

It was frustrating. It was humbling. And yes, it was a little scary.

Even with years of training, I found myself wondering:

“If I can’t make sense of what’s happening… how is anyone else supposed to?”

That question changed everything.

After white-knuckling it longer than I care to admit, I dove into the research, the clinical evidence, and the lived stories of women quietly muddling through the same murky middle of midlife. What I discovered was simple and profound:

Midlife isn’t a downfall — it’s a transition. A second puberty, if you will. And more than that, it’s an opportunity.

Most clinicians aren’t trained to guide women through this stage, and culturally, we’ve been conditioned not to talk about it (what’s up with that, mom?). But with the right support, it can become one of the most powerful, pleasurable, and rewarding seasons of your life.

My mission is simple: to help you decode midlife, reclaim your energy, and feel like yourself again.

That’s the heartbeat of Second Summer.

My Approach & the Work We’ll Do Together

Your body is changing — your approach should, too.

So many wellness plans are built for 25-year-old physiology… not for the hormonal, metabolic, neurological, and emotional shifts of middle age. That’s why they leave women feeling confused, discouraged, or convinced they’re “doing something wrong.”

My approach is different.

I look at the whole picture — your symptoms, your routines, your stress load, your sleep patterns, your metabolism, your history, and the realities of your actual life — and help you understand how all of it connects.

Here’s what that means for you:

  • We make sense of your patterns so you stop guessing about what your body is doing

  • We stabilize your routines so you feel anchored instead of reactive

  • We support your metabolism + muscle using midlife-specific nutrition strategies

  • We use food and movement as tools, not punishments

  • We build confidence through small, strategic steps instead of all-or-nothing plans

This isn’t about perfection.

It’s about partnership. It’s about rebuilding trust with your body and learning how to work with it rather than fighting it.

If the old rulebook stopped working … It’s because your body is writing a new one.

I’m here to help you read it.

My Life Outside the Office

I’m a mom of two teenagers, a partner, a daughter, a sister, and the human to one very lovable (and opinionated) poodle named Fred. I love gardening, photography, good music, dancing in the kitchen, and being outside whenever I can manage it.

These pieces of my life shape the way I coach — with curiosity, compassion, gratitude, humor, and a deep belief that midlife isn’t a slowdown. It’s a shift. A season with its own kind of power and possibility.

Because at the end of the day, this work isn’t just professional for me — it’s personal.
And I’m here to help you feel grounded, supported, and fully yourself again as you enter your own Second Summer.

This program is for you

This program is a good fit if you’re ready to be a teammate with your body instead of its critic. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be willing.

You’re a great fit if you’re ready to:

  • Experiment and be honest about what’s working

  • Set aside a bit of time each week for sessions and small changes

  • Look at food, movement, stress, and sleep as connected pieces

  • Play the long game instead of chasing quick fixes

This program isn’t for you

  • You’re hoping for a strict meal plan to follow without reflection

  • You prioritize rapid weight loss above all else

  • You want a quick fix you can set and forget.

This is collaborative work — thoughtful, supportive, and designed for women who are ready to be active participants in their own care.

Let’s Get You Feeling Better

When you understand what your body needs now, everything gets easier.
If you’re ready for real guidance — the kind that feels supportive, smart, and sustainable — I’d love to help.

Your next chapter starts with one conversation.

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