Why does metabolism suddenly feel different in your 40s even if your diet and exercise haven’t changed?

In this episode, I break down one of the most misunderstood hormones in women’s health: estrogen. Most women associate estrogen with reproduction, hot flashes, or mood swings. But estrogen actually plays a much larger role in your body, especially when it comes to metabolism, blood sugar regulation, fat storage, muscle preservation, and cardiovascular health.

As estrogen begins to fluctuate and decline during perimenopause and menopause, many women start noticing changes they were never prepared for. Weight becomes harder to manage, belly fat increases, energy drops, and blood sugar or cholesterol numbers start creeping up.

This episode explains why those shifts happen and what you can begin doing now to support your metabolism during this stage of life.

💡 In this episode, we cover:
• What estrogen actually does in the body beyond reproduction
• Why estrogen is considered a metabolic protector
• The connection between estrogen decline and insulin resistance
• Why belly fat and metabolic changes increase in midlife
• How estrogen affects muscle mass, energy production, and mood
• The link between estrogen, gut health, and metabolism
• Why metabolism needs a different strategy after 40
• Practical ways to support your metabolism starting today

Understanding these changes helps remove the guilt many women feel when their bodies start responding differently. It’s not about willpower. It’s about understanding how your hormones influence metabolism and adjusting your strategy accordingly.

🔗 Resources / Links
💬 Book Your Personalized Wellness Assessment → https://l.bttr.to/uctL2
📋 Download the FREE DANRE™ Fasting Strategy Worksheet → https://theelevatedwomanproject.com/episode-16
🎧 Listen to all episodes → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoVU03xrDH8WODZsTZoQx0tUsvhT0XUui

Chapters
00:00 Intro

00:45 Celebrating Women's Resilience and History Month

01:08 Understanding Estrogen's Influence on Women's Bodies

01:46 Common Misconceptions About Hormones

02:30 Estrogen's Impact on Metabolism and Heart Health

03:16 Types of Estrogen and Their Functions

05:50 Estrogen Decline and Metabolic Risks

08:20 Fat Redistribution and Cardiovascular Risks

11:11 Hormone Therapy and Its Benefits

12:50 Estrogen's Role in Fat Distribution and Muscle Mass

14:24 Estrogen, Brain Health, and Mood Regulation

15:13 Gut Microbiome and Estrogen Metabolism

17:38 Supporting Metabolism Through Nutrition and Exercise

20:26 Join the Spring Metabolic Reset Program

21:45 Recap: Estrogen's Critical Role in Women's Health

If this episode resonated with you, share it with another midlife woman who needs this information. And make sure to hit like and subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming episodes on hormones, metabolism, and women’s health.

Are you losing weight on a GLP-1 but secretly worried about muscle loss, fatigue, or gaining it all back when you stop?

GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide can be powerful tools for midlife weight loss, especially during perimenopause when estrogen declines and insulin resistance rises. But they are not magic. And if you don’t protect your metabolism while using them, you may unintentionally lose muscle, slow your metabolic rate, and set yourself up for weight regain.

In this episode, I break down how to use GLP-1 medications the right way so your results actually last.

💡 In this episode, we cover:

• How GLP-1 medications really work in the body
• The biggest myths about GLP-1s and metabolism
• Why midlife hormone shifts change how these medications affect you
• The risk of muscle loss and “skinny fat” during rapid weight loss
• 5 GLP-1-friendly rules to protect your muscle and metabolic rate
• How to structure protein intake and strength training while on a GLP-1
• Warning signs your dose may be too high
• How to come off a GLP-1 safely to reduce the risk of weight regain
• When long-term pharmacologic support may actually be appropriate

🔗 Resources / Links
💬 Book Your Personalized Wellness Assessment → https://l.bttr.to/uctL2
📋 Download the FREE DANRE™ Fasting Strategy Worksheet → https://theelevatedwomanproject.com/episode-16
🎧 Listen to all episodes → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoVU03xrDH8WODZsTZoQx0tUsvhT0XUui

Chapters
00:00 Intro

00:45 Understanding Belly Fat in Women

02:56 The Role of Estrogen in Fat Distribution

06:47 The Importance of Testosterone and Cortisol

10:38 Managing Blood Sugar and Insulin Resistance

12:35 Nutrition and Gut Health for Weight Management

16:47 Personalized Wellness Assessments for Midlife Health

If you’re currently on Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound, or considering starting one, this episode will help you make informed, strategic decisions instead of relying on trends or comparisons.

GLP-1 medications can quiet hunger. But your habits determine whether the weight stays off.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with another midlife woman who needs clarity around GLP-1 weight loss. And make sure to subscribe for more education on midlife hormones, metabolism, gut health, and sustainable weight loss.

What if your neck pain, stiffness, or poor sleep during perimenopause isn’t just “getting older”… but your nervous system asking for support?

In this episode, I sit down with Anchorage-based chiropractor Dr. Aimee Burgess, founder of Gentle Roots Chiropractic, to explore how midlife hormonal shifts show up physically in the body. We talk about the physical changes women experience during midlife, particularly during perimenopause and menopause. Dr. Aimee emphasizes the importance of chiropractic care as a drug-free support system for managing symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and sleep issues. The discussion also covers the impact of hormonal shifts on physical health, the role of stress, and the importance of self-awareness in recognizing when to seek help. Dr. Aimee emphasizes the importance of collaboration with other healthcare practitioners to deliver comprehensive care for women at this stage of life.

💡 In this episode, we cover:

• How perimenopause and menopause show up as stiffness, pain, and posture changes
• The connection between spinal alignment and the autonomic nervous system
• Why chronic stress patterns get stored in the body
• Signs your body may need more than just another workout
• How chiropractic care supports sleep, digestion, and nervous system regulation
• When to collaborate with other providers for deeper healing

About Today’s Guest: Dr. Aimee Burgess

Dr. Aimee Burgess is the Founder & CEO of Gentle Roots Chiropractic in Anchorage, Alaska. She earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Life University in Atlanta, Georgia, and is nationally certified and licensed. Her practice is centered on holistic, whole-family care, with specialized training in prenatal and postnatal chiropractic, as well as infants and children.

Dr. Burgess has treated a wide range of pediatric concerns including colic, nursing challenges, ear infections, sleep disturbances, hyperactivity, and neuromuscular conditions. She is currently pursuing her pediatric diplomate through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association and has a strong passion for supporting children with neurodevelopmental challenges such as autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, Asperger’s, and sensory processing disorders.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Aimee Burgess

🌐 Website: https://gentlerootschiropractic.com
📺 YouTube: @GentleRootsChiropractic
📸 Instagram: @gentlerootschiro
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1A59KJMwgu/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🔗 Resources / Links
📒 Download Dr. Aimee's tip sheet: https://theelevatedwomanproject.com/episode-22
💬 Book Your Personalized Wellness Assessment → https://l.bttr.to/uctL2
📋 Download the FREE DANRE™ Fasting Strategy Worksheet → https://theelevatedwomanproject.com/episode-16
🎧 Listen to all episodes → https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoVU03xrDH8WODZsTZoQx0tUsvhT0XUui

Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:04 Understanding Midlife Changes in Women
09:30 The Role of Chiropractic Care
13:27 Hormonal Shifts and Physical Symptoms
17:58 Stress and Its Impact on Health
23:19 Recognizing Red Flags for Chiropractic Care
23:41 Collaboration with Other Health Practitioners

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a woman navigating perimenopause, pregnancy, or chronic stress.
And make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations on hormones, metabolism, nervous system health, and whole-body wellness.